Re-enrollment agreements for the next school year were sent home last week and are due back Thursday, March 1^st.  The MCMA Board of Directors is pleased to be able to hold tuition at the same rate as the past two years. We are very grateful for our outstanding students and their families and look forward to serving you in the coming year. Please contact the office if you have any questions or concerns.

Upcoming Events:

*Wednesday, February 29^th: In school presentation for all students- Renee’ Baker’s Chicago Modern Orchestra Project; celebrating musical diversity.

*Please note:  for field trips and in-school presentations, preschool children who don’t normally attend on those days are always welcome to attend.

Ongoing Fund Raising Opportunities:

SCRIP:  This month’s deadline to order SCRIP cards is Thursday, March 1^st. Please go to www.shopwithscrip.com and find a card or two your family can use - and support MCMA PTO at the same time!  Turn in your order form and payment to the school office.  If you have any questions, contact Lynne Johnson at 630-303-7809.

BoxTops for Education and Campbell’s Labels– bring in your labels!

Target for Education – enroll and designate Midwest Christian Montessori Academy

Thanks to all who have helped contribute to our school.

We appreciate your help!

Important Info:

Reminder about pick up time:  During the winter when our students have extra clothing to put on before going home it may cause our classes to be dismissed a little later than usual.  Please be patient – they are learning valuable lessons in independence and caring for themselves.

Reminder about the drive up lane: Please note that leaving an unattended car in the drive in front of the school is not allowed, as this is a fire lane. Drop off and pick up are allowed in this drive, provided the driver stays in the car and is able to move immediately when needed.

In particular, please note that we have a bus picking up one of our students at 12:00.  If you are picking up at this time, you may pull in following the bus, but not ahead of it. The bus should be able to pull up to the curb to pick up the child. The same is necessary for field trip busses.

When using the front drive for drop off or pick up, for your child’s safety, please only allow them to exit or enter your car at the curb, not on the driver’s side of the car. 

Upcoming Events:

Tuesday, February 14^th – Valentine’s Day – Notes were sent home last week regarding what each classroom will be doing to celebrate. 

Monday, February 20^th – School Closed in honor of President’s Day.

*Tuesday, February 21^st: In school presentation for Preschool through Upper Elementary – Geoff Akins will perform a Bubble Wonders Show at 10:00am in the gym.  Parents are welcome to attend.

Six Flags’ Read to Succeed: The deadline for turning in reading logs has been extended to February 21^st. This program is open to all students in Kindergarten through 6^th grade and will earn them a free ticket to the Six Flags theme park.

*Wednesday, February 29^th: In school presentation for all students- Renee’ Baker’s Chicago Modern Orchestra Project; celebrating musical diversity.

*Please note:  for field trips and in-school presentations, preschool children who don’t normally attend on those days are always welcome to attend.

Important Info:

Reminder about pick up time:  During the winter when our students have extra clothing to put on before going home it may cause our classes to be dismissed a little later than usual.  Please be patient – they are learning valuable lessons in independence and caring for themselves.

Reminder about the drive up lane: Please note that leaving an unattended car in the drive in front of the school is not allowed, as this is a fire lane. Drop off and pick up are allowed in this drive, provided the driver stays in the car and is able to move immediately when needed.

In particular, please note that we have a bus picking up one of our students at 12:00.  If you are picking up at this time, you may pull in following the bus, but not ahead of it. The bus should be able to pull up to the curb to pick up the child. The same is necessary for field trip busses.

When using the front drive for drop off or pick up, for your child’s safety, please only allow them to exit or enter your car at the curb, not on the driver’s side of the car. 

Ongoing Fund Raising Opportunities:

SCRIP:  Please go to www.shopwithscrip.com and find a card or two your family can use - and support MCMA PTO at the same time!  Turn in your order form and payment to the school office.  If you have any questions, contact Lynne Johnson at 630-303-7809.

BoxTops for Education and Campbell’s Labels– bring in your labels!

Target for Education – enroll and designate Midwest Christian Montessori Academy

Upcoming Events:

Thursday, February 2^nd: 7:00pm   Montessori Curriculum Transition For parents of students transitioning into our Kindergarten, Lower Elementary, and Upper Elementary classrooms. Please join other parents to learn about the curriculum and ask questions of our teachers.

Tuesday, February 21^st: In school presentation for Preschool & Kindergarten – Geoff Akins will perform a Bubble Wonders Show at 10:00am in the gym.  Parents are welcome to attend.

