Help Your Kid Feel More Confident in Less Than 2 Minutes

By K. Kvols
Would you like your child to be more confident, perform better and have a healthy self-concept? Silly question! Of-course we would like to have this for our children. Did you know that 80% of our communication is non-verbal. So the way your child carries their body is very important.

Social psychologist and bestselling author, Amy Cuddy is an expert on the behavioral science of power, presence, and prejudice. According to her research, your child’s body language influences their behavior. If your child just takes a “power pose”; like the “Wonder Woman”& “Super Man” for two minutes they will feel more powerful. Biologically speaking, their testosterone level (which makes one feel powerful) will increase and their cortisol level (stress responsible hormone) will decrease. This works
for every age and sex.

Armed with this knowledge, you can really be helpful to your child. Teach them to adopt “power pose”(anywhere like a bathroom or stairs, for example), before a stressful situation such as a test or a game.
Help them to follow these simple steps:
 Chin up
 Feet wide apart
 Fists on hips
 Hold the pose for 2 minutes
 The outfit is optional! LOL

You may be thinking that all of this is “artificial” and the change is only momentary, maybe you are right ….however we know that tiny tweaks can lead to big changes. The brain can literally be reconfigured. All they have to do is make the pose frequently.

Parenting Practice – Practice this stance with your child several times this week. Take note of how you and your child feel differently.

PARENT ADVISORY BOARD NEWS:

The meeting minutes from January are in the coatrooms. We will meet Thursday, May 9th at 6:30pm at CMP.  ALL parents are welcome, snacks and beverages will be served!

If you are not able to attend the PAB meeting but would like to be involved please shoot me an email and I can follow up with you to share what we are working on.

The Touch-A-Truck on Saturday May 18th 10am-2pm at the Northside Town Center, will be a family friendly event where children of all ages are allowed to explore various machines that are an integral part of our community.  Children will be allowed to sit, touch and learn about each vehicle. The money raised from this event will go toward the many needs of our school including new wood bookshelves for each classroom and funding for financial assistance.

We will also be holding a food and toiletry drive in partnership with Food for Thought benefiting the food pantry at Mendota Elementary School.

In order to make this event as successful as possible we need your help! If you can help in one of the following ways please let us know.

• We are still looking for a few vehicles for the event. Do you have a connection to a tractor or earth moving machine (backhoe, excavator, bobcat, bulldozer, etc..)?
• We are looking for donations to underwrite the costs of the event. Would you be interested in sponsoring Cotton Candy, the Bobcat Bounce House, fencing, kids construction hats or making a general donation to the event?
• Spread the word! Let your friends and neighbors know about this fun event! Word of mouth is the best advertisement! Flyers and promotional materials will be coming soon!

• Please use sign up to help out the day of the event! We need as many hands as we can get to make the event a success! Consider asking other family members (older siblings, aunts, uncles, grandmas, grandmas, etc) or neighbors who might enjoy helping out. Volunteer groups are also very welcome to sign up!

  Dates to Remember May 6th-10th – Teacher Appreciation May 9th – PAB Meeting at 6:30pm May 18th – Touch A Truck Event June 6th – CMP Picnic in the Backyard Tax Information: CMP’s Federal Tax number is- 39-17-53172 Please allow 2 weeks for all year receipt requests. Parent Reminders: 2019-20 School Year: 1st week tuition payment is overdue! Please refer to the new tuition rates to ensure your payment is correct. If you have any questions, please be sure to check with Debby in the office. Staff Book Recommendation: Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify and manage your own emotions and recognize the emotions of others. It is generally said to include three skills: emotional awareness; the ability to harness emotions and apply them to tasks like thinking and problem solving; and the ability to manage emotions. Parents are the child’s first teachers of emotional intelligence. The following books are supportive tools for children and parents that are presented through fun and beautiful illustrations and promote discussion about emotions with your child. Enjoy! – Ms Patty

  In My Heart: A Book of Feelings (Growing Hearts) by Jo Witek (Author), Christine Roussey (Illustrator)

  SPRING Garden Volunteers NEEDED We are looking for helpers both big and small to garden and do outdoor clean up tasks. Please visit our spring sign up for the full list of task and consider scheduling a play date with your fellow CMP classmates while you help CMP; let your child’s teacher know if you need help contacting a family to schedule something together.

