News

We are happy to offer current Toddler & Primary students an opportunity to continue their Springmont experience this summer! Springmont Assistants and staff will guide the Toddler Summer Program & Primary Summer Camp, allowing children to spend the day in their familiar Montessori environments with additional summer fun and activities, including arts & crafts, outdoor adventures, and water play!  

(7) one-week sessions:    
June 3-7
June 10-14
June 17-21 (Please note this is a 4-day week as there is no camp June 19.)
June 24-28
July 8-12
July 15-19
July 22-26

Daily Schedule Options: 
Half Day: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. $240 per week (except June 17-21: $192)
School Day: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.  $335 per week (except June 17-21: $268)
Full Day: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.  $395 per week (except June 17-21: $316)

Registration: Weekly sessions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Enrollment will be capped at 40 students per week, and we must have a minimum of 10 children per week or camp may be cancelled. 

Registration, including a $90 per week non-refundable deposit, is done online and reserves your child’s space. Registration closes May 3. Balances, billed via FACTS, are due May 17 and are non-refundable after May 17.

Click the link in Springmont Weekly News for online registration and more information. Spaces will fill quickly, so register soon to reserve your child’s spot!

Questions? Email Cara Friedline cfriedline@springmont.com or Isaac Ezemba iezemba@springmont.com.
 

Springmont is excited to offer rising 3rd through rising 6th-year students an opportunity to spend five days and four nights at Springmont’s Landschool, our 86-acre environmental education campus in the north Georgia mountains. The week (June 10-14) will include a safe, fun, and outdoor-oriented program led by Springmont Teachers Claire Tadeo, Tiffany Orem, and Thomson Chuites. All staff are first aid and CPR trained, with a certified lifeguard-trained staff member present for all aquatic activities. 

Activities will include:

• Aquatic activities, including swimming and boating
• Field trips to local sites, such as the Rocky Mountain Recreation Area and Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden
• Wilderness skill-building, leading to a night of campfire cooking, stargazing, and tent-camping
• Nightly campfires and s’mores
• Daily Art and PE activities
• Ecology-based science lessons 
• Free time for sports activities, games, reading, and relaxing
• Well-balanced and nutritious meals and snacks, served buffet-style

Fees:
$1000 per student includes all activities, food, lodging, and transportation between our Atlanta campus, activities, and the Landschool via activity buses driven by the teachers.

Schedule:
Campers will depart our Atlanta campus in the morning on Monday, June 10, and return to campus in the late afternoon on Friday, June 14.  A more detailed schedule and additional information, including a Packing List, will be provided in advance of the trip.

Registration:
Enrollment will be capped at 20 students, and we must have a minimum of 12 or the program may be canceled. Spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registration, including a $250 non-refundable deposit, is done online and reserves your child’s space. Registration closes May 3. Balances, billed via FACTS, are due May 17 and are non-refundable after May 17.

Click the link in Springmont Weekly News to register!

Questions? Email Thomson Chuites at tchuites@springmont.com. 
 

For the most part, the term “Outdoor Education” speaks for itself, especially when you consider our campus here at Springmont! Our little farm, the gardens, and everything that goes with those make it easy to imagine what we do in Outdoor Education, but where’s the science? 

Well, sometimes it’s self-evident. For example, our Middle School students attend our annual vet visit. The vet speaks to our students about life as a veterinarian and the science behind how and why she treats our animals. Each animal (yes, this includes every chicken!) gets a thorough once-over with the students handling the animals while the vet provides their vaccinations and anti-parasitic medications.

But at other times, perhaps the science isn’t quite so obvious. Have you ever wondered why the compost pile generates gentle clouds of steam in the cold air? It’s a byproduct of happy microbes breaking down all the organic material in the pile! Students are encouraged to use thermometers to test the compost temperature across the seasons. Other examples of science in outdoor education include soil testing to determine whether the soil needs amending before we plant the season’s crops, and if so, what do we need to add? What are its deficiencies? We also conduct water studies at the little creek below the lower Field. Students figure out which watershed our creek belongs to, what properties make up the creek, and what lives in it. The study of macroinvertebrates is a student favorite!

