- East Cooper Montessori Charter School
- Office Notes
Recent
By Month
-
Oct. 10 - Basketball, Madrigal, Book Fair, Charleston Wraps
OCTOBER
10/19 Field Day
10/20 Early Release @ 11:30
10/21 NO SCHOOL
10/28 Report Cards
10/31 - 11/4 Parent - Teacher Conferences
Our 6th & 7th grade students appreciate all of your support and encourage you to spread the word to your friends & family, near and far! The more people who shop, the more money we can raise for our delegates.- Something for everyone! Shop your holiday gifts early for family members, neighbors, co-workers, employees, babysitters, teachers, hairdresser, neighborhood first responders & more
- Only 7 days left!
- Internet orders will ship in 3-4 days to the person who placed the order with the exception of personalized items which may take 2 weeks.
Browse the catalog and place orders here ECMCS Basketball is back!
We are calling on all student athletes from 4th grade - 8th grade to come join their classmates and compete against schools from all around the low country. Each team will be organized by grade level with absolutely no prior basketball experience needed.- Practices: Twice a week. Date/time will be determined by the coach.
- Games: 12 regular season games starting in December and running through the end of January.
- Price: $700 per team. The charge for each individual athlete will be determined by the number of players on the team. There will be between 9-12 players on each team. There will also be a uniform fee and every player has to provide a regulation sized ball.
Please fill out the form below if you are interested in signing your athlete up and if you would like to help coach.
We look forward to seeing you on the court!
Coach Laughton -- laughton@montessoricharterschool.com Sign Me Up for ECMCS Basketball! Bedford Falls Book Fair
We are so excited to be bringing back the Bedford Falls book fair this year! There will be lots of great books for everyone!
Shopping days are Oct. 11th - 14th.
Open for Shopping:
Tues., Oct. 11th, 7:45 - 4:00
Wed., Oct. 12th, 12:00- 4:00
Thurs., Oct. 13th, 7:45 - 4:00
Fri., Oct. 14th, 7:45 - 11:15
Parents, guardians, family and friends are welcome to visit during book fair shopping times.
Payments accepted: Cash, Master Card, Visa, American Express, Discover and checks made payable to the school are accepted.Book Character Pumpkin Patch
Our library is sponsoring a fun fall activity! Students and parents are invited to decorate a pumpkin like their favorite book character. Book character pumpkins will be displayed in the ECMCS library pumpkin patch. Students may bring in a decorated pumpkin to the school library between Oct. 24 - Nov. 3.
All the details you need - Click Here!Volunteer Needed to Deliver Festival of Lights Card on 10/21 to James Island County Park Middle School Art Majors are working on a holiday card for the annual Festival of Lights celebration at James Island County Park. We have a 4' x 8' piece of plywood we are painting and we need your help. - We need a volunteer to transport the completed card to the James Island County Park on October 21st between the hours of 10am-1pm.
montessoricharterschool.com. Congratulations to our school ambassadors!
Twentyfour middle school students have chosen to be school ambassadors for our school tours of prospective families. This is a volunteer opportunity and below are the requirements for the program.- My grades are above 80% in all my classes, and my timeliness scores show that I am ready to take on this new role.
- I understand that leading a tour does not excuse me from that day's academic assignments.
- I understand that I will need to attend training prior to giving tours, and that this training may occur during lunch/recess (approximately 2 trainings).
- I understand that I will need to spend time reading, understanding, and preferably memorizing a script relating to different stations around the school.
- I agree that I will represent ECMCS in a positive and professional manner at all times.
Madrigal Dinner in December - Volunteers Needed
What is a Madrigal Dinner? Click here.
The performances are December 8th and 9th.Madrigal Dinner Link:https://youtu.be/
To create this special Winter event we need the following help.owdxzCJHUl4 (Think Medieval Times meets ECMCS) - Catering Coordinator(s) - This person or team is responsible for training and guiding student volunteers to serve the meal during the performances. Several students are interested and eager to help.
- Set Coordinator(s) - We are looking for help with transforming the Grand Hall into a Castle. This group will help us create the ambiance for the event and communicate needs with parents. Decorators and those who love to create events/experiences are welcome.
- Costume Coordinator (s) - this is a role that helps communicate costuming needs to parents and coordinates the purchasing of costumes. This person will help make sure each character has the right attire for the performance. We do not expect this person to make or build the costumes, but if that is an interest we could look into that as well.
Please contact Ms.Sharon sharoncruse@montessoricharterschool.com and Ms. Shelby shelbythompson@ montessoricharterschool.com if interested. GT Testing for 2nd years
Testing will take place at 8:15 on October 17 & 18 and 24-26. Each of the five sessions covers one subtest area and typically lasts around 45mins. This is a state mandated assessment for all second grade students. Please ensure that your student is rested, fed, and on time.
Kindly direct questions to Ms Beth at beth@montessoricharterschool.com There are many great ways to raise money for our school without going outside of your daily activities and money expenditures.
Publix Partners Card - Simply sign up for a Publix.com account (if you don’t already have one), select our school, then enter your phone number at checkout.
Amazon - go to smile.amazon.com and choose East Cooper Montessori Charter School as the organization you want to support. Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice.
