The Mandelstam School

April Month in Review ✨

April was filled with nonstop excitement at TMS and so many moments that made this month unforgettable.

The countdown to Cranky Carl and His Cosmic Contemplations officially took over campus with rehearsals happening constantly as students prepared for one of the biggest productions of the year 🎭

Our youngest students celebrated Hero Week, learning all about the incredible people who help our community every day. Firefighters, police officers, and even the sweetest therapy dog came to visit the school 🚒👮‍♂️🐶

For Earth Day, the Worm Whisperer stopped by for a special hands-on experience where students explored our beautiful garden, learned all about worms, and got to interact with them up close 🪱🌎

There was also plenty of fun happening after school, including a cooking activity with our in-house chef where students got to make their own pizzas 🍕

Spring brought lots of special traditions around campus including popsicle day, a spring egg hunt filled with loose change that helped our third graders practice counting money skills, and a pool party celebration for students who completed their summer packets from the year before ☀️🪙💦

Fifth grade also had their legendary Princess Bride sleepover, one of the most anticipated traditions at TMS. It was filled with surprises and unforgettable memories, but the details remain top secret to keep the magic alive for future classes ✨

And throughout it all, classrooms remained filled with academics, creativity, learning, and fun every single day.

April also brought our annual school auction, a wonderful night for parents to celebrate together while raising important funds that help support so many of the incredible experiences we provide for our students throughout the year. We are so grateful for our amazing MPTA.

Looking back, it’s hard to believe everything that fit into February and March 💛💚

Two big moments took over the stage. Our World Culture performances and Spanish Poetry Recitation. So much preparation went into both, and seeing the kids step out there with that level of confidence never gets old. All of those behind the scenes, backstage moments make it even more special.

We also had World Culture Festival and room tours, which are always a favorite. Room parents collaborated with teachers in bringing everything to life for the classroom displays.

In between all of that, there were so many sweet moments. Valentine’s Day celebrations, a fun St. Patrick’s Day, and releasing ladybugs into our garden. The leprechauns even left the Pre-K class quite a surprise. And speaking of Pre-K, they had a visit from a firefighter for Hero Week. He read to them, let them try on his gear, and the kids came dressed as their own favorite heroes.

We also had some fun dress down days like pajama day and a 1950s day where the kids showed off their best Grease-inspired looks, which will come full circle with this year’s gym show.

There was also so much happening in the classroom. Lots of academics, even a dissection in 5th grade, and tons of gymnastics as they prepare for the gym show just around the corner.

Somehow we did all of this with a ski week break in February and spring break in March. February and March were full in the very best way ✨

A full year of learning brought to life in one unforgettable day at TMS 🌍✨

Our World Culture Festival is where each class represents the country they’ve been studying all year:
Pre-K – Germany
Kinder – Spain
1st – Japan
2nd – The Netherlands
3rd – Pakistan
4th – USA
5th – Greece

These moments are from their performances and our international luncheon that follows. TMS families come together to share dishes from around the world, turning the day into something even bigger than a show. Its connection, culture, and community all in one place.

And at the very end, the entire school takes the stage together to sing “Heal the World”… a moment that gets me every single time. If you’re a parent in that audience, you already know, there’s not a dry eye in the room 🥹

World Culture Festival at TMS is one of the things we look forward to most every year 💚💛

Limited space still available in select classes.

A school where every child is known, supported, and inspired to shine. At The Mandelstam School, we blend academics, gymnastics, theater, and the arts in an environment designed to develop the whole child. Small class sizes, big creativity, and a community that truly feels like family. That’s what makes TMS unlike anywhere else.

✨ Come see it for yourself. Book your private tour today.
👩‍💻 www.themandelstamschool.org
📞 305-662-2736

📍 Located in South Miami | 🏫 Ages Pre-K4 through 5th Grade

Valentine’s Day at TMS was truly the sweetest day of the year 💕✨

From the moment students walked in for free dress day, you could feel the excitement in the air. Classrooms were filled with laughter as friends exchanged thoughtful gifts and celebrated the joy of friendship in the most heartwarming way.

