Maria Montessori Academy

Dear Families,

This month at MMA, our character theme is Empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. It allows children to form healthy relationships, resolve conflicts peacefully, and contribute positively to their community.

Dr. Maria Montessori often reminded us that peace begins with the child. Helping children develop empathy is one of the most powerful ways we can nurture that peace—both in the classroom and at home.

Here are a few ways you can encourage empathy with your child at home this month:

• Model empathy in everyday interactions.

• Read books that build perspective.

• Practice active listening.

• Highlight small acts of kindness.

• Use feelings language at home.

By weaving empathy into our daily lives, we help children learn to see the world through another’s eyes, strengthening both compassion and responsibility. Together, home and school can create a foundation for our children to grow into caring, respectful individuals who contribute to a better world.

As part of our commitment to both strong family partnerships and high-quality teaching, Maria Montessori Academy will hold an At-Home Learning Day on October 10th. On this day, students will continue their learning from home through purposeful activities prepared by their teachers. These activities are designed to foster independence, strengthen connections between home and school, and give families a window into the skills and habits students are practicing in class.

At the same time, this day provides teachers with dedicated time to:

• Review beginning-of-year assessment data and classroom observations.

• Reflect on each child’s growth and areas for support.

• Prepare for upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences, ensuring they are meaningful, personalized, and focused on your child’s unique progress.

By setting aside this time, we are ensuring that when you sit down with your child’s teacher, the conversation will be grounded in thoughtful preparation and clear evidence of growth. This helps us strengthen the connection between home and school, which is essential for your child’s successes.

Junior High families - the October newsletter is HERE.

We have several opportunities to support teachers and students in the coming weeks:

Literacy week is next week! Students are invited to bring in gently used books for our upcoming Book Swap. It's a fun and eco-friendly way to share stories with friends and discover new ones to take home. All ages and reading levels are welcome! Have your students bring in their books on October 6!

Our Fall Book Fair is right around the corner, and we need your help to make it a success! Volunteering is a fun way to support our school community and inspire a love of reading in our students. Sign up here to join the fun: Volunteer Sign-Up

Thank you for helping us bring the joy of books to our children!

We’re also asking families to sign up to provide dinners for our teachers during conference nights. Your contribution—whether it’s a homemade dish, takeout, or a favorite family recipe—will go a long way in showing our gratitude.

Click here to sign up and help us fuel our amazing teachers: Monday and Tuesday

Thank you for being part of MMA. You make our community a better place! Please stay safe and warm this weekend! See you next week!

Ms. Kacee

Kacee Weaver,

Director