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posted Apr 5, 2013, 7:46 AM by Amy Ellis
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updated Apr 15, 2013, 6:13 PM
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All camps run Monday through Friday, 8 AM to Noon and are for children ages 6 to 12.
Register by May 15th for best rate, space is limited to 15 children for each camp!
June 10th - June 21st (2 weeks) Constructing the Garden — During these two fun-filled weeks the children will not only be learning about plants and gardening but they will also become familiar with the tools of the trade, including those used in the construction of a greenhouse. Marie Heidrick, certified Montessori instructor for grades 1st through 6th, will guide the children through every step of the process. If your child is interested in growing things, likes to work with their hands, and would like to learn how to use tools, then they will love this camp. The class will explore different greenhouses and research what makes a greenhouse so special and how it works, ultimately building one for the school! This camp will incorporate making decisions based on our new found knowledge about the best shape and placement for our greenhouse. This will all be researched and planned with the students. Students will also learn how to work with certain tools involved in the project. Architecturally drawing a plan, measuring all parts, hammering, sawing, using a power drill, painting... life skills that surely won’t go to waste. We also plan to build pots out of wood and craft pots out of clay for the children to take home. $250
June 24th - June 28th (1 week) Travel on the Energy Bus to Happy, U.S.A! What gives us energy and happiness as we travel the road of Life? How can we be our own unique self while encouraging others to be their unique self, too? Join Montessori instructor Linda Wright as she steers the Energy Bus through Montessori lesson plans, activities, and projects that help children learn about what it takes to be happy and fulfilled! The children will explore various forms and needs of energy, from the importance of good nutrition and care of the body to conventional and alternative fuel sources and on to conflict resolution through the Montessori Peace Process. Put together, the children learn key components to happy satisfaction in a sometimes confusing world. The Energy Bus makes lots of fun stops along the way to Happy, U.S.A. and your child will walk away with everything she/he needs to navigate their way to happiness. $125
July 1st - July 26th (4 weeks) Act Up! Sessions I and II During Alpine Montessori’s “Act Up!” drama camp, Amy Ellis will bring children from ages 6 — 12 together for a month of fun, learning and performance. In Session I, children will begin with games that teach basic theater skills. They will also participate in light yoga, voice exercises and story telling. In the second week they will jump into improvisational acting and learning basic stage direction. Session II is a continuation of the camp, where students will select a play and hold auditions for parts and positions. We will spend these two weeks on rehearsing, building our sets, acquiring props and memorizing our lines with a performance for parents and friends to be held Saturday, July 27th. Session I is a prerequisite for Session II. No camp July 4th. $225 per session.
The primary class will be open all day during these weeks for a limited number of students, please reserve your spot today. |
posted Mar 26, 2013, 8:50 AM by Amelie Urbanczyk
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updated May 14, 2013, 10:09 AM by Amy Ellis
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posted Mar 19, 2013, 12:21 PM by Amy Ellis
To some, the garden is a place to grow a tasty dinner. For us, the garden is a place to foster the imagination and learning of a child.
The Montessori Method of education involves a lot of hands-on learning and these lessons may not always look the way a traditionally educated person would expect. We believe in real-time, real world lessons that are played out using the objects of life. Instead of learning our math with number symbols, we use beads containing actual amounts and translate those ideas to the symbols. Instead of learning about botany from a dry textbook we touch, smell, and grow our lessons.
The garden provides an opportunity for young children to learn about natural cycles and weather, all stages of plant life, math and even history. It allows them the chance to practice their research and scientific observation skills, to witness life in action and question the why's and what's of it all. Montessori education endeavors to spark this questioning part of the child's mind so that in the future they will know they have the power to search out the truth for themselves, and maybe even make new discoveries that will benefit all of mankind.
The children at Alpine Montessori grow and maintain their own garden areas with the guidance of their teachers. Even if you don't have a large yard, you can extend your child's gardening work to your home. Consider allocating a part of your yard for your child to use as their very own vegetable or flower garden - helping to provide food or beauty for the family gives them a sense of value and pride. If you don't have a yard or have a very small or unsuitable yard, a couple of containers can hold flowers, a tomato plant, or even a trellised squash or bean plant. Whether their garden flourishes or struggles, it will be a learning experience for all involved - ideally a learning experience that will go on for the rest of their lives. |
posted Mar 1, 2013, 11:12 AM by Amy Ellis
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updated Mar 5, 2013, 12:05 PM
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This summer we will be offering themed day camps for the 6-9 year old age range. The camps are scheduled to last half a day and vary in length with the longest being held for a month. The day camps will be accepting non-students as well, but space is limited so be sure to inquire in the office and reserve your spot! We will have further announcements on the themes and the dates for the camps soon, keep your eye on our webpage or "like" us on Facebook to keep in touch.
