April 25, 2024
Soldotna Montessori Newsletter
Middle School Prep Week
April 29 to May 3
APC Meeting - May 9th
5:30 @ SMCS
School Assembly
May 10th Mrs. Frapp’s Class hosts the assembly.
Key News & Info
APC Election Results
Thank you to our families who voted in our recent APC Election. While we had one candidate, and two seats to fill, the election process is important and keeps our school in good standing as a charter school.
Congratulations to Mike Williams who was elected to continue serving on the SMCS APC. Mike has been a member on the APC for 6 years, and will be adding to that time now that he has been re-elected. If you see Mike, be sure to give him a BIG THANK YOU for his service to our school.
The work of an APC member is so important, and Mike has been a valuable asset to our APC and our school. We do have two vacant parent member seats and welcome your interest in serving too, as a functional APC is one of the required components of an approved Charter School. Thank you Mike for serving our school!
APC Vacancy Information
The APC Election is complete, the APC still has two vacant parent seats. If you were interested in filling the seat, the following APC bylaw applies:
SECTION 6. VACANCIES Should a vacancy occur before a term is complete, a notice shall be sent out to invite applications for the seat. The vacancy will be filled by majority vote of the remaining members of the APC and shall be elected for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor in office. No vacancy should continue for longer than six months or until the next APC election, whichever occurs first.
The APC is accepting names for consideration for these vacancies. Please email Mr. DeVolld of your interest and include information about your interest in serving on the APC and any related information. The APC will be considering applicants at an upcoming APC meeting to vote on filling the vacancies.
ALICE Drill - May 2
WHEN: Thursday, May 2nd, 2024 @ 2:00 p.m.
WHY: To practice safety protocols and emergency procedures with students.
WHO: All students & staff from SMCS & SOEL.
CONSDER: Schedule your visit to the school or pick-up of students for appointments prior to or after this event.
QUESTIONS: Contact Mr. DeVolld with questions or clarification about this drill.
INFO:The drill will simulate an intruder to the building and students and staff will activate the ALICE protocol.
Students and staff will walk to the alternate location as part of the simulation to know where our alternative gathering point is located. Students will be accompanied by their teacher for this walk.
Celebrating Staff - Mrs. Moore
Mrs. Moore started as an intermediate teacher here at SMCS in 2016. Mrs. Moore gained her Montessori certification in 2019. Mrs. Moore is well known for her kindness and encouraging nature, and probably her loud, Friday morning dance parties for students. Her dance parties bring a festive vibe to our school, and are a highlight of the week for students and staff. You may not know that Mrs. Moore is a data hound, and she is motivated to ensure student academic growth based on that data. She is constantly adapting her instruction to the needs of each student based on data results. One thing you probably should know about Mrs. Moore is she is a college football fan, and roots for her alma matter the Washington State Cougars. It is great to have Mrs. Moore’s enthusiasm, kindness, and student centered instructional approach, as part of our school. We are glad she is here at SMCS.
Other Fun Information
SMCS Art Night
Wow what a great event! Thank you to all our families who attended and made our time together so wonderful. The Art Night is an annual event that blends student art work and our appreciation of their work with a PTO fundraising event. A big Thank you goes to Mrs. Edmunds for organizing the fundraiser again this year. Also thank you to our teachers who participated in collecting and organizing basket items.
Another source of recognition is our 6th grade students who prepared and served the Hors D'oeuvre’s and drinks. They did an amazing job and made the night feel festive. Of course, we also need to recognize the adults who helped the 6th graders behind the scene: Holy Lewis, Christine Paulk, Josh Lewis, and Emily Kornelis. Also, importantly, Mrs. Cavazos detailed out the menu and acquired all the food materials.
Another notable part of our Art Night was our band member performances for our mood music. We appreciate all our student band members hard work resulting in a night of great background music for our event. Thank you Mr. Dahl and the many families who made donations to music program.
Lastly, is a thank you to our teachers and students for providing wonderful student artwork to observe and enjoy. The art night was a great success because of our entire school family. Nicely Done!
