Harborlight Montessori News

November

HVAC Upgrades

11/12/2024

The school was closed for regular classes yesterday in honor of Veteran's Day; however, it was still a busy day on campus!

October

Fall Festival Photos

10/30/2024

Please enjoy these photos by Gail Estes Photography.
https://gailestes.passgallery.com/-fallfestival

Día de muertos or Day of the Dead is a traditional 3-day holiday celebrated throughout several Latin American countries from October 31^st through November 2^nd, dating back over 3,000 years to the pre-Hispanic Inca, Maya, and Aztec civilizations. It is rooted in the devotion to, honor and worship of ancestors and deceased loved ones. Their souls or spirits are welcomed back as they return to visit us in the world of the living.

Diwali

10/25/2024

Beatriz Mueller, DEBC

Diwali celebrations begin on October 31, 2024, the 13^th day after Poornima, or the full moon. Dhanteras, the first day of Diwali, is a combination of the words dhan, which means “wealth” and teras, which means “thirteenth day”. Marking the beginning of the 5-day celebration of Diwali or Deepavali (from Sanskrit, which means row of lights), it is the Hindu New Year.

Harborlight Pumpkin Patch

10/23/2024

Elisa Pitkin

Yesterday, we held our annual Pumpkin Picking on the Greenhouse Lawn here at Harborlight! Students came to the patch, picked a pumpkin, gathered with their class on picnic blankets and listened to stories while having a snack of apples and cider. It was a beautiful day and we could not have asked for better weather!

Students Study Mexican Folk Art

10/18/2024

Melissa Gilbert

For Hispanic Heritage Month students across grade levels learned about and made artworks inspired by Mexican Folk Art. Mexican Folk art is often inspired by nature and uses bright colors and patterns. Lower Elementary worked on Hojalata (Tin art) where they embossed their drawings onto tinfoil and added color with markers. Upper Elementary made traditional Alebrijes (Spirit guides/animals) from paper mache and Middle School students created Huichol yarn paintings. It was great to see the students' appreciation for traditional Mexican art and the joy they had making their unique works of art.

Lower Elementary Biology: Amphibians, A Year-Long Study

10/17/2024

The Lower Elementary One students dive into the fascinating world of amphibians with a year-long study - starting with observing tadpoles! As part of our extensive, hands-on biology curriculum, these students have the opportunity to observe the life cycle of these amazing creatures firsthand.

Playground Walkway Project Nears Completion

10/16/2024

The new playground walkway project is nearing completion, and there’s more to this project than meets the eye. The installation of the new walkway includes new curbing, regrading, and underground drainage elements designed to handle stormwater runoff more effectively. A big THANK YOU to Mark McHugh for designing and completing this project!

The walkway project is part of a series of campus beautification and facilities renewal projects that began in summer 2021. Projects completed to date include fence replacements, new flooring, parking lot repaving, HVAC unit replacements, new kitchens, interior painting, the new greenhouse, building repairs, exterior painting, new classroom furniture, and replacement of aging Montessori classroom materials.

Stay tuned: there’s more to come…

Indigenous People’s Day

10/11/2024

Beatriz Mueller, DEBC

On Monday, October 14th we observe Indigenous People’s Day. Established in Berkley, California in 1992, it coincides with the arrival of Columbus in 1492. Many cities and states began adopting the day and finally in 2021, President Biden was the first U.S. President to formally recognize this holiday, acknowledging the importance of honoring our Indigenous Ps also known as the First Peoples.

Yom Kippur

10/11/2024

Beatriz Mueller, DEBC

This coming weekend, beginning at sundown on Friday, October 11^th through Saturday, October 12^th at sundown, Yom Kippur will be observed by Jewish people around the world.

Harold and the Purple Crayon

10/8/2024

Jamie Oakley

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson is a fantastic book about the adventures of a little boy and his purple crayon. In Kindergarten Writer's Workshop, our main goal is to instill in the children that they are authors and can tell their stories through pictures, words or a combination of both. Each year, the children read this book to ignite creativity and nurture the ability to tell their stories.

Each child is given their own "purple crayon" and are encouraged to take an adventure with their imaginations and draw their story. Children during any stage of writing are encouraged to tell their story with sentences, words, letters, scribbles, or dictation from a teacher, come and see the finished products in the Children's House Wing.

Parent-Teacher Conferences: Vital Touchpoints

10/7/2024

Parent-teacher conferences are vital touchpoints that foster collaboration between families and educators. As renowned educator Sarah Lawrence-Lightfoot highlights in her work, these meetings create a space for dialogue, understanding, and partnership, all aimed at supporting the child’s educational journey.

Middle School Goes to Thompson Island

10/3/2024

Our Middle School curriculum provides opportunities for students to find connections between themselves and the community around them. These experiences include field trips, community service, and class trips. This week is the first overnight of the year at Thompson Island.

Dot Day is Celebrated at Harborlight

10/1/2024

Dot Day, celebrated on September 15, is inspired by the beloved children's book "The Dot" by Peter H. Reynolds. It encourages creativity and self-expression, inviting people of all ages to make their mark—literally and figuratively. The day is all about embracing individuality, taking risks in art, and fostering a growth mindset.

The Dot Day lesson for our youngest students...

September

CH Prepares to Visit the Farm

9/30/2024

Throughout the seven Children’s House classrooms, teachers and students are embracing the changing seasons with a special focus on practical life activities centered around fall themes. The practical life hands-on activities not only engage the child’s independence, fine motor coordination, sense of order, and concentration but also fosters essential life skills and connection with the real world.

As autumn settles in, children are...

Curriculum Night 9-25 6:00 PM

9/18/2024

Elisa Pitkin

Please join us for Curriculum Night for Grades 1-8 on Wednesday, September 25^th at 6:00 PM for a time to visit your child’s classroom, including the specialists, for an overview of the curriculum, daily schedule, and talk to the teachers. Visit each classroom for examples of Montessori materials the students are using.

Dessert and beverages will be served in the library. We are looking forward to seeing you there!

Hispanic Heritage Month

9/14/2024

Beatriz Mueller, DEBC

¡Feliz mes de la Hispanidad!

September 15th through October 15th is Hispanic Heritage Month, coinciding with several Latin American countries celebrating their days of independence. This year’s theme is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.”