Monthly Newsletter

Friday, August 30, 2013

August 30, 2013

Looking Ahead into September

ECA Fund Drive

The 2013 ECA Fund Drive is under way. ECA tax credit donations provide our students the opportunity for extracurricular activities such as group violin lessons, gardening, music, field trips, and art. These activities would not be possible without the financial support of our community and families. ECA donations can be made in any amount up to $400 for taxpayers filing jointly and up to $200 for a single taxpayer, although any amount is appreciated. You will notice an ECA payment plan flyer in the purple folder this week. You can make 4 monthly payments designated for ECA if that is easier for your family. As an added bonus, some employers will match your ECA donation if you request it.

Due to the Labor Day holiday, classes will not be in session on Monday, September 2^nd. Classes will resume at the regular time on Tuesday, September 3^rd. Have a wonderful extended weekend!

The Montessori de Santa Cruz School Board Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 3^rd at 3:15 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013 is Picture Day. Look for picture packets and pricing information in the purple folder next week.
Wednesday, September 11^th is an Early Release Day. Students will not need a lunch unless staying for aftercare. Students will be dismissed and aftercare will begin promptly at 11:30 a.m.

Afternoons of Montessori are informational sessions that highlight and provide information about Montessori education and philosophy. The first Afternoon of Montessori of this school year will be held on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at 3:15 p.m. The Preprimary staff will present on Montessori at Home and the Lower and Upper Elementary staff will present on Cosmic Education. Child care will be provided for younger siblings.

Wednesday, September 25^th is an Early Release Day. Students will not need a lunch unless staying for aftercare. Students will be dismissed and aftercare will begin promptly at 11:30 a.m.

“The greatest sign of success for a teacher... is to be able to say, "The children are now working as if I did not exist."” Maria Montessori

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

May 2, 2013

May 2, 2013

The 5th Annual Silent Auction and Talent Show was a huge success! Thank you to everyone that helped out or participated in the fund-raiser in any way. This year’s Silent Auction and Talent Show was the greatest and we appreciate the support given by the Tubac community, merchants, families, and friends of Montessori de Santa Cruz Charter School.

Thank you, Amy and Bob Solfisburg, for the use of the DeAnza RV Resort! Your facility is lovely and we appreciate your willingness to allow us to use your community room and dining area.

May Schedule of Events

· Parent/Teacher Conferences

Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Thursday, May 2^nd and Friday, May 3^rd. Both Thursday and Friday will be Early Release Days. Aftercare will begin promptly at 11:30 a.m. Child care will be provided at no cost during your parent/teacher conference. Charges will accrue at all other times.

· Mother’s Day Celebration

Mother’s Day Celebration is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14, 2013. Schedule is as follows:

v Preprimary Class celebration will be from 9-11 a.m.

v Lower Elementary Class celebration will be from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

v Upper Elementary Class celebration will be from 1-3 p.m.

· Community Salad Day

Community Salad Day will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2013. We will be celebrating our new garden. Family and community members are invited to attend a complimentary lunch of soup, salad, and tea from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

· Father’s Day Celebration

Father’s Day Celebration is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22, 2013. Schedule is as follows:

v Preprimary Class celebration will be from 9-11 a.m.

v Lower Elementary Class celebration will be from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

v Upper Elementary Class celebration will be from 1-3 p.m.

· Water Day

Water Day will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2013. We will have a pizza lunch and then have water activities in the afternoon. A parent volunteer is needed to pick up the pizza in Nogales around 11 a.m. Please see Carol in the Admin. Office if you can help out. Look for more information coming soon.

· End of the Year Program

Moving Up Ceremony will begin at the labyrinth at 8:45 a.m. on Friday, May 24, 2013. We will walk to the Tubac Center for the Arts for the End of the Year Program to begin at 9:15 a.m. When the program is over, the students will dismissed to go home with their parents for summer break.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

April 19, 2013

Silent Auction items are needed for April 27, 2013

· The 5th Annual Silent Auction/Talent Show is scheduled for Saturday, April 27^th. This is a fun community event and is a great way to showcase the talents of our students. Please consider donating items of value for the fundraiser - we are accepting items for the auction until April 23, 2013. Please see your child’s teacher for more information or to contribute. Contributions are greatly appreciated. The owners of the DeAnza Trails RV Park, Bob and Amy Solfisburg, have graciously allowed us to use their community room for the event. The RV Park is located at 2869 E. Frontage Road in Amado.

*Please note that there is not a dinner prior to the Talent Show this year. A dessert bar will be held before the talent show. Please bring a dessert item to share.

· The Silent Auction will run from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

· The Talent Show will begin at 7:00 p.m.

· Dessert bar before the Talent Show.

I m p o r t a n t I n f o r m a t i o n

· 2^nd Grade Stanford 10 Testing

The 2^nd graders will be testing on Monday and Tuesday, April 22 and 23, 2013.

Everyone needs to be in attendance on these days.

· Spring Picture Day

Spring Picture day is scheduled for Wednesday, April 24, 2013. Siblings are welcome for Spring Pictures. Orders are pre-paid. The office will not be responsible for late orders. Look for the picture packet in today’s purple folder.

· Early Release

Wednesday, April 24, 2013 is an Early Release Day. Your child will not need a lunch unless they are staying for Aftercare. Aftercare wil begin promptly at 11:30 a.m.

