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BMS News — May 22, 2018

Mark Your Calendar

  • May 22            6th Grade Graduation, 7:00 pm
  • May 23            3rd Grade Graduation, 2:00 pm
  • May 23            Last Day of School for Students
  • May 28-June 1              BMS School and Office Closed
  • July 15            August lunch and aftercare sign-ups open
  • July 25            August lunch and aftercare sign-ups close
  • July 16-Aug. 3  BMS Office open, annual building maintenance
  •  Aug. 5 and 6   School Beautification —   Aug. 5th from 1 to 4, Aug. 6th from 9 to 12  Spruce up the school and grounds, help get classrooms ready, and earn parent hours. Snacks and beverages will be served.
  • Aug. 6             Maple and Walnut new parent meeting, 5:30 to 6:30 — Preschool new parent meeting, 5:30 to 6:30
  • Aug. 7             Elementary Open House, 3:30 to 4:00 — All School Welcome Reception, 4:00 to 5:00
  • Aug. 8             First Day of School for Students
  • Aug. 9             Sycamore meeting for all parents, 7:00 to 8:00 — Come meet Nick Beatty, new Sycamore Lead Teacher
Thank you! For your participation. For your donations. For your support.

Donate your Unused Arts and Crafts Materials to BMS

From now until the end of school, we will be happy to accept your unused, non-toxic arts and craft materials to use at our school events. Please bring them to the main office. Thank you!

Fall Beautification

Come join us to prepare the school for the new school year, in which we will be celebrating BMS’s 50th year! We will have projects large and small, indoors and outdoors, so bring your children, your parents and your enthusiasm on August 5th and 6th, rain or shine, to beautify the school. Everyone’s work hours count toward your total, even your children’s and parents’. We will have snacks and beverages suitable for the time of day.

Last day of school for students is Wednesday, May 23rd

Please be aware that our last day of school is Wednesday, May 23rd.

The children will be bringing home most of their belongings this week, some classes have already begun the cleanup process by sending these things home.  Make sure to check the lost and found for any missing jackets, shirts, shoes, etc.  There is a lost and found bin in each of the buildings.

School will be open for Teacher In-Service on Thursday  (5/24) and Friday (5/25) but school will not be in session.  Main Office is open both days.

We look forward to seeing you again in August if not before at one of our three summer camp sessions!

Introducing Nick Beatty…

Dear BMS Parents and Students;

The Board of Directors and I are excited to welcome Nick Beatty to our faculty as the new Lead Teacher for the Sycamore 9-12 classroom beginning the 2018 – 2019 school year.  Nick is a certified Montessori Upper Elementary Teacher who enjoys using Maria Montessori’s philosophy to educate children of all ages.

Nick received his Bachelor’s degree from IU Bloomington in 2013, majoring in Environmental Management.  He then worked as an environmental educator in Northern Indiana, teaching children of all ages, and decided to pursue education as a career.  Nick received both his Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary Certifications from the Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center in Evanston, IL.  Nick has just finished his fourth year as the Lead Upper Elementary Teacher at a Montessori charter school in Northwest Indiana.

Nick also brings to the classroom a love of hiking, experiential science, and educating students about the outdoors.  He enjoys sports as well as biking, camping, and spending time with family and friends.

Nick’s education, experience, and interests, combined with his grounding in Montessori philosophy and pedagogy, promise to add valuable dimensions to the Sycamore program that will enhance the Montessori curriculum the students will continue to enjoy.  We look forward to having Nick as part of our community.

Because his current school year is not finished until early June, Nick will be moving to Bloomington mid-summer.  Look for him around town and at the school after that time preparing for the fall, and be sure to join us at the Open House and Welcome Reception on August 7th to introduce yourselves and meet him in person.

Sincerely,

Roger

BMS News — May 11, 2018

Mark Your Calendar

  • May 16            Spring Fling All School Picnic and General Association Mtg, 5:30 pm, Lower playground Spring Fling Orienteering Fundraiser, 5:00 to 7:00 pm  Learn orienteering and raise funds for the school!
  • May 17            Spring Fling Picnic and Meeting Rain Date

Additional Important Events

  • May 21            Maple and Walnut 3rd Grade Evening (students only)
  • May 22            6th Grade Graduation, 7:00 pm
  • May 23            3rd Grade Graduation, 2:00 pm
  • May 23           Last Day of School for Students
  • Aug. 5 and 6   School Beautification Sunday from 1 to 4, Monday from 9 to 12  Spruce up the grounds, help get classrooms ready, and earn parent hours
  • Aug. 8             First Day of School for Students

Become a Sustaining Donor of BMS

 Did you know you can automate your annual fund giving to BMS through PayPal? It’s easy to set up an automated monthly gift. Just visit our website at https://bloomingtonmontessori.org/support/ and click on Donate. Select “Make this a monthly donation” and voila! Your gift is made each month without the need to think about it ever again.

