Holiday Letter 2018

​It is hard to believe that August 6th was five months ago.  We welcomed thirty new families to Village, and several new teachers:  Ms. Danielle, Toddler, Ms. Sarah, Primary, Mr. Muma, teaching Science for the Middle School, and Ms. Camille as our new art teacher.  Ms. Sarah started our fourth Primary class at Village.  She also works with the Toddlers in the late afternoon.  This year we extended our day for Toddlers and that has become very popular. We also changed up the format for the Primary breakfasts.  It became a “Montessori Morning”.  The difference is that parents met in the Rosemary room at 8:30 for coffee then went to the class at 9:00. (Our multi-use room this year is the Rosemary Room. It is for meetings in the mornings, nap mid-day, and after-school location for Elementary) We had a lot of fun catching up on our adult lives, and then spending time with the children in class. All of the Primary children are enjoying the new play equipment installed this fall on the playground. 
Our Upper Elementary and Middle School Chorus began this year under the direction of Ms. Emmie.  She is a wonderful musician and singer. She is teaching the group to read music and to sing by reading.  Their holiday debut can be seen on the school Facebook or Instagram  page.
 During a Civility class, the Middle School thought about our core values as a school.  They plan to make a banner with our logo and the values printed on it.  One of the core values is “compassion”.  This was shown at Thanksgiving by our school donating to North Fulton Community Charities Thanksgiving dinner drive.  Many local families were able to have a traditional dinner thanks to the Village families’ donations.  The school is also collecting food and Ms. Kim’s class is collecting books for a Title 1 school in Cobb County.  Of course, compassion is shown daily at school in many ways too, from Toddlers to Middle School.  Our teachers are wonderful role models for all ages.      
The Middle School made a connection with the Roswell Arts Center and had a pottery class there this fall.  Beautiful bowls and decorative items were made.  It was amazing!  They also enjoyed fencing for P.E. fall semester. 
  Ms. Rose and Patricia went to a conference in Chicago in August where they learned about developing classroom leaders, music and Patricia attended an administrative session.  Ms. Danielle finished up her A-I training while her more than able   assistant, Ms. Tiffany, held down the fort in her class. 
 
Our Trips
Lower Elementary did an overnight trip for 3rd years to Blue Ridge.  It was an amazing nature study, with lots of hiking and fun. 
Upper Elementary went for a 3 night trip to the University of GA. Center for Marine Studies in Jekyll Island. The trip included half a day at the U.GA. Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center.
Middle School’s first trip of the year was to a cabin near Cloudland Canyon which included rigorous hiking and spelunking. 
 
Plans for the new year
We are very excited for Miss Piper, our after-school assistant for Elementary, who will be doing an internship next semester at Disney World!!  Miss Chantel will be taking her place in the afternoons.  Middle School will be going to Washington D.C. in the spring.  Elementary classes will present their annual plays/musicals.  Many of our teachers will attend the annual Montessori Refresher course in New Orleans this February.