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Hi MDS Community! Calling all bakers for the MDS Fall Bake Sale Fundraiser! We are so happy to be able to hold this event for the first time in 3 years. The sale will be held at MDS on November 8th and 9th. The 8th is parent-teacher conference day so school is closed and bake sale will be going all day! And then on the 9th, baked goods will be available for sale during pick up. The money raised from this fundraiser will go towards the MDS tuition assistance program as well as fantastic teacher development programs. MDS Fall Bake Sale 11/8 - 8:30am-4:00pm 11/9 - 2:30pm-3:30pm We need BAKERS for this event and VOLUNTEERS to run the bake sale table. BAKERS - We need small items that can be sold individually (cookies, cupcakes, muffins, rice crispy treats, mini quiches, brownies, scones, hand pies, empanadas, sausage rolls, etc.) Think both SWEET and SAVORY! We want lots of both! We encourage families to include your child and family in your baking preparations. This is a great way to put Montessori at home into action and contribute to your school community. Items can be dropped off in the teacher's lounge at MDS on the evening of Monday, November 7th or you can bring them in on the mornings of November 8th and 9th Label containers that you would like returned Include a note card of ingredients Price your item in the $1-$4 range. (ex. $1-$2 for cookies or brownies; $3-$4 for empanda or cupcake) PLEASE REMEMBER: NO NUTS! We are a nut free school VOLUNTEERS - You'll be selling baked goods as folks cycle in and out of MDS for parent/teacher conferences on 11/8 and as they exit from pick up on 11/9. There are half hour slots throughout the day and if you want to sign up for more than one feel free! Please sign up for whatever role(s) you are willing to take on for the Bake Sale and thank you so much in advance for your help! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0E45ACA62EA4F58-mdsfall1 There will also be a jar for donations on the bake sale table if you don't want to buy anything but would like to support our efforts. Thank you! Brandy, PTA Chair

Dear Friends, We are so excited to start the new school year with you and your little one. One Montessori principle we are committed to is the prepared environment. This practice is not just the preparation of the physical environment but the mental, spiritual, and emotional preparation of one's self to meet the needs of every family and child we serve. We spent last week making those preparations. We focused on aligning expectations, dispelling assumptions and clarifying facts, resetting our vision and goals, and preparing the classroom environment. At MDS, we view learning as a continuum and a journey that we are all on. Therefore, there will be preparation periods throughout the school year when we gather as a staff without the children. I will always share these details to deepen your understanding of our commitment and focus on growing and learning in our roles. Aligning Expectations: We started the week by aligning our expectations of each other. The best way to meet each other's needs is to communicate those needs. We participated in various exercises to clarify our expectations of each other as colleagues and community members. Dispelling assumptions and clarifying facts: We continued the week with a presentions to clarify the roles we all play in the school community. Understanding the structure of the systems we all exist in is pivotal in working together cohesively. We explained the leadership structure so all staff members could access the support they may need throughout the school year. Resetting: Retreat day at Wave Hill: On Friday, the entire staff took a trip to the Wave Hill Gardens and Cultural Center in Riverdale, New York. We spent the day focusing on wellness and creating a supportive work environment. In addition, we had a mindfulness session with our mindfulness coach Julie Flynn Badal, and we spent time peacefully existing in nature. The goal for the day was to embrace calm and restore our inner peace in preparation for the joyful experience of caring for your child. Environmental Preparation: On Monday, the teachers put the final touches on their classrooms while others were trained in first aid and CPR by our nurse consultant. And today, we welcomed you and your little ones! Here's to a wonderful school year! Wave Hill Gardens and Cultural Center: Best regards, Latisha

Dear Friends, As another summer vacation ends, I am thinking about all the little ones starting school in a few weeks. Those new to MDS, returning to MDS, and moving on to other schools or Kindergarten. These transitions can be challenging, but they don't have to be. There are a few ways to prepare yourself and your child for these new endeavors. Books are an excellent way to support children's anxiety about new situations. Books support children's cognitive development and deepen their understanding of new situations. Books also provide them with accessible background knowledge. They then use this acquired background knowledge to make sense of what they experience. I have a few favorites that I would like to share with you. I hope they help prepare you and your little ones for these new experiences. Starting Preschool: Toddlers and Primary 1) Owl Babies 2) The Kissing Hand 3) Bye-Bye Time 4) Lola Goes to School 5) The Night Before Preschool Returning to School 1) When I Meet My New Teacher 2) The Big Umbrella 3) The Invisible String Children Going to Kindergarten 1) On the First Day of Kindergarten 2) Kindergarten Rocks! 3) A New Friend 4) A Letter From Your Teacher on The First Day of School Helpful Articles for Parents Preschool Prep: Helping Toddlers Prepare for Preschool Back to School Anxiety “We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are a part of the universe and are connected with each other to form one whole unity." - Maria Montessori Our investment in each child doesn't end at the end of the school day or school year. We will always be here to support your little ones in their education. I hope everyone has a great start to the school year! Best regards, Latisha