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    • Join Us!
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      • Stay In Touch
      • Share with the MN Montessori Community
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​MNMN News

MONTESSORI DAY PASSES THE TORCH

9/21/2019

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After nearly 50 years in operation Montessori Day school closed its doors this year.  Montessori Day "passes the torch" through its Materials to Greenbrier Montessori School, a new non-profit micro-preschool ​in the Wildflower network opening in January in Powderhorn Park.
The Cottage Grove area lost a Montessori option for its young children this summer, after it was maintained for nearly 50 years with great effort and perseverance.  Montessori Day was started in September 1976 by two sisters, Sally and Susan. They leased one room in a public elementary school in Cottage Grove, MN. The school District allowed them to lease unused space which changed from year-to-year, so sometimes they didn't know where or how much would be available until the summer.  In 1985 the district was not sure they would have space available, so space was rented at the Armory/Washington County Courts building and they added their own food service. In 1989 they moved into Newport United Methodist Church.

In August 1997 the "Montessori Day" school was sold to Cindy and Esther Lenartz.  Within four years they had settled the school into its final configuration and locations. They offered preschool at All Saints Lutheran Church for 13 years until the school district added free pre-K programs. Simultaneously, they offered toddler and preschool with extended day care via a Family Child Care license from of cozy home converted to a school in Cottage Grove. Now, after nearly 20 years, that program has also closed with Esther’s well-earned retirement.

Moving the school often was challenging, but maintaining the only Montessori offering in the Cottage Grove area was paramount to the owners and community.   Montessori Day was a small school and kept prices down so families could afford to attend. They were appreciated very much by their community, who feel the loss.  You can observe on MNMN.org’s interactive school map, that there is now a distinct void in the Cottage Grove area.

Esther shares:  “The Montessori philosophy of Respect yourself, Respect others and Respect the world around you were such beautiful fundamentals.  Our wish is that all people could live by that philosophy. Maria Montessori did such a beautiful job figuring how this should work.  I was delighted to find someone starting a new school in Minneapolis to utilize our materials, but sad I could not find anyone to continue "Montessori Day" in Cottage Grove, MN.”  If anyone is interested in the URL www.mnmontessori_day.com, you can contact Esther at montessori_day@yahoo.com. The domain is paid through October 2020.

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Who is this “someone starting a new school in Minneapolis” through whom the materials from Montessori Day could continue to help children construct themselves???

Molly Bee and Beckett Love,
founders of Greenbrier Montessori!
Greenbrier is a Non Profit micro-preschool that will be opening in January in Powderhorn Park, in south Minneapolis

Nestled in the heart of our Minneapolis community, Greenbrier is an authentic Montessori preschool offering a nurturing learning environment for children ages 3 to 6. In addition to partnering with families, Greenbrier leans on it's cornerstone values of community, philanthropy, and the arts to create a unique and diverse learning environment.

Molly shares that they are very busy with the upstart of this new beautiful learning environment and “owe Esther so much!! She was such a joy to work with and we are so grateful!”.  Congratulations Molly and Beckett!
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THE GREAT MONTESSORI GET TOGETHER

9/21/2019

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For five wonderful years, over one hundred volunteers have annually brought Montessori (and the only interactive classroom) into the Education Building creating what has now become "The Great Montessori Get Together".

What happens to the Montessori State Fair Booth next?

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​Please share your thoughts in this few-question survey.  

