News
News
At Springmont, we’re proud of our school and like to share the accomplishments of our students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Here you’ll find information about Springmont, including recent school news, articles about our curriculum, and other interesting items. For additional press or media information, please contact Julie Strickland jstrickland@springmont.com or 404.252.3910.
Archives - November 2019
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
November 18, 2019
As the end of the first semester nears, some parents may already be thinking about their child’s next school year, especially if he/she is at the end of a three-year cycle. As a Montessori teacher and the parent of two Montessori children, I want to share my perspective about the benefits of staying at Springmont, most of which comes directly from reflections my boys, their friends and former students have shared with me.
Earlier this fall, I was delighted to receive a message from a former student preparing to begin college. He had moved to Mexico and then Belgium with his family and is now enrolled in his dream school, Imperial College in London, where he will study electrical engineering. He wrote to thank me for helping him find his path. He remembered making a poster of the Periodic Table of the Elements; I still have it! He also recalled “playing with the Montessori math toys.” He wrote, “I really think that Montessori is where I discovered my passion for Math and Science.” After wiping away happy tears, I realized that this boy was given one of the greatest gifts offered to Montessori children - the chance to explore and develop a sense of who they are and who they want to become.
Eight of my former students, now young adults, graduated from high school this year, and many of them have reached out to me to share excitement about their next stage of learning. Many are still connected with each other, which speaks to the strengths of the relationships that develop at Springmont, thanks in part to the three-year cycles. These are benefits unique to a Montessori education! I know because when my boys went off to high school, I often heard from other parents who marveled at their uncommon ability and desire to talk with adults. My older son had a girlfriend who said she was uncomfortable talking with adults, and my younger son’s teachers remarked on how he forged relationships with them simply by treating them as people. At Springmont, we sometimes take the development of these important interpersonal skills for granted.
Springmont teachers get to know their students deeply and over three years have time to build trust and coach children about building relationships with each other. Students learn to negotiate, collaborate and genuinely appreciate the uniqueness of each of their classmates. Students observe their peers learning new things and share in their ‘growing up.’ In a recent birthday circle, one of my students remarked that the celebrant had grown in resilience. Another child asked what that meant and was told that the birthday girl had gotten much better at ‘letting go of upsets’ which truly is one of her biggest areas of growth. Seeing that skill as valuable and being able to articulate it kindly shows remarkable empathy and maturity for a third-grader!
As my students go on to Upper Elementary and Middle School, it’s delightful to watch them become even more distinctly who they are, discovering their interests and passions and who they are as learners. They are ready to take on more responsibility, and with teachers as their guides, explore relationships and learning on a deeper level. When my oldest left Springmont for high school, he was shocked to hear his peers spending so much time talking about sex and drugs. He thanked me for keeping him in the small, safe space of our Middle School. As I watch our current Middle School students move around campus, I am impressed with the kindness they exhibit toward each other and the younger children. Unfortunately, this is novel in a world that asks kids to grow up too fast!
In addition to these soft skills so important to 21st-century success and happiness, Springmont students are getting an excellent academic preparation! Make sure to come see for yourself at Academic Fair on December 10!
Yearbook Cover Art Contest Winners!
November 18, 2019
We are excited to announce the winners of this year's Yearbook Art Cover Contest!
We received so many beautiful selections, it was hard to narrow it down to one winner! Congratulations to Satti Gray whose artwork, pictured here, will grace the front cover and to Marina Santos and Chloe Hess whose collaborative entry will be on the back cover! Juliet Martin's artwork is our 2nd place winner, and 3rd place goes to Inaaya Iqbal, both of which will appear as interior pages in the 2019-20 Yearbook.
Congratulations to all! See pictures of all four winning pieces on Facebook!
Support Tuition Assistance Via Apogee
November 18, 2019
Help us provide financial assistance to deserving and mission-appropriate families through Apogee!
Don’t let Apogee remain a mystery and allow those tax credits to go unclaimed. We have all the resources you need to help understand the Georgia Private School Tax Credit program. From how it works through claiming your tax credit, we can help you every step of the way.
Our Apogee Scholarship Fund page is full of the information you need, including a quick and easy to understand explainer video. If you have a question that is not answered, don’t hesitate to reach out to Lauren Stevenson or John Panessa.
Book Fair! Dec. 2-5
November 18, 2019
Our annual Book Fair is the week after Thanksgiving Break! Little Shop of Stories offers a selection of affordable books, including the newest titles for every reading level. All proceeds go directly back to Springmont's Media Center. We invite all parents to sneak in a few minutes of holiday shopping without your child - the perfect book always makes a great gift.
Shopping Hours:
Monday, Dec 2: 12:00-3:30 pm
Tuesday - Thursday, Dec 3-5: 8:30 am-4:00 pm
Student Shopping:
Half Day Toddler and Half Day Primary students may shop with their parents after mid-day dismissal carpool.
Afternoon Primary students will come with their class to preview and create wish lists Monday afternoon and may shop with their parents after 3:00 dismissal carpool.
Elementary and Middle School students may shop independently throughout the week. Your child may bring cash or a check, made payable to Springmont, in a labeled envelope to shop. Parent volunteers will assist your child with selection and payment. Typically, $20 will cover the price of 2-3 paperback books.
