News

As you are likely aware, Springmont's outdoor campus is home to a flock of chickens, two goats, some rabbits, and a turkey! During the week, these animals are cared for by students and employees, but on the weekends, we welcome some help from families! 

If you are interested in helping out with light-duty Springmont farm animal care on weekends or during holiday breaks, please email Outdoor Science/Middle School Science Teacher Thomson Chuites (tchuites@springmont.com) to let him know! He is happy to provide more information! We have slots available for spring weekends and holidays.
 

For many, the start of a new calendar year is an occasion to reflect on what we’ve accomplished during the past year and to think about the things we are looking forward to tackling and enjoying in the year to come. On December 28th, I finished my 24th hike of 2024, accomplishing the goal I set for myself last January. What goals have you achieved? What lies ahead for you?  

As a school, we have been working steadily towards the goal of achieving a greater sense of community. We have seen amazing crowds at some of Springmont’s favorite traditional events, like the Springmont Festival & Montessori Mile, Toddler holiday celebrations, Strings Recital and Lower Elementary Fine Arts Showcase, Primary Open Classroom & Playdate, and Middle School’s Shakespeare Shorts. We’ve begun new traditions such as Screen on the Green and the Upper Elementary Winter Market while increasing our parent participation levels in the Springmont Fund. We have come back together as a community and are seeing the benefits. One of the ways we are realizing our potential as a community is through our strategic planning. Thirty-five employees, alumni parents, and current parents met on a Saturday in December to focus on questions regarding the future of Springmont. The answers to these, along with our parent and employee surveys and market data will be used to create our strategic plan. Stay tuned for more updates as the plan takes shape. Be on the lookout for news about our CommUNITY Dinner and annual Auction, two more cherished Springmont events. 

We are entering an uncertain time as a nation and while we cannot know everything that is in store for us in the coming months and years, we can rely on the community we have built at Springmont to provide a safe and loving place in which to raise our children.  

Warmest regards, 

Elizabeth 
 

The month of January serves as a time to reflect on the rich contributions and enduring legacy of Muslim Americans in shaping the cultural, social, and historical fabric of the United States. This recognition was introduced by a resolution brought forth by Senators Kaine of Virginia and Booker of New Jersey, along with other congressional representatives. It is an opportunity to honor the remarkable diversity within the Muslim American community, which encompasses people from varying ethnicities and traditions, and to celebrate their contributions and achievements.

Muslim Americans have played an essential role in fields such as science, education, art, politics, and activism. Figures like Dr. Ayub Ommaya, a pioneering neurosurgeon, and Ibtihaj Muhammad, an Olympic medalist and advocate, demonstrate the diverse impact of Muslim Americans on society. Beyond individual accomplishments, the values of service, justice, and compassion deeply rooted in Islamic teachings have inspired collective efforts to address social challenges and promote unity.

January also encompasses Martin Luther King Jr. Day, honoring the legacy of a leader whose vision for equality, justice, and civil rights transformed the nation. Dr. King’s message of nonviolence and his call to fight systemic injustice resonate deeply with the principles upheld by Muslim Americans and remind us of the shared struggle for human dignity.

January 27 marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a solemn occasion to honor the memory of the millions of lives lost due to Nazi persecution. This day underscores the importance of combating hatred, bigotry, and discrimination in all its forms. The historical connection between Muslim communities and Holocaust survivors, including acts of bravery by Muslims who protected Jews during World War II, serves as a powerful reminder of shared humanity and solidarity in the face of oppression.

Considering the current Israeli–Hamas conflict, these themes take on even greater urgency. The stories of resilience, the pursuit of justice, and the importance of fostering empathy remind us of the need to advocate for peace and human rights for all. By celebrating Muslim American heritage, reflecting on the lessons of the Holocaust, honoring Dr. King’s legacy, and addressing contemporary struggles, we commit to building bridges of understanding and working toward a future rooted in dignity and harmony for everyone.