2025-09 September Newsletter

“The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.”

—Maria Montessori

Calendar of Events

The above information is from a “Google Calendar” and can be added to any Google Account by clicking here.

Principal’s Welcome

Welcome to the start of another inspiring and enriching school year at MMEC! As we begin the 2025–26 academic year, I am delighted to extend my warmest greetings and share my excitement for the learning journeys that await us.

At Maria Montessori Education Centre, our commitment to the Montessori philosophy continues to guide everything we do. We remain dedicated to cultivating a learning environment that sparks curiosity, nurtures independence, and empowers each child to grow into a confident, compassionate, and lifelong learner. Our team of passionate educators is eager to support your child’s academic progress and personal development while working in close partnership with you.

This year, we look forward to deepening our focus on innovation, creativity, and community—ensuring that every student feels seen, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential. I encourage you to stay actively engaged with your child’s experiences, and to reach out whenever you have questions, ideas, or feedback. Together, we can continue building a vibrant, inclusive school community where collaboration and open communication thrive.

As we embrace this new school year, let us approach it with optimism, joy, and a shared commitment to discovery and growth. Thank you for your trust, partnership, and ongoing support. Here’s to a wonderful year filled with friendship, exploration, and meaningful learning!

Warm regards,
Amanda Kershaw
Principal, MMEC

President/Board Chair Welcome

Servejit Massey

On behalf of myself and the MMEC Board, it is my humble pleasure to welcome you to a new school year! Whether your family is returning or joining us for the first time, we are grateful you’ve chosen to be part of our vibrant and intentional learning community.

As we begin another year together, I want to take a moment to reflect on what makes our school experience so meaningful. At the heart of everything we do are the enduring principles of the Montessori philosophy — a child-centered approach grounded in respect, independence, curiosity, and a deep belief in the potential of every learner.

Throughout our classrooms, from Toddler to Erdkinder these principles come to life in meaningful ways:

• Prepared environments are carefully designed to foster autonomy, exploration, and hands-on discovery.
  
• Multi-age groupings encourage collaboration, peer learning, and a sense of responsibility among students.
  
• Freedom within limits allows children to make choices in their learning while developing self-discipline and intrinsic motivation.
  
• Guides (teachers) observe and support each child’s unique developmental journey, offering just the right level of challenge and encouragement.
  
• Peace education and global citizenship are embedded into daily life, teaching children empathy, community, and care for the world around them.

Our board remains deeply committed to supporting the school’s mission and ensuring the long-term health of our community. This includes using resources wisely, supporting our exceptional staff, and continually working to deepen the alignment between Montessori principles and school leadership.

As we look to the year ahead, we are filled with hope and confidence. We believe that the Montessori approach is not only an education method — it is a powerful foundation for lifelong learning, resilience, and purposeful living.

We invite you to stay engaged, connect with your classroom communities, and reach out to me with your ideas and insights. Together, we can make this a joyful, enriching, and empowering year for every child.

Board Composition

Servejit Massey – President and Chair
Catharina Undheim – Secretary/Treasurer
Chad McCormick – Director
Kate MacLellan – Director
Robert Lassu – Director
Jenson Tan – Director
Frida Ismail – Director
Andre Shoucri – Director

With gratitude and warm wishes for a wonderful school year ahead!

Sincerely,
Servejit

Family Barbecue and Open Houses (both campuses)

Families from both campuses are invited to join us at the Chief Crowfoot location for a welcome-back barbecue in the school field on Friday, September 5th, from noon to 1 pm. (Inclement weather plan not yet established.)

Please bring a blanket, lawn chairs and drinks and enjoy meeting new and returning families. Families are also invited to attend an open house at their respective campuses to meet classroom staff and visit their classrooms.

cSpace Open House: 10:30 am – 11:30 am.
Chief Crowfoot BBQ: Noon to 1 pm.
Chief Crowfoot Open House: 1 pm – 2:00 pm.

First Day of School

School for all returning students (primary and elementary) starts on Monday, September 8. Primary children (Casa and Toddler) new to Montessori will be staggered as per the Primary Welcome Document schedule. Should you have any questions, please email Servejit at [email protected].

Saying Goodbye

Our goal is to ensure a smooth and peaceful transition each morning by fostering independence and confidence in every child. With the exception of toddlers, children must enter the school environment independently. Give your child the gift of independence and let them know that they are capable by allowing them to walk in on their own!

Each class will enter through a designated door, where they will be greeted by a staff member who will walk them to their classroom. Once inside, another staff member will welcome them and assist them in settling into their morning routine. Toddler children should be accompanied directly to their classroom by a parent or caregiver.We recognize that morning drop-offs can be emotional, especially at the start of the year. However, we kindly ask that parents avoid lingering at the entrance, waving from a distance, or negotiating goodbyes. These actions can often make the transition more difficult for the child. A calm, confident, and brief farewell helps set a positive tone for the day—your approach plays a big role in your child’s comfort.

