News

We're excited to share the winners of this year's Yearbook Cover Art Contest!  Congrats to Middle School student Marina Santos whose winning entry (top left) will be on the front cover and to Lower Elementary student Genevieve Held whose entry (top right) will be on the back cover!  There were so many wonderful selections so as has become tradition, runner-up pieces (bottom left to right) submitted by Juliet Martin, Lyric Richardson, and Sriram Somasundaram will be used for interior pages.  Thank you to all students who submitted artwork!  We look forward to distributing complimentary 2020-21 Yearbooks in May!

Guided by Music Teacher Carissa Gibson, Lower Elementary students have been hard at work preparing their Song Cycle, I Have a Dream. Each Lower Elementary student, including Lower Elementary ROLO students, has been videotaped and recorded singing their cohort's song of peace and harmony. Accompanied by visuals, the songs, tied together by texts read by the students, will be presented as a virtual performance on Sunday, December 6 at 4 p.m.! Songs will include "I Have a Dream", "Get on Board", "The Rhythm of My Soul", "Like a Mighty Stream", and "We Live the Dream".

Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 6, at 4 p.m. and plan to enjoy the matinee. Look for an emailed invitation containing the link later this week!

What led you to become a Montessori Teacher, and how long have you been at Springmont? I fell in love with the Montessori approach when I became a mother and started searching for the best way of educating my daughter. This approach to education opened my mind and helped me understand how important it is to foster lifelong learning. The calm, peaceful nature of the prepared Montessori environment allows children to grow and learn at their own paces and promotes acceptance, kindness, and respect for all. Becoming a Montessori Teacher was the best decision I ever made. This is my fourth year as part of the Springmont family. 

Tell us one way you help new children feel welcomed into the community of learners? My goals are to nourish and assist children, to serve and observe, and to encourage and guide in the best way possible. Children naturally feel welcome in our prepared environment because it supports their physical and psychological needs. Each day I try to support the children's own learning and happiness and to be an instrument of inspiration. 

What do you love best about Springmont? Springmont is a diverse community that promotes a safe and supportive environment for everyone. It's such a great family of which to be part; I feel Springmont is my home away from home! 

How has Montessori shaped your understanding of children, and what do you wish people knew about Montessori? My studies of Montessori pedagogy and Dr. Montessori’s theories about the Planes of Development and Human Tendencies made me embrace the intrinsic process of development that children go through from birth to maturity. I wish people knew that Montessori is much more than a very robust academic program.  Montessori is an approach to life; it is an attitude based on total respect and cooperation. When a classroom works this way, academic success is inevitable.   

Do you have a favorite area of the classroom?  My favorite area in the classroom is the mathematics area. I love the way the Montessori materials transform a very abstract concept, for example, the division of fractions by fractions, into a very concrete experience for the children. 

What one thing distinguishes your teaching style?  What one thing defines you as a person? Since childhood, I learned to always follow my passions. As a teacher, I do just that. I am passionate about teaching and I bring that feeling to everything I do in the classroom. My family defines me as a person. Their love and support have made me the person I am today.

Thank you to everyone who has given so generously to support the 2020-21 Springmont Fund!  So far, 46% of our current families have made a gift or pledge.  With the help of alumni families, grandparents, and faculty and staff, we have raised nearly $134,000 which will help Springmont to continue to deliver a world-class Montessori curriculum this year and for many years to come.  I am so proud of the work we have done together, but I believe our community can boost our current participation rate.

No gift is too small, and pledges can be fulfilled until July 31, 2021.  If you have not done so already, please consider making your gift or pledge before Thanksgiving Break. Wishing you all a healthy and happy holiday!

All parents are invited to grab a second cup of coffee and join Head of School Jon Alden for informal conversation. Jon plans to share the top three Springmont things for which he is thankful and hopes you will share yours, too!  Questions and dialogue about the end of Semester I and the beginning of Semester II are also welcome. Mark your calendars for Friday, November 20, at 9:00 a.m. and join us via Zoom!

