Pines Montessori School Connections
Back to School
Upcoming Events This Month
Compass Nights (all 6:00 pm-7:30 pm)
Infants - Thurs. 8/28
Toddlers - Thurs. 8/28
Primary - Tues. 8/19 and Tues. 8/26
Lower Elementary - Wed. 8/20 and Wed. 8/27
Upper Elementary - Thurs. 8/21 and Thurs. 8/28
Middle - Wed. 8/27
Next Month
Labor Day (School Closed) - Monday 9/1
Upper Bake Sale - Friday 9/12 (At dismissal until sold out)
International Day of Peace - Friday 9/19 (3:00pm-4:30pm)
Compass Nights
These meetings are designed to set the course and direction for your child’s school year.
You will learn about the discoveries that lie ahead this year and how you can help support your child, their classroom, and our school.
RSVP in the APP so that we have 100% attendance!
Professional Development
Our teachers participated in an extensive trainings over the past month. Here is just a peek at the caliber of presenters and our topics.
Christine Lowry, M.Ed. and M.A. (special education), and Montessori credentialed presented on our expanding understanding of neurodiversity through the Montessori lens.
Kathy Leitch (left), is the Executive Director of the International Montessori Council, Montessori Infant/ Toddler credentialed, past school owner and is on faculty of the Center for Guided Montessori Studies.
Dr. Tanya Ryskind (right) is a Elementary I & II credentialed teacher, a gifted Montessori trainer/consultant and former Head of School.
Our time together was spent reconnecting with our Montessori roots. Preparing first, ourselves and thinking deeply about how to remove the obstacles that often adults place in front of children and how to slow ourselves down and trust the child.
It was only through YOUR generosity during The EVENT and our relationship with the IMC that we were able to have this time. We thank you so much.
Teachers’ first look
We were guided through the new building (without hard hats for the first time) last week. The brick is going up and we continue to be on schedule for January 2026. We are 9 months into our build.
Construction
Up Next
Connecting the utilities
Climatizing the building
Drywall interior spaces
Water meter easement
New fire lane near the kitchen
4 months more work!
Standing on the Upper Elementary balcony looking towards the backyard. Stunning view.
Support
our Pines Pathways
Backyard Making way....
During the HOTTEST part of the summer our building construction crew took down our 20+ year old structures (for FREE) to make way for our refreshed and renewed backyard.
Here is the image we have in our heads.
Up Next
The framework is up and in September our NEW 1,200 square foot Pavilion will be constructed. This will be our outdoor classroom! Once complete, Upper’s bake sales will have a home once again.
Connections Challenge
Pass Pines On!
Feel free to share our Connections with family and friends around the world!
Every time someone opens our newsletter our world map lights up. How far can the good news of Pines travel???
How to Share
If you are a parent at our school you can find our archive of issues in the app under Connections
This menu will appear and you can choose how you’d like to share.
Click here at the bottom of your screen
You can even select specific pages! so that when someone opens your link it directs them to the page you want them to see while still allowing them to view the whole magazine.
Student Connections
This summer, our Upper Elementary students learned all about man-made structures around the world. They had the opportunity to ructure of their oice
What was your favorite part of creating your project?
“I enjoyed building the popsicle model Eiffel Tower.” - Alizeh 11
“I enjoyed learning how (the Tower of Pisa) was made and who made it.”Coby 10
“I loved studying the unique structure of Japan’s shrine” - Theodore 11
“I liked creating the clay model of the Pyramid of Giza.” - Richard 9
“Putting the lights on the Burj Khalifa and learning that there are 163 floors.”Merjaan 10
“I enjoyed making the Big Ben Model”Hamilton 10
Pines Perspectives
Breanah is a Montessori Infant/Toddler Teacher in Class 3. She has been with Pines for 3 years and in Montessori for 9 years.
She is also a new mom to a 9 month old who is currently enrolled at Pines in the Infant Community.
What brought you to Pines, and what do you love most about being part of this community? I came to Pines after moving closer to the area. Beyond the joy of working with children, what I love most about this community is the strong sense of family and togetherness that I share with my colleagues and the parents.
If you could help someone understand one key element of Montessori education, what would it be and why? It would be the value of mixed-age classrooms. Older children naturally develop leadership and empathy as they guide and support their younger peers. Meanwhile, the younger children have the opportunity to learn, thrive, and grow at their own pace.
What’s a book you often recommend to parents or fellow educators? Montessori from the Start: The Child at Home, from Birth to Age Three by Paula Polk Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen
Pines Perspectives
What is a Montessori material or activity you find especially valuable at this age, and why? Cleaning – sweeping, mopping, dusting, wiping up a spill, etc. While it may seem like simple work, these tasks are powerful, practical life skills that help young children build self-esteem, develop coordination, and foster a sense of responsibility.
What are some common misconceptions people have about toddlers? Beyond the usual ideas about the “terrible twos” or that they should always share (the most common misconception) is the expectation that a toddler should say “sorry” to another child. At this age, toddlers don’t fully grasp the meaning of an apology. Instead, I encourage them to express their feelings with words, helping them develop authentic communication skills.
What do you find most rewarding about working with this age group? At this age, a child’s brain is like a sponge absorbing everything around them, so it’s incredible to know that the work we do now will support their growth and development for years to come.
What has surprised or impressed you the most about the Montessori toddler approach? When the environment is prepared and ready, the children naturally gravitate towards the work and stay engaged with little to no help from the teacher. Our job is to observe and step in only when needed.
What’s your favorite song, book, or ritual to do with the toddlers? One of my all time favorite songs to sing with toddlers is Tiny Tim the Turtle.
Cones Syrup Kitchen Connections
Did you know that Pines has its own ice shaving machine? With it... we make Pines Cones!
Here is Ms. Maria making fresh syrup and Mr. David shaving the ice for happy students.
Please enjoy our recipe!
Strawberries 2 lb.
Sugar 1/2 cup Maple syrup 2 tbsp
Ingredients Instructions
Water 1/2 cup
Beet 1/2 Small Lemon juice 1
Boil fruit, water, maple syrup and sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Puree the mixture in a blender, then strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove seeds and pulp, add the lemon juice at the end and mix well.
Let the syrup cool completely and refrigerate before serving over shaved ice.
Sugar-free alternatives: Monk fruit sweetener, honey, maple syrup.
Tips
Coloring: For vibrant, natural colors, consider adding a small amount of concentrated natural food coloring derived from fruits, vegetables, or spices like beets, spinach, or turmeric.
Sweetness adjustment: Taste your fruit before adding the sweetener, and adjust the amount of sugar or substitute accordingly.
Storage: Store homemade syrups in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze in ice cube trays for longer storage.
