Thursday, August 29, 2019

Thursday, August 29, 2019 Dear Parents, The second and third graders have done a great job making the first graders feel welcome and modeling proper work habits. The first graders are working hard to learn the new routines and new work. It’s been a super first week and I’m having lots of fun working with your children. This week we have been working on learning the routines, reviewing math operations, writing, practicing our handwriting, and getting to know each other. As part of Maria Montessori’s first Great Lesson, we have also been reading Creation Stories from around the world. Next week we will learn about the scientific story of how the universe began. The students have enjoyed listening and acting out the various stories and will be writing their own. In addition to the Thursday folder information the students are very excited about the first homework of the year! I would like the students to read or be read to for at least 20 minutes a night and complete the spelling work by the following Thursday. If the week is too hectic to get it done by Thursday, I’ll take it whenever it is done. Thursday will be the day the students are tested on their spelling words. Our first spelling test will be next Thursday, September 5. Our specialist schedule changed slightly. On Wednesdays we will be going to Library at 10:20 instead of 9:10 and to Music on Thursdays at 9:10 instead of 10:20. Here is the new schedule. Monday: 10:20-10:50 P.E. Tuesday: 9:45-10:15 P.E., 10:20-10:50 Music Wednesday: 10:20-10:50 Library Thursday: 9:10-9:40, Music 9:45-10:15 P.E. Friday: 9:10-10:10 Art/Health The students did a fabulous job during the evacuation drill on Monday! The students walked over to the Federal Building safely and quietly during this practice drill. I was very proud of them. Please mark your calendars for Thursday, September 26 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. This is your chance to visit the classroom and find out more about the Montessori program at the Denali Open House. I look forward to seeing you then. You can go to www.denalimontessori177.blogspot.com and enter your email to receive an automatic email anytime I post a newsletter, like this one, or any other items I need to inform you about. If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at moyer_craig@asdk12.org or call or write me a note. Have a wonderful sunny and smoke free (I hope) Labor Day weekend! Please remember there is no school on Monday. Sincerely, Craig Moyer

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Thursday, August 22, 2019 Dear Parents, I’d first like to introduce myself. My name is Craig Moyer. This is my fourteenth year at Denali Montessori and my twenty-third year in the Anchorage School District. My wife, Sarah, is a lawyer and has put up with me now for twenty-five years of married life. We have three daughters, Siena, Ariana, and Clara. Siena is twenty and is double majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics at UAA. Ariana and Clara are twins that are eighteen and will be starting at UAA this fall. Clara will pursue a nursing degree and Ariana pre-medical degree with the goal of becoming a medical examiner. Our son, Aidan, is ten years old and is a fifth grader here at Denali Montessori. It will be a lot quieter at home this year with all the girls out of the house. I am very excited to be working with you and your children this year! In order for your child to have a productive year, I will need your help and support. I believe in a system that acknowledges the freedoms and responsibilities of students and teacher. In order for us to work in a safe, courteous classroom free from interruptions, the students have the responsibility to follow the class and school rules. 1. Be Safe 2. Be Respectful and Kind 3. Be Responsible 4. Be Ready I have also included the Freedom and Responsibility guidelines in today’s folder as well. This will give you and your child a better understanding of how the Montessori classroom works well. It is important that we work together to give your child a quality education. Please feel free to call me or send me an email if you have any questions or concerns. I will send some of your child’s work in his/her Thursday folder. The folder will also include classroom and school news. I also send homework in the Thursday folders and it is due by the following Thursday. If you can’t finish it by Thursday, I’ll take it whenever it is done. Thursday will be the day the students are tested on their spelling words. I will send homework in next week’s folder. Our first spelling test will be Thursday, September 5. Please look at your child’s work. Students are proud of their accomplishments and it is a means of tracking your child’s progress. In the Montessori class, most of the students’ work is kept in the classroom in their individual work folders to show progress throughout the year. Our specialist schedule is as follows: Monday: 10:20-10:50 P.E. Tuesday: 9:45-10:15 P.E., 10:20-10:50 Music Wednesday: 9:10-9:40 Library Thursday: 9:45-10:15 P.E., 10:20-10:50 Music Friday: 9:10-10:10 Art/Health The students go to recess at 11:00 and lunch will be eaten in the classroom this year at 11:40! I am very excited about eating in a more relaxed environment and being able to instill the Montessori grace and courtesy lessons into our lunchtime. If your child needs a snack to make it to lunch or for the afternoon, please pack extra for your child and he/she may eat it when needed during the morning or afternoon. I have a snack cabinet for those that have hot lunch or don’t have a snack. I have stocked it for the first week and would appreciate parents to help stock it throughout the year. I will put a notice in the weekly newsletter letting you know when the cupboard is bare. We are a nut free classroom this year! All snacks and lunches must be nut free! We have several students with severe allergies to nuts. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our children safe! Ms. Dene has sent the following announcement. “Monday August 26 at 9:30 we will have an intruder drill. We will announce all three levels; the stay-put, the lock-down, and the evacuation. We will all walk to the Federal Building. Teachers and the Federal Building have practiced this. Listen to your teacher to guide you, stay with your class, and follow all directions. Remember no talking during a drill.” You can go to www.denalimontessori177.blogspot.com and enter your email to receive an automatic email anytime I post a newsletter, like this one, or any other items I need to inform you about. I look forward to working with you and your child. I am anticipating a productive and fun year. Sincerely, Craig Moyer