The Springmont Parent Association has organized a food drive in lieu of our usual Thanksgiving Outreach.  Please feel free to drop off food items from the list below at morning carpool through Thursday, November 19.  Toddler/Primary parents, please remain in your vehicle and hand donations to staff members assisting with carpool. Elementary/Middle School parents, your student may drop items in the labeled boxes on the cul-de-sac benches on the way to class.  Donations will go to the Food Pantry at The Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.  Please contact Ann Colonna at ann_eskew@yahoo.com with any questions. 

Requested Items: Canned vegetables, Cranberry sauce, Evaporated milk, Instant potatoes, Pasta, Stuffing mix

Don't miss the next SPA Zoom Meeting on Friday, December 4, beginning at 10 a.m.! All parents are members of SPA and are welcome to attend.

How has Montessori shaped your understanding of children? Montessori is more than a pedagogy for learning; it's a way to follow the child as he/she reveals what he/she fundamentally needs at any given moment. As adults, there is a freedom and an allowance for us to be part of that moment and to guide children to what is already waiting for them in an environment that has been specially designed for them.

Is there a particular lesson you like to give to new students and why? The Montessori classroom provides such a rich environment for young children and gives them the independence they require to learn.  One of my favorite lessons for young students is pouring water.  It sounds simple to us, but what this and many of the other works available on our shelves provides is a tangible representation of how children are capable scientists.  Not merely an exercise in pouring water from one vessel to another, it's an in-depth study of the properties of water, gravity and viscosity.  It is discovering the answer to the question, “What if…?”  It is learning that inquiry is good and that there is freedom in discovery through trial and error.  Montessori children feel safe and in charge of their work. Independence and freedom to choose are powerful outcomes of this deceivingly simple work.

What is a special interest you bring into the classroom? Because the Primary child is interested in EVERYTHING, I delight in the variety of what I may offer as I, too, have a wide variety of interests. When a child expresses a particular interest, I am thrilled to be able to give depth and richness to the experience.  Recently, some of my young friends expressed an interest in skeletons, so we made a study of human anatomy. Try not to smile when your child explains to you how the “amygdala” helps you laugh!

What led you to become a Montessori Teacher, and how long have you been at Springmont? I became interested in Montessori after discovering that one of my best friends had been a Montessori child. She was an extraordinary adult with a mind for business, a love of the arts, and a passion for philanthropy. She had many unique attributes, and I was curious to discover how a Montessori education had helped her grow into this remarkable adult. I did some reading and talking with other people who had been Montessori children and decided that I would like to become a Montessori teacher. This is my fifth year at Springmont. 

Tell us one way you help new children feel welcomed into the community of learners? One way I help new children feel welcome in my class is by trying to discover a common interest. It could be as simple as we both love drawing or books by Judy Blume. It gives me an opportunity to show children that I see them and I am paying attention to who they are.  

What is one thing that you think defines you as a person? Creativity. I am always trying to find new ways to engage the children and I make sure my classroom inspires creativity. My students love to engage in hands-on learning through building, constructing and performing. I love to do projects that teach children but also give them the framework to develop the skills required to draw their own conclusions.  

Each December, Springmont hosts an annual Book Fair. This year's event, like so many others, will be virtual.  Make sure to visit the Little Shop of Stories website Monday, November 30 - Sunday, December 6.

Click here for suggestions including new books, old favorites, cool non-fiction, great gift ideas, and socially conscious reads for all ages!

At checkout, make sure to include SPRINGMONT in the comments section so the school gets credit for the sale. Traditionally, Springmont's Media Center receives part of the proceeds, but this year, in support of Little Shop of Stories as a small, local business, these proceeds will remain with this delightful, independent bookseller that has been so supportive of our students; did you know they have provided two Virtual Author Talks for our Upper Elementary students?

You may choose home delivery or contact-free pick-up. All orders over $25 automatically qualify for free shipping.  

