We may ask parents of all potential students and current students for contact information (like email addresses) and demographic information (like zip code, age, or income level). We understand, however, that you may not want us to send you email. We will always give you the option of declining to receive information from West Suburban Montessori School. Like other web sites, your “IP address” is visible to us when you visit our web site. An IP address is a number automatically assigned to your computer whenever you're connected the Internet. Your IP address is visible to most of the websites you visit. At West Suburban Montessori School, we only use IP numbers to help diagnose problems with our servers, and to administer our Web site. We will never use information gathered by our servers for marketing purposes of any kind.
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West Suburban Montessori School contains links to other sites. West Suburban Montessori School is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such Web sites. West Suburban Montessori School does not share any of the individual personal information you provide West Suburban Montessori School with the sites to which West Suburban Montessori School links. This includes other third party sites on the Internet for which West Suburban Montessori School provides search services. Please check with those sites to determine their privacy policy.
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Please contact us if you have any questions about this privacy statement, the practices of this site, or your dealings with West Suburban Montessori School:
Privacy Policy Issues
West Suburban Montessori School
1039 South East Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60304
(708) 848-2662
privacy@wsms.org
Looking forward to seeing you all at the Parent Meeting on Thursday, January 25th at 7pm. Childcare is available for those signing up in advance at school. Please note that one of the agenda items to be discussed is a series of proposed changes to the WSMS Bylaws. These changes have been voted on and accepted by the Board, but are being put to the parent membership for a vote at the Parent Meeting as well. Please take the time to read the 3 documents that make up the Bylaws (below), so you can inform yourself of the changes before voting. Thanks, and please contact Anna Harlan if you have questions or comments.
• WSMS Bylaws: Main Document (proposed changes in blue)
• WSMS Bylaws: Policies (proposed changes in blue)
• WSMS Bylaws: Procedures (proposed changes in blue)
Please don't forget to volunteer for a WSMS committee. Upcoming Board Meetings are at 7pm in the WSMS Nap Room on the following dates:
Wednesday, April 18
Wednesday, May 16
March 2008
Spring is almost here and this month we will focus on spring time topics--kites, windsocks, posy printing, rainbow mobiles, finger painting flowers, hand-some lions, soft lambs, frog puppets, and on St. Patrick's Day, shades of green will showcase the festive shamrocks around the room for all to view. The days are longer with Day Light Savings Time which means we will be getting outdoors more often.
November 2007
It is almost time to celebrate Thanksgiving. We have a variety of different activities for this month: turkeys, pilgrim hats and of course, making cornucopia is always a seasonal favorite. We're making placemats: the children will be delighted to add these placemats to their Thanksgivng table. These and other Holiday crafts will add a festive touch for the season. Please remember to add warm clothes to your child's cubby: long pants, long sleeve shirts or sweaters. The weather has changed and we do go outside as weather permits.
Summer 2007
Our summer program begins soon. We have tried to provide a variety of activities to ensure fun for everyone everyday! The program provides safe outside play, many arts and crafts projects, stories, and a snack twice a day. We will also have free play, painting and building lego creations, circle games, hoops and balls, planting outside, and kids in the kitchen making dessert. The schedule of field trips/theme days, which occur each Wednesdays. Following is the list of this summer's in-house/off-site field trips:
Wed May 31: Flower Planting at WSMS - We'll be planting flowers in urns and in the ground
Wed Jun 6: Adopt a Tree Day at WSMS - Please supply your child with a disposable camera, labeled with your child's name. It will stay at school.
Wed Jun 13: Hawaiian Luau - We will make fruit kabobs, dance to Hawaiian music, do the limbo, and wear grass skirts.
Wed Jun 20: Movie Day at WSMS - Curious George movie, popcorn, projects, and games.
Wed Jun 27: Space Center at Triton College. 2005 5th Avenue, River Grove. Zip! Zoom! Whiz! Zoom into space, whiz by the stars and planets. We'll discover how people explore space and see some of the most amazing sights in our universe. *Let Bruce and/or Mrs. Nash know if you are available to chaperone this event!
Wed Jul 11: "Little Red Riding Hood" play at St. Patrick's Performing Arts Center, 5900 Belmont Ave by bus. Depart school 9:45A, return 12:00P. *Let Bruce and/or Mrs. Nash know if you are available to chaperone this event!
Wed Jul 18: Pirate Day at WSMS. Ahoy Mate and Maties. We'll make a treasure chest, hats, maps, and eye patches. Lots of pirate fun!
Wed Jul 25: Transportation Day at WSMS - Bring your bikes, trikes, and scooters to the gym. Fun on your bikes - indoors only.
Wed Aug 1: Lincoln Park Zoo (by bus). We're going on a safari! Depart 9:30A, return 12P.
