Wednesday, April 29th from 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM, Montessori School of Waukesha celebrates our students' artistic achievements at Fine Arts Night. The Main Campus Gymnasium becomes an art gallery, the Library becomes a Poetry Museum, the LE upstairs hallway welcomes visitors to see our new art installation. At Campus West, the Music Room and the Middle School classroom transform into recital halls! There will be so much to see and to do. We  invite you to come take it all in.

• Every student, 5 years old and older will have artwork in the gallery available to view anytime throughout the whole evening. 

• Shop for hand-crafted wares created by MSOW student vendors at our Montessori Marketplace in the MSOW gymnasium.

• The Poetry Museum will be available to view throughout the entire evening as well. (More information about the Poetry Museum and a link to participate are included in the article below.)  Also, poets have been invited to perform readings of poetry during the recital times at Campus West throughout the evening.

• At Campus West, music recitals will take place at 30 minute intervals throughout the evening. Recitals take place concurrently in both the Music Room and the Middle School Room at 5:00 PM, 5:30 PM, 6:00 PM, 6:30 PM, 7:00 PM, and 7:30 PM. There is a different slate of performers in every recital time slot! So, come sit, rest, relax, and enjoy some beautiful performances. 

Recital programs, along with the specific performances during each time slot, will be posted on the doors of both the Main Campus and Campus West.

Young and old will find something to enjoy at Fine Arts Night. The entire MSOW community is encouraged to attend. If you have questions please contact Ms. Lygia Topolovec at ltopolovec@msow.org

Photos from last year's 2025 Fine Arts Night

Volunteer for Muffins in the Morning HERE

Please enjoy these photos from last year's 2025 Muffins in the Morning with Mom or Special Guest!

On April 22, Upper Elementary classroom leads—Abbey Blunck, Elizabeth Wells, and Taylor Burczyk—hosted an informative session for Lower Elementary families, offering a glimpse into the transition to Upper Elementary and what students can expect in the year ahead.

The guides described a meaningful academic shift rooted in cosmic education, where learning becomes more abstract and deeply connected across subjects. Students begin to explore big ideas through research projects and extended “big work,” developing a stronger curiosity about how concepts relate to the real world. Lessons increasingly emphasize critical thinking, analysis, and independent follow-up work.

Socially and emotionally, this stage brings noticeable growth. While some students may feel overwhelmed at the start of the year, they quickly find their footing as they seek a sense of belonging within the community. Friendships become more intentional and based on shared interests, even as students navigate competitiveness, shifting emotions, and a growing concern for fairness and justice.

Families also learned about key environmental changes. Upper Elementary classrooms typically have fewer materials, with greater reliance on technology for research and written work. Students are expected to manage longer, more complex assignments while building skills in organization, time management, and prioritization.

The guides emphasized their role in supporting this transition. In the Montessori tradition, teachers act as “guides,” helping students take ownership of their learning. Early in the year, routines are clearly established, and older students serve as mentors to younger peers. Community-building activities, class councils, and restorative practices help students address challenges and contribute to a respectful, collaborative environment.

To support this transition at home, families are encouraged to give children space to work through challenges independently, while guiding them in developing self-advocacy skills. Reminding students of the support systems available at school—and pointing to older peers who have successfully navigated the same journey—can also help build confidence during this exciting next step.

From MSOW Mindfulness Specialist, Sara O'Reilly

This week, our Middle School wellness service group hosted a special gathering for our Upper Elementary students and it was a wonderful example of leadership, mentorship, and community in action.

Middle School students thoughtfully planned and led the experience, sharing what they enjoy most about Middle School and how it differs from Upper Elementary. These conversations were brought to life through a fun, interactive bingo game, helping Upper Elementary students learn in an engaging way.

The event also included time to review expectations for incoming Middle Schoolers, giving Upper Elementary students a clearer picture of what lies ahead. The gathering wrapped up with snacks and social time, allowing students to connect, ask questions, and build relationships.

This was a meaningful opportunity for Upper Elementary students to feel more confident about their transition, while Middle School students stepped into leadership roles.

We are so proud of our students for creating such a welcoming and supportive experience! a true reflection of our strong school community. 

