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Mountain West Montessori Newsletter
August 2021
Editor-in-Chief: Ms. Angie, Director
Author: Ms. Sheri, Assistant Director
DATES TO REMEMBER
-CLASS LISTS POSTED ON FRONT DOORS OF SCHOOL: Sunday, August 1st
-TEACHER PREP WEEK: Monday, August 2nd - Friday, August 6th
-BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT: Thursday, August 5th 6:00 - 8:00 PM
-FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL (GRADES 1 - 9): Monday, August 9th
-FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL (KINDERGARTEN): Monday, August 16th
-NO SCHOOL LABOR DAY: Monday, September 6th
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WHAT'S HAPPENING IN AUGUST?
Kindergarten
-Assessments for Kindergarten will be the week of August 9th. Please make sure to schedule personal assessment appointments with Ms. Rebecca – rakester@mwmacademy.org
-School begins for kindergarten students Monday, August 16th.
Back to School Night
-Thursday, August 5th @ 6pm – 8pm
(If your child is in our Accelerated Learners Program, please stop by to see Mr. Alden!)
Middle School Registration: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
August 3rd – last names starting with A-M
August 4th - last names starting with N-Z
August 5th - Registration make up day
7th grade fees: $145
8th grade fees: $120
9th grade fees: $120
Detailed Fee Schedule HERE
Fees can be paid via Cash, Check or Credit Card (3% fee is attached to a credit card payment). Students will receive their class schedules at Registration AFTER all fees are paid in full.
Mask Policy: Wondering About Masks This Year?
We are currently planning on a normal school year (mask recommendations, not requirements, and we will follow CDC, state, and federal guidelines).
Background Checks for Parent Volunteers
Want to volunteer for a field trip or to help out in the classroom? Please email Karen at
kwilson@mwmacademy.org to schedule a background check!
-Monday Aug 2nd @1:30 pm in the front office
-Cost is $25 & make checks payable to Academica West
School Lunch Program
-Cost of Lunch for Students: $2.50
-Cost of Lunch for Adults: $3.30
If your family qualifies for free or reduced lunch or if you think your family may qualify for free or reduced lunch, please log into your Aspire account and fill out a "Free and Reduced Lunch Application" HERE
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COVID-19
Ms. Angie, Principal
We all worked together last year to protect our community during the pandemic, and many of you may be wondering what school will look like this year in regards to Covid-19. Last year we noted the social and academic challenges that students faced with a hybrid schedule and the loss of many clubs, trips, activities, and social opportunities; our administration, faculty, and MWMA Board of Directors has prioritized reengaging our community this year in the experiences that make Montessori wonderful and unique. We are planning on field trips, student and teacher-led clubs, and travel; in fact we will have our usual Middle School camp in September but we will also be planning a trip for all our middle school students to the Redwood Alliance Nature Retreat in October. We will also host our Costa Rica Travel Club, which will visit Costa Rica during spring break.
And now the big question: what about vaccinations and masks? Our state is currently experiencing a surge of Covid-19 cases among people who are unvaccinated due to the spread of the Delta variant. The vast majority of Covid-19 patients in Utah who are hospitalized—over 90%--are unvaccinated. Vaccination of the most people possible is the best way to protect our community. Children under the age of 12 are not yet able to be vaccinated, so what will the guidelines look like for school this year?
As a public school, MWMA will follow our local Health Department and Utah State Board of Education guidelines. It appears unlikely that there will be mandatory mask requirements for schools for the 2021-22 school year. We encourage vaccination for those who are able, and we encourage those who are unvaccinated to wear a mask while indoors to prevent the spread of the Delta variant. Masks will not be required at school unless the current guidelines change. We will most likely be requiring Covid testing in advance of student travel opportunities such as Middle School Camp, the trip to the Redwoods, and Costa Rica travel club.
If you have further specific questions, I am happy to answer them. I am excited for a joyful and productive new school year.