Questions? Email Leslie Wachter

Thank you to all the Toddler/Primary parents who completed our Winter Care/Camp Survey!  We received enough interest to proceed with registration for our Toddler and Primary Winter Wonders Camps on the following dates during Winter Break.

• Monday, 12/21
• Tuesday, 12/22
• Wednesday 12/23
• Monday, 12/28
• Tuesday, 12/29
• Wednesday 12/30

There will be a Half Day (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM $45 per half-day) and a Full Day (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM $75 per day) option.

Campers will enjoy exploring winter weather, cold-weather sports, and the fascinating changes in our natural world, such as hibernation, that occur during the winter months!  This program allows your children to stay and play in a familiar environment where you know they will be safe and happy while you work or attend to holiday preparations.  

Run by our current staff, Winter Wonders Camp will utilize outdoor campus spaces, one Toddler classroom, and one Primary classroom.  Please note that classes will co-mingle during camp and that Toddler and Primary levels may also be joined based on enrollment.

Your child will need a water bottle and snack daily and lunch and nap supplies if he/she regularly rests at school and is enrolled in the Full Day option.

Please note that spaces are limited, and we will need a minimum of 6 children per day or the program may be canceled. Payment is due with registration, and refunds will not be offered unless Springmont is unable to hold camp on a particular day due to low demand. Registration will close Dec. 3 at 3 p.m.

Questions? Email Cara Friedline

At Springmont, we are dedicated to educating globally aware, civic-minded citizens for a better, more peaceful world.  What greater mission is there to support than one that ensures a brighter future by developing the young people who will lead that noble mission?

When you donate to the Springmont Fund, know that your dollars work in support of that mission.  Thank you to all that have donated.  If you haven’t made your gift or pledge yet, please consider doing so.  You can show your support today by clicking on this link.

What led you to become a Montessori Teacher, and how long have you been at Springmont?  I began my career path studying Political Science with the idea of changing the world for the better. But when I worked at my first Montessori school as a Teacher Assistant, I realized my responsibility was to change the world one little person at a time. I fell in love with Montessori's method of educating young children and decided to get my Infant/Toddler Montessori training. Although I've been working in Montessori education since 2002, this is my first year teaching at the wonderful Springmont School and I'm super excited!

Do you have a favorite area of the classroom? Is there a particular lesson you like to give to new students and why? My most favorite area is Practical life. It never ceases to amaze me when I witness young children independently preparing food, baking, dressing themselves, cleaning the environment, or caring for each other. I love how the tools and materials are specially designed to fit their small hands allowing them to be successful as they work to master each lesson. I like to give new students lessons on food preparation because it is delightful to see the smiles on their little faces as they eat delicious bananas they sliced all by themselves. The purposeful activities in the Practical Life area help young children develop fine and gross motor control, independence, confidence, and a sense of responsibility. 

What is a special interest you bring to the classroom? I bring a love and appreciation for music! I also bring my ukulele which the toddlers request I play every day. Music is a universal language loved by children and adults around the world. Music and movement provide children ways to express their unique selves. Toddlers love to dance, sing, and make music. I try to extend their repertoire beyond "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to singing "Rain Drops Keep Falling On My Head". Music is a great way to develop a rich language environment including dialogue. 

"In the same way it is important to be in a language environment to learn spoken language, we can create and provide a musical environment for the children where they absorb the words of songs, the rhythms, and the appreciation for playing musical instruments." - Judi Orion, Montessori Trainer

How has Montessori shaped your understanding of children? The teachings and educational philosophy of Maria Montessori have helped me gain more understanding of the developmental needs of children as they grow mentally, socially, and academically and become independent. Montessori education's emphasis on nurturing a child’s sense of order and interests, while promoting the connection between collaboration and independence has helped me understand the importance of those connections in helping my students progress.

