Friday, March 10th, 2023

Here's What's Inside:

​Important Dates & Events

Reminders & Requests

Photos of the Week

​Summer Camp
​
Women's History Month

Community Connection

Parent Association News​​​

​Important Dates & Events

march 16th and 17th - AMS Conference (School closed, Childcare Only)

School closed, childcare only.

Information has been sent out about American Montessori Society Conference Childcare. If you have any questions, please email Tyler at tyler@mchkids.com.

march 26th - PARENT ASSOCIATION GAME DAY

Sunday, March 26, 2023 from 12:30 - 3:30 PM
​Mox Boarding House

The MCH Parents Association is excited to bring the community the first in a series of Family Game Days. March's family gaming get together will take place at Mox Boarding House in Bellevue. We have reserved a private set of rooms and will have access to Mox's huge library of games for all ages. Though if you have a family favorite, feel free to bring it - we'd love for you to share it! And if you're hungry or thirsty, food and drinks will be available for purchase from their restaurant.

We have the rooms reserved for 3 hours - you're welcome to stay the full time or to stop by for a few games when you're available. If you have any questions, please email daniel@mch-pa.org.

RSVP Here!

april 1st - ​INFANT/TODDLER PARENT CONNECTION

Saturday, April 1st, 10:00AM - 12:00PM
Farrel-McWhirter Park​

​​Calling all Infant and Toddler families! You are invited to a program-wide community event on Saturday, April 1st, from 10:00AM - 12:00PM at Farrel McWhirter Park in Redmond! We've heard your feedback after our popular fall community event and have organized a larger gathering across all classrooms. This is an opportunity for all families in the Infant and Toddler programs to come together in a familiar setting and connect with other parents and teachers, share advice, and enjoy a picnic lunch while the children play. If you are interested in picnicking, please note that food must be brought from home. All family members are welcome. If you have any further questions, please message your child's teacher. We look forward to seeing you there!

April 10th through 14th - Spring break (School Closed, No Childcare Offered)

School closed, no childcare offered.

We hope you enjoy the break!

Reminders & Requests

Driveway Safety

With the new staff parking area, we understand it can be tempting to drive around other cars in the roundabout. Please do not drive around other cars as it is a safety hazard. If you are pulling out of a parking space, please use your turn signal. Additionally, please remember to pay attention, listen, and be kind to our driveway staff. Their job is difficult and important!

Welcome to Our New Registrar: Tyler

Our previous Registrar, Allison, has finished her training with Tyler and will no longer be at MCH. We wish Allison the best in her journey with her family business. Tyler is now officially taking over the registrar position. If you have any questions, please reach out to him at tyler@mchkids.com.

CDC Announcement: Is my Covid test still valid if it's expired?

Since it takes time for test manufacturers to perform stability testing, the FDA typically authorizes at-home COVID-19 tests with a shelf-life of about four to six months from the day the test was manufactured, based on initial study results, and it may be extended later as additional data is collected.   You can check the Expiration Date column of the List of Authorized At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests to see if the expiration date for your at-home OTC COVID-19 test has been extended and how to find any new expiration date. 

Photos of the Week

Summer Camp

Is your child interested in time travel? Join us on an epic journey this summer as we adventure through time! Enrollment for Summer Camp is now open for MCH families. Current families have priority until April 1st, then enrollment will be opened to families outside of MCH. Enrollment forms are available in Transparent Classroom. Please note that summer camp enrollment is based on which program your child will be attending in the fall. Current Kindergarten students should enroll in the elementary program.

​Women's History Month

The past year has weighed heavy on our hearts with the continuing and escalating attacks on women’s bodily autonomy and the violence especially against women of color, trans/queer women, and disabled women. While it is imperative that we participate in the fight for equality in our daily lives, Women’s History Month is a great time to pay special attention to the fight for equality for women. After 67 years of celebrating International Women’s Day, educators in Santa Rosa, California came together in 1978 to dedicate the first week of March to Women’s History. This eventually became what we now know as Women’s History Month. These educators understood, just as we do at Montessori Children’s House, that women have been silenced and overshadowed throughout history despite playing and integral role in our world and society. Uplifting women’s voices and stories is essential to a well-rounded education rooted in conscientiousness. To quote world renowned activist, writer, and trailblazer Malala Yousafzai, “I raise up my voice—not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard…We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.”

If you’d like to learn more about this year’s theme, “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories”, check out the National Women’s History Alliance website. If you’re interested in integrating Women’s History Month into your lives at home, two great resources are VisitSeattle and National Geographic Kids. ​

Infant Classroom
Kinnikinnick

Just as with Black History Month, we make efforts throughout the entirety of the year to celebrate and uplift women's voices. In our infant classroom, Kinnikinnick, the children have been actively engaging with the women-focused books that have been out in the classroom. A particularly popular book amongst them is, "Maria", which tells the story of Maria Montessori's life. Integrating women's stories and voices into our children's lives is an integral part of growth and development. 

Here are the books out in Kinnikinnick for Women's History Month:

• Maria written by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and illustrated by Raquel Martín 
• Think Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison
• Dream Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison

Community Connection

The Suquamish Museum Field Trip

On March 2nd, our Cascara students were led on an amazing educational guided tour at the Suquamish Museum. Students learned about traditional historical cultural craft of the Suquamish such as weaving clothing and baskets, religious spiritual artifacts, historical artifacts of old cooking tools and methods, a timeline of the history of the Suquamish tribe, and the intricate carved canoes used as their mode of transportation. Oscar, one of the Cascara students, stated he was excited to learn about the many different tools the Suquamish invented and used historically for sewing, cooking, and crafting. 

The Seattle Children's Theater Field Trip

On March 3rd, our elementary students visited the Seattle Children's Theater to watch a play. Tune in next week to hear more! 

Parent Association News

The Parent Association is happy to announce that, in conjunction with MCH administration and faculty, we are preparing a Robotics Week for our upper school students beginning Monday, March 27th. The event is inspired by National Robotics Week.

Robotics is an important aspect of the future of technology. Our goal is to introduce our children to robotics as a tool for creativity and innovation.

Students will attend a robotics session held by PA members, volunteer parents, and staff members. Interested students can submit a brief of their work to the National Robotics Week’s event as a way of being part of the National celebration.

We're finalizing details now and will be sending more information soon! If you are interested in volunteer opportunities please contact us.

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​Have a great weekend!