Maria Montessori Academy
Education for a Better World
Mission
The mission of Maria Montessori Academy is to provide an individualized education that promotes academic excellence founded on the authentic philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori.
Maria Montessori Academy will craft each child’s education in partnership with educators and parents to achieve higher levels of academic, personal and social achievement, thereby preparing students to become constructive contributors to their community.
Family Newsletter December 13, 2024
Dear Families,
We are grateful for your participation in our Giving Tree! With your support, we were able to provide Christmas gifts to 22 students from 11 families!
The HOPE Squad is organizing a winter service project to support a family of MMA graduates who have experienced a significant loss. Three brothers who graduated from MMA tragically lost their father over Thanksgiving Break, having previously lost their mother five years ago in December. While the boys are currently safe and cared for, our community wants to show them love and support during this difficult time.
Donation Needs:
- Hygiene kits
- Shaving cream
- Deodorant
- Men's personal care items
- Men's clothing (various sizes)
- Greeting cards
- Grocery store gift cards
- Food cards
Drop-Off Options:
- Front office
- Ms. Nicoletta's office
Important: Please label donations "for the Blue Boys"
If you would like more information or wish to contribute, please contact Ms. Nicoletta directly.
Our community stands together to support these young men during their time of need.
It was fantastic to see all of you at our Holiday concerts! Thank you for supporting your students and our staff!
The Holiday Market is tomorrow from 10-1pm in the small gym! Please come with your friends and family and support our young entrepreneurs!
This week, we had 84% of students in attendance. The statewide goal is 90%. Please continue to make attendance a priority even during these dark and cold winter months.
Next Friday is an At-Home Learning Day. Students will be sent home with approximately 3 hours of work to engage in at home. We are excited for students to share their learning and make connections between home and school.
You can continue to create an environment that fosters and models lifelong learning at home in meaningful ways. Here are some strategies:
1. Model the Behavior
Show Curiosity: Demonstrate a passion for learning by exploring topics of interest and sharing what you’ve learned with others.
Engage in New Activities: Take up hobbies, read books, or attend workshops to set an example of continuous learning.
2. Create a Learning-Friendly Environment
Designate Learning Spaces: Set up areas for reading, crafting, or working on projects to encourage exploration.
Provide Resources: Keep books, puzzles, games, and digital tools accessible to support curiosity and skill development.
3. Encourage Discussions and Questions
Discuss Current Events: Have meaningful conversations about news, history, and global cultures to broaden perspectives.
Promote Critical Thinking: Ask open-ended questions that encourage deeper thought and reflection.
4. Set Goals Together
Collaborate on Goals: Work with family members to set personal or group learning objectives, like learning a new skill or studying a specific topic.
Celebrate Achievements: Acknowledge milestones, such as finishing a book or mastering a hobby.
5. Leverage Technology and Media
Explore Online Learning: Take advantage of free or low-cost platforms offering courses, tutorials, and lectures.
Use Educational Media: Watch documentaries, listen to podcasts, or follow informative YouTube channels together.
6. Encourage Reading
Create a Family Library: Curate a collection of books for all ages and interests.
Host Reading Challenges: Encourage everyone in the household to read regularly and share insights from their favorite books.
7. Support Lifelong Learning for All Ages
Intergenerational Learning: Encourage grandparents and children to learn from one another by sharing skills, stories, and experiences.
Adapt to Interests: Recognize that everyone has unique learning paths and encourage exploration of those passions.
8. Explore the World Together
Visit Museums and Cultural Events: Take trips to museums, science centers, or community lectures to ignite curiosity.
Travel and Explore: Explore different places, even within your city, to learn about diverse cultures, histories, and environments.
9. Promote Reflection
Discuss Daily Experiences: Encourage family members to share what they’ve learned or experienced each day.
Journal Together: Start a family journaling practice where everyone writes or draws about their learning journey.
10. Encourage Lifelong Learning as a Value
Talk About Its Importance: Regularly discuss why learning is valuable and how it enriches life at any age.
