Montessori Children’s School of Key West Weekly Newsletter – October 21, 2026
This Week @ MCS
Pictured:
1. Some Toddler Pumpkin Gathering Joy
2. Celebrating Fall with fallen leaves on the Primary playground – raking & playing in them.
3. Spanish Lime students work on a science lesson.
4. The Cocoplum class visits the Elizabeth Bishop House with the Key West Literary Seminar leaders for a lovely Learning Expedition
5. Mahogany (Adolescent) with guest speaker Owen Trepanier talking about his time in the Peace Corp.
2. Celebrating Fall with fallen leaves on the Primary playground – raking & playing in them.
3. Spanish Lime students work on a science lesson.
4. The Cocoplum class visits the Elizabeth Bishop House with the Key West Literary Seminar leaders for a lovely Learning Expedition
5. Mahogany (Adolescent) with guest speaker Owen Trepanier talking about his time in the Peace Corp.
6. Our Ukelele Teacher Mr. Jerrod jams with two students outside of our White St campus during Walk on White. Next Walk on White we will participate in is Thursday, January 21st.
Upcoming Events (more info below)…
PRO TIP: Click the date to save the event to your personal calendar on your phone!
Upcoming Events (more info below)…
PRO TIP: Click the date to save the event to your personal calendar on your phone!
Monday-Friday, November 2-6: School Photo Week
Monday-Thursday, November 2-5: Parent Education Series (After School, See below for details)
Wednesday, November 11: NO SCHOOL – VETERANS DAY
Friday, November 20: HALF DAY – 12pm Dismissal, Community Potluck 12pm Front Lawn Varela Street
Monday, November 23-Friday, November 27: NO SCHOOL – FALL BREAK
Monday, November 23-Wednesday, November 25: Fall Break Camp Available Toddler & Primary 8AM-3:30PM
Saturday, December 5: Holiday Parade! MCS Has a Float 🙂 Details Forthcoming…
Sunday, December 6: Montessori 5K Race & Kids Fun Run, 8am Truman Waterfront Park
School Photo Week
We have our week of school pictures coming up November 2-6!
The schedule is as follows:
Monday, November 2: Spanish Lime (at drop off) & Gumbo Limbo
Tuesday, November 3: Pigeon Plum (at drop off) & Banyan
Wednesday, November 4: Mangrove (at drop off) & Mahogany & Cocoplum
Thursday, November 5: Photos delivered via email/ Rain day if needed
Friday, November 6: Makeups & Retakes
*Sibling photos will be shot on the day of the youngest sibling’s photos unless a sibling is in Mahogany/Cocoplum, in which case the Sibling photos will be Wednesday
Here is a link to view information from our photographer, including the schedule for the week: https://studio-z-photography.
This link contains information about the schedule and details about what to expect! Things have changed slightly from previous years so make sure you look over everything. Now is a good time to save Megan Ellis Dzielak’s email addresses – megan@studio-z-photography.com
As well, Megan is hosting some mini-sessions. 50% of the session fee will come back to the Children’s School as a fundraiser. You can book a session here: https://studio-z.semuko.com/
If you have any questions, please email Megan Ellis Dzielak at megan@studio-z-photography.
Parent Education Series
The Montessori journey for a family can be greatly enhanced by taking part in our Parent Education series, offered twice during the year. The following Parent Education Events are open to any families who wish to attend (you do not necessarily have to stay within your current program – feel welcome to attend a program that your child will be moving up to, or that is of interest to you!) We also offer childcare for all Education Series (Upper Elementary students are invited to attend their series.)
Adolescent (Middle School): Monday, November 2 @ 3PM “The Third Plane of Development: Understanding Adolescence”
Toddler: Tuesday, November 3 @ 3PM “Food Prep at Home, Cooking with Your Toddler”
Primary: Wednesday, November 4 @ 3PM “Freedom Within Limits – Handling Challenging Behaviors at Home, The Montessori Way”
Lower Elementary (Grades 1-3): Thursday, November 5 @ 6PM “The Great Lessons”
Primary: Wednesday, November 4 @ 3PM “Freedom Within Limits – Handling Challenging Behaviors at Home, The Montessori Way”
Lower Elementary (Grades 1-3): Thursday, November 5 @ 6PM “The Great Lessons”
Upper Elementary (Grades 4-6): Thursday, November 5 @ 3PM “Cosmic Education & The Cultural Subjects”
Fall Break Camp Sign Ups
We release at 12PM on Friday, November 20th for Fall Break, and will be out of school with a return of Monday, November 30th. We offer Camp from 8AM-3:30PM for Toddler & Primary programs on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday November 23-25. Camp is $70/day (or $35/day for half day students.) If you would like to register your child for Fall Break Camp please complete the form linked below before November 17th. As a reminder, space in camp is limited and confirmed on a first come, first served basis.
Please register your Toddler or Primary students for Fall Break Camp using this form: Fall Break Camp Sign Ups
Montessori 5K & Kids Fun Run is BACK! 
Our Annual 5K & Kids Fun Run is coming up on December 6, 2026. Registration is open! Early registration pricing at just $39 per 5K Registrant is available for the first few weeks, so get signed up today! Race shirts are included for the first 100 registrants! Registration link here: Race Sign Ups
We are looking for SPONSORS to support our event and help us keep race costs low for participants. The sponsorship form is attached to this email. All funds raised for the 5K race go directly to our In-House Scholarship Fund, which pays tuition for our local families in need who otherwise cannot afford to attend our school. If you or anyone you know is willing to sponsor the race, please speak with Ms. Alex!
Not a big run/walker? We are also looking for volunteers for race day! Here is the link to sign up for our volunteer slots. We especially need Course Marshals who stand along the race route and cheer on participants! Race Volunteer Sign Ups
We need help hanging race posters around town! They are in the front office – please grab some and hang them wherever you can think of!
Congratulations to our Student Artists who created this year’s 5K Artwork: Cora Ludwick, Rishianna Gidwani, and Zadie Haskell
Campus Needs
Our Banyan Classroom dishwasher is in need of replacement. We are looking for a new or lightly used dishwasher – standard size 24 inches. Please let Ms. Megan know if you are able to help us with this.
Community News
Trick-or-Treating in Old Town!
We’re hoping to make Halloween a little more fun for Old Town neighbors who love seeing kids in costume and for families who want the option to trick-or-treat closer to home.
Some of our Montessori families have put together a free, neighborhood trick-or-treat map where residents can sign up to hand out candy, stickers, or other goodies. Families can check the map to see which homes are participating and plan their route. Lights On poster – 11×17 (1)
Want to put your house on the map? Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit oldtownhalloween.
Special Thank You
A Special Thank You to the Litmer family & Honest Eco for hosting our Upper Elementary Program for a fantastic Learning Expedition on the waters of Key West last week. What a treat to get to immerse our children in the beauty off our little island. If you are considering taking a water excursion please look up HONEST ECO for an educational, sustainable, and rockin’ good time!!
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