Montessori School of Waukesha - February 18, 2026

February 18, 2026

Message from the Head of School

In Montessori education, the partnership between parent, child, and school is essential. When these three points are aligned, the child thrives—secure in consistency, trust, and shared expectations. This is often described as the parent, child, school triangle.

In these coming weeks, we see that triangle beautifully in action. During Lessons Night, your elementary or middle school children will step confidently into the role of teacher, demonstrating Montessori materials with growing expertise and pride. On Donut Date Day, and soon at Muffins in the Morning, you join them in their environment, sharing a simple moment that quietly communicates, “Your work matters to me.” And during upcoming parent teacher conferences, we come together as adults to reflect, listen, and ensure that home and school remain aligned in our support of your child’s growth.

Maria Montessori reminds us, “The child’s progress does not depend only on his age, but also on being free to look around him.” At school, we prepare environments that invite exploration, choice, and purposeful work. At home, you provide the love, rhythm, and reassurance that allow that exploration to flourish. When children experience harmony between these spaces, they develop confidence, independence, and deep security.

She also wrote, “To give a child a vision of the whole universe is an education for the mind.” In the elementary years especially, children are driven by imagination and a desire to understand their place in the world. At school, we offer expansive lessons that reveal the interconnectedness of all things. At home, you nurture that wonder through conversation, encouragement, and shared discovery. Together, we help children see not only the world as it is, but the role they might play within it.

This triangle - parent, child, school - is strongest when built on communication, respect, mutual trust, and a foundation of shared values centered on the well-being of the child. When we are aligned in our hopes for independence, character, and joyful learning, children feel the steadiness of that partnership. Thank you for walking alongside us in this meaningful work of guiding each child toward a lifelong love of learning.

Brenda Zellmer

Head of School

Montessori School of Waukesha

Donut Date with Dad or a Special Guest

MSOW Volunteers Make This Popular Event So Much Sweeter!

Thank you to all all the Dads and Special Guests who attended Donut Date Day on Thursday, February 12th in the MSOW gym. Appreciation also goes out to all of the wonderful MSOW Volunteers who kindly shared their time last week to make this special day possible: Jessica Pearson, Jenna Fendryk, Jessie Miller, Mayra Colin, Sammy Walsh, Jamie Marquadt, Rolonda Stevens, Stacy Brown, Nim Bhavsar, Jessica Buckhouse, Vincent Tomczyk, Nick Schmitt, Richard Seibt, Curtis Meins, and Tim Smart.

Looking for more photos of all the special moments from Donut Date with Dad or a Special Guest? Please follow this link to see the full Photo Album of the event CLICK HERE!

Middle School Students Visit Junior Achievement Finance Park

Financial Literacy in Action

Middle School students recently completed their Junior Achievement Finance Park simulation, the culminating experience of a six-week financial literacy unit. The simulation, held last Tuesday, brought together the key concepts students have explored in class, including:

Identifying personal interests, skills, work preferences, values, and career paths
Reading a paycheck and calculating net monthly income
“Paying Yourself First” and understanding short- and long-term goals
The risks and benefits of saving and investing (savings accounts, money markets, stocks, bonds, and mutual funds)
Managing financial risk through insurance
Understanding taxes and their impact
Using credit and debit cards responsibly
Distinguishing needs from wants and recognizing marketing tactics
Understanding credit scores and their effect on borrowing
Building and maintaining a successful budget, including discretionary spending

Throughout the unit, students applied these concepts through hands-on activities. In the Savvy Shopper game, they navigated real-life scenarios, made purchasing decisions, chose between debit and credit, and tracked account balances. In another activity, they matched common life events with appropriate insurance coverage to minimize financial risk.

The Finance Park simulation challenged students to create realistic budgets for various life stages, from their teenage years through middle adulthood. For many, the experience was eye-opening—particularly in understanding the true cost of living.

One student reflected, “I love to shop, and there are a lot of times that I buy things that I don't really need. The whole Finance Park experience showed me how to make smart money choices and be better prepared for the future.” Another shared, “I really didn't think about saving my money until Finance Park. It gave me a really good perspective on how saving is super important. I have always had a college fund, but now I have a car fund and put $40 per month in there.”