Six Flags’ Read to Succeed: The deadline for turning in reading logs has been extended to February 21^st. This program is open to all students in Kindergarten through 6^th grade and will earn them a free ticket to the Six Flags theme park.

Wednesday, February 29^th: In school presentation for all students- Renee’ Baker’s Chicago Modern Orchestra Project; celebrating musical diversity.

Please note:  for field trips and in-school presentations, preschool children who don’t normally attend on those days are always welcome to attend.

Important Info:

Reminder for SNOW DAYS:  When the weather causes the local Valley View School District schools to close, our school will also close.  Midwest will be listed with www.emergencyclosings.com.  As parents, you may register with this site to get notifications sent to your email address when we change our school status. 

Please remember that we do go outside daily, unless the temperatures are extreme, so your children need to have proper winter attire for the weather.

Reminder about pick up time:  During the winter when our students have extra clothing to put on before going home it may cause our classes to be dismissed a little later than usual.  Please be patient – they are learning valuable lessons in independence and caring for themselves.

Reminder about the drive up lane: Please note that leaving an unattended car in the drive in front of the school is not allowed, as this is a fire lane. Drop off and pick up are allowed in this drive, provided the driver stays in the car and is able to move immediately when needed.

In particular, please note that we have a bus picking up one of our students at 12:00.  If you are picking up at this time, you may pull in following the bus, but not ahead of it. The bus should be able to pull up to the curb to pick up the child. The same is necessary for field trip busses.

When using the front drive for drop off or pick up, for your child’s safety, please only allow them to exit or enter your car at the curb, not on the driver’s side of the car. 

Ongoing Fund Raising Opportunities:

SCRIP:  The ordering deadline is Thursday February 2^nd.  Please go to www.shopwithscrip.com and find at a card or two your family can use - and support MCMA PTO at the same time!  Turn in your order form and payment to the school office by 3pm.  If you have any questions, contact Lynne Johnson at 630-303-7809.

BoxTops for Education and Campbell’s Labels– bring in your labels!

Target for Education – enroll and designate Midwest Christian Montessori Academy

Thanks to all who have helped contribute to our school.

We appreciate your help!

Montessori Curriculum Transition

Thursday, February 2^nd  -  7:00pm to 8pm

For parents of students transitioning into our Kindergarten, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary classrooms:

We are looking ahead to next year, as re-enrollment time is approaching for the 2012-13 school year.  Your child is now completing the third year of the three year Montessori cycle.  To help you understand the next step in our program, we have scheduled an informational evening in the classrooms. Please join us and other parents to learn about the curriculum and ask questions of our teachers.

Parents of future Middle School students may arrange a separate visit to observe the classroom for a better understanding of that format.

Parents,

To ensure the safety of our children and staff, we will be closing at noon. 

If you have an questions please call the office.

Karen Kruger

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday

              Dec. 5^th, 7^th, 8^th, & 9^th   

We would like all students to attend rehearsals. Preschoolers who don’t normally attend those days should go to their classes at 8:45 and may be picked up at the front doors at the 12:00 dismissal.

Friday, Dec. 9^th    Dress Rehearsal:

It is very important for all of our students to be here promptly---no later than 8:45 am.  Students should report to their own classroom for attendance before dressing begins.  We have volunteers to help them get dressed.

We would like our parents to experience the beauty of this Christmas play and each child’s part during their performance on Saturday.  For that reason, we ask that parents not attend Friday’s dress rehearsal.

Your child’s costume will be coming home after dress rehearsal on Friday.  The costume may need to be lightly pressed.  You may want to take your child’s picture in their costume at home, as there won’t be much time for this at school. Please remember to return all costume parts and the storage bag on Saturday.

Saturday Arrival Time:  1:30 pm Please be prompt - but not early,

as we must have staff in the dressing rooms first. Students should wear light-weight white shirts and dark pants. Please remember to bring the costume, its bag, and a “White Gift”. Your child may be dropped off at the school’s hallway double doors, where volunteers will direct or escort them to their designated dressing rooms.  We have helpers in each classroom, so you may then find a seat in the gym. (Doors will open at 1:30.) At the end of the performance, the volunteers will return to the dressing rooms with the students to help remove costumes.   

After the performance, please wait in the gym for a few minutes while the students return to the dressing rooms.  Then, please send only one adult to the classrooms to retrieve your child.  This will help relieve congestion in the hallway and classrooms.  We’re looking forward to a wonderful play!

