PVMS Newsletter - 9/11/25

Upcoming Important Dates

·        9/15 - Elementary Field Trip to Mount Holyoke Range State Park

·        9/18 - PCO Meeting - Held Virtually at 9:00 a.m.

·        9/19 - International Day of Peace Celebration

·        9/19 - Last day to drop off clothing for the MTM Fall Clothing Swap

·        9/23 - Children’s House Field Trip to Silver Bell

·        10/8 & 10/9 - Picture Days

·        10/13 - Indigenous Peoples Day - School Closed

·        10/16 - Classroom Share Night

  • We’re Looking for a School Nurse Consultant
    PVMS is seeking a part-time Registered Nurse to serve as our School Nurse Consultant. This role helps us stay compliant with state health regulations, oversees safe medication administration, and provides guidance to staff and families on student health needs.

    This is a flexible position (about 5–10 hours a month) and an important way to support the overall well-being of our community.

    If you or someone you know may be interested, please reach out to us at erand@pvms.org.

  • Thank you to everyone who joined us for last night’s Community Dinner & Annual Meeting! We were excited to share school updates and, even more importantly, to spend meaningful time together as a community.

    A special congratulations—and our sincere gratitude—to our newest board members. Your dedication is invaluable, and we are thankful for your support now and in the years to come.

    For those who were unable to attend, the presentation slide deck is now available on our website Linked Here.

    Finally, we invite you to complete a short survey about the event’s flow, content, and overall experience. Your feedback will help us improve and make future events even more impactful.

  • Trunk or Treat

    -October 18, 2:00-4:00-

    Stay tuned—more details about this exciting community event will be coming your way soon!

    In the meantime, if you’d like to be part of the celebration, click the “Trunk or Treat” link to learn how you can get involved in this event, or join us at next week’s PCO meeting to help shape this and future events.

  • First PCO Meeting:
    Thursday, Sept. 18 at 9:00 AM via Google Meet

    Join us for our first Parent Community Organization (PCO) meeting! All families, caregivers, teachers, and staff are welcome—no commitment required. Come share ideas, get involved, and help make PVMS even more fun and connected.

  • Welcome to the Learning Specialist's corner of PVMS's newsletter!

    We're here to share insights and knowledge aimed at enriching our students, families, and community.

    Watch for discussions on student development, family engagement, and educational trends.

    Welcoming Kindness, Community & Peace This School Year

    As we joyfully welcome the new school year, we’re reminded of the beautiful harmony between Montessori education, the spirit of International Day of Peace, and the everyday kindness our community fosters.

    Teaching Kindness: Building Friendly HeartsA wonderful article from PBS, “Help Your Child Be a Kind Friend,” highlights how simple, everyday actions can nurture empathy and friendship in children. One memorable anecdote described a child offering to share her bus seat with someone who looked uncertain- that was not a spontaneous act, but one practiced in advance by thoughtful parents WGCU PBS & NPR for Southwest Florida. This reminds us that kindness is a habit we can teach: helping our children look out for others- those who feel left out or quiet at recess, and giving them tools for inclusive behavior.

    Montessori & Peace: A Natural Pairing

    Dr. Maria Montessori believed that education is one of the most powerful tools for creating peace. The Montessori approach instills peace through respect, independence, conflict resolution, and global awareness. International Day of Peace, observed each year on September 21, invites us to reflect collectively on these values of empathy and social harmony.

    At Home: Fostering Peace and Connection

    Here are a few simple practices inspired both by PBS and Montessori traditions that families can enjoy together this month:

    • Foster Kindness: Encourage your child to name small acts of kindness, like offering help or a smile, and reflect on how they felt afterward.

    • Connect Globally: Read a story from another culture or talk about children elsewhere- this helps build empathy, understanding, and a sense of global community.

    • Express Gratitude: Start a family ritual of naming one thing you’re grateful for at dinner or bedtime.

    • Model Service: Involve your child in simple acts of helping others- like making a card for a neighbor or baking something to share with others.

    Why This Matters

    As families come together to start the school year, weaving kindness into everyday moments mirrors Montessori’s goal to nurture compassionate, confident learners who are ready to contribute to a peaceful world. When children see kindness modeled; at home, in school, and beyond, they learn that peace isn’t just an ideal, it’s something we create, daily.

  • Observed on Friday, September 19

    Get ready to celebrate! The 2025 Theme for the International Day of Peace is 'Act Now for a Peaceful World'.

    On this day, Montessori schools all around the world will engage in displays of peace. PVMS will be honoring the day with our annual Peace Day celebration during our school day.

    The children have been working on Pinwheels for Peace, practicing songs and having purposeful discussions surrounding what “peace” looks like.

    For more information on the International Day of Peace, follow this link to the official webpage: International Day of Peace

  • MTM Fall Clothing Swap

    PVMS is proud to partner with More Than Mom by hosting a collection point for their fall swap.

    Drop off your kid’s clothing, shoes & accessories (please no toys at this time) at the top of the ramp by September 19th.

    Interested in learning more about More Than Mom or attending the swap being held on Saturday, Sept 20th from 10am-1pm at First Church of Christ in Longmeadow?

    Head over to their website, located HERE!

  • Children’s House and Elementary students will be gearing up for their fall field trips within the upcoming weeks!

    Look out for more information in your weekly teacher newsletter!

  • October 8 & 9


    Individual Pictures

    Within the upcoming weeks, you will receive a flyer regarding picture day for your child. Please:

    • make note of which day is your child's picture day

    • select a background color

    • send the form back ASAP

    Class Pictures

    Some families may notice a note on their child’s flyer that their class picture and individual picture will be held on different days. This happens most frequently with siblings and children who do not have a 5-day schedule.  If you have any questions about picture day – or specifically timing – for a child who does not attend on their scheduled day, please contact your classroom teacher.

  • We’re excited to share that Pioneer Valley Montessori School has once again been chosen as a nonprofit partner in the Big Y Community Bag Program!

    For every $2.50 reusable Community Bag purchased during September 2025 at the Cooley Street Big Y (300 Cooley St, Springfield, MA), PVMS will receive $1 in support.

Brianne D'Amours