Peaceful Parenting Practice

The gift of NO – by K. Kvols

If you are a person who is naturally open-hearted and generous, no can be an unnatural stretch. If you are one of those who really longs to be liked, it’s more than a stretch!

It may be tough to dish out a no because of the wake it can leave behind. We can see the hurt it inflicts…a wounded look, slumped disappointment, quivering protruding lower lip – is difficult to bear. Or the hurt aimed at us… “I don’t like you”, insults and sometimes kicks or slaps of little ones. Or there is the emotional blackmail of older kids. Threats, screaming, slamming doors and punching holes in walls. That’s a no we want to avoid-even when we shouldn’t.

Our personal integrity requires the power of no. Giving in to a beloved, to a bully, to an unnecessary purchase (for example) tears down our self-confidence. The ability to say no is an essential ingredient to our self-confidence. Yes carves little slices from you, while no is like a building block in your strength of character. Therein lies its power.

Here are five powerful questions to ask yourself BEFORE you answer a request of your time or resources: 

• What do I want?

• Will I feel resentful if I say yes?

• Is this in the best interest of my child in the long run?

• Am I trying to avoid a conflict?

• Am I trying to please?

Instead of seeing your no as though you are a mean or controlling parent, see it for the gift it really is. You might be thinking, “How is saying no a gift?” Actually, there are two gifts. One gift is to your child. It is your way to protect your kids from what they cannot see or provide something that they can’t imagine. And the other is a gift to yourself.

Parenting Practice – Practice asking yourself the 5 questions before you answer someone’s request.

PARENT REMINDERS:
Summer Camp Countryside 2019 enrollment continues! Please submit your form and activity fee SOON if you plan on sending your child for all or any of the sessions.  Camp is a really fun way to enjoy the summer! If you have any questions please check in with a teacher.

2019-20 School Year: Register Now!
Letters of Intent are due by April 1st along with the first week tuition payment.  Open enrollment has begun and schedule requests are not guaranteed as limited spots remain. Please turn in your letter of intent, material fee, and note your schedule and then turn in first week tuition of 2019-20.  If you have any questions, please be sure to check with your child’s directress or Debby in the office.

SPRING…It’s just around the corner… right?
If you are interested in gardening, outdoor clean up around the school, or sponsoring a flower barrel, please let us know. Garden planning has begun and we could use your help!

PARENT ADVISORY BOARD NEWS:
The meeting minutes from January can be reviewed: PAB Meeting Minutes We will meet Thursday, March 7th at 6:30pm at CMP.  All are welcome, snacks and beverages will be served!

Fundraising and Planning:
Countryside Montessori Preschool will be hosting their first ever Touch-A-Truck Fundraiser is officially scheduled for Saturday, May 18th 2019 10am-2pm at the Northside Town Center Parking Lot!

We are looking for many volunteers and community connections; a sign up for volunteers will be on the way shortly. Does anyone have a connection with the City of Madison Streets or Utility to explore large vehicles? We would also like children’s performers, face paint/tattoos, local food trucks, story reading, etc. So anyone with these or other connections please let us know.

CMP Scholarship Fund
Our committee has formed and will begin to explore funding options through commercial and philanthropic donors, grant writing, and complementary programs. All are welcome to come discuss and learn more! Our first meeting is scheduled for March 7th 6:30pm.

THE NUMBER ONE BEST Question to Ask Your Kids in the Morning

by K.Kvols

Most of us ask our kids, “Did you brush your teeth? Do you have all of your homework done? Do you have your backpack?” These are all important questions to help your child be prepared for their day. HOWEVER the number one best question to ask your child is (I feel there should be a drum roll here!): “How is your heart this morning?”…a little attitude check goes a long way.

How your child starts their day often sets the mood for their WHOLE day. If your child is angry, stressed, afraid, had a bad dream, or worried that someone will take his lunch today, it will be difficult if not impossible for him to learn. When our brains, researchers say, are flooded with negative emotions, it is hard to concentrate on anything else. You know the feeling, right?

