From our history books...

In preparation of our upcoming AMS 30th Anniversary Celebration on 2/2/08, a few notes about the history of AMS:

Summer 2002 - Groundbreaking for new school

January 2003 - AMS opens in our current building!

2006 - Merger of the 2 Lower Elementary classrooms

2007 - Opened 3rd morning toddler class, added 3rd afternoon preschool class


Are you or is someone you know an AMS alum? We're working on compiling stories from the 30 years of AMS for our upcoming anniversary. Please contact AMS's own Amanda U. at: amandalynak@gci.net with memories of the AMS experience.

BIG thanks to AMY at the front desk for her suggestion to include a celebration of the history of AMS!

A few things to remember...

eScrip:

As of 12/12/07, 147 people are registered for eScrip to benefit Anchorage Montessori School. We held a contest during parent-teacher conference time in November. Awards will be presented to the classroom with the highest total number of people registered for eScrip, and with the highest percentage of people registered for eScrip.

100 AMS families are still not registered. To register, simply email your Carrs/Safeway card number to Karen.padgett@alaska.com. If you don’t know your number (usually 11 digits starting with 46…), please call Safeway Customer Service at 1-877-723-3929 to find out what it is or sign up for a new one at any Carrs store.

30th Anniversary Celebration:

There's a HUGE opportunity for earning volunteer hours. The 30th Anniversary AMS Celebration and Reception will be held February 2, 2008 in the ConocoPhillips Atrium. Our guest of honor will be our AMS founder Betsy Howard and it's promising to be an exciting evening.

If your excited about this volunteer opportunity and helping celebrate the rich history of AMS please contact: Sherry Lentfer at:
sherry_lentfer@yahoo.com

Just for Fun...a lesson in Spanish from AMS Mom & Spanish teacher Karen P., your toddler/preschooler may already know this!:

Every week, at the end of Spanish class, we sing the following song twice, to the tune of “Goodnight, Ladies.”

Adios, niños, adios, niñas (ah-DYOS NEE-nyohs, NEE-nyahs)
Adios todos (TOH-dohs)
Ya me voy (yah may boy)

Translation: Goodbye, boys, goodbye, girls, I’m going now.

Advice from Sue Keller...

Sue Keller, a Montessori trainer who worked at AMS from ~1985-1995 and is a Montessori trainer in Boulder, Colorado, gave a free lecture open parents and teachers at Midnight Sun Montessori School on 12/7/07. At least 6 AMS parents & teachers attended.

Some key points one parent noted from Sue’s lecture:

It’s a matter of Behavior Understanding, not Behavior Management

From 0-6, the body is in control, not the mind. A change starts at age 3 because language is getting stronger. The more they talk, the more they learn to control their body.

Give them “2 yesses for every no”

Maria Montessori said, “Every useless aid hinders development.” Look for ways to cut the adult out of the picture of a child’s activity.

Recommended reading: Self-Esteem: A Family Affair, by Jean Clarke

Enjoy the ride. Childhood has an expiration date.

Toddler traits: Transductive reasoning (2 unrelated events are related in a toddler’s mind). Everything is alive (ie they think a rock will grow into a mountain). Can only focus on one aspect of an activity at a time.

Ideas: Designate a shelf of the fridge and a cupboard for the kids to help themselves.
Take labels of items you need to the store and let the child find the items.

From 0-3, it takes 8 seconds for a toddler to register what you’ve asked them to do. Ask once. Wait 8-10 seconds, then take action.

BIG THANKS to AMS Mom & Spanish teacher Karen P. for her notes from the lecture!

30 years ~ where did the time go?

Did you know the children that attend AMS are part of a 30 year history? In preparation for the upcoming 30th Anniversary Celebration of AMS, the AMS Parent Blog wanted to share a few highlights of this rich AMS history with you, our readers...watch for these in the coming weeks as we prepare to toast 30 years of AMS on 2/2/08!

1977 AMS opened in September with one classroom in the First American Baptist Church building at the corner of LaTouche and Northern Lights. The co-teachers/administrations were Toni Serpe-Davies and Betsey Howard. There was a maximum of 18 children in each session (morning and afternoon). The school received non-profit status this year.

BIG thanks to Amy at the front desk for the suggestion of educating our readers about the history of AMS!

Need Volunteer Hours?

The year is half over, but there's a HUGE opportunity for earning volunteer hours. The 30th Anniversary AMS Celebration and Reception will be held February 2, 2008 in the ConocoPhillips Atrium. Our guest of honor will be our AMS founder Betsy Howard and it's promising to be an exciting evening.

