Mark Your Calendar

Nov. 15           3^rd Thursday Coffee Chat, 8:30 to 9:15, Annex Multipurpose Room

Nov. 15           December Lunch and Aftercare Sign-ups Open

Nov. 19-23      NO SCHOOL—Thanksgiving Break, Office is closed.

Additional Important Items

Nov. 25           December Lunch and Aftercare Sign-ups Close

Nov. 26           New Deadline to register for Montessori in the Home Parent Forum

Nov. 28           Parent Forum: Montessori in the Home Session 1 of 2, 5:30 to 7:30 pm. See article below.

Dec. 2-4          6^th Grade Chicago Trip

Parent Forum: Montessori in the Home

 We have extended the deadline for registration to November 26, as we have a few spots still available, so come join us on Nov. 28 and Dec. 12 for a two-part workshop on Montessori in the Home, about creating a supportive home environment using Montessori methods and philosophy. The workshops, presented by Bloomington Family Wellness, are designed for families with children ages 3 to 6 years old, with sessions on Nov. 28 and Dec. 12 from 5:30 to 7:30. Light dinner and childcare will be provided.

The cost of the workshop series is $30 per family. This fee, payable in the Main Office by cash or check made out to Bloomington Montessori School, includes the workshop and materials as well as childcare and dinner.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844AFAB2EA7F49-parent

Parent Advisory Committee Kick-Off Meeting

Come join the fun at the PAC! The PAC, of which you are a member, helps with many of the activities around school, from Fall Festival to Spring Fling and our community service projects. On December 6, at 6:30, we will discuss ideas for this year’s community outreach project as well as opportunities to help with our Spring Gala. Stay tuned for more info from the PAC.

Box Tops, Box Tops

Thanks to all of you who brought in Box Tops for our most recent deadline! Your collecting this fall will bring the school $140.80, and every bit we raise helps us purchase needed supplies and materials for the classrooms.

Please take a moment to visit the Box Tops website at www.btfe.com orwww.boxtops4education.com, where you can find lots of product coupons and an updated product list to use for your grocery planning. Keep on clipping!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Break and safe travels to everyone!

Mark Your Calendar

Nov. 6             Election Day and Teacher Professional Day—NO SCHOOL for children  Polls open from 6 am to 6 pm   Find your Polling Place at https://indianavoters.in.gov/   Or Vote Early! See info below.

Nov. 7             Walnut Class Diwali Celebration, 3:30 to 5:30 pm, Walnut side yard

Nov. 7             Dine Out at Chipotle, 4 to 8 pm

Nov. 8             Hickory AM Children’s Evening, 5:15 to 6:15 pm

Nov. 9-11        6^th Grade Camping Trip

Additional Important Items

Nov. 13           Board Meeting, 6:00 pm

Nov. 14           Hickory PM Children’s Evening, 5:15 to 6:15 pm

Nov. 15           3^rd Thursday Coffee Chat, Annex Multipurpose Room

Nov. 15           December Lunch and Aftercare Sign-ups Open

Nov. 19-23      NO SCHOOL—Thanksgiving Break

Front Desk Email Address

Haley Williams, our new office assistant, has a new email address. Please add to your address book officeassistant@montessori.k12.in.us, and delete admincoord@ and receptionist@. Thank you.

Parent Forum: Montessori in the Home

Many parents have asked for information about how to create a supportive home environment using Montessori methods and philosophy. We are working with Bloomington Family Wellness to present a two-part workshop geared toward families with children ages 3 to 6 years old, with sessions on Nov. 28 and Dec. 12 from 5:30 to 7:30. Light dinner and childcare will be provided.

The cost of the workshop series will be $30 per family. Up to 12 families may participate. Registration will begin soon.

Early voting is now underway!

Election Central

401 W. 7^th St., Suite 100

Monday through Friday      8 am to 6 pm

Saturday, Oct. 27                  9 am to 4 pm

Saturday, Nov. 3                   9 am to 4 pm

Nov. 5                                     8 am to 12 pm

Mark Your Calendar

Oct. 21 & 22   Parent-Teacher Conferences

Oct. 22 & 23   NO SCHOOL

Oct. 25            Sycamore Children’s Evening, 5:30 to 6:30 pm

Oct. 25            November Lunch/Aftercare Sign-ups Close

Additional Important Items

Nov. 6             Election Day

Nov. 6             Teacher Professional Day—NO SCHOOL for children

Nov. 7             Dine Out at Chipotle, 4 to 8 pm

Front Desk Email Address

Haley Williams, our new office assistant, has a new email address. Please add to your address book officeassistant@montessori.k12.in.us, and delete admincoord@ and receptionist@. Thank you.

Winter Clothing Drive

BMS Families, is your closet getting cluttered with old clothing? You could donate it to the Sycamore Winter Clothing Drive if you want to help people in need!