Harris Teeter Together in Education - Link your VIC Card to ECMC's code #5604Click here to view the ECMCS Google Calendar OCTOBER
10/20 Early Release @ 11:30
10/21 Teacher Workday - NO SCHOOLNOVEMBER
11/7 Early Release @ 11:30
11/8 Election Day - NO SCHOOL
11/21-25 Fall Break (Schools Closed)
--11/21-22* Weather make-up Days, if needed
DECEMBER
12/16 Half Day for Students - Dismiss @ 11:30
12/19-1/2 Winter Break (Schools and Offices Closed) -
Aug 26-Silent Dismissal Informatiom
For the last 8-9 years we have used a dismissal system called Silent Dismissal. We decided this year to change to a very robust system called PikMyKid that has some really great features, but proved very challenging during campus construction. We have decided to return to our old system and will begin using Silent Dismissal Monday, August 29th.
Once in the routine, the Silent Dismissal process takes 15-25 minutes.How does Silent Dismissal work?
Every family is assigned a dismissal number which is shared by all siblings. Your Dismissal Tag should be placed visibly on the visor or dashboard of your car until you leave the carline. As the numbers are entered by an ECMCS staff member, students will be announced on the classroom Promethean board and will know to go to the appropriate dismissal location.
Parent web access is available for Silent Dismissal. An optional app is available but we don't advise downloading it until terms are confirmed.What do I need to do at dismissal time?
- Arrive at school for afternoon dismissal from 2:35 - 2:55. Dismissal will end at 3PM sharp and students not picked up will attend aftercare.
- Arrive at the correct car lane designated to your student's classroom
- Display your dismissal tag # to be VISIBLE the ENTIRE time you are in the car line. Do not lay dismissal tags flat on your dashboard. (bright green dismissal tags will be sent home today)
- Do not exit your vehicle for any reason. Staff will help children get loaded into cars. If you need an extra minute, please pull forward and off to the side so other cars can get around you.
What if another ECMCS family is picking up my student?
Delegate another ECMCS family to pick up your student using the silent dismissal website.- Visit http://ecms.sdcs13.com/
- Create a login using the two specific codes found on the bottom of your bright green carpool tag located under the QR code
- Each code is child specific so add codes for multiple children
OVR will allow you to enter the carpool number of the ECMCS family picking up your student. Note will allow you to add a 15 character note to your student when carpool starts. Notes can be used for reminders such as "get your coat" or "Grandma pickup". What if a NON - ECMCS person is picking up my student?
Delegate another non-ECMCS person to pick up your student using the Silent Dismissal website.2. Add authorized non ECMCS contacts to your account.
3. Make sure the pick up person has the carpool tag or the carpool numberDismissal location by classroom
RIFLE RANGE PICKUP
Primary (and all siblings)
Krissie (and all siblings)
Scott (and all siblings)
Sarah (and all siblings)MYRICK CARPOOL
Middle School
Brooke / Allyssa
Melissa / Taylor
Grace
Jamie
Maggie
Mackenzie
Tracey
Thank you for your continued support through this process.
This email was sent to carriewalker@ montessoricharterschool.com
why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences
EAST COOPER MONTESSORI CHARTER · 1120 RIFLE RANGE ROAD · CHARLESTON, SC 29464 · USA -
August 18-COVID Guidelines & Attendance Policy
An open line of communication between parents, school, and students is vital for students' success. Communication regarding student absences is not only important for the administrative staff and your child's teachers, it is also required by the State Department of Education (SDE). Please submit the attendance form by 9:00 AM the day of your child's absence if not sooner.
Uncommunicated absences are considered unexcused/unverified.ATTENDANCE FORM All Attendance & Tardy Policies can be found in the ECMCS Family Handbook A few quick notes about COVID from
Nurse ChristyWelcome Back to another amazing year at ECMCS! Let's make 2022 - 2023 one of the healthiest yet! - If your student is exposed to someone with Covid, but has no symptoms, they may attend school as usual. Monitor for developing symptoms and test as needed. If they test positive follow the below guidance for Covid isolation.
- Covid testing is not done at school. Free home tests are available for your convenience in the front office while supplies last.
- If initial covid test is negative but symptoms persist or worsen, then continue to test as it may take up to 5 days to show a positive result.
If your student tests positive for Covid:
- Isolate at home for 5 full days from the day AFTER symptoms began (the first day is day ZERO)
- If positive but no symptoms, then isolate at home for 5 full days AFTER the positive result (test day is day ZERO)
- On day 6 IF symptoms are resolving AND the student feels well enough to attend a full day of school AND has been fever free for at least 24 hours (without receiving a fever reducing medication) they may return to school wearing a mask provided by parent/guardian through day 10.
- Complete the Attendance Form to include first day of absence and return to school date
- Unless your child's time to isolate at home is a full Monday - Friday week, any work missed during partial weeks will be completed when students return to school.
ATTENDANCE FORM Symptoms
People with COVID have had a wide range of reported symptoms – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Individuals may initially test negative for covid when symptoms are just beginning. If symptoms persist, isolate and retest the next day. Symptoms can include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat- persistent or worsening
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Nurse Christy
Christythompson@montessoricharterschool.com
843-216-2883 -
July 15, 2022-Forms and Back to School Info
July 15, 2022
Dear ECMCS Parents,
In a little over a month, we will be ready and waiting to welcome your children to the 2022-23 school year. Please take a moment to read our back-to-school news, so that you have the most up-to-date information about starting the year.
Parents, it's up to you!To ensure that you and your children are prepared for the first week of school, please carefully review the enclosed information. It is critical that each family, new and returning, familiarize yourselves with the Family Handbook and Code of Conduct. For specific Dress Code questions, please refer to our handbook, page 14.
