The Learning Community
of Room 22
August 25, 2016
Welcome to a new school year at Chantilly Montessori and the learning community of Room 22! Mrs.
Karol and I are excited to begin another school year together (our 2nd). Let me start by introducing myself to our
new families. My name is Ms. Renee’ and I'm a native of the Gaston, Cleveland, and Mecklenburg county
areas. I graduated from North Gaston High School and attended Gaston College for my Liberal Arts degree,
both in Dallas, NC. My undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from UNC-Charlotte
where I also pursued a Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education to obtain my teaching credentials. It
will be my 12th year teaching but my 4th year as a Montessori Lower El teacher. I have had the privilege of
working with Kindergarten, 4th, 5th, and 6th graders specializing in math and science prior to coming to CMS. In
2012, I was the Math Facilitator at Park Road Montessori and began my Montessori Lower El training program
at Woodson University. The WU program ended before training was complete, so I finished my training with
the Center of Montessori Teacher Education in Davidson.
As you will learn, family is very important to me and I consider my students an extension of my own. My
nest is empty but used to be filled by my two beautiful daughters, Victoria Grissom and Casi Torres who are
both married. They attended schools in Cleveland County and graduated from Kings Mountain High School.
Victoria and Zack blessed our family with my (1st) beautiful granddaughter, Emma Grace. She is now 4 years
old and the light of my life. She has a mind of her own. Despite starting out as Nana Nee’ as soon as she was
old enough, Emma gave me her own name, Mimi. We don’t know where she got it but I love it! They added
another branch to our family tree on January 18, 2016 when Amelia Claire entered our world. Emma has been
busy being a big sister and loves her new job. They live close by so I get to see Emma and Amelia often.
Just celebrating their 9th year of marriage together, Casi and Jason live in Dallas, Georgia near Atlanta and
added to the family tree as well. Wyatt Audeliz was born November 10, 2015. He is my first, long awaited (7
years), grandson. Unfortunately, I don’t get to see him as much as I’d like. I spent most of my summer by the
pool and/or making wonderful family memories with my grands! I took a short trip to the beach to see Amelia
(Emma and family too) in the sand for the first time and a weekend trip to the mountains to spend time with
Wyatt and family. We were close to West Jefferson and enjoyed a day of shopping, tasting different varieties of
cheese, honey, oil, and vinegar at two quaint little shops (the Honey Hole and the Art of Oil) and North
Carolina’s only Cheese Factory. However, I’m back… refreshed, and ready for a new year! I look forward to
hearing all about your summer adventures. On your marks, get set, go… it's time for another exciting school
year.
Welcome to the 2016-2017 school year!
What to expect the first week…
We will continue building our class community; which includes 10 new 1st years and 2 new 2nd years for a total
of 22 students, with fun activities the first week of school that celebrate old friendships and encourage new ones. To
prepare for the week, there will be very simple homework assignments used in class to initiate “friendships” and “getting
to know you” activities.
Monday, August 29th – Bring in a framed family photo or drawing (including pets) to place in the classroom and share
with the class about your family.
Tuesday, August 30th – Bring in your favorite book about friendship to share with a friend and class.
Wednesday, August 31st – Bring a timeline about your life; birth date, important accomplishments, additions to the
family, etc. We will be celebrating Maria Montessori’s birthday, timeline, and making birthday cards.
Thursday, September 1st – All About Me Bag (provided), fill the bag with five items that represent who you are.
Friday, September 2nd – Bring in a sandwich bag filled with your favorite healthy snack. We will combine the snacks to
create a friendship mix! Please no peanut products.
A few important changes - Specials for Lower El will be at the end of the day; therefore, transportation
dismissal will be a little different. Bus riders will dismiss to wait in the Lower El hallway. In an attempt to
maintain our peaceful environment, the Lower El team is asking that all children have a chapter book/couple of
books to read or journal for writing/drawing in their book bags to keep them occupied while they wait. It will
ensure everyone’s safety and ability to hear when they are called for dismissal.
Communication
Communication between parents, students, and teacher is vital to your child’s success at Chantilly Montessori. We have
several means to facilitate open communication.
1. The quickest way to reach me and get a rapid response is via email, [email protected]. I check it daily and
will try to respond within 24 hours.
2. You may call the office, 980-343-0692, to leave me a detailed message. I will return your call as soon as possible;
allow 24-48 hours depending on the urgency of your message.
3. Classroom wiki includes the class schedule, calendar, lifelong learning links, field trip info, volunteer opportunities,
sign up genius links, and other helpful information at http://msreneesclassroom.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/
The 6-9 Child
For those of you who are new lower elementary, the life of the child is quite different from primary. The children
are entering the “second plane” of development and experience many changes; physical, cognitive, social and emotional.
Thus, our materials, environment and expectations are based on Maria Montessori’s research and observations of the 6-9
year old child. We teach Cosmic Education, developed by Maria Montessori and her son, Mario.
