2017-2018 MSNV Annual Report

The FACES OF MSNV 2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT

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Montessori School of Northern Virginia

CONTENTS 3

MISSION AND VISION

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FACULTY AND STAFF MESSAGE FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL MESSAGE FROM BOARD PRESIDENT FINANCIAL REPORT 2017-2018 MSNV DONORS AN EDUCATION IN HOMELESSNESS A FAREWELL TO BETSY THE ROAD TO ACCREDITATION 2017-2018 HIGHLIGHTS

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our listing of donors. If you find an error or omission, please contact Kari Cafeo, Head of School at kcafeo@msnv.org or Andreka Johnson, Director of Marketing Communications at ajohnson@msnv.org.

All gifts listed in this report are those received between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018.

Montessori School of Northern Virginia

MISSION

We inspire and guide children to love learning, to love one another, and to love the world around them.

VISION

We envision a humane and peaceful society where people of all ages feel reverence and responsibility for all that sustains life on Earth.

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Montessori School of Northern Virginia

2017-2018 FACULTY AND STAFF ADMINISTRATION & SUPPORT STAFF Betsy Mitchell Head of School Elizabeth Hickey Associate Head of School Director of Advancement

And so we discovered that education is not something which the teacher does, but that it is a natural process which develops spontaneously in the human being. It is not acquired by listening to words, but in virtue of experiences in which the child acts on his environment.The teacher’s task is not to talk, but to prepare and arrange a series of motives for cultural activity in a special environment made for the child.”

— Maria Montessori

Sara Bannon Director of Accounting and Human Resources

Will Sacarelos Facilities Manager

Beth Bell-Leresche Director of Parent Engagement

Tina Savage Events Coordinator

Diana Hwang Hillbrook Office Manager

Anna Sipin Accounting Assistant

Andreka Johnson Director of Marketing Communications

Gretchen Straczewski Advancement Administrative Assistant

Peter Leresche Technology Coordinator

Oanh Tran Valleybrook Office Manager

Christina Perucci Director of Admission and Enrollment Management

Montessori School of Northern Virginia

PREPRIMARY

PRIMARY

Laura Bellinger Christy Chen Jessica Mejia Claudia Wright

Jacalyn Bossart Jean Carr Timothy Chen Ingrid Fol Tracy Hall Janine Labak Kathryn Lazaro Atim Obidegwu Jared Oerke Camilla Roberts Rachel Romano

ENRICHMENTS Jennalee Allen Music

Gina Moeller Art Assistant

Indira Bustillos Spanish

Nate Oliver Physical Education

Casey Choi Physical Education

Claudia Rohaly Physical Education

Mike Drennan Band

Rebeca Sandoval Spanish

Peter Leresche Physical Education

Suzy Scollon Art

LOWER ELEMENTARY

UPPER ELEMENTARY

Janig Baladouni Heard Amanda Glithero Sara Grossman Elizabeth Kyvig Aaron Pierce Kristan Rivera Timothy Schwartz

Catharina Jacknow David Morgan Jacqueline Savage Amy Schlenker Baylen Wagner

LEARNING SUPPORT Heidi Bishop Learning Support Services Pauline Novak Learning Specialist

EXTENDED DAY Carlee Cameron Coordinator Rebeca Sandoval Coordinator

Christie Cameron Casey Choi Autellia Gasparek Peter Leresche Katrina Liboro Jessica Mejia Leo Sandoval Valerie Santamaria

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Montessori School of Northern Virginia

A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL I slowly breathed in every moment of this school year, acknowledging to myself along the way that this will be my “last” moment doing this or that in my role as MSNV’s Head of School.

— BETSY MITCHELL Dear MSNV Family and Friends, Growth comes with change. I’ve thought about that frequently during the final months of my tenure here at MSNV. The 2017-2018 school year marked several pivotal changes: the establishment of a new communication platform, the search for a new Head of School, and the process of accreditation from Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) and American Montessori Society (AMS).

One of these efforts alone would be no small task, but together they could pose a formidable undertaking for any school. How fortunate, however, that MSNV isn’t any school. We are a family, and it warmed my heart to see us come together, working to enact these changes to ultimately further the growth of our school.

