Albert Einstein, Sacagawea, and Neil Armstrong, among others, were present on the Richmond Montessori School campus on Halloween.

All four of the Lower Elementary classes participated in Mystery History on October 31, 2013. Mystery History is an annual event in which students dress as famous historical figures. Students give clues, allowing other students a chance to guess their identity.

After, students paraded around campus, waving at other students and teachers who were stationed around the parade route. This fun tradition is an opportunity for Lower El students to dress up, be creative, and teach fellow students about important historical figures and events!

Richmond Montessori provides outstanding education that embraces creative learning and allowing children to be the best that they can be. To learn more about their school, click here.

Click on photos below to enlarge.

Richmond Montessori is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com

Much has been written about ‘the Montessori method’, but exactly what does that mean?

Developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician, educator and innovator, Montessori is a child-centered educational approach based on scientific observations of children from birth to adolescence.

The hallmark of a Montessori education is based on nurturing and cultivating the child’s natural desire to learn by:

• Creating student-centered learning environments that are prepared, adaptive and responsive to student needs
• Providing hands-on concrete experiences with specifically-designed Montessori materials
• Encouraging exploration, problem solving and creative reasoning as part of the learning process
• Supporting the development of the whole child, socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically
• Fostering intrinsic motivation by focusing on process rather than product
• Offering multi-aged groupings and social settings as a community within each classroom
• Focusing on cooperation, collaboration and mutual respect
• Promoting “freedom within limits” by providing opportunities for self-directed choices within an ordered and structured framework
• Promoting independence, leadership, responsibility and self-reliance

Aspects that are unique to a Montessori Education:

The Prepared Environment 

The Montessori classroom is warm, inviting and aesthetically pleasing. It is organized to support the natural developmental needs of the age group it serves. It contains multi-sensory, sequential and self-correcting materials to facilitate self-directed learning and exploration by the child.

Freedom within limits

The Montessori classroom balances freedom with responsibility. The prepared environment allows the children the freedom to choose their own work, guided by the teacher. The fact that the students have opportunity to choose and make decisions fosters independence, self-discipline and self-confidence.

Multi-age classrooms

The multi-age groupings provide opportunities for broad social development and meaningful friendships, which are often life-long. Respect of ground rules and an emphasis on care for one another and the environment supports the need to get along and to settle differences peacefully. The range of ages and abilities helps to build a tolerance and appreciation of individual differences and fosters collaboration and cooperation as the students form their own cohesive community.

Visit the Richmond Montessori website for more information and schedule a visit to see first-hand how it works. It’s time that will provide your child with a bright future!

Richmond Montessori is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com

We believe that Richmond Montessori School is best for the world.

Richmond Montessori School (RMS) provides what parents desire – an educational experience for their children that is more than just academics. Since 1965, RMS has provided a supportive, child-centered environment that encourages independence while supporting the development of the whole child – physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively.  RMS promotes a child’s ability to develop problem-solving skills, learn to work collaboratively, function as members of a team, develop empathy and acquire the power to self-initiate.

RMS is a community where children, parents, grandparents, teachers and administrators work together toward a common goal. It has diversity within its community, where differing religious, national, cultural and lifestyle traditions are genuinely appreciated. Our students hail from 37 ZIP codes around the Richmond area. RMS families and faculty represent more than 30 countries and our student population is 36% racially and culturally diverse. It’s a place where tolerance, curiosity, independence, innovation, self-awareness and respect for others are celebrated.  See our video below.

Montessori Method

RMS’s authentic Montessori curriculum and the application of the Montessori Method supports both academics and essential life skills.  All subject areas – history, art, language, math, music, science – are essential and interconnected, and no one area of study is more important than another.  Specialty classes – art, physical education, library, technology, foreign language and music –  are integrated with general themes studied in class and offer unique experiences that prepare the student for life beyond RMS.

RMS has 15 classes and an enrollment of 300 students and spans Toddler to Middle School. RMS is accredited  by the American Montessori Society and the Virginia Association of Independent Schools and is one of only two schools in the Commonwealth to receive this dual accreditation. To learn more about the standards for accreditation, click here.

RMS is located at 499 N. Parham Road in the West End of Richmond and has rolling admissions.  To request information, schedule a tour or to pre-register for fall Open Houses (10/10, 10/24,11/7), click here.

Richmond Montessori is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com

Merre’s homeschooled kids and husband.

Public school, private school, or homeschool! How do you know what’s best for your child(ren)? And for you?