Parents can click on each heading below to directly link to the form that is due. Forms are also available on our website under the For Parents menu. All forms and fees are due by Friday, July 29th. As always, please let us know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Jody Swanigan, Principal
Lisa Klus, Montessori Instructional Coach & Administrator
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
PS: We have started an archive of past Office Notes emails on our website. You can see the July 1st Office Notes there.New Powerschool Registration!
*** Students WILL NOT be permitted to start school without registration completed which includes medical information no later than August 8th. Any parents who need help should contact Ms. Lori at lori@montessoricharterschool.
com or 843-216-2883 for assistance. The computer lab will be available for you to use during Forms and Fees if you need help with registration.
- Returning Students in grades K-8 can access the registration system here ccsdschools.com/
2022registration - Newly accepted students and returning students in grades 3K and 4K can access the registration system through an email sent by CCSD with a “snapcode”. Please search your email for the term “snapcode”.
- Registration requires a browser. You CANNOT complete registration using a cell phone.
- Ms. Lori will be out of the office until the week of July 25th. You can contact registration@charleston.k12.
sc.us with general questions until she returns.
Items to gather for registration:
Registration Document Informationlick here to see information regarding Residency Documents
FORMS
Policies Agreement Form - must be filled out for each family (you do not need to complete one per student, just one per family please).
Dismissal Plan - must be filled out for each family.
Summer Reading Assignments
Remember Summer Reading Assignments! Information is available on our website.
ECMCS & CCPL Summer Reading Requirements are on the school website - Happy Summer Reading! FORMS and FEES are Back with a Click or a Knock!
Friday, July 29th, Drop in anytime between 9:00am-1:00pmWhat do I have to do to make sure my kids are ready for school? Forms and fees have been revamped to meet your needs. You can come in person or if you are traveling, it can be done virtually with or without assistance. Not only will you and your child be able to see your child’s classroom spaces, connect with old friends while meeting new ones, you will also be able to get information about curriculum, technology, overnight trips, and volunteer opportunities. You will also have access to technology and a help desk to complete the new registration process if you were unable to complete the process at home.
Please feel free to stop in to pay your fees and ask any questions that you may have. If you are not able to come to school in-person to pay fees, you are welcome to pay online:
Click Here to Pay Fees
Tuesday Monday, August 16 - 1:30-3:00
Meet and Greet Is Back!We are excited to welcome parents and students in for a meet and greet on Tuesday, August 16th from 1:30 - 3:00 PM. The computer lab will be available to complete registration which is required before starting school on August 17th for 4K and older. 3K students will start school on Monday, August 22nd.
We are transitioning to a new dismissal program called PikMyKid. ALL families will be getting a NEW dismissal number and tag. In addition to meeting teachers, staff and classmates, Meet and Greet is an ideal time to pick up your new tag and learn about our new dismissal system. For those who can’t pick up their car tag on August 16th, they will be available in your child’s locker or cubby on the first day of school. Informational videos will also be available about Pik My Kid.
Overnight Trip Deposits
Below is a breakdown of the trips we have planned so far for each level. More details about these trips will be shared in early August. Families who qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch are eligible for free or reduced school trips. You must apply here.
Lower Elementary - Back by popular demand! Camp St. Christopher/Barrier Island Program - October 5-7th, 2022
Students will learn about life in the estuary, ponds, marsh and wetlands as they touch, discover and learn about birds, marine life, wetlands, adaptations and all things nature. They will also play outdoor cooperative games, sing campfire songs, and camp overnight.
A $100 deposit is due by September 9th. You can pay this fee on our website under the “School Store” tab, linked here.
Upper Elementary - Camp Green River Preserve - the UE trip to GRP is confirmed for October 5-7th, 2022. Green River Preserve is a private wildlife preserve located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina.A $100 deposit is due by September 9th. You can pay this fee on our website under the “School Store” tab, linked here.
Middle School (6th-8th)
Fall, 2022
Our Middle Schoolers will begin the year with an Odyssey trip. The Odyssey trip for the adolescent is a time to build community and tackle adventure. MS students will be spending a few days and one overnight at Nature’s Adventures in McClellanville. Their adventures will consist of kayaking, a scavenger hunt, camping, bonfire and various activities involving team building!
http://www.
natureadventureoutfitters.com/ A $100 deposit is due by August 5th. You can pay this fee on our website under the “School Store” tab, linked here. Final payment will be due on August 19th. More details will be sent in upcoming office notes.
Spring, 2023: MMUN
We have decided to move our Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN) work back to 6th grade. This year will be a transition year, so MMUN curriculum and work will be offered to both 6th and 7th grade students for the 2022-2023 school year.
6th Grade - Montessori Model United Nations: March 15-18, 2023
7th Grade - Montessori Model United Nations: February 15-18, 2023
A parent information zoom will be held early August. We will discuss the curriculum leading up to the conference, details of the trip, overall cost, etc. Details about that parent Zoom will be shared in our Office Notes, sent directly to your email address(es) on file.
Each family is expected to bring in a $500 business sponsorship to offset the student cost for the trip. Non-refundable $250 deposit is due by Sept. 2nd. You can pay this fee on our website under the “School Store” tab, linked here.