We began the new year with a “face-lift” of sorts. Not only did we debut a new website but the MySchoolApp application from Blackbaud, as well. MySchoolApp offers an integrative platform for us to better reach and communicate with our community. Sure, with anything new, there have been some growing pains along the way. However, it has been a dynamic process in which we’re constantly learning, with the goal of improving the experience for everyone in our school.

This year also saw the culmination of more than two years of preparation with the submission of our final Self Study, written curriculum, and a wealth of other necessary documents in January 2018. In March, MSNV welcomed the

Montessori School of Northern Virginia

Visiting Team as they prepared to assess our school. Let me say how fortunate MSNV is to have such a dedicated faculty and staff who have worked tirelessly through this entire process. The collective efforts of our group have served to fortify our mission, and elevate our position and presence in the greater Montessori community.

While we are in a season of change, it is comforting to know that our love for our school and the world at large remains the same. In the pages ahead you’ll find examples of this very thing.

Whether its our MSNV Young Alumni Service Group leading the way with its An Education in Homelessness or our generous supporters explaining why they give, we are a community invested in each other and the world around us. This, too, extends to our strategic and mission-focused Board of Trustees who work diligently to ensure the school’s fiscal solvency and ability to impart a Montessori education to the next generation.

I slowly breathed in every moment of this school year, acknowledging to myself along the way that this will be my “last” moment doing this or that in my role as MSNV’s Head of School. At times these reflections yielded a few tears as I will greatly miss this school and our community, which have been such a large part of my life.

The overwhelming show of love extended to me during this last year has meant the world to me. I know, too, that my departure

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signifies the ushering in of a new era of leadership, filled with bright ideas and a fresh perspective. For that reason, I am so happy to welcome Kari Cafeo into our MSNV community. Kari’s immense commitment and enthusiasm for education coupled with her love of students will make her a valuable asset to our school, and especially as the Head of School. I am confident that this community will welcome her with open arms as she experiences her “firsts” here at MSNV. One of my great fortunes has been the opportunity to serve MSNV and its community for the last 42 years. We’ve experienced a remarkable year of growth that undoubtedly will help to solidify MSNV as a leader in Montessori education. The future is bright, my friends, and none of this would be possible without your dedication and support. Thank you for your generosity of time, talent, and finances that, in turn, help MSNV be that much stronger. We truly couldn’t do it without you!

With warmest regards,

Betsy Mitchell Head of School

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Montessori School of Northern Virginia

A NOTE FROM THE

PRESIDENT

MSNV BOARD OF TRUSTEES Dear Friends of MSNV, The 2017-2018 school year was nothing short of monumental. In the seven years that my family has been a part of the MSNV community, I can’t think of another year so full of accomplishments and celebrations.

Among the many milestones this year, one, in particular, stands out: the successful achievement of accreditation with the Virginia Association of Independent Schools and the American Montessori Society. This triumph was the culmination of two years of self-study and evaluation that was undertaken by every constituency in the school, from facilities to curriculum to governance and everything in between. Accreditation also reflects a 50-year history of sound leadership, fiscal responsibility, and a deep and ongoing commitment to authentic Montessori education. The accreditation process shines a bright light on the unique educational experience and high value that MSNV offers families in Northern Virginia. I hope you will join me in sharing your gratitude and appreciation to the teachers, staff, and administrators that helped make this dream a reality. As we look to the future, accreditation offers us a framework for ongoing reflection of our strengths and areas of growth, ensuring that MSNV continues to stand on firm footing for many more decades to come.

This year, we also said goodbye to Betsy Mitchell, who retired after 33 years as Head of School of MSNV. As an expression of our enduring affection and appreciation of Betsy and her long tenure at MSNV, the Board unveiled the Betsy Mitchell Endowment Fund, a strategic fundraising vehicle that will help secure the long-term fiscal health of MSNV and further our mission. Thus far, the Endowment has been seeded with over $20,000 in pledges and donations.

With one door closing, we must open another. In preparation for Betsy’s retirement, the Board launched an extensive recruitment process to identify and hire a new leader to take MSNV into the future. With the support and participation of many stakeholders in our community, the Head Search committee identified an outstanding candidate in Kari Cafeo. Kari has over 20 years of experience in public and independent school education and administration. She is

Montessori School of Northern Virginia

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2017-2018 MSNV BOARD OF TRUSTEES Pranoti Asher Adrianna Bravo

a progressive educator and a strong advocate for children. Kari is warm, open, and embodies a can-do spirit, but above all, she loves teaching and working with children. I am confident that MSNV will have a bright future under her leadership.

