Important dates and reminders for FCMA families. No Images? Click here ![]() "The child has a mind able to absorb knowledge. He has the power to teach himself." ~Dr. Maria Montessori Please scroll down for the list of important dates. Campus Security System and Procedures Safety and a nurturing environment for all students and staff are of utmost importance at FCMA. For that reason, and due to the recent event within the neighborhood, we would like to review our campus’ security system and procedures. As you know, we have a security camera system to help monitor our campus. Cameras are installed in public places only. Areas include, but are not limited to, school grounds and the exterior entrances/exits to all school buildings. All of our doors, including the pod doors, are locked during the day. This system helps us to monitor visitors and volunteers, ensuring all guests are properly signed in at the office. This year we also added security to our Kids Club for entering and signing out. As required we conduct safety drills of several types – tornado, fire and lockdown (there are two- external and internal threats); we practice these and then report to all staff our successes and things to improve on. All staff are trained in procedures, which incudes who and how to alert everyone to a situation. We also use an app called CrisisGo that is on all staff phones. This app quickly communicates an alert and allows staff to send alerts without needing to make a call. That then triggers emergency personnel according to the emergency. Additionally, school administration has had training from the Michigan State Police on responding to emergency situations that also requires us to evaluate our property and overall security. We conduct an annual homeland security K-12 audit as well. We do our best to balance all of this with building an environment where children and families feel safe, and, as much as possible “carefree,” so they can learn and play and grow without being fearful. ![]() 5th GRADE WRITING CONTEST Final Enrichment Day: Entries due January 31st! ![]() While we understand the desire to celebrate class achievements, in-house/going away field studies or your child’s work, we ask that you please ask your child’s classroom teacher to review any photos/videos first before posting to social media. We offer parents the option of not having their child’s image public, which includes posting to classroom Facebook pages. Therefore, we ask that you verify with your child’s classroom teacher which students are not to have photos/videos posted of them. We appreciate your willingness to respect the wishes of other parents and their child’s privacy. ![]() “Our aim is not only to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his innermost core.” This enthusiasm surrounding thinking and learning that Maria Montessori refers to is our goal here at FCMA. It is part of all that we do because we are committed to the ideal of understanding over mere memorization. Beyond student understanding we aspire to keep the desire to learn in the hearts of our students. Montessori math materials are designed to keep imagination alive as students develop mathematical fluency. Through thoughtful, meaningful practice memorization of basic math facts occurs. While your child is learning with these beautiful Montessori math materials here at school your help with math fluency at home is so valuable. Spending a few minutes, a day several days per week will reinforce what your child is learning here at school. Play games that involve math facts, have your child spend some time with math on IXL, keep math fact placemats in the car to practice while commuting. Math is all around us along with opportunities to engage your child with real world math application. A deeper understanding of math and the importance of mathematical thinking stem from involving your child in using math to cook, shop, plan and tell time. The possibilities are endless and your support invaluable! Happy Computing, Ms. Lorie
![]() ![]() As we have seen a significant increase in illnesses over the past few weeks, Children should not attend school when the following conditions are present: Temperature above 100 degrees. Any student evidencing a rash, sores, or other physical problems will be excluded from the Academy. When a child is absent with a contagious disease or illness, the parent/guardian should notify the Academy office. In order for your child to be admitted back into the Academy, parents must comply with County Health guidelines. Please contact the Academy office for further information. A student may be excused from physical education for one day with a note from the parent/guardian. Extended excuses will be honored upon receipt of a physician’s note. ![]() WINTER NIGHTS AT HOME "The short days of January invite us to "hunker down" and enjoy a cozy evening at home. The calendar seems less hectic after the holidays, and perhaps the children don't have as many after-school activities. This is a good time to schedule a special evening with the whole family." ![]() ![]() 5th Grade Writing Contest: FCMA Skate Night: No School: Middle School Info Night High School Expo: Parent Guild Meeting: Preschool/Kindergarten
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