George Watts Montessori Elementary

This Week's Update

Week of August 18, 2025

With just one week until we kick off the 2025-26 school year, I know everyone is filled with anticipation. The team at George Watts Montessori will be busy preparing this week, and can't wait to welcome Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary families to stop by between 8 and 9:30 Friday morning to check out the classroom and say hello! We hope to have final classroom assignments complete by early this week--we'll be sure to alert you when ready!

This week, there are several ways you can help prepare for the 2025-26 school year! Use the following as your checklist this week:

  • Save-the-Dates: we work hard to include as many school events on the calendar as possible from the start.

    • Use this iCal link to add the GWM calendar to your family calendar.

    • Or, add the events that interest you by reviewing the community calendar HERE.

  • Download the new Durham Public Schools App (directions for download and setup can be found HERE). The DPS app will be your #1 source of information and communication at George Watts Montessori.

  • One school, one communication app--within the DPS app, you'll have access to ROOMS, our new classroom communication tool. ROOMS will be the #1 way teachers will communicate with their classroom families. Learn about how to set up and access ROOMS HERE.

  • Pay your technology fee TODAY: DPS is implementing a new fee for all students to ensure the continuation of one-to-one devices. Student use of Chromebooks grows with age, and the DPS fee models this, $15 per year in elementary and $30 per year in grades 6-12. Please go ahead and pay your child's fee HERE.

  • Check out the supply lists linked in our back-to-school section on our website.

  • Finally, practice an early bedtime all week! Elementary school starts early and the best way you can help prepare your child for school is to start practicing and earlier bedtime. Ideally, students in elementary school need 9-12 hours of sleep per night.

Be on the lookout for another newsletter mid-week with all things transportation (car, bus, walking, and biking)! We want to make sure everyone is ready for a safe and fun first week of school!

See you soon!

Principal Jenn

Happening this week:

  • Friday, August 22, 8-9:30 AM, Lower El and Upper El Meet-the-teacher

Opportunities to get involved:

  • Join the PTA--our parent-teacher-association is committed to making George Watts Montessori a great place to learn and work. Join today!

  • Consider being a classroom ROOM PARENT! Our goal is to ensure every classroom has a room parent to help bring the classroom families together to support our kids! Room parents will help with family communication and organizing. There will be an opportunity to sign up at the meet-the-teachers events.

  • School Improvement Team: we are looking for parent representatives for our school improvement team. Learn more HERE. Voting will take in just a couple of weeks--nominate yourself with an email to Principal Jenn.