August 31, 2023

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR. MONTESSORI!

Celebrating 153 Years

The American Montessori Society has published an open letter to Maria Montessori for her 153rd birthday. Here's the introductory paragraph. Read the entire letter online.

Dear Maria Montessori,

Millions of people are walking the earth leading better lives of peace and fulfillment because you came along in 1870 and then later dared to pursue your dream to pierce the armor of a men only club that deprived women of the right to become medical doctors. Lesser humans might have stopped there, but you possessed the power of imagination. As we know, the power to imagine makes us infinite and you imagined a world at peace because you listened to what the child was telling you.

LABOR DAY HOLIDAY

Monday | September 4 | Student Holiday

The school will be closed on Monday, September 4, in observance of Labor Day. Enjoy the 3-day weekend!

GRANDPARENTS & SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY

September 7

We invite all grandparents and special friends to join us on Thursday, September 7, for an enjoyable morning with their young loved ones. It will be a wonderful opportunity to share some quality time together and to learn more about where the children spend their days. Please keep an eye out for more details on when to arrive for your visit.

Families are invited to attend at various times so visitors will have a better chance at parking in the parking lot, rather than the overflow parking on the grass north of the building:

9:00-9:45 am - Toddler 1 and all of Early Childhood
10:30-11:00 am - Lower Elementary
11:00-11:30 am - Toddler 2 and Upper Elementary

Please enter through the front doors and we will be happy to direct you to the appropriate location. We look forward to welcoming you and your family on the 7th!

ANNUAL MEETING

Thursday | September 28 | 5:30-7:00 pm

Please join us for the Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 28, from 5:30-7:00 pm. Pam will provide an overview of the successes of the last year and a look forward to our upcoming year. Dinner and free childcare for students who currently attend TMA will be provided. Please RSVP so we can plan accordingly.

JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY

Saturday | September 30 | 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Do you want to learn how some of the Montessori materials are used so you can better understand what the children do at school all day? Then we have the event for you!

Please join us for a powerful experience where you will be immersed in Montessori philosophy, from the Nido class through Upper Elementary. Parents will first be asked to experience the classroom as a silent observer, refraining from touching materials or speaking to others in the room. After this observation, you will become an active participant, receiving lessons and completing work using Montessori materials, from the Pink Tower to Test Tubes. Participants must be able to stay for the full time and enrollment is limited to the first 25 individuals who RSVP. Please join us for this amazing learning opportunity!

Lunch and free childcare for students who are toddler-age or older and who currently attend TMA will be provided. Unfortunately, we cannot provide care for students in the Nido class because the room is utilized for the event. Please RSVP so we can plan accordingly.

IMMUNIZATION CHECK

Has anything changed regarding the immunization status of your child(ren)? Licensing requires TMA to report immunization records by December, therefore, please send us your updates. If you need a form to bring to your doctor's office, the Parent Resources page (pw: #TMAparents) has them all under Resources > Forms. Unsure about requirements? Click the appropriate link(s) below:

For exemptions, please refer to the Texas Immunization Exemptions website for instructions.

Remember, if your child received a vaccine (excluding the flu vaccine) or filed for an exemption any time since your last submission of records, please send an updated account to Kristen Ramos, Records & Office Administrator. Thank you for keeping your child’s records up to date!

DROP OFF AND PICK UP MAP UPDATE

We have updated the Drop Off/Pick Up Map to include the traffic flow for times when the line extends beyond the entry gate. Please note, elementary parents should remain on the right side of the driveway if outside of the gate so parents in the Lower School are able to go around and make their way to the south side of the parking lot.

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

The after-school activities page has been updated to include the activities for the upcoming school year. All programs will begin after Labor Day and parents pay the providers directly. If you have any questions, please reach out!

GENTLE REMINDER FOR DROP OFF

Early Childhood and Elementary Only

For students in Early Childhood or Elementary, if you arrive after morning carline is over, please come into the building through the main entrance with your child and an administrator will walk with your child to their classroom. While it is tempting to just open the door and let your child in, we need parents to come in and ensure an adult is aware of your child's arrival. Thank you!

WAYS TO SEE THE TMA CONNECTION

We want to reach you wherever you are:

Text - NEW way to sign up! Text tma connection to 817-274-1548 or opt in here
Bloomz - Check the Bloomz app for a link.
TMA Family Network - Check FB for a link.
Parent Resources (password is #TMAparents) - A link to all of the issues will be listed under Resources → Documents/Newsletters.
Email - We will continue to send the TMA Connection via email.

August 31, 2023 Happy Birthday Dr. Montessori!