As you read through this report and review our financial statements, you will find that your tuition and fees cover MSNV’s operating budget, something we have always done and is considered itself to be an achievement among independent schools. Your contributions to the MSNV Fund and the Auction allow us to keep tuition affordable while also offering exciting experiences and enrichments that make an MSNV education so unique.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to thank you for all that you do in time, talent, and financial support to make MSNV such a brilliant star in our community and an extraordinary place for our children to learn and grow.

Michael Cranna Treasurer Dan Cornette Kelly Engstrom Vice President Christine Griggs Hunter McIntosh Valeh Nazemoff Jennifer O’Sullivan President Pam Peckingpaugh Sabrina Rose-Smith Larisa Sawhney

With gratitude,

Stacy King Scanlon Malini Sekhar Vinny Shahbazi Danielle Schefer

Jennifer O’Sullivan President, MSNV Board of Trustees, 2017-2018

Thomas Stauber Jana Thomas Secretary

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Montessori School of Northern Virginia

MSNV

FINANCIAL REPORT JULY 1, 2017 - JUNE 30, 2018

Montessori School of Northern Virginia

2017-2018

MSNV DONORS We are happy to recognize the following individuals who made gifts to MSNV this year through the MSNV Fund.Your generosity supports every aspect of our Montessori community so that we may inspire and guide our children to love learning, to love one another, and to to love the world around them.Your contributions are helping to produce creative and innovative leaders for tomorrow’s world.

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE All donors who give $600 or more are members of the Leadership Circle.

PRACTICAL LIFE LEADERS (GIFTS OF $6000+)

OUTDOOR NATURE NURTURERS (GIFTS OF $600+)

Amber and Hunter McIntosh, The McIntosh Foundation* Jackie and Mike Volpe*

Anonymous Kathryn Ahlfeld and Timothy Schwartz Joedy and Richard Cambridge Allison Carpenter and Nabeel Yousef Michael and Rebecca Cranna* Brita and Sven Eric Cronquist Emmanuel and Rosemond Dennis* Eric and Kelly Engstrom* Reza Hajiha and Colleen Leyrer Melissa and Ryan LaSalle Ana and Timothy McIntosh* Betsy Mitchell* Chad and Melissa Murrell Joan and John Ohlweiler Anne and Michael Ramires Michelle and Sean Rogers Fenil Ria Shah and Tejash Shah Alan and Jana Thomas

BEAD CHAIN BENEFACTORS (GIFTS OF $2400+) Pranoti Asher and Michael Kelley Alex Attard and Maria Swainson Barbara Francis and Robert Musser Sabrina Rose-Smith and John Smith III*

PINK TOWER BUILDERS (GIFTS OF $1200+) Andrew Hunter and Karen Kleiber Stephan Lindenau and Christina Perucci Alex and Morgan Reed Matt and Stacy Scanlon

*MSNV Loyal Friends have 5 or more years of consecutive giving.

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GLOBAL PATHFINDERS PATRONS (GIFTS OF $300+) Sara and Tristan Bannon Peter de Boor and Geneva Moores Christine and William Griggs Tenagne Haile-Mariam Susan Lucas Jamie Maldonado and Eric Ubias Miriam and Nabil Marshood Ashley and William Messenger Michele and Joseph Ney Denise and Dennis Reilly* Arjuna and Kristan Rivera Atul Rustgi Nancy Smith

METAL INSET SUPPORTERS (GIFTS OF $100+) Amir and Emma Afzal Patti and Tom Ahlfeld AmazonSmile Albert and Eileen Bartha Erik and Martha Bond Anna and Egor Bondarev David and Nina Breen Dan and Jean Carr * Cathy Crane Julie Tuleya Ditchett and Peter Ditchett Jon and Marian Engstrom Adele and Mark Feldstein James and Karyn Ferro Amanda Glithero* Thomas Greiner and Rachel Howell Sara Grossman John Hasnas and Ann Tunstall Andrew and Susan Hayden Dru and Janig Heard Jiun Heng and Sharon Yong Christopher and Elizabeth Hickey Marion Jacknow* Dominique Jenkins Kyle Johnson and Tamara O’Neil Anoop Kumar and Malini Sekhar