Technology Updates
All students in grades 1st-8th will be issued a school-owned device. See the Technology Acceptable Use Policy of the Family Handbook and Code of Conduct. Students may bring cell phones or smartwatches to/from school; however, they must be stowed in the silent or off position and placed in a teacher designated area. Students are not permitted to use personal communication devices on school property unless pre-authorized by their teacher. Lastly, student digital content subscriptions such as iReady, Dreambox, Seesaw and Canvas will still be in use and utilized for additional practice for homework in lieu of specific homework assignments or workbooks.
Student Absences ChangeECMCS now proudly serves approximately 435 students! When students are absent, parents MUST fill out the Attendance Reporting form which is available on the homepage of the website or the button at the bottom of most staff emails. A doctor’s note is preferred if your child has an appointment and can be uploaded directly to the Attendance Form. Please do not email the teacher only as the front office has to officially record lawful and unlawful absences.
Attendance and Truancy Policy per CCSD (see pg. 9) Fees
Registration Fee - $45 (all students)
Registration fees are used for consumable materials such as personalized student dictionaries, educational magazines, science equipment, art supplies, supplemental reading materials, class reference books, math manipulatives, etc.
School Supply Bulk Order - $50 (all students)
Additionally, in order to simplify and reduce the cost of school supplies for parents, we are once again ordering supplies in bulk resulting in a cost of $50.00 per child. In our research, parents usually spend approximately $80-$100 per child so we hope parents are excited about the savings and not traveling to multiple stores to get everything on the list. Backpacks should NOT have wheels and should fit in a cubby 10.5" wide x 12.5" deep x 20" high.
6th grade students should purchase the following supplies:
- Pencil pouch
- Earbuds
7th and 8th grade students should purchase the following supplies:
- Sturdy 3-inch binder (can be clear-vue, solid, or decorative)
- Planner/Calendar of student choice
- Earbuds
- Pencil pouch
Technology Fee - $30 (students in K - 8th grades)
This fee covers instructional software and programs that students can use at school, and in many cases at home and a device surcharge. Information regarding specific learning programs that students will have access to for home and school will be shared at Back to School Parent Information Night.
Primary Fee - $30 (Primary students - ages 3-4)
This fee covers our preschool practical life consumable activities, including food preparation works, flower arranging works, consumable sensory works, art materials, etc.
If you qualify for free or reduced-price lunch and are unable to pay the registration fee, please contact Billy Koll (billy@
montessoricharterschool.com) in the business office. Fees can be paid on the School Store.
A Note about Free and Reduced Meals and Fees
This coming school year funding will not be available to offer ALL students ALL meals FREE of Cost. If you think your family may qualify for free or reduced meals, we encourage you to apply for free and reduced meals. Other benefits include free or reduced prices for field trips, school pictures, registration fees, after school fees, and items offered by middle school businesses.
Free and Reduced Meal Application Click Here to Pay Fees
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
New families are encouraged to park and walk their child into school on the first day. If your child takes medication, you are required to drop medications directly to the nurse along with the completed doctor’s order form. Additionally, we will be hosting a welcome coffee event after drop-off for new families in the Media Center. Stop by, have a cup of coffee, meet other new families, and ask any burning questions.
ECMCS has a very unique, fun start to the school year with a welcome back party on the Myrick Rd. Entrance. Middle School students choose music, make signs, and dress up to welcome students back for the new year! If your child prefers a quiet entrance, the Rifle Range Rd. entrance will be calm and peaceful.
PLEASE NOTE: All 3k students (non-ECMCS staff) will begin on Monday, August 22.
Important Dates
We have created a calendar of 2022-23 event dates for next school year. We will be updating this document as more events are added throughout the year.
School Events Calendar for Families Link to our ECMCS Google Calendar Arrival and Dismissal
On Time Arrival vs. Tardy
School begins at 8:00 am. School-aged students can arrive as early as 7:30 am and should be inside the building by 7:55 am. Any student arriving through the front door at 8:00am or later will be tardy. Students arriving at 8:00 am or after must be escorted by a parent to the front office (Rifle Range Rd entrance) to sign in. Complete “Attendance and Tardy” information is located in the Family Handbook/Student Code of Conduct.
Morning Drop-Off
A detailed drop-off and pick-up map can be found in the Family Handbook/ Code of Conduct linked in this Summer Mailing. Parents may drop off at the roundabout facing Rifle Range Road -OR- the school entrance facing Myrick Road. Either location can be utilized for morning arrival. To expedite the flow of traffic, parents may only make a RIGHT HAND TURN when exiting back onto Rifle Range Rd when exiting the morning drop-off circle.
A staff member will be in the carpool line to greet families from 7:30-8:00. If a staff member isn’t there, walk your child into the office at Rifle Range Rd. Should you need to enter the school, please park in the designated parking lots (not in the carpool lane).
Afternoon Dismissal
Provided that our driveway construction is complete by the first day of school, we will follow the procedures below. Updated information on this project will be shared with you in our Office Notes before school starts.
School ends at 3:00. Carpool will begin at 2:55 and end promptly at 3:15.
NEW! All families except primary will enter the carline from the Myrick Road’s new entrance and follow the traffic around the school property. Primary students and siblings will be picked up on Rifle Range Road entering and exiting from the Rifle Range loop.
Myrick carpool pick-up families will enter the carline from Chuck Dawley turning into the entrance. Right turns into the new entrance coming from Rifle Range Rd cannot be permitted during carpool dismissal.
