February / March 2006

ANNOUNCING:

NEW TODDLER-CAREGIVER PROGRAMME:  we are delighted to see so many new, darling little ones at IMS in response to our new Toddler Groups for "Under 3's".  The Mandarin-immersion and English-immersion groups are so lovely!

GENERAL NOTES:

SCHOOL UNIFORM:  the official school uniform will change over to the Summer Uniform by April 10^th.  In the meantime, please have your child dress appropriately according to the weather.  If you are purchasing new uniforms, please make sure everything is clearly labeled with a colorfast pen.  We have been finding socks, fleeces, sweatshirts, etc in the hallways which we can not return to their owners because they don’t have any names on them.  If you are missing any such items please check the lost and found box. 

PLEASE NOTE:  ASTON WILSON WILL BE SELLING SUMMER UNIFORMS ON THURSDAY, MARCH 15^th FROM 9:30 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. FOR NEW UNIFORM ORDERS. Please make an effort to purchase your uniforms on the day.

UPCOMING EVENTS

FEBRUARY

PTA SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING (Monday, February 13^th):  The PTA Subcommittee meets each month to discuss PTA business.  Please contact the PTA at pta@montessori.edu.hk if you have items which you would like to bring up.

PARENT COFFEE (February 16^th) parents have casual coffees every 1^st and 3^rd Thursday of the month at Pacific Coffee right after drop off.

NEW STUDENT INTERVIEWS (Monday, February 20 – Friday 24^th):   IMS staff were very busy interviewing students for September 2005.  We are delighted that we had so many candidates for so few spaces for the upcoming school year.  Don't worry - siblings get priority!

ELEMENTARY MONTESSORI PROGRAM INTRO FOR PARENTS (Tuesday, February 28^th 7-8 pm):   As your child is getting older and nearing the age where you will be making decisions regarding your child’s P1 – P6 school years, we would like to invite you to attend a discussion forum to help parents understand more fully the Montessori elementary program, and how it fits your child’s development and learning style. 

We will review the elementary curriculum in more detail, and discuss how we “match” the British National Curriculum and the US Stanford Test standards, and how children are evaluated.  You may also be interested to understand how the elementary Montessori program differs from the primary Montessori program, and the metrics used to determine when a child is ready for the new challenge of the elementary program.

We have now had our first group of transition children who completed the full three year Casa dei Bambini program in September 2005.  We have a large number of children who will be preparing to move up to the elementary program next school year, and another group who we expect will be ready in January 2007.  We are now in the process of evaluating need for a third class, and are interviewing top teachers for our elementary program.  We have a number of excellent candidates from which to choose.

MARCH

BOOK WEEK (March 12-16^th):  Books never fail to captivate the children’s interest and attention. When children open a book, it is like the whole world opening up right before their eyes. In celebration of our love of books, IMS teachers and the IMS PTA are working together to bring your children a number of great events:

• Parent Book Reading in Class:  parents are invited to come read their child's favorite book in class!  A sure, fun way to share what your child enjoys and which book character s/he loves.

• Cheryl Long - Author Talk (March 12^th)

• Literary Festival

   - Europe Class  (March 14^th)

   - Oceania and Casa P1 (March 15^th)

• Book Sale (March 16^th) - children are invited to dress as their favourite character

SUMMER UNIFORM SALE:  Thursday March 15^th 9:30am till 3pm Aston Wilson will be here selling uniforms.  We encourage families to purchase uniforms during the uniform sales days here at IMS.  If you wish to purchase additional items, visit the website www.themontessorishop.com.  You can also purchase used uniforms through the PTA by contacting Sita Kozel at pta@motnessori.edu.hk. 

If you cannot come to the Uniform sale, and wish to change the size please visit the Aston Wilson shop in Jordan.  Aston Wilson will prepare your order upon receipt of your order and payment.  If the order and payment is received by Tuesday, the delivery can be usually made to school that Thursday.

PTA SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING (Tuesday, March 20^th):  The PTA Subcommittee meets each month to discuss PTA business.  Please contact the PTA at pta@montessori.edu.hk if you have items which you would like to bring up.

JOHN WORTHINGTON, PH.D. VISIT (Tuesday, March 20 – Thursday 22^nd):   As we discussed in October, IMS works with an educational psychologist, Dr. John Worthington to help with educational assessments and Individual Education Programs (IEP) which we have in place for a small number of children here at IMS.  Dr. Worthington assists our teachers in helping determine program support needs to children, and has given training seminars on various common issues that relate to educational challenges for children.  Dr. Worthington comes to visit the school 2-4 times per year, depending on the needs of the school, our staff and our children.  Dr. Worthington will return later in the year.