So here is how you do it:
You and/or your child put your hand on your heart and get really quiet and ask, “How does my heart feel today?” You may have to prompt your child by asking, “Is your heart happy, sad, angry, scared, loving, excited or something different?” If their answer (or yours) is something negative, ask, “What could you do to make your heart feel better?” Use your best non-judgmental, curious tone of voice. Be careful to not put your words into their mouth. This must come from them for it to be most effective. After you get familiar with this method, you can simply ask, “Heart check?”

Setting the Stage
So do a “Heart Check” every morning. You want to set the stage for this morning ritual. This is an important matter of the heart so you don’t want to do a rush job on this. Deliberately set some quiet time aside so if your child’s heart is not in a good space, you have time to turn it around.

You are teaching the very valuable life skill of being at choice of our emotions. Our emotions don’t control us. We control our emotions. Think about this as though you were making an investment in your child’s future. It is that important!
You may want to do your own “Heart Check” before you address the rest of the family or you may want to do with your child. Try it both ways and see which one works the best for you.

PARENT REMINDERS:
* Sign in each day with time and initials. Thank you for being mindful of pick up times with traffic and weather to allow yourself extra time to pick up before your slotted pick up time.
* Careful in parking lots with winter. Please do not allow children to climb on ANY drifts around cars- hand holding safety always:)
* Thank you for sending in and labeling warm winter clothing. All day students should have 2 pairs of water proof mittens please.
* Check your child’s mailbox daily for important communications and receipts.
* Thank yourself for being a great parent! It’s tough work and you are doing a great job!

ENROLLMENT INFO:

Summer Camp Countryside 2019 enrollment is underway and spaces are filling up fast! Please submit your form and activity fee SOON if you plan on sending your child for all or any of the sessions. Camp is a really fun way to enjoy the summer! If you have any questions please check in with a teacher.

2019-20 School Year: Register Now!
The Letters of Intent for ’19-’20 went out in mailboxes a couple weeks ago (orange handout) with the rates for the coming school year.
1. Please be sure to send back your completed form with material fee ($100.00) to get your spot.
2. You may also include the first week tuition payment now or by the 1st of April to complete your registration for fall.
3. If enrolling a new student or sibling remember to request additional enrollment papers and include the $50.00 enrollment fee + material fee + first week tuition.
4. We will be accepting/offering a discount for semester and school year prepayments for the 19-20 school year. If you are interested and haven’t let Debby know please email her.

Additionally, any enrollment questions please get in touch with Debby.

PARENT ADVISORY BOARD NEWS:
The meeting minutes from January can be reviewed: PAB Meeting Minutes Shout out of appreciation to our fabulous Secretary Andrea for recording all the info from our meeting!

Fundraising and Planning:
Our Little Lambs Cookie Dough Fundraiser just finished up and orders will be delivered in early March. Thank you to those who solicited sales and participated! Every penny helps support CMP classroom needs!

Countryside Montessori Preschool will be hosting their first ever Touch-A-Truck this spring! Our
Touch-A-Truck fundraiser will be a family friendly event where children of all ages are
allowed to explore various machines that are an integral part of our community. Children
will be allowed to sit, touch and learn about each vehicle. The money raised from this event
will go toward the many needs of our school.

In addition, we will host a charitable giving collection for a partner northside organization
in conjunction with the event. Co-Chairs Erin and Jennifer will announce more information and save the date announced soon!

Social Planning:
We have a lot of great ideas for parent social gatherings. Would you be interested in helping organize?
* Ladies Night Out – Faded Roots Boutique
* Escape Room Night – Parents Night Out
* Northside Trivia Night
* Intro to Curling Part II – Dad’s Night Out
* Coffee time – Morning Meet
* Willy Street Coop Thursday $5 Family Meals

We would love to plan all of these wonderful events but are looking for more parent volunteers to help organize and schedule! Please feel free to email Amy if you have any additional ideas or an interest in helping!

