First and Foremost: Congratulations Mr. Mark: Our New Principal!
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We are thrilled to officially welcome Mr. Mark Sholta as the new Principal of Bay View Montessori School!
Mr. Mark has been a dedicated and thoughtful leader in our community, serving as our Assistant Principal and working closely with students, staff, and families across both campuses. His passion for Montessori education, commitment to equity, and deep knowledge of our school’s values make him the perfect person to lead us into this next chapter.
Over the past week, it has been an honor to witness staff and students of all ages at both campuses enthusiastically congratulate him, silly grinning, high-fiving, and expressing their excitement and joy that he is now their principal. Their genuine happiness is a beautiful reminder of the strong relationships and trust he has built with our students.
Bay View Montessori has grown into a vibrant two-campus community that nurtures independence, curiosity, and care for the earth, and with Mr. Mark at the helm, we know that tradition will only continue to flourish. Please join us in celebrating Mr. Mark on this well-earned step forward. We’re so lucky to have his steady leadership and vision guiding our school.
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Welcome Back to School BVM Families
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I’m so excited to welcome you to a brand new school year at Bay View Montessori! Whether you’re returning or joining us for the first time: thank you for being part of this amazing community.
My name is Ania (Anna) Maties, and I’m your Parent Coordinator, a role made possible through Title I funding. I’m here to support families, connect you with resources, and help make your experience at BVM the best it can be. Whether you have a question, an idea, or just need help navigating school info I’m here for you. I started in this position at the end of last school year, and it’s been such a joy getting to know so many of our wonderful students and parents.
A bit about me: I’m also a BVM parent myself; my two younger kids are in Lower Elementary, and my oldest, Maia, is a high school senior who volunteers at BVM often. She’ll be coaching our 1st–3rd grade soccer team this fall! I’m originally from Poland and lived in Chicago before moving to Milwaukee a few years ago. When I found BVM, I truly fell in love with the school’s mission, staff, and community. Over the past three years, I’ve volunteered regularly and served as the PTO Treasurer for the past two years (a role now open, please sign up here if you’re interested!). Before joining MPS, I worked as a fraud and sales analyst in telecommunications and in hospitality, but my heart is happiest here, connecting with families and helping our school community thrive. I have a deep love for the arts and am always excited to encourage creative opportunities for our students.
Here’s how I can help you this year:
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- Finding resources
- Connecting you with staff or programs
- Supporting you if you want to start a club, group, or event
- Finding resources
- Providing updates and information to help you stay connected and informed
- Weekly Updates will be sent out via email through our Friday Newsletter. Starting next week, the school website will include:
- Copies of the weekly newsletters
- PTO and SEC meeting minutes
- Links to upcoming virtual meetings
- Other important school info and updates
You can find me in the Lower Campus library in the mornings and in the Upper Campus office in the afternoons. Please stop by and say hello, I’d love to meet you!
I’ll be giving a Title I informational presentation during our first PTO meetings on Monday, September 16th. I encourage all families to attend and learn more about how Title I supports our school and how your involvement makes a difference.
Here’s to a joyful and successful school year. I’m honored to be here with you, and I can’t wait to connect with more families. Let’s make it a great year together!
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We know our Montessori families are some of the most engaged in the city so let’s prove it! The district’s Family Engagement Survey is open now, and your input helps us understand what’s working well and where we can grow stronger together. Last year, Fernwood Montessori had a significantly higher response rate than we did, the highest in the district… let’s change that this year! The survey takes about five minutes, is available in multiple languages, and is open until October 31. Every voice matters. Let’s make ours the loudest.
Family Engagement Survey
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Please fill out and return the packet sent home with your child as soon as possible.
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A message from the school district regarding Early Release Days
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Milwaukee Public Schools has updated its 2025-26 school year calendar so that the district can work alongside its teachers and support staff to help all MPS students read at grade level. Specifically, the district will use new early release days and additional professional development days to put into practice a new science-based approach to early reading that aligns to state law (2023 Wisconsin Act 20). This approach includes phonics, vocabulary building, and more. You can read more about Act 20 on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction website. The calendar changes are:
October 8, December 10, March 4, and April 15 are now early release days. Students’ school day will end two hours earlier than their scheduled time on these days.
November 24, November 25, and April 30 have been added as professional development days. Students will not attend school on these days.
We recognize that making changes at this point in the year can cause challenges for families. Please know that the district is working with Milwaukee Recreation to provide families with access to camps at their MPS school or an MPS school near their home on both the new early release days and the new professional development days. Families will be asked to register in advance; more details will be shared in the coming weeks.
