MSOW families gathered over four days this week to celebrate the season at our Winter Concert Series, led by Lygia Topolovec, Elementary Orchestra Teacher and Children’s House Violin & General Music Teacher, as well as Sara Schmitz, MSOW Children's House Violin & Elementary General Music Teacher. This year, we introduced a new format with individual concerts for each classroom on the Bryant Family Theatre stage. The approach was met with positive feedback - easing parking congestion and ensuring ample seating for families to enjoy the performances.  A special thank you to MSOW parent Richard Seibt for lending his technical expertise and running the sound which was essential for every rehearsal and every concert this week! Richard also added enhancements to the sound system which he has customized for our space.

MSOW faculty and staff enjoyed a cozy hot cocoa bar and festive holiday treats Friday, December 19th while being presented with a special gift from MSOW parents. Each year, families have the option to contribute to the Holiday Gift Fund, which is shared out between faculty and staff on the final day before winter break. This cherished tradition is a meaningful way to show appreciation and spread holiday cheer. 

See more photos below of staff members who were available for a quick thank you photo after the Friday morning event. All MSOW full-time and part-time employees received a gift.

Thank you to cocoa and cookie volunteers (left to right) Lauren Dulde, Kate Winchell, Ashley Maher, and Anabel Weeks.

Children’s House Extended Day students gathered on December 12th in their World Languages Friday specials class to experience seasonal stories and activities - in German! Eve Bruce, MSOW Librarian, read Where Is Santa? (Wo ist der Weihnachtsmann), and students also listened to “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” sung in German. 

Throughout the World Languages session, children were introduced to German vocabulary connected to the season, including the German words for snow, cookies, gingerbread, Christmas, wreath, stocking, candy cane, candles, ornaments, and star. They also practiced counting from 1–10 in German.

To conclude the session activities, students created drawings of holiday symbols using the German numbers—for example, one reindeer, two candles, and more—combining language learning with creativity in a fun and engaging way.

Ms. Eve started her love of the German language when she had a penpal from Germany in grade school. This led her to take four years of German in high school and continue her language study in college.

Bethany Mueller, Director of Students, shared a meaningful family tradition that originated in the Netherlands over five centuries ago. When her grandparents lived there, they purchased a carved wooden cookie mold used to make traditional Dutch gingerbread biscuits called speculaas—a name that means “mirror image.” Bethany has fond memories of making speculaas with her grandparents to celebrate St. Nicholas Day. She now carries on this tradition with her own children! After listening to The Story of the Cookie Mold, students colored pictures of St. Nicholas and received a speculaas (gingerbread biscuit) recipe to take home and enjoy with their families.

Ever wish you could create nutritious lunches and meals that your child will love?  If so, then this year's MSOW Wellness Event is for you! Come to learn the science of nutrition and how it relates to your child, and leave with ready to use, child tested recipes. We will even have several of the recipes prepared for you to sample.

Dr. Rosalind Schoppet (“Dr. Roz”) is an educator, researcher, and national advocate for improving the quality of food served to children in school. With extensive experience in both public and private education, she is best known for transforming the food program at her own school, where she led a shift from processed, packaged snacks to a whole-food, organic menu free of added sugars and artificial dyes. Her work demonstrates that young children not only accept but thrive with nutritious, thoughtfully prepared meals. We don't have a hot lunch program at MSOW but parents often share that they wish they had ideas for nutritious lunches that their child(ren) will eat. You may recall that our own Wellness Teacher, Sara O'Reilly presents lessons on nutrition to our students and offers hands-on opportunities for growing food like lettuce, herbs, squash, and corn in our greenhouse and surrounding gardens.

Dr. Schoppet will share her expertise with the MSOW community at our annual wellness event. The event includes a real-time remote presentation from Dr. Roz projected for the group, followed by space for shared discussion and Q&A. Dr. Roz has been featured in discussions on school wellness, early childhood development, and practical approaches to creating healthier school food systems. She offers a unique blend of research-based insight and hands-on implementation experience, helping educators and families understand how nutrition shapes learning, behavior, and long-term well-being.

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Schoppet via a live remote session to share her knowledge with our community and to inspire us toward healthier, nourishing choices for children.

Upper Elementary 3- Lead Teacher Taylor Burczyk

Upper Elementary 3 had a secret snowflake gift exchange the final week before winter break. The class also spent time learning several new games which focused on classroom bonding, good sportsmanship, and handling disappointment in competition. 

Save Sunday, February 22nd on your family calendars because you won't want to miss the first ever Montessori's Got Talent...and snacks! family talent show at MSOW. With emcee Doug Jarecki from Waukesha Civic Theater and our own MSOW stage manager Richard Seibt it is guaranteed to be an entertaining afternoon. Note: this is a fun/casual, family event - not a competition - everyone wins at this fun-filled talent showcase.

Montessori's Got Talent...and snacks! will be held in the MSOW gym on a Sunday afternoon from 2pm-4pm. The event will feature a maximum of 20 MSOW family acts - at least one adult and one child per family act please - sing, dance, act, play instruments, twirl batons (not flaming please), do magic, play spoons or perhaps your family has other hidden talents? Snacks will be available for purchase during the event and the audience will sit at tables - club style!

All acts will have the opportunity for a dress/tech rehearsal on Saturday, February 21st - rehearsal sign up will be sent to all registered acts.

All acts will be entered into a drawing for an incredible family-fun gift basket. A separate, second family-fun gift basket will be raffled off to show attendees. No fee/cost to perform AND all act performers receive free admission to the event.

Sign up to perform and get participant Information HERE!

Sign up for back stage volunteers and concessionaires HERE! 

The deadline for performers to enter is January 19, 2026.

A special thank you to MSOW parent Richard Seibt for lending his technical expertise and running the sound for all Winter Concerts. He was at school for every daytime rehearsal and attended every concert in the evening this week! Richard also made additional enhancements to the sound system which he has customized for our space over the past several years. Richard also supports our drama program.