CMP Scholarship Fund committee forming
We would love parents from our community who could help explore funding options through commercial and philanthropic donors, grant writing, and complementary programs. Those with experience in this work, finance, marketing or legal background would be especially valuable and no one is required to commit to more than one meeting if that is your availability. All are welcome to come discuss and learn more! Please reach out to committee chair, Andrea.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A very special thanks to all of you for the amazing contributions and gifts in 2018. Your generosity and daily support is always greatly appreciated. May 2019 bring you and your family much joy!

10 Characteristics of Children in the Montessori Classroom

1. Respectful

2. Responsible

3. Self-disciplined

4. Independent

5. Creative/Inventive

6. Self-Motivated

7. Organized

8. Global Thinkers

9. Collaborators

10. Leader

CMP Gives Back: 
Each classroom will begin a new penny drive this month!

Staff from each classroom have chosen an organization to which the funds will be donated. Coins will be collected in the wooden boxes (previously used for driveway donations) near the sign-in each day. Children can drop in their coins whenever they are available and there is absolutely no pressure or requirement to give.

The 4k/5k class will count the coins for their spring math unit. Staff will tie in additional lessons and classroom materials focused on giving and helping others as we collect. We thank you in advance for your help with donations.

Upper Class-  St. Jude’s
Middle Class-  UW Children’s Hospital
Lower Class-  Ronald McDonald House

100th Day of School

We mark the 100th day of learning and fun at CMP on Thursday January 31st! Children may wear their pajamas to school (warm ones please, that are not “too distracting” 🙂 and enjoy fun ways to celebrate and explore 100!  Specific notes arrive later in the month from each classroom.Thank you for sharing your child with us 100 days!

PARENT REMINDERS:

• Sign in each day with time and initials, children are not to use or write on sign ins please
• Careful in parking lots with winter weather, please do not allow children to climb on ANY drifts around cars- hand holding safety always:)
• Thank you for sending in and labeling warm winter clothing. All day students should have 2 pairs of water proof mittens please.
• A reminder that if Madison Schools Close, so does CMP. Please watch and or listen for school closings on most local radio and television stations, as CMP will NOT list as a school name, but follow MMSD’s decision.

Tax Information
CMP’s Federal Tax number is- 39-17-53172

We will provide receipts upon request.  Please allow 2 weeks for all year
requests.  Generally they are completed more quickly but dependent on the order they are requested. Debby is not in the office on Fridays.

PARENT ADVISORY BOARD NEWS:
The meeting minutes from November can be reviewed: CMP PAB Meeting Minutes
If you are able to help us out with any of the endeavors we are currently working on we would gladly appreciate it! Please email Amy H and you are welcome to join us at our PAB meeting on Jan 17th at 6:30pm at CMP.

Thank you to Erin V, our fabulous Teacher Appreciation Coordinator for organizing Operation Ornament this year!

Slots are still available for Staff Meeting Meals. Sign-up at CMP Teacher Appreciation Meals

“Establishing lasting peace is the work of education…” ~ Maria Montessori

Here Comes the Season of Family Gatherings!

Dear Families,

As winter is upon us and the festivities of the season begin, this can bring big feelings for small children. Big feelings, specifically meaning uncertain emotions (tears, meltdowns and high/lows) at the most unexpected moments.  There is the hustle and bustle of life, quick and large meals on the go, travel, family and friends coming and going, holiday shopping and more. Adults can sort this excitement emotionally.

I would like to challenge you to think of what that might be like in the eyes of your child?

Yes, there is fun and family connections-and this is very important. Yet for your little one, this can mean a lot of schedule changes, transitions, expectations and people. This isn’t anything as a parent to feel guilty about. However, it is your responsibility to prepare accordingly for your family. Some simple yet powerful tips that can support you and your child during these busy times:

1. Create specific uninterrupted blocks of time to spend with your child before the gathering begins.

2. Stick with consistent daily routines as much as you can. Food and sleep routines non-negotiable!!!

3. Less hype the better for a child. Tell the child right before an event not 2 days or 2 weeks before. This creates questions and unnecessary anxiety.