Spring Season Reminders
Alaskan Evenings—We love the increasing daylight, but remember to help your student get enough rest to have a productive day at school. It is easy to lose track of time at this time of year, but a good night’s sleep is still important.
Sign In—We are a close-knit school community, and we are comfortable in our school; however, please do not forget to check in at the office when you visit. It is borough policy and helps us maintain a safe school environment.
Field Trips & Volunteers—Field trips are in full swing. If you are planning on volunteering, please do not wait to ensure you have a completed background check. If it is not done early enough, you may not be able to participate.
Field Trips & Siblings—Just a reminder that our school guidelines are that siblings are not able to attend school field trips when parents are volunteering or on a visit.
SMCS Garden
Our school garden is in a transition period and we are hopeful to keep this tradition going for our school. Mrs. Carter has been our garden effort coordinator, and now Mrs. Dixon has graciously offered to continue the work. However, we are welcoming parents who have a heart and passion for gardening to join in on this effort, and possibly be the organizer of he overall effort, and work in conjunction with Mrs. Dixon to coordinate student participation. We hope to get planting done in the last two weeks of school, but would like some parent gardening expertise. Please reach out to Mrs. Dixon if interested. adixon@kpbsd.org
Nurse Tammy - Retiring
Can you believe it, Nurse Tammy is retiring. Wow, it just feel like Nurse Tammy is and always will be a part of SOEL and SMCS! However, she has determined that this will be her final year as our school Nurse, which is sad, but what gratefulness we have for her and her excellent care for our students and families.
We are planning our recognition here at the school for May 15th during our All School Slideshow Assembly. (There is also an event scheduled for the evening of May 9th, please call the school for details on that event.) In the meantime, if you have occasion to see Nurse Tammy, be sure to pass on your appreciation and well wishes to her. I know she will enjoy hearing from you.
Year End Events/Support
We are getting close to the conclusion of the school year. And there are many events and activities that help us share in our time together and provide closure to another great year.
s with any activity or event, we will likely need helpful volunteers. So, parent please be looking for invitations to participate. Here are some events and possible volunteer needs:
School Field Day & Picnic: Cook, Food service, Food prep, Materials delivery, Field Day set up, Field Day activity leader, etc.
Graduation: Balloon Arch, Candy Leis
Garden: Bed Preparation, Student Organization, Planting, Bed Maintenance.
Events Calendar
Here are the upcoming happenings for Soldotna Montessori Charter School. Add these to your calendar so you do not miss an important event.
April Events
4/29-5/3 | 6th Grade Middle School Prep Week |
4/30 | F/T - Primary Classes AK Maritime Refuge |
May Events
5/2 | F/T - Moore (12:00-3:10) Kasilof Museum |
5/2 | ALICE Drill (2:00) |
5/3 | F/T - Faris (9:00-12:00) Kasilof Museum |
5/3 | School Assembly & Recognition Kindergarten (9:00) |
5/3 | F/T - Dixon (12:00-3:10) Kasilof Museum |
5/6 | Band & Modern Concert (6:00) |
5/8 | F/T - Primary ADF&G Salmon Celebration |
5/9 | APC Meeting (5:30) |
5/10 | F/T - Kinder (10:00-11:45) Cadre |
May Events (Cont.)
5/13 | 6th Grade Visit to Skyview (9:00-12:00) |
5/13 | F/T - Kinder (9:30-11:30) KNWR |
5/14 | F/T - Primary Nikiski Pool (8:45-3:30) |
5/14 | 6th Grade - Froso’s (12:00) |
5/15 | All School Slideshow (9:00) |
5/16 | 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony (9:00) |
5/16 | School Picnic & Field Day Soldotna Creek Park (11:00-2:30) |
5/16 | Last Day Of School |
Do not tell them how to do it. Show them how to do it and do not say a word. If you tell them, they will watch your lips move. If you show them, they will want to do it themselves.
~ Maria Montessori
Soldotna Montessori Charter School
158 E Park Ave.,
Soldotna, AK 99669
907-260-9221
montinfo@kpbsd.k12.ak.us