• Presentations start this week! Each student will have about 15 minutes to share their research and 3D model. Please arrive a little early and if possible, stay for all presentations in that block (up to three) to create a supportive audience for all children. If you can only attend your child’s presentation, please arrive a little early, as some may finish ahead of schedule. When you arrive, please wait in the ODE until the current presentation has finished to avoid interruptions. 
• Our museum walk and luncheon is next Friday at 11:30. So far, we only have three food items. If you can attend, please sign up to bring a dish that either connects to their child’s topic or represents something special from their own culture related to Asia. Sign up here: https://signup.com/go/ogfHmZr

• We hope a lot of you can attend the get together NEXT SUNDAY at the Pera Club. Please RSVP and let us know if you want to bring any games or food items to share in the comment section - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508054BADA629A4FF2-59892461-lisas

• SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR STARTS MONDAY! 
  • Our Scholastic Book Fair runs Monday, November 3 through Friday, November 7th. The hours are as follows:
  • Monday: 7:45am to 5pm
  • Tuesday through Friday: 7:15am to 5pm
  • Set up your student’s eWallet in advance, which will allow students to access the book fair without their parent. Elementary students with an eWallet will be taken from class to shop with one of our wonderful volunteers. Load it here: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/villamontessori
  • You can also donate to “Share the Fair” at this link, which will help students who may not otherwise be able to make a purchase during this kid-fave event. https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/villamontessori

   
  INTRO NIGHTS START NEXT WEEK:

  • These important info sessions start next week
  • Intro to Middle School - Thursday, November 6 at 6:30pm at the Middle School
  • Intro to E2 - Thursday, November 20 at 6:30 in room 204
  • Intro to E1 - Tuesday, November 4 at 6:30 in room 115
  • As a reminder, they’re for parents/guardians only. 
   
  RUBY BRIDGES WALK TO SCHOOL DAY

  • Our annual Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day will take place on Thursday, November 14. 
  • All Villa families and staff are invited! 
  • We will meet before school at Los Olivos Park in front of the Devonshire Senior Center and walk north on 28th Street to the school. 
  • Wear purple, bring signs/posters, and join us in honoring Ruby’s legacy!

   

  And don’t forget about these important initiatives:

  • The Landline Challenge:
  • Landlines are making a big comeback! They help keep kids connected to each other and boost communication skills — all without the distraction of screens. Many Villa families are embracing this retro-inspired resurgence. native to getting your student a smartphone, be sure to check out TinCan!
  • Wait Until 8th Pledge: The Wait Until 8th movement helps families say "not yet" to smartphones, and to say that together. Here's how it works: 
  • Decide as a family if you are willing to delay giving your child a smartphone until at least the end of 8th grade (basic phones that only talk & text don't count- you can still have those)!One parent signs the pledge and receives a welcome email.  At this point, the pledge is anonymous.
  • When 10 Villa families from the same grade take the pledge, the pledge becomes active and all of the pledged families will be emailed in order to be connected to one another. Talk to your friends. We want all grade levels to make it to active pledge status! 
  • AI and Protect Young Eyes: On the website Protect Young Eyes, they explain what parents can do within each of their suggested layers to protect their children as it relates specifically to the topic of AI Companions. They also offer a Complete Guide to Deepfakes and AI for Caregivers, which may be a good place to start, especially if you are unfamiliar with terms like deepfake and nudify. Read more here: https://www.protectyoungeyes.com/

   

Sept. 28

Just a quick note this week!

Asia Study

On Wednesday, the kids will be selecting their topics for our Asia study. Please help your child come prepared with three choices. They’ll be called at random to make their selection.

• First years will choose an animal

• Second years will choose a city (ideally a capital)

• Third years will choose a country

Presentations will begin on November 4, and our Asia luncheon is scheduled for November 14.

Class Get-Together

I’d love to organize a casual class get-together—something simple like meeting at a park. My husband works at SRP, so we may be able to use their Pera Club, which has a playground and shaded picnic area. I’m aiming for November 9 or 16, and I’ll confirm once I hear back from Pera.

Have a great week and fall break!