Elizabeth Kyvig Janine and Stanley Labak* Adilah and Alois Michalak Gina and Jeffrey Moeller* Cornelius Morgan and Kate Singleton Julianne Mueller Pauline Ney Joe and Judy Nuss Jennifer and Robert O’Sullivan Minsook and Robert Paik Brett and Emily Palmer Aileen Reynolds and Robert Silverstein David and Vivian Richard Claudia Rohaly Larisa Sawhney and Michael Frutchey Alexander and Danielle Schefer Chandra and Valsala Sekhar Ritika and Thomas Stauber Helga and Lloyd Stevenson Gretchen and Jason Straczewski Oanh Tran* Fran Wilson Abdu and Susan Youssofi

PINK TOWER BUILDERS (GIFTS UP TO $99) Anonymous Anonymous James Bane Jason Chen and Tina Kamalanathan Eric Crusius and Emily Smith Basil Davis Michael S. Hirsch Andreka Johnson Melissa and Steve Kulm Hunter and Wayne McOwen Anne and Michael Megowan Carolyn and Chris Rodriguez Jacqueline Savage Anna Sipin The Kula Foundation

Montessori School of Northern Virginia

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MSNV AUCTION

RAISE A PADDLE MSNV would like to thank the numerous attendees at our annual Auction who elected to give during the Raise a Paddle portion of the evening. Through your generosity, MSNV will be able to continue to support families through its tuition assistance program. Thank you for your attendance at the Auction and for your gracious generosity!

Kathryn Ahlfeld and Timothy Schwartz Pranoti Asher and Michael Kelley Carlye Austin and J. Carlos Madrid Malika Azargoon and Mohammad Shahbazi Sara and Tristan Bannon Thea Bartha and David Rohrbach Elizabeth Bell-Leresche and Garry Bell Bud and Heidi Bishop Anna and Egor Bondarev Jacalyn and Kent Bossart Adrianna Bravo and Matt Fitzgerald Carlee Cameron Christy and Tim Chen Jason Chen and Tina Kamalanathan Mark Cooter and Angelina Maguinness Daniel Cornette and Suzy Scollon Michael and Rebecca Cranna Eric Crusius and Emily Smith David and Jessica Culverhouse Julie Tuleya Ditchett and Peter Ditchett Ingrid Diz-Fol and Joaquin Diz Benjamin and Kathleen Dulaney

Eric and Kelly Engstrom Ann Ferris and Thorsten Ziegler James and Karyn Ferro Cathy and Mike Field Christine and William Griggs Chris and Tracy Hall Dru and Janig Heard Joshua and Kelly Holly Andrew Hunter and Karen Kleiber Gregory and Catharina Jacknow Kyle Johnson and Tamara O’Neil Adam and Devon Kuehne Anoop Kumar and Malini Sekhar Elizabeth Kyvig Melissa and Ryan LaSalle Kathryn Lazaro Gillian Locke Jamie Maldonado and Eric Ubias Ahmad Marzuki Maria V. Mayoral and Mario Moreno Ana and Timothy McIntosh Catharin Meadors and Aaron Pierce

Betsy Mitchell Gina and Jeffrey Moeller Aubrey Mosley and Katie Musser Valeh Nazemoff Atim and Chuma Obidegwu Nate Oliver and Rachel Romano Jennifer and Robert O’Sullivan Sandra Paik John and Melissa Pickett Alexandra Reed Nidhi Reva Arjuna and Kristan Rivera Camilla and George Roberts Carolyn and Chris Rodriguez Claudia Rohaly Sabrina Rose-Smith and John Smith III Rebeca Sandoval Nicholas and Tina Savage Larisa Sawhney and Michael Frutchey Matt and Stacy Scanlon Alexander and Danielle Schefer Amy and Ralph Schlenker Patrick Solometo and Vandana Kapoor Ritika and Thomas Stauber Alan and Jana Thomas Jonathan and Rebecca Underly Brian and Claudia Wright

*Donors with bolded names gave $600+

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Montessori School of Northern Virginia

AN EDUCATION IN HOMELESSNESS

One goal of the MSNV Young Alumni Service Group, formed during the 2016-2017 school year, is to be role models for current students while also serving the community. This mission was on full display during the group’s May event, An Education in Homelessness.

