Interesting review in the WSJ today of a new book: Do Parents Matter?

The LeVines are not arguing for abandoning Western parenting mores but making an eloquent case that wisdom requires a little humility about what is “right.” American children speak more and earlier than children in some other societies, but “we don’t know whether American preschool children actually have better conversational abilities than, say, French children or just lack the social skill to restrain their speech in adult contexts, as French children do.” All the talking we do with our babies may stretch their brains, but it also creates children who believe everything they say is worth listening to at all times. In any case, “once American parents free themselves from the expert warnings that any deviations from current American practices will constitute trauma, abuse, or adversity for their children’s development”—warnings that the LeVines show in this book are largely groundless—“then it will be possible to learn from other cultures and reduce parental burdens to a more sensible level.” Parenting is hard enough as it is. There’s no reason to lose sleep over things that aren’t worth worrying about.

$450 — Winning Bid!  THANKS from Friends of Montessori Foundation

If you want the best for your young child (ages 2 to 6), The Montessori House can offer immediate placement for September 2016 in all programs.  Please e-mail admissions@themontessorihouse.com or call us at 201-816-8343.   (Application and tuition details.)

2016-17 Enrollment Agreements Due March 14 by 3 p.m.

Spring Trimester After-school Class Enrollment Due by March 16 for discount

Schedule of Winter Trimester After-school Make-up Classes:

Yesterday, February 8th, our Montessori House parents joined children in all our classes for  the best Lunar New Year celebrations.  With stories, costumes, food, and more, our children had a chance to learn about and experience different aspects of this traditional holiday celebrated throughout East Asia.

Thanks to all the parents who were able to join us!

Here are just a few of our children outfitted for the holiday …

Celebrating Lunar New Year 2016 at The Montessori House

The Montessori House is open on the normal schedule today, February 5th.  Local weather conditions vary; parents should use their own judgement as to whether their children can come to school safely today.  Parents should feel free to keep children home or arrive late; especially if the snow in the yard is suitable for building a snow-boy or snow girl, or for making snowballs!

School picture packages may be picked up starting today — in your child’s folder.

If your family is interested in exploring a scholarship (a.k.a. financial aid) at The Montessori House for the school year starting September, 2020 (2020-21 school year), now is the time to start the process.

(Note, scholarships are no longer available for the current school year that startede September, 2019.)

First, you apply to The Montessori House: please have a look at our Admissions section.  If you haven’t visited the school, we suggest you call us to arrange a tour for yourself (we recommend you come for a tour during the school day without your child, if possible).  Please call or text us at 201-816-8343 to arrange a time.

Starting now you can prepare your scholarship application to Friends of Montessori Foundation.  Your application needs to be completed before March 15, 2020 (for scholarships for the school year starting September, 2020).

Scholarships are provided by The Friends of Montessori Foundation, and they consider your financial need as well as the depth of their own resources when making scholarship decisions.

Note, if you receive an award, it will be be subject to verification of information you submitted; for example receipt and evaluation of 2019 tax returns that you may not have sent to FoM in March.

If Friends of Montessori Foundation cannot meet your calculated need, then you may choose to withdraw and receive a refund of any tuition deposits you may have provided The Montessori House (but no refund of your application fee).  However, if the Foundation meets your need (or determines that you have not demonstrated a financial need), then you would not be eligible for a tuition refund if you decide to withdraw.

Of course, before deciding to reserve a place for your child with a deposit, you can wait to hear from the Foundation regarding your scholarship.  But, without a reservation in place, by we may have filled up your preferred sessions for 2020-21.

Feel free to contact us by e-mail (admissions@themontessorihouse.com) with questions.

Before enjoying today’s Thanksgiving Feast at The Montessori House, our families responded with great generosity last week to our Fall Food Drive.

We collected a record amount of in-kind food donations for the Center for Food Action(CFA)  in Englewood.

With the help of many parents, we had a caravan of parent cars, full of our Kindergarten/First Grade children and donations, make their way down Knickebocker Ave. to the CFA.  Once there, the children helped unload and also received a tour of the facility and some explanation of how their donations will help neighbors in need.

Thanks to all our Montesori House families for their generosity.