Best,
Ms. Angie
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2021/2022 SCHOOL THEME
Each school year brings exciting opportunities and unique challenges. However, our committment to nurturing and protecting MWMA's positive culture remains one of our greatest strengths. Our strong and positive school culture retains excellent teachers and helps students feel heard, valued and cared for.
We are so excited to launch a new school year and the administrative team has chosen, "Finding Joy" as our 2021/2022 theme. We often let ordinary joyful moments—like drinking a morning cup of coffee, reading a wonderful book, teaching an amazing lesson, and sharing a smile with a child—pass without acknowledging how pleasurable they actually are. It takes practice to mindfully be present and to savor these moments which will amplify them and even make them last longer. We invite you to join us in, "Finding Joy" this school year! As Robert Brault said, "Enjoy the little things in life...for one day you will look back and realize they were the big things".
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SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Parents and Students,
Welcome back to another wonderful year at MWMA. We are so excited to see your kiddo’s and have a successful year of learning. As you prepare for this coming year, remember that there are things you can do to help your child succeed in school:
● Make sure your children have the supplies their teachers have asked for.
● Get your children back on a schedule, especially a reasonable sleep schedule.
● Read with your children every day.
● Communicate with teacher(s) in a timely manner.
● Set aside time for homework as needed.
● Stay positive and remember that this is going to be an amazing year.
Our first goal is to help you and your child enjoy exploring and learning. If you have questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to your child's teacher, myself or our wonderful administration so that together we can create a positive environment for your child. Here’s to an amazing 2021-2022 school year!
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COMPUTER SCIENCE INSTRUCTION
Mr. Alden, Computer Science Lead
Over the last year at MWMA, we have been working to incorporate computer science instruction into our classrooms from kindergarten through 9th grade. In doing this, we are following the Utah State Computer Science Master Plan that is being implemented across the state.
As the new computer science lead at MWMA, I will be in the elementary classrooms each week to support teachers in providing robust instruction for students. In middle school, we will be providing two computer science courses and integration into Capstone.
We understand that not every student is going to become a computer programmer, just as not every student will become a mathematician or artist, but the skills that come from learning computer science will benefit every student. One of the major objectives is to be able to analyze, compare, and solve problems in a simple and repeatable way. What is more essential to a successful life than good problem-solving skills?
Look for updates in future newsletters about the amazing ways students are creating with computer science.
Mr. Alden
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STAFF SPOTLIGHT
MS. JANELL, UPPER ELEMENTARY TEACHER
Janell is passsionate about children feeling successful academically, socially, and emotionally. She believes that the Montessori philosophy is a useful tool for each of these aspects. Creating a room that invites each child to explore, question, and create is something that Ms. Janell finds necessary for each student to become a lifelong learner.
Ms. Janell has a degree in Psychology from Brigham Young University. She is a mom to four kids, a daughter, and three boys. Janell was a stay at home mom for 13 years, and when she walked onto a Montessori campus, she knew it was an educational experience that she wanted for her children. She saw it as a place that young learners could move, cultivate independence, and that through the observation process, the teacher could guide and spark students' continuing growth. Soon after, she started working as an assistant teacher and quickly began the process of receiving her Montessori training. Ms. Janell now has her Montessori certification in lower and upper elementary.
In her free time she enjoys hiking, kayaking, SUPing, and anything that has to do with being outside. Janelle loves introducing her children to museums of any kind, taking them on road trips, and venturing to outdoor concerts. She also has hopes of becoming a master at gardening, cooking, and rock climbing. Ms. Janell and her family lived in North Carolina for 10 years which embedded a love for good barbeque and bluegrass music!
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AUGUST'S QUOTE
“Rome wasn’t built in a day, but they were laying bricks every hour. Lay the one brick you are working on, and do it well.” ~old adage
MOUNTAIN WEST MONTESSORI ACADEMY
Email: admin@mwmacademy.org
Website: https://www.mwmacademy.org/
Location: 4125 Foxview Drive, South Jordan, UT, USA
Phone: 801-566-6962
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