Our alumni did not take selecting this year’s service focus lightly. The group met for a brainstorming session where each alumni was able to present their ideas and why they would advocate for the topic, in addition to how the group might engage with current students in their efforts. After hearing all the proposed topics, the group then put the topics to a vote. Skylar (class of 2016) initially presented the topic of homelessness to the group after doing research on the topic for a school project.

“I chose homelessness as a topic for a school research project mainly because I couldn’t imagine life without a home. I realized that having a safe, warm place to eat, sleep, and live was something that me and many other people took for granted,” Skylar said. “My school project was mostly about

awareness rather than creating and executing a project, so I thought the alumni group could work together to make tangible impact. I was really glad when other alums agreed that homelessness was a good topic to focus on for the year.”

On one sunny afternoon more than 80 Primary and Elementary students gathered in the Great Room of Hillbrook for An Education in Homelessness. Students heard from Valleybrook parent Alejandra Carrera of Homestretch, an organization that empowers homeless parents with children to attain permanent housing and self-sufficiency by giving them the skills, knowledge and the hope they need to become productive participants in the community. In addition to her interactive talk, students got to write letters,

Montessori School of Northern Virginia

share their feelings in words and pictures, and make over 453 sandwiches to donate to So Others Might Eat (SOME).

“The outcome of An Education in Homelessness was even better that any of the alums had imagined. It was amazing to see kids, parents, teachers, and alums working and learning together. The fact that we were able to educate the MSNV community and actually impact the lives of people in need makes An Education in Homelessness, in my opinion, a very successful event,” Skylar remarked.

The MSNV Young Alumni Service Group strives to stay connected to each other and to the school. Events such as May’s An Education in Homelessness proves they’re on the right track.

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Montessori School of Northern Virginia

A FAREWELL TO BETSY

It’s rare in this day and time for one person to spend the entirety of his or her career at one place. In this regard, Betsy Mitchell is indeed a rare jewel. In recognition of Betsy’s 42 years of dedicated service to MSNV, the Board of Trustees honored her with a celebration on Sunday, June 10 at the United States Patent and Trade Office in Alexandria, VA. The afternoon reception was a joyful occasion marked by fellowship between MSNV families past and present who came from near and far to celebrate Betsy. Adorning the inside of the building were 1000 soaring paper cranes symbolizing the blessings and good fortune wished for the beloved leader. While attendees swayed to the smooth sounds of music and imbibed signature drinks, they also dined on delicious food, including sweet cake pop treats.

Guests also had the opportunity to view a slideshow featuring pictures of Betsy and the many people she’s impacted during her tenure at MSNV. “Oh, what a party! Thank you, all, who planned, produced

and attended - in person or in spirit - my beautiful and joyous retirement celebration,” Mitchell remarked. “I was truly humbled by your heartfelt appreciation for my time at MSNV. In turn, I wish to express my own gratitude streaming forth over many years, to each and every person who has passed through those doors and supported me in sustaining and shaping MSNV as the most special school I know of for children and those who love them.”

As part of the celebration, guests enjoyed a special program of tributes and gifts to Betsy, recognizing her many years of service, and her legacy of love. The MSNV Board of Trustees, along with support from the teachers and staff, was excited to announce the naming of the Hillbrook Great Room as The Betsy Mitchell Great Room. A wonderful framed portrait of Betsy along with a new wall plaque was unveiled at the event and is hung in The Betsy Mitchell Great Room for all to enjoy!

In addition, the Board of Trustees, on behalf of the many families, teachers, and staff past and present who donated, proudly presented the school a check for $25,000. This

Montessori School of Northern Virginia

marked the initial seed money for the newly established Betsy Mitchell Endowment. This endowed fund was founded to honor Betsy’s long standing and exemplary commitment to the school.