We need volunteers for the following projects:

1) Helping Betsy call AMS alumnus

2) Assisting with set-up that evening

3) Collecting and tallying the RSVP's

4) Misc. volunteer projects for the event

If your excited about this volunteer opportunity and helping celebrate the rich history of AMS please contact: Sherry Lentfer at:
sherry_lentfer@yahoo.com

Did you see the donation tree?

There's a lovely tree in the AMS atrium. On many of the branches are slips of paper with necessary items listed for the day-to-day operations at AMS. Ranging from $30 for TP (!) to many more $$ for Co-Sponsoring the AMS Auction the donation tree provides options for every budget in considering a **tax deductible** donation to AMS.

Please stop by the donation tree at your next AMS visit and keep your child's education in mind for holiday giving.

So many things to do...

Going out-of-town on holiday? This time of year there seem to be too many things to do...but the U.S. Postal Service offers one easy on-line option: holding your mail with just a click. Simply visit the website below, enter your personal address information and you can place your mail on hold beginning anytime in the next two weeks. Chalk up this method as one less trip you'll have to make to the Post Office this holiday season... and one less line you'll find yourself standing in...

Put your mail on hold today!:

https://holdmail.usps.com/duns/HoldMail.jsp

Montessori Workshop Opportunity

This Friday, December 7th local school Midnight Sun Montessori will be hosting a Behavior Management Workshop for Parents. Hosted by Sue Kennedy, an Infant/Toddler Education Instructor from the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. Many of our own AMS teachers have been educated at the MEC of the Rockies.

The workshop will run from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Midnight Sun Montessori at 1130 W. 19th Ave. Childcare will be provided and there is a dessert potluck. Please RSVP to: sandy@midnightsunmontessori.com

AMS Teacher's ART

Our Toddler Teacher, Amanda Ungerecht, will have some of her pieces on display & for sale at Half Moon Creek Gallery. The Holiday Open House at the gallery will be on Friday the 7th of December. Amanda does fused glass work, amazing candle lanterns, jewelry, and stained glass. Get out and show your support for Amanda this Friday!

What do you remember?

In honor of the upcoming 30th Anniversary of Anchorage Montessori School we're looking for alumni and parents that have memories to share. If you attended AMS and have anecdotes about your AMS experience we want to hear from you! If you know someone with AMS history still living in Anchorage or beyond *please* have them contact us as well... we're working on compiling stories from the 30 years of AMS. For more information on this project, please contact AMS's own Amanda Ungerecht at: amandalynak@gci.net

Thank you for your support!

Celebrate in 2008!

With the holidays fast approaching, 2008 will be here quickly - so the AMS Parent Blog wanted to update it's readers on a few upcoming AMS events in the new year.
In early February we will be toasting to 30 years of Anchorage Montessori School -- where did the time go? This event will be designed for the celebration of our AMS community and the 30 years of history we share with students, alumni and parents across the globe.
Then in late Spring (exact dates: TBD) we will be bringing you the thrill and convenience of an online auction -- be it from your living room, your kitchen, your office or wherever you internet... you'll be able to bid on exciting items while supporting your child's education at AMS. All this from the comfort of your computer chair!

Books & Bears

Elgin Jones has served over 600,000 meals to Anchorage children over the past eleven years and is lovingly known as Grandpa Elgin.

Grandpa Elgin has a dream of giving all his kids a teddy bear to love and a book to read this holiday season. Our goal is to make this dream a reality by providing 500 books and bears to Grandpa Elgin and you can help! Please consider a tax-deductible donation to Kids' Kitchen today, so we can make this dream a reality this holiday season.

For more information about the "Books and Bears" for Kids' Kitchen campaign, please contact Lisa Conner at 244-2013 or email: Lisa@LisaConner.com -- You can also visit the website for Kids' Kitchen to learn more about this great program: http://www.KidsKitchenAK.com

Just in time...

A perfect gift for your kiddos up here or those you might know in the lower 48: Two books are being sold in the atrium of AMS. Pocketboy's Wish & Pocketboy's Gift -- on special for only $12.00. Both tell the story of Pocketboy's Alaskan adventures as told by author Belinda Hisey. And the best part? 100% of the $12.00 goes directly to AMS and your child's education! Stock up today!

Do you feedblitz?

Did you know you can get the AMS Parent Blog delivered to your inbox? Then there's no remembering to check the blog, just check your email for all the latest updates on AMS and your child's education. Simply type in your email address in the white box labeled feed blitz over there on the left...no junk mail, no spam, just AMS information created just for you!

Do you know any AMS Parents? If you have AMS parents on your email list just simply fwd this website to them...the more community participation the better the blog! Forward today!

