November 21, 2025
Embedded Files
For the complete MSOW 2025-26 External/Family Month by Month Calendar please, CLICK HERE.
Message From the Head of School
Volunteerism has long been one of the cornerstones of the MSOW school community. As a school guided by Montessori philosophy, we value cooperation, shared responsibility, and mutual respect. When parents, caregivers, and employees come together to serve, we create a more connected, engaging environment for our children to learn and grow...and, we have fun!
This year, while our pool of dedicated volunteers remains strong (Thank you all!), we are introducing a small but meaningful change: instead of one or two people carrying the full load of managing each event or project, we are hoping to form leadership teams of three to five people. These small groups will communicate with administration, coordinate the volunteers, manage logistics, and help keep momentum and enthusiasm high - with leadership succession built in.
The team that guided the recent Heritage Folk Fair is a perfect example of this model. Two people who had long-term experience with the event were joined by three to four more people who have been gaining experience over the past two years. You can see in the photo below just how much fun it is to be a volunteer at MSOW!
In this edition of the Newsfeed, you’ll be introduced to the foundational volunteers of our classroom communities - our Parent Ambassadors. Parent Ambassadors focus on strengthening connections among MSOW families in each classroom - helping parents learn about opportunities to engage with the broader MSOW community. These volunteers organized the classroom events many of you enjoyed attending this fall.
In the next issue of the Newsfeed, you’ll be able to explore a descriptive list of schoolwide events and projects where these leadership teams will play an important role. If you’ve ever wanted to get involved, share ideas, or help shape something meaningful, this is a great way to contribute without taking it all on alone. You can start thinking about joining a team for Homecoming, Montestarry Night, Grand Gathering, Cards & Cravings, Heritage Folk Fair, Scholastic Book Fairs, Wellness Seminar, Move-It-Day, the MSOW Musical and more!
The outcome? A lighter lift. New perspectives. Deeper relationships. More joy in the work we share. Together, we’ll continue to build a school community that grows stronger and more connected every year.
Brenda Zellmer
Head of School
Montessori School of Waukesha
2025-26 Fall Family Satisfaction Survey
We are interested in how the school year is going for your family so far. Our first continuous improvement survey of the year was rolled out at Parent Teacher Conferences. You all should have received a piece of paper with a QR code. If you didn't get a chance to respond yet, please take about two minutes to answer this short online survey to help us learn how we can continue to improve. Thank you!
MSOW Heritage Folk Fair
The food was plentiful, exotic, and absolutely delicious at this year’s Heritage Folk Fair! From homestyle comfort dishes to gourmet creations from across the globe, there was truly something for every palate to enjoy while taking in the extraordinary talent showcased on the Bryant Family Stage.
The dazzling artistry of Japanese drummers, Brazilian martial artists, Chinese dancers and musicians, and Mexican folk dancers took us on a journey around the world and back again. Interactive activities—such as a drumming workshop, Chinese calligraphy, designing your own henna tattoo, and other cultural experiences—were fun and educational for the whole family.
Our own Mr. Devin and Ms. Evelyn took the stage for multilingual story time, and Children’s House and Lower Elementary students had their moment to shine as they performed a traditional Māori welcome song during the festivities. More than $900 was raised for MSOW, making this a record-breaking year for this beloved event.
We would never be able to host a Folk Fair without the hard work and dedication of some very special people. Thank you to our generous Heritage Folk Fair volunteers!
Mickey O’Mara, Sarah Seibt, Mary Ting, Karen Driscoll, Ei Nan Kar, Khushi Goyal, Eve Bruce, Kellie Lanza, Olivia Giles, Andrea Argue,
Tammy Van, Chelsey Barta, Theresa McClurg, Sarah Harvey, Ashleigh Spitza, Samprita Chakraborti, Bethany Mueller, Emily Loeffler,
Mandi Kern, Chris Beukema, Nick Schmitt, Brenda Zellmer, Jenni Huck, Brunilda Iljazi, Tess Zahn, Isabel Collins, Bill Lewis, Sarah Stettler,
Sarah McIntyre, Kevin Moore, Jessie Miller, Paul Giles, Diana Ansaldi, Karri Spataro, Kelly Major, and Mariana Brandao Costa.
Please scroll through these images of the Heritage Folk Fair
Meet Your Parent Ambassadors
A Parent Ambassador is the link between MSOW and classroom families. The role helps keep parents informed, engaged, and connected throughout the year.
Role of a Parent Ambassador
Role of a Parent Ambassador
Foster a welcoming, inclusive classroom community.
Keep families informed about class and school events.
Encourage participation and help build school spirit.
Be a Positive Force & Encourage families to participate, connect, and celebrate what MSOW offers. You help shape a stronger, more vibrant school community!
Thank you to our Parent Ambassadors for volunteering their time to help our MSOW community stay connected!
Leah Jorgensen
Pre-Children's House
Rebecca Rogowski
Children's House 1
Jamie Borghoff
Children's House 2
Karri Spataro
Children's House 3
Carla Porter
Children's House 4
Mandy Germain
Children's House 5
Jessie Miller
Lower Elementary 1
Elizabeth Schwartz
Lower Elementary 2
Anabelle Weeks
Lower Elementary 3
Tess Zahn
Lower Elementary 4
Mickey O'Mara
Upper Elementary 1
Reba Meindl
Upper Elementary 2
Amy Linzmeyer Jelinek
Upper Elementary 3
Photo Not Available: Lisa Smart (Middle School)
MSOW Welcomes an Artist in Residence
We’re excited to welcome our Artist in Residence, Sally Duback, who will be working with our students over the next four weeks! Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Middle School students will collaborate with Sally to create a mosaic mural inspired by Maria Montessori's Five Great Lessons. Through this hands-on experience, students will explore the art of working with real clay while also learning more about the life of a professional artist. We can’t wait to see their ideas come to life in this beautiful community project!
