Dear Friends, As many of you noticed this week, the time had come to say goodbye to a cherished member of our school community – our old Ginkgo tree. After careful consideration and consultation with arborists, it had been determined that the old Ginkgo tree, which has been a symbol of our school for many years, must be removed due to safety concerns and to facilitate a smoother flow for drop off and pick up procedures that will be implemented next academic year. While it is always difficult to bid farewell to such a significant part of our environment, we …

Hello Friends, I love sitting in our Montessori environments. I always witness a vibrant and bustling classroom filled with laughter and curiosity.  Without fail, I am impressed with the patience, kindness, and skill of our teachers as they guide their students, honoring the absorbent mind at play. In the Montessori world, the absorbent mind refers to the innate ability of young children to effortlessly absorb information and experiences from their environment. Maria Montessori observed that during the formative years (especially from birth to around age six), children possess a remarkable capacity for absorbing knowledge without conscious effort. This concept underscores …

Hello Friends, We are off and running with the Kaleidoscope Center! It is thrilling to watch the first steps being taken toward the construction of this extraordinary new building. We can not fully express our sincere gratitude towards all of you who made this dream possible. The generosity continues as we come together as a community of parents, grandparents, and alumni to help reach our fundraising finish line! Since the start of the school year we have raised an additional $100,000 through gifts ranging from $100 to $60,000. We are SO close to reaching our goal.  As we continue to …

Hello Friends, Thank you to our amazing (3-6) staff and families who participated in our Parent Ed Night last week on Montessori math materials. For parents new to the Montessori method, it’s essential to recognize the significance of these materials in promoting a strong foundation in mathematics during the early developmental years. Montessori math materials are carefully crafted to provide children with concrete, hands-on experiences in mathematical concepts. Unlike traditional methods that may rely on abstract symbols and rote memorization, Montessori materials are designed to be manipulative and sensorial. This hands-on approach allows children to physically engage with the materials, …

I wanted to take a moment to reflect on a fundamental aspect of our educational philosophy at The New School Montessori – the cultivation of compassion in our children. In a world where headlines often highlight the need for empathy and understanding, instilling these values in our children becomes paramount. The Montessori approach, renowned for its holistic and child-centered methods, is particularly effective in fostering compassion in our young learners. Montessori education places a strong emphasis on developing not only academic skills but also essential life skills, with an understanding that a child’s emotional and social growth is equally significant. …

Hello Friends, I have, for the past two days, been immersed in conversations around how AI will impact education with Montessori leaders from across the country. It has been a thrilling experience to hear from passionate, bright, and hardworking educational leaders. Our facilitator has been Nita Farahany. Nita spearheads research on futurism, law, and ethical implications of emerging technologies for society. She is co-editor of the Journal of Law and the Biosciences and is on the board of advisors for Scientific American. Previously, President Obama appointed Nita to the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues, where she served …

Hello Friends, We were excited to welcome everyone back this week, well-rested and ready for an exciting new year! On behalf of the entire school community, we would like to extend our warmest wishes for a Happy New Year filled with joy, growth, and success. As we kick off the year, we are thrilled to share some exciting news that marks a momentous occasion for our school – the groundbreaking on January 2 for our new eco-friendly, arts, and community building, aptly named the Kaleidoscope Center. This building is not just a structure; it symbolizes our commitment to fostering creativity, …