“Establishing an Endowment Fund has been talked about and wished for at MSNV nearly as long as I can remember,” Mitchell said. “How personally meaningful and rewarding that the MSNV community chose to create an endowment and fund it so generously, in my honor. “ This fund will be secured and invested in a manner that allows it to grow, thereby providing a source of revenue, in perpetuity, to safeguard the quality Montessori education to which Betsy devoted her career. With this endowed fund in Betsy’s name, we truly honor Her Legacy, Our Future.

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Montessori School of Northern Virginia

Accreditation - it’s a word that’s been on the lips of many of us at MSNV for more than two years. However, few may know that MSNV first embarked on the process of becoming accredited in 1993. MSNV’s road to accreditation has taken many twists and turns over the years, but through it all our community has been there for the process that would take our school from “good to great.”

During MSNV’s initial foray into accreditation from the American Montessori Society (AMS) more than twenty years ago, it received very positive feedback during the November Team Visit on the school’s operations, administration, staff and program. However, the Team discovered what proved to be a fatal problem; many years ago two of MSNV’s long-term faculty members had not attended one of the requisite AMS training programs. Failure to have 100% AMS or Association Montessori Internationale (or other programs certified

by AMS) trained faculty meant that MSNV would not be eligible for accreditation. You can imagine the disappointment and, faced with the prospect of sending these two excellent teachers back for a year of “retraining and certification” by an AMS training center,

accreditation aspirations were put on hold for a future year.

Although unsuccessful, the Self-Study process helped MSNV make improvements in its operations, keep better documentation, write new policies, and create a written curriculum. As a result, all teachers hired from that point forward would have the necessary AMS training qualifications. Through the school’s improvements, there was a newfound sense of confidence that next time, its bid for accreditation would be successful.

In the ensuing years, leadership at MSNV continued to circle back to the accreditation question, but realizing the time and resource commitment, focused on more pressing issues -- such as the remodeling of Hillbrook in 1997 and the quest for even more space, which culminated in the purchase and renovation of the Valleybrook campus. Virtually all focus and energy went into that endeavor.

The 2012-2016 Strategic Plan called for further exploration into the area of accreditation. However, the need for space for the growing Elementary program

Montessori School of Northern Virginia

elicited a new center of focus and energy, which ultimately led to the renovation and expansion of the Hillbrook campus.

Nevertheless, while engaged in these efforts, the new 2016-2021 Strategic Plan called for a move forward to achieve accreditation.

Although still deep in the Hillbrook renovation project, leadership formed a Steering Committee in fall of 2015 and shortly thereafter, submitted MSNV’s applications to Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) and AMS. Thus, concurrent with the opening of the glorious new space at Hillbrook in November 2016, MSNV had already plunged into SelfStudy processes of not just one, but two accreditation agencies - AMS and VAIS - known as Cooperative Accreditation. Fortunately for MSNV, then Associate Head of School Beth Hickey, had served her former Massachusetts school as a leader in their accreditation process, and also as a member of Visiting Teams for two other schools. Also on board was Nancy Smith, a former MSNV teacher and Valleybrook Interim Director, who committed to serve as the faculty, staff and Board committee consultant and writer.

Some may ask, “Why so much work for accreditation?” MSNV’s goal of achieving recognition as one of only a handful of accredited Montessori schools in Virginia would further enhance its reputation in the Montessori community as well as raise its status for prospective families. As MSNV was the first Montessori school in the Commonwealth, the school’s leadership felt it needed to take this step. At the same time, and perhaps more importantly, the process itself would bring MSNV to a greater overall level of professionalism, operational excellence, and program integrity.

The entire process took over two years from preparing and submitting the application to

Click the image above to hear a snippet of a song delivered by the Visiting Team to the MSNV staff at the conclusion of their visit to MSNV this spring.

completing the Team Visit. It was hard work. Our community experienced a mixture of excitement, frustration at times, problem-solving, long hours, exhaustion, and perseverance. In the end, everyone pulled together to submit by the January 2018 deadline, the final Self-Study, written curriculum, and a plethora of required documents. The Visiting Team came in March to ensure we were “doing what we claimed we were doing.” This completed MSNV’s part of the process until the boards of the two agencies would convene and give their final approval, based on recommendations of the Visiting Team.

We are happy to report that we have received accreditation from both AMS and VAIS. Not only is this a monumentous achievement in and of itself, it also reflects how our community has worked together to strengthen and evolve MSNV, the school we love, for ourselves and for future generations. We have brought to reality the vision we set out to achieve some twenty-five years ago.