To help make this project a success, we’re asking families to contribute supplies. If you’re able,
please consider donating:
Buttons - all types
Broken or no-longer-wanted costume jewelry
Scrabble letters and/or alphabet beads
Sequins
Broken dishes
Legos
Rhinestones
Here are some examples of Sally Duback's past work and an idea of the mosaic work our Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary and Middle School Students will be helping to create.
Meet Maple - Therapy Dog in Training!
From Lead Mindfulness & Nutrition Specialist- Sara O'Rielly
Our Middle School Wellness Service Group had a special visitor this week - Maple, a therapy dog in training! Students spent time learning about the role of therapy dogs in providing comfort and connection, and practiced how to respectfully and safely interact with animals in a school setting.
As part of the Wellness curriculum, this experience encouraged students to explore empathy, mindfulness, and service to others. The group will continue to follow Maple’s training journey and reflect on the ways animals can support well-being in schools and communities.
We’re so proud of our middle schoolers for their thoughtful participation and their warm welcome for Maple as she continues her training journey!
Spreading calm, kindness, and connection — one paw at a time. 🐾
Scholastic Book Fair
Your Support Makes a Big Difference for our Teachers and Students!
The MSOW Fall Scholastic Book Fair was a wonderful addition to Parent Teacher Conference days, November 13th and 14th. The live book fair held in the MSOW library along with online sales generated more than 1,200 more points for teachers to use towards the purchase of books and other materials for their classrooms. Thank you to all who shopped to support MSOW. 25% of sales went directly towards more books for our students! A very special thank you goes out to the volunteers who made this book fair possible: Kelly Dietsch, Sarah Seibt, Mary Sedlmeier and Karen Driscoll.
MSOW Food Drive Finishes Strong
The totals are not yet in, but the giving spirit and the collection barrels here at MSOW were overflowing throughout the November 3rd-21st Food Drive. During this season of high need, our students pitched in to collect items to benefit the Waukesha Food Pantry. Thank you to all MSOW families that were able to donate! A special thank you to Sarah Chow, Jennifer Michaels and Lower Elementary 2 Students for all of your hard work organinzing the MSOW Food Drive.
Help Where it is Needed!
MSOW Community and Beyond
Friends With Food – friendswithfoodwi.org, (262) 409-9282
713 N Grandview Boulevard, Waukesha
Tuesdays: 11-11:45 am (9-11 by appointment)
Thursdays: 4:00-4:45 pm (2-4 by appointment)
Saturdays: 11:30 – 11:45 am (10-11:30 by appointment)
Waukesha Food Pantry* – waukeshafoodpantry.org – (262) 542-5300
1301 Sentry Drive, Waukesha
Monday-Friday: 1-3 pm
Monday: 6-8 pm
Saturday: 9:30-11:30 am
Hope Center – (262) 549-8726, hopecenterwi.org/programs
101 W Broadway, Waukesha
Free evening meals served Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 5:30 pm
Breakfast at 9:00 am and hot lunch at noon, served daily. Sunday meal served 2 pm.
The Stone Soup Project – (262) 696-9085
409 E Main St., Waukesha
Hot meal Tuesdays-Thursdays at 4:00 pm
The Salvation Army – (262) 547-7367
445 Madison Street, Waukesha
Meals served Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 5:00-5:40 pm
Dad's Night Out
MSOW dads sharpened their golf skills using golf simulators and enjoyed refreshments with each other at the Dad's Night Out on November 15th. One event is held each semester.
MSOW Night at Skateland
Fundraiser to Support the Middle School trip to Washington DC.
MSOW Middle School students are working hard, or should we say playing hard, to organize fundraisers to help offset the cost of their planned trip to Washington, D.C. this spring. The Skateland Night raised $420.
Mark Your Calendars - Meals for Montessori
Delicious ways to support MSOW throughout the school year.
Children's House Wildlife in Need Presentation
https://www.helpingwildlife.org/
While the Wildlife In Need Center (WINC) is known for its medical care to injured, orphaned, or sick Wisconsin wildlife, the education opportunities we provide are of equal importance. We believe that education is the key to creating generations dedicated to the preservation of our wildlife. Our passionate educators and animal ambassadors give over 150 programs and educate more than 26,000 people each year. These programs enrich any classroom and engage students and adults of all ages with the opportunity to observe these amazing animals up close. Even the most knowledgeable wildlife enthusiasts walk away from one of our programs having learned something new and exciting about Wisconsin’s wildlife!
Children's House students had the exciting opportunity to meet and greet an array of animal ambassadors when they had a visit from an animal educator from Wildlife in Need.
Highlights from the Classroom
Children's House 4 Students at Work
Lower Elementary 2 Students at Work
MSOW Gala Event - Saturday, March 14th
Save the Date for a "Polynesian Paradise"
Start gathering people for your Gala table! As you meet other parents at MSOW events, start to think about groups of 8 to 10 for a Gala table. You can also extend invitations to people in your work networks.
Remember, now is a great time to find a tropical themed outfit for the MSOW Gala if you'd like to dress to the theme, Polynesian Paradise! Most clothing sources have greatly reduced these warm weather / vacation tropical-print staples. Of course, you don't need to dress to the theme to attend, cocktail attire is fine too - just add a flower to your hair or a lei.
Thank You to our wonderful Volunteers
Thank you to Matt Florentine for donating basketballs. They will be enjoyed by MSOW students!
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