When exiting afternoon dismissal, families must turn RIGHT onto Myrick Road heading back towards Chuck Dawley Blvd. Making a left hand turn out of the carpool lane onto Myrick Road heading towards Rifle Range Rd is not permitted.
Note: Students may not be checked out of the front office past 2:30 as dismissal preparations are already underway. If a student needs to be checked out for an appointment you must arrive at the school before 2:30 or wait in the office until the Pik My Kid dismissal process is completed.
Please be a courteous carpool driver and do not block driveways or pull over into the grass of our neighbors. Note: Do not arrive for afternoon pick up before 2:50 PM. Dismissal, the first week of school, is always bumpy as we have new families joining us and learning the system. Please be patient. We are always superstars by the 2nd week of school and it is smooth sailing from then on out.
PikMyKid
As a reminder, we are transitioning to a new dismissal program called Pik My Kid. ALL families will need a NEW dismissal number and tag. Dismissal tags from past years will no longer work with the new system.
Lunch Choices
School Lunch: ECMCS serves CCSD breakfast and lunch every day. Click here to see what’s cooking in the CCSD kitchen. There is a salad bar, hot lunch choice and a chicken sandwich daily. Breakfast and lunch are no longer free for all students. Please see the information below about Free and Reduced Meals Below.
Lunch box: If students choose to bring a packed lunch, they should practice opportunities for independence by packing their own lunch. A microwave is not available for students to heat up lunches. Candy, sodas and fast food delivery lunches are NOT permitted in lunches. Please keep in mind that if your student forgets his or her lunch, our philosophy of fostering independence supports having the student order a hot lunch that day. Lunch cannot be accepted in the front office past 9:30.
Middle School Businesses:
- Pizza: The middle school students organize, collect orders, and manage the pizza lunch option every Friday. Pizza comes with a veggie and drink. The cost and start date will be announced in Office Notes. Cash only.
- Smoothies: Smoothies can be ordered for $4 from our gardening/smoothie middle school (MS) COAST group. Orders are taken each Thursday for Friday afternoon classroom delivery. The ingredients are based on what MS is harvesting from their garden beds!
- Popsicles: This Fall, 8th grade students will be selling popsicles on Thursdays at lunch/recess time starting in September, after Labor Day. The students are fully in charge of their business managing inventory, sales, money collection, and distribution. Profits from popsicle sales will help fund our rising 7th graders STEM Boat Building project. And by boat building, we mean a real skin-on-frame canoe!
-
The popsicles will come in a variety of flavors and will be $2.00 each (cash only)
-
The limit is one popsicle per student
-
The adolescent students will collect money and distribute popsicles at the same time during lunch / recess time (no morning pre-orders)
-
The brand is Outshine. They are gluten free and contain no artificial dyes.
-
Sport Opportunities
New sports teams are also forming at ECMCS! Joining a sports team can be an enriching and rewarding experience for children of all ages and we are absolutely thrilled to share some upcoming opportunities this coming school year. We will offer volleyball and basketball in the fall. Golf, tennis, and baseball are in the spring. Sports programs rely on parent support through coaching and volunteerism to be successful. Each team we put together will require two parent volunteers. The more volunteers we have, the more opportunities our students will have to compete. Click this link for additional information.
We need parent coaches/assistant coaches in the following areas:
- Basketball (Upper El and Middle school)
- Tennis (all levels)
- Baseball (Middle School)
- Volleyball (Middle School)
Fill out the Volunteer form if you are interested in being a volunteer coach. Contact Coach Laughton for more information. laughton@
montessoricharterschool.com More details will follow once the school year begins.
After School
Great News: We have extended the AfterSchool Care until 5:30 Monday-Friday. Please note: AfterSchool Care is not provided on Early Dismissal Days.
Afterschool Enrichment Programs – begin the week of August 22nd.
Please fill out the AfterSchool Form in the Forms section to let us know your intention for using the program. In addition to guiding our staffing needs, new families will be contacted by Rebecca Hyatt, AfterSchool Coordinator, to set up an account with our AS payment system. More information about AS is available on the AfterSchool tab on the website.We offer a wonderful array of AfterSchool enrichments by a combination of vendors and teachers. The enrichment opportunities (afterschool and on school campus) and registration information is located on our website. Opportunities include NEW theater program through Charleston Academy of Musical Theater, Yoga & Mindfulness, Youth Choir, etc…
Please note that some programs are available per semester (18 weeks) or per quarter (9 weeks). However, some programs may fall on holidays or other school closings and that is taken into consideration when planning the class. Therefore, there may or may not be 18 sessions in a semester or 9 sessions in the quarter. Parents enroll in Enrichments on the ECMCS “Afterschool Tab” of the website once they are available prior to the first week of school. Sample enrichment classes may include Theater, Robotics, Archery, Science, etc. Other opportunities may become available and parents will be notified through school-wide Office Notes.
AfterSchool StaffRebecca Hyatt, AfterSchool Coordinator
With over ten years of combined teaching experience from diverse schools, Ms. Rebecca brings her knowledge and passion for Montessori education to ECMCS. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Ms. Rebecca began her teaching journey as an assistant teacher at a Montessori school in her home city of Rock Hill, South Carolina. Following her passion for travel and education, Ms. Rebecca taught as a Montessori Primary lead teacher in Fort Collins, Colorado, was an ESL teacher in South Korea, and taught as a primary years program co-teacher at an International Baccalaureate school in the financial district of New York City. Ms. Rebecca obtained her AMI Primary Diploma from the Montessori Center of Minnesota (2018) and a Master of Arts in Education from St. Catherine University (2019). Since moving to Charleston, Ms. Rebecca was a lead primary teacher at Charles Towne Montessori and was a lead primary teacher at Hursey Montessori School in Park Circle. Rebecca is a crochet artist who loves all things crafty. She enjoys riding her bike downtown, traveling, and spending time outdoors.
