It’s a Beautiful Friday here at MCS!

As we normalize our routines in our third week of school, it’s a perfect time to check in on our mindset.  Here is a fantastic blog & resource on “Growth Mindset” and how we can incorporate this every day for ourselves and our children:  Carol Dweck Growth Mindset Blog.

Here is a real favorite from this piece:

 “[W]e can praise wisely, not praising intelligence or talent. That has failed. Don’t do that anymore. But praising the process that kids engage in: their effort, their strategies, their focus, their perseverance, their improvement. This process praise creates kids who are hardy and resilient.”

If you take the time to read the full blog and watch the video please let us know what you think. Thank you to Ms. Dawn for sharing this wonderful article and TED Talk.

Administrative Announcements:

  • Tuition & Invoicing – This year an automatic 5% late fee will be added to overdue unpaid invoices.  September invoices have gone out – please submit payment by the 1st of the month to avoid late fees.  If you have not seen your invoice or have questions, please come see the Front Office ASAP.

 
Glimmers from this week @ MCS

Pictured:

1  Upper Elementary friends being sent home with the best idea for reminders – stuck to their shirts!  How many of us need these for ourselves?

2. Gumbo Limbo friends enjoying a book together during work cycle.

3.  Lower Elementary friends in their weekly Ukelele session.  Ms. Leela and her father, Mr. Wayne, join us 2x per week to teach ukelele and guitar to our lucky students.  We also offer weekly violin with Ms. Marci.

Upcoming Events (more info on each below)…

PRO TIP:  Click the date to save the event to your personal calendar on your phone!

Monday, September 2nd:  No School, Labor Day

Saturday, September 7th:  Anything But Car Wash 9AM-12PM, On Campus

Friday, September 20th:  International Day of Peace Celebration, Bayview Park

Friday, September 20th:  PJ Party (Parent’s Night Out) 5:30-8:30PM, On Campus

Anything But Car Wash

In honor of the “Raddest Car Line on the Island” on September 7th from 9AM-12PM we will host our first annual Anything But Car Wash.  Varela & United St car lines will transform into washing stations for all of your eclectic Key West alternative vehicles – bikes, golf carts, ATVs – you bring it, we’ll wash it!

There will be water activities for kids on the front lawn (slip-n-slide, water tables) and materials to wash down outdoor equipment on campus. All funds support our internal Scholarship Fund which goes directly toward tuition support for families in our own school community.

How can you help?  

  1. Sign Ups for donations & volunteers here:  Sign Up for Volunteering or Donations!
  2. Please spread the word to friends, especially those with cool alternative vehicles!  This event is open to the community and we highly encourage you to bring friends to celebrate our unique Key West lifestyle.  After all, how many school car lines do you see lined up with so many awesome methods of island transport?  Here is the Facebook event to join & share: ABC Wash Facebook Event  Flyer is attached and we have copies in the office for you to distribute around town if you are able!

International Day of Peace Celebration & March

On September 20th we will walk to Bayview Park where we will join our friends from May Sands Montessori to celebrate International Day of Peace. We wear Peace shirts to celebrate – please order yours here: PEACE DAY SHIRT.  They come in a variety of styles and colors and we love for you to choose your own!  If you ordered last year, they are the same so you can reuse what you have.  Order any color/style you would like for you and your children, but be sure to order soon so you receive your shirt before the 20th.  They are on sale today for only $7!!  And mark your calendars for the morning of the 20th to join our Peace March – we will coordinate parent volunteers as the date gets closer.

PJ Party (Parents’ Night Out!)

A few times a year our staff offers a PJ Party for our students at all levels to free up our community of parents who deserve a night out!  Our first PJ Party of the year will be Friday, September 20th from 5:30PM-8:30PM – Get your date night planned or just go sit in silence at home for a few hours!!  Give yourself what you need 🙂

This PJ Party is offered for all levels (Toddler through Upper El!) and will have specific activities and food preparations for each level.  Cost is $60 per child, or $50 for siblings.  Space is limited and first come first serve – respond to this email to sign up!  Please RSVP by September 13.  This year’s PJ Party proceeds support the staff attending the International Montessori Council (IMC) Conference in October.

Weekly Miracle Makers

Oftentimes it feels like our school is powered by Miracles.  Miracles large and small happen each week to pull off all that we do here.  Those miracles appear in acts of love and kindness and service by parents, children, staff, alumni, community members, and more, and each week we highlight a special one here.

This week’s Miracle Makers are ALL of the amazing Toddler & Upper Elementary families who immediately responded to the call for donations for our participation in the Botanical Garden Scarecrows in the Forest Exhibition and Contest.  With your donations our Toddler & Upper Elementary programs were able to complete some pretty wonderful Scarecrows for submission and have a lot of fun in the process. Here are a few photos of the construction and the final product, which will be on display at the Botanical Garden through October.