Is there a particular lesson you like to give to new students and why? One of my favorite fiction authors to read with Middle School students is Agatha Christie. There is no better way to ignite students’ “little grey cells,” the phrase used by the British mystery writer’s character Hercule Poirot, the world-famous Belgian detective, for what he uses to solve murders – his brain. Reading a murder mystery not only sharpens students’ analytical and critical thinking skills but also provides a fun opportunity to collaborate with classmates in discussions that center on solving the mystery.  

What is one thing that you think defines you as a person? One thing I believe defines me as a person is consistency. I feel and believe strongly that doing things consistently and doing them the same way creates a calm environment and builds stability and loyalty. In the classroom, consistency is key.

In addition to our existing Statement of Diversity and Inclusivity, Springmont has formalized a new protocol for Reporting Incidents of Prejudice or Hatred.  

All parents are invited to attend Let’s Get Real: Talking about Race with Children on Tuesday, December 1, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

• How can we nurture understanding about race in our children? 
• How are conversations about race in families of color different than conversations happening in white families? 
• How can we safeguard the well-being of our children?

Race is often the elephant in the room, often “felt” rather than talked about. Yet our experience of race is a fundamental aspect of how we see the world. If you’re interested in having a courageous conversation about the impact of race on the lives of children and families, please join us for this interactive community workshop.  

iChange facilitators and co-founders Dr. Danielle Stewart and Martha Caldwell will guide a conversation rarely broached yet utterly compelling in its potential to stimulate growth and change. Learn more about iChange and their work at www.ichangecollaborative.com. 

Marsha, selected in 2017 as one of the first GISA Master Teachers, will present Social Emotional Learning Activities for Middle School Students. Marsha writes, "Young teens are in the middle of transitioning from childhood to adulthood. Their emotions are big even while academic and family responsibilities grow. Sometimes their big emotions can get in the way of reaching their goals, and they need strategies to implement for success." Participants (other independent school teachers and personnel around Georgia) will learn about different activities they can use to help students with self-awareness, social awareness, and self-management.

Springmont is proud of Marsha's accomplishments and knows other schools will benefit from her expertise and strategies for young teens!

As communicated in Head of School Jon Alden's November 4th Update, Springmont will now ask all families to adhere to the following regarding air travel. 

• If any member of your household travels by air, your child(ren) will remain off campus until a negative test, administered 5-10 days after completion of travel, for the air traveler(s) is provided to the school.   Alternatively, your child(ren) may complete a 14-day quarantine.
• If your household receives a person who has traveled by air, your child(ren) will remain off campus until a negative test, administered 5-10 days after arrival, for the air traveler(s) is provided to the school. Alternatively, your child(ren) may complete a 14-day quarantine.
• Please email feedback@springmont.com:
  • To notify us that a member of your household has/will travel by air or your household will receive/receives a visitor who has traveled by air
  • To notify us if you know or suspect a member of your household has been exposed to COVID-19
  • To notify us if a member of your household has/has had symptoms of COVID-19
  • If you have questions or concerns

Please know that the measures listed above are being put in place for the health and safety of the entire community, including our teachers and staff and your child(ren)’s classmates. Our Community Agreement and Daily Health Screening may require those who travel and/or gather in groups outside their households to quarantine afterward.  If you have any questions or would like us to review your family’s plans in advance, please email feedback@springmont.com.

Please keep in mind that our support for students in quarantine is designed for those who inadvertently are exposed or contract the virus and must stay home for an extended period, not to allow for students to learn from home after travel/holiday visits or as a preferred option.

This year as we considered potential themes for the Springmont Fund, we felt it important to pay tribute to the way students, parents, faculty and staff have worked together the past several months.  It has taken everyone’s cooperation to deliver a meaningful Montessori experience in a new learning landscape, all while each member of our community has faced his/her own challenges during an uncertain time.

Despite the chaos in our world, Springmont remains a haven of learning, understanding and compassion for our students.  Whether it be at home or on campus, students at every level continue to be introduced to new concepts that go beyond the components of a traditional education to tackle the hard topics that face us in 2020.  We do this because we believe our students will change the world for the better.