Wed Aug 15: Water and Friendship Day at WSMS - Please send a plain pillow case to be painted. We;ll need bathing suits and towels for water play.
Wed Aug 22: Tea Party Day at WSMS - Wear your favorite costume to school!
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
Please wear your school T-shirts on trips away from the school. Please be on time for school and trips. Please check cubbies to be sure there is a proper change of clothes. Please no flip flop shoes. Apply sunscreen before leaving home; we are outdoors a lot. FIELD TRIP DAYS WE WILL NEED TO LEAVE ON TIME!
Nov 2006
A special thank you for items received from the Wish List. All the items are really appreciated. Thank you again.
November is the beginning of very chilly weather, so remember warmer coats, caps and gloves for outside play and walks. We will be crunching leaves as we walk.
The Child Care room will be decorated with artistic holiday renderings of Indian corn, cornucopias and terrific turkeys. Completed projects will be display and will go home for the Thanksgiving Holidays.
Gobble, gobble, enjoy.
Sept 2006
We hope to have a wonderful September! New year, new projects, new songs and welcoming new friends.
A big thank you to all who shared their precious time during our Summer Program; it really makes a difference! At the end of August, we had to say goodbye to many who left for first grade. We will miss them, but they are ready to move on and will be successful in their new schools.
Thanks to our wonderful parents for being chaperones on the summer field trips: Mr. Edwards for the awesome zoo trip; Mrs. Shack and Mrs. Dassinger for the great play and puppet projects; Stacey Hallab for the homemade cookies, the slide and the help on Dinosaur Day. Also thanks to all the parents for the wonderful snacks, the extra cold snacks and bottled water.
Walking to the Bakery to purchase treats was wonderful. Each of the children returned home with their money because a CTA employee visiting at the same time was so impressed with the polite behavior of the children, that he paid the cost of everyone’s bakery treat!
On the un-birthday, the children made and decorated their own cupcakes. We played games in the Gym and Mrs. Shack and Mr. Ruiz took a swing at the piñata. After a few swings, it was all over!
*Please remember to label all items for child care boxes, shirts, underwear, linen (everything). We need a second set of clothing for upstairs in childcare.
Oct 2007
This year we are again taking advantage of the wonderful teacher loan program from the Field Museum. We are enjoying display cases of a hammerhead shark and giant spiders, as welll as experience boxes about ocean life and bats. We look forward to borrowing materials about Native American culture in November.
Nov 2006
We have enjoyed having parents observe our class in October and look forward to new families observing in November. There will be opportunities for parents to work with their children in the classroom during Parent-Child Nights in the coming months.
A special thanks to all the parents who donated items from the Wish List to our class. All art materials will be put to creative use. We also greatly appreciate the stereo/CD player donated by the Hallab Family.
This year we are again borrowing materials from the Field Museum to supplement classroom work. We are enjoying experience boxes about “Life in the Oak Tree” and examining and comparing skulls and teeth of carni-vores, herbivores, and omnivores. The children greatly love the exhibit cases of animals to display in the class-room.
Nick Kitsos, Ben's dad, gave a wonderful interactive presentation to the afternooners in both classrooms about hand-made instruments and body percussion. It was lots of fun and he really engaged the children!
Looking ahead to December, please mark your calendars for the Family Holiday Party. It is always great fun and the children will be giving a short musical performance.
Sept 2006
We wish to welcome Ms. Arlette to our class as Ms. Israel’s assistant. Ms. Arlette is a talented artist and has much experience teaching art to adults and children. She is looking forward to working with our class and sharing her artistic talents with us.
Welcome to all new and returning students. We are looking forward to a new school year. We are excited to work with many new beautiful materials in the classroom.
A special thanks to Cinzia and Mark Segal for the beautiful portraits they photographed on that day. The Segals donated their time and talent so that we could enjoy the pictures.
Thank you to Mrs. Nash and her staff for assisting the children in creating the beautiful artwork displayed on the gym walls at the party. And finally, thanks to all who brought in food or drink to share.
On the subject of food or drink to share, please help out with the annual food drive for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. A box for your donations of non-perishables will be located at the school the entire week before Thanksgiving.
The annual Holiday Party and Silent Auction will take place at the school on Saturday December 8th, from 3:00 to 5 p.m. If you can assist with set-up, decorations, food/drink, please contact Michelle Cohen .
]]>As of November 27, 2006
(4) $25 gift certificates Anthony Salerno – (4 individual bids) - Mrs. B.