Survey respondents can choose to be entered to win one of the admired
(and highly-coveted!) handmade toddler place mats seen in the
​Montessori Booth this year (must provide your email to be entered).
“How did it go this year?”  
This year was an exciting celebration of Montessori’s 5th year at the Fair!  Here are some highlights:
  • 98% of volunteers responded that they were Satisfied or Very Satisfied with their volunteer experience and the same would recommend their friends and family volunteer.  
  • It was another record attendance year: 2,126,551 - with six all-time record breaking days.  There were many bustling hours where the booth became a cozy refuge for repeat and new families seeking the serenity of the Montessori Booth for their children.​
  • This year we had the first report of literal tears of joy from a visiting child who was so relieved to be “learning the Montessori way now” in Brainerd after finding out about Montessori education at the Montessori Booth in 2018.  Sharing the favorite quote of the fair: “I’m good at school, the Montessori way!”
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  • One diligent volunteer tallied her family contacts during a “very slow shift”:  43 families in three hours.
  • Nearly 100 volunteers from 24 schools and 25% not affiliated to a school staffed 117 shifts this year!  (96 shifts must be filled in order to operate - i.e. 2 volunteers per shift, 144 shifts are offered - 3 volunteers per shift).  Special thanks to Lucinda Anderson, Jenny Thomas, Jaclyn Gerhke for staffing 20 shifts between them!
  • Over one hundred visitors left “Montessori Messages” on​ ​the giant Pink Tower
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  • Teams from schools near and far volunteered together, having fun playing at the booth and at the fair.  Deep bow of gratitude to those who fought severe weather, keys locked in cars, missed busses, and flat tires and still prioritized making it to the booth!

    ​This team from Northfield School battled a severe thunderstorm to get to their shift! Thanks for going the extra mile, literally!
  • Volunteers and visitors shared delight in many new materials offered by loan and made by hand from MNMN Board Members and  St. Kates training programs
  • The new MN Training Programs Summary document was valued by current and aspiring educators who visited and volunteered. And it's now available on our website!
  • This year parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, board members, alumni and current students filled over 30% of volunteer hours sharing their unique Montessori Stories helping visitors connect with Montessori.

    ​This 5th grade volunteer from World Learner enjoyed volunteering with her father, a board member at World Learner!
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  • We have met many families who found Montessori schools after visiting the State Fair booth.  This year we experienced multiple adults sharing that they found new careers, or made a shift in their current career, through the booth - becoming Montessori trained!
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  • The new “Montessori at Home” book was a favorite of volunteers and visitors.  This book that shared ideas and images from families around the world practicing Montessori’s principles in their homes was so popular many asked to purchase it!
Severe weather prompted fair evacuation during the booth take-down after the closing shift on Labor day. This was particularly shocking given the weather was the most comfortable in recent history! We learned what it was like to move out the following day with all the midway ride-carrying semi trucks on the grounds!
  • A 5th year without any missing materials
    ​- including the tiniest pink tower cube!
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  • Despite its amazing value, the Fair comes at a challenging time for guides to take time off from the classroom. Recognizing this challenge, many of the retired guides, guides not currently teaching, and school administrators in our community staffed a record number of shifts.

    ​Thank you, thank you! We hope you enjoyed your time back with children and materials!
  • The MN Montessori Network grew 5% during the MN State Fair! - Thank you volunteers and a special thank you to: Amy Kennedy and Leah Popova for their successfully encouraging the largest number of Montessori advocates to join via text-to-join right from the booth (thank you gift is on the way to Mayflower)!
  • Over 50 new and 30 returning volunteers supported hundreds of volunteer hours, and enjoyed a ‘punny’ Thank You Gift  - 100% of survey respondents sharing they would recommend the experience to their friends and colleagues!
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  • Also, special thanks to Lake Country for staffing 22 shifts with guides, assistants, alumni, board member, students, and administration. We were honored to have all of the people who have lead Lake Country School in its 40+ year history in the booth this year!
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SEPTEMBER MONTESSORI ADVOCACY UPDATE

9/21/2019

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Share Your Feedback--Power to the Profession - DUE Wed. 9/25
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is asking for feedback on their latest draft recommendations for the Power to the Profession initiative. Power to the Profession is a national collaboration to define the early childhood profession by establishing a unifying framework for career pathways, knowledge, and competencies, qualifications, standards, and compensation. If you are part of the early childhood education field, add your voice to this important conversation about the profession. 
  1. Read the draft in English or en Español. Refer to the FAQs if necessary. 
  2. Complete the online survey by September 25.​

DERS 2.0 Has Arrived!
The DERS is a classroom observation tool that measures qualities proven to support executive functions, linguistic and cultural fluency, and social-emotional development.
Hundreds of trained users across the country are using the DERS to assess classrooms and improve practice towards the goal of supporting optimal human development and learning.

