Everyone loves a silent auction!

Strathmore Montessori Society

 

The Strathmore Montessori Society is running a Silent Auction fundraiser from June 10-24, 2013. 

Chinook Credit Union and Gold Key Insurance have generously donated space in their lobbies, where numerous auction items will be available for bidding until 2 pm on Monday, June 24. The auction items include: a one Day Family Pass for four to Tyrrell Museum, Calloway Park-Single Entry Pass for four, West Edmonton Mall-one Day Family Pass, Luggage and a Pentek Reverse Osmosis System and much more. All funds generated by the silent auction will directly benefit the K-3 Public Montessori Program, at Wheatland Elementary School in Strathmore. Supporting the Montessori Program at Wheatland Elementary is the parent-run charitable organization, the Strathmore Montessori Society.  As an Alternative Program in Golden Hills School Division, the Montessori program receives funding for teacher salaries, but this financial support covers neither the cost of Montessori materials nor Montessori-specific teacher training, required in addition to a degree in Education. The SMS serves as the fundraising body to ensure these facets are addressed.

Fall 2013 will mark the ninth school year for Wheatland’s Montessori program. The Grade K/1 and 2/3 classrooms are characterized with specially designed, manipulative materials inviting students to engage in learning activities at their own pace. Under the guidance of a trained teacher, children learn by making discoveries with the Montessori materials, cultivating concentration, motivation, self-discipline and a love of learning. A significant benefit of the Montessori philosophy is the way it allows students to learn at an individualized pace, providing enrichment, which can even challenge students to progress beyond regular grade level. It is important to note that though the way in which the students learn differs from a mainstream classroom, the curriculum set out by Alberta Education is followed.

At present, there are still a few spaces left in the Montessori Kindergarten program at Wheatland Elementary School, which runs mornings Monday to Friday. If you are interested in registering your child in Montessori at any grade level, or would like more information, please call Wheatland Elementary School at 403-934-3318 and ask to speak to Principal Kevin Lane, or Associate Principal Michelle Silver Rushford, or you can contact Strathmore Montessori Society president Mandy Gillespie at 403-983-9880.