Connections
Upcoming Events
This Month
Friday 11/14
Upper Bake Sale/ Play in the Park (At dismissal until sold out)
Friday 11/21 Thanksgiving Family Feast 10:30 am Noon Dismissal
PM Extended Care will not be provided.
Next Month
Upper Bake Sale/ Play in the Park (At dismissal until sold out)
Thursday 12/18 Noon Dismissal
PM Extended Care will not be provided
Thursday 12/18 Winter Cultural Festival 3- 5 pm
Friday 12/19 Noon Dismissal
PM Extended Care will not be provided 12/22-1/2 Winter Break
1/5/2026
PD Day School CLOSED 1/6/2026 First Day of Spring Semester
Under Construction
The things you DON’T see...
It’s as heavy as a T-Rex skeleton!
Wondering about that hole that was FOREVER being dug in front of the school? Us too!
This a Fire/Domestic water meter vault and it weighs almost 20,000 pounds and of course... it had to be installed with this special truck!
Oh... and of course the water was not on OUR side of Cedar Knolls so our talented friends had to bore underneath the street!
It was like threading a needle from our side of the street, underground, to the other side without disturbing the road or the
Under Construction
The things you DO see...
Oh Yeah!
We opened the Pavilion last month!
Drywall and window frames going in!
The plumber has all interior domestic lines ran and has passed inspection. Our new building will have 20 sinks, 4 water bottle filling stations 12 toilets and 4 dishwashers!
Come See Me Work
The students presented lessons to their parents and grandparents! Here are some of your comments!
“Simply in love with Montessori”
“My mind is blown!”
“Very proud of our daughter.”
“I am so impressed seeing my son’s writing, language, & spelling skills come to life! He’s glowing with confidence.”
Come See Me Work
“Wetrustyou(theteachers) andwelovedtobeabletosee ourdaughter’swork. Thankyou!”
“Ineedtolearnhowtodothe StampGame.”
“Ilovedseeingmyson working!”
“Ilovehowenthusiasticshe wastoshowmeallherwork”.
Fall Parade
Fall Parade
Community Connections
Please help us serve our community by donating nonperishable food items for The Society of St. Stephens
place in our backyard on Friday, January 23, 2026 the fun will start in December! WE MISSED THIS!
Connections Challenge
17 States last month
7 Countries
United States, Poland, Canada, El Salvador, Iraq, Norway and the United Kingdom!
1,000 1,000 FOLLOWERS FOLLOWERS 1,000 FOLLOWERS
YOU YOU DID DID IT! IT! YOU DID IT!
Middle School
Texas History Road Trip
“I learned that anything can be built with Legos, even the State Capitol.”
“I had never been to the State Capitol before. When I went I was super interested. I learned more about the governors of Texas.”
“My favorite museum was the Pioneer Museum in Fredricksburg. We got to see old buildings and apparently the barber was your dentist too.”
“I learned how breathtakingly beautiful nature really is.”
San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio
Pedernales Falls (Johnson City) State Park
Experiences The EVENT
Chef for the Day! C.J.
Pumpkin Kitchen Connections
Filling
½ cup Pumpkin purée
1 cup Cream cheese
¼ cup Sour cream
I n g r e d i e n t s Crust
⅓ cup heavy cream
⅔ Brown sugar
2 Eggs
¼ cup Butter
1 tsp Vanilla extract
½ tsp Pumpkin spice
1.Preheat the oven to 350°F
2 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
4 tsp Butter
I n s t r u c t i o n s
2.Grease a baking sheet with a thin layer of oil or parchment paper and set aside.
3.In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sour cream and sugar, mixing until fully blended. Next, incorporate the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing just until combined. Finally, add the pumpkin purée and pumpkin spice, stirring until everything is evenly mixed.
4.For the crust: Melt the butter and combine it with the graham cracker crumbs until it forms a wet, sandy mixture. Spread the graham cracker mix evenly into the bottom of the pan, to create the crust.
5.Pour the cheesecake mixture over the graham cracker crust.
6.Bake the cheesecake for 35 - 40 minutes or until the center is slightly jiggly.
7.Let it cool off and Enjoy!
Family Focus
How do you feel Montessori has benefitted your children?
Montessori has been such a gift to our children. Even before Pines, we created environments at home that encouraged independence and self-motivation, and that foundation has only grown stronger through their Montessori education. Today, they are confident, capable, and kind often surprising others with their maturity, respect, and ability to do more than many children years older than them. We truly credit the Montessori lifestyle for shaping not just their learning, but the way they carry themselves in the world.
If you could choose a word to describe Pines, what would it be and why?
A blessing. That is truly what Pines has been for our family. For many parents, sending a child to school whether for the first time or the hundredth can carry anxiety, fear, or sadness. For us, Pines has replaced those feelings with gratitude and peace. Each day we drop our children off knowing they are safe, challenged, encouraged to be their authentic selves, and surrounded by kindness and respect. Pines has given our children the tools to be problem-solvers, compassionate friends, and thoughtful humans and for that, we feel endlessly blessed.
How long have you been at Pines and what is your favorite memory of Pines?
We’ve been at Pines for four years, though with three children enrolled it feels like much longer in the best way. There are too many good memories to choose just one, but I especially love the events Pines puts on. They create such meaningful opportunities for parents and teachers to connect. Play in the Park has been a favorite, giving parents time to share stories, laugh, and form lasting friendships. I also treasure the educational events like Peace Day, Winter Cultural, and EcoFair, where we see the teachers’ passion shine. Over time, the growing connections, familiar faces, and warm greetings have become such a bright part of our family’s experience at Pines.
