January Montessori Messenger 2023

montessori MESSENGER

Learning by Discovery

Repairing things is a great way to lessen your environmental impact; instead of buying a new item and throwing the old one away, you can fix what you already own. Repair cafes assist people who don't have the tools or knowledge to fix items themselves. Because the repairs happen on-site—and in real time— it's a wonderful educational opportunity for both children and adults. Repairing is really "learning by discovery" and reinforces problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

The Repair Cafe will also feature light refreshments, a bake sale and a free clothing and ski swap. If you have clothing in good condition or working children's skis you would like to donate, please drop them off at the school anytime leading up to the February 11 event. Looking for gently used items for your family? Come by the event, grab some free clothing and skis, sip a cup of coffee and browse our information table filled with books and flyers about repair culture.

WHMS is partnering with the Parker School to host a Repair Cafe on Saturday, February 11 from 10am to 2pm. Volunteers from both schools and the community will be available to make repairs for free! All broken objects are welcome. Examples of items the volunteers can help repair include: clothing, furniture, electrical appliances, toys, bicycles, skis and electronics.

Repairing an item is the best way to learn how it works! If your child is interested in shadowing a repair volunteer during the event, please contact WHMS Makerspace teacher, Megan Stasi.

Additional Resources

RepairCafe.org

Albany Tool Library

R e p a i r C a f é i s r e p a i r i n g b r o k e n i t e m s t o g e t h e r , a d v i c e , e n c o u n t e r s a n d i n s p i r a t i o n !

W H A T T O E X P E C T

A n a t o m p o s h e r e o f c o l l a b o r a t i v e

e d u c a t i o n o n s u s t a i n a b i l i t y & r e p a i r

c u l t u r e

F r e e c h i l d r e n ' s c l o t h i n g a n d s k i s w a p

E l e c t r o n i c s & s m a l l a p p l i a n c e r e p a i r

T e x t i l e a n d c l o t h i n g r e p a i r

F u r n i t u r e r e p a i r

E l e c t r i c a l r e p a i r

S k i r e p a i r a n d s h a r p e n i n g

L i g h t r e f r e s h m e n t s

Starting Februrary 1, Re-Enrollment contracts are available to returning families online through the FACTS Family Portal.

Be sure to save the dates of the Level Discoveries coming up in February as these unique parent education events allow a glimpse into the classroom of the different levels here at Woodland Hill and an opportunity to meet the faculty of that level. The Discoveries will be held in-person and all are welcome to attend any level event!

Get ready for Summer on the Hill!

Explore the Wizarding World through spells and positions or hop on the bus with Travelers Camp to explore the caves of Howes Caverns. We have themed camps for all your child's interests from arts to sports to animals! Our one-week camp model allows for your child to try out all different activities that keeps them interested all summer long. Our Summer Program is not one to miss out on!

New to this year is Acorns Camp! Previously known as Three's Camp, our youngest campers will explore the Montessori Materials and curriculum areas while enjoying the summer sun!

Registration opens exclusively to WHMS Families on February 6! Early Bird registration ends on March 12. 2023.

Questions about camp? Reach out to Patrick Kraft, Summer Camp Director pkraft@woodlandhill.org

Summer Phone: 518-323-5400

DIVERSITY COMMITTEE Hear from the

The Woodland Hill Montessori School Diversity Committee is an inclusive working group of parents, teachers, staff, students, and alumni who are committed to increasing the awareness of diversity issues within the school community.

This school year, we transitioned from a co-chair leadership model to a leadership council, made up of six WHMS parents: Suzanne Miles-Gustave, Tanu Kumar, Tony Park, Lisa Holland, Katina Hutton, and Rebecca Koch. If you would like to learn more about the committee or how to get involved, please reach out to any one of us on the leadership council. If you would like to learn more about the committee or how to get involved, please reach out to any one of us on the leadership council or all of us as a group, using this email address: WHMSDiversity@gmail.com

Join us at one of our upcoming meetings this school year - in-person or online! Meetings begin at 5 pm on the follow dates:

Feburary 15

March 15

April 19

May 17

SUBCOMMITTEES:

Reading Time

Chaired by Kenya James

The Reading Time subcommittee works collaboratively with the school librarian, Sarah Colwill, to make the WHMS reading time a more diverse and inclusive experience

Celebrations of Culture

Chaired by Tanu Kumar and Lisa Holland

The Celebrations of Culture Subcommittee of the WHMS Diversity Committee is seeking ideas to help us shape cultural learning opportunities and events that are of interest to the WHMS community.

