Welcome to March Madness and the Casa Montessori Annual Fund Drive! 

We are excited to get things started and know that we will reach both of our goals of 100% family participation and raising $45,000.00! We often tell the children that, “Many hands make light work”, and we are grateful for the many hands of the AFD Committee that continue to make the AFD fun and successful each year! I hope that you will have an opportunity to join us at one of the events that they are hosting this month, to welcome new families, renew established friendships, and grow our Casa community!

When reviewing what improvements and projects should be funded by the AFD each year, we put much thought into what will have the greatest impact for the children’s and guide’s daily experience here at Casa. That is why a new fence along Foster Avenue and Chromebooks for the guides are at the top of our list this year. Not only will new fencing provide greater security and privacy for our campus, but it will beautify our property, on the inside and outside! Over the last several years we have been steadily moving away from paper-based recordkeeping and communications, but we haven’t kept pace with the technology our guides need to be successful with their changing responsibilities. Casa has operated with one computer for the last 20 years and since implementing Transparent Classroom 5 years ago, the guides have been using iPads for all of their record keeping which has proven tedious and very time consuming! The purchase of Chromebooks for each guide will facilitate their daily record keeping, lesson planning and communication needs.

In addition to these “fun” items, the AFD provides funding for our Tuition Assistance program, Continuing Education opportunities for the entire staff, and general repairs/campus maintenance.

Past projects that have been completed with the funds raised from the AFD include:

• shade sails in the backyard after the loss of our beautiful oak tree
• artificial turf in the backyard
• a rubberized running track
• a campus wide monitored security system with video surveillance
• the flower and vegetable garden at our front entrance
• the mural on Class C facing Veterans Dr., to be completed in April 2020
• $16,000 for families in need of Tuition Assistance for the 2019-2020 school year
• funds for a campus wide water filtration are in reserve and we are patiently waiting for the city to install a new waterline for the American Legion property before it is installed.

We sincerely hope that you see the value in participating in the AFD, whether it is your child’s first year at Casa or their last, and contribute at the level that is comfortable for your family. We have had an overwhelming response the last three years with 100% participation from our families and staff, and with your help we can keep that amazing record going! Please take a moment to make your tax-deductible donation today!

Sincerely, 

Joy Winters

Head of School