· Burrito Breakfast

On April 25, 2013 from 8:00 – 8:45 a.m. the Upper Elementary Class has scheduled a fund-raiser for their May field trip. Tickets are $3 each and are for sale from any Upper Elementary student. Tickets should be purchased in advance. Egg and cheese burritos and egg and chorizo burritos will be available. Thank you for supporting this event!

· Cookies for Children’s Cancer Bake Sale

On Friday, April 26, 2013 the students and staff will be participating in a Bake Sale in front of Tumacookery. Please bring home-baked cookies to school on Thursday, April 25, so that they can be packaged and marked for the bake sale. The students will have an opportunity to walk to Tumacookery on Friday to purchase cookies.

L o o k I n g A h e a d I n t o M a y

· Parent/Teacher Conferences

· Mother’s Day Celebration

Mother’s Day Celebration is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14, 2013. More information will be coming soon.

· Father’s Day Celebration

Father’s Day Celebration is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22, 2013. More information will be coming soon.

· Community Salad Day

Community Salad Day will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2013. More information will be coming soon.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Montessori de Santa Cruz is closed today due to dangerous driving conditions.

February 12, 2013

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

November 30, 2012

Upcoming Dates and Important information

· The next School Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 3:15 p.m. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.

· Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday December 6, 2012 and Friday, December 7, 2012. Both Thursday and Friday will be Early Release Days. Child care will be available beginning at 11:30 a.m. Check with your child’s teacher to schedule a conference. You may leave your child in aftercare at no charge during your scheduled conference. All fees apply if your child is in aftercare outside of your conference time.

· The Upper Elementary Class is holding a Burrito Breakfast on Friday, December 21^st beginning at 7:30 and ending at 8:45 a.m. What a great way to begin the Holiday Festivities! The money raised from the Burrito Breakfast will help fund a field trip. Breakfast tickets are available from any Upper Elementary student at $3 per plate.

· Our Annual Holiday Celebration is scheduled for Friday, December 21^st at 10:00 a.m. The students will be performing and when the program is over your child may go home. Aftercare will not be available on Friday, December 21, 2012.

ECA Fund Drive: Your help and support is needed!

Encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to donate ECA funds to Montessori de Santa Cruz.

You do have a choice where your tax money goes. ECA tax credit donations provide our students the opportunity for extracurricular activities such as group violin lessons, gardening, music, fieldtrips, and art. These activities would not be possible without the financial support of our community and families. ECA donations can be made in any amount up to $400 for taxpayers filing jointly and up to $200 for a single taxpayer. (As an added bonus, some employers will match your ECA donation.) You can find the ECA Donation Form on the web at: www.montessoridesantacruz.org or you can get additional flyers in the Administrative Office.

Please consider making an ECA donation this year and encourage your extended family and friends to donate ECA funds to Montessori de Santa Cruz.

Burrito Breakfast, December 21, 2012 at 7:30 a.m.

Please support this Upper Elementary Fundraiser!

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

October 31, 2012

History Mystery was held on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 in the Lower Elementary Classroom. History Mystery is an educational event that requires the Upper Elementary students to research historical characters. Those students then share biographical information and wear costumes they created while the younger students and parents take turns guessing who each student is portraying. We acknowledge the research, writing, creativity, and public speaking skills the students spent developing for their presentations!!

Thank you to everyone that attended Afternoon of Montessori: Watch Me Work on October 17^th. Your support and interest in Montessori de Santa Cruz is valued and the children took great pride in showing their work.

Thank you for supporting the Campus Beautification Day on Friday, October 19, 2012. All the work that was done in the garden is significant and we appreciate your help. We are looking forward to a beautiful garden that everyone can enjoy!

Upcoming Events

· The Montessori de Santa Cruz Board Meeting is Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 3:15 p.m. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.

· Monday, November 12, 2011, is Veteran’s Day observation. There will be no classes on that day.

· Friday, November 16. 2012, is an Early Release Day. School will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m. and After Care will not be available.

· Thanksgiving Break is scheduled for November 19-23, 2012. Classes will not be held and the Administrative Office will be closed during this week. Classes will resume on Monday, November 26, 2012.

ECA Fund Drive

You do have a choice where your tax money goes. Please read the flyer included in the purple folder today. ECA tax credit donations provide our students the opportunity for extracurricular activities such as music programs, gardening, fieldtrips, and art. These activities would not be possible without the financial support of our community and families. ECA donations can be made in any amount up to $400 for taxpayers filing jointly and up to $200 for a single taxpayer. As an added bonus, some employers will match your ECA donation.

Please consider making an ECA donation this year and encourage your extended family and friends to donate ECA funds to Montessori de Santa Cruz. An extra flyer has been included in the purple folder for you to share. If you need additional flyers, please come to the Administrative Office. Thank you for your support of our music and gardening programs!

Welcome New Staff Members!

Gabrielle Pour Toujours has taken over the gardening program. Gabrielle is originally from California and has lived in Tubac since 2001. She is the proud mother of Sofia, a first grader. Gabrielle earned a Bachelor of Science from Humboldt State University in California with an emphasis on Ecological Horticulture. She has traveled throughout Mexico and Guatemala studying traditional agricultural models.

Gabrielle said, “I am so happy to have our school in the community and blessed to serve in the gardening

program. I hope we will continue to make the garden a welcoming and productive part of the school.”

John White has taken over the music program. John is from Tucson and will be teaching on Mondays. John has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Ball University with an emphasis on Music Composition. John has thirteen years experience teaching music and will be offering private lessons in guitar, violin, mandolin, and banjo. If you are interested in taking private lessons, please contact John at 219-617-1066 or by e-mail at artcarnie@yahoo.com.