Mrs. B: Spend some extra time in the classroom with Mrs. B. just one on one. Student needs to be a currently enrolled or a graduate. Can be any day after class is finished at 3:00 o'clock. Expires May 2007
Miss Israel: Movement and Music class for you and three of your friends. This will take place after class time is finished during the week. The class will be designed to match the age and interest of the children. Children need to be enrolled at WSMS or graduates. Expires May 2007
Mrs. Lim: A trip to the Conservatory with Mrs. Lim during our lunch break for one currently enrolled WSMS student. Expires May 2007
Mrs. Gloria Nash: Spend part of a Saturday with Mrs. Nash. Trip includes breakfast or lunch and a trip to build a bear.
The total time would be 2 and a half to 3 hours. Expires March 1, 2007
Mr. Bruce: "Lunch with Mr. Bruce." One student gets to invite four friends to eat lunch with Mr. Bruce at Mrs. B.'s lunch table in the kitchen. With the students imput Mr. Bruce will plan the lunch, deliver the food and supply interesting conversation. The students need to be enrolled at WSMS. Expires May 2007
Mrs. Harris: Mrs. Harris will be "Super Nanny" and come to your house for three hours and take care of the child/ children while the parents have an evening out. Expires May 2007
Miss Colleen: Dinner and a movie at WSMS on a Saturday. The winning child can invite 9 friends who attend WSMS. There will be pizza and popcorn with the movie. Approximately 2 and one half hours. Expires May 2007
Ms Arlette:
(i)Parent/ Child Artistic Play Experience
Children learn through play. Join Ms. Arlette for an afternoon of letting your child lead you in art making for the pure enjoyment of the experience. We will use our creativity and imagination for a special art project. (Up to five pairs of one child and one parent/guardian/special adult)
Date: Sat. Feb. 17, 2007
Time: 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Ages: 5-6 years of age with adult
(ii) Individual /Small Group Art Lesson
Join Ms. Arlette for three one-hour art classes as we explore three basic art mediums. Our focus will be on self-expression. (Up to three participants)
Date: TBD 1st quarter 2007
Time: Directly following classes (2:30 to 3:30pm)
Ages: Current Afternooners
(2) Chicago Wolves Tix + Parking Pass: 2nd Row; Sat. Jan. 20th, 7pm @ Rosemont - Tim & Stefanie Christopher
(2) KidCraft Rockers - Pink Chenille or Denim - Gerry & Angie Maguire and The Sachem Company
(1) Family Studio Portrait - (after the holidays) - Mark & Cinzia Segal
(1) Professional Photographic Poster of Chicago - Mark & Cinzia Segal
(1) Round of golf for Two @ The Glen in Glenview - Betsy Voyles
(2) Hours of electrical services - Jeff & Mary DeGrazia and Oak Electric, Inc.
(1) Group parenting presentation by Fresh Start Families, Inc. - George & Sarah Valaika
(1) KidCraft Sandboat Sandbox - Gerry & Angie Maguire and The Sachem Company
(1) Beautiful piece of GEM jewelry: Laura Kitsos & GEM
(2) hour golf performance evaluation: Betsy Voyles and Body Balance for Performance
(1) hour in-home massage and coordinated babysitting services: Sarah & David Tribuzio and Massage 2 Go
(1) 10th Anniversary Elmo TMX doll: Marrey & Will Picciotti
(2) hours of tutoring: Marrey Picciotti and AIM Group Tutors, Inc.
(2) Autographed copies of books by Barack Obama: Anne Bowhay & Jeffrey Hanneman
(2) tix for Teatro Vista's production of Massacre: Ana & Jim Doyle and Teatro Vista
Assorted books, CD-ROMs, and DVDs: Ana & Jim Doyle and Encyclopedia Brittanica
Nov 2007
This month is observation month for students who started this September. Three-year olds are busy with new lessons, making friends a nd learning their way around the classroom. Four-year olds are working independently and making their own choices of "big work". Many students are very interested in lessons on numbers and letters. Afternooners are very busy enjoying the Museum Boxes an a shark video. Fall projects include decorating Halloween bags, leaf designs and and making skeletons with a variety of pasta shapes. We are in our second chapter book on the Boxcar Children.
Nov 2006
Everyone is settling into “Big Work”! All the observations are completed for returning students. This month the new students will have their turn. New students are busy making friends, trying new lessons in Practical Life and Sensorial, and enjoying snack. Favorites are cookie baking, painting and water activities.
Children in their second year (generally 4-year olds) are choosing old favorites, language and math work. The Afternooners started science experiments in October, map work, penmanship, reading, some parts of speech, and operations in math.
The Museum Boxes continue to be a favorite activity. We will be starting our music practices soon to be ready for our Holiday Concert.
Reminders: Weather is changing. Check your child’s the clothes box in cubbies and/or child care for suitable items. Label all items: hats, gloves, jackets, boots, etc.
