May 18, 2026
Embedded Files
This week’s Newsfeed highlights something that continues to grow at MSOW: a strong culture of volunteerism. From Muffins in the Morning, the Book Fair, and Move It Day sign ups, to the many efforts that made Teacher Appreciation Week so special, it is clear our community shows up to help.
That spirit was especially evident in the final stretch leading up to Anastasia Youth Edition, with four performances this past weekend. Just two weeks before opening night, there was a significant need for volunteers, and many parents stepped forward, giving extraordinary time and energy to ensure a successful production.
As a private, independent school, we rely on this generosity to extend what we are able to offer. Volunteer support allows us to provide experiences and opportunities beyond what tuition alone can sustain, enriching both our programs and our community. Your willingness to step in makes a real difference for our students. One example this week is our Children’s House World Languages volunteer whose child will not even begin at MSOW until the 2026–27 school year.
Please also watch for stand-alone emails about Move It Day, taking place on Thursday. This final fundraising push, with a goal of $80 per child, will directly support needs identified by our teachers for classrooms and other student environments.
Brenda Zellmer
Head of School
Montessori School of Waukesha
Incoming Head of School Arrives on Campus
Rachael Shaw Marshall Getting to Know MSOW
We were pleased to welcome our incoming Head of School, Rachael Shaw Marshall, to campus on May 15. During her first days at MSOW, she has been observing daily operations and meeting with members of the administrative team to begin to gain a strong understanding of MSOW. Rachael also enjoyed meeting students and attended a performance of Anastasia Youth Edition this past weekend. Over the next weeks she will continue this important transition process in anticipation of outgoing Head of School Brenda Zellmer's retirement in late June. If you see Rachael on campus, please be sure to introduce yourself!
Muffins in the Morning with Mom 2026:
A Sweet MSOW Tradition Continues!
Muffins in the Morning is one of our cherished annual traditions at MSOW, offering a simple and welcoming way to begin the day. It is typically scheduled the week before Mother's Day. It was a pleasure to welcome students and their mothers - or special guests - on campus to share conversation, time together, and, of course, a muffin!
Find many, many photos of attendees in this album: Muffins With Mom 2026 Photo Album
Thank you to our Muffins in the Morning volunteers! In order of Evite sign up: Stephanie Florentine, Nick McCall, Tim Meindl, Mark Bublitz, Tony Pine, Arturo Colin, Steve Walsh, Brian Schwartz, Ei Nan Kar, Angie Phillips, Carla Porter, Trina Tomczyk, Emily Loeffler, Angie Phillips, Amanda Kar.
Teacher Appreciation Week
During Teacher Appreciation Week, our classroom teams were celebrated in thoughtful and creative ways. Students surprised their teachers and paraprofessionals with beautifully decorated doors, while the school provided a different treat each day for employees - and families generously hosted a Panera lunch for all employees to close out the week. MSOW faculty and staff shared how valued they felt and expressed their sincere appreciation for the kindness and support of our families.
A special thank you to MSOW Parent Ambassadors for organizing the door decoration effort!
Scholastic Book Fair
Our recent Scholastic Book Fair provided a great opportunity for students to browse, select, and bring home new books. Many students practiced rounding, adding, subtracting and estimating as part of the experience. This fair’s Buy One Get One Free format made it possible for many students to build their home libraries with many students mentioning that they planned to buy books for their siblings. Nice!
Your support also helped our classrooms book selections grow. Through Scholastic Dollars earned during the fair, teachers were able to select new titles to add to their classroom libraries, supporting both curriculum and student interest. Our library also benefits from the fair.
Thank you to the volunteers who helped make the Book Fair run smoothly.
Thank you to our Book Fair volunteers - in order of the sign-up: Elizabeth Schwartz, Kira Bublitz, Amanda Cole, Morgan McCall, Ashley Angles, Isabel Collins, Mandi Kern, Stacy Brown.
Last Chance for MSOW Spirit Wear This School Year!
Anastasia T-Shirts and Sweat Shirts Available
Move It Day is This Thursday May 21, 2026!
MSOW Box Drive
We are on the Move - time to start packing!
MSOW Community- We need your clean, fully assembled card board boxes. It's time to clean out the garage for a good cause! In preparation for the big move out of the Campus West building that is slated for demolition shortly after the end of the school year, we will be collecting moving/packing boxes. Boxes will be stored in the POD closest to the Campus West Music Room entrance. Starting today, May 18th and continuing all this week, the POD will remain unlocked/open throughout the day.
Please feel free to place any boxes you wish to donate to MSOW directly inside the POD. We are looking for clean boxes that are in sturdy condition and in standard (easy to carry) file box, microwave, or Amazon delivery sizes.