Your donations are vital to the well-being of the school. Tuition supports on average about 80% of expenses, and our Board works to keep tuition as low as possible. Your gifts, then, provide crucial financial support for the school, including faculty professional development, Montessori curriculum materials for every classroom, maintenance and upgrades to technology, and even the repainting, cleaning, and repairs that happen each summer.

Your gift makes a difference. Thank you for your generous support.

Spring Fling Picnic and General Association Meeting

Please join us on Wednesday, May 16, for our annual all-school potluck picnic and association meeting on our own Lower Playground (rain date is May 17).  The Orienteering begins at 5, with the picnic getting underway at 5:30 pm.  Families are responsible for bringing their own cups, plates and cutlery.  If your student is in the following classroom, please bring the corresponding dish:

  • Hickory 3-6 AM Half Day Preschool             Main Dish
  • Hickory 3-6 PM Half Day Preschool              Main Dish
  • Magnolia 3-6 All Day Preschool                    Desserts
  • Sweet Gum 3-6 All Day Preschool                 Side Dishes
  • Walnut/Maple 6-9 Lower Elementary            Salads
  • Sycamore 9-12 Upper Elementary                 Drinks

Dishes should serve 15 to 20 adults. We have 207 children enrolled, who will be hungry, and usually 2 adults per child, who are also hungry, which is potentially 621 hungry people.

Please remember we are a nut-free school, and do label your dishes with all ingredients. Those of us with food allergies thank you, more than you know.

Donate your Unused Arts and Crafts Materials to BMS

Do you have craft paints, extra construction paper, and more paintbrushes and glue than you know what to do with? Are you spring cleaning your craft shelves? From now until the end of school, we will be happy to accept your unused, non-toxic arts and craft materials to use at our school events, such as Fall Festival, when we have activities for the children.

Please bring them by the main office, where there is a box marked to accept your donations, probably by the lost and found (check that out while you are in the office, too). Thank you!

BMS News — May 4, 2018

Mark Your Calendar

  • May 8             NO SCHOOL
  • May 8              Sycamore Classroom Open House and Work Day, 1 pm to 6 pm or so
  • May 16            Spring Fling All School Picnic and General Association Mtg, 5:30 pm, Lower playground Spring Fling Orienteering Fundraiser, 5:00 to 7:00 pm Learn orienteering and raise funds for the school! See below.
  • May 17            Spring Fling Picnic and Meeting Rain Date

Additional Important Events 

  • May 21            Maple and Walnut 3rd Grade Evening (students only)
  • May 22            6th Grade Graduation, 7:00 pm
  • May 23            3rd Grade Graduation, 2:00 pm
  • May 23           Last Day of School for Students

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Luncheon 

Thank you for all the beautiful and delicious gifts over the course of the week! We are all part of a caring, considerate community here at BMS and it is wonderful to be reminded of that.

The Teacher and Staff Appreciation luncheon is next Tuesday, May 8, and we kindly need a few more volunteers.  We still need the following:

1 salad (feeds 10 people)

2 main dishes (each feeds 10 people)

1 vegan dish (feeds 10 people)

3 people to help provide child care (2 people from 10:00-11:30 and 1 person for 12:30-2 pm)

Below is the link to sign up, or you can text Melissa Malpica at 240-383-2888 with what you can bring or do.

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/60B0948A8AB2FA4F49-luncheon

REMINDER: There will be no school on Tuesday, May 8th. You could drop off food, decorations, drinks, and all volunteer items you signed up for on Monday the 7th at drop off and pick up times, or before 10:00 on the 8th.

Melissa and Melissa

The Faculty and Staff Appreciation Committee

Thank You from the 6th Grade Students

The 6th grade students would like to thank everyone for their part in the 6th grade bake sale. It was a huge success—the event brought in over $1,000! —and will help the 6th grade enjoy their graduation activities to the fullest.

Donate your Unused Arts and Crafts Materials to BMS

Do you have craft paints, extra construction paper, and more paintbrushes and glue than you know what to do with? Are you spring cleaning your craft shelves? From now until the end of school, we will be happy to accept your unused, non-toxic arts and craft materials to use at our school events, such as Fall Festival, when we have activities for the children.

Please bring them by the main office, where there will be a box marked to accept your donations, probably by the lost and found (check that out while you are in the office, too). Thank you!

 Learn orienteering and raise funds for the school!

 This year’s Spring Fling (All School Picnic and General Association Meeting) will feature an Orienteering Fundraiser. An orienteering course will be mapped out around the school grounds, and individuals or groups of any size and age can try their hand at orienteering. Your donation of $20 per group will provide orienteering training and everything you need to complete the course, including a BMS bag, compass and map, all yours to keep.