One of my favorite campus features is the Springmont weather station. Behind the Elementary/Middle School building near the chicken coop is our recently upgraded weather station! It is connected to Weather Underground, so students can keep an eye on our weather stats here on campus no matter where they are! The site maintains historical data that students can access and study. Students can look not only at temperature data but also humidity and UV levels, rainfall, wind speed, barometric pressure, and dew points for the last week, month, and eventually year! 

The possibilities for exploring science outdoors are endless and don’t need to involve complex theories or experiments. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of observing a column of ants marching through a garden or watching the different types of clouds move across the sky – these experiences are often just enough to spark curiosity, questions, and research!
 

All parents/guardians are encouraged to join Co-chairs Kristin Maiwand and Elizabeth Keromytis for the next meeting of the Springmont Parent Association on Friday, February 2, beginning at 8:45 a.m. in the Media Center! Bring your ideas, creativity, and desire to get to know fellow parents!

Our Toddler Parent Education, Little People, Big Feelings will be held Wednesday, February 7, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

As you know, Toddlers are just beginning to explore the wider world and learning to express themselves. To be successful, they need to learn many skills, including how to get their needs met. Until those skills are acquired and solidified, parents often see some tantrums and misguided behaviors. Understandably, these can be frustrating and difficult to manage. You’re invited to come learn from the experts - Zaiba, Toshia, and Remzije - how to best navigate this stage of your child’s development. They’ll share specific techniques for preventing and quelling a Toddler tantrum and ideas for steering clear of power struggles with your child.  

We know you may have many questions! Please share them as you RSVP and we will make sure to answer them! 

• Complimentary childcare is available 4:30-5:30 in Zaiba’s classroom for currently enrolled Toddler students via the RSVP form. (All Day Toddlers do not have to be pre-registered.)
• Elementary & Middle School students may be registered for our fee-based Extended Day program by clicking the link in Springmont Weekly News. (All Day option students do not have to be registered.)
• Unfortunately, Primary students and non-enrolled siblings cannot be accommodated.
• Due to limited on-campus parking, we ask that each family bring just one vehicle to campus.

Kindly click the link in Springmont Weekly News to RSVP and reserve childcare by 3 p.m. Monday, February 5.
 

As a follow-up to last week’s article about opportunities for service and learning in celebration and honor of Dr. King, we wanted to highlight some of the wonderful efforts shared with us by members of our community! 

• The Lazarus and Sandvi families served dinner at the Zaban Paradies Shelter.
• The Sanders family cleaned up garbage along the East-West Connector in Smyrna.
• The Eisenstein, Senna, Hakerem, and Mansour (not pictured) families made 170 sandwiches for The Sandwich Project.
   

We are excited to invite parents to observe in their child(ren)'s current classrooms! Parent observations provide an authentic glimpse of your child’s day – his/her friends, teacher, environment, and learning – both academic and social/emotional. Observations are also a great way for parents to learn more about Montessori. 

• Because having parents in the classroom is very distracting to our youngest students, Toddler classes will host virtual Parent Observations via Zoom on the dates listed below.  Zoom links have been shared via email and will be sent again as the dates approach. 
• Primary & Elementary Spring Observations will be independent (unguided), but parents may email Toddler/Primary Division Head Cara Friedline, Elementary Division Head Allwyn Fitzpatrick, or their child's Teacher with any questions. Teachers and Assistants will remain focused on the students and will likely not engage in conversation with parents during this time. Likewise, students will be encouraged to continue their normal routines. 
  • Click the link in Springmont Weekly News for more information and to select your preferred timeslot. Time slots are available 9:00-9:30 and 9:30-10:00, and dates vary by class. Please select a time and date to observe in your child's current classroom.  If you would like to observe at another academic level, please email Andrea Restifo.
• Middle School parents who wish to observe should email Marsha Fleming.