Merre Shepard knew the answer to that question very early for her personal situation – even before she had children of her own!  While attending college, she and her fiancé (now her husband) knew that one day they wanted children. And they also knew that one day they wanted to homeschool them.

Merre decided to obtain her degree in elementary education in preparation for that undertaking. “There was a lot of talk at that time about having to be a certified teacher for homeschooling and we weren’t sure – so I decided to plan ahead,” Merre explains.

Merre now homeschools her four children who are in 2^nd, 4^th, 8^th, and 12^th grade. Like all homeschoolers, she did not make this decision lightly.

“Homeschooling is not for everyone, but neither are public and private schools. It’s a very personal choice and people should not be judged on the choice they make. My husband and I chose homeschooling for a couple of reasons. First, we want to be able to challenge our children at their level at any point in time. This helps us keep them focused and challenged, and avoids boredom which my husband and I both experienced as students.  If my son needs more help in math, we focus on math. If it’s spelling, that’s where we focus. We can guide them as they grow,” she explains.

“And we also have spiritual reasons for wanting to mentor, teach, and guide our children through their learning years at home. Teaching our children at home allows us to instill our personal values in their educational process throughout their growth years.”

Why Homeschool?

Merre emphasizes that people choose homeschooling for different reasons.

According to the Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers website, many homeschoolers “would still choose homeschooling no matter what changes are made in the school system.” They strongly believe that the educational process for their children is best delivered in the home environment. But others might move to public schools if the school systems made changes to their liking.

Speaking with Merre and other homeschoolers made it clear that most all of those who homeschool enjoy the flexibility, creativity, and exploration that come with homeschooling.  Merre says it suits her lifestyle well, especially since she and her husband have moved numerous times in the past – “We just move the schoolroom with us!”

What About Socialization?

As Merre says, homeschooling is not for every parent or child. But once the decision is made, there are many ways to socialize with other kids and activities.

“You set your own schedule so you actually have to be careful not to over-socialize,” Merre laughs.

“It takes some diligence but it can be balanced. Our children are involved in lots of social activities and events. They participate in co-op classes for homeschooled kids, participate in field trips, enjoy speech and debate with other students, and are involved in LifeSmarts, travel soccer with the Richmond Kickers, homeschool Varsity soccer through Spirit athletics, cotillion, and the National Beta Honor Society. This gives them a great balance of academics, socialization, and a well-rounded experience.”

Who Can Homeschool?

In Virginia, parents do not need permission to homeschool. But they must notify the local superintendent of their school district of their intentions. They must also meet certain criteria and children must successfully complete standardized year-end tests to proceed to the next grade level. Homeschooling parents must provide a general curriculum and evidence of progress of the child’s academic progress each year.

There are more than 32,000 homeschoolers in Virginia today, compared with about 9,600 in 1994. That’s almost as many students as the Norfolk Public Schools according to a recent article in Progress Index.

With so many parents opting to homeschool, it’s easy to engage with others and share teaching responsibilities.  For example, one of Merre’s children joined a group of students taught by another mom who has her doctorate. She taught the small group of students Biology and Chemistry in her kitchen. They learned much in this casual, small-group environment and now her daughter is interested in possibly becoming a nurse or other healthcare professional. They’re heading to the University of Virginia this weekend to learn more about their programs.

From UVA, they’ll head to NC for a summer camp focused on science experiments and public speaking. Merre’s son and daughter will participate in CSI, Mock Trial, Psychology and Physics Camps at Landry Academy.

It’s Not Easy

Merre emphasizes that homeschooling is not easy.

And sometimes it is way too hard!

Once her daughter reached the level of learning that led into Calculus, she decided it was time for her to enroll in a Pre-Calculus class at J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College. She has taken Calculus and Spanish for community college credits.

“Homeschooling is about listening and understanding the different seasons of your life. It’s about knowing the best approach to teach your children in an environment where they will learn and pursue their passions at the same time so that they enjoy learning. Every year we have to step back and take a look at each child and what they need. My husband and I assess their strengths and weaknesses as we plan each year’s curriculum,” Merre says.

Merre and her husband made the decision for one of her sons to attend public school for a year of elementary school. “It was the right time for him to do this and he did well. We were pleased with the education he received. The next year, we moved him back home for school and it has worked out well. It’s just all about changing with a child’s needs, like changing with the seasons.”

Making a Decision and Getting Help

Merre points out that “there are a plethora of resources for homeschoolers” including great online resources and group events.

The upcoming homeschool convention in Richmond, VA is an excellent resource too. Parents can attend a session to understand more about homeschooling if they’re not sure whether or not it’s right for them.  It is a free session held Thursday June 6, 2013.  In addition, there are dozens of vendors to meet, and resources to browse and review at the event.