With the rainy weather moving out of Waukesha, construction crews were able to make great progress this past week. About half of the foundation walls have now been poured using a 39 meter concrete pump. During excavation, crews encountered some poor soil conditions that required undercutting and replacement with lean mix* to ensure a strong foundation. The concrete contractor also worked this past Saturday to remove the forms from the newly poured foundation walls.

This week, additional footings and foundation walls are being poured. The metal building materials for the new gym  arrived on two extra-long flatbed trucks and are currently staged on the grassy area near the Campus West parking lot. This coming Saturday, the metal building contractor plans to move those materials into the jobsite in preparation for construction. First the steel frame, then the roof, and then the sides.

The excavation contractor will continue hauling dirt and digging out additional foundations. VJS anticipates encountering more poor soil conditions near the administration wing, which may require additional site preparation work.

*Do you know that "replacement with lean mix" means? It is done after crews remove unstable or unsuitable soil (called undercutting), and then they fill that area back in with a low-strength concrete mixture called lean mix.

Lean mix contains cement, sand, gravel, and water, but it has less cement than standard structural concrete, so it is not meant to be a finished foundation itself. Instead, it creates a firm, stable, and level base for the actual footings and foundation walls to be built on.

In simple terms, if the natural soil is too soft or weak to safely support the building, it is dug out and replaced with lean mix so the foundation has solid support and will not settle unevenly over time.

Can you spot the children looking out the window?

Thank you MSOW Scouts!  MSOW Pack 79 hosted an Earth Day clean-up at the MSOW campus. With a group of nearly 20 volunteers, scouts collected almost 50 pounds of trash and debris from the school grounds. We are grateful to everyone who helped make our school a cleaner, more beautiful place.

From Lower Elementary 2 Lead Teacher, Sarah Chow

Dr. Ryan Dulde, MSOW parent (Ben UE2, Luke LE 2) and local dentist, recently visited our Lower Elementary classrooms to share his expertise on the importance of dental health and hygiene. His engaging and informative presentation helped students better understand the different parts of a tooth, how cavities form, and most importantly, how they can be prevented through good daily habits.

Students were introduced to a variety of dental care products, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss, and learned how to use each one correctly. Dr. Dulde also emphasized the importance of brushing and flossing regularly, demonstrating proper techniques and explaining when and how often students should care for their teeth to keep them healthy and strong.

The visit was both educational and interactive, sparking curiosity and encouraging students to take responsibility for their own dental health. To conclude his presentation, Dr. Dulde generously gifted each student their own set of dental hygiene supplies, giving them the tools they need to put their new knowledge into practice at home.

We are grateful to Dr. Dulde for taking the time to invest in our students’ health and for making learning about dental care both fun and memorable!

From Lower Elementary 1 Lead Teacher Devin Veselenak, and Lower Elementary 4 Lead Teacher Jenna Schuettpelz

Students visited the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center on Friday, April 24, 2026 to explore our most important resource: water. The wetlands, ponds and Lake Michigan shoreline provided a unique place to learn about the water cycle and how to use freshwater sustainably. Lower Elementary 2 and Lower Elementary 3 will have the chance to experience the 185 acre property at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center on Friday, May 1st.

Creative Bracelet Studio with instructor Ms. Sarah Chow, Lower Elementary 2 Lead Teacher

To Register as a golfer or a diner please click this link www.eventregisterpro.com/event/msow 

From Board of Trustees Secretary, Kate Winchell

MSOW Parents, faculty, and staff are invited to attend Montessori School of Waukesha’s annual Board of Trustees' Semester Meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM. This meeting offers a valuable opportunity to stay informed, hear updates on school initiatives, and connect with MSOW Board members as we continue working together to support our school community. We hope you’ll join us!

We still need your help! Please see the April 17, 2026 edition for more details and photos of the Spring Fix It Projects that could use your time and attention.  Thank you!

MSOW parent Brian Schwartz and Bennett Schwartz (CH 3,) kindly swept up all of the gravel that was displaced after the storms.  Carried by the torrential rains, gravel covered a large portion of the blacktop area of the playground as well as the parking lot below the path between Campus West and Main Campus.  Thank you so much for all of your hard work keeping the path and playground safe and tidy for our MSOW community!