The Wheeler Mission Center for Women and Children is a shelter for people without homes. They provide food, beds, and other needs. Currently, we are partnering with them to make a little “shop” inside the building to provide people with clothing. The Sycamore Class is helping build the shelving and organize the Share Closet and is also holding a drive to collect winter clothing donations. We are accepting donations of gloves, hats, socks, and coats in women’s, men’s, and all children’s sizes. If you would like to donate,please send clothing here between October 15^th and November 16th and place in the collection bins of each building.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

The Sycamore Students

For Small Hands

We have $1,782.05 in orders! Those of you who ordered will receive free shipping. Orders will arrive at the school in November and parents will be contacted directly. Questions? Contact Allison O’Boyle at oboyleas@gmail.com. Thank you so much!

Dine Out At Chipotle

November 7 from 4 to 8 pm, at the Chipotle on 3^rd near the mall. Once a $300 threshold is reached, the school will receive a whopping one-third of the total purchased. Mark your calendars, invite your friends. You must show the flyer when you order, which was in your parent pocket, attached to previous newsletters and sent out via social media.

Early voting is now underway!

Election Central

401 W. 7^th St., Suite 100

Monday through Friday      8 am to 6 pm

Saturday, Oct. 27                  9 am to 4 pm

Saturday, Nov. 3                   9 am to 4 pm

Nov. 5                                     8 am to 12 pm

https://www.co.monroe.in.us/department/division.php?structureid=89

Mark Your Calendar

Oct. 8 and 9     Fall Break—No School

Oct. 9              Deadline to register to vote  www.indianavoters.com

Oct. 8-15         Tea School Days—Tea Collection fundraiser (TeaSchoolDays.com promo code SDF18BLOOMINGTON)

Oct. 10            Parent Forum: The Montessori Spiral A Brief Overview of the Philosophy and Practices of Montessori Education 6:00 to 7:30 pm and 5:30 to 6:00 pm light dinner for those pre-registered

Oct. 10            Parent-Teacher Conference Sign-ups Open for Families with Siblings

Oct. 11            Parent-Teacher Conference Sign-ups Open for All

Oct. 15-17       5^th Grade Trip to Bradford Woods

Oct. 15             Parent-Teacher Conference Sign-ups Close

Oct. 15             November Lunch and Aftercare Sign-ups Open

Oct. 16             Board Meeting, 6:00 pm

Oct. 18             3^rd Thursday Coffee Chat, 8:30 to 9:15, Main Office

Oct. 19            Deadline for For Small Hands group order (see article below)

Additional Important Items

Oct. 21 & 22   Parent-Teacher Conferences

Oct. 22 & 23   NO SCHOOL

Oct. 25               Sycamore Children’s Evening, 5:30 to 6:30 pm

For Small Hands

For Small Hands offers toys, games and practical life items sized for, well, small hands, and gives to the school a percentage of purchases made using our school code (101965). The school uses these donations to order many of the classroom materials used by your children every day. This fall the school is organizing a group order, which could provide free shipping to shoppers as well as increase the percent donated to the school. We must reach a $500 group threshold to receive the free shipping, so browse the catalog you found in your parent pocket and bring a little Montessori into your home. Orders must be placed by Oct. 19. Questions? Contact Allison O’Boyle at oboyleas@gmail.com. We already have orders totaling over $160. Make yours today!

Dine Out At Chipotle

 November 7 from 4 to 8 pm, at the Chipotle by the mall. Once a $300 threshold is reached, the school will receive a whopping one-third of the total purchased. Mark your calendars, invite your friends. More details to come.

Parent Volunteers Needed

Experts in WordPress, please contact Teresa Mandell at it@montessori.k12.in.us.

Parents interested in making a few calls to regional Montessori Schools to gather information, please contact Jess Davis at dmp@montessori.k12.in.us.

Thank you, and remember to log your volunteer hours.

Lost and Found

Please check the Lost and Found in the office and outside your classroom door and collect items belonging to you. Items not collected by October 15 will be donated.

Tired of losing items? Visit www.campaigns.mabelslabels.com, choose BMS from the list, order some labels and raise funds for BMS. Enjoy the sale, going on Oct. 8 through 14.

Changes to Lunch Menus

As we transition from Emily to Kelsey in the kitchen, there may be a few days when the lunch served will not match the menu. We will make every effort to alert you in advance of these changes. Thank you for your patience!

