Join us Saturday, March 9th from 1:00 – 4:00 for a wonderful and inspiring workshop “Parent Talk: Words that Empower, Words that Wound”. The cost is $20.00 per person or $30.00 per couple. See you there!
Wednesday, February 27th…No School today. Enjoy your day and stay safe and warm.
Our first week of school was wonderful. All of our students were happy and enjoyed their classes, teachers and friends. We will be celebrating the start of school with a Family Potluck featuring Mr. Brant and Mr. Joel on Thursday, September 13th at 6:30. Please bring family, friends and a dish to pass, donations toward scholarships are welcome!
Maple Tree Montessori is excited to welcome back “Parent Talk” author and gifited speaker, Chick Moorman. Chick will present a workshop “Transformational Parenting” at Maple Tree Montessori in Brighton, Michigan on Saturday, March 24th from 1:00 – 4:00. The cost of this wonderful parenting workshop is $20.00 per person / $30.00 per couple. Scholarships help is available for those in need. All parents, grandparents, friends and caregivers of children are welcome to come and experience Chick’s engaging and funny presentation of warm, loving and practical insights. Call (810) 225-8321 or email info@mapletreemontessori.com for more information.
Spring? is here and at Maple Tree Montessori in Brighton Michigan, enrollment season is in full swing! Our amazing Montessori Elementary Classrooms are almost full for Fall 2012 and Summer Camp and Preschool are filling up fast. We encourage all interested parents to contact our school (810)225-8321 or email us at info@mapletreemontessori.com for information or to arrange an observation of our wonderful classrooms in action. Yes, there is an authentic Montessori Elementary School in Brighton, Michigan…but we are filling up faster than ever before…call today!
Fall is around the corner and our 1st day of school at Maple Tree Montessori academy is coming soon. Our teachers are busy getting everything ready for their students. We have moved our Elementary classrooms, cleaned, sorted and organized our Montessori materials, and bought our supplies. Maple Tree is nearly ready for the 2011 / 2012 school year.
Our Parent Orientation Night will be held on Tuesday, August 23rd at 7:00 pm. We will be welcoming our new parents, introducing our teachers and presenting our “Extra’s”. Maple Tree Montessori will be including Spanish, Yoga, Music and Art. In addition, Suzuki Violin, Guitar, Drama, Chinese and Drum Lessons will be a a part of our learning environment. Ms. Julie will be teaching after school classes in Project Read and Mr. Kyle will be tutoring in Montessori Elementary Math and Reading. Information about our optional classes will be available and teachers will be on hand to answer questions about their programs.
All parents are encouraged to attend our Parent Night; new Montessori parents will gain information and returning Montessori parents can share and give feedback about our programs. If you are a parent who is considering our Montessori preschool, kindergarten or elementary programs, you are also welcome to come. Meet our parents, our staff and learn more about our school and the wonderful, nurturing Montessori environments and programs that Maple Tree Montessori offers for your child…” a hope and a promise for mankind”.
Summer is here and school is getting out!!! If you are considering Summer Camp as an option for your child’s summer, Maple Tree Montessori in Brighton still has limited openings available. Our Summer Camp is a wonderful balance of Montessori classroom experience, academic, cultural and science works and water play. Art, music and outdoor fun are all included! Please contact us for more information (810) 225-8321. You can also download sign up forms….click on Programs and then Summer Camp.
Concerned residents of Livingston County were recently told that investment in Early Childhood education is crucial to a strong, healthy adult, a competitive workforce and prosperous United States and an innovative world. At the Bill Millett presentatation, which included Early Childhood educators and supporters and also members of the Brighton and Howell area business communities, we were told how much the United States is lagging behind other countries in recognizing and supporting those most important early years of brain development. Bill referred to many studies to support his strong position. USA is 14th in reading, 17th, in science and 25th in math. We are falling further and further behind because of, he said, “an educational system that is a continual erosion of our nation.” He said our current system is “producing robots”.
In her book, “Montessori; The Science Behind the Genius,” Angeline Lillard refers to our nation’s current form of education as “factory education”. The research studies that are cited in this book establish the difference in results, both academically and socially between children educated by the “factory method” and the “Montessori method. Dr. Maria Montessori, over 100 years ago opened a “Children’s House” in the slums of Rome. What Dr. Montessori observed in that classroom, the “secret of childhood”, resulted in a revolution in thought and understanding about the importance of early education…and indeed, how children learn. Out of her observations and her research, came a most extraodinary educational method that is still a standard of excellence around the world. Montessori education, from infant to High School and beyond is still true to those observations. Planes of development and sensitive periods determine the structure of the environment and ensure that the child’s needs are met and nurtured. The teacher, observer of children and guardian of this environment, connects the child to the classroom in a hands-on, step-by-step way that both encourages and respects the child. Very individualized, very brain based, and not at all “factory”…we do not produce “robots”!
I discovered Montessori 30 years ago when my oldest son was 4 years old. I have been in awe ever since I first walked into a Montessori classroom. I am in awe of Dr. Maria Montessori’s insight, brilliance, progressiveness and courage. I am in awe of nature’s course of child development and of the teachers that learn how to respect and facilitate this incredible, miraculous process. I am in awe of this social movement that takes the form of a method of education so nurturing, so respectful and so expansive that it has earned recognition around the world. Dr. Maria Montessori was nominated for 3 Nobel Peace Prizes for her amazing work.
Should we rethink our priorities, as Bill Millett suggested? Does early childhood, the time of the “Absorbent Mind”, deserve our focus, our effort, our respect and financial support? How could anyone answer other than “YES” ? As Dr. Montessori said, “A child is both a hope and a promise for mankind.”
Maple Tree Montessori Academy will be hosting the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Livingston County’s very important workshop “Stewards of Children” This crucial event is open to all parents, grandparents and caregivers of children. The workshop addresses the sensitive issues of child abuse and the fact that it is not likely to be committed by a stranger. Teaching our children to watch out for strangers is not nearly enough. It is important for all parents to be educated to recognize questionable behavior in other adults, unsafe situations and to intervene on the behalf of children. We are responsible for the protection of our children…come, learn and share in this intense and important workshop.
Saturday May 21st at 1:30 – about 3:30. Call for reservations (810)225-8321
Wow…After an amazing year, starting with two new teachers (new to MTMA, but not to Montessori or to education) I am delighted to announce that our Fall enrollment for our Elementary program has nearly doubled over last year. Ms. Hema and Mr. Kyle have dramatically improved the quality of our Elementary Montessori school and of course, our environment as a whole. We are grateful for the turn of events that allowed us to hire these wonderful, experienced and nuturing educators. In my personal 30 years of experience in education, I have rarely seen such peaceful, focused and engaged classrooms…such a consistent level of quality and commitment to students. True Montessori environments. Thank you again to Hema, Kyle and to all of our wonderful, dedicated parents for their hard work and support!!! This has been a landmark year for Maple Tree Montessori Academy and we thank you 