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Fall Sports Update – Last day to sign up!!
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Today is the final day to sign up for fall sports! If you haven’t registered your child yet, please fill out the fall sports interest form and submit it by the end of the day. If you cannot find your child’s s number, simply leave it blank.
Team assignments will be shared soon, and coaches will be reaching out to families with details about practice start dates, game schedules, and other important info.
We need your help!
One of our teams (football), currently with 14 eager players, still does not have a confirmed coach. Without a volunteer by this Sunday, we may unfortunately have to cancel the team. A parent has kindly stepped forward and is willing to help lead the team, but due to some scheduling conflicts (including a prior commitment on the first game day, September 20) we’re looking for someone to co-coach and help cover a few dates throughout the season. If we can find even one or two people to help share the load, we can make this work and keep the team going.
If you can help or want to learn more, please reach out to our Sports Coordinator, Kate, at bvmsportco@gmail.com as soon as possible.
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Play it Forward: Sports Equipment Swap Events
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Does your child have gently used sports equipment or athletic shoes they’ve outgrown? Donate them!
Looking for the right size for the next season? Come take what you need!
How it works:
Bring in gently used sports equipment and athletic shoes.
Browse and take items that fit your child during our swap events.
All families are welcome to participate, whether or not you donate. Let’s keep gear out of landfills, make sports more accessible for every child, and model community care for our students.
Donation Drop-Off: Play it Forward Bin in LC or UC Office
Swap Events:
Wed, September 10 | 3:30-4:45 UC Playground
Mon, September 15 | 3:30-4:45 UC Playground
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Our wonderful music teacher, Ms. Farinelli, would like to share a wonderful opportunity for our students 7 years old and up.
MKE Rec has Percussion, Drumline, Drumset, and Piano/Keyboard classes starting September 18 and going through December 6, 2025. These classes will be Thursday Evenings and Saturday Mornings.
INSTRUMENT RENTAL: $10 per term
BOOK FEE: $10 per class
Both payable in cash at the first lesson
REGISTRATION: Visit mkerec.net for class details and to sign up. For questions, call (414) 475-8180.
See this flyer for more details.
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Ways to support BVM and get involved
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Our Montessori community thrives when families share their voices, ideas, and perspectives.
Three important opportunities are available this fall:
School Engagement Council (SEC)
The SEC is our school-based advisory council where families, staff, and community members work together to strengthen equity, cultural relevance, and student success. Members help shape school improvement plans, discuss budget priorities, and ensure family voices are central to major school decisions.
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- Meets seven times a year (Sept, Oct, Nov, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr)
- At least 51% of members must be family/community representatives
- Open to all, with a special need for parents to serve as voting members
District Advisory Council (DAC)
The DAC is a districtwide forum where families and community members partner directly with Milwaukee Public Schools. We need two official representatives from our school to serve.
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- Meets virtually on Zoom, the first Thursday of each month (Oct–June, 6:00–7:30pm)
- Spanish interpretation provided; additional languages available on request
- Representatives serve a two-year term and must attend most meetings
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
Your child is beginning an incredible journey and so are you. Joining the PTO is one of the best ways to connect, contribute, and grow alongside your child in their Montessori experience. Whether it’s your first year at BVM or your fifth, the PTO is here to make sure every family feels welcomed, involved, and supported.
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- Meet other parents who are navigating the same milestones. Forge friendships, swap tips, and support one another in a welcoming, judgment-free space.
- Get insider updates on school events, classroom projects, and Montessori methods before they hit the grapevine.
- Have ideas? Talents to share? Questions? Concerns? The PTO gives you a direct line to the administration and a chance to help shape school-wide decisions.
- From fundraising to teacher appreciation, every PTO project supports our child’s learning environment and makes a real difference.
- We know you’re busy. That’s why we usually meet just once a month, Tuesdays at 9:10 AM and 5:45 PM. Both times will discuss the same agenda
- so you will not miss a thing.
You can attend in person or virtually, whatever works best for your schedule
The first meeting is Tuesday, September 16th | 9:10 am at Lower Campus & 5:45 pm at Upper Campus
By serving on the PTO, SEC or DAC, you’ll help ensure family perspectives are at the heart of decisions that shape our school and district.
Interested? Please sign up here to volunteer for one (or all!) groups. Your voice matters, and our children benefit when we lead together.
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