Our next Primary Parent Education, Montessori Magic: Parenting Techniques for Cooperative, Considerate, and Compassionate Children, will be held on Wednesday, January 24, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Have you ever wondered what magic your child's Teacher uses to guide your Primary-aged children with ease, grace, and enthusiasm? Join us to learn more about your child's developmental stage and how you can use the same magic as you interact with your child! Primary Teachers will provide practical, time-tested techniques that will help parents/guardians encourage the cooperation, consideration, and compassion that leads to harmony at home. 

If you have specific parenting issues you would like addressed, please share them as you RSVP!

• Complimentary childcare is available 4:30-5:30 for currently enrolled Primary students via the RSVP form linked below. (All Day students do not have to be registered below.)  
• Elementary & Middle School students may be registered for our fee-based Extended Day program by clicking here. (All Day option students do not have to be registered.)
• Unfortunately, Toddlers and non-enrolled siblings cannot be accommodated.
• Due to limited on-campus parking, we ask that each family bring just one vehicle to campus.

Kindly click the link in Springmont Weekly News to RSVP and reserve childcare by Monday, January 22.
 

As noted in Head of School Elizabeth Lener's letter last week, all parents are invited to join her for a Parent Education session on Dignity on January 30th, 4:30 - 6:00 pm. Elizabeth will lead a discussion informed by Dr. Donna Hick's book, Dignity: Its Essential Role in Resolving Conflict, which explains:

• what dignity is,
• the elements of dignity that are so essential to every human being,
• the ways in which we are most likely to violate another’s dignity, and
• how to prevent and repair dignity violations with the goal of building a strong, respectful community that honors every person.

This work impacts our professional and personal lives – everyone can benefit from its messages, and it offers a great connection to the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who spent his life fighting for justice and human dignity. 

• Light refreshments will be served.
• Complimentary childcare is available 4:30-6:00 for currently enrolled students who are pre-registered. (Students should be picked up at their regular dismissal times and return to campus for complimentary care. Alternatively, Elementary & Middle School students may be pre-registered for Extended Day 3:15/3:30-4:30)
• Due to limited on-campus parking, we ask that each family bring just one vehicle to campus.

Kindly use the link in Springmont Weekly News to RSVP and reserve childcare by Monday, January 29.
 

We are excited to invite all families to attend the Springmont commUNITY Dinner on Saturday, February 3, beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Peachtree Road United Methodist Church! This is a well-loved Springmont tradition and a unique opportunity for our whole community to gather together to enjoy a short musical program, as well as a potluck-style dinner.

Performance
Music Teacher Dr. Carissa Gibson and Arts Specialist Ayanna Talton are coordinating a wonderful program!  

• Due to their age, Toddlers and younger Primary students will remain in the audience with their parents and are encouraged to sing along and observe the program in preparation for future programs!
• Five- and six-year-old Primary students are working with Ayanna to learn a song they will perform on stage.
• Elementary and Middle School classes are working with Carissa to prepare songs and readings.
• The finale will include Candle for Peace, a song uniting the entire community! Look for the lyrics to be shared in the evening’s program.

Potluck-Style Dinner

• A potluck-style dinner will follow the performance. Families will be asked to bring an entree, appetizer, side dish, or salad that is meaningful to their family, and everyone will be invited to sample the dishes. Foods may be homemade or purchased. Springmont will provide serving utensils, water, and dessert! 
• Families will be provided with 10” x 12” aluminum food pans, which will be sent home with students on Thursday, February 1. If you have more than one enrolled student, you may receive more than one pan, but you only need to fill one pan unless you bring extended family. Please bring your dish at the temperature at which it should be served. Please do not bring desserts as these are provided by Springmont.
• Labels that allow families to indicate the contents of their food pan, including alerts for potential allergens and dietary restrictions, will be provided. 
• One buffet line will include a greater concentration of vegetarian items. 

What else should my family bring?