Courtney Duffy, AfterSchool Teacher & Staff Substitute
Courtney comes to East Cooper with a variety of experience as a camp counselor, preschool teacher, and various work in the service industry. She obtained two Bachelor's degrees, from the University of South Carolina and Temple University, in Biology & Psychology and Public Health. We are excited for Courtney to join our staff!
Ms. Beth is Changing Hats! Beth Armstrong - Welcome our Testing Coordinator!
After twelve years with ECMCS, Beth is putting her certificate back in place so she can use her education and training to work with a team making instructional and programmatic decisions for students. Beth has a masters in both SPED and literacy and is looking forward to continued professional growth in new capacities. If you know Beth at all, you know she LOVES a spreadsheet and schedule - bring on the data, spreadsheets, and procedural intricacies of testing! And perhaps most importantly, she (finally) gets her own walkie to greet you for afternoon carpool! (she is very excited about this!) - Returning Students in grades K-8 can access the registration system here ccsdschools.com/
-
July 1, 2022-Summer Reading, Meet New Staff
July 1, 2022
Dear Wonderful ECMCS Parents,
Happy Fourth of July weekend! For new and returning parents, welcome to East Cooper Montessori Charter School, the school that is truly chosen with your head and your heart. We hope you all are enjoying summer and taking time to rejuvenate and spend quality time with friends and family. While your toes are in the sand, we are busily preparing for the school to reopen in approximately one month! The summer mailing, with all your registration information and sign-ups, will be released July 11th. The Summer Mailing is loaded with information and items to do to get your child/ren set up for success. Everything included in the Summer Mailing is important to read, digest, and understand. This email should serve to get you excited about the upcoming year and remind you exactly why you chose our school as the educational home for your child/ren but also there are some important highlights and the calendar for the upcoming school year. Mark your calendar for the Facts and Fees event but also know the new registration process* is the most important thing that must be done before July 31st. We could not be more excited to enter our 19th YEAR of offering high-quality Montessori education in Charleston County!
A few highlights from this summer…
World Peace Game
From June 20-24th, we were fortunate to have a cohort of teachers from all over the world including four of our own teachers plus students locally and from all over the country come to ECMCS to participate in a World Peace Game training.
The World Peace Game is a hands-on political simulation that gives players the opportunity to explore the connectedness of the global community through the lens of the economic, social, and environmental crises and the imminent threat of war. The goal of the game is to extricate each country from dangerous circumstances and achieve global prosperity with the least amount of military intervention. As “nation teams,” students gain greater understanding of the critical impact of information and how it is used.
Our upper elementary teachers are excited about playing the game with our upper elementary students as part of our yearly curriculum and instruction sequence!
For more information on the World Peace Game, visit https://worldpeacegame.org/
Orton Gillingham Training for our Lower Elementary Staff
This month members of our lower elementary, intervention, and special education staff participated in Orton Gillingham training. Most of the intervention and special education folks already have the training, but the lower elementary teachers were really excited to take a certificate program through the International Multi-Sensory Education - Orton program.
Orton Gillingham is a multisensory approach to language instruction where the student hears, sees, and feels the sounds. Letters representing single sounds are presented to the student. The student then combines letters or phonemes to create words which in turn links to meaning. Progress is made by going from simple to more complex tasks and building in reinforcement. The carefully structured pacing and sequential presentation combines reading, writing, and spelling to help students succeed.We are very thankful to Daniel and Marie Dickerson for sponsoring 7 staff members this summer to receive this training!
Transformation of Space
We are excited to unveil our latest transformation of space with a new driveway all the way around the school which will allow parents to access carpool without waiting on the streets. It will also allow ECMCS to have a hard surface running track for students. An added bonus will be the ability to host much anticipated events such as the Color Run! Students will also be excited to see the arrival of the new playground equipment which was a two-year program completely funded by ECMCS parents! Thank you to parents for raising almost $100K to put in all new equipment in our back playground which gives our students two amazing playgrounds which also means we make the most of our academic days by not having to rotate recess shifts throughout the day with only one space shared across 450 students.
Read on for more news and information.
Warmly,
Jody Swanigan,
Principal
*Registration is required for ALL students whether they are new or returning. This can be completed from the Power School Parent Portal for returning students. For newly accepted students and for returning PreK students, access to the registration system was provided via an email from CCSD which included a "snapcode". If you are having trouble accessing the registration system, please reach out to Ms. Lori starting July 11th. The ECMCS office is closed the week of July 4th.ECMCS & CCPL Summer Reading Requirements are on the school website - Happy Summer Reading! We've had a few questions about summer reading and wanted to be sure everyone has the necessary information and requirements. These links can also be found on the school website by selecting 'Students' ---> '2022 Summer Reading' from the top navigation bar. Please let us know if you have any questions!
Primary Summer Reading
Please continue reading with your child over the summer. If your child is reading already, click here for a list of Level B and Level C books that you can check out from the library this summer. Also, click here and here for two sight word lists. Practice one column at a time with your child nightly until they have mastered them. If your child is not reading yet, use fun games to practice letter names and sounds and read to him/her daily. The benefits of summer reading are immeasurable!
