On behalf of the 2008-2009 RAM Executive team, we would like to welcome you back to another exciting year! This year, we have some returning executive members as well as new parents coming on board. I am pleased to be sharing the Chairman’s role this year with Borg Chan so if you have any questions or concerns, please contact us. We are always looking for new volunteers, especially parents of K, 1 and 2 children. The reality is that if you do not come forward and volunteer, there is a possibility that the Montessori program will cease to continue.

I would like to thank all the members of the 2007-2008 Executive Committee for the time and effort. Also, a big thank you to all the parents for their generous support to RAM. Our target was $25,000 and we raised $23,172 to go towards this year’s activities. Last year, we spent $14,436 on purchasing materials, and repaid $2,000 of the School Board Loan. Many thanks to Mrs. Thelma Serrano who held 3 very informative Parent Education workshops, and to the parents who made time to attend and learn. We had a fun badminton social in April and although it rained on our June year end BBQ, those who came managed to enjoy socializing and playing games in the gym. We hope you’ll put these dates into your annual calendar and come join us this coming year. It’s a great way for the kids, parents, teachers and staff to get together in a casual atmosphere.

I hope you enjoyed watching the 2008 Summer Olympics. I was awestruck and inspired by the atheletes’ spirit, talent and achievements. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Michael Phelps win his 8 Gold medals. Did you know that as a child, he was diagnosed with ADHD and an elementary school teacher told him that he would not amount to anything? He thought of that every time he was on the podium and how he proved that teacher wrong. If he can accomplish all that he has, imagine what are our children are capable of. I would encourage you to support your children when they feel weak and meek; when and where they need development, strengthen them by telling them that they can do it. Help them discover their passion and to reach their potential, and encourage them to dream big and persevere. But more importantly, measure their success, and yours, not by what they achieve but how it made them feel because I believe that that is the true reward.

We have 18 Montessori classes this year. Our RAM meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month (see schedule). Please come and join us to hear reports about our schools, brainstorm on events and activities and make funding decisions. We look forward to seeing and working with you. J. McKinney Elemen. School Tel: 604-668-6133

Barbara Lee & Borg Chan, Co-Chairpersons