Important dates and reminders for FCMA families. No Images? Click here "Getting up in the morning, eating breakfast, doing the day's work, preparing dinner, going to bed — all are occasions for adults to step back and see the home through the child's eyes." — Patricia Oriti, At Home with Montessori Please scroll down for the list of important dates. 2018-19 School Calendar We are excited to present our calendar for the 2018-19 school year to families. For the coming year, we will be introducing an early release schedule for Fridays. Students will be done at 1:30 on Fridays to allow for our staff to work together and continually improve our Montessori program. Early release is becoming common practice in schools across Michigan and the United States, many of the local school districts currently have early release time. As the job of teaching has evolved, collaboration with colleagues has become of paramount importance and we need to carve out time that does not require our teachers to be out of their classrooms so often. During this time, teachers will share student learning and work with one another to improve it. We will also conduct other meetings during this time including our Child Study process, School Improvement meetings, and professional development for staff.
Dear Families, Many of you have inquired as to our process of assigning students to classrooms. A little while back I described for you the things we consider as we try to get the right balance and mix each classroom. On top of this, next school year, we will have a different array of classrooms. We are thrilled that so many families have re-enrolled for next year, and many of you may know that we have more K-1 classrooms than 2-3 classrooms, and even less 4-6 classrooms. In order to accommodate our returning students, we are going to end up evening this out a little. Specifically, there will be five each of each grade level band: K-1, 2-3, and 4-6. Middle school remains in the modular that is South Campus, and as more of our students stay with us through middle school, will ultimately house 80-90 middle schoolers. What this means for next year is a reduced number of spaces for preschool and kindergarten. Pre-school will be a single classroom, back in the main building, and will be capped at 20 students. Our kindergarten enrollment this year was capped at only 75 students, smaller than it has been in the past. Kindergarten siblings get the first slots and the rest were drawn in a pure lottery. All the names that were not drawn are then placed on a waiting list and we will fill as from there if other families drop out. There is always some attrition as families move or their plans change, so a few spots are likely to open up. Charter schools have lotteries because we are single-school districts, so if enrollment is high we literally do not have the space to take kids. We are grateful to have this problem, as it validates that we are fulfilling our mission when our families stay with us. Evening out enrollment at each grade level moves us to a sustainable model where retention, rather than growth, is now where we are stabilizing. It is a joy to watch children grow and learn throughout their childhood, and watching our current middle school students’ academic successes, their maturity in their internships and travel, and their citizenship in action as they work with the community and the younger children is further affirmation that we are on the right track. But that right track means this adjustment to the earlier grades enrollment to guarantee spaces for our children who will spend their whole K-8 experience with us. Dear FCMA Families, Since joining FCMA, first as a parent and then as a teacher, nine years ago, you and your children have felt increasingly like family to me and FCMA has increasingly felt like home. And it is with love in my heart that I have accepted a new role of Head of School. As we go forward together, it is my intention that we grow in relationship, community, and in service to the children in our lives. Thank you to everyone who has shared well wishes; you warm my heart. A wedding ring was found on school grounds on the Herbert side. If you are missing a ring, please contact the office to see if it is yours. Thank you for reminding us of what an amazing community we have. This year's Art & Music Showcase was a huge success. It is through your continued support and generosity that we are able to enjoy an evening of art, music, food, and fellowship. We truly appreciate this opportunity for our students to showcase their artistic talents. A special thanks to Mr. Michael (FCMA Visual Arts Teacher) and Ms. Shannan (FCMA Music Teacher) for sharing their love of the arts with our students and families. PIZZA KIT PICK UP THIS THURSDAY!!! Middle school (6th-8th grade) students/parents should pick up their pizza kits THIS THURSDAY at dismissal in the middle school commons. Can't make this time? Call/text Linda Sauchak 313-702-2969 BEFORE THURSDAY to make alternative arrangements. Kits are frozen, and should remain so for peak freshness. This past week all students spoke in their PE classes about our upcoming Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart event taking place on Wednesday, May 16th (Sponsored by the American Heart Association and SHAPE America)! This event is a celebration of the hard work our students have done in an attempt to raise money for the AHA. Leading up to this time we talk about healthy lifestyles to support our own heart health since heart disease is the leading cause of death in our country. We also talk about Heart Heroes, those children that were born with hearts that do not function properly, and how the AHA has helped them by funding research, medication and treatments. We are reminded that people are in need of help, and if we are able, we provide that support. Students received packets for either Jump Rope for Heart or Hoops for Heart, they can also signup online to extend their fundraising efforts. Please note that anything earned as a thank you gift, including those marked as an instant gift, will be received all at once at the end of the school year. Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart is an active event, students are welcome to dress in red in support of heart health or in PE attire and footwear on this day. Students should also bring their own water bottles as well as sunscreen (if the weather complies). The event will take place throughout the day according to the following schedule: 8:30 - 9:30 Bonsai, Oak, Magnolia, Cedar If you are able to volunteer your time during any of these sessions to run a station or to help the children rotate, please get in touch with Ms. Katie and specify when you would be able to help. Looking forward to a great day!
May Day Mixer: Saturday, May 19th 9 am - 12pm
Managing Daily Transitions "The family home, like the Montessori classroom, is a social environment. Children learn to function in the world according to what they experience on a daily basis at home and school. As parents we often forget that the patterns we establish are the foundation for our children's ability to adapt. That's why our routines are so important. And, no matter how much our homes are "child-centered," we, the parents, set the tone. Consistency is one of the features of a Montessori classroom, and children benefit from consistency at home, as well. Consistency is particularly helpful around transition times - transitions from sleeping to waking, from home to school, from play time to bedtime. Due to busy schedules and competing interests, families often adapt to the pace and needs of adults rather than to those of children. With a predictable schedule and patterns of behavior, we can smooth the way for ourselves and for our children."
Parent Guild Meeting: May Day Mixer: |