Looking to the future!

I wanted to catch everyone up on our thoughts for next year.  We have received permission from the owners of the building where Steele Creek Montessori is currently located to take down a few walls and we have a contractor lined up.  The work will happen over the summer.  Because of my recent work, both in Japan and in San Diego, I have been able to witness 2 successful models of classrooms that are similar to what we have planned.  That was certainly confirming to me!  Our classroom will be set up in a 'U' shape with the Math and Language curriculums at both ends of the 'U'.  Mrs Marsh will teach at one end of the 'U' and Mrs Zegers/Ms Zweber will teach at the other end.  Both teachers will be responsible for half of the children as far as Math, Language, circle time and conferences.  All of the other areas (Sensorial, Science, Geography, Music/Movement, Practical Life and Art) will be shared.  Our assistants will technically work in the middle but, of course, all children (and teachers and assistants) will work in all areas as interest and needs dictate. 

Another thing I'm excited about is that we are assigning one teacher or assistant to each area of the classroom.  The beauty of this is that each staff member can focus and can make 'their' area the best possible instead of having one or two teachers having to take care of the whole curriculum.  As an example, I will be in charge of our geography curriculum/cultural center.  Because I have had opportunity to travel (a bit!), I have collected many artifacts and 'works' and I can't wait to bring this area to life.  We have great office equipment and I just bring my ideas and purchases to Mrs McClendon and she works her magic!  For example, I just came home with some Spanish tiles (2x2) and gave them to her.  She put them on the scanner - cut, mounted and laminated the copies and VOILA!  Instant beautiful matching work that becomes a real cultural experience!  We did the same thing with some coasters that 'happen' to be in the shape of kimonos that I just purchased in Japan.  Each one represents a beautiful fabric design.  Some of the other fun and fabulous works we have are;  sushi matching, a chop stick rest collection, real delft tile matching, parts of a windmill, wooden shoe matching, rainforest animal matching, to name a few.  Our cultural center will have a bulletin board that will have pictures and decorations that depict the various continents.  I may be making a bold statement but I'm sure we have the best geography works within a 50 mile radius!  I have had frequent requests to speak about our collection or to show pictures of our works/activities.   Our plans so far are that our other Montessori certified teachers will take the following subject areas;  Mrs Marsh - Science, Ms Zweber - Sensorial, Mrs Mullen - Art,  Mrs McClendon - Practical Life.  

Another change as we come together, is that we'll be offering all-day kindergarten.  The monthly charge will be double the half day sessions plus $10.00 for the lunch time care.  Our price per hour is WAY less than what the public schools are charging!  

We have surveyed our parents about the 5 day class and the general consensus was that a 4 day program would be equally as satisfactory.  So, just as Barker Creek did a number of years ago, Steele Creek will now offer only 4 day programs.  The Steele Creek children will have Mondays off and the Barker Creek children will have Fridays off. 

I will continue to use this space to update you.  Please feel free to talk to your teachers about ideas that you may have to help to make this all as smooth a transition as possible!