BECAUSE I CAME

My visit was revealing in ways that I didn't predict. I learned much about the school, but more about my purpose at my school, what it means to me, and why we are there. The work we do is really wonderful.

Sorry, I don't take very good pictures!

teresa

MUSIC ROOM AND AUDITORIUM

The music room is beautiful. I couldn't take a picture to the left of the piano (here draped with a shawl) because there was so much light coming through a wall of tall windows. Everywhere there is light. Remarkable windows give the sense that the limit between the interior and exterior worlds are non-existent.

THE LIBRARY

Nice to see shelves flush with the wall. Parents made posters for the bookfair.

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THE ABOVE -- CICERO.



My host, Ginny, was very happy to have me come to visit. She had one story group that day and she focused on poetry and nature. It was lovely. The children were very attentive and happy to hear poetry! The birds were good listeners, as well.
There are no pictures of students on this blog as I didn't want to scramble for permissions.

THE GYMNASIUM

ART IS EVERYWHERE

TRADITIONS, TRADITIONS, Some new, some old

As you can see in the photo, students birthdays are acknowledged. I noticed outside of one classroom door a poster collage of a child's life and it read, "......is 6 today." I t was very nice. I don't know if the family made it or if it was constructed in the classroom. each room has a glass window in
the door so it's easy to observe without disturbing the students.
They have small round tables but also use Mats.

They have apple computers!

SOME TRADITIONS:

Community Service takes place in the Montessori community and the outside community. The day I visited the students were getting on buses for external community service.


The 8th grade makes a chair.
The 7th years undergo the (Based on Joseph Campbell) hero's journey. Students identify a personal challenge, pick a mentor, and get there -- wherever it is they need to be -- by year's end. They always camp out. There are 43 acres of gorgeous Connecticut mountains, hills, and valleys on campus.

The 5th years perform the "Sword Dance" with sticks as they step up to the MS. My host, Ginny, was particularly excited when she spoke of this tradition. No need for alarm. Students are quite careful with their sticks she assured me.

Each year there is a solstice celebration. The Solstice celebration is a celebration of light and brings together the MS students and their younger mentees. Each MS student is partnered with a younger student at the beginning of the year. During the solstice celebration they perform a candle walk through a spiral. (This led us to a discussion of Fibonacci). The MS student is responsible for holding the candle. It is quite beautiful.

All students refer to the teachers by their first names.
Everyone takes Latin.
The Latin room has two wonderful murals(here is one):




The library is the home of several finches and many Peace books.
The students have always had Yoga.

LOCKERS AND A FEW THOUGHTS

For now, although always apt to change, there are two Spanish teachers, two art rooms, a locker room in a large hallway, and a latin teacher who is currently filling in for the librarian.
The building is new. I believe they have a small student population (under three hundred -- I need to check on this) with a hefty waiting list.
The MS is 6-8th.
The incredibly beautiful gymnasium was donated by a parent who tragically lost a child.
Each year there is an artist in residence for one week. They praised their current artist -- I will need to find out his name.

Chechnya Poster

PEACE EDUCATION AT THE SCHOOL

There are reminders everywhere that the school is dedicated to peace education. My student guide was very proud to show me their peace garden where the school holds two annual traditions: Earth Day and September 11th. On Earth Day the MS students choose a poem about the earth and everyone gathers at the Peace Pole to hear them recite it together, each student having their own line. (I forget how many languages my students guide, a fifth grader, told me are represented on the pole but there are very many. She was very proud of this.)
The entire school meets in the peace garden each September 11th to reflect on world peace.



Framed posters within the building are reminders to reflect on world peace.

Washington

This is part of the school from the parking lot. It really doesn't do it justice because it' s nestled in the hills. There is a beautiful playground and a path into the woods. It's up on a hill so you see the rolling hills of Connecticut from up high. There is an American Flag flying outside.