Please scroll down for the list of important dates.

Update on Head of School Search:

Like any other industry or business, success is dependent on having the right people doing the right jobs. It is essential to us to have the right person leading Four Corners Montessori, because everything depends on it. Research indicates that a school leader has an enormous impact on the success of a school, and so we have been approaching the search for a leader very seriously.

Like any search for a leader, it is a multi-step process that is slightly complicated by the time of year; leaders with experience want to finish out their current placements. That said, we accepted applications over a period of six-weeks and are now in the process of narrowing the field to bring the candidates to a committee of current staff for their impressions and recommendations. Our stated timeline has us naming the new leader by the end of May; if we are lucky, we may have a candidate named prior to that.

In addition to experience in education in Michigan, it is essential to find someone who understands Montessori and what a developmentally appropriate, but rigorous education looks like. Furthermore, we need someone who embraces the mission, has ideas about how to bring it to fruition, and most importantly believes in their heart of hearts that all of our children have the potential to do great things and be great people.

Thank you for your patience and support. The staff at FCMA have demonstrated their exceptional resilience and commitment to your children during this transition and it has been gratifying and rewarding to work with so many whose leadership skills have risen and filled the void. We look forward to announcing the new Head of School next month.

April Showers Bring May Flowers--and MUD!

Although it certainly doesn’t feel like it, it is indeed spring and just as this drives you outside to start cleaning up the yard and possibly embark on landscaping projects, so we take a look at our care of the grounds that we lease from St. Vincent Ferrer.

Over break a floor was poured for a new shed that we are installing behind the Middle School Pod (South Campus). We also poured a concrete pad to support the shed donated by the parent guild. Both of these moves are so that we can store our play equipment in ways that keep them from being spread all over the grounds of the parish and can also move some play equipment that causes both an appearance of sloppiness in some of our doorways as well potentially tripping hazards.

In addition to safety and beautification, these measures are being taken to try to preserve the lawns surrounding our building which is maintained by the parish. If you have ever tried to “rehab” or grow grass at this time of year, you know how difficult it is when children or pets run across fledgling spring grass. Imagine how difficult it is to grow grass with 400+ kids running across it! As a result, teachers and aides will be directing kids to play in more confined areas so we can save the grass as best as we can, and also to cut down on the mud! We are hopeful that by next school year we will have a more clearly defined space for play that will preserve the attractive appearance of the grounds.

Along those lines, it is important to maintain parking lot protocols, especially on the Gardenia side, to maintain the grass over there. There is no curb over there and while the pick up and drop off process may slow at times, it is important to not drive over that grass as it would be seriously damaging, especially at this time of year. This also means cars exiting the pick up line should yield to incoming cars so a traffic standstill does not occur forcing incoming cars to either back up or drive on the grass. Please remember that whether you are doing pick-up/drop off at the front or back doors, if you are in the car line, do not get out of your car--your child will be delivered to you. If you need to get out of the car, please park in one of the parking lots. We thank you for your cooperation.

Laura Moellering
 

M-STEP summative tests for grads 3-8 include:

English Language Arts (ELA):
English language arts (ELA) is assessed in grades 3–8. It covers four claims: reading, writing, listening, and research. The assessments are online computer adaptive tests.

Mathematics:
Mathematics is assessed in grades 3–8. It covers four claims: concepts and procedures, problem solving, communicating reasoning, and modeling and data analysis.

Science:
For Spring 2018, the new Michigan science standards are being assessed in a statewide field test in grades 5, and 8, with a fixed-form online assessment.  

Social Studies:
Social studies is assessed in grades 5 and 8 with a fixed-form online assessment.

Beginning this week the following grades will be testing:

Tuesday, April 10th-       5th & 8th Grade (ELA)
Wednesday, April 11th- 5th & 8th Grade (ELA)
Thursday, April 12th-     5th & 8th Grade (Math)
Friday, April 13th-           5th & 8th Grade (Math)
Monday, April 16th-       5th & 8th Grade (Science)
Tuesday, April 17th-       5th & 8th Grade (Social Studies)

How can I best help my child succeed?
• Try not to schedule any doctor appointments for them on the dates of testing.
• Ensure that they eat breakfast on the days they are testing.
• Try and get them to bed early the night before.
• Have them prepare by taking practice tests ahead of time.

How do we prepare?
The computer assessments have online practice tests that can be taken to prepare for the assessments.
1. Go to https://wbte.drcedirect.com/MI/portals/mi/ (must be taken in Google Chrome).
2. Click on M-STEP Online Tools Training.
3. Click on Sample Item Sets.
4. Click on the grade level.
5. Click on the subject.
6. Sign in with the username and password supplied on the screen.
7. Once signed in, click continue and choose the practice test you want to take.

It's Time to Buy Your Tickets for the
Family Formal Spring Dance!

The Parent Guild needs to give a rough headcount to the venue this week, so we are hoping everyone who knows now that they plan to attend will purchase advance tickets. Tickets are $8. ($9 if you wait.)

Send payment via Paypal (using friends & family option) to: fcmaparentguild@gmail.com
Be sure to include your family name in the notes section.

Friday, April 20th
6-8PM
at the Ukrainian Culture Center
 

Mark your calendars for FMCA’s 8th Annual Art and Music Showcase on Saturday, May 5th. 
The proceeds from this event not only help to supplement the school’s art and music programs,
but fund art/musical guests and field trips as well. 

We are looking for adult artists to donate one art piece for the silent auction
portion of the art show.  Please email Mr. Michael, FCMA's Visual Art Teacher at michaelchabot@choiceschools.com if you or someone you know is interested. 

The staff and students thank you for your continued support!    

Hello FCMA Community we need your help!

Each year FCMA’s 8th grade middle school students spend one week completing 30-40 hours of unpaid student internships at businesses in the community (see attached information and news article). This year, we have several responsible, mature students that need your assistance with securing an internship. Internship week is April 23rd - 27th, 2018. If you can help identify an internship, please email meghanvandenplas@choiceschools.com. Thank you so very much!

The goal of this internship is for students to gain knowledge about the business world and become career focused as they begin making college and career path decisions. We are confident that when you meet our 8th grade middle school student, you will find a very mature, helpful, eager, and observant person. 

Our students are open to any internship opportunity, however, some specific areas of interest include: sports and sports medicine, veterinarian, engineering, computers, photography, and a bakery/restaurant.

Internship supervisor tasks:

·        Identify work tasks for intern

·        Allow intern time for daily reflection

·        Act as a mentor for 5 days, approximately 8:00am – 3:00pm (time flexible)

·        Daily signature (student will ask you for this during internship)

·        Complete student evaluation at end of internship

Thank you for any assistance that you can provide.  
Meghan Vandenplas

Check out this video highlighting last year's internship program.

"If we are to teach real peace in this world... we shall have to begin with the children."
—Mahatma Gandhi

Cultivating Peace in the Classroom

"Montessori education has been referred to as "peace education," and even Gandhi praised Montessori's approach to world peace. So, how is peace cultivated in a Montessori classroom?

Visitors often marvel at how Montessori classrooms seem to have a "hum" to them. It is no wonder that children in a Montessori classroom seem joyful, relaxed, and happy. They are able to choose an activity and work at it as long as they like. The children interact with their peers and move about the room freely. The teacher's main goals are to make sure children are engaged, to connect children with the prepared environment, and to protect their work once they are immersed in concentration. One can sense a spirit of purpose, satisfaction, and joy permeating the room."