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2017-2018 HIGHLIGHTS Take a look at some of the highlights from this school year.

MONTESSORI MODEL UNITED NATIONS MSNV’s sixth year students worked diligently for weeks to prepare to represent the countries of Argentina and Vietnam as delegates during the Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN) conference in New York City.

During MMUN students had the opportunity to interact with Montessori students from across the world. For our sixth years, MMUN was one of the capstone experiences of their time here at MSNV. Click the photo to hear what our students hoped to gain from the experience supported by the MSNV Fund.

THE LOVE OF LEARNING TAKES MANY FORMS HERE AT MSNV INTERGENERATIONAL LEARNING

SHAKESPEARE’S PLAY: TWELFTH NIGHT

LEARNING FROM ONE ANOTHER

Primary students at Valleybrook went on several field trips to Goodwin House, a continuing care retirement community at Bailey’s Crossroads. Their visits were part of the community’s new intergenerational initiative with local schools. During visits, students and residents gathered together and sang songs, did crafts together, and played games.

Our Upper Elementary students received a roaring round of applause after a stellar performance of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Kudos to them and to the Upper Elementary teachers and MSNV staff who helped make this show possible.

Throughout the school year Elementary students visited the Preprimary and Primary classrooms at Valleybrook to share lessons, help with work in the classroom, read stories, and much more. Experiences such as these help students to see that while we have two campuses we are one school, one MSNV.

Montessori School of Northern Virginia

GRADUATION SASHA THE READING DOG

PROJECT FAIRE

Some Elementary students enjoyed their Friday reading sessions with Mr. Bill Chambers and his furry, fourlegged friend Sasha. Sasha has worked for several years as a therapy and reading dog, and lives in the Hillbrook neighborhood. Through their weekly reading sessions students were able to build reading fluency and confidence.

Elementary students presented their science projects to fellow students and teachers during the Project Faire.

The projects ranged from examples of simple machines and Rube Goldberg machines to plant- and food-related experiments. The caliber of projects shown during the Project Faire exhibited the breadth of our students’ creativity.

Friends and families gathered at John Calvin Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, June 12 to witness the graduation of our twelve sixth years. The evening featured a performance showcase from our graduates, touching stories from faculty, songs from our Elementary students, along with food and of course dancing!

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Montessori School of Northern Virginia

2017-2018 HIGHLIGHTS The following are a few examples of how our community loved one another.

GRANDPARENTS DAY

BIOGRAPHY DAY

FALL FESTIVAL

Grandparents came from near and far, and some via mobile devices, for our second annual Grandparents’ Day. During the November event, grandparents witnessed their grandchild experience daily classroom lessons, interact with other students, and showcase his or her favorite work.

Lower Elementary students transformed into notable figures from the past and present as part of Biography Day. This event gave students an opportunity to explore the lives of a person who has made a positive contribution to the world.

Students practice their research skills and learn public speaking skills through presenting their findings to peers and family members.

MSNV’s Fall Festival was an incredible day filled with laughter, music, dogs, food, and friends. Over 500 students, parents, teachers, staff, and alumni enjoyed the magnificent weather at the beautiful Fort Hunt Park. It was a great chance to meet new friends and catch up with old friends.

Montessori School of Northern Virginia

MSNV SUPPORTS THE ARTS MSNV has a great appreciation of the arts, be it through the performances of our students or through guest performances. Tomas Eaglebear and his family visited both campuses during the fall to share stories and traditional dances. During Musicale our community saw the talents of our students on full display as their performances explored language and culture through children’s songs. The Virginia Opera Company visited MSNV for an amazing performance of Deep River: Marian Anderson’s Journey. Our Upper Elementary band students closed out the school year with their wonderful program, An Afternoon of Harmony.

BARNES AND NOBLE BOOK FAIR

TALKING TO OUR CHILDREN ABOUT RACE

SUPPORTING OUR FAMILIES

With your support, MSNV received $1800 along with plentiful book donations from the Barnes & Noble Book Fair. Special thanks to the parents, teachers, and students of the MSNV community who came out to support the Barnes & Noble Book Fair fundraiser.

