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

Statement of Educational Philosophy 


Montessori's philosophy respects and embraces the natural worlds, the panorama of cultures, knowledge and arts. It respects both the individual and the community in its efforts to provide well-rounded education with the following emphases:

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        Intellectual: Hands-on material and teacher-facilitated learning creates a stimulating curriculum, responsive to individual learning styles and developmental stages ("sensitive periods"), that treats the child as both teacher and student, that fosters order, independence and creativity in thinking, and that provides a strong basis for scholastic ability and for optimizing intellectual potential.
         
        Social: Adults and children in multi-age classrooms act as models for one another and encourage appropriate choices and behaviors that honor the feelings of self and others. They demonstrate mutual respect for members of the classroom and global communities and foster qualities of leadership and group contribution.
         
        Physical: Participation in play, fine and gross motor activities, fitness and performing arts reinforce the mind-body connection and enhance agility.
         
        Creative emphasis with performing artsCreative: Exposure to visual and performing arts curricula strengthens, broadens, and enhances intellectual and cultural development.
         
        Moral: Opportunities exist to learn and use ethical judgement and civility within the family-like order of the classroom so that universal values such as respect, responsibility, honesty, self-discipline, compassion, perseverance and loyalty are supported.

        We encourage you to visit our school, observe classes and speak with our staff. We believe you will see a school true to its Montessori roots yet open to contemporary research about how children and schools learn and thrive.

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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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