Foster Resilience: Teach that mistakes and challenges are natural parts of the learning process.
The Utah Parent Center has lifelong learning resources for adults!
Much Love!
Ms. Kacee Weaver
PIZZA ORDERS
Many of you missed the January pizza order deadline so we have extended the order period for a short time. The order form is open until December 18th. Last chance for January pizza don’t miss out!!
Please use this form to sign up : https://forms.gle/K8wH4rpow1ff9D248. The payment link is in the form. Thank you!
HOLIDAY MARKET
GINGERBREAD CONTEST
Contest mechanics are here : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UtOZWhFRDspF4HCmQIsd2-oUhdsF8PVByvW7g-twbHA/edit?usp=sharing
YEARBOOK COVER CONTEST (LAST DAY ON DEC 17TH!)
The winner will get a $20 gift card of their choice!
The art can be made digitally or on paper, as long as it is made as a square or able to be cropped nicely into a square, so that we can put it into a similar template (as the one pictured below), so that it looks like when we play music on our phones! The theme of the yearbook is playlist, and our 15 year anniversary theme of Cultivating Curiosity and Life-Long Purpose. So, the idea is that the students will create an album/playlist cover that represents the theme of lifelong learning and curiosity, which could look like someone, or multiple people, participating in creating and fulfilling their own curiosity and lifelong purpose. Like going on a safari, studying bugs, practicing chemistry, learning to cook, being at a museum, being a doctor, being a professional athlete, teacher, etc. It could also be objects that represent those same ideas and themes as well, or however your students decide to translate that theme into an album/playlist cover.
Submissions can be attached here :
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
SPELLING BEE COMING UP
Maria Montessori Academy's school spelling bee will be held on Wednesday, January 29. The top spellers from each class will be able to participate. Class spelling bees will be held prior to Wednesday the 22. For lower el classes the top level 3 from each class will be chosen. Since the state spelling bee is only for level 3 and up, that is all that will participate in the school bee. The state bee only goes up to 8th grade, but we encourage our 9th graders to participate as well. If a 9th grader wins the school bee, they will be our school champion. However, the top 2 students from 3-8th will be the ones to attend the state bee.
Though all students are encouraged to participate in their class bee, no one will be forced. We do not want this to be a negative experience. Each teacher will do their best to make it a positive learning experience for all. If your child would like to study the list and participate, that is wonderful.
CHILI COOK OFF ON JANUARY 23!
Join the Chili Cook Off using this link : https://www.wejoinin.com/sheets/brxcz
CALL FOR JUDGES FOR JUNIOR HIGH HISTORY FAIR
HABIT BURGER : SPIRIT NIGHT!
FOR YOUR INFORMATION...
More detailed information here about the MMA Illness Policy here : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ulf1qsSa0iXsu99mNpHcxmkV7zcRzTpy/view
ORDER YOUR YEARBOOKS EARLY!
Use this link to order, school prepay code MariaMontessoriYB25
JUNIOR HIGH
Calling all 6th and 9th grade students and parents! They have their big field trip coming up and we are working to raise funds to go towards this trip by participating in the Youth Entrepreneur Market at MMA on Saturday December 14th. Sixth graders will be running some games and crafts. 9th graders will be helping with a hot chocolate bar and bake sale. We need your students help and some donations! Please sign up here: https://www.wejoinin.com/sheets/dgtyg.
If you have any questions please contact Logan Kashanipour at 801-791-2132
SEL RESOURCES
Thanks to Ms. Nicoletta for gathering these SEL Resources. You can view them here.
BOYS' BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
Please note that November 18th is an AWAY game, and December 19th is a HOME game. Go MMA Lions!
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL FEES AND SPORTS FEES
You may pay your Junior High School Fees and Sports Fees using this link . Go all the way to the bottom of the page and you will see links and QR Codes.
Maria Montessori Academy
Email: kweaver@mmautah.org
Website: www.mariamontessoriacademy.org
Location: 2505 North 200 East, North Ogden, UT, USA
Phone: 801-827-0150
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MMAofUT
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mmamountainlions/