Pi Day

Hey Upper Montessori!

What is Pi Day anyway?  Take a look, read about it on the Internet, post your ideas here.

Try this resource:  http://www.piday.org/

Excellent Article!

 Just this morning I came across this editorial on International Comparisons in Education.  What an excellent reasoned discussion!

Are International Comparisons Useful?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Classroom Updates

Parents-

A few quick things...

1.  We will visit the Book Fair to purchase on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.  However, the book fair is also open on Tuesday night during conferences.

2.  The 5th graders will be going to watch the Grand Rapids Symphony tomorrow!  (I forgot to send them with a permission slip!)  5th grade parents--you do not need to do anything unless you DO NOT want your 5th grader to go.  But...they should go, it's a beautiful concert!  For our orchestra students and those students interested in playing in middle school or high school orchestra it's a fine opportunity for the students to see experts working with the instruments they are, or want to play in the future.  Mrs. Flynn will be going with the 5th graders tomorrow.

3.  Moms and Muffins has been rescheduled for Friday, April 20.

The students have put a lot of time and energy into preparing for parent/teacher conferences.  I'm looking forward to seeing everyone this week!

Amy Perrien

Lansing Trip/Bottle Slip Update

Thank you all for returning your note regarding the Lansing field trip so promptly!  I am very sorry for being incredibly forgetful about following through with this note.

I had so few parents express an interest in turning in can and bottle slips that I think we’re going to leave this up to individual families.  My recommendation is for interested families to save slips in an envelope and return this just before the check is due for the field trip.  You’ll have all your money for the trip saved that way!

Second, the bus will cost us $750.  This is the final total as there is no fuel surcharge this year.  We’ve also had a donation made by a Montessori parent that will bring down the total for each family.  Assuming the PTA gives us $5 per student for the field trip, the final total per family is $23.

I’m really excited about our Lansing trip!  Last Friday’s guest speak, Congressman Bill Huizenga made so much of what we’ve been studying come alive for the kids.  When we visit the capitol and hall of justice in Lansing we’ll once again see what we’ve read about and researched take on a whole new meaning for the kids.

Thanks for your help and support!

Mrs. Perrien

Important Dates for the Month of March

Tomorrow, March 2:  Congressman Bill Huizenga visits the Upper Montessori classroom!  9:30 a.m.

Montessori Celebration of Learning:  March 27 @ 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Dads & Doughnuts, March 23 at 9 a.m.

March is Reading Month Dates:

• Book fair week (March 5-9)
• Read a button day with a classroom contest for the most buttons on a student (March 9)
• Read a shirt/hat day (March 16)
• Dress like a book character (March 23)
• Read in the dark day (March 29)

Conference Week:

• March 6, from 5-8 p.m.
• March 8, from 1-4 and 5-8 p.m. (March 8 is a half-day for students)

**Moms, I will have Moms and Muffins rescheduled by the end of next week.  Thanks for your patience!

Conference Schedule Upload

Please see the attached conference documents.  These show our schedule for conferences week.  As you can see, we have 15 minute conferences and our schedule is really tight!

The kids and I will be practicing so that we honor the 15 minute time limit.  Please remember that I will need to start and end your conference on time.  If something happens and you will be late for your conference please contact me to reschedule.

The kids are nervous but excited, and I am looking forward to meeting with all our Upper Montessori families to discuss the kids' wonderful work and commitment!

Thanks so much!

Mrs. Perrien

Ford Museum Field Trip