A GUIDE TO GIVING & GETTING INVOLVED
WHAT IS THE PARENT ASSOCIATION? PA Mission: The Milwaukee Montessori School Parent Association supports the School’s philosophy, programs, and activities for the benefit of all Milwaukee Montessori School students. The Parent Association facilitates communication and parent education, as well as encourages and coordinates volunteerism. The Parent Association fosters a spirit of inclusion, partnership, and cooperation among the entire School community. To fulfill our mission, we offer several events to encourage our parents and students to get to know other families and faculty members at MMS. Classroom Captains are assigned to each classroom to facilitate communication with their fellow parents each year. We have at least one speaker throughout the year to guide parents on a topic related to parenting, and several of the year’s events present opportunities for volunteering for both parents and students. Each one of our PA Events is designed to introduce families and create relationships outside of school hours.
PARENT ASSOCIATION CABINET Helena Sosa Parent Association President We asked Helena to be our PA President because she attends all of the PA meetings and events, offers constructive feedback, volunteers, and is outgoing and approachable. Helena is a physician from Mexico who moved back to Milwaukee two years ago with her husband Antonio and daughter Andy. Last year, the Sosa family grew with the addition of Luciana, now one year old. Helena enjoys being outside, in the pool or lake, and walking the dog around the neighborhood. She’s excited to be the Parent Association President for the next two years and can’t wait to meet you all! Come say hi to her at the Ice Cream Social on August 23.
Kori Trotter Parent Association Treasurer Kori Trotter is the mother of Jacob Trotter (Lower Elementary) and Kai Trotter (Lower Elementary). She and her husband, James, are active members of the MMS community. They love the curriculum, the staff, and the safe, nurturing environment that MMS offers. Kori owns a graphic design business. She is a Milwaukee native and in her spare time, she loves to read, bake, and spend time with family.
Alesa Weiss Director of Development Alesa has been the Director of Development for the past three academic years at MMS. She loves being part of the MMS community and is grateful for the relationships she has built with the families here. She feels privileged to do the work she does with and for your students – it doesn’t feel like work to her! In her life outside of MMS, Alesa loves spending time with her husband and son (MMS class of ’33!), doing escape rooms, and listening to Mythology podcasts.
EVENTS & PARTICIPATION MMS Tech Talk August 20, 2019 | 5:00 - 6:00 PM Our increasingly digital world is changing faster than ever! MMS is a leader in educational technology, but we want to make sure that our students are making smart, safe choices online. At the Tech Talk, we will discuss what your student's day to day tech usage looks like, how we keep kids safe online, and tech safety at home. Ice Cream Social August 23, 2019 | 3:30 - 5:30 PM Join us at the Ice Cream Social as we welcome you to a new school year! Parent volunteers serve ice cream and all sorts of toppings to kids and parents in the MMS Backyard. This FUN-raising event is purely a chance to enjoy a treat, see old friends, and meet new ones! Free to all MMS families. 80's Roller Party September 13, 2019 | 4:00 - 6:00 PM Grab your neon 80's gear and meet us at the roller rink! We have the place to ourselves and control of the music; this is one party you don't want to miss! Game Night - Upper Elementary and Older October 4, 2019 | 5:00 - 8:00 PM UE 1’s and older are invited to a good, old-fashioned board game night. Clue, Scrabble, Taboo - we’ve got it all! No parents necessary (you can come of course!) so feel free to squeeze in a date night or get some grocery shopping done! Halloween Bingo October 25, 2019 | 5:00 - 7:30 PM BING-OOOOOH! Put on your costume and join us for a few rousing games of Halloween-themed Bingo. With Ms. Pabon calling the numbers, you know we’ll hear a few spooky (and silly) jokes! Winners receive a book of their choice (and a little Halloween candy).
Kids in Motion – Toddler and Children’s House Social November 10, 2019 | 9:00 - 11:00 AM Mid-November is when we get our first rush of “cabin-fever,” so get those kiddos to Kids in Motion to run around and play! We have the place to ourselves (have you been there on a Saturday? Yikes!) which means you can actually mingle with the adults in the room! Toddlers and Children’s House students are welcome at this social. An Afternoon Under the Stars December 14, 2019 | 1:30 - 3:30 PM We rented out UWM’s Planetarium so we could share an afternoon under the stars with you! After the presentation, we’ll all make our very own star charts! Spaghetti Dinner January 25, 2020 | 4:30 - 7:00 PM Spaghetti Dinner is our longest standing tradition, and our biggest fundraiser for the Parent Association! We offer a full spaghetti buffet, shoe box raffle, face painting, and tons of games. We also encourage you to bring the whole family to this one! Aunts, Uncles, Grandmas, Grandpas, Cousins… you can bring anyone special to you! Sunburst Tubing February 23, 2020 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Sunburst Winter Sports Park has the largest tubing hill in the world and we're going down it! Meet us at Sunburst for a morning of tubing, hot chocolate, and winter fun. Escape Room - Upper Elementary and Older February 28, 2020 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM Test your puzzle and reasoning skills at Escape MKE! Mrs. Weiss and Ms. Lee will guide you through clues, maps, tricky locks, and so much more. Think you can escape the room?! Movie Date March 21, 2020 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Let’s go to the movies! Join us at Fox Bay Cinema and Grill while we watch the latest kid-friendly blockbuster, laugh, cry, and of course, snack!