• In keeping with Springmont’s core value Stewardship of the Environment, we ask that families consider bringing their own reusable eating utensils, plates, and cups/water bottles. Bringing these items (and taking them home to wash and reuse afterward) is a practical way to reduce the amount of waste provided by a community event of this size. Earth-friendly cups, utensils, plates, and napkins will also be available. 
• Again this year, we will be collaboratively creating floral centerpieces for the dining tables. If you would like to bring your own unique flower stem, please feel free to do so! We will also have a variety of blooms for each attendee to add to their table’s centerpiece. 
• Families are also encouraged to bring a 3 - 6 foot long strip of fabric or fabric ribbon to add to our commUNITY weaving project begun last year!  Fabrics or ribbons may represent your family in any way – a favorite color, pattern, texture, or other attribute. Be creative! Strips cut from old sheets, drapes, t-shirts, or discarded clothing as well as textiles of any type are welcome!  
• Our cultural diversity is a wonderful gift to our school community. Families are encouraged to come dressed in authentic cultural attire if they wish.

What else do I need to know?

• There is no need to RSVP.
• Please plan to arrive at the Peachtree Road United Methodist Church (3180 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305) no later than 4:15 in order to park in the BLUE or GREEN lots, drop off food with the volunteers, create the commUNITY floral centerpieces, and be seated for the performance. 
• At arrival (4:15), five- and six-year-old Primary students and all Elementary and Middle School students will join their teachers backstage to prepare for the performance. Younger students will remain with their parents.
• For safety reasons and out of respect for our venue and the other activities taking place simultaneously, we ask your help in ensuring that all students remain in our designated space and under close parental supervision at all times, including in the buffet area, during dinner, and afterward. An activity will be available at the dining tables, but the outdoor playground is undergoing renovations and will not be available.
• The event will conclude by 6:30.

Lots of volunteers are needed! If you can help with set-up (3:00 - 4:30 p.m.) or clean-up (6:30 - 7:00 p.m.), please click here!  Tasks are quick and easy and older Primary students and Elementary & Middle School students can come early with parent volunteers! 

Dear Families,

Happy New Year! Let me begin by thanking you for your generous gifts to our teachers and staff. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated! We made good use of our January 2nd Faculty/Staff Workday for training, classroom preparation, and lesson planning. For part of the day, Teachers and Assistants attended workshops focused on successful strategies for working with neurodiverse students. This was a focus area identified in last year’s SAIS reaccreditation process, and this work helps us better understand and meet the emotional and academic needs of our incredible students.

I hope that many of you took me up on my December invitation to join Springmont employees in our work around Dignity by reading or, even better, gifting and reading the book Dignity: Its Essential Role in Resolving Conflict by Dr. Donna Hicks. This book explains what dignity is, the elements of dignity that are so essential to every human being, the ways in which we are most likely to violate another’s dignity, and how to prevent and repair dignity violations with the goal of building a strong, respectful community that honors every person. This work impacts our professional and personal lives – everyone can benefit from its messages, and it offers a great connection to the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who spent his life fighting for justice and human dignity. If you have not started the book, there is still time to do so before our Parent Education session on Dignity on January 30th, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. Parents from all levels are invited, and childcare will be provided with advanced registration. Please click here to RSVP by January 29 at 4 p.m.

Warm regards,
Elizabeth

“I want to suggest some of the things that should begin your life's blueprint. Number one...should be a deep belief in your own dignity. Your worth and your own somebodiness... Always feel that you count. Always feel that you have worth, and always feel that your life has ultimate significance.”

As we approach next Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which commemorates and honors his life, legacy, impact, and achievements, we encourage the Springmont community to take time to honor and celebrate Dr. King’s story and legacy with your family by joining others around the nation for a day of service in our pursuit of dignity for every person. We all count and can make a positive difference!

Acts of service can include the entire family and be as simple as collecting stray trash in your neighborhood or local park or assisting or visiting an elderly neighbor. There are also opportunities to join the efforts of local organizations such as those listed below.  Note: not all of these volunteer opportunities are available on January 15th.