The primary will be open all day as well, due to space restrictions we will only be accepting current or prospective Montessori students in the primary program and slots ARE limited. Reserve your space now if you know you intend to bring your child during our summer sessions. |
posted Jan 22, 2013, 12:09 PM by Amy Ellis
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updated Jan 28, 2013, 11:22 AM
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Alpine Montessori's board members accepted a $500 donation from Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund, presented by Bridgestone representative and Montessori parent Allison Ofenstein, at their January board meeting. As a non-profit school, Alpine Montessori depends on generous donations such as these in order to continue providing and improving on our program.
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posted Dec 19, 2012, 12:25 PM by Amy Ellis
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updated Dec 21, 2012, 7:39 AM
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We have had a joyful fall semester, and as this year draws to a close we want to take the time to reflect on all of the great things we've experienced. We've upgraded our garden space, installed a new stove for the primary class, increased our curriculum through donations and through purchases made possible by fundraisers. We've enjoyed a student-produced play, we've dissected crickets and explored root systems. Our students saw giant bicycle butterflies and passing hot air balloons, they've dined with us for our Thanksgiving luncheon and sang with us in our holiday program. We've toured the Historic Fort in Fort Davis, we've celebrated Dias de los Muertos on Murphy Street. We've learned new words in new languages, and the elementary school has explored our neighborhood as it changed during the fall season during their weekly walks. We watch, we listen, we absorb, we question and we grow.
We have big plans for the coming year, and we'll get it all done with a lot of help from our friends.
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posted Dec 7, 2012, 7:12 AM by Amy Ellis
Our primary and elementary classes are practicing every day for our holiday program. Join us at the Granada Theater on December 18th at 6:30 to hear the sounds of joyous children as the regale us with their songs of great cheer. We look forward to seeing you there! |
posted Nov 30, 2012, 6:50 AM by Amy Ellis
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updated Apr 22, 2013, 10:22 AM
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A place in which children can have one-on-one instruction, an environment that lends itself to self-discovery, and a classroom that is more like a family. Here is a peek behind the magic that is Alpine Montessori School:
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posted Nov 6, 2012, 7:04 AM by Amy Ellis
On Friday, November 16th we will hold our annual Thanksgiving luncheon. We cherish this opportunity to sit down with our Montessori community and break bread. We can use this as an opportunity to get to know our fellow families while enjoying a hot meal.
This year we are asking that families help us with the meal by providing a dish. We have a sign up sheet in the office with spaces for providing entrees, vegetables, bread, cookies and other necessities for our feast. Please sign up and claim your specialty! The elementary class will be preparing pumpkin soup for us to enjoy, and the primary class will make a salad. See Amelie or Amy in the office with any questions or email amelie@alpinemontessori.org.
After our meal, we are allowing for an optional early dismissal. The following week school will let out at noon on Tuesday, November 21st and resume on Monday, November 26th. We hope everyone has big plans to enjoy their Thanksgiving break. |
posted Oct 12, 2012, 11:05 AM by Amy Ellis
We selected Flexibility as the virtue of focus for the month of October. This widely overlooked virtue is one of the most important in our everyday work. Flexibility allows us to change course when we find boulders in our path, it also allows us to make mistakes without feeling crushed by them.
No matter how well-prepared we are, no matter how ordered our lives, things do not always go as planned. We have a choice when our plans fall through: we can claim defeat and give up, or we can adjust our goals to suit our situation and forge ahead. It is far more productive (and pleasant) to focus on what we CAN do than what we wanted to do but couldn’t.
Flexibility is necessary for people to work together. We must try to find a peaceful medium in which our divergent interests can be served. When a person or organization remains rigid and refuses to alter their demands, they put their private interests above all others and no one profits in the end.
It is incredibly valuable to be able to stop and assess your situation with an eye towards solutions. Those who are able to be flexible can spot opportunities for change and growth in unexpected places. It is important to have goals and aspirations, it is even more important to allow those to change as your circumstances shift.
At Alpine Montessori, we believe remaining flexible in our daily operations helps us to best serve students, families and staff. We are all in a constant state of change and we must keep our minds and hearts open when dealing with our fellow humans. |
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