A quick lesson in...

Español!

Our very own AMS Mom, Karen Padgett, has been teaching some of our morning toddler and preschool classes Spanish. Just in time for the holiday break is a song you can easily learn (after all your toddler or preschooler may already know it!). For your translating convenience Karen has included pronunciation after the lyrics below...next week we'll teach you the colors (which your child may already know!):

(sung to the tune of “Three Little Indians.”) :

1) Una mano, dos manos
Vamos a contar

2) Una mano, cinco dedos
Vamos a contar

3) Uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco
Vamos a contar

4) Dos manos, diez deditos
Vamos a contar

5) (Then count in a regular voice, not singing)
Uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, nueve, diez (yay!!!!!)

1) (OO-nuh MAH-noh, dohs MAH-nohs=one hand, two hands, sung three time)
(BAH-mohs ah cohn-TAHR=let’s count!)

2) (SEEN-coh DEH-dohs, 5 fingers, sung three times)
(BAH-mohs ah cohn-TAHR=let’s count!)

3) (OO-noh, dohs, trehs, QUA-troh, SEEN-coh, 12345, sung three times)
(BAH-mohs ah cohn-TAHR=let’s count!)

4) (dohs MAH-nos, dee-EHS deh-DEE-tohs=2 hands, 10 (little) findgers, sung three time)
(BAH-mohs ah cohn-TAHR=let’s count!)

Thank you...

A big thank you from Karin Goodman and the Holiday One Stop Shopping event to Caryl Sjostrom for donating the lion’s share of the food for the event and the Roberson, Kelm, Finley, Liles, Fagerstrom, Carter, Aarseth, and Lick families for helping make the event a success.

Keep Shopping...& sitting

For those of you that missed the Holiday Open House this past Saturday, there are still catalogs available at the front desk. You can place your order, take care of holiday gift giving, and still get credits for AMS!

In addition, if your interested in placing a Sensaria order you can contact our very own AMS Mom and Sensaria rep, Jess Badgley at:
jessbadgley@mysensaria.com
Jess can then email you an on-line link so you can shop for Sensaria products and give AMS credits all from the comfort of your cozy computer chair!

Did you miss the Shopping Open House?

If you couldn't attend today you are still welcome to take advantage of the fantastic offers through our fundraiser!! Please visit the following website:

http://www.pamperedchef.biz/afwifecooking

Once you are there please click on the lower left hand corner where it says "Order Products" this will take you to where you can enter our name (Anchorage Montessori School) and place an order there. This will give you the option to have the items shipped to yourself!!!!!
Any questions? Contact Tonya at: tnya831@aol.com

Shop this Saturday!

One Stop Shopping Open House this Saturday November 17th from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at AMS! Invite your friends, neighbors, family, etc. to this exciting event! Vendors include: The Body Shop, Silpada, Simply Fun, The Pampered Chef, Weekender, Tupperware, The Longaberger Company, Southern Living at Home, and Uppercase Living. Come out this Saturday to support AMS and shop for the holidays. Doorprizes and loads of holiday specials!

The 28th Annual Alaska State Karate Championship, December 2nd from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Our very own Lauren, a brown belt, and Casey, a yellow belt, both from Tanaka's Karate School, will be participating in this event. The event will be held at the Unversity of Alaska's Wells Fargo Sports Center. Adult $6.00, students $5.00 and children $3.00.

Also, just a reminder for the Holiday Open House this Saturday the 17th from 11:00 to 3:00. MANY local vendors for your holiday shopping needs!

Shop at AMS...& spread the word

Coming this Saturday, November 17th to AMS is the Holiday Open House. Featuring a variety of local home-based businesess this year's event will include products for home, garden, decorating, gourmet foods, and entertaining. This year's event promises to be just as diverse and perfect for a fun-filled day of shopping, door prizes, and fun. The One Stop Shopping Open House will run from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. If you have any questions on the event, please contact: kgoodman@acsalska.net



Who's on your email list? If you have any AMS families please fwd this blog address to them, word is getting out but we need your help to make sure all AMS families know about this blog as another way to stay in touch with their child's education. Please forward today!

Last Day of Book Fair

Today is the last day of the Blizzard into Books Scholastic Book Fair. Be sure to stop by AMS before 4:00 PM today to take advantage of this great book shopping opportunity. We have a variety of books for all ages and reading levels...come browse today!