Sign-up table and course starting point will be in the side yard of Maple and Walnut classrooms. Come anytime between 5 and 7 to participate.  The first start time is at 5, last start time at 7, and there will be breaks for the picnic and meeting. Only six groups may enter the course at a time, so don’t delay in signing up when you arrive.

See you at the picnic!

BMS News — April 30, 2018

Mark Your Calendar

  • May 1              Board Meeting, 6:00 pm, Commons Child care sign up is now closed, contact the office with questions
  • May 1             Remaining 2018-19 Tuition Deposit Due
  • May 1             Outstanding Volunteer Hours Billed—remember to log your hours
  • May 8              NO SCHOOL
  • May 8              Sycamore Classroom Open House and Work Day, 1 pm to 6 pm or so

Additional Important Events 

  • May 16            All School Picnic and General Association Meeting, 5:30 pm, Lower playground
  • May 22            6th Grade Graduation, 7:00 pm
  • May 23            3rd Grade Graduation, 2:00 pm
  • May 23            Last Day of School for Students

Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week has arrived! 

To demonstrate our appreciation of ALL Teachers (full and part time) and Staff, BMS has designated a Week of Appreciation starting April 30th until May 4th. You and your children’s participation in next week’s activities are completely voluntary, and you can participate on any or all of the days as you are able. Here are some ideas to show your children’s teachers how much you appreciate them.

  • Monday, April 30: “An Apple (fruit) for the Teacher”: Bring in a piece of fruit for each of the teachers in your child’s classroom.
  • Tuesday, May 1: “May Flowers”: Bring in a single flower for each of your children’s teachers.
  • Wednesday, May 2: “Crafts”: Bring in a craft made by your child for each teacher in your child’s classroom.
  • Thursday, May 3: “Sweets for the Teacher”: Let’s sweeten Week of Appreciation with treats for our teachers. Bring in a small baked good or other treat for each teacher in your child’s classroom. Please remember the school’s Allergy Policy by labeling any potential allergens, and do not bring in anything that contains nuts.
  • Friday, May 4: “Thank You Cards”: Bring in a thank you card for each of your child’s teachers.

On May 8th is the Faculty and Staff Appreciation Luncheon (no school that day). We’ll provide the teachers and staff with a relaxing lunch on the teacher development day, during which they will receive their thank you gifts collected from the Used Book and Popcorn Sale. Sign up using the sign up genius form to bring food and volunteer.

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/60B0948A8AB2FA4F49-luncheon

Thanks, again, to everyone who has helped in some capacity with the book sale and upcoming luncheon. If you have any questions about next week’s activities, you can text Melissa at 305-726-5691.

 

Melissa and Melissa

The Faculty and Staff Appreciation Committee

BMS at the Bloomington Bicentenial Street Fair…

Hello again, everyone,

Sunday, April 29th is the Bicentennial Street Fair, and BMS will have an activity table at the fair. Would you like to volunteer to set up, clean up, or help children with the activities? Do you still have volunteer hours to fulfill? Please sign up using the link below. Adults are welcome, as are your children, especially those elementary students who have already learned the Mind in a Jar and Four Pebble Meditation activities in class. If yours have not, don’t worry, it is quite easy to learn.

We also need a few items for the Mind in a Jar and Four Pebble Meditation activities, such as…pebbles. And some other stuff. Check the link below if you have a few extra waterproof bits and bobs lying about, and donate them to the activity table.

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0b4fa4af29a2fd0-bicentennial

Lastly, we are seeking an adult or two with experience teaching yoga to children who is willing to teach a 10 to 15-minute class for kids at our booth. If you are interested, send me an email or give a ring.

The event is rain or shine. We will have tents over our tables to ward off the sprinkles or relentless sunshine. In case of severe weather, the fair will be rescheduled for May 20th.

Thank you so much,
Karen

BMS News — April 20, 2018

Mark Your Calendar

  • April 23           Sycamore Class Latino Fest, 6:30 to 7:30 pm, Commons
  • April 25           May Lunch and Aftercare sign ups close
  • April 26 & 27  6th Grade Graduation Bake Sale, drop off and pick up, both buildings
  • April 26           Panera Dine Out Fundraiser, 4 to 8 pm (see article below)
  • April 29           Bloomington Bicentennial Street Fair, 12 to 4 pm, (Kirkwood btw Indiana and Walnut, see article below)
  • May 1              Board Meeting, 6:00 pm, Commons sign up for free childcare by noon, Apr. 27
  • May 1             Remaining 2018-19 Tuition Deposit Due
  • May 1             Outstanding Volunteer Hours Billed—remember to log your hours

Additional Important Events

  • May 8              NO SCHOOL—Remember to vote!

Join BMS at the Bicentennial Street Fair 

BMS will have a spot at the Bicentennial Street Fair, and we’d love for you to come volunteer!

