Mountain West Montessori Newsletter

Editor-in-Chief: Ms. Angie, Director

Managing Editor: Ms. Sheri, Assistant Director

Author: Ms. Sheri, Assistant Director

is an African proverb that means that an entire community of people must interact with children for those children to experience and grow in a safe and healthy environment. The villagers look out for the children and for each other.

*Image "It Takes A Village" is a painting by Deborah Wenzel*

The Mountain West Montessori Academy Village is comprised of kind, accepting, nurturing, and supportive administratrative team, teachers, staff, parents, and students! We are extremely grateful to our parents for being our greatest cheerleaders and strongest supporters. Thank you for enriching our village for the better over the years!

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-TEACHER PREP WEEKS: Monday, August 3rd - Friday, August 14th

-SOFT START GRADES K - 9: Sign up for student individual appointments with teachers Monday, August 17th - Friday, August 21st

-STAGGERED ONSITE AND ONLINE INSTRUCTION BEGINS GRADES K- 9: Monday, August 24th

-NO SCHOOL LABOR DAY: Monday, September 7th

-PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES: Wednesday & Thursday, September 23rd & 24th

-NO SCHOOL TEACHER COMP. DAY: Friday, September 25th

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we have an amazing parent and physician, serving as our re-opening and COVID-19 advisor? His advice and support has been crucial in authoring our re-opening plan based on current best practices. If you would like more information about about our re-opening plan check out the link (top right) of our website https://www.mwmacademy.org/.

Here are a few highlights of MWMA's re-opening plan:

• With our emphasis on social and emotional skills and safety, teachers are feeling good about creating a positive, happy classroom culture and making the re-opening precautions NBD: “no big deal”! If you haven’t already seen it, there is a video on the front page of our website about coming back to school safely (www.mwmacademy.org).

• Our cleaning and disinfecting protocols are extensive and ready to go.
• The staggered re-opening schedule makes it possible to have only 10 students per classroom and to maintain social distancing.
• All staff and students will wear masks, wash or sanitze hands frequently and maintain social distancing to protect all members of our community.
• Students will be encouraged to take extra breaks outside to enjoy the fresh air and take mask breaks.
• If you want more information check out MWMA Re-Opening FAQs.pdf.

What can parents do?

• Children and teens react, in part, on what they see from the adults around them. When parents and caregivers deal with COVID-19 calmly and confidently, they can provide the best support for their children.
  
• Answer your child's questions and share facts in a way that your child can understand.
• Reassure your child that they are safe. Let them know it is okay if they feel upset. Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn from you how to cope with stress.
• Limit your family’s exposure to news coverage of the event, including social media. Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand.
• Try to keep up with regular routines.
• Be a role model. Take breaks, get plenty of sleep, exercise, and eat well. Connect with your friends and family members.
• Spend time with your child in meaningful activities, reading together, exercising, playing board games.

The power of community to create health is far greater than any physician, clinic, or hospital. ~Dr. Mark Hyman

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• If you haven't done so, please complete the Parent Preference Survey so that Ms. Angie knows if your student(s) will attend MWMA onsite or online https://forms.gle/G5urSPqYSDskxL1H6.
• If you have not yet updated your child's immunizations, please do so right away. Our friendly office staff is happy to assist you!

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"Welcome back! We are so excited to start the new school year and see all our beloved students again. One quick note on face coverings: We encourage you to send your child with a fun face mask (and face shield if it is preferred), but we can provide these items if you cannot. Face shields ARE an alternative as long as physical distancing is being practiced.

Looking forward to seeing you,

Ms. Angie”

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Ms. Marianne Noble

We have so many worries that didn’t exist in 2019. Some of us may have lost our jobs, some may be essential workers trying our best to minimize the risk of catching this virus and/or bringing it home. Most of us had to deal with helping kids learn online while trying to learn new programs ourselves. In the days since the COVID-19 pandemic we may have lost touch with family and friends due to social distancing. Our new normal includes constant handwashing, hand sanitizer, masks, and staying 6 feet apart. It can be hard and it may be taking its toll on you and your kids.

In all of this chaos I hope you have taken some time to check up on your mental health. Are you doing okay? If not, what do you need to make it through this time? Can you reach out to mental health professionals, friends, or other community leaders for support? Are your kids doing okay? If not what do they need? Can they reach out to their friends and neighbors via social media, Zoom, or text. Remember we are all in this together and we care for you and your students.

Here are some ideas for people who are stressed but mostly making it.

1. Take some time for yourself.
2. Rediscover a loved hobby.
3. Meditate, pray, or practice breathing exercises.
4. Get outside and walk, run, garden, or play with your kids.
5. Laugh at yourself and this crazy world we live in right now.
6. Turn off the news.
7. Be kind to yourself and others.

If you or your kids are stressed and not handling the changes associated with COVID-19, please seek help. There are people who care, who will listen, and who may be able to make a difference in your life. Your healthcare provider is available and willing to help you find counseling and or appropriate treatment. If you or your child has had suicidal thoughts please get help as soon as possible. You can start by reaching out to the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

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Ms. Melissa

Dear MWMA Families,

I realize your students may have questions and concerns regarding race and racism, as it has been on the forefront of news headlines throughout the summer. To help you answer their questions, and to help your family take useful steps against racism, I have put together some resources for you.