One of the major differences in the lower elementary child is his/her ability to begin to think abstractly. The
lessons and works in our classroom compliment the child’s learning, present concepts and ideas concretely, and gradually
progress to abstract understanding. The children move from a “self-centered” world to wondering where their place is in
the world and how the world works. The imagination soars and curiosity is never-ending. At the heart of the lower
elementary curriculum are five beautiful stories which we call the Great Lessons. These stories never cease to amaze the
children as they are retold each year.
The lower elementary child enjoys the “social scene” at this age. The children are quite loquacious and enjoy both
working and playing together each day. Again, the materials and lessons encourage cooperation and provide opportunities
for the children to learn from each other. Most days we experience the excitement of another lost tooth. Be prepared, the
tooth fairy will visit a lot!
It is also in these years that children develop a strong sense of fairness. Squabbles and arguments do arise,
often related to group dynamics. In our learning community, Grace & Courtesy, Positive Discipline, Peace, and
Conflict Resolution lessons foster the development of social skills along with the use of the Peace Table in order for
children to learn to listen to each other and solve problems in a productive and peaceful way. We implement class
meetings and students learn to compliment and collaborate as we build our community.
The children will enjoy a snack each day. We encourage and would appreciate healthy snacks. We
would love a variety of snacks each week to offer to the children (a break from carrots and Goldfish). Please let
me know if you would like to provide snack our first week. We are focusing on foods that can be “peeled” such
as carrots, bananas, clementines, cucumbers and small apples. Futures snacks could include rice cakes, fruit,
peppers, celery and soy butter, mini bagels and jelly or cream cheese, chips/salsa, dried fruit, yogurt, cheese and
crackers. Our lunch times is 12:05-12:30. As with snack, if your child brings his/her lunch, please pack a
healthy lunch (no sweets) and include a napkin. We will be practicing good manners and appropriate etiquette
as we share this meal together.
Special Area Classes will begin the first week of school. Our specials will be from 2:30-3:15 each day.
Below is our class schedule for specials. The children will also have recess each day from 1:50 -1:20. Don’t
forget to wear appropriate shoes for PE on Wednesday and put library books in the book bags Thursday before
going to bed.
Monday-Music
Tuesday- Technology
Wednesday-PE
Thursday-Art
Friday-Media
We do celebrate birthdays in lower el. The children will share a memory, compliment or ask a question
of the birthday child. Families are invited to share pictures, a slide show, video, a book, a poem, or anything
else special on this day. During the birthday celebration, a child walks around the sun (a candle) holding the
Earth as we sing. If your child has a birthday in June, July or August, we can celebrate at the beginning of the
year, the end of the year, or half year in December, January, and February. Please complete and return the form
included in the packet if you would like to schedule a birthday celebration. Birthday celebrations are before
lunch or at the end of the day.
Parent Involvement
What can you do to ensure that your child has a wonderful year?
 Make sure that your child arrives at school on time and remains at school until dismissal. Arriving before
9:15 is recommended as it allows your child time to settle into the classroom before morning circle. Missed
time in class is a missed opportunity to learn.
 Talk with your child about their day with open ended questions. Often you will find that your child is
engaged in research or other projects in the classroom that they would enjoy exploring further with you at
home.
 Read with your child and discuss the books you enjoy together. Children will bring home at least one book
each night. Sharing these books helps foster a love of reading in your child and builds both reading fluency
and comprehension skills.
 The first six weeks of school are used to build our community and establish procedures. After this time, I
encourage all parents to visit the classroom. Observing your child and the community he/she participates in
each day can help you understand his/her growth and the Montessori philosophy as it applies to this new
plane of development.
 Snack is an important part of our Montessori classroom. It is used to teach grace and courtesy, time
management, and healthy habits. Please assist us in teaching good nutrition by providing healthy snacks.
Examples include fresh fruit and vegetables, yogurt, cheese, or pretzels.
Volunteer!
Volunteering in the classroom can be a rewarding experience and is very much appreciated. It can provide
further opportunities for you to understand the lower elementary curriculum. If you are interested in
volunteering for reading buddies, gardening, material making, or have another skill/experience you would like
to share with the class, please feel free to contact me. The sign up genius links will be updated soon for reading
buddy and gardening times and dates.
I would like to conclude by inviting you to attend our Curriculum Night on
Thursday, September 15th from 6:00-8:00 pm to learn more about our
classroom and our upcoming year together. Also, mark your calendars for
September 17, which will be our School Beautification Day.
Please feel free to contact me at school (980) 343-0692, at home (704) 914-8951 or via email,
[email protected] before then with any questions, suggestions or concerns.
We look forward to working as a team with you and your child to cultivate life-long learning
and potentiality. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions or concerns.
Ms. Renee’ and Mrs. Karol