“The most exciting thing about homeschooling to me is that we have the freedom to decide what’s best for our family. Whether it’s public, private, or homeschool, we are fortunate to have this freedom.”

Merre also emphasized that it’s important not to judge others about their decision.

“It’s like me driving a Chevrolet, while someone else drives a Honda or a Ford. Neither of us is wrong – it’s what suits our personal situation best. There’s no good or bad way to help our children learn. It’s about helping them learn the best way possible for the individual child and the family’s situation.”

More Information

Source: http://heav.org/convention

The 2013 Virginia Homeschool Convention, “Home Education: A Bountiful Harvest”, is scheduled for June 6-8, 2013 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Special guests are Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar. Click here for details.

We’d love to hear what our readers think about homeschooling vs. public and private schools. Leave us a comment below.

Sabot at Stony Point and Tom Chewning, Honorary Chair, invite you to join in the quest to make our community a place where all children can succeed.

• Paul Tough is the author of best-selling: How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character.
• He is also a contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine and a speaker on topics including education, poverty, parenting, and politics.

Peg Spangenthal (1927 – 2011) was an outstanding Richmond early childhood educator. Her long career was distinguished by wise leadership and dedicated advocacy for children and their parents. Through this memorial lecture series, we aim to highlight voices and views like Peg’s, and to keep them at the forefront in our work.

Join Paul tough on Thursday, June 13, 2013, at 7 p.m. in Founders Hall. Tickets, at $25 each, can be purchased by clicking here.

Source: http://sspinstitute.blogspot.com/

Sabot at Stony Point and University of Richmond to host Education Institute for over 120 educators from all over the United States.

Sabot at Stony Point is in its sixth year and finds itself at the forefront of an international effort to bring the Reggio approach into elementary and middle schools. The schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy are inspiring teachers all over the United States – and the world – by focusing on student engagement, inquiry and collaboration.  The Reggio approach brings together the work of Dewey, Piaget, Vygotsky and many others in a practice which seeks to be socially transformative by putting the child at the center of the curriculum.

Sabot at Stony Point is partnering with University of Richmond’s Center for Leadership in Education in April (18th – 20th) to host Personal Pathways and Paradigms, a three-day institute geared toward educators who want to explore the Reggio approach as a context for teaching preschool – third grade.

On the evening of the 18th of April, there will be a Community Forum on Education at Sabot at Stony Point. On the one-year anniversary of the Richmond Forum presentation, “Revolutionizing Education” by Sir Ken Robinson and Rafe Esquith, this forum will gather students, parents, and educators who all want to build a different future for our schools. Moderated by Dr. Tom Shields, Director of UR’s Center for Leadership in Education, the forum will invite a variety of local perspectives, as well as national and international perspectives from David Kelly, Director of Curriculum and Pedagogy at NYC’s Blue School, and Lella Gandini, U.S. Liaison for the Dissemination of the Reggio Approach.

Friday and Saturday’s Institute at the University of Richmond will feature presentations from David Kelly and Lella Gandini. We will also hear from Pam Oken-Wright, author, speaker, and teacher-researcher at St. Catherine’s School and Debbie Lickey, co-author of Starting with Their Strengths, who has adopted the Reggio approach to teaching children with special needs.

Additionally, the institute features internationally-recognized teachers from Sabot at Stony Point:

• Mary Driebe, a Kindergarten teacher, uses questions and inquiry to support students in their in-depth explorations. Mary’s work was most recently presented at Lesley University’s 2012 Reggio conference. Her blog, Gleanings: Capturing the Moments in Kindergarten, provides an astonishing glimpse into the magical work of her classroom.
• Sara Ferguson, a Teacher-Researcher in the preschool, speaks internationally, and will share her inspiring work with three-year-olds.
• Anna Golden, Studio Teacher, author of the popular blog Atelierista: Stories from the Studio, and contributor to the recently published Nature Education with Young Children: Integrating Inquiry and Practice, will share the incredible work of small groups of children in the studio.
• Andrea Pierotti, a third grade teacher, whose work was presented at the 2011 University of Calgary’s Reggio Conference, will share the strategies she uses to support students as they delve into the mysteries of ordinary science.  Andrea’s reflections on teaching and learning may be found in her thought-provoking blog, To Put on One’s Thinking Cap.

On the Pre-Institute day (Thursday, April 18) participants are invited to see the preschool and lower school in action; there will be children involved in project work in the classrooms — and also in the outdoor classrooms.

Click here for more information.