Please arrive on time-Class starts at 8:30 a.m. No children should use the door code, and please do not allow them to use the Time Clock. VIP: Check the calendar on Fridays for the upcoming week of snacks. Please sign up for food prep items, i.e. apples, carrots, bananas, and oranges so we have them for the week.
Sept 2006
I am really excited about the school year starting again. There are many new materials placed in the classrooms and old materials as well to share with the students. I am looking forward to listening to everyone's summer adventures.
One change is the lunch box cubbies are in the Gym this year. Ms. Israel's near the East Gym door, and Mrs. B's cubbies are next to the kitchen.
The Spanish class will continue to focus on ear training, and introducing Spanish as a second language through singing, movement, and listening.
Session Information:
Mondays 3:30-4:15 p.m. *please note time change!
7 weeks from Mon Mar 31 through Mon May 12
$56 per child, materials included (no refunds will be offered for missed days)
Registration closed.
]]>Session Information:
Tuesdays 2:30-3:15 p.m.
Tuesdays 3:15-4:00 p.m. (pending sufficient enrollment)
7 weeks from Tues Apr 1 through Tues May 13
$60 per child, materials included (no refunds will be offered for missed days)
Registration closed.
]]>Miss Charis is the product of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and Northwestern University, her alma mater. This will be Charis’s fourth year teaching dance with West Suburban Montessori and her fun-filled classes will be sure to invigorate the minds and bodies of these young dancers.
Miss Charis incorporates a wide variety of energetic movement techniques to introduce your children to ballet, jazz, modern, creative movement and multicultural dances—all set to heart pumping music and even classical. The Spring Recital is always a highlight of the year and will feature original costumes and important shine time for these young artists is training.
This extra curricular activity is open to all WSMS students, both boys and girls. Daily class attire for girls should be tights or leotards and ballet shoes (slippers), and loose-fitting clothing and ballet shoes (slippers) for boys.
Session Information:
Wednesdays 3:30-4:15p.m. *please note time change!
7 weeks from Wed Apr 2 through Wed May 14
$56 per child (does not include any costumes; no refunds will be offered for missed days)
Registration closed.
]]>We welcome your interest and talents in serving on one of our Parent-Run Committees this school year.
Thanks to those families who have volunteered for this year's Buddy Family Program, which pairs existing families with new or returning families. The goal is to help ease the transition to WSMS by having a "buddy" to meet up with at some of the first events of the school year, and to help answer parent-to-parent questions at the start of -- and throughout -- the year. If you have questions about the this program, please contact Sarah Valaika. Buddy family assignments for the 2007-2008 school year are as follows:
Ms. Israel's Class:
*Brown = Jarred Pressley
*Doyle = Vivian Murphy
*Hallab = Kenya Keefer
*Harlan = Katherine Fournier
*Krasinsky = Lola Reech
*Lee = *Tanner Hansen
*Ouellette = Maro Aroutiunian
Ms. Brzozowicz's Class:
*DeGrazia = Zoe Klein
*Lee = Levi Hansen
*Pettit = Dhruv Rao
*Straughan = Sofia Wardzala
*Valaika = Isabel Sichlau
Note: *=returning families. Click below to view the buddy family letter and assignment details:
2007-2008 Buddy Family Letter
2007-2008 Buddy Family List
1. Large easels
2. Large chalk board
3. Financial donations for classroom materials
- Animals Around the World for Mrs. Israel's Room
- New reading series with verb & noun cards for Mrs. Brzozowicz's Room
4. Financial donations for "Geodome" replacement
The Geodome is the play structure Southwest of the main school entrance. We would like to replace it with playground equipment for the children.
Gem: A Jewelry Boutique
Owned by Laura & Nick Kitsos
1710 North Damen Chicago 60647
773-384-7700
www.gemoakpark.com
laura@gemoakpark.com
We specialize in hand made, one of a kind jewelry made in store and from several local and national designers. We carry everything from 18k gold and diamond jewelry to affordable silver designs. Recently featured in Crain's, Lucky Magazine, CS, Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times and other publications. WSMS Parents visiting Gem receive 10% off. Please mention at time of purchase!
- Creation of a WSMS 20th Anniversary sub-committee, to orchestrate the planning of a Fall 2008 event associated with our school's 20th anniversary. The subcommittee's first meeting is Tues, May 13 at 7pm in the WSMS nap room. We're looking for helping hands! If you can't make the meeting but are interested, please contact Marketing Committee Liaison Gaylee Morgan.
- Day in Our Village, and annual Oak Park event that takes place primarily in Scoville Park from 11am to 6pm, Volunteers are needed for shifts from 9.30am to about 6.30pm for loading, transportation, set up and break down. We especially need a volunteer, or two, with a van or large car willing to help with set up and break down. If you can help, please contact Jan Westcott. Sign up sheets will also be posted in the school vestibule. Thanks in advance for any help!