Obama Montessori Family Connect

By now, you should have received our back-to-school letter with lots of important information. If you’ve misplaced it, no worries—you can find it linked below.

This year, you can expect to hear from me twice a month, on the first and third Fridays. My updates will come straight to your email inbox along with a text link to the communication. If you’d like school communication sent to a different email address, please let Davina know and she’ll be happy to add it.

Thank you for your patience as we’ve navigated the move, unpacking, and ongoing construction projects. I know my email replies have taken a little longer than usual, and I truly appreciate your grace during this transition.

Below you’ll find the first “Top 5” of the year! I’ll be using this format consistently to keep communication simple and clear. I hope to see many of you and your children at our Open House on Thursday, August 28th, from 4:30–6:00 p.m. Stop by anytime—we’d love to see you!

I can’t wait for you to see our beautiful new building. It’s gorgeous! We are so excited to start this year with you all.

Warmly,
Lizzy Diemer
Principal, Obama Montessori School

Parking is limited to street parking. If you can, consider walking or biking. We have plenty of bike racks in the front and the back of the school!

In addition to the move, the entire district is switching over to a new phone client. You may notice some changes with how you get ahold of us.

Here are the basics for communicating with us at Obama Montessori:

Main Office Phone Number: 651-293-8720

School Email Address: obamamontessori@spps.org

• Our new lead clerk, Davina, is the main staff member that will be checking this email. Please feel free to send attendance and transportation updates to this email. You can also still call us.

Health Office: 651-888-7639

Teacher emails can be found on our website - obamamontessori.spps.org.

In my previous communication, I mentioned that Ms. Gail had moved on to a promotion at Central High School. We have hired a new lead clerk, and her first day was this past Thursday. Please welcome Davina Newman! She is joining us after most recently working as the lead clerk at Washington Middle School. She is so excited to meet everyone at Open House on Thursday!

We’re excited to introduce a new drop-off and pick-up system this year! Our team is working hard to make sure things run smoothly from day one. That said, we expect to make some adjustments during the first few weeks as we fine-tune the process. The map below will help guide you through the new system.

New Highlights:

• Morning Drop-Off: Doors will close at 9:30 a.m. each day. If your child arrives after 9:30, please use the front entrance on Holly Avenue. This is our secure entrance and the only way into the building during school hours.

• Afternoon Pick-Up: To improve safety and clarity, all families will receive a new pick-up number this year. Please stop by the transportation table at Open House to pick up your number if you plan to pick up your child from school.

At Obama Montessori, our goal is to provide a safe, focused learning environment that supports academic growth, independence, problem solving, and responsible digital citizenship. In alignment with Saint Paul Public Schools and Obama Middle School policies, we have the following expectations for personal devices:

• All personal electronic devices must remain at home.

• Students will keep their district-issued iPad at school each day.

• If a student brings a personal device, they must turn it over to staff immediately.

Consequences for not following expectations:

1. First Reminder: Device returned to student at 4 p.m. the same day.
   

2. Second Reminder: Parent/guardian must pick up the device.
   

3. Third Reminder: Meeting with parent/guardian, student, and administrator before device is returned. Parents/guardians may contact Principal Diemer at any time to arrange a device pick-up.

Personal devices include, but are not limited to: cell phones, smart watches, earbuds/headphones, mp3 players, and personal gaming systems.

In case of an emergency:

• Families may call the main office, and we will deliver the message to the student.

• Students who need to contact home may request to use a phone at school.

Family members are a key to the success of these expectations. Thank you for your support in helping us create a learning environment where students can grow, focus, and connect with one another.

To help students stay focused on learning, we ask that all toys and personal items stay at home unless a teacher has specifically requested them for class. “Toys” can include things like cards, games, nail polish, make-up, stuffed animals, or anything else that might be distracting during the school day.

Bikes, scooters, skateboards, rollerblades, and sleds are not allowed to be used during the school day unless a teacher assigns them for a specific activity. Students who ride bikes to school should keep them at the bike racks during school hours. Hard baseballs, bats, and similar sports equipment may not be used during the school day. Please note that the school cannot take responsibility for items that are lost, stolen, or damaged unless a staff member has agreed to hold them for safekeeping.

If a student brings a toy or personal item to school:

1. The teacher will hold onto it until the end of the day and remind the student of the expectation.

2. If this happens again, the item will be kept until a parent/guardian is notified, and the student will be reminded of the expectation again.

Staff Changing Positions

Luke Borkenhagen, former Social Worker (moving)

Ben Dorer, Upper Elementary (Previously E1 Teacher)

Andrea Knox, Behavior Interventionist (Previously Library TA)

Gail Ross, former Clerk (now working at Central HS)

Quincy Vauters-Barnes, Former Behavior Interventionist (Now working at Obama Middle School)

We wish all of our staff well in their new roles!

Staff Joining Obama Montessori

Liz Abdallah, Speech Language Pathologist (0.6)

Ahmed Mohamed, Teaching Assistant, Special Education (Fed III)
Davina Newman, Lead Clerk
Sabrina Orth, Special Education Teacher (Fed III)
Lauren Riggs, School Nurse
Terri Schmidt, E1 Teacher

Jenneba Swaray, Social Worker (Start Date TBD)

Current Openings for 2025-26

Library TA1 - Our job is posted! If you know anyone, please refer them. We will try to interview candidates by the end of the first week of school.