Toy Recall: Aqua Dots & Fisher-Price

This week there were 2 major recalls of toys. Please read the following links and forward onto any other parents or grandparents you know...with the holidays approaching these are especially important to read. The first recall news listed involves the Spin Master Aqua Dots product line and the second recall listed involves a Fisher-Price product line. The Spin Master Aqua Dots can cause coma and serious seizures. Fisher-Price's recall involves a choking hazard. Please cut and paste the links into your browser or email to fwd on (the whole link doesn't fit into one line so please include the 2nd line as well in your web browser):

http://money.cnn.com/2007/11/07/news/international/toys_drug.ap/index.htm?cnn=yes

http://money.cnn.com/2007/11/06/news/companies/fisherprice_recall/index.ht

Do you know anyone...

In a home based business in Anchorage? AMS is hosting a fundrasing shopping opportunity. On Saturday November 17th we'll thow open our doors to these local businesses and offer one-stop shopping for all your holidays needs. If you know of someone with a home based business here in Alaska please notify Karin Goodman via email at: kgoodman@acsalaska.net. Last year's event included businesses from home, garden, decorating, gourmet foods, entertaining and books. This year's event promises to be just as diverse and perfect for a fun-filled day of shopping, door prizes, and fun. Contact Karin today!

Looking for...

Anchorage Montessori School is looking for two (2) board members. We are looking for someone with a strong financial and fundraising background. If you are interested in submitting an application or if you know someone who may serve the school well, please notify Amy at the front desk.


Help your child's teacher win $50 or $100 for her or his classroom!:

During Parent-Teacher conferences this week (Nov 8 & 9, 2007), sign up on the eScrip list in your child's classroom. Just write in your name, address, phone number, email address, and Safeway/Carrs card number. Currently-registered people will also be counted. If you are already registered, please write your name on your child's teacher's list and write "already registered." If a friend or family member of yours is already registered, please also write their name on the list and write "already registered." Two $50 awards will be presented, one for the classroom with the highest number of registrants, and one for the classroom with the highest percentage of registrants. The same classroom may win both awards! Questions or comments? Contact Karen.padgett@alaska.com, 349-9987

2 quick items...

A Hamster needs a Home

An AMS family needs to find a good home for their hamster. It comes with a cage and food. Please let Amy at the front desk know if your interested.

NO school...

On Thursday Nov. 8th & Friday Nov. 9th there is NO school for toddlers, preschoolers & kindergartners and early release for elementary.

Books! Books! Books!

Blizzard into Books starts today! ALL this week at AMS the Scholastic Book Fair will be running daily in the 'big room'. Please come and help support AMS while also restocking your library or stocking up on gifts. The holidays are just around the corner and Blizzard into Books offers the *perfect* opportunity to take care of your gift giving all in one stop. For further details on this book event of the season:

http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/publish/anchoragemontessori

Do you or does someone you know work for BP?

Then check out this exciting opportunity to give $500 of BP donations (*not from your pocket*) to your favorite organization, school, or charity. BP is offering you as an employee the opportunity to designate an organization, school or charity as the recipient of a $500 donation right away...and most checks are cut within just a few weeks. A quick and easy way to support your favorite organization, school or charity with just a click! If you need a paper request form, call 866-299-4932 and it will be mailed to you. OR click today and donate:

http://www.fabricfund.bp.com

Shopping & Working earn $$ for AMS!

Both shopping & working can give you two chances to, with little effort on your part, earn valuable $$$ for your child's education.

Did you know that just by shopping online at miniboden.com, nordstrom.com, ebay.com, or even expedia.com you can earn $$ for AMS? There are over 700...yes, 700 merchants that will give $$ to AMS as long as you click from escrip to their sites. It's ridiculously easy, just goto http://www.escrip.com sign up for your FREE account - then start your holiday shopping right away. AND you don't have to just stop there, tell friends, family, random people on the street (?) that they can CLICK for ESCRIP and earn for AMS today!

As for the working part, your employer be it small, medium or large (corporations included) probably has a matching gift program. Some employers use different terminology (corporate gift giving, community support, etc) but ANYTIME you give ANY $ (even $5) your company will most likely match that $ to AMS. Most companies have the forms easily located on their websites or via HR. With just a little time on your part your donations to AMS can double and so too can your impact on your child's education. Match up today!

Do YOU fidget?

Your child might... and Betsey Howard, AMS Director of Education wants your "fidget toys" (see photo for example). They build hand strength, develop motor skills and help kids calm down & concentrate. These types of toys are often given out at conferences as freebies from different vendors. If you’re going to a conference please be on the lookout for them, and consider donating one or more to your child’s class.

A few reminders:

-- The AMS Cash for CANS drive has been extended until November 15th - also looking for a parent to drop off the final can load (volunteer credit!)