Sunday, April 29

12 to 4

Our tables will be at Kirkwood and Grant.

Severe weather date is May 20.

Our tables will have info about the school as well as three mindfulness activities for children: Mind in a Jar, Four Pebble Meditation and Yoga for Kids. We will need a few adults over the course of the event, for set up, clean up and overseeing the activities.

Sycamore students can help with the activities! Many will have done the Mind in a Jar, and all will be doing the Four Pebble Meditation in the next week or so.

Do you teach yoga to children? We’d love to have your help teaching a few 15-minute sessions over the course of the fair. Send me an email if you are interested.

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0b4fa4af29a2fd0-bicentennial

Thanks, and see you there!

Final Dine Out Opportunity for this School Year

Our final chance to eat out together and raise funds for the school is coming up, at Panera again. Show the attached flyer to the cashier when ordering and Panera will donate back to us 20% of the pre-tax sales.

Thursday, April 26

4 to 8 pm

2748 E. 3rd Street

In December we raised over $190. Let’s see if we can raise even more this time.

BMS News — April 13, 2018

Mark Your Calendar

  • April 13           Elementary Science Fair, 3:30 to 4:30 pm
  • April 15           May Lunch and Aftercare sign ups open
  • April 19           3rd Thursday Coffee Chat, 8:30 to 9:15 am, Main Office
  • April 20           Philanthropy Friday, 3:15 to 4:15 pm, Commons
  • April 23           Sycamore Class Latino Fest, 6:30 to 7:30 pm, Commons
  • April 25           May Lunch and Aftercare sign ups close
  • April 26 & 27  6th Grade Graduation Bake Sale, drop off and pick up, both buildings
  • April 26           Panera Dine Out Fundraiser, 4 to 8 pm (see article below)
  • April 29           Bloomington Bicentennial Street Fair, 12 to 4 pm, (Kirkwood btw Indiana and Walnut, see article below)

Additional Important Events

  • May 1              Board Meeting, 6:00 pm, Commons
  • May 1             Remaining 2018-19 Tuition Deposit Due
  • May 1             Outstanding Volunteer Hours Billed—remember to log your hours
  • May 8              NO SCHOOL—Remember to vote!

Food Drive to Benefit MCUM

Thank you to everyone who joined in the recent food drive. Collectively we donated 370 lbs. of food! It is a generous amount that will go a long way toward helping provide food to local children and families in need.

Sycamore students unload food at MCUM.

Book Sale Extended

The book sale has been extended through next Thursday, so please stop by and browse the many wonderful books, puzzles and games on offer. If you don’t see a book that suits your library, monetary donations are also welcome.

Volunteers for next week are still needed. Please text Melissa Arias Shah at 305.726.5691. Your time counts toward your parent volunteer hours.

This is an excellent way to show our support for the faculty and staff who work so hard on behalf of the students, while doing a bit of spring cleaning. Thank you for your donations!

Join BMS at the Bicentennial Street Fair

BMS will have a spot at the Bicentennial Street Fair, and we’d love for you to come volunteer!

Sunday, April 29

12 to 4

Our tables will be at Kirkwood and Grant.

Severe weather date is May 20.

 https://www.visitbloomington.com/event/bicentennial-street-fair/37176/

Our tables will have info about the school as well as three mindfulness activities for children: Mind in a Jar, Four Pebble Meditation and Yoga for Kids. We will need a few adults over the course of the event, for set up, clean up and overseeing the activities.

Sycamore students can help with the activities! Many will have done the Mind in a Jar, and all will be doing the Four Pebble Meditation in the next week or so.

Do you teach yoga to children? We’d love to have your help teaching a few 15-minute sessions over the course of the fair. Send me an email if you are interested.

A Sign-Up Genius will come along shortly, for volunteering and donations of items for the activities.

Thanks, and see you there!

Final Dine Out Opportunity for this School Year

Our final chance to eat out together and raise funds for the school is coming up, at Panera again. Show the attached flyer to the cashier when ordering and Panera will donate back to us 20% of the pre-tax sales.

Thursday, April 26

4 to 8 pm

2748 E. 3rd Street

In December we raised over $190. Let’s see if we can raise even more this time.

What is the Good of All This Fundraising?

  • It supports the ongoing training of our faculty, from Montessori certification to honing skills and staying current with developments in educational theory and advances in childhood development.
  • It has supported a new school management system, which will improve the enrollment and communication processes, among others.
  • It will upgrade the school’s ethernet cable system and improve Wi-Fi accessibility in classrooms.
  • It will purchase new or updated materials for all classrooms, such as new wooden puzzle maps for the lower elementary classrooms, which currently date from before the fall of the Berlin Wall and the break-up of the Soviet Union. Excellent for history, but not great for current geography.
  •  It will help support Beautification Weekend coming up this fall—mark your calendars for August 5th and 6th, and stay tuned!