Montessori School of Waukesha

March 4, 2026

Go to the Gala!

An Evening in Polynesian Paradise Awaits

If you have been thinking about attending the Gala but have not yet purchased your tickets, consider this your invitation to step into Polynesian Paradise for an unforgettable evening together as a school community. Sorry, but no tickets are sold at the door. Purchase Tickets Here!

This year’s Gala promises to be a festive and relaxed night filled with tropical flair and joyful celebration. Guests will be welcomed into a high end island luau atmosphere complete with Polynesian dancers and drummers, festive games, lively music and dancing, and signature cocktails inspired by the islands. Of course, the evening will also feature our live and silent auctions, where you can bid on wonderful experiences and items while supporting the mission of our school.

And while the setting will feel special, the spirit of the evening is classy and casual at the same time. This is not a black tie event. You might see someone in a breezy summer dress while another guest arrives in a Hawaiian shirt, shorts, and flip flops. However you choose to dress, the goal is simple: come comfortable, come ready to have fun, and come ready to celebrate together.

More than anything, the Gala is about community. It is a chance to relax, laugh, and celebrate the shared work we do every day for the children of our school. When parents, friends, and supporters gather in one place with a spirit of generosity and fun, something special happens. Ask people who have attended and they will confirm this.

Still deciding? Let our students help persuade you. They have created a short video with a simple message: Go to the Gala! 🎥 video link here

We hope you will join us for a memorable evening in Polynesian Paradise. Bring your friends, gather your table, and come ready for a night of laughter, music, and community. The island awaits. Mahalo for your support

Brenda Zellmer

Head of School

Montessori School of Waukesha

Go to the Gala! March 14, 2026

Ticket Deadline Extended to March 8th!

No Tickets Sold at the Door. Purchase yours today HERE!

Ticket Deadline Extended to March 8th!

No Tickets Sold at the Door. Purchase yours today HERE!

Ticket Deadline Extended to March 8th!

No Tickets Sold at the Door. Purchase yours today HERE!

Montessori Lessons Nights 2/19/26 & 2/26/26

Nights of Shared Learning and Community - Photos!

This semester, our Elementary and Middle School communities gathered for a special evening of shared learning and connection. The event welcomed families into classrooms across all levels, where students proudly showcased the Montessori materials that shape their daily educational experiences.

Throughout the night, students confidently presented lessons, demonstrating both their mastery of academic concepts and their growing independence. Families rotated through classrooms, gaining a meaningful window into the Montessori curriculum—not only seeing what their children are currently studying, but also discovering what lies ahead as they continue to progress through the program.

As in years past, the evening was filled with curiosity, enthusiasm, and a strong sense of community. Parents valued the opportunity to explore different classrooms and engage with the learning process firsthand. Most of all, it was a joy to see our students shine as they shared their knowledge with confidence and clarity.

View the Montessori Lessons Night 2-19-26 Photo Album Here!

View the Montessori Lessons Night 2-26-26 Photo Album Here!

MSOW Expansion Project

Site Signage for Build the Vision expansion: view from University Avenue and QR code to donate.

View from the north - areas from left to right: Double doors into library, Bryant Family Theatre, Gym.

View from corner of Summit Avenue and University Avenue.

Children's House 1 Students share in the excitement - fiber optic cable moved in preparation for site prep.

The POD Squad - Consider Joining!

We'll need help loading items into/out of PODs. Link to Sign Up Below!

Sign Up for the POD Squad Here! The people on the POD squad list will be contacted when it is time to ACTIVATE! The upcoming days and times will be identified in these contact emails and then POD Squad members can check their schedules to see if they are available for an hour or two.

The first of several PODS was placed in front of Campus West. Additional PODS will be delivered before the end of the school year. Campus West must be fully emptied by early June in advance of demolition.

As classrooms and offices wrap up the year, items that will not be needed before June are being carefully packed and stored. This includes furniture designated for future expansion spaces, event materials from completed 2025–26 programs, surplus office supplies, and other resources that will be reused in our newly renovated and expanded areas. Thoughtful organization now will make our transition into the new spaces smoother and more efficient.

The “POD Squad” effort will intensify at the close of the school year. May 30 - June 7 will be especially important work days, and the more hands we have, the better. Tasks will include packing, labeling, moving lightweight furniture, organizing materials, and helping prepare spaces for the next phase of construction. Middle School, Music Room, Administration Offices, GMEI, CH5, LE4, and the Library are all impacted during this timeframe. UE2 needs to serve GMEI in July so will not be loaded into a POD until after that.

This is truly a community moment. Whether you can give an hour or a full day, your participation makes a meaningful difference. It reduces moving costs, supports our staff, and helps us steward resources wisely as we build for the future.

Lower Elementary 2 & 4 Explore Urban Wildlife

2/20/26 Field trip to the Urban Ecology Center

Lower Elementary classrooms 2 and 4 spent a lively morning at the Urban Ecology Center, where students stepped into the role of young naturalists and uncovered the hidden stories of city wildlife. With curiosity leading the way, they searched the trails for tracks, scat, feathers, and other subtle signs that reveal which animals had recently passed through the area.

