Denali Montessori School

Dear Families,

The end of the year is always a bittersweet time for me. On one hand it is an opportunity for us to celebrate the accomplishments of our students by acknowledging how hard they have worked to gain skills and strengths in their learning. And yet, it is also a time when we recognize that some of our children will be moving to the next phase in their lives.

The move to middle school is always more smooth when we can be sure that we have prepared our boys and girls academically and socially. Fortunately, the Montessori Method strives to support children as they grow and mature. They gain skills that will help them succeed. Although we will miss our “soon-to-be middle school students”, we are confident that these students are well prepared for the challenges and the excitement of the future.

On May 20th Denali is proud to recognize the accomplishments of its 6th year students. Please join us at 7:00 pm to help us celebrate and wish these students the best as they embark on their newest adventure.

As the year closes it is also a time when I would like to share with you the final plans that we have made to remember our loving Ann Torpy. This summer a tree will be planted in her memory to be followed by a fall dedication ceremony. Additionally, due to the generosity of a Montessori parent, the Torpy Scholarship will be established. Ann had been a Montessori trainer and mentor to many of our staff members and several teachers throughout communities in Alaska and Washington. We would like to continue her dedication to the teaching method by continuing our own learning through this gracious offer. Hence, a scholarship for Montessori training will be developed. This scholarship fund will provide for Montessori training for staff members. In the fall, we will send out a letter stating how parents can donate to this fund, which will be maintained by the MAC board.

Finally, I hope that everyone has a great summer. Remember that we will have our end of the year ‘ice cream social’ on the 21st, right after school ends. We hope to see you then.

Brooke Hull

The NECA/IBEW 1547 was recognized as a platinum sponsor for all that they have done for Denali Montessori by the Anchorage School Business Partnership Program. We are so lucky and proud to have such a vibrant and involved group that supports us in so many ways. Thanks again to them for all their support this year. They HAVE made a difference for our kids!

The children, parents, and staff I have worked with for the past 21
years are the reason I have proudly said, “I am a teacher at Denali
Montessori School”.  I thank you all  for sharing the spirit of Denali
with me as I create my new adventures.   You will forever
be in myheart.

See you later alligator!

Most sincerely,

Ms. Tami Phelps

It’s that time of year to keep careful track of library books. All books were due Friday, May 8th. so we can have all books returned and on the shelf by the last day of school.  Have your child speak to me or call me if you have questions concerning an overdue book.

Ms. Nelson 742-5055

Get excited about reading during the summer. On Saturday, May 16th, Anchorage Public Library, Alaska Center for the Book and Friends of Pets are hosting Reading Rendezvous on the lawn at the Loussac Library from noon to 4pm.

This free, annual event is the traditional kick-off to the Summer Reading Celebration, which encourages and challenges kids, teens and adults to read during the summer months.

Thanks to I.B.E.W./N.E.C.A and RIF (Reading is FUNdamental) each child at Denali will take home a new book to keep this week!   Read with your child and support life long learning!

Please be sure and check the “lost and found” tables in the front hallway by the last day of school.  Leftovers will be given to  charity.

Please contact the office if your child will not be attending Denali Montessori this fall. Thank you. 742-4500

Denali Montessori Kindergarten and 1st Grade Students Start School on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

DEAR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS OF
DENALI MONTESSORI 2009-2010 FIRST GRADE STUDENTS:

For a number of years kindergarten students in Alaska schools have started school a few days later than other students so that teachers could meet with students and their parents and conduct what is called the Developmental Profile. This process of learning about entering students and meeting their parents has been invaluable in allowing students to get a jumpstart on the school year. We hope that as a kindergarten parent you found this meeting useful in the fall and that it helped your student get off to a good start in kindergarten.

This fall all 1st grade students at Denali Montessori will start classes four days later than other students (Tuesday, August 25th will be their first day), to allow teachers, students and parents to meet during the first four days of school. All ASD schools have been granted special permission to implement these meetings with parents and students during these first four days.

This program, called “Ready, Set, Learn”, allows 1st grade teachers the opportunity to meet individually with their new 1st grade students and parents in a 45 – 60 minute session over these four days. During this session parents will be informed about what their child will learn in the 1st grade, complete a brief survey to help the teacher learn about each child’s strengths and preview a variety of materials. While the parents engage in these activities, the classroom teacher will administer the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) and other assessments with the student and then meet again with parents to review the assessment results, answer questions and give a tour of the room.

Because this program will allow teachers the time to get to know each student immediately at the beginning of the school year, it will help them tailor instruction to individual student needs. 1st grade is a very important year, and the research is clear that learning to read in the 1st grade is the single strongest predictor of academic success in the following grades. In the 1st grade we expect students to move from knowing the letters and sounds of the alphabet at the beginning of the year to reading and understanding text 180 days later. We want our students to have every opportunity to do well in school.

This program was implemented in thirty other schools for the past few years and the results showed that it helped these schools better meet the learning needs of their students. Parents were also very enthusiastic about having this opportunity to meet with their child’s 1st grade teacher right away at the beginning of the school year.

Appointments will be scheduled individually after registration on August 4th, 5th and 6th. It is very important that you and your child attend this scheduled meeting.

We look forward to seeing you in August, and hope that you enjoy a wonderful summer.

Sincerely,
Brooke Hull, Principal

The Alaska Division of Fire and Life Safety and Grant Writing USA will be offering a GRANT WRITING workshop in Wasilla, on JUNE 18-19, 2009. The workshop is applicable to city, county and state agencies as well as nonprofit organizations, K-12, colleges and universities.

Denali is looking for a parent or parents to attend this workshop and use their acquired skills to help write grants to help Denali school and our students.  If you are interested, please contact Ms. Hull at Hull_Brooke@asdk12.org.

Denali Montessori Elementary 2008-2009 Yearbooks will go on sale soon!

Starting on Monday May 18th at 8:15am.  The price for each Yearbook is $12 and there is a very limited quantity to be sold.  Please make all check payable to Denali PTA.  Pick your copy up either before school 8:15-9:00 or after school 3:30-4:00.  Don’t delay, be the first to get your Yearbook!

With their students moving on to middle school, next year will be the last year for several of the parents who have helped provide the Denali Community School Program.  This has been a valuable program for our students and community.  Before their experience is gone, we need a few parents to join the committee and learn how to help keep the program going strong.  If you would be willing to be part of the Denali Community School program committee, please  contact Linda at gek@gci.net.  We are especially looking for parents with younger students who would be willing to assist for several years.  Someone with bookeeping experience is also needed. The time commitment and hours are flexible.