Now we ask you to join together once again to support the 2020-21 Springmont Fund.  Donations of any size will help us deliver a safe and well-rounded education this year and plan for a brighter future, one in which we can all come together (physically), once again.

Participate by November 6th to help your student’s class win a party with Jon!

What led you to become a Montessori Teacher, and how long have you been at Springmont?  I came to Springmont as a parent in 1998; later I was the librarian and an Assistant in the Upper Elementary program. I was so inspired by and grateful for the Montessori experience that my two children had that I became a trained Montessori Primary Teacher so that I could offer that experience to other children. I enjoy seeing how children become self-directed and confident learners through the Montessori approach to learning and development. 

Do you have a favorite area of the classroom?  Is there a particular lesson you like to give students and why? The Language area, which offers experiences for every child during the entire three-year Primary cycle, is my favorite. The youngest children love expanding their vocabulary with language cards. Later the children use the multi-sensory Sandpaper Letters to learn sounds and their symbols and then they discover the magic of being able to put their thoughts down in a concrete form with the Movable Alphabet. I particularly enjoy giving lessons with the Metal Insets, which not only help the children perfect their handwriting but offer a chance to create beautiful designs. I also love seeing the excitement of a child who has just realized he is putting sounds together and reading!

What do you love best about Springmont? The sense of community that comes with a mixed-age class of children with many different interests is very special.  I love hearing the children share their excitement about events both big and small - a trip to the pumpkin patch, a new puppy, or the news that someone baked banana bread over the weekend.  It is also gratifying to witness the small kindnesses that the children show one another - an older child tying the shoes of a three-year-old or a child who stops his own work to help another child clean up a spill.

What led you to become a Montessori Teacher, and how long have you been at Springmont?  My undergraduate degree is in Elementary Education. I was teaching in a three-room schoolhouse in New Hampshire. A small Montessori school needed an Elementary teacher, and I offered to do an open classroom for them. The Primary teacher, who trained in Atlanta, started teaching me about the Montessori philosophy. After two years, I decided to move to Washington for Montessori Elementary training and was subsequently hired by a school in Atlanta. I have been at Springmont for 16 years.

Do you have a favorite area of the classroom?  I have a special love for the Montessori math materials. I was good at math in high school but had no idea that square root had anything to do with squares. I was awestruck during my Montessori training. As I work with the material and the children, I continue to be so impressed by the foundation that is being laid for understanding. 

What do you love best about Springmont? I love working with the families at Springmont! It is a pleasure to create a team with the parents of the children I teach for the three-year cycle. This opportunity strengthens my ability to serve the children in my class.

In years past, Springmont has offered our Toddler and Primary families Winter Break Camp/Care.  This year, due to the pandemic, we are surveying our Toddler and Primary parents to gauge interest and comfort with our tentative plans before proceeding with additional consideration and planning. 

We are asking all Toddler and Primary families to complete the survey (see the link in Springmont Weekly News) even if you are not planning to have your child(ren) attend Winter Break Care/Camp. While your survey answers are non-binding, we do ask that you carefully consider the likelihood your child(ren) will attend before selecting your responses.  The survey will remain open until November 12 at 3 p.m.

Entries are due this Friday, November 6, for this year’s Yearbook Cover Art Contest!  We have some wonderful entries so far, and look forward to sharing the cover and back cover winners along with 2nd and 3rd place entries which will be used for signature pages inside the Yearbook.  Please submit entries to Andrea by this Friday!

Individual Student Photos are available online!  Parents should have received an email directly from the photographer, and cards containing a unique access code for each student have been given to Teachers to send home with each student. You may manually enter this unique access code or take a photo of the QR code on the card to access the K. Boyer Photography website. Instructions about how to use your code to see images and order can also be found on your card. Orders should be placed by November 12.  If you have any questions or have misplaced your code, please email Andrea Restifo for assistance.