I spent a lot of time this summer examining my own biases, and figuring out ways I can help our Black students and other students of color feel supported. One question I've been asking is, "how diverse are my books" both at home and at school. I've always made sure to get the award-winning titles for children's literature (see resources below) but if I'm being honest with myself, I know my shelves could be more diverse.

I've been listening to the discussions being held by Black librarians and book sellers, and one thing I keep hearing is that in order to normalize Black men, women and children, the best thing we can do as parents and educators is have them on our bookshelves. Having a library that normalizes whiteness through white authors and characters sends a nonverbal message of white superiority.

I'm including resources for having conversations with your children about race and book lists that can help balance your bookshelves at home. I will be using these resources to evaluate our resources and to enhance them with grants this year. There are podcasts and social media accounts you can follow, and they're in the links, too.

The good news is there is a LOT we can do, and we can work together, so reach out with any questions or support you need when it comes to providing resources for your student. Connecting people with the resources they need is my passion and I'm always available to parents and caregivers of our students!

Much love to you and your family as we start this new school year,

Ms. Melissa

Resources for talking with your children about race and racism

Here is a wonderful collection of 8 great podcast episodes that specifically address talking about race with your children (including why that conversation is important, and why it hurts People of Color for us to be "color blind"):

https://bellocollective.com/8-podcasts-that-help-you-talk-to-kids-about-race-e5a4b639ac3f

Here are two great web pages for a quick look at how to start the conversation on race and racism:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/family/in-the-news/talking-about-race/#close

https://www.unicef.org/parenting/talking-to-your-kids-about-racism

Netflix has a moving and informative film, called 13th, which shows how the 13th amendment was used in a way to perpetuate harm against People of Color, and specifically Black Americans. Not recommended for young children, but if you are looking for resources for yourself or older children, I highly recommend:

https://www.netflix.com/title/80091741

I've been following goodgoodgoodco on Instagram all summer. I first learned about them through this list of articles, books, social media accounts to follow, and more:

https://www.goodgoodgood.co/anti-racism-resources

Tools to help evaluate the diversity of your books

Here is a helpful guide for adding diverse books to your home library: https://socialjusticebooks.org/guide-for-selecting-anti-bias-childrens-books/

This wonderful questionnaire was built for teachers, but can also be used to evaluate your shelves at home: https://www.leeandlow.com/uploads/loaded_document/408/Classroom-Library-Questionnaire_FINAL.pdf

Book recommendations to diversify your shelves

Coretta Scott King Award Winners:

http://www.ala.org/rt/emiert/cskbookawards/coretta-scott-king-book-awards-all-recipients-1970-present

The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.

Pura Belpre Award Winners:

http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/belpremedal/belprepast

The Pura Belpré Award is presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth

Jane Adams Award Winners:

http://www.janeaddamschildrensbookaward.org/

The Jane Addams Children’s Book Award annually recognizes children’s books of literary and aesthetic excellence that effectively engage children in thinking about peace, social justice, global community, and equity for all people.

Here is the exhaustive list of book awards by the American Library Association, where you will find awards for best representation of a disability experience, Jewish heritage, Pacific Islander experience, and many more:

http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia

I am in LOVE with this Social Justice book list, developed by the National Network of State Teachers of the Year: http://www.nnstoy.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/NNSTOY-Social-Justice-Book-List.pdf

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Ms. Annie is one of the middle school Special Education teachers at MWMA. Her passion is teaching students with a variety of disabilities, struggles, and strengths, but she took a roundabout way of becoming a teacher!

After graduating from Michigan State University, Annie served in the Air Force as a finance officer for five years. Then she had the opportunity to separate from the Air Force and return to school to earn a master’s degree in special education from New Mexico State University. Her first teaching job was as a special education teacher for kindergartners through eighth graders in a charter school in North Carolina. That was also where she met her husband. When he accepted a new job in Denver, Colorado, they packed up their two dogs and cat and came out west. Annie taught at a middle school focusing on phonics instruction and literacy. When her husband was offered a position as an instructor at Salt Lake Community College, they could not pass on the terrific opportunity.

They moved to Utah and have been familiarizing themselves with the area. It has been a great place to spend time with her husband and two daughters. She is also enjoying their new house because her latest passion/hobby is making home improvements and building furniture. Her other passion is traveling to new and exciting places all over the world. She is currently focused on getting to Antarctica; that is the only continent she has yet to visit!

In addition, Ms. Annie is currently back in school to earn her PhD!

Rick Pettingill is the amazing Chef here at Mountain West Montessori Academy. Rick has spent almost three decades in restaurants and food service. He is thrilled to continue to be a part of this amazing school and help shape the healthy eating habits of the students here. His goal is to provide healthy and delicious meals for your children and maintain exceptional standards of service and cleanliness.

Rick is also one of the kindest and most easy going people on the planet and he takes great pride in preparing excellent, healthy, and delicious food.

Rick's hobbies include spending time with his wife and two children, who both attend MWMA. He loves all sports--watching and playing, cooking, watching movies and singing karaoke. Chef Rick looks forward to seeing your children’s smiling faces as they come through the lunch line for years to come.

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It takes a village to raise a child, and I choose to be an actively participating member of my village.

~Megan Daviese

Email: admin@mwmacademy.org
Website: https://www.mwmacademy.org/
Location: 4125 Foxview Drive, South Jordan, UT, USA
Phone: 801-566-6962

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