Special thanks to Lisa Smart, Tony Lanza, Stephanie Knutson, and Christy Seftar for volunteering their time as student group leaders and helping make this meaningful experience possible.

For More Photos of the Middle School trip to Junior Achievement Finance Park, please CLICK HERE!

Sunset Playhouse Brings the Theater to MSOW!

Children's House Extended Day Students share the love with "Love, Ruby Valentine"

Sunset Playhouse visited Montessori School of Waukesha last Monday afternoon to present a special performance for our Extended Day students. Students joined Ruby and her parrot, Lovebird, as they prepared for Valentine’s Day. After a mix-up, Ruby discovers that you don’t have to wait for Valentine’s Day to say “I love you.” This Bug in a Rug musical adaptation of the beloved story by Laurie Friedman reminds us that every day is the perfect day to share love.

Children's House Parent Education Evening

Join us on March 5th, 2026

Join Us for Montessori Lessons Nights!

Starting Tomorrow, February 19th

Montessori Lessons Night offers families a special opportunity to step into their child’s daily learning experience. During this engaging evening, parents and caregivers are invited into the classroom to explore the carefully prepared environment and interact with the authentic Montessori materials their children use each day. From hands-on math tools to language materials and cultural studies work, families gain a deeper understanding of how lessons are presented and how independence, concentration, and critical thinking are nurtured.

In addition to experiencing their child’s current classroom, families have the chance to visit other levels throughout the school. This provides a valuable preview of what lies ahead as students grow and transition to the next stage of their Montessori journey. Seeing the progression of materials and expectations helps parents appreciate how skills build over time and how each level thoughtfully prepares students for future challenges.

Montessori Lessons Night strengthens the partnership between home and school by giving families insight into the purpose behind the materials, the structure of the work cycle, and the philosophy that guides our classrooms. We look forward to sharing this meaningful experience and celebrating the joy of learning together.

Enrichment Program Winter Session III

Painting with Crystal Thao, Upper Elementary 3 Paraprofessional

Candle Making Workshop with Jennifer Michaels, Lower Elementary 2 Paraprofessional

MSOW's Spring Musical Update:

Link to Sign Up for Auditions on Monday 2/23 and Tuesday 2/24 and Dance Audition on Wednesday 2/25

AUDITIONS Start next week!

We will be following a standardized audition procedure; all students interested in being a part of the onstage talent for the show MUST attend a dance audition on February 25th AND a vocal audition on either February 23rd or 24th. If your student is unavailable to attend one or both required audition sessions, please contact the director.

MSOW will manage the link for you to sign your student(s) up for a 30-minute audition slot on one of two days where they will come in as a small group, sing a song from the show (learned in music class), and read a small portion of the script.

All students must participate in the DANCE AUDITION on Wednesday, February 25th from 3:30pm - 5:00pm in the MSOW Gym. Students will all participate the entire time. Pick up promptly at 5:00pm please.

During the dance audition, students will learn a short combination with our choreographer and showcase it for our production team. Callbacks (if needed) will take place on February 26, any students that may need to attend the callback date will be notified following the conclusion of the auditions on February 25.

Important Dates:

Feb. 23 and 24, 3:30-5:30pm Vocal Auditions (double cast)

Feb. 25, 3:30-5:00pm Dance Audition (MSOW Gym)

Feb. 26, 3:30pm Callbacks (if needed)

March 4, 6:00pm Production Team Meeting

MSOW Staff Bond and Beyond Event

Last week, our faculty and staff gathered at the end of their teacher work day for an activity filled with creativity, laughter, and team spirit - while participating in a special collaborative art activity.

Each participant began a painting, worked on it for a short time, and then passed the canvas to a colleague. There was just two rules - no explaining artistic choices and no changing what someone else had added.

At the end of the event, the finished masterpieces were revealed. Every piece was a unique work of art that reflected the creativity and personality of the participants. Faculty and staff members took home their one-of-a-kind canvases as keepsakes.

With snacks, beverages, and plenty of laughter, it was a meaningful opportunity for our staff to relax, build community, and experience firsthand the power of creating something together—one brushstroke at a time.

We are so grateful for a team that embraces collaboration and joy, both inside and outside the classroom!