And remember to register to vote by October 9.

www.indianavoters.com

“Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding.” —Albert Einstein

Mark Your Calendar

Oct. 8 and 9     Fall Break—No School

Oc. 8-15          Tea School Days—Tea Collection fundraiser (see article below)

Oct. 10            Parent Forum: The Montessori Spiral A Brief Overview of the Philosophy and Practices of Montessori Education

                                      5:30 to 7:30 pm, Commons, includes light dinner and childcare

                                      Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0f4ca8af23a2f58-fall

Oct. 10             Parent-Teacher Conference Sign-ups Open for Families with Siblings

Oct. 11            Parent-Teacher Conference Sign-ups Open for All

Additional Important Items

Oct. 15-17       5^th Grade Trip to Bradford Woods

Oct. 15             Parent-Teacher Conference Sign-ups Close

Oct. 15             November Lunch and Aftercare Sign-ups Open

Oct. 16             Board Meeting, 6:00 pm

Oct. 18             3^rd Thursday Coffee Chat, 8:30 to 9:15, Main Office

Oct. 19            Deadline for For Small Hands group order (see article below)

Oct. 21 & 22   Parent-Teacher Conferences

Oct. 22 & 23   NO SCHOOL

Fall Parent Forum

Join us on October 10 for our first Parent Forum of the school year. Jessica Davis, our Director of Montessori Programs, will provide a brief overview of Montessori philosophy and practices and discuss how content, activities and learning methods spiral through the grades as children build on skills and understanding as they move through the nine-year curriculum scope. The presentation will be informative for parents with children of any age at BMS.

The evening will begin with a light dinner for parents and children at 5:30. At 6:00 children will go to childcare while the adults gather in the Sycamore classroom for the presentation. The evening will conclude by 7:30.

Please sign up for childcare and the meal as well as the forum through Sign Up Genius. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0f4ca8af23a2f58-fall.

Fundraising Opportunities: For Small Hands, Tea Collection, and Chipotle

For Small Hands: This company, which offers toys, games and practical life items sized for small hands, continues to give to the school a percentage of purchases made using our school code (101965). The school uses these donations to order many of the classroom materials used by your children every day.This fall the school is organizing a group order, which could provide free shipping to shoppers as well as increase the percent donated to the school. We must reach a $500 group threshold to receive the free shipping, so browse the catalog you found in your parent pocket, check out sample items at today’s Fundraising Friday table, and bring a little Montessori into your home. Orders must be placed by Oct. 19. Questions? Contact Allison O’Boyle at oboyleas@gmail.com.

Tea Collection: Another School Days shopping opportunity is October 8 through 15. Beginning October 8, shop at TeaSchoolDays.com using our school’s unique promo code SDF18BLOOMINGTON. Shoppers can also receive free 6-10 business day shipping (please select that option to receive the free shipping). The school will receive 15% of purchases made through this website during the time period.

Dine Out At Chipotle: November 7 from 4 to 8 pm, at the Chipotle by the mall. Once a $300 threshold is reached, the school will receive a whopping one-third of the total purchased. So, mark your calendars, invite your friends. More details to come.

Daffodils for Spring

Did you optimistically purchase 250 daffodil bulbs and just don’t have time to plant them all? Did you just see daffodil bulbs on sale and couldn’t resist, leaving you with extra? Donate them to the school! We will be having a daffodil planting day once the weather seems to be staying cool, and any bulbs you’d like to contribute to the effort would be most appreciated. Please bring them to the Main Office and place them on the table by the window. Thank you!

Mark Your Calendar

Sept. 15           Lunch and Aftercare October Sign-ups Open

Sept. 17           Student Make-up Photos

Sept. 20           Sweet Gum Children’s Evening, 5:15 to 6:15 pm

Sept. 22           Family Fun Walk/Run, 10:00 am, Lower Playground Fall Festival, 11:00 to 3:00, Lower Playground

 Sept. 25           Lunch and Aftercare October Sign-ups Close

Sept. 26           Magnolia Children’s Evening, 5:15 to 6:15 pm

Sept. 27           Maple/Walnut Children’s Evening, 5:30 to 6:30 pm

Additional Important Items

Oct. 8 and 9     Fall Break—No School

Oct. 10            Parent Forum: The Montessori Spiral A Brief Overview of the Philosophy and Practices of Montessori Education 5:30 to 7:30 pm, Commons, includes light dinner and childcare

It’s Fall Festival Time!

For the Potluck

• Hickory AM/PM – Desserts
• Sweet Gum and Magnolia – Main Dishes
• Maple and Walnut – Side Dishes or Salads
• Sycamore – Drinks (sign up genius to come for this)

Remember—NO NUTS! Tree nuts, peanuts, pine nuts, etc. When in doubt, leave it out.

Remember—Label your dish’s ingredients. Watch your parent pockets for more on this.

Remember—Dishes should serve 20 to 30. We have run out of food in the past, so be as generous as you are able.

Check your parent pockets for additional information.

Join Us for the BMS Fun Run/Walk

10 am

Sept. 22

Remember to sign up for the BMS Fun Run/Walk! Enjoy a lovely 1-mile run or walk and raise funds to support the school. You’ll receive a free BMS gift, too—commemorative 50^th anniversary water bottle and BMS cloth frisbee.

Please complete one waiver for each participant and return the forms along with $10 for each participant to the Main Office, Karen Keagle’s mail box, or bring it all to the event at 10 am on Sept. 22.  Extra waivers are in the Main Office.

Questions? Contact Board PR Chair Stacie Farmer at pr@montessori.k12.in.us. or 317-529-4686.