Speaker Series

Chaired by Suzanne Miles-Gustave and Laura Steele

The Guest Series and Speaker series subcommittee will coordinate events and activities for the larger WHMS community on relevant topics that support the DEI needs of our community.

Newsletter

Chaired by Tony Park

The Newsletter subcommittee will gather and contribute contents on diversity, from recipes and entertainment to stories, to WHMS newsletters.

DIVERSITY DINNER

Thank you to those who were able to attend our first Diversity Dinner (Dec.1) since pre-Covid. It was wonderful connecting new and familiar faces! We were happy to go back to Umana Yana (www.umanarestaurant.com) where it all started for another night of amazing food and drinks. Hope to see you all at the next event!

In future issues of the Montessori Messenger, we plan to share more about the work of our committee as well as personal stories, recipes, cultural events, opportunities for learning, and links to resources. Please share your feedback on things we can highlight!

Can't be there? Donate!

Pantry items: disposable aluminum pans, pasta sauce, lasagna noodles

Fresh food: salad, shredded italian cheese, bread, cookies

Cash: to purchase ingredients not donated

To donate or R.S.V.P.

Please contact Danielle Dow, dee.spalding@gmail.com

Check out FlockArt's new exhibition!

By Melinda McDaniel

We become who we are because of our families, our friends, our teachers, the books we read, the sports we play, the shows we watch, our curiosities; we collage these and more to form our unique self. Our identity is much more than a surface, it is also how we think, how we live and love. The exhibition Herald features playful ceramic figurines: that formally present flags designed by students at Woodland Hill Montessori School. Puppies, birds, bunnies, and cats serve as messengers of identity. During an interactive symposium, Melinda will share her creative process of collaging ceramic figurines, the inspiration for her work, and talk about how important it is to be confident in pursuing your passions.

Special thanks to students Hana A., Maila A., Bezyn C., Rona BG., Maeve L., Olivia S., Izzy S., Indiana W., and teachers Shayna Vecchione and Megan Stasi.

To view the collection or purchase a piece, visit www.collarworks.org/flockart

Shayna worked with students to design the flags that represent their identity in her Graphic Design Elective. She escorted the students over on Tuesday afternoon to have a private tour of the exhibit and see their art a part of Melinda's. They were so proud of how their pieces of work had come to life in the exhibit.

The closing for the show will be on Friday, March 10 at 6 pm. Come view the artwork, hear from Melinda, and make a s'more at WHMS!

Check out these pictures from the Woodland Hill Skate night at Empire State Plaza! The Friends of Woodland Hill held another successful event for our families to connect with one another out in Albany.

Keep an out for other upcoming events like Lasagna Love and the WHMS Talent Show!

Art & Makerspace!

Primary art students are making snowman collages with shredded paper "snow."

LE Art students are sculpting paper mache snowmen and adding fun details!

Students in UE art classes are studying the contemporary painter Kehinde Wiley. They will be painting self-portraits to collage on a printed background of their own design.

UE Makerspace students stitched up sewn circuit bracelets that light up when snapped! They also spent a fun day engineering articulated grabbers from recycled cardboard.

7th-grade Makerspace students finished machine sewing their aprons and tested their 3d printed cookie cutters in the teaching kitchen. In 8th-grade Makerspace classes students worked in groups to design and create an original board game.

Installation art elective students have been busy designing and creating their own art projects for the school. Look for their interactive exhibits throughout the school in the coming days!

Read for Ronald McDonald

Jenn Burns is coordinating our Read for Ronald McDonald House fundraiser again this year for the month of Feburary. Last year, we raised $474.25 for the charity.

Elementary students should have recieved packets home with information about the program and can learn more through the video to the right. Let's encourage our students to participate in this wonderful program and experience the power of helping others.

Any questions can be directed to Jenn Burns.

Check out our team page on their website to see how we are doing so far!