Rising 1st, 2nd, 3rd Summer Reading & Personal Challenge
Rising 4th Grade Summer Reading
Rising 5th Grade Summer Reading
Save the Date: Trips for the Upcoming Year
Below is a breakdown of the trips we have planned so far for each level. More details about these trips will be shared later this summer including associated fees.
Lower Elementary - October 5-7th, 2022
-
2nd-3rd Grade - Back by popular demand! Camp St. Christopher/Barrier Island Program - Students will learn about life in the estuary, ponds, marsh and wetlands as they touch, discover and learn about birds, marine life, wetlands, adaptations and all things nature. They will also play outdoor cooperative games, sing campfire songs, and camp overnight.
-
1st Grade - Students will enjoy ECMCS Camp throughout the day with activities for enhanced bonding and team-building.
Upper Elementary - Camp Green River Preserve - the UE trip to GRP is confirmed for October 5-7th, 2022. Green River Preserve is a private wildlife preserve located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina.
Middle School (6th-8th)
Fall, 2022
Our Middle Schoolers will begin the year with an Odyssey trip. The Odyssey trip for the adolescent is a time to build community and tackle adventure. We are still working on the details of this trip and will be communicating with MS families later this summer.
Spring, 2023: MMUN
We have decided to move our Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN) work back to 6th grade. This year will be a transition year, so MMUN curriculum and work will be offered to both 6th and 7th grade students for the 2022-2023 school year.
6th Grade - Montessori Model United Nations: March 15-18, 2023
7th Grade - Montessori Model United Nations: February 15-18, 2023
Cost is approximately $1700 (each family is expected to bring in a $500 business sponsorship to offset the student cost for the trip). The first deposit will be due in September. A parent information zoom will be held early August. http://montessori-mun.org
Fees
Registration Fee - $45 (all students)
Registration fees are used for consumable materials such as personalized student dictionaries, educational magazines, science equipment, art supplies, supplemental reading materials, class reference books, math manipulatives, etc.
School Supply Bulk Order - $50 (all students)
Additionally, in order to simplify and reduce the cost of school supplies for parents, we are once again ordering supplies in bulk resulting in a cost of $50.00 per child. In our research, parents usually spend approximately $80.00 per child so we hope parents are excited about the savings and not traveling to multiple stores to get everything on the list. Backpacks should NOT have wheels and should fit in a cubby 10.5" wide x 12.5" deep x 20" high.
6th grade students should purchase the following supplies:
- Pencil pouch
- Earbuds
7th and 8th grade students should purchase the following supplies:
- Sturdy 3-inch binder (can be clear-vue, solid, or decorative)
- Planner/Calendar of student choice
- Earbuds
- Pencil pouch
Technology Fee - $30 (students in K - 8th grades)
This fee covers instructional software and programs that students can use at school, and in many cases at home and a device surcharge. Information regarding specific learning programs that students will have access to for home and school will be shared at Back to School Parent Information Night.
Primary Fee - $30 (Primary students - ages 3-4)
This fee covers our preschool practical life consumable activities, including food preparation works, flower arranging works, consumable sensory works, art materials, etc.
If you qualify for free or reduced-price lunch and are unable to pay the registration fee, please contact Billy Koll (billy@
montessoricharterschool.com) in the business office. Fees can be paid on the School Store.
A Note about Free and Reduced Meals and Fees
This coming school year funding will not be available to offer ALL students ALL meals FREE of Cost. If you think your family may qualify for free or reduced meals, we encourage you to apply for free and reduced meals. Other benefits include free or reduced prices for field trips, school pictures, registration fees, after school fees, and items offered by middle school businesses.
Free and Reduced Meal Application Important Dates
We have created a calendar of 2022-23 event dates for next school year. We will be updating this document as more events are added throughout the year.
School Events Calendar for Families Link to our ECMCS Google Calendar Meet and Greet Is Back!
We are excited to welcome parents and students in for a meet and greet on Tuesday, August 16th from 1:30 - 3:00 PM. The computer lab will be available to complete registration which is required before starting school on August 17th for 4K and older. 3K students will start school on Monday, August 22nd.
Meet some of the recent new hires!
Anne Getsinger, Reading Intervention - Welcome back!!
Anna Getsinger has been a part of the ECMCS family for the past 6 years as a classroom teacher, and is excited to take on a new role as the Reading Interventionist this year. Anna is Lower and Upper Montessori trained and has taught at both levels. She has 15 years total teaching experience in both Montessori and traditional schools across South Carolina. Anna has an Elementary Education degree from Clemson as well as a Masters in Reading and Literacy. She is Gifted and Talented certified and Orton Gillingham trained. She lives on James island with her husband and 2 children, Cora (4k at ECMCS) and Carter (born last March).Courtney Lightfoot, School PsychologistMs. Courtney is a proud graduate of Virginia Tech, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, as well as a minor in Leadership and Social Change. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Psychology, as well as her Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychology from Radford University. She relocated to Charleston in 2014 and has since been working as a School Psychologist in both Berkeley County and Charleston County School Districts. Ms. Courtney is also a Licensed Psychoeducational Specialist in South Carolina. She is passionate about equitable practices and incorporating cultural responsiveness into social and emotional learning (SEL). Ms. Courtney and her husband have two children, Dancy and Tripp. She and her family love spending their time on water - swimming, beaching, and boating. Her other interests include exercising, cooking, and traveling.