• Hands On Atlanta provides a searchable database for narrowing down volunteer opportunities. You can enter the age of volunteers as well as your chosen project (i.e. environment, food insecurity, senior services, etc.). Click here for their 2024 King Holiday opportunities.
• Pebbletossers offers family volunteering options.
• The Sandwich Project is a network of volunteers who make and deliver fresh, homemade sandwiches to people experiencing food insecurity. Springmont employees participated in the Sandwich Project in December.
• Solidarity Sandy Springs is a food pantry in Sandy Springs that welcomes volunteers. 
• The Tender Foundation is dedicated to bridging the financial gap and providing a safety net for single moms.
• The Westside Future Fund is looking for help at several garden/park locations around Atlanta.  

Over the next few weeks, students will be engaged in learning about Dr. Martin Luther King in class with their teachers, through field trips, service projects, and other opportunities. Below are links for programs around Atlanta this weekend and Monday, January 15th.

• https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/event/martin-luther-king-jr-day-2024/
• https://thekingcenter.org/events/
• https://www.civilandhumanrights.org/about-the-center/
• https://childrensmuseumatlanta.org/programs/martin-luther-king-jr-day/
   

The Elementary years (ages 6 – 12) are ones of great excitement and promise for students and families. At Springmont, our goal is to help Primary families better understand the academic and social changes on their children’s horizons while illuminating the similarities and differences between the Primary and Elementary programs. This may seem overwhelming, but we’re here to make it informative and inspiring! 

In a Montessori Elementary classroom, students work individually or in small groups, at tables or on the floor. Unlike Primary, most lessons are given to small groups of students which appeals to their natural inclination to be social. Similar to Primary classrooms, natural lighting, soft colors, and uncluttered spaces set the stage for activity that is focused and calm. Learning materials are arranged on accessible shelves according to curricular area (math, geometry, history, language, world language, geography, botany, biology, music, and art), fostering independence as students go about their work. Everything is where it is supposed to be, conveying a sense of harmony and order that both comforts and inspires.

For students who have completed a Montessori Primary program, the environment offers continuity, with familiar routines and learning materials that afford new lessons and opportunities for more complex exploration and discovery. Children new to Montessori quickly feel at home thanks to the inspired teaching that appeals to their deepest interests and the distinctive, hands-on learning materials that teachers introduce sequentially according to students’ developmental needs. 

Elementary classrooms are happy communities. Students are focused. They take joy in their work. They invent, explore, experiment, confer, create, prepare snacks, and curl up with books or read to each other for research and studies. Meanwhile, teachers circulate throughout the room, observing the students and making notes about their progress, ready to offer support or introduce new materials when appropriate. Expectations are exquisitely clear and engagingly open-ended.

The best way to learn about the magic of the Elementary program is to see and hear about it from our Elementary Team!! We have Parent Education events planned for March 12 and April 9. Guided Observations of the Elementary classrooms continue this Wednesday & Thursday, January 10 and 11, allowing parents to see classrooms in action. In addition to seeing children and teachers working harmoniously together, I will be available to answer questions.

I look forward to seeing Primary families at our upcoming events, but please feel free to email me at afitzpatrick@springmont.com if you have any questions in the meantime!
 

We're excited to welcome students back for the start of our Spring Semester!  

Thank you to all of the families who contributed to the new Springmont Employee Appreciation Pool. Teachers, Assistants, and staff were delighted to receive generous cash gifts before Winter Break! We are so grateful for your participation in this gift of appreciation and look forward to coordinating this voluntary gifting program again at the end of the school year.
Here are some comments we received from recipients: 

• Thanks to Maryam, Kristin, Caro, and the Springmont parent body for the generous collective cash holiday gift. As a new member of this community, your thoughtful gesture made me feel instantly welcome and appreciated. Your generosity not only reflects your commitment to our school's well-being but also sets a wonderful example of collaboration between parents and staff. Thank you for fostering such a positive and supportive environment.
• The gift is greatly helping me put my signature on my new home as a first-time buyer!
• Wow! Thank you to all the families who made my holidays extra joyful!