August, 2020
 
Dear Parents and Students of Upper Elementary Room 104,
 
Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year at The Montessori Academy!  Please review the documents below and return all forms to the office no later than Friday, August 14th.  

As you know, these past months have been extremely challenging.  Initially what we thought would be a 2-4 week absence from our comforting school surroundings rapidly turned into a months-long quarantine from our beloved school, family, friends, and more.  Yet, throughout all of this, we have persisted and we have persevered.  We have never been so grateful for technology.  We have risen to these extreme challenges and we are set to do it again, in Mustang style. 
 
Our Upper Elementary team is Helen Muffoletto, Terri Foley, and Kathy Kolata.  Unfortunately for us, Chandler Miller has moved on to a new job in a different field.  We will miss him a great deal but wish him the best on his new adventure! 
 
Over the past months, the Upper Elementary team has been working on setting up our environment to welcome the students back on Monday, August 24th.  We have arranged the seating in a way that allows for community but is far enough away to account for social distancing.  We are in the process of getting plexiglass barriers for the tables so that the students can still see one another and have conversation, but also be protected from any possible germ transmissions.  As another added precaution, everyone in the elementary building must wear a mask.  We have tried a wide variety of masks this summer and are happy to share with you what we have found most comfortable and easy to wear for long periods of time. 
 
Each student will have their own materials.  My mom, Ann, has been making chair back covers with pockets so that the students can store their notebooks and folders.  Each of the students will also have an under-table shelf where they can store heavier items, such as books.  The students will additionally have a storage container on top of their tables which will store their individual colored pencils, sharpener, pencils, markers, eraser, etc.
 
We will be keeping our classroom door and windows open as much as possible, so suggest that your child bring a sweater or light jacket with them in case they get cold.  They can store this on the back of their chair.  Please see the NEW Arrival and Dismissal Procedures below. Arrival and Dismissal will take place through the courtyard into our classroom's exterior door. We will be spending a great deal of time outside – from recess to actual class time.  We will practice social distancing, but believe it is incredibly important for the students to enjoy time out in the fresh air where they can enjoy the benefits of sunshine and time with friends. 
  
Please refer to the Phase-In schedule (below) for your child’s schedule for the week of August 24th.  The Phase-In schedule allows for an easier transition to a new environment.  
 
At the beginning of the school year, the Upper Elementary typically spends one night and two days at Camp Eberhart.  We will not be doing that this year.  However, please know that we are working diligently on coming up with community-bonding activities that will allow our students to feel a part of the Upper Elementary experience.  We are also looking into virtual field trips and welcome any ideas that you may have regarding this.
 
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.  See you soon!
 
Warm Regards,
 
Kathy Kolata, Teacher/Elementary Division Chair
574-256-5313, ext. 226
kkolata@tma-el.org
 
Phase-In Schedule
Walker Permission Form

TMA'S REOPENING PLAN
2020-21 SCHOOL CALENDAR
NEW ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL PARENTS
​HEALTH FORMS