As they explored, students scanned tree branches, brush piles, and burrows to spot different types of animal homes. These discoveries helped them understand how wildlife adapts to life in an urban environment and how animals find food, shelter, and safety within the city landscape.

Back in the classroom, students will continue their learning through independent research and zoology nomenclature work, connecting their field experiences to ongoing studies. They will also have opportunities to explore the MSOW grounds, applying their new tracking skills to identify signs of wildlife right in their own school environment.

Lower Elementary Students

Discover the Art of the Handpan

Lower Elementary students enjoyed a special musical experience last week when handpan makers from Isthmus Instruments in Madison, WI visited Music class for a live demonstration. The handpan—a modern, hand‑played steel percussion instrument—captivated students with its soothing, melodic sound. Students were deeply engaged, asking thoughtful questions and eagerly taking turns playing the instrument themselves.

One of the handpans featured during the visit was generously donated by Noelle Bryant‑Nanz and her daughters, Quinn and Leah, in honor of her son and their brother, Noel, who played the handpan for many years. Noel passed away in 2023. Noelle was one of the first MSOW students after her parents Tony and Andrea Bryant helped found MSOW. Quinn, Leah, and Noel were also students at MSOW and now Quinn's daughter Jada is an MSOW student. Four generations involved at MSOW!

Pictured in photo above: Noelle Bryant-Nanz, Leah Bryant-Nanz, Quinn Bryant-Nanz. Appreciation goes out to the Bryant-Nanz family for also sponsoring this special visit. Learn more about the handpan instrument, how it is made, nd how it sounds here: https://www.isthmusinstruments.com/

Building Healthy Habits:

Extended Day Students Learn About Dental Care

Every February, during Children’s House Extended Day, we celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month and focus on building healthy habits that last a lifetime.

This year, MSOW parent, Dr. Whitney Ahorn (Carter LE 2, Zoey LE 4), spent time with our students sharing the importance of dental health through engaging storybooks, interactive games, and a fun hands-on brushing activity. The children learned practical tips for caring for their teeth while enjoying an afternoon of meaningful, age-appropriate activities.

Each student also went home with a “goodie bag” filled with healthy and fun items to support their dental care routines at home. We are grateful to Dr. Ahorn for helping us make this annual celebration both educational and memorable!

World Languages: Greek

Extended Day students recently enjoyed a captivating visit from Timothy O’Mara, parent to Daniel in Upper Elementary and Malcolm in Middle School, as well as a dedicated MSOW Board member. Drawing from his rich Greek heritage, Mr. O’Mara led students on an exciting exploration of the Greek language and the culture that shaped it.

He began by reading a children’s story entirely in Greek, giving students a chance to hear the rhythm and musicality of the language. From there, he introduced the Greek alphabet, pointing out the seven vowels, twenty‑six consonants, and the surprising number of letters that resemble those in English. Students eagerly joined in as he guided them through counting from one to ten in Greek, turning the lesson into an energetic, hands-on experience.

The room buzzed with curiosity as Mr. O’Mara shared a collection of Greek artifacts, including ancient-style coins, a Greek-flag coin purse, small statuettes, a Greek stamp collection, and striking photos of historic ruins. Each item sparked questions and wonder, helping students connect the language to the culture behind it.

He also highlighted Greece’s important role in history, explaining how the Olympic Games trace their origins back to ancient Greek traditions. As a special treat, he shared Daniel’s personal photo album from a family trip to Greece, giving students a glimpse of modern life alongside ancient landmarks.

We are deeply grateful to Mr. O’Mara for the time, preparation, and enthusiasm he brought to this presentation. His willingness to share his knowledge and heritage made the Greek language come alive for our students and added a memorable chapter to our World Languages program.

Highlights from the Classroom

Childrens's House 1 Extended Day students studied the layers of the earth this week by making edible earths. Enjoy some delicious photos! From Children's House 1, Lead Teacher, Sam El-Azem.

5th Year Upper Elementary 1 students learned about the concept of Free Enterprise and why consumers are likely to purchase certain products. Small groups then used teamwork to create a prototype of a product and were challenged to produce as many as possible in 10 minutes. Entrepreneurship at work!! This activity was in preapration for the Junior Achievement Biz Town Simulation on March 16th, 2026

From Upper Elementary 1, Lead Teacher, Abbey Blunck.

Scenes from the Music Room: Lower Elementary students work on their Native American Instrument Nomenclature Cards. Parents can expect to see these projects coming home soon! Middle School students gather to share a moment with Ms. Sara after class.

From Sara Schmitz, Lead General Music Specialist

Winter Enrichment Classes: Dance with Aspire Dance Center 3K-5K

This 6-week after-school Enrichment Program dance session introduces students to beginner hip-hop and ballet skills through fun, age-appropriate movement and imaginative play. Each week features a new theme—Frozen Adventures, Dancin’ Dinos, Princess Ballet, Fairy Friends, Underwater Adventures, and K-Pop Magik!—while dancers build coordination, rhythm, balance, and confidence in a positive and energetic environment.

Each class is led by an experienced Aspire Dance Center instructor. Enjoy these photos from the first class!