(1st-6th Grade)

Lake Mary Montessori Elementary faculty is dedicated to fostering a passion for learning. Both the Lower (1st-3rd Grade) and Upper (4th-6th Grade) elementary grades are distinguished by a grouping of children covering a three year learning cycle. This multi-aged learning environment stimulates the development of cultural literacy for each child. The focus in the Montessori classroom is to create a learning setting that is individual based and to challenge each child academically. Our goal is to create self confident, caring citizens of the world. Their intellectual, moral, physical, creative, artistic and musical development is equally important.

Dr. Maria Montessori developed the curricula and materials for the child to be exposed to all facets of learning. The reading and writing skills are a spring board into the deep, rich experience, which is known as the Montessori experiences for the child. These skills enable the child to gain access to the real focus and substance of a Montessori Education: Science, History, Politics, Peace Education, Economics, Botany, Zoology, Music and Art History. The Montessori tradition evolved out of the European tradition of academic excellence and offers and exciting, education for the children from 1st-6th grade.

The difference between the Lower and Upper Elementary Classes is a gradual growth experience toward project based learning. The children research topics in depth spanning several weeks and present their finding to their peers. The children utilize planner to organize their individual work load with respect to due dates for assignment. The goal is to lead the child into abstract learning across the curriculum. We inspire the children to learn how to think. Rather than present students with all the “right answers”, Montessori teachers ask the “right question” and challenge them to find new solutions or discover the answers on their own.

At LMMA the children have worked together for many years and have become a family and true community of learners, which each person is valued and given the ability to shine in all areas of their development. Admissions into the program is typically given to a family moving from a Montessori Environment or children moving up from within our school. This is not an entry point for children who have begun their schooling in another setting.

The LMMA Elementary School is accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA).

Music Annual Fund – 2009-2010

Frequently Asked Questions about the LMMA Annual Fund Drive

FAQ: Why are we conducting this Annual Fund?
As parents and business professionals, we know fundraising is necessary for every school. However, it is not necessary to expose all of us to spending hundreds of hours planning a gala, dinner, raffle or calendar/gift-wrap event. We want to focus on the need to accomplish our goal in a simple, straightforward manner.

FAQ: What are the objectives for this year?
To have 100% family participation in the fund.
Raise $35,000 to expand both the primary and elementary music curriculums.

FAQ: Why expand the music curriculum?
As Montessori teachers, we believe that the musical experience for the child should be organic and continual throughout their school day. We approach music as a way of awakening the child’s soul. It is an integral part of the child’s learning and provides vibrancy and enriches each day. For this to occur, the teachers need specific music training and expanded musical instruments need to be purchased for both primary and elementary programs.

FAQ: How much are we expected to give?
Consistent with the long-standing “LMMA Community Approach” and the specific objectives for this year, we would like for you to provide as much or as little as you can. No contribution is too small—100% participation is the key to our success. This is our school and our community; knowing that every family participated demonstrates the sense of community that we have. Due to the confidential nature of the Annual Fund, only Scott and Sheila are in receipt of the checks.

FAQ: How does it benefit my child?
Primary Children: The children will have the benefit of having their teachers attend two levels of MusikGarten training. The children will have a rich curriculum designed for children ages 3-6 taught to them. They will have trained primary teachers, a Music Specialist teaching (2) eight weeks cycles of music curriculum, and have access to a complete set of rhythm and percussion materials readily available in their own classroom.

Elementary Children: The children will benefit by having an expanded component of musical instruments available for Mrs. Troum, our Music Specialist. This will enhance the amount of time each child will have to play on the instruments. Additionally, their classroom teacher will have training on how to integrate music into other areas of the classroom.

FAQ: Why should I give if my children may not be attending school at LMMA next year?
You may still want to participate in the campaign for a number of reasons: to thank the school for what they have provided your child, to provide the benefit for your child next semester, or simply to provide an ongoing legacy to our school.