MSNV hosted a series of four evening discussions to guide parents in conversations with their children about race. The sessions, led by facilitator Iris Jacob of Social Justice Synergy, included: Our Own Experiences with Race & Racism; Internalized Bias, Discrimination and Racism; No, My Wonderful Child, We are Not Colorblind; and We Can End Racism, Together.

This school year MSNV initiated two programs to engage its families and help them through the various stages of raising a healthy child. MSNV students and parents were invited to join us for Playdates in the Park on Friday afternoons at the Mason District Park Picnic Area after school.

In addition, the Tweens Parents Support Group formed for Upper Elementary parents to share questions and ideas about raising healthy tweens and teens. Topics of discussion ranged from friendships, diet, and hygiene to raising grateful and kind young adults.

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2017-2018 HIGHLIGHTS BACKPACKS DRIVE BENEFITING ST. CROIX MONTESSORI In the fall the MSNV community came together to donate backpacks to the students affected by the hurricanes in the Virgin Islands. From one Montessori school to another, these backpacks arrived just in time for the holidays. Tom Bishop, the son of our own Heidi Bishop, extended a heartfelt thank you to MSNV from the St. Croix Montessori and the entire Virgin Islands Department of Education.

LOVING THE WORLD AROUND US

DC KITCHEN

MONTESSORI AND NATURE

ECHO HILL

MSNV Graduates joined forces with Primary classes (Jean/Kathryn and Tracy/ Rachel/Jackie) to run an all-school Thanksgiving food drive supporting DC Central Kitchen, a local food bank and kitchen. Through the generosity of MSNV families, graduates collected several large boxes of food items for the Kitchen. Additionally, the graduates gathered over the weekend to bake Thanksgiving pies for D.C. Central Kitchen to serve for the holiday.

Preprimary students in Ms. Claudia and Ms. Jessica’s class took a field trip to Stribling Orchard where they picked apples. Upper Elementary students worked in their garden and used picked vegetables from it throughout the school year to prepare food for the class. The students’ interaction with nature echoes Dr. Montessori’s regard for the outdoor environment as a natural extension of the classroom.

At MSNV teachers incorporate our outdoor environment into the lessons of the day.

Each spring the great outdoors becomes nature’s classroom for our Elementary students attending Echo Hill Outdoor School. This highly-anticipated tradition takes our students to Worton, Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay for a three-day, two-night residential program.

The trip offers students the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature. For some of our students this was their first time away from home, camping, or experiencing nature on such an intimate level. How great is it that these “firsts” are happening through MSNV?

Montessori School of Northern Virginia

WHY I GIVE

KATHRYN AHLFELD & TIMOTHY SCHWARTZ / PARENT AND STAFF MEMBER We give to the MSNV Fund because it’s the most direct and concrete way to support the school.We know the Fund dollars are used for teacher training, classroom materials, outdoor equipment, and, especially, tuition assistance.We are not embarrassed to admit that without the tuition assistance Beatrice receives, she wouldn’t be able to attend MSNV. We can’t even begin to imagine her anywhere else.We’re incredibly grateful to all the families that contribute to the Fund, and we love the idea that we can reciprocate that love and support for others, if even modestly.

JUDITH NUSS / GRANDPARENT High quality and effective early education is critical to the future of each individual.

As a grandmother, I have a view of who each of our grandchildren is and is meant to be. I envision for them satisfying, rewarding, and contributing lives through learning. I am grateful MSNV knows and stretches how our grandson best learns, provides the caring supportive environment he needs, and empowers him to fully explore his questioning nature. Educational resources are always insufficient.This is why I give.

NANCY SMITH / FORMER STAFF I have been associated with and employed at MSNV in various capacities since 1985. In the intervening years I have been associated with and employed at many Montessori schools across the country. MSNV rises above them all.

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Montessori School of Northern Virginia

Montessori School of Northern Virginia

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Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire to make him learn things, but by the endeavor always to keep burning within him that light which is called intelligence.”

— Maria Montessori

MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA Hillbrook Campus 6820 Pacific Lane Annandale, VA 22003 PHONE | 703.256.9577

Valleybrook Campus 3433 Rose Lane Falls Church, VA 22042 PHONE | 703.992.0255

LEARN MORE | ww.msnv.org EMAIL US | info@msnv.org

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