Our Pre-K students had the best time decorating cookies and proudly carrying home their festive balloons. Third grade put their creativity to work crafting the cutest mason jars, each one made with so much care. Fourth grade enjoyed a beautiful Valentine’s lunch paired with an etiquette lesson by , turning the afternoon into a meaningful and memorable experience.

Days like this remind us that school is about so much more than academics. It’s about community, kindness, and creating traditions our students will always remember. What a special Valentine’s Day at TMS 💌🌸

World Culture Festival isn’t just something we learn about… it’s something we experience 🌍✨

In the days leading up to our big celebration, our in house chef, Chef Natt, brought each country of study to life through food! As our classes explored different cultures throughout the year, she thoughtfully prepared a special snack or lunch inspired by each country so the entire school could enjoy a true taste of what they’ve all been learning about.

From Greek dolmades to Dutch poffertjes, German rote grütze, Japanese mochi, Spanish chicken paella and gazpacho, American burgers and fries, and even Pakistani chicken korma with homemade flatbread, every dish was a delicious way to deepen cultural understanding and spark curiosity.

Learning comes alive when you can see it, hear it… and taste it. 💛🌎

January was a beautiful start to the new year at our school ✨

From the very first week back, our students jumped into preparing for World Culture, pouring their creativity into classroom projects and practicing their dances with excitement and teamwork.

In Spanish class, students also began preparing their poems for Spanish Poetry in March. It has been so special watching their confidence grow as they practice, memorize, and bring new language to life.

We celebrated big milestones too. Kindergarten proudly wore shirts decorated with 100 items to celebrate 100 days of learning, while Pre-K marked 101 Days of School in the sweetest way dressed up as Dalmatians.

January even brought us a few unexpectedly chilly days, giving us the perfect excuse for a cozy free dress day. Students bundled up in their warmest sweaters, boots, and jackets, filling campus with extra layers and even more smiles.

To top it all off, we had a very special guest visit. MLB player Eugenio Suárez spent time playing baseball with one of our classes, encouraging and inspiring our young athletes in a way they will never forget.

From cultural learning to language, milestone celebrations, cozy winter moments, and unforgettable experiences, January was filled with growth, joy, and meaningful memories. We are so excited for what’s ahead. ✨

December might have only had 15 school days, but it packed them in and made up for it with so much excitement, learning, and joy.

From the incredible production of Mouse King, which was made even more special by the overwhelming number of alumni who returned to watch and support our students, to holiday parties, pajama days, gift exchanges, cookie decorating, and a glow-in-the-dark dance party, the fun never stopped. Throughout the month, students were still hard at work with engaging lessons, creative classroom projects, the book fair, book club gatherings, and even a playful Elf on the Shelf popping up all around campus.

Some of our students also enjoyed a special field trip to see The Nutcracker ballet, and there was a magical Harry Potter themed lunch along the way. We wrapped up the season by celebrating our amazing teachers with a beautiful holiday luncheon.

What a joyful, memory-filled way to close out the year for our school community. ❤️✨

The Mandelstam School’s Storybook Character Day performance is truly unique. It is a collaboration between teachers, students, and our performing arts team. Every idea is considered, tweaked and made a reality. Through this process, lessons are learned, lines memorized, and students become immersed in the joy of bringing a story to life. Throughout their educational journey at TMS, our students will create cherished memories as they challenge their bodies, minds, and spirits along the way.

1st grade painting their moon surfaces, 2nd grade observing their meal worms larvae turn into adult beetles, and 4th grade exploring space by designing their own constellations. Thank you Ms. Martin for sharing some snapshots from science! 🐛 🪲 🌙 ✨

Today our students at The Mandelstam School were wowed by Grant Maughan, Ultra Endurance Athlete, Mountaineer (Everest & Denali Summiter), and Seafarer. Our Character Education Trait of the Month is GRIT! Who better to speak about grit than Grant? He amazed and inspired us all with stories and photos of his global adventures. The students loved seeing the gear he used to climb Everest and had so many interesting questions to ask at the end of his presentation. Much thanks to