CLASP Survey--Input Needed
Do you work directly with immigrant children and families? Want to be entered to win a $50 gift card? Take a survey for the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) to share your expertise.

As part of CLASP’s ongoing efforts to document the impacts of immigration policy on young children, they are asking for feedback from early childhood professionals working with immigrant families. The survey is intended for direct service professionals providing child care and early education services, including but not limited to classroom teachers, special education teachers, family child care providers, home visitors, family engagement specialists, and program directors.

The survey will take approximately 25-45 minutes to complete. Question topics include children’s behavior and mental health; parental needs; program attendance and enrollment changes; and existing resources and needs for support. Participants will be entered to win a $50 gift card.

Take the survey.

Survey findings will be published in a research brief later this year. Responses will also inform the development of additional resources for early childhood stakeholders and immigrant families with young children. All responses are anonymous.   

Questions? Contact Rebecca Ullrich (rullrich@clasp.org). CLASP is a national, nonpartisan, anti-poverty nonprofit organization.

Apply for Advisory Council
Governor Walz recently relaunched the Children’s Cabinet, an interagency partnership that works to improve how the state serves children and families. Now, there’s an opportunity for you to get involved.

The cabinet will engage stakeholders through external advisory bodies, including a Children’s Cabinet Advisory Council and the State Advisory for Early Education and Care. These groups, made up of individuals with the perspective of youth and families, diverse and underrepresented communities, and tribal and county leadership, will provide recommendations and guidance to the Children’s Cabinet.

Learn more about the councils and apply today by clicking the links above.

Free Advocacy Training
Would you like to learn more about advocacy? Attend a FREE Advocating for Young Children Training. We are offering two upcoming opportunities in Greater Minnesota:

Thursday, October 10 in Duluth
 
The two hour session will help you build your skills and earn in-service training hours.

Small Talks: Implicit Bias in Early Childhood
Join us on October 15 to learn about implicit bias, what it is, how it shows up in early childhood and the implications for children’s trajectory. Our Small Talks panelists will discuss individual and collective implicit bias, its effects on Minnesota’s achievement gap, and what we can do as a community to address it.

Register.

Small Talks features leaders who share key insights on early childhood education and discuss innovative solutions to early learning issues in Minnesota. 

Ann Kaner-Roth Policy Hour Update
Minnesota’s Future is excited for the upcoming season of Policy Hour, and we appreciate everyone’s participation in person and on our Facebook page. This year we’re changing things up a bit and instead of starting in October, the first one will be on Tuesday, December 3. The sessions will run like usual, the first Tuesday of the month, 12-1 p.m. at Think Small, Minneapolis and on our Facebook page through June 2020. Mark your calendars and more information about the December session is coming soon!

​Prenatal to Three Policy Forum
Upcoming Event Open to Public In Person or Webcast
Monday, Oct 21, 2019, 9:00am-Noon
 Registration & Networking at 8:30am 
University of St. Thomas
Anderson Student Center, North Woulfe Hall
2115 Summit Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105
 
Click here to register for this event online

Click here to view/download a PDF flyer for this event
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  • Home
  • Brave About Race
    • Anti-Racism Resources
    • Decenter & Action
    • Let's Talk Race
  • About the Network
    • Join Us!
      • Become a Member
      • Member Resources
      • Become a Valued Partner
      • Stay In Touch
      • Share with the MN Montessori Community
    • Volunteer
    • Stewards
    • Valued Partners
    • MNMN Headlines
    • Community Calendar
    • Donate
  • Schools in Minnesota
  • Training in Minnesota
  • Montessori At Home
    • Toddlers
    • Preschool
    • Elementary
    • Adolescent
  • About Montessori
  • Job Offerings
    • Montessori Careers
  • School Resources
    • MNMN DHS Variance Pack
    • School Leaders' Sessions
  • Montessori Ed Week
  • MN State Fair
    • Volunteer Resources
    • 2019 Fair in Review
    • Share Your Pictures
  • Member-Only
    • School Leaders' Hub
    • Collaboration Workspace
    • Resource Repository
    • Community Classifieds
    • Member-Only Events
    • Post An Event
    • Montessori Job Posting
    • Member Discounts
    • Member Connects!