The IMS PTA has, with the help of parents, put together a listing of professionals in Hong Kong that can assist children in specific areas of development as needed.  Special thanks to Yvonne Becher for your help!

WHOLE SCHOOL SPORTS DAY (Friday, March 23^rd):  all IMS children will participate in this morning event at the Sports Ground in Causeway Bay.  Afternoon Casa dei Bambini should attend school in the morning on the day. 

NOTE:  SCHOOL ENDS AT 12:00 pm on March 23^rd.  All bus children will go home on the 12:00 pm bus.  Teachers will be receiving in-service training in the afternoon.

PTA FUNDRAISER:  ART-stravagant AUCTION (Saturday, March 24^th):  Instead of an ordinary Saturday night meal, come share some "Nobu" style Alaskan Black Cod or a Peking Duck Pizzetta with your spouse while sipping a pear martini and enjoying a gorgeous view over Deep Water Bay and seeing your child's artwork displayed like a true masterpiece!  Please join the IMS PTA for a fun evening of sumptuous food, festive cocktails and the viewing the beautiful pieces of art.  Get ready to bid!

STANDARDIZED TESTING (March 26-30^th):  the Elementary children will be taking the Stanford 9 (US standardized tests).  These tests are roughly 5 hours long for each grade level spread over  over the course of the week.

ELEMENTARY LIBRARY CLOSED (March 26-30^th):    Please note that the library will be closed for standardized testing except on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon.

LAST DAY OF WINTER TERM:  Friday, March 30^th

APRIL

FIRST DAY OF SPRING TERM:  Tuesday, April 10^th - Summer Uniform resumes

PTA SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING (Monday April 16^th):  the PTA Subcommittee meets each month to discuss PTA business.  Please contact the PTA at pta@montessori.edu.hk if you have items which you would like to bring up.

CONFIRMATION OF SCHOOL PLACE (Monday April 16^th):  please remember to confirm your child's place for the upcoming school year.

IN CLASS OPEN HOUSE:  Monday April 16th (Elementary Campus) and Tuesday April 17^th (Casa dei Bambini - IMS QRE)  This is an opportunity for you to watch your child in action in the classroom.  Please remember to switch off you mobile phones before coming into the class.  Time is by invitation.

PTA FAMILY PICNIC:  Saturday, April 21^st.  Details to follow - please be on the look out for a PTA communication in your child's folder.  This has been a resounding success over the past four years, and should be a wonderful, fun event for IMS families!

Please contact the PTA to help out!

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES:  Monday April 23^rd There is no school for children.

Parent Teacher Conferences are also held after school on Tuesday, April 24^th or by arrangement with your child's classroom teacher.

RECENT EVENTS

PARENT COFFEE (January 5^th and 19^th)  It is always nice to see so many parents at the PTA parent coffee!FYI, parents have casual coffees every 1^st and 3^rd Thursday of the month at Pacific Coffee right after drop off.

For more about the PTA, click here.

PTA SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING (Monday, January 9^th) the PTA Subcommittee met to discuss PTA business.

For more on the PTA, click here.

NEW TODDLER GROUPS:   It has been a delight to welcome a growing group of Toddlers to IMS for Mandarin immersion or English immersion groups.

CNY FLOWER MARKET OUTING (Tuesday, February 13^th):  The Elementary children visited the Chinese New Year Flower Market in Victoria Park, and got a chance to practice their Chinese and participate in a unique Hong Kong cultural event!

ELEMENTARY MONTESSORI PROGRAM INTRO FOR PARENTS (Tuesday, March 6^th 7-8 pm):  

Over 30 parents attended the special session on IMS' elementary program to help parents understand the Montessori elementary program, and how it fits a child’s development and learning style.  Much of this is reviewed in the recent Outcomes:  a Long-Term Public school longitudinal study.  Click here if you would like a copy.

We reviewed the elementary curriculum in more detail, and discuss how we “match” the British National Curriculum and the US Stanford Test standards, and how children are evaluated.  We also discussed how the elementary Montessori program differs from the primary Montessori program, and the metrics used to determine when a child is ready for the new challenge of the elementary program.

We have now had two years of transition children who completed the full three year Casa dei Bambini programme. 

We have a large number of children who will be preparing to move up to the elementary program next school year, and another group who we expect will be ready in January 2008.

Parents are invited to sign up for an observation of the Elementary classes starting March 1st.

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MARCH & APRIL HOLIDAYS

Each month we introduce holidays from different cultures to the children to help them understand their meanings and how they are celebrated. At school we have many opportunities to provide meaningful holiday experiences by incorporating them in the daily classroom work of music, literature, history, language and art. This is the perfect way to increase the children’s appreciation of other cultures as well as their own.  Click here for more information on March Holidays.

Click here for more information on April Holidays.

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