The Greenwood family had 10 questions to choose from. Here are the 5 they picked.
Family Focus
How were you introduced to Montessori and why did you feel that it was the best fit for you and your family?
I was first introduced to Montessori through a good friend and former boss who spoke so highly about the space it created for his children. When I became pregnant with our first child, I started diving into books on parenting, and became very drawn to the ones that emphasized Montessori principles raising not just a Montessori child, but creating a Montessori family The philosophy resonated deeply with me.
What stood out was the way Montessori fosters independence, self-motivation, and a love for learning, all within an environment that adapts to meet the child where they are. It felt less like a rigid system and more like a way of honoring each child’s individuality. I also loved that Montessori isn’t tied to a specific religion, but instead embraces universal values peace, love, and respect for all which aligned beautifully with what we wanted for our family.
Falling in love with the Montessori approach felt natural. It wasn’t just about choosing a school; it was about embracing a way of life that continues to shape how we parent and how our children experience the world. We couldn’t be happier with the gift of education and perspective that Montessori has given our family
What made you choose Pines versus other Montessori schools?
Our very first introduction to Pines was actually at The Event, before we had even enrolled. A neighbor, whose family had been part of Pines from the age of two all the way through graduation, invited us to attend. From the moment we walked in, we could see the strong sense of community and family that Pines had cultivated
The faculty stood out immediately their passion for Montessori and genuine love for the children was undeniable. But it wasn’t just the teachers who impressed us; it was the parents as well. There was such a clear bond and respect between families laughter, encouragement, and a shared joy in being part of something bigger. It felt warm, welcoming, and deeply connected
We couldn’t wait to be a part of it. What we experienced that day as guests has only been magnified since becoming part of the Pines community. The relationships we’ve built with teachers and families continue to enrich our lives, and we feel truly blessed to be part of such a supportive and inspiring environment.
Dialogue with Mr. David
Mr. David asked Ms. Lisa... both of whom teach in Lower Elementary North a few questions...
Did you ever think you would want to be a teacher?
When did you know you wanted to be a teacher?
Apparently in second grade.
I think every year I had a teacher that inspired me Most teachers from my childhood It was confirmed here at Pines Seeing that teaching isn't just what I saw as a kid I saw that it could be more. It could be more holistic, and purposeful. I saw education as whole, not just teaching facts to "get through" the curriculum. I saw that I could be the teacher that I wanted to be.
How did you come to Montessori education?
Ms Indie (Toddler Teacher) was hired one year before me and we were friends While I was working at another local school, she told me that at this school "toddlers wash their own dishes". She told me more about Montessori philosophy. She spoke about what her classroom looked like, as opposed to what I was experiencing, seeing and doing. I was infinitely curious.
Why do you stay at specifically at Pines?
I tried to pursue other careers and places of work, but at the end of the day I believe in what we do. I see it in our teachers, who could be anywhere else in the world, whether it is Montessori or not, any community that does what it can is a beautiful community to be a part of.
How long have you been in teaching?
I began teaching ten years ago and I have been at Pines for nine years now.
How many classroom environments and age levels have you taught in?
I have worked in Infants, Toddlers, Primary, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary and Middle School. I started in Toddlers and have now found my home in Lower Elementary, this year will be my third year there.
Dialogue with Mr. David
What do you enjoy doing outside of school?
I enjoy creating any type of art, reading, going to the gym and spending time with the love of my life, my fiancé Jimmy, and our "children", (dogs) Emmy and Sprout. Ms.Lisa’ssuperpowers: Creativity Observation Patience Humor Compassion
RSVP for the THANKSGIVING FEAST in the APP
place in our NEW Elementary building. NOW is the time to be thinking about who you want to invite! It’s FREE to attend and the fun and benefits last all year long!
The second Parent Roundtable on Thursday, October 9 focused on technology and brain development.
The discussion was active and productive. Parents shared their experiences with technology and their children. We started with a short overview of technology development and brain development. Here is a brief overview of the discussion along with the list of resources given out. Technology has been developing at an exponential rate since the 1960s. We have gone from computers that occupied an entire floor of a building to one that fits in the palm of your hand. Currently, human brain development has not kept pace with technology. A brief look at a timeline of brain development shows that 800,000 years ago humans controlled fire; 40,000 years ago humans created symbols; 3,000 years ago humans created alphabets; however, in the last 500 years there have been tremendous advances: science/medicine, communication, technology, mass production, processed foods and inventions. Change is happening at such a rapid pace it is hard to keep up with what is detrimental and what could be beneficial. The discussion continued by addressing a timeline for technology exposure.
It takes time to study the long term effects of exposure to all of this technology.
Using functional imaging MRIs allow scientists and doctors to look at brain function in real time. Previously, brain development could only be seen postmortem. These studies show “accelerated maturation in …visual processing, but under development in…areas that support more complex skills… such as complex memory encoding, empathy, and understanding facial and emotional expressions”. We understand that technology is here to stay. We need to proactively plan how to deal with it.
As parents we all want the best for our families. We discussed the importance of balance between online and offline experiences. Children need to learn how to be bored. Many attendees recounted tales from their own childhood and learning to deal with boredom.
We discussed tips for using digital media:
1) have screen-free meals, 2) children may not charge devices in their rooms, 3) play online games with your children: sharing the activity that can spark conversations about the content, 4) avoid blue light-emitting screen use before bedtime, 5) Have children engage with their environment at stores and restaurants.
