Hello, Hola, Marhaba, Ni hao, Bonjour, Shalom, Yasou, Namaste, Hujambo, Ahnnyonghaseyo, Guten tag, and all other greetings to our Sands family!
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year at Sands Montessori. We are Courtney Ryan and Kim Fulbright, President and Vice President of the Sands Montessori Parent Organization (SMPO). CONGRATULATIONS! You are already a member! All parents, guardians, adults in the home, teachers, and staff are part of this important organization. The SMPO works with families and staff to strengthen our school community, support each child as a life-long learner, and lift each other up as we navigate all of this together.
Our first SMPO meeting of the school year will be on August 30 at 7pm. This meeting will serve as the General Parent Meeting, where we’ll review and vote on the budget for the year, and every member of the SMPO in attendance can vote. We encourage everyone to attend in person at Sands or via Zoom and be a powerful voice. At this time, we plan to hold all meetings in person with a Zoom option. Meetings are open to all. All other meetings are held the third Tuesday of every month September-May (excluding December).
When it comes to events and fundraising this year, we will be safe, creative, supportive, and energetic as we reach our goals. We are excited to explore how we might be able to once again host International Night, STEM Night, Family Reading Night, and other impactful events that connect us all.
We (YOU) have raised between $30-50K the past several years. That money has funded field trip buses, planners for the 9-12 students, educational subscriptions for the 6-9-year-olds, supplies the teachers need, and outdoor improvements. On August 30, you will hear some more ideas and have a chance to voice your own.
Our school thrives when families are engaged with all that goes on at Sands. We invite you to get involved in any way that you can. There are volunteer opportunities for one hour at an event, spending an hour a week tutoring a student in math or reading, joining us for monthly SMPO meetings, volunteering to coach a basketball or soccer team, being a classroom helper, and more. There is something for everyone – with every time commitment – available. Please feel free to invite grandparents, aunts, uncles, and family friends to join us as volunteers! It takes a community to do all that we do.
Visit www.sandsparents.org and join the Sands Montessori Parent Organization Facebook group to stay up-to-date on events, find information about SMPO meetings, services offered by SMPO, and sign up for our weekly email.
Our first fundraiser will be a back-to-school happy hour at Streetside Brewery! Please join us on September 27 from 6-8pm to meet some of the rudder and other Sands Montessori families. Each pint sold will bring $1 to the Sands community. See you there!
We welcome your ideas and questions about SMPO and look forward to seeing you this year, starting August 30 at 7pm!
With respect for your family and excitement for the year,
Courtney & Kim
SMPO President & Vice President, 2022-2023
A paper copy will be sent home in your child’s backpack. For a full, digital copy as well as a complete listing of SMPO Rudder members, please click here.