NOTE about other upcoming events at Sabot at Stony Point:

On June 13, author Paul Tough (How Children Succeed) will be speaking at Sabot and will lead a discussion for policy makers and child welfare providers. His book focuses on “the notion that non-cognitive skills, like persistence, self-control, curiosity, conscientiousness, grit and self-confidence, are more crucial than sheer brainpower to achieving success.” (NYTimes review, 8/23/12). Details of this event are still being finalized.

In July (22 – 26), John Hunter will be teaching both a World Peace Game summer camp to rising 4th – 8th grade students, as well as a Master Class for Teachers. John Hunter currently teaches in the Charlottesville public schools; he is the creator of “The World Peace Game” as a platform for teaching his 4th grade students authentic, real-world problem solving skills. A documentary, World Peace and Other 4th Grade Achievements, has been screened nationally, and his book of the same title will be published next month.

May is National Teacher Appreciation Month and Tuesday, May 7, 2013 is Teacher Appreciation Day. We appreciate teachers every day, but now is a special time to really let them know how much we thank them for all they do!

We are all teachers when it comes to our kids and no one knows that fact better than Richmond moms and dads. But this week is all about recognizing teachers who have dedicated their lives to the profession of teaching in our public or private schools – positively impacting thousands of children’s lives every day!

Around 1944, Arkansas teacher Mattye Whyte Woodridge began corresponding with political and education leaders about the need for a national day to honor teachers. Woodridge wrote to Eleanor Roosevelt, who in 1953 persuaded the 81st Congress to proclaim a National Teacher Day.

While many parents receive suggestions and ideas through their child’s Parent Teacher Organization, some of you may not know exactly how to thank a teacher. It doesn’t take a lot to let teachers know how much they are appreciated. A simple note that says ‘thank you’ is a good place to start. You can also find some great ideas on our Richmondmom.com Pinterest Board for Teacher Appreciation Week.

If you’re looking for ways to honor and celebrate teachers this week, consider these ideas:

• Provide lunch to your child’s teacher one day – a healthy lunch can be a welcome surprise!
• Send a bag of healthy snacks for the teacher
• Provide a bag of age-appropriate giveaways for the teacher to use when rewarding excellent performers or encouraging certain behaviors
• Donate school supplies for the classroom
• Donate books to the library in honor of a teacher
• Send a single flower to school with your child for the teacher
• Write a special note of thanks or a poem
• Give a teacher a gift certificate for coffee, tea or some other fun place
• Provide a gift card to local craft stores or other places where she/he can purchase school supplies
• Have several parents chip in for a nice gift certificate for dinner
• Send the teacher an email of thanks for all they do
• Give a teacher a pack of stationery and note cards – they’re always useful
• Provide a big package of stickers for the teacher to use
• Give a teacher a bottle of hand sanitizer
• Provide a teacher with a box of tissues – they never have enough!
• Encourage your child to create a hand-made card or picture for his or her teacher
• Volunteer to help out in your child’s class, the library, or anywhere you are needed at school
• Ask your child’s teacher how you can help, what supplies are needed, or what you can do to help during the rest of the school year – you may surprised what you learn!

Remember to thank a teacher this week. And if you remember a special teacher in your own life, it’s a great time to contact him or her to make sure he/she knows exactly how much your life was impacted by having a great teacher! It’s never too late to say ‘thank you’ and teachers never hear it enough.

To all of our great Richmond moms, dads, grandparents, and others who are teachers in our local private or public schools – “THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO!”

Leave us a comment below to let us know of creative ways to thank a teacher – and if you ARE a teacher, let us know what you like to hear and receive that helps the most. 

Summer Experience

Come join us for activities and instruction in swimming, tennis, music, arts and crafts, computer, playground, soccer, basketball, indoor and outdoor games, bowling, and more. We’ll play games, meet new friends, learn new skills, and play more games…and that’s just the first day!

This coed camp offers a mixture of fun activities, including:

• swimming
• tennis
• basketball
• music
• arts and crafts
• computer
• soccer
• archery
• bowling
• and more

Extended Day “After Hours” Program

Come join us “after hours” in the St. Christopher’s Extended Day Program. This program runs from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. every day while Summer Experience is in session. We offer children additional time for swimming, crafts, reading, and a host of other fun and exciting activities. We pick them up at the end of the camp day and take them to the Extended Day facility within the Lower School. The cost of the program is $75 a week.

Register now: http://www.stchristophers.com/summer

St. Christopher’s is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com

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With my baby girl comfortably in kindergarten now and my twin girls already in second grade, so much of me is nostalgic for the baby days: those endless but sweet days of diapers and formula and coupon clipping.