4. Set crystal clear behavior expectations before you go to a family event. “We are going to Grandmas today. Remember we always use our words even when we are mad wherever we are. Grandmas looking forward to seeing you!” Say with a positive tone.

5. Take cuddle breaks with your child during family gathering. You are their touchstone.

Most of all…don’t worry about how things should be. Holiday gatherings may or may not meet our adult expectations.  The children only have expectations if we build them up (#3). Reality is we are all human (children and adults) and with that comes emotion. As the parent you can only control the environmental time blocks and basic care mentioned above along with your response to whatever may come. Your child will absorb your words and actions, so when they observe your daily acknowledgement of appreciation and your preparatory actions, they will begin to practice the same. This is a special time of year and memories will be made for sure.

Speaking of gratitude, all the teachers at CMP want to let you all know how thankful we are for YOU and your children. Seasons greetings to you and yours!

THANK YOU!
Another Mom’s Night OUT is in the books, another fun night!  Thank you for those who made it out to attend and enjoy!

Winter Weather/School Closing
A reminder that if Madison Schools Close, so does CMP. Please watch and or listen for school closings on most local radio and television stations, as CMP will NOT list as a school name, but follow MMSD’s decision.

PARENT REMINDERS:

• Please take home all your child’s belongings over winter break for washing; outdoor gear, nap gear, etc.
• Shhhhhh! Don’t Forget your Operations Ornament (aka staff bonus donations) are due by Friday, December 14th. See your child’s mailbox for details. Email our Teacher Appreciation Coordinator with questions.
• Slots are still available for Staff Meeting Meals. Sign-up at CMP Teacher Appreciation Meals

PARENT ADVISORY BOARD NEWS:
Please take a look at the meeting minutes from November: CMP PAB Meeting Minutes
If you are able to help us out with any of the endeavors we are currently working on we would gladly appreciate it! Please email our PAB President and if you are available you are welcome to join us at our next PAB meeting on Jan 17th at 6:30pm at CMP.

Cold Weather is Here & Winter is just around the corner…

• Boots (no ties please)
• Mittens (no gloves)
• Hat (well fitting, covers the ears)
• Neck warmers (no scarves for safety, please)
• Snow pants (easy on)

PUMPKIN DAY 2018 a SUCCESS
What a beautiful way to celebrate fall!  If you haven’t already, check out some of our pictures on the Countryside Montessori Preschool and Countryside Montessori Preschool Families Facebook pages. They are priceless!

CMP Parent Social Events
THIS Friday November 2nd at Drumlin Ridge Winery all CMP parents, staff and friends stop by 5pm-7pm to enjoy a casual get-together to start the weekend!

Friday November 30th Countryside Montessori Preschool will host our annual MOM’S NIGHT OUT! Starting at 6:30pm come and take a much needed BREAK. Join us for appetizers, drinks, get a jump on your holiday shopping, and maybe a treat for yourself! It’s always a fun and relaxing way to connect with all the great moms we have at our school!

Volunteers Needed!
Parents you can still sign up to help with foods or drinks for upcoming staff meetings.
To sign up please visit:
CMP Staff Appreciation Meal Calendar

THANK YOU
For volunteering and helping with Pumpkin Day activities: Katie O, Jen R, Ashley and Carrie. A HUGE shout out to Keith and Susi for picking up the PUMPKINS and delivering them to CMP!

For helping on Picture Day: Jen R
**(Picture orders are complete, More class pictures will be done in the next few weeks)

For the delicious staff meeting meals for the month of October: Cassie R, Erica S, Amy H, Katie W, Amy M, Erin V, Alicia H, and Becky B

From all of us at Countryside Montessori to each of you and your families.. We are truly Thankful to be a part of each of your lives through your child.
Happy Thanksgiving!

“Walk together. Feel the heart beats. Experience the presence. This is how to be thankful.”
― Amit Ray

Hello from our Parent Advisory Board President:

Greetings Countryside Montessori Preschool families and friends! Our 2018-2019 school year is off to a fantastic start! This will be my fourth year as a parent at CMP on the middle floor. I will be helping with our monthly newsletters, email updates, managing the school directory (coming soon!), and other organizational business. As the year goes on, I will ask other parents to introduce themselves here and talk about what they are helping with at CMP. My CMP pride grows with each passing year as I see all the wonderful volunteers who come together in all kinds of ways to support each other and our school.