FAQ: Why is there a committee working on this and not Scott and Sheila?
There is a long-standing practice in schools to not have the leaders of the school directly involved in these fundraising activities. Scott and Sheila are focusing on the operations of the school. We have volunteered our time to help improve the school. However, Scott and Sheila will be the only individual’s privy to the collected funds.

FAQ: Why can’t the tuition increase cover these investments?
The focus of the tuition is on everyday operations. We are choosing as parents to invest in our school and children to enhance and enrich their overall music development.

FAQ: Who will be conducting the training and purchasing the instruments?
Jill Hannagan, a National Trainer for MusikGarten with 20 years of experience will train the primary teachers.
The first training session will occur in November and the second session in May.

Julie Troum, our Music Specialist, will train the elementary teachers. She holds B. Music from the University of Miami, a M.Ed. in Music Education from UCF, a Doctoral Candidate in Music Education from The University South Florida. She will train the elementary teachers.

An AMS certified trainer will visit to train us on the Montessori Bells. This session will be two days.
Sheila Linville, Liz Stiers, and Julie Troum will purchase the materials.

FAQ: How can I help and what is the deadline?
You can help by simply participating and sharing your enthusiasm with others. Remember what this community stands for and how we have achieved what we have. We are successful based on our selfless participation in our children’s lives. We would like all contributions by October 30th.

FAQ: How will I be recognized? Why don’t we have a master list of contributors like other charities I give to?
Scott and Sheila originally suggested a formal recognition. The committee discussed this and felt that any money raised should be recognized in a manner consistent with the “LMMA Community Approach”. We want to highlight the 100% contribution, not the level of contribution. The committee values the sense of community over individual recognition. Sheila will personally pen notes to thank each family.

FAQ: Why are the children being asked to contribute?
Consistent with LMMA’s pillar of “life-long commitment to give something back through service to others who are in need”, we believe the children should see that giving back to their school is important and valued.

We intend for the children’s contribution to be a token and to allow them to participate in the excitement.

FAQ: Why are we asking “Friends and Family” to contribute?
At the suggestion of the committee, last year we sent out a “Friends and Family” letter asking families to pass this along. Aunts, Uncles, grandparents and friends responded and gave. So it is with this that we want to share their grandchild’s school life with them. We feel that their grandchild is a gift to us. We will ask at the Back to School Night if there is a family who wishes that we do not contact the grandparents or other family and we will be respectful of this request.

FAQ: Who are the Annual Fund committee members? Can I contact them with questions?
Yes, you may contact them as they have graciously provided their information below

Dottie and Allan VonDette dvondette@embarqmail.com
allanv@embarqmail.com
Cheryl Fitch Cheryl.Fitch@hewitt.com
Chad Drummond cddrummond@gmail.com
Lisa Vratanina lisav@tpcflorida.com
Nathalie VanderStichele nbruynooghe@imcg.us
Chris MacInnis cmacinnis@cfl.rr.com
Montgomery Escue Montgomery.escue@agenergy.com
Reid Oetjen roetjen@ucf.edu
Maria Zankl mariazankl@gmail.com
Rob Zankl rzankl@gmail.com

Parents may find these sites helpful to grasp the Orff Approach:

Additional Information:

http://www.sd68.k12.il.us/schools/devonshire/musicsite/Houseproject/index.html

http://www.aosa.org/orff.html

Primary Music Objectives
Meaningful Music Learning
Annual Fund Update
2009 FAQ – {pdf download}
Annual Fund Newsletter

September 2009 – January 2010

 (Different amounts are due to holidays on certain hot lunch days.)

MONDAY’S – Subway  

 Semester Cost $87.50

Includes choice of Ham or

Turkey Sandwich, Cookie & Juice

TUESDAY’S – Dalli’s Cheese Pizza

 homemade with local ingredients    

Semester Cost $112.50

Includes pizza & bottled water

  THURSDAY’S & FRIDAY’S –  Wholesome Tummies

Please see attached information and order directly from them.

www.wholesometummies.com

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