-- Next week on Thurs. Nov 8th & Fri. Nov 9th there is NO school for toddlers, preschoolers & kindergartners and early release for the elementary

-- BLIZZARD INTO BOOKS SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR is next week...woo hoo!

One Stop Saturday & Pictures en route

Shopping Open House! Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 17th, when AMS will open it's doors to local home-based businesses just in time for your holiday shopping needs. Last year's event featured vendors as varied as: Home & Garden, Bath & Body, Jewerly, Gourmet Foods, Cooking, Entertaining, Scrapbooking and Books. It promises to be a shopping filled Saturday all in one stop...come out and support AMS and local businesses.

If you or someone you know might be interested in featuring your home-based business, please contact Karin at: kgoodman@acsalska.net.



Word is that the AMS School Pictures will be arriving sometime around November 7th, please look for them in your child's file.

Blizzard into Books!

The 2007 Blizzard into Books AMS Book Fair runs *all* next week, November 5th - November 9th from 8 am - 4 pm. Mark your calendars for this exciting week of book sales-- the AMS Book Fair has been a continual success for many years and this year's selection of books will keep it going. With the holidays approaching this is the perfect time to shop! There are choices of books for all age groups. Help support AMS! For a preview of books available:

http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/publish/anchoragemontessori

¿Usted habla español?

Your child might! Our AMS volunteer Mom, Karen Padgett is teaching Spanish on Wednesday mornings to some of our toddler and preschool classes. The objective is to give students a little exposure to a foreign language. Some of you might have noticed your toddler or preschooler coming home singing in Espanol, a lesson learned during Karen's sessions. If you know of anyone, particularly someone who speaks Spanish as their native language, that might be interested in teaching Spanish 10 hours a week please let our AMS Director Steve O' Brien know of their availability. If you are interested in volunteering to teach Spanish to the afternoon, kindergarten or elementary classes please notify AMS. In the meantime please send feedback or suggestions regarding the current Spanish curriculum to: Karen.Padgett@alaska.com

Do you know someone interested in...

a part time teaching position? A Morning Preschool Teacher Assistant is needed at AMS. The position is part-time and would be Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Please see Amy at the front desk for an application if interested.



Do you have a toddler, preschooler or kindergartener at AMS? Nov 8th & 9th are the Elementary Conferences (early release 12p) & there will be NO school for toddlers, preschoolers & kindergarteners.

CANS for AMS...and Maggie says Goodbye

Just a few more days to drop off your aluminum cans for the AMS fundraiser. Our AMS elementary students are collecting the cans for a fundraising project. You can (!) drop off the cans directly at the front desk... but HURRY the deadline for this recycling event is 10/31.



On an Anchorage note...Maggie the Elephant's Going Away Party is this weekend, October 27th & 28th. Maggie is moving onto greener pastures but your family can wish her farewell in person at this special event. Please see http://www.alaskazoo.org/ for more details.

Great Pumpkin Festival

This Saturday, October 27th from Noon-5:00 PM: Kids can have a treat and join the fun at the Great Pumpkin Festival, hosted by the Benton Bay Lions Club. Enjoy music, a costume contest, a parade, crafts, games, and more. Food and beverages are available for an additional fee. (907.343.6992)
Spenard Community Recreation Center
2020 W 48th Avenue, Anchorage

AMS student in local production...

One of our own upper elementary students will be performing in the local production of Ramona Quimby. Performance details appear below - the play is part of the Anchorage Theater of Youth's 2007-2008 season. Get out this weekend and support local theater and our AMS community!


Anchorage Theater of Youth
Ramona Quimby Oct 18-28

Sydney Lawrence Theater, Anchorage Center for the Performing Arts
Performances:
Thursday-Saturday 7pm
Saturday & Sunday 3pm

Tickets: $18.75 general admission, $16.25 (including all taxes) 18 and under

Gifting made easy

It may seem like it's just mid-October, but the holidays are right around the corner. Looking for creative gift ideas for your little ones or others? Amy at the front desk of AMS has copies of the new issue of For Small Hands. A Montessori minded business, For Small Hands catalog and website offers toys, crafts, dvds, etc. for the Montessori family. Don't forget to use the AMS school code upon checkout- this gives AMS credits to use toward future purchases for our school! Use School ID: 100620.

Start shopping today at: http://www.forsmallhands.com or see Amy for your personal copy of this fantastic catalog!

AMS Parent Blog

Welcome to the AMS Parent Blog! This website can act as your virtual update on the news and events happening at AMS. Check back daily or weekly for news, ideas, suggestions and tips for making the most out of your child's education at AMS!