Montessori For Flint
September 2018 Newsletter
Left to right - Jill Orr (1st-2nd grade), Michele Stinson (pre-K), Heather Hartke (early 5/kindergarten), Nadia Rodriguez (kindergarten/1st grade) and Debbie Rinoldo-Hopkins (1st-3rd grade).
Meet Our Teachers
We have a stellar team of teachers in Flint's Montessori program, and will be featuring them over the next few months in this newsletter. This month, we have a profile of Jill Orr.
Jill Orr
Dear Families,
Welcome to this new school year! My name is Jill Orr, and I will be teaching first and second grades this year. I have taught elementary students for the past twenty-eight years in both private and public schools. I am new to the Montessori family this year, and I look forward to implementing all of the great things that I have learned during my summer training. On a personal note, I am married with four adult children and three grandchildren. We love outdoor activities, playing games, and family field trips.
I am excited to get to know each and every one of my students! I am planning for this to be a year of excitement about learning and growth.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Orr
School is Here... So Why are the Shelves Bare?
1) Most Montessori programs begin the year with very few works out so the class can focus on setting classroom expectations and getting to know each other and their school in the first two weeks.
2) Because in Montessori students are only to choose work once they have been introduced to it and shown how to use it properly, there is no need to have tantalizing materials that they are not ready to use yet.
You will find that after the first month, the shelves will appear much fuller.
“The child has a mind able to absorb knowledge. He has the power to teach himself.” - Maria Montessori
Participation Matters
Flint's Montessori program is a true partnership between the Flint Community Schools and Montessori for Flint, which serves as an advisory group. The involvement of families and community members helps us to keep moving forward and improving. In a very short span of two years we have grown from one pilot classroom to five classrooms in the 2018-19 school year.
Many aspects of running the program have gotten smoother in that time, but we are still learning new things and adapting to new needs. Families provide invaluable insight into what's working, what's not, and how we can continue to progress and grow.
If you have a suggestion or idea to share, or if you are willing to contribute your time and talent to help the program move forward, please become involved. Monthly advisory meetings (held the third Friday at 4:00 pm in the library of Durant Tuuri Mott) are a great way to help us identify and overcome obstacles, plan for the future, and contribute your thoughts. If you can't make the meetings but have an idea to share, you can always contact Elizabeth Jordan, the Parent Liaison, at jordanel19@yahoo.com or (810) 610-7209.
For example... Now that we take up most of a hallway at Durant Tuuri Mott, as of this fall we now have a separate designated Montessori entrance for pick-up and drop-off. While this is more convenient for families in many respects, we are also realizing based on feedback that there are some kinks to work out, especially at the end of the school day. Based on that feedback, we are working to adjust the process, and we will continue to listen and respond until it works as smoothly as possible.
Durant Tuuri Mott School Day
Doors open at 8:40 am, class begins at 8:45 am
School dismisses at 3:40 pm (half days at 12:10 pm)
Durant Tuuri Mott Elementary
1518 University Ave.
Flint, MI 48504
DTM Main Office (810) 760-1594
· Families driving students to/from school must enter from Cadillac St. Parking and drop-off are available behind the school.
· The parking lot is very busy during drop-off and pick-up times. Arriving early reduces the time spent waiting in line. If you park, back into a spot if you can in order to get out more easily.
· If your contact information (phone number, address, etc.) changes during the school year, please call the DTM Main Office to update it.
Montessori For Flint September Advisory Meeting
Friday, Sep 21, 2018, 04:00 PM
1518 University Ave Flint, MI 48504
Montessori Welcome Night 2018
Material Donations Needed
Still Seeking Substitute Teachers
Local Resource Corner & Community Calendar
Second Friday Art Walk - Flint
Friday, Sep 14, 2018, 06:00 PM
601 South Saginaw Street, Flint, MI, USA
Fall Harvest Festival at Appleood
Join the Ruth Mott Foundation for its annual Fall Harvest Festival at Applewood on Saturday, September 29th from 11am to 5pm.
This FREE family event will host a variety of activities such as live music, strolling entertainment, cider and apple tasting in the heirloom orchard, live animals in the historic barn, educational presentations by local organizations, children’s outdoor games and more!
*Strolling house tours will be available with no reservations necessary!
http://www.ruthmottfoundation.org/events/fall-harvest-festival-2/Saturday, Sep 29, 2018, 11:00 AM
Applewood Estate, East Kearsley Street, Flint, MI, USA
St. John Parish Applefest 9/13-9/16
FIA 90th Anniversary Celebration
• 6p – 9p – Galleries open
• 6:30p – Free demo in Hot Shop
• 7p – Cake cutting
• 7:30p – Free demo in Hot Shop
Friday, Sep 14, 2018, 06:00 PM
Flint Institute of Arts, East Kearsley Street, Flint, MI, USA
5 Apple Orchards to Visit this Fall
Michigan Renaissance Festival
Weekends in September 10am-7pm
Saturday, Sep 15, 2018, 10:00 AM
12600 Dixie Hwy., Holly, MI 48442
Donuts with Dinosaurs - September 15, 2018
About Montessori for Flint
Montessori for Flint serves as the advisory group to the Flint Community Schools' Montessori program. To be added to the advisory group email list, or to get more information, call (810) 610-7209.
Email: jordaniel19@yahoo.com
Website: flintmontessori.org
Location: Durant Tuuri Mott Elementary, University Ave, Flint, MI
Phone: (810) 610-7209
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montessoriforflint/