The Event is Saturday, April 6!

Join us for your annual TMA community and fundraising event - for TMA parents, by TMA parents! This is no stuffy cocktail party! We’ll “kick” off the event with a friendly kickball game before heading over to Idlewild Botanical - just down the street from TMA - where we’ll have food, drinks, live entertainment, and a silent auction of student artwork and donated items. While we’re there, feel free to take a stroll around the gorgeous grounds, take part in a plant potting demonstration, or peruse their selection of plants for sale (every purchase will benefit TMA).

Reflections from AMS Conference

You may have noticed I was missing from TMA last week. Indeed I was! I spent the week in Washington, DC, attending AMS School Accreditation Commission meetings and our annual conference, renamed The Montessori Event 2019. Aptly named as close to 4,000 Montessorians from around the globe attended! The TMA delegation included four teachers and two administrators. While not all TMA teachers could attend, a teacher from each program level did attend and will share their “learning” with teachers and staff through workshop sessions during our Professional Development Day on Monday, April 22nd.

One of the inspirational moments for me was Scilla Elworthy’s* keynote speech, “Empowering Young People to be Agents of Change”. In a time when violence dominates the news and public communication is increasingly characterized by a lack of respect and grace & courtesy, Scilla’s message was affirming and uplifting. She acknowledged and encouraged us to continue practices in Montessori schools that assist children in developing the skills to effectively defuse anger and aggression. She also shared stories of peacebuilding where individuals stood up and made a difference, describing them as “world changers who agonized, who cared, who dreamed possibilities, and then took action.” Her stories touched my heart and strengthened my resolve to continue our work at TMA of developing “peacemakers” who are able to resolve conflict in a way that solves problems and strengthens relationships. Need to be encouraged or inspired? More “stories of hope and progress” are posted on the Peace Direct website.

*Scilla Elworthy is a 3-time nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize for her work with the Oxford Research Group to develop effective dialogue between nuclear weapons policy-makers worldwide and their critics. This work included a series of meetings between Chinese, Russian, and Western nuclear scientists and military. She founded Peace Direct, an organization that seeks to fund, promote, and learn from local peace-builders in conflict areas. Her TED Talk on nonviolence has been viewed by over 1.1 million people. (taken from The Montessori Event website)

-- Pam

Elementary Camp TMA 2019

Camp TMA 2019 is open for registration! If you signed a year-round Elementary enrollment contract for 2019-20, your child is already signed up for Camp TMA 2019. If you didn't choose the year-round contract, elementary students can still sign up for Camp TMA 2019.

If you have any questions about your contract, please contact David.

Financial Aid Applications due by Sunday, March 31

For families who have completed enrollment for the 2019-20 school year, the Financial Aid application process will be open March 1-31 via Tuition Aid Data Services (TADS).

The $2,500 Pete Goad Scholarship is also available to those who are eligible for financial aid. This scholarship is awarded in addition to any other financial aid you receive from TMA. Applications are due by April 19.

Elementary Drama Performance

Thursday, April 4, 2018, 6:30 pm | Mosaic, 817 W Park Row Dr, Arlington, TX 76013

Join us to see the Elementary students as they perform in some amazing plays. They have been practicing all year for the big event. The performance begins at 6:30 pm; students should arrive no later than 6:00 pm.

Student Holiday & Professional Development Day | Friday, April 19 & Monday, April 22

Friday, April 19, is a student holiday and Monday, April 22, is our Professional Development Day. There will be no classes, Holiday Care, or after school activities, so please enjoy a great 4-day weekend!

Find What You Need at MyTMA!

MyTMA contains much needed information for TMA community members, including links to ParentsWeb and the Parent Portal (password: #TMAparents). On the Parent Portal, you will find:

• Resources - includes forms, calendar, tuition & fee schedule, general contact information, community service opportunities, and links to issues of the TMA Connection
• Classroom Information - includes classroom teacher information, classroom orientation guides, shopping list, healthy lunch guidelines, and other guides
• ParentsWeb - provides the link to log in and directions to update information

Please let us know if you cannot find a piece of information you need and we will add it to the site.