May 2026 Edition

Montessori Moment from Ms. Rachel

Crossing the Bridge: Celebrating Growth in Our Montessori Community 

As the school year draws to a close, Montessori communities around the world mark an important milestone with the Bridging Ceremony—a meaningful tradition that honors each child’s growth and transition to the next stage of their educational journey.

In Montessori education, progression is not just about moving up a grade level; it reflects a child’s developmental readiness and evolving independence. The Bridging Ceremony symbolizes this passage in a way that is both celebratory and reflective.

For children in the Primary program, bridging into Lower Elementary represents a shift from a sensorial, concrete exploration of the world to a more expansive intellectual curiosity. These students leave behind the foundational work of early childhood and step into an environment where imagination and collaborative learning flourish.

Lower Elementary students bridging to Upper Elementary are recognized for their growing ability to think critically and work with increasing autonomy. This transition marks a deepening of academic skills alongside a stronger sense of social responsibility and community awareness.

Upper Elementary students crossing into Adolescence experience one of the most significant transitions. Moving into a program designed to meet the needs of young teens, they begin to connect their learning more directly to real-world applications, identity formation, and purposeful work.

Finally, for students completing the Adolescence program, the Bridging Ceremony becomes a powerful acknowledgment of their readiness to step into the wider world. It is both a culmination of their Montessori journey and a beginning—equipping them with confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of self.

Level Highlight - Adolescence

Middle School Adventures: History and Culture Come to Life!

It has been an action-packed few weeks for our Middle School students! To wrap up our recent units of study, students stepped out of the classroom and into the field for two unforgettable hands-on experiences.

Taking Flight at the USS Yorktown

On April 17, our students traveled to Patriots Point to board the USS Yorktown. This trip served as the grand finale to our study of South Carolina’s vital role in World War II.

The day was split between high-stakes history and high-speed technology:

• The Flight Academy: Students put their skills to the test in WWII plane simulators, experiencing the thrill and challenge of being a pilot.

• Ship Exploration: While their classmates were in the cockpit, other groups toured the massive "Fighting Lady," exploring the corridors and decks to see firsthand how the crew lived and worked during the war.

Art, Archives, and Okra at the Avery Research Center

On April 24, we were honored to visit the Avery Research Center at the College of Charleston. This visit provided a deep dive into local heritage and the preservation of African American history.

Highlights of the day included:

• Guided Tours: We were led by MCS parent and Avery programming coordinator, Daron Calhoun, along with Tamara Butler. They guided students through the center’s impressive collection of artwork and traditional ironwork.

• A Peek into the Past: Students were granted a special look at the center’s archives, learning how history is documented and protected.

• Gullah Geechee Culinary Arts: In a very special treat, chef Rashaunda Grant (from the hit show Master Chef) joined us to make traditional okra soup. As the soup simmered, she shared the rich history of the ingredients and their deep roots in Gullah Geechee culture.

These two field studies were some of the students' favorites of the entire year!

We are so grateful to the Avery Research Center and the staff at the Yorktown for providing such enriching experiences for our students!

The News You Need

🎉Fun Run Wrap Up 🎉

While we fell just shy of our ambitious $15,000 "stretch" goal, the incredible support we received ensured that our primary objective—providing a high-quality and fun athletic space for our students—is fully funded.  We raised enough for our Sports Court!  Thank you all for your generosity and support.

Progress Snapshot

Students/Families who have participated so far: 154/98

Students/Families who have reached the $25 Level: 144/91

Students/Families who have reached the $125 Level: 55/32

Students/Families who have reached the $250 Level: 23/13

Students/Families who have reached the $500 Level: 14/7

Students/Families who have reached the $750 Level: 6/2

Whole School Prizes

All whole school prizes will be celebrated together the week of May 18th. A schedule will be announced.

$2,000 - Favorite Color Day - Achieved

$4,000 - Hat Day - Achieved

$6,000 - Tacky Tourist Day - Achieved

$8,000 - Mismatch Day - Achieved

$10,000 - Pajama Day - Achieved

$15,000 - Popsicle Party - $1,697 away

Yearbooks

Yearbooks will be distributed on Friday, 5/22. There will be a few extra yearbooks which can be purchased on a first come, first served basis. You can order yearbooks from the company which will be delivered to your home. Shipping will be an additional cost. 

Front Office News  from Ms. Lori and Ms. Sandie

Registration for 2026-27 Due June 30th

Returning Student Registration & Residency Verification are now open and required for all returning students. Please note that students will only be conditionally enrolled until both steps are fully completed. Registration is due June 30th!

How to Complete Registration:

Parents and guardians of returning 4K and new 3K students will need to access registration via a SNAPCODE link sent by from CCSD via email. 

Parents and guardians of returning students must log in to their Parent Portal account and update the necessary information. If you need help with your Parent Portal login, please contact Ms. Lori by email or phone 843-769-0346.

Log into your Parent Portal: Click here
Look for "Returning Student Registration" under the Navigation section on the left side.

Required Documents for MCS:

Two forms of Residency Verification (see attached list for acceptable documents).
Notarized Affidavit (attached below).

Helpful Tips for a Smooth Registration:

Use a desktop computer instead of a phone for an easier experience.
Have all required documents ready before starting.
Submit one child's registration completely before logging in to register another child.
The required affidavit must be notarized. Supporting residency documents
Upload all Residency Documents when submitting your registration. 

Registrations without the required residency verification documents will be rejected. 

If this happens, no worries, you’ll receive an email notice to log back in and upload any missing documents.

We appreciate your attention to this process to ensure a seamless start to the school year! If you have any questions or need assistance with your Parent Portal account, please don’t hesitate to reach out, I am happy to help!

 💐🥰Teacher Appreciation Highlights  💐🥰

Important Dates

May

May 4-8 - Progress Reports Distributed
May 11 - SC Ready Math A (3rd-5th)
  SC Ready Math (6th-8th)
May 12 - SC Ready Math B (3rd-5th)
SC Ready Science (6th)
May 14 - SC Ready Science (4th)
May 18 - Spirit Night at Famulari's West Ashley
May 21 - Field Day/8th Grade EOY Trip
May 25 - Memorial Day (Schools are Closed)
May 26 - Step Up Day (for Bridging Students)
May 27 - Bridging for Primary, LE, and UE (see schedule above)
May 28 - Bridging for MS
    Last Day of School - Half Day (11:30 dismissal)

June-July

Jun 30 - Deadline to register for school
Have a great summer!

August

Aug. 11 - First Day of School

Important Links

Daily Transportation Change Form 

Parent Portal

CCSD Registration Page

RevTrak  - School Store

Yearbook Order Form 

Kona Ice Prepay