Please don't break the boxes down. We are looking for fully assembled packing boxes. Looking for more ways to help? You may consider collecting boxes from retailers who regularly receive orders in standard cardboard boxes. If you don't have any cardboard you would like to get rid of, please consider donations of packing tape, bubble wrap or other packing material. No packing peanuts please!
Transitioning into Middle School:
Parent Event Provides a Glimpse into the MSOW Middle School Experience
Families gathered this week for an engaging Middle School Parent Meeting led by teachers Brian Bednarek and Luke Crotteau, who walked parents through what to expect as students take their next big step into Middle School.
The evening opened with a tour of the new building layout, giving parents a first look at the updated floor plan and the arrangement of Middle School classrooms. The visual overview helped families picture the learning spaces their children will use each day and sparked excitement for the year ahead.
Brian and Luke then highlighted the essential skills that help students thrive during this transition. They emphasized strong work habits such as prioritizing assignments and managing time, along with effective study skills like note-taking and preparing for assessments. The teachers also discussed the importance of social and emotional growth—from navigating peer relationships to building independence—as well as setting meaningful goals and participating confidently in class discussions. Parents also received an overview of skill expectations across core subjects to better understand the academic foundation students will build upon.
To help families support learning beyond the classroom, Brian and Luke shared strategies for maintaining academic momentum over the summer. Encouraging regular reading, practice work, and enrichment activities, they offered practical ideas and resources to help students retain skills and stay engaged during the break. These suggestions aim to make the transition into Middle School smoother and more successful for every learner.
Seated below (left to right) Brian Bednarek, and Luke Crotteau, Middle School Lead Teachers.
Children's House World Languages: Chinese
Serena Yu, a future MSOW parent and Chinese language teacher at Arrowhead High School, recently volunteered her time to enrich our World Languages special with an engaging and hands-on cultural experience.
She began by introducing students to Chinese numbers, demonstrating how to write numbers one through twelve using traditional characters. Building on this foundation, Serena captivated the children with the beloved Chinese Zodiac story, often known as the Great Race—a legend passed down through generations that explains the order of the twelve zodiac animals and why the Mouse leads the cycle.
To deepen their understanding, students worked in pairs to sequence the story using illustrated cards of the twelve animals, encouraging both collaboration and critical thinking. The lesson then transitioned into a creative activity, where students practiced writing Chinese numbers using calligraphy brushes and water—an approach that allowed them to explore the art form in a fun, low-pressure way.
As a special takeaway, Serena provided each child with a sewing activity to complete at home. Students received a sewing card featuring one of the zodiac animals, along with yarn and a needle, giving them the opportunity to recreate a character from the story while continuing their cultural exploration beyond the classroom.
This immersive experience offered students a meaningful glimpse into Chinese language and traditions, blending storytelling, art, and hands-on learning.
Highlights from the Classroom... and Beyond
LE 2 and LE 3 Field Trip to Sclitz Audubon Nature Center
Water is often called the “liquid of life,” and for good reason—no living thing can survive without it. Lower Elementary 2 & 3 students recently had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of this essential resource during a field trip to Schlitz Audubon Nature Center. Surrounded by wetlands, ponds, and the Lake Michigan shoreline, students experienced firsthand how water shapes ecosystems and supports life.
While exploring the 185-acre property, including over 25 acres of wetlands, students engaged in hands-on experiments and observations that brought the water cycle to life. From watching water move through different environments to discussing how weather and landforms influence its journey, students connected classroom learning to the natural world around them. A highlight of the trip was climbing the observation tower to take in a sweeping view of Lake Michigan, where students learned why freshwater is such a vital and limited resource—and how we can use it responsibly.
This field trip is a meaningful extension of our geography studies, where students begin exploring the water cycle as early as Children’s House. It also supports our broader exploration of ecosystems, helping students understand the relationships between living organisms and their environments. The experience integrates beautifully with our work in botany, zoology, and biodiversity, as students observe how water sustains plant and animal life in different habitats.
Back in the classroom, students continue their learning through water cycle nomenclature activities and hands-on work exploring rivers, rainfall, ocean waves, ice, and the spread of vegetation. They also consider how people live in and adapt to different environmental zones shaped by water.
This immersive experience not only strengthens students’ scientific understanding but also inspires a sense of stewardship for the natural world—an important step in helping them become thoughtful, informed caretakers of our planet.
Spring Enrichment Program
After School Classes and Workshops
Bracelet Making with Sarah Chow, LE 2 Lead Teacher
Candle Making with Jennifer Michaels, LE 2 Paraprofessional
Lower Elementary
Music Concert Nights This Week!
MSOW Board of Trustees' Semester Meeting
May 26th 2026 - MSOW Parents Invited
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!
Helping Hands Needed - Spring Fix It Time
email info@msow.org if you can help
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!
2026-2027 MSOW Calendar
Sept 8 start date 26-27 Final (Based off of 25/26 calendar).xlsxPage updated
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