But there’s another part of me that is thrilled to have big kids who are in school.  Real School – that place I drive them to every morning, where they are learning and playing and becoming more of who they will be.

The taking them to school was not difficult for me–it was the deciding where I would be taking them that was a bigger decision than I imagined. If you’re the mom of a current preschooler, perhaps you know what I mean.

Before I had kids in Pre-K, I giggled at moms who obsessed over the “right” school, agonized over pro and con lists, and researched teacher-student ratios as if they were college stats.  I didn’t understand what all the fuss was about.  I mean, it’s kindergarten, right?  How big a deal could it be?

Well, quite a big deal, actually.  Whether you are a transplant (like me) or a Richmond native, what do you really know about the schools in town?  We all hear what our friends and neighbors have to say, and we can all read the school reports in local publications. Unless you are a teacher, however, the last time you were in a kindergarten classroom was likely 25 or 30 years ago – when you were the kindergartner!

In order to select the best fit for my family, I embarked on a tour of five area schools so I could see each one for myself.   All were well regarded and highly recommended public, private or Catholic schools. Rather than leave this important task (and decision) to chance or memory, after each tour I made lists.  Many, many lists.

The first school I visited was easy to love. I had attended Catholic school for 13 years, and this school looked, smelled, and felt just like the school I grew up in.  It felt like home to me.

When I visited our neighborhood public school, I discovered a coveted, state-ranked program with great teachers and resources to spare.  Some of the best kids I know from my neighborhood graduated from that sweet school.  Being able to go to a neighborhood school that was so competitive, for free, was an incredible option.

The first private school on my tour was impressive, as was the second. Each had distinct and important offerings that left me reassured my girls would receive an excellent education. It was easy to see why many friends of ours had chosen these schools for their children.

And then, Collegiate.  Just as leaders at the other schools I visited had, my Collegiate tour guide warmly welcomed me. And just as I had at the other schools, I brought along my notepad to list the pros and cons. By the end of my tour at Collegiate, however, I found myself trying to find reasons NOT to send my children there.

Photo courtesy of Collegiate School

I loved every single thing about the school:

• The individual class size was right, yet each grade level was big enough that my twins would not always be compared to each other.
• The incredible teachers of course teach academics, but also stand at the classroom door at dismissal and teach the kids to look them in the eye as they shake hands and say  “Have a good evening.”
• The door was held open for me by young students on three separate occasions during one visit.
• The fantastic campus.
• The traditions of the school. I just loved that each grade had a major event that my girls could be excited about and participate in, and also got them looking forward to being old enough to do that next thing.
• The skilled resource teachers who come into the classroom to work with small groups in reading and math.

Photo Courtesy of Collegiate School

And that was just Lower School!

The fact that Collegiate is a K-12 school meant that these sweet “Kindies” could look up to the Middle and Upper School students, and even interact with them on special days, such as the school’s Homecoming Pep Rally. Those interactions would help ease my kids’ eventual transition into Middle School.  Collegiate’s middle school is so awesome and unique: it’s the only local school where girls learn separately from the boys (a major plus during those crazy, awkward, hormonal years).  Then in UpperSchool, the kids come back together for co-ed learning; and UpperSchool was so amazing that it made me wish I was able to go to school there.

I had done my research and had listed myself to death…this was where I wanted my daughters to be.

Flash forward two-plus years of being Collegiate Cougars:  The twins are loving second grade, and my baby girl is a spunky, happy kindergartener.

We have never made a better decision for our kids than sending them to Collegiate.  It is not always the easiest decision: tuition can certainly make our budget tight.  But as they say, nothing that is worth doing is ever easy…and I haven’t yet found a more worthwhile, or rewarding, reason to clip coupons.

Charla Eastep lives in Short Pump with her husband and their three daughters, ages 7, 7, and 6.

Editor’s Note: Collegiate School is an advertiser of Richmondmom.com, and more information may be found at the Collegiate Website.

This meeting is geared towards prospective students grades 5-12 and their parents, and will be held in the Middle School Assembly Room, Washington Hall.

For lower school students, admissions programs are as follows:

Junior Kindergarten/Kindergarten
Oct. 12, 2012 – 9:30 a.m.
Admissions Program for prospective parents

Oct. 23, 2012 – 9:30 a.m.
Admissions Program for prospective parents

November 14, 2012
Discovery Day for applicants and parents by appointment

Visit St. Catherine’s School site more information on admissions events throughout the 2012-2013 school year.

St. Catherine’s School is an advertiser of Richmondmom.com.