Haley Schmidt, Upper Elementary Teaching Assistant
Haley Schmidt grew up in Mount Pleasant and graduated from the College of Charleston with a B.A in Psychology. She spent several years during college managing a retail store, and often found happiness in roles of leadership and team-building. When not working, Haley loves traveling, spending time at the beach, and being the best dog mom ever. She is looking forward to joining ECMCS and learning the Montessori way!Tyra Simmons, Lower Elementary Teaching AssistantTyra Simmons was born and raised in Mount Pleasant. After graduating from Francis Marion University with a bachelor's degree in biology she became a preschool teacher and developed a passion for changing children’s lives through education! She is married to her best friend Terrance, and is mom to one amazing daughter, Taylin! When not at work Tyra can be found spending time with family, reading a book, or catching up on a good show! She loves to help anyone in need, and can’t wait to start working with such a wonderful group of staff and children!
Jessica Miller, UE & MS Guidance Counselor
Jessica received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida State University as well as a Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology from The Georgia School of Professional Psychology. She has over 10 years of experience providing assessment, individual and group therapy, and crisis evaluation services to youth and their families and has worked in a variety of settings including behavioral health clinics, schools, hospitals, and pediatrician offices. Jessica became a Montessori parent in 2018 and had the privilege of volunteering within the Montessori classroom since that time. She is eager to bring her expertise in youth mental health to East Cooper Montessori, where she can proactively impact students’ wellbeing in the environment in which they spend the majority of their waking hours. Jessica lives in Mt. Pleasant with her husband, Tom, and two children, June (ECMCS student) and Fox. In her free time, she loves to read, take barre and yoga classes, go on family bike rides, and explore new hiking trails in the mountains. She is excited to join the School Counseling team at East Cooper Montessori!Laura Zaforre, Spanish TeacherBorn and raised in Argentina, Laura spent her formative years in Buenos Aires and received her education from the National University of the Arts (UNA). After receiving her teaching credential in fine arts, she began working independently, at the University and also in K-12 schools. She is currently finishing a Masters in Education with a specialization in Spanish.
Laura has over fifteen years of experience teaching different forms of art and working with students of diverse educational and economic backgrounds. Most recently, she has been teaching Spanish 1,2, & 3 within Charleston County School District and looks forward joining the faculty at ECMCS as a Spanish teacher for 6th-8th grades but also as a mom of a new first grader.
Outside of her family, travel and art are her other two big passions. She also loves spending time with friends, biking, going to the beach, painting and doing Body Pump gym classes.
Jordan Bates, Primary & Lower Elementary Guidance Counselor
As a Charleston native, Jordan is so proud to have called this beautiful city home for 26 years. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the College of Charleston in 2018 and a Master’s Degree in Counselor Education from The Citadel in 2022. She taught second grade for two years in Dorchester District Two. It was through this experiences as a teacher, she developed a deep passion for the social and emotional learning and well-being of students as well as the vast need for support in this area for student success. Her heart called her to the role of a school counselor. She is thrilled to be entering the school counseling profession at ECMCS. She believes that the Montessori and counseling philosophies align so well together and truly maximize student growth and achievement. In addition to being a school counselor, Jordan is a National Certified Counselor. In her free time, she enjoys seeing friends and family, bike-riding, reading, exercising, traveling, and spending lots of time outdoors in the sunshine.Marlow Gudmondson, Lower Elementary Teacher AssistantAnother South Carolina native, Marlow earned her undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina in 1993. With 15 years of experience as an instructional assistant from Columbia, SC, she looks forward to joining the ECMCS team with Ms. Jamie’s class and returning to the SC coast. She is also the proud mother of Elizabeth who is a senior at Ole Miss and Arthur who is a rising freshman at the University of South Carolina, plus 3 dogs and 2 cats. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, oil painting, boating and going to the beach with her family.
Alana Vest, Art TeacherAs a native of upstate South Carolina, Alana Vest is thrilled to return to the Charleston area, where she worked in the past as an arts educator with Dorchester School District Two, The Gibbes Museum of Art, and The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry. She is both a certified art educator and a registered art therapist. She received a bachelor’s degree in art education from Winthrop University in 2004 and a master’s degree in Creative Arts in Therapy from Drexel University in 2012. Alana serves on the South Carolina Arts Education Association Board of Trustees.
Her passion is working with children and youth to help them develop creative confidence and a love for the arts. She believes the arts are a way to bring learning to life and are a way to understand ourselves and celebrate our community. When not teaching art, Alana can be found spending time with her husband, Daniel and daughter, Zadie. Together they enjoy going on adventures, reading, cooking, live music, sports, visiting museums and the theater, and the fun of everyday play. They are thrilled to be a part of the ECMS community.
Finally, anyone looking for a new adorable family member?
One of our school families is looking to rehome their adorable Holland Lop bunny, Lily. Please email Aga @ agagirl@gmail.com if you are interested.
She needs hugs and attention that she’s not getting at our house. She is 6.5 and has been spayed. Holland Lops live around 10 years. Lily lives outside in a double story hutch but can also be kept inside. All supplies/cage/hutch/carrier are coming free with Lily. Daily care involves emptying her litter box and refilling her bowl with food. Every few days, she needs her water refilled and hay.
We are away until the beginning of August and have found someone to keep her but she can move in with the new family anytime after that. -