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WSF Annual Report
Willy Wonka Recap
It’s unbelievable that the school year is over! The last few months have been a bit of a whirlwind for the Foundation. Between the musical and the Gala, we have closed the school year out with a bang and now have a minute to breathe and give you a brief recap.
The Willy Wonka shows were a huge success! The hard work put in by all of the students, staff, teachers, and parents was on full display and did not disappoint! We were thrilled to have Mayor Fulop attended the first show and Councilwoman Candice Osborne at the second. Other than a hiccup with the theater’s speaker in the first show, everything went off without a hitch. The show was the culmination of the weeks and weeks of hard work and that all came through in the amazing sets, props, and performances.
Additionally, the Foundation's efforts towards the musical were on display in the theater. We loved seeing everyone in their purple Wonka shirts, kids wearing glow sticks and eating Wonka bars. It was so exciting to see two Lower Elementary students and their families win the Wonka basket raffles! We had a blast putting it all together. Thanks for all of your support!
Note: Some of you have asked when the performance video will be available for viewing. The musical is filmed each year by Waterfront Montessori and they control the release date, typically the video is released in July. As soon as we know more we will let you know!
The Annual Spring Musical is brought to you by Waterfront Montessori, Waterfront School Foundation works to offset production related costs to support the educational enrichment of Waterfront Montessori students and the surrounding community.
Musical: Show Day Volunteer Sign-Up!
Musical: Show Day Volunteers Needed
We are looking for volunteers to help with ticket sales, concession, programs, and act as ushers on the day of the show Sunday April 30, 2017 (you will still be able to watch the show). Please sign up below for the time slot that you are available. We appreciate all your help and support!
Parents' Night Out / Willy Wonka Jr. Kick Off Event
Sharing a laugh with Ms. Cristina
On April 6th, the Foundation partnered with our beloved Ms. Cristina to plan the very first musical kick-off party. The Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate parent-only event also served as the Foundation's first Parents' Night Out (PNO). This event aimed to inform the parents about the upcoming musical as well as the broader music program in both the upper and lower campuses, while providing the space and opportunity for parents to socialize and get to know one another. It also served as a fundraiser to support the musical costs. The kick-off party succeeded on all levels!
Parents and teachers sipped wine and indulged in chocolates that were graciously donated by a few of our amazing parents while also nibbling on delicious cheese platters which were donated by our local cheese shop, Van Hook Cheese and Grocery (if you haven't been here yet, check it out. The cheeses were amazing and we love to support local small businesses that support our children!). The room was outfitted in various Willy Wonka Jr. props including chocolate bars, Wonka's purple coat, and the impressive gates to Wonka's factory created by our talented WFM teachers.
Ms. Cristina and Jenn Prichard welcoming the parents
Ms. Cristina gave a brief presentation which included clips from the lower campus's Nutcracker performances, the newly formed upper campus orchestra, and the upper campus's grade-level musical concerts, which featured original songs written by the students as well as their own impressive dance moves. Ms. Cristina also presented a video of well wishes from the Broadway cast of The Lion King made for last year's Lion King Jr. cast - it was quite impressive to see Broadway's Simba telling our children to "break a leg"!
As the event also served as a fundraiser, the Foundation sold Willy Wonka Jr. rehearsal music CDs and Willy Wonka t-shirts in addition to the tickets which were purchased for the PNO event. Through these efforts and additional donations, we have raised $1,700 towards our goal of $10,000 to bring this incredible arts and education enrichment experience to our youth (and the surrounding community) each year. If you haven't yet donated or would like to learn more, we are always happy to talk shop anytime and welcome your questions and thoughts.
Our kick-off party brought together parents from both campuses. We had multiple teachers and staff members in attendance, showing their support for the musical and WSF. Everyone was eager to get involved. And that is the biggest success of all!
Lower School Education event: Turtle Back Zoo
The Turtle Back Zoo Outreach Program was on premises of the Waterfront Montessori Lower Campus on March 16th to do presentations on Animal Habitats to all primary and toddler classes. The primary classes recently completed a module about animal habitats and this talk enhanced their learning experience.
Each class learned about how every wild habitat supplies its inhabitants with what they need to survive but how it also presents challenges that must be addressed. The students met a few of the animal ambassadors and discovered how their habitats provide basic needs, but also how environmental challenges are managed.
The zoo brought along Giant African Millipedes which the children were allowed to touch. They felt how the exterior shell of the Millipedes was similar to their nail cuticles. The next animal, the colorful Cornsnake fascinated children who found some heart shaped patterns on its skin. Instead of the snake, the children were able to touch two different types of snake skins.
Screech Owl
The domestic rabbit was the last animal and each child got the opportunity to pet the soft furry animal. Children were very gentle and delicate when petting, many commenting on the beautiful eyes of the rabbit.
Giant African Millipede
Keeping their voices low, the children excitedly watched as outreach coordinators brought out a Screech Owl. Everyone was surprised to learn that the owl's ears are not in its tufts as expected, but rather located asymmetrically on the side of its head. Children got to touch discarded owl feathers and examined a picture showcasing how the owl camouflages against tree bark.
Domestic Rabbit
The zoo visit went well and the children left the presentation excited about sharing their experiences at home, so I'm sure you heard all about millipedes, owls and rabbits at dinner that night.
Annual Members Meeting Recap
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Holiday Giving
Season’s Greetings WFM Parents,
We are indeed a generous and giving community!
The Food and Supplies Drive to the York Street Project was a huge success. WFM Middle School students delivered the supplies earlier this week. The York Street Project staff were overwhelmed and expressed heartfelt thanks to our parents! They want to pass the message to you, that your donations made ‘a very big difference in the lives of our children and their families’.
Thank you also for your contributions to the Waterfront Montessori Teacher and Staff holiday gifts. We had so many families participate this year and were thus able to give each of the over 50 staff and teachers, a $65 Amazon gift certificate. Lastly, through previously-raised funds, the Foundation was able to, on your behalf, provide a lovely luncheon, catered by Loradella's, which the teachers and staff thoroughly enjoyed.
Thanks again for your support. Have a happy and restful Holiday and winter break!