Thank you so much for being here, reading the newsletters, participating in our events and fundraisers, and taking action to volunteer! I so deeply value everyone’s attention and commitment to achieving our goals! We are going to have an amazing year!

With sincere gratitude,
😊 Amy H

Parent’s guide to school communications:

The all-school newsletter comes out the beginning of each month via email. A hard copy is also available in your classroom parent communication station/coatrooms, along with a copy of the most recent Parent Advisory Board meeting minutes, and other information like tuition pricing, snack schedules, etc!

We are committed to creating a successful, collaborative space for parents, staff, and family to communicate and stay informed with one another. As we move forward this year you can count on the following useful communication tools to connect: all school newsletters, classroom monthly newsletters, mailbox letters, coatroom white boards, classroom communications books, social media account posts, and school website. By the way, if you have not done so already please request to be added to the Countryside Montessori Preschool Families private Facebook group and the Countryside Montessori Preschool Facebook Page.

Another really great way to stay-in-the-know and connect with other members of our CMP Community is by attending our bi-monthly Parent Advisory Board (PAB) meetings. These meetings are designed for parents and staff to come together to collaborate, discuss current projects, and brainstorm ways we can better support each other. IT TAKES A VILLAGE and you are such an IMPORTANT part of CMP! If you are interested please know you are ALWAYS welcome to join in the meetings. They are currently scheduled for November 9th, January 10th, March 14th, and May 9th from 6:30-7:30pm at CMP.

We will be adding committee meetings to the calendar after we finish passing our VOLUNTEER SIGN-UPclipboards through all the classrooms to establish who is interested in joining. We still need everyone to look over the list and sign up! Feel free to discuss with your classroom teachers additional volunteering or fundraising commitment ideas you may have, in lieu of the list.

As cold and flu season approaches!😷😩
Two commonly asked questions concerning sick children…
(From CMP’s Parent Handbook)

1. What happens when a child becomes ill at school?
Licensing regulations require the CMP staff to call you to pick up your child. Should he/she show signs of: incessant cough, unexplained rash, diarrhea, temperature above 101.6, pink eye, vomiting, or complaints of ear ache or sore throat.
If we are unable to reach you, we will call your emergency pick up numbers. Parent or emergency pick up person must pick up ill child as soon as possible. While waiting child will be isolated from others for their comfort and to prevent illness from spreading.

2. When can a child return to school?
If your child was sent from school due to illness, they must stay home the following day to recuperate. This means child must be fever free (less than 100 degrees) and free of digestive problems for a 24 hour period before returning to school. When a sick child returns to school too early, you risk getting your child sick again and you expose all of the other children and adults to illness. When the well child does return they must be symptom free and able to participate fully indoors and outdoors.

HELPFUL Hints and Verbiage:
Coughing-  “Cover your cough, with your elbow”
Runny Noses- “Blow, wipe, toss and wash!”
**Washing hands when arriving to school and when you get home from school is also a great habit to adopt for helping to prevent and spread illnesses.

PARKING LOT SAFETY:

We want all children and families to be safe going to and from CMP.  Please help us
by following the following requests/guidelines:

– Please park in the marked stalls only.
– Please do not park along the driveways. (The next door church lot is available if needed.)
– Hold your child’s hand at all times.
– No cell phone use permitted in the lots please.
– Do not leave cars running in the lot at any time.
– Be sure all gates are closed and only adults are to use them for release.
– Never lift a child over the fence, please use the gates only.
– Go slow, take your time please.

THANK YOU:

– Tara H (Elsie) for all the work around the school.
– Cassie & Rich (Frankie) for the beautiful hanging baskets.
– Maia & Josh (Gwendolyn) for all the amazing seasonal flowers and planting.
– Josh – for picking up and delivery of Bucky Books.