Arrival and Dismissal

Students enter and exit the school daily through designated doors and at specified times for ease and convenience. Children are expected to enter the school independently of a parent/caregiver, except for toddlers. Thank you for respecting your child’s independence. We appreciate your timeliness! Please see below.

Main Campus

Toddler drop-off between 8:10 and 8:20 am.
Toddler 1 enters through the back parking lot door near the waste disposal bins.
Toddler 2 enters through the main parking lot door off of 13 Ave.
Half-day children are dismissed at 11:30 am, and full-day children may stay until 5 pm.

Casa drop off between 8:15 and 8:25 am.
Casa 1 enters through the main parking lot door off 13 Ave.
Casa 2 enters through the back parking lot door near the waste disposal bins.
Casa 3 enters through the back parking lot gym door.
Half-day children are dismissed at 11:30 am, full-day children may stay until 6 pm, and Kindergarten children are dismissed at 3:25 pm.

Lower Elementary drop-off between 8:15 and 8:30 am.
All lower elementary children will meet their class group at the school field for supervised play and enter the school with their class through the playground doors.
Children are dismissed at 3:35 pm at the school field.

Upper Elementary drop-off between 8:15 and 8:30 am.
All upper elementary children will meet their class group at the school field for supervised play and enter the school with their class through the 12 Ave. doors.
Children are dismissed at 3:35 pm through the 12 Ave. doors.

Erdkinder drop-off between 8:15 and 8:30 am.
Erdkinder children enter the gym from the back parking lot doors for free play until 8:35 am when they go to class.
Children are dismissed between 3:35 and 3:40 pm and exit through the Erdkinder parking lot doors.

cSPACE Campus

Toddler drop-off between 8:15 and 8:30 am.
Toddler children are brought to their class by a parent/caregiver through the parking lot doors.
Half-day children are dismissed at 11:30 am, and full-day children may stay until 5 pm.

Casa drop off between 8:15 and 8:30 am.
Casa children are greeted by a staff member at the door of the classroom (parents remain in the hallway).
Half-day children are dismissed at 11:30 am, full-day children may stay until 5 pm, and kindergarten children are dismissed at 3:30 pm (dismissal is from the classroom).

Punctuality and Attendance

We are committed to ensuring children arrive at school on time (8:30 am at the latest). Timely arrivals teach children routines, commitments and respect for others’ time. Late arrivals not only disrupt the classroom environment, but the late student will miss out on social opportunities, as well as learning opportunities and lessons that occur in the morning. Your timely arrival after school at pick-up times is equally important, as classroom and office staff are busy preparing for the next school day. To support a positive school experience, please prioritize regular attendance and timeliness.

Before and After School Care (Main Campus)

Before and after-school care will be operational beginning Monday, September 8 (before care from 7 to 8:15 am and aftercare from 3:30 to 6 pm). Students are grouped according to age and placed with the appropriate care provider. While students move between the gym, lower elementary classrooms and the playground, programming will include arts, crafts, sports, and free play.

Saaeda Sarwar provides morning care, and the aftercare providers are Kerrigan Dubeau, Winnie Mei, Klarisse Gishti, and Diamond Sullivan. Children arriving for morning care must be escorted into the building via the back gym door by a parent/caregiver and signed in. After school, children will seamlessly transition to the care program upon dismissal at 3:30 pm. Aftercare parents must sign out their child before leaving. Please do not take your children home without connecting with one of the care providers.

Children should bring an additional snack to eat before/after school. This snack should follow the Canada Food Guide (no sugary and highly processed foods, please).

Also, please ensure that your child is prepared for the weather, as the children go out to play daily. Please note that toys and games from home are not permitted as items can be damaged or misplaced, resulting in unhappy children.

Allergies and Medical Conditions

Prior to the start of school, please help us collect the necessary information about any medical conditions, food intolerances, allergies, celiac disease, etc., that may impact your child in our care. Medical information can be updated via an email to [email protected]. 

If your child requires medication or an EpiPen while at school, please come by the office to complete a form (inhalers, EpiPens, ADHD meds, etc.). Forms can be emailed to [email protected] or brought to the office on September 8th, accompanied by the necessary medications if possible. Please take note of the following:

• If your child requires an EpiPen/Allerject, please provide two. One is kept in the classroom and one in the staff room, accessible to all staff members. Children younger than grade 7 may not carry their own injectors.
• Children may carry their inhalers, but the office needs to be notified and a medical authorization form completed.
• If your child requires medication throughout the year, please bring the medication to the school office and complete a medical authorization form. A staff member will administer the meds. Children may not self-medicate.
• All prescription and over-the-counter medications, such as Advil and Tylenol, are kept in a locked box in the office and administered as prescribed.
• If your child takes medication at home, please share that information with us (medication for ADHD).

Photos: MMEC over summer

Plum tree. Garden. Non-glossy paint for gym video projection.