Whole School

The Montessori By The Sea students ‘dressed down’ today and participated in the Cayman Islands Cancer Society’s school-wide “Stride for Cancer”.

Thank you to all students who participated, your support is greatly appreciated!

Our students all wore Pink today, to show their support of Breast Cancer Awareness which was put on by the Lions Club of Tropical Gardens.

Thank you to all students who participated, your support is greatly appreciated!

We have had a wonderful summer here at Montessori By The Sea, and trust that you have also had one that was filled with good times!!

 The teachers have been at the school this week preparing the environment for the students and we are all excited about this upcoming school year! 

The first few weeks of school bring new routines and questions, and as such, enclosed in this Newsletter, you will find  important information and details on some policies and procedures at MBTS.  Please be sure to note the info as there have been some changes.

We have an ‘Open Door Policy’ and  welcome feedback and questions from parents. 

Important E-Mails at MBTS are:

~ Administration:

• Kourtni Jackson–  kourtni@mbts.ky 
• Debbie Thompson- debbie@mbts.ky
• Andrea Roach–   andrea@mbts.ky
• Lydia Booker– lydia@mbts.ky

 ~ Classrooms/Specialties:

• Toddler Class–  toddler@mbts.ky
• Casa 1– casa1@mbts.ky
• Casa 2– casa2@mbts.ky
• Lower El Downstairs– led@mbts.ky
• Lower El Upstairs– leu@mbts.ky
• Upper El–  upperel@mbts.ky
• Middle Years–  middleyears@mbts.ky
• zMusic/Arts/ICT– ms.ali@mbts.ky
• PE– ms.karen@mbts.ky
• Casa-Gr. 6 French/ICT–  ms.jacqueline@mbts.ky 
• MYP French– ms.wendy@mbts.ky
• ICT– mr.brent@mbts.ky

 This year promises to be a fantastic one and we are looking forward to being partners with you in your child’s educational journey!

Congratulations MBTS Students! I am so proud to announce the results of NCFA 2011:

Jambo Rafiki: Lower Elementary – Silver

O Sifuni Mungu: Lower Elementary – Gold

The Rainbow Connection: Upper Elementary – Bronze

Don’t Stop Believin’: Noon-Hour Choir – Silver

The Pink Panther: Grade 5 & 6 – Gold

Nissidanse: Grade 6 Recorder – Bronze

Miralda Dzaghouni: Violin  - Bronze

Paige Allison: Piano – Silver

Kassidi Jackson: Piano – Bronze

Danielle Malyk: Voice – Whistle a Happy Tune – Silver

Castle on a Cloud – Bronze

Maddy Bowyer: Piano – Gold

Hannah Howe: Piano  - Bronze

Maddy Bowyer & Hannah Howe: Piano Duet – Gold

Hannah Ebanks: Piano - Bronze

Sarah Pierson: Voice – The Lass From The Low County – Silver

Thank you parents for your support, and once again, congratulations students!

Congratulations to Grade 7 student, Marissa Towell, who came in 2^nd place in the ‘Earth Science’ category for her solar cooker project in at this year’s annual Rotary Central School Science Fair.  Please visit, http://www.compasscayman.com/caycompass/2011/04/05/Weird,-wacky-and-full-of-wonder/, for further details. 

We are so proud of you Marissa! Congratulations again!

What an excellent job our Lower and Upper Elementary students did during their NCFA performances this morning!  We are so proud of them—both with their performance and their excellent audience skills!!   

The results are in and are as follows:

• “The Painting Lesson” performed by Grades 1 and 2:  Bronze
• “Mosquitoes, Mosquitoes” performed by Grade 3:  Silver
• “Smedley Smye” performed by Grades 4 and 5:  Gold
• “Today Was Not My Day” performed by Grade 6:  Bronze
• “The Secret Rhyme for Orange” performed by Marianne McMurdo:  Gold
• “Magic” performed by Samantha Clarke:  Bronze
• “Standing is Stupid” performed by Hallie Ebanks:  Silver
• “Dear Mum” performed by Nyah Francis:  Gold
• “Best Friends” performed by Maia Thompson:  Bronze

 Well done everyone!!

 Also a special thank you to the teachers for all of their hard work and efforts with NCFA and the students to make it such a success for them!  Thank you!

As a part of the ongoing development of its academic program, Montessori By The Sea (MBTS) welcomed Ms. Hillary Drinkell, a consultant with the The Montessori Foundation, to its school March 29^th – April 1^st, 2011. Found to be a “Very Good School” by the Education and Standards Assessment Unit (ESAU) during its evaluation in March 2010, MBTS, which accommodates students from 21 months (Toddler Program) to 14 years (Grade 8), wished to gain insight from the perspective of a Montessori organization.  “The experience was both inspirational and invigorating. We look forward to moving our programs forward from strength to strength with all that we have gained from Hillary’s visit!” says Deborah Thompson, one of the Principals at MBTS.  Hillary also commented, “The dynamic discussions and excitement around enhancing an already very good program is always a joy to me.”

The Montessori Foundation “nurtures, inspires and supports the development of strong successful Montessori schools” globally. Sponsored by the MBTS Parent’s Guild, Ms. Drinkell was brought in as a consultant on authentic Montessori principles and practices from an international perspective. Having held the position of the Dean of Elementary at the New Gate School in Sarasota, Florida, Ms. Drinkell has worked extensively in Early Childhood, and is trained in Elementary (6-12 year olds)  Montessori practice. Her training is MACTE accredited and she has her MEI Montessori. Her undergraduate degree is in Industrial Psychology and Speech and Drama and she has her Masters degree in Education with an emphasis on Montessori education. As a consultant with the Montessori Foundation, Ms. Drinkell has worked with schools internationally and writes articles for ‘Tomorrow’s Child’ and ‘Montessori Leadership’.

The brunt of Hillary’s time was spent working with the Administration of MBTS. “Having Hillary at MBTS was such an amazing experience!  She had so much to share and offer, and we have already begun implementing some of her suggestions.  Her time at the school was enriching and invaluable to all and we have already begun planning her next visit with us.” said Co-Principal Kourtni Jackson. Hillary also led both a Parent Night and a Staff Meeting, in order to share the wealth of her knowledge, experience and expertise and answer any questions. Both events were a success, extending well past the scheduled time as participants clamoured for additional insight! Ken Thompson, Chairman of the MBTS Parent’s Guild also shared the enthusiasm expressed from Hillary’s visit on behalf of the parents: “The Parent’s Guild at Montessori By The Sea had hoped that by arranging for Ms. Hillary Drinkel to visit the school she would provide a professional and perhaps a critical eye, on what was happening and offer suggestions on ways to enhance the school. I must say she exceeded our expectations! With her extensive teaching experience, and exceptional knowledge and love of the Montessori program she provided parents with very useful information, and for some it was confirmation they had chosen the right school for their children. There was a great deal of excitement over the evening session, and it was so well received that we may make it an annual affair.”     

 The Montessori curriculum is a spiraling curriculum that balances academic rigor with the developmental needs of the student. It is a student-centered, inquiry-based, individualized, holistic approach to education that encourages critical thinking, time management and organizational skills as well as innovation so that students develop the skills necessary for university and beyond.