PICTURE DAY  – TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2ND

Get your smiles ready; it’s class picture day! Please fill out the form in your child’s mailbox and send it back by picture day Tuesday, Oct 2nd. You will get the proofs back before needing to decide or paying for the photos. CMP even gets a percentage back of the total sales!  Classes will also have class pictures taken, too! Great memories to capture!

OUR CURRENT FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

BUCKY BOOKS will continue to be available for sale over the next month or so. They make really great gifts, think holidays, new neighbors, new parents, etc. The book offers great savings for area businesses near and far. Each book is $35.00 and CMP receives $15.00 from each one sold! Funds go directly towards our goal of new shelving for classrooms, entrance awnings, and teacher/staff continuing education.

T-SHIRTS GET, YOUR T-SHIRTS

We have awesome t-shirts for sale! They are $15.00 a piece and were designed to celebrate our 25th Year by CMP parent, Hallie Zillman.  We currently have children’s XS size available and are taking orders for additional sizes! Let a teacher know if you are interested.

PUMPKIN DAY is coming – Thursday October 18th

NEW! This year CMP will celebrate PUMPKIN DAY at CMP!  Due to our longstanding field trip destination retiring from school trips we will start a new CMP tradition with our very own Pumpkin Patch in the back yard, pumpkin games, face painting, etc…
We will be sending out a mailbox letter explaining more soon and will be looking for helpers!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

* Tree Trimming– low branches, and or take away
( We could use several people, or a contact with a company?)
* Pumpkin Pick Up and Delivery 10/17, or early 10/18?
* Teacher Appreciation Staff Meeting Meal sign-up:
* Committee Members:(See clipboards in your child’s classroom to sign-up)

Upcoming Dates

March/April
Parent/Teacher Conferences
March 24-April 1
Spring Break (no school)
April 21
CMP 25th Gala!
(Do you have your tickets?)
May 4
May tuition due
May 10
PAB Meeting 6:30 pm

WINTER ADVISORY-If Madison Public Schools Close, CMP does too.  Please check local radio and television stations for listings.  We do NOT list our name, rather follow MMSD’s decision. IF Madison Schools close, Countryside is closed too.

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The plan is in action-Buy tickets now!

Celebrate 25 years of Countryside Montessori! Music, dinner, drinks, a silent auction and of course great company! 

Saturday, April 21st
7pm
North Street Cabaret

Ticket information online!

Please consider donating an item
to the silent auction! Do you have a special talent or interest to share?! Do you know a local business that might be willing to donate a good or service? Look for item donation forms in each coat room!

Committee co-chairs: can be reached at celebratecmp25@gmail.com

Jen Reagles (aka Lilah’s Mom)    

Erin Vincent (aka Caitlin’s Mom)

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What happens at Countryside inside your child’s classroom….Montessori classroom work cycle

As Montessori teachers at CMP, we try to share with you what your child does at school.  Each child is on an individual learning path and does multiple lessons per day. Your child is learning so much sensorially, through many hands on materials, living and learning in the moment. Specific lessons are given to each child during the Montessori work period based on what they need to learn at the time of their developmental growth.

What exactly is the Montessori work period, also known as the work cycle and why is it so important?

A Montessori work cycle is an uninterrupted block of time. During this time children are able to explore the prepared environment and engage with materials of their own choosing. The time is meant to give them opportunities to enjoy the work they love, while also cultivating basic life, social and academic skills. CMP teachers honor this time and utilize it to give lessons or presentations to your child.

Children move around the classroom selecting work (educational material). Montessori teachers track and guide a child if not going to a certain area and may need it to grow. The child may work on a table or the floor, with a special rug laid out beneath them. After selecting a work from the shelves, they bring it carefully to the workspace of their choosing, and use the material as they have previously been taught. Children know they are responsible for putting the materials back neatly and selecting their next work independently. Children are welcome to work on their own and may engage in what is called parallel play. Or invite friends to join them in a group work.

The work cycle gives children a chance to develop autonomy, make choices, and find genuine joy in their work. This sets the stage for their future. Meaning how to be a critical thinker, how to make a friend and that school is a positive place grow and learn.