Trivia Night - Upper Elementary and Older March 27, 2020 | 5:00 - 8:00 PM Alright Upper El and Junior High, let’s see who knows their stuff. We’ve designed a Trivia Night to test your knowledge while having fun. Create teams and answer questions in categories like Geography, Technology, and Other Random Stuff We Learned at MMS. Scholastic Book Fair and Teacher’s Appreciation Luncheon May 4 - 8, 2020 The Book Fair is back! Come shop ‘til you drop for the latest books in non-fiction and fiction. Each book purchased allows MMS to provide new books for our classrooms! On the Tuesday of the Book Fair week, parents bring their favorite dishes for teachers to enjoy at the Teacher Appreciation Luncheon! Gallery Night June 5, 2020 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM Your students spend the entire year creating beautiful pieces of artwork. Let's appreciate them! Come to Gallery Night and see your child’s artwork on display while sipping wine and noshing on cheese. There might even be some art for purchase! End of Year Picnic June 17, 2020 | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Let’s celebrate! We made it through the year, now it’s time to relax and mingle with your friends before summer break. You can bring your own lunch (or order from us) to enjoy while hanging out in the MMS Backyard and listening to our Private Music Teachers jam out.
MORNING COFFEE Morning Coffees are short, casual meetings to meet parents in your classroom and discuss topics pertaining to your child with your teacher. Some meetings will have a short presentation, others will be an open forum. Come join us!
AUGUST
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SEPTEMBER
PA Meeting August 23, 2019
Mrs. Williams + Mrs. Wijenayake September 6, 2019
New to MMS Parent August 29, 2019
Mrs. Basaldua and Ms. Langill September 13, 2019
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Mrs. Hirani and Ms. Sullivan September 20, 2019
OCTOBER
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PA Meeting November 1, 2019
Toddler Program October 4, 2019
DECEMBER
NOVEMBER
19
Transition to Children's House December 13, 2019
JANUARY
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Transition to Lower Elementary January 10, 2020 Transition to Upper Elementary January 17, 2020 Transition to Junior High January 24, 2020
FEBRUARY New to MMS Parent February 21, 2020 PA Meeting February 28, 2020
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MAY PA Meeting May 1, 2020
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VISITATIONS AND CONCERTS Your students love to learn the songs and dance moves for our concerts each year. Make sure to put these on your calendar so you can come and see them perform! Grandparents’ Visitation | September 27, 2019 Fathers' Visitation | November 8, 2019 Holiday Concerts | December 20, 2019 Mothers' Visitation | February 7, 2020 End of Year Concert | June 3, 2020
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED? Come to PA Meetings! We have four meetings each year: August 23, 2019 November 1, 2019 February 28, 2020 May 1, 2020 Volunteer! We have volunteering opportunities at the following events: Ice Cream Social Spaghetti Dinner Scholastic Book Fair Teacher’s Appreciation Luncheon Donate! Food to our November Hunger Task Force Food Drive Toys, games, art supplies, etc. to our Spaghetti Dinner Dollars to our MMS Fund and Gala
THE MMS FUND What is the MMS Fund? The MMS Fund helps us enhance all the features that make our school programs stand out. Each year, from October to December, we launch the MMS Fund campaign to hit 100% participation from families, faculty, and staff. You can donate to any of the specific programs that resonate with you most or to our “Area of Greatest Need.” No matter what our role in the MMS community, we’re all in this together! Why Should I Give? “We make sure that our children are set up to thrive in their educational experience, and part of that means giving to the MMS Fund. Participation in the MMS Fund is so important, no matter the amount, to keep the school thriving." - Meg Troy and Dan Butz “I wish I could contribute my time and effort more to the School, but I am limited in that way. Instead, I give to the MMS Fund so that they can continue to provide our students with the best educational experience.” - Nevin Biggs How Can I Give? On the Website: www.milwaukee-montessori.org/donate.htm Cash at the Front Desk Mail a Check to Attn: MMS Fund, 345 N 95th St, Milwaukee, WI, 53226 Workplace Giving Through United Way: Talk to Your HR Department
Milwaukee Montessori School 345 N 95th Street Milwaukee, WI 53226 P: (414) 259-0370 F: (414) 259-0427 www.milwaukee-montessori.org mmsadmin@milwaukee-montessori.org