The Book Fair also allows Teachers to enhance their classroom libraries via "wish baskets." If you'd like to purchase a classroom gift book, we would be happy to add one to your personal selections!
Want to volunteer for a couple of hours? We need cashiers and help with set up and breakdown. Click here to sign-up online. Questions? Email Leslie Wachter.
Fall Strings Concert tomorrow!
November 18, 2019
From Bach and Beethoven to Tchaikovsky and Handel, you won't want to miss tomorrow's Fall Strings Concert which begins at 4:00 p.m. in the Middle School Liberal Arts classroom! Come support these dedicated musicians who arrive at school at 7:30 a.m. for group lessons and rehearsals with Music Teacher Carissa Gibson.
Did you know that learning the intricacies of music improves attention span and critical thinking skills as well as memory, self-esteem, discipline and motivation? Springmont's before-school Strings program and school-day Music classes are important parts of our curriculum.
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That's a Wrap!
November 11, 2019
The 2019-20 Springmont Fund campaign is complete! Donations are still coming in, but as of the writing of this article, we have $123,582 in commitments and the support of 75% of our parent community. Beyond the THANK YOU we extend to all the generous families who participated, the members of the 2019-20 Springmont Fund Cabinet, listed above, deserve a special shout out! Thank you for all your work in support of this effort!
A special congratulations to Chris and Livia’s classes! Each reached 94% parent participation and earned a Pizza Party lunch with Jon.
The campaign may be over, but if you forgot and want to contribute, it’s never too late to show your support. We look forward to sharing the many ways these dollars will support faculty development and enrichment!
Save the Date for Academic Fair!
November 11, 2019
Academic Fair is December 10! Come celebrate your child's academic progress! Parents are invited to visit their children's current classrooms as well as classrooms at the next level. Don't miss the Art Show in the Media Center and the presentations given by Upper Elementary and Middle School students.
All parking will be off campus at the Sandy Springs United Methodist Church's Hitson Activity Center. Shuttles will run continuously beginning at 2:30, with the last shuttle departing campus for the parking area at 5:15 p.m.
Look for a more detailed schedule in next week's news and in future Thursday folders!
Meet the Primary Teachers - Dec. 5
November 11, 2019
All Toddler Parents are invited to attend Meet the Primary Teachers on Thursday, December 5, beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Primary Teachers Laura Cassell, Jeanie Fox, Rebecca Giddens, Dajar Showers and Rosanne Tricoles invite you to join them for refreshments and conversation. In addition to getting to know them, this event offers an opportunity to explore the Primary classroom and participate in demonstration lessons. Come see how your child’s Toddler experience prepares him/her for the expansive array of lessons at the Primary level.
Do you have a particular area of interest or a question you would like addressed? Please share it as you RSVP so we can address it that evening. Kindly click here to RSVP by December 4.
A Final Message from Your Springmont Fund Chairs
November 04, 2019
Today is the second to last day of the 2019-20 Springmont Fund campaign! Thank you to the cabinet members who have led this charge and to the generous donors who have shown their love for our fantastic teachers! And a big thanks to Lauren Stevenson who tirelessly leads the overall effort for the Springmont Fund every year! Hats off to all of you!
Tonight, volunteers will give their time to make calls at the phonathon, collecting as much support as possible before the campaign ends. Save them a call, support the Springmont faculty and help your child’s class win a Pizza Party lunch with Jon by clicking here and making your gift or pledge today!
Meet the Lower Elementary Teachers - Nov. 21
November 04, 2019
Parents of all Primary Students are invited to attend Meet the Lower Elementary Teachers on Thursday, November 21, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Lower Elementary Teachers Chris Cone, Livia Osorio and Patricia Jordan invite you to join them for wine & cheese and conversation. In addition to getting to know them, this is an opportunity to view samples of student work and participate in demonstration lessons. Come see how your child's Primary classroom experiences prepare him/her for the vastness of the curriculum at the Elementary level.
Do you have a particular area of interest or a question you would like addressed? Please share it as you RSVP so we can address it that evening.
Toddler & Primary Parents: It's Time to Register for Winter Break Care
November 04, 2019
Springmont is happy to offer Toddler & Primary Care during our Winter Break. Leave your child in a familiar and safe place to have fun with friends, make winter crafts, enjoy holiday snacks and play games while you go to work or finish last-minute holiday preparations! Guided by Toddler Assistant Alison Leveson-Jones and Office Administrator Marquisha Carr assisted by other Springmont staff, these programs will be held in Zaiba’s Toddler classroom and Remzije's classroom.
Care will be offered Monday, December 23; Thursday, December 26; Friday, December 27; Monday, December 30; Thursday, January 2; and Friday, January 3. You may select from a Half Day option (8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.) for $45 per half-day or a Full Day option (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) for $75 per day. Please note that we must have a minimum of 6 children per day for each program or the programs may be cancelled. Daily fees include craft supplies and snacks, but students should bring lunch (and nap items, if applicable) if they stay for the full day.
Click here to register. Questions? Email Marquisha Carr.