1979-2011
Celebrating 32 Years!
329 Ohio Street, Huron, Ohio 44839
419-433-6181
 
 
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About Firelands Montessori Academy

Our History

  • Firelands Montessori Academy was founded in 1979 by former Norwalk residents Peter and Rosann Larrow and their colleague, Joseph “Geno” Genovesi.  As teachers in area schools, Rosann, Peter and Geno observed that most of their students were unenthusiastic about school and had little interest in learning. 
  • The original site of the school was in Norwalk, Ohio.  Peter and Rosann filled the roles of teachers and Administrators.  The school began as a preschool, offering both morning and afternoon classes.
  • Due to the growing interest in Montessori education in the Sandusky and Huron areas a second site was opened at BGSU Firelands College in August of 1980. 
  • In 1982 the Firelands preschool moved to the Shawnee School Building at 710 Cleveland Road East in Huron, Ohio.
  • In 1983 & 1984 Elementary levels first through fourth joined the preschool at Shawnee.    
  • During the summer of 2008 we made the move to our current location in our own building at 329 Ohio Street in Huron, Ohio.

     

  • Since our beginning, Firelands Montessori Academy has been going strong and growing. Our latest addition is our Toddler Program which began as a two-morning class with five students and has blossomed into five mornings and 12 students in just three years.

    Music Instruction at Firelands Montessori AcademyWe host three beautifully structured Preschool classrooms, one Primary (1st through 3rd) and one Intermediate (4th through 8th) classroom. FMA also offers an Enrichment Program for 3 and 4 year olds that stay all day, Spanish, Art, and private Music classes through the Firelands Symphony of the Arts.



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    Headlines

                                              Administrator's Newsletter

    January 2012

    Important Upcoming Events:

    Parent/Teacher Conferences – Monday, 2/13-Thursday, 2/16

    No School – Friday, 2/17 and Monday, 2/20

    Montessori Education Week – Monday, 2/27-Friday, 3/2

    Dear Families,

    Welcome to 2012 at FMA! January has been a productive month and our kids have shown an eagerness to get back to their routines.

    The following is some key information about January as well as important news about our busy month of February.

    Field Trips

    Our Extended Day students had their winter nature experience on 1/20 at the Frost Center in Osborn MetroPark.

    Lower Elementary students began a physical education unit on bowling on 1/20 and 1/27 at Riverview Lanes.

    Upper Elementary students began a physical education unit on swimming on 1/20 and 1/27 in preparation for their trip to the Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key Florida in March.

     

    New Students

    I would like to formally welcome the following students to FMA: Lizzy Muckerheide (PSW), Ryan Sas (PSW), Ava Reinhardt (PSW), Landon Steffanni (PSE) and Kathryn Krueger (T). I wish you and your families a happy and successful experience at our school.

    Family Night

    Thank you for attending our annual Family Night on 1/12. The evening was quite enjoyable and I was very pleased to see so many of our supportive families working in classrooms with their kids. My husband and I were kept very busy in Preschool East as Anderson gave us a crash course on his favorite works.

    Snow Day

    We had our very first snow day on 1/13. The state of Ohio allows for schools to have five excused inclement weather days this year. Please review FMA’s Weather Policy located in the Family Handbook and on The Grapevine at www.firelandsmontessori.org for detailed information.

    Lunar New Year

    Classrooms celebrated the Lunar New Year on 1/23 in a variety of ways including making lanterns, dragons and necklaces. Some classrooms had special tastings as well. As a school we hope to widen our students’ knowledge of global events and cultural traditions through acknowledgement of celebrations and hands- on learning.

    Parent Event

    Please join your fellow FMA parents on Saturday, January 28th at Crush Wine Bar in downtown Sandusky at 6pm! Our Parent Group has reserved a table in the back for the evening. Food and drinks will be on your own. 

    Coming in February…

    Field Trips

    Upper El and Lower El classrooms will continue their swimming and bowling units on 2/10 and 2/24 at the Norwalk Rec and Riverview Lanes respectively.

    Lower El and Extended Day students will travel to LCCC to see the play Skippyjonjones on 2/3.

     

    Parent/Teacher Conferences

    Our winter conferences will take place Monday, 1/13-Thursday, 1/16. The conference schedule is as follows:

    1/13 – Toddler, Preschool Central and Upper El

    1/14 – Lower El

    1/15 – Toddler, Preschool West, Preschool East, Preschool Central, Lower El and Upper El

    1/16 – Preschool West and Preschool East.


    Please look for sign up sheets outside of your child’s classroom or see your child’s teachers for additional slots.

    No School

    FMA will be closed on Friday, February 17th and Monday, February 20th.

    Montessori Education Week

    Montessori Education Week will take place February 26th- March 3rd this year. This special week is celebrated in Montessori schools throughout the country and is a great opportunity to increase awareness of the method and FMA school spirit. The week will include special activities each day as follows:

    Monday, 2/27: School Color Day (Wear our school colors, blue and green, the colors of Earth)
    Tuesday, 2/28: Collection Day (Each level will contribute to a specific charity)
    Wednesday, 2/29: Community Day (Each class will work with students from another level in a special way)
    Thursday, 3/1: FMA Logo Day (Wear your FMA logo gear and promote school spirit!) 
    Friday, 3/2: Peace Day (We have a special peace program planned for the entire school)

    Look for further details to follow!

    Staff News

    It is with great regret that I announce the recent resignation of Toddler Aide and FMA parent, Nikki Auvil. Miss Nikki will be sharing her last day with us on Friday, February 3rd. Her hardworking, friendly attitude, problem-solving skills and professionalism will be greatly missed by students, staff and parents alike. We would like to thank Nikki for many years of service to FMA as a Parent Group leader and active volunteer as well. Good luck in all of your future endeavors!

    Thank you for reading. I wish all of you a warm and cozy winter with ample time to relax, enjoy cocoa, and perhaps even a few snow-related activities.

    Regards,

     

    Rachel Stewart – Administrator      rstewart@hfma.pvt.k12.oh.us          419-433-6181

    Firelands Montessori Academy                  

     
    7 February 2012
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