Friday Praise and Worship – We will not be having our usual Friday morning Praise and Worship until after the Christmas play.  However, we will still take monetary donations for our collection jar, as we will be donating to Community 4:12 at the Christmas play.  We also collect new toys for this organization, which operates a Christmas toy drive. Collection boxes will be placed near the office through the 10^th.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM AND THE PTO:  The PTO is so proud to be able to fund the annual school Christmas program.  We hope you and your friends will come out and watch all the hard work your children and teachers have done to make this ministry possible.  While there, please consider making a last minute gift card purchase for your favorite teacher, letter carrier or babysitter. 

There will also be a raffle for a beautiful gingerbread creation generously donated by a MCMA grandparent.  These efforts help make the Christmas program possible.  Merry Christmas!

Christmas Play – Saturday, December 10^th at 2:00pm   (students arrive at 1:30)

Rehearsals this week are:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday  ( Dec. 5^th, 7^th, 8^th, & 9^th)                

We would like all students to attend rehearsals. Preschoolers who don’t normally attend those days should go to their classes at 8:45 and may be picked up at the front doors at the 12:00 dismissal.

Tickets: After turning in your family’s ticket order and payment, tickets will be sent home with your children.  Any late orders may be picked up at the ticket desk on Saturday.

We are so pleased to offer you an opportunity to purchase a DVD of our Christmas play. Our thanks to Ryan Shepardson’s family, who are planning to tape the production. The cost is $3.00 per DVD. Please send $3.00 cash to the office in an envelope marked “Play DVD”.  Orders will be taken through Tuesday,           December 13^th and will be ready by the 21^st.  

Helpers: Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to assist us with the  play. Notices are being sent out this week to let you know where you can help.    We still need more assistance with the clean-up after the play.  It doesn’t take long to gather props and return them to our wing of the building.  We could also use a few strong men to carry stage risers.

        Please call Eileen in the office with questions.

Shop With Scrip: Are you ready for the holidays?  Cookie baking, gift wrapping, traveling to see family . . . Why not support the PTO at the same time?  Go to www.shopwithscrip.com and purchase gift cards to use for everything you may need.  Orders must be entered by Tuesday December 13.  Payment must be turned in to the school office by 3pm that day.  All cards will be distributed by Tuesday December 20.  If you have questions, contact Lynne Johnson at         john57648901@yahoo.com. 

Happy Holidays!!

Other on-going fund raising opportunities:

          BoxTops for Education and Campbell’s Labels– bring in your labels!

          Target for Education – enroll and designate Midwest Christian Montessori Academy

Thanks to all who have helped contribute to our school.  We appreciate your help!

Calendar Reminders:

Friday, November 11^th – Veterans Day -  SCHOOL CLOSED

Monday, November 14^th  - Upper & Middle School students’ field trip to Rialto Theater to see “Mathmagic”.  Internationally celebrated magician, Bradley Fields, captivates the audience with his famous magic illusions, and then teaches the secrets behind some startling math tricks.

Students will eat lunch at school (early) and need to wear MCMA shirts.

Tuesday, November 22^nd – Thanksgiving celebrations in class.  Preschoolers who don’t normally attend are welcome to come this day. Notes with details of each class’s celebration plans will come home with your child soon.  

Wednesday – Friday, November 23^rd-25^th – Thanksgiving Break – SCHOOL CLOSED

Wednesday, November 30^th – Picture Re-Takes:  This is for students who were absent or for those who were not satisfied with their first pictures.  (First pictures will be delivered soon.) Please let the office know if you are requesting a picture re-take.

~Reminder, our school has a PTO Facebook page – please check it out on Facebook under “Midwest Christian Montessori Academy PTO.”~

Other on-going fund raising opportunities:

          BoxTops for Education and Campbell’s Labels– bring in your labels!

          Target for Education – enroll and designate Midwest Christian Montessori Academy

Thanks to all who have helped contribute to our school.  We appreciate your help!

Do you have extra Halloween candy left over in your house?

One of our parents has offered to collect your excess candy and deliver it to a dental office for shipping to our troops.  Stonehill Dental inOswego, in cooperation with Operation Gratitude, is collecting unopened candy to send to our troops.    If the children would like to write letters to the troops, that would be appreciated, also.  

If you would like to contribute your candy, please bring it to the office in a bag anytime, but no later than Friday morning.

Thank you.