WilCo Montessori Partners Board & Community Meeting Agenda for July 29, 2014

Mission: To provide an exceptional Montessori education to all children and their families, encouraging a lifelong love of learning and active participation in their communities. 
Vision: We create a more peaceful world by developing conscientious citizens who approach their world with confidence, creativity, and collaboration. 
Values: Diversity, Independence, Joy, Passion & Respect.

1. Welcome & Opening Thoughts - Trevor Eissler (5 min)
2. Motion to approve June Minutes - Kate McSpadden (5 min)
3. My Montessori Story - Nancy Gribble-Tay (15 min)
4. Fundraising Five - Mary Evelyn Bowling(15 min)
5. Community Outreach - Kathy Anthony (15 min)
6. TCSA Consulting Package - Kate McSpadden (15 min)
7. September Meeting/Story volunteer - Kate McSpadden (5 min)
8. New Business (5 min)
9. Adjourn

Teaching Courtesy in the Montessori Classroom

 “Supposing I said there was a planet without schools or teachers, study was unknown, and yet the inhabitants — doing nothing but living and walking about — came to know all things, to carry in their minds the whole of learning: would you not think I was romancing? Well, just this, which seems so fanciful as to be nothing but the invention of a fertile imagination, is a reality. It is the child’s way of learning. This is the path he follows. He learns everything without knowing he is learning it, and in doing so passes little by little from the unconscious to the conscious, treading always in the paths of joy and love.” Maria Montessori

Do you notice when someone holds a door open for others to enter before him or her, replaces their chair when leaving the table, motions you ahead, smiles and greets you with a kind word?

These are examples of lessons learned in a Montessori environment every day, all day, as part of Practical Life. Opportunities occur throughout the day for each of us to learn how to live in society as a contributing member. An integral part of living in society includes courtesy, being kind or polite to others.

Although there is only a small group of specific lessons in grace and courtesy, they are invaluable as they psychologically enable the child’s social development. Interaction of the child with others in his society increases his knowledge and familiarity of courtesy. He is presented with lessons of what to say to another person when passing by and how to react in a kind spirit. He practices these lessons with others in the environment. Through adaptation (seeing others) the young child will absorb the etiquette of his culture. We role-play or dramatize situations in small groups to include the interaction of others in the environment.

The psychological advantage of presenting this type of lesson — before seeing behavior that is inappropriate for the environment — allows for the child to understand how to perform before a situation arises. The child feels respected and secure because she knows how to demonstrate acts of courtesy and can use this knowledge at any time. The lessons are presented in a neutral time, before the need arises. She is able to avoid correction because she is prepared in anticipation of the need. Knowledge beforehand is always best.

When having observed a child in need of a courtesy lesson, the guide will wait for a ‘neutral’ time for presenting such a lesson separate from any inappropriate behavior. Then, the lesson can be presented in a group with that child included to avoid singling him out.

Practicing these scenarios of grace and courtesy is acceptable to the child in the situation of receiving a lesson. Applying them in actual experiences may be much more difficult. The guide continues to observe the child, presenting the exercises so that the child becomes comfortable incorporating these lessons into her routine activities. The guide remembers that she is the model at all times and the child will absorb and follow her lead.

The definition of grace encompasses several attributes such as walking in a room without bumping furniture or people. It demonstrates thoughtfulness, beauty, and harmony. The adult exhibits clarity of movement and efficiency as a model for the child. One might consider a dancer’s movements of elegance and precision to appreciate grace. The adult in the casa can model these attributes when lifting and carrying a tray, opening a door or simply walking in the environment. In a Montessori classroom, at least one lesson in grace and courtesy is presented daily to a small group. 

Other examples of lessons may include how to walk by another person, allowing a person to walk by, greeting someone, blowing one’s nose, giving comfort, serving a guest, how to give and receive a present, greeting someone for their birthday, welcoming a guest and offering a chair, offering refreshments, showing an observer where to sit.

When the adult, as a role model, exemplifies little ways of grace and courtesy throughout the day, children learn easily and naturally to incorporate these behaviors into their way of life. They learn to care for themselves, for one another, and for their environment. They learn to share, give and care for society and the world.

Common courtesies are exhibited by greeting one another each morning, closing doors and drawers after use, replacing chairs, excusing one’s self, setting a table to share a snack or meal, serving one another, asking please, and replying thank you.

If children can be so kind as to speak gently, kindly, courteously to one another, cannot adults do likewise? If our children can grow up learning to live graciously, perhaps we can learn from them. The Montessori adult demonstrates common courtesy as a way of life. It would seem if all would attempt to remember these “little ways” each day our world would truly become a better place to live with one another.

“What we need in the world is manners… I think that if, instead of preaching brotherly love we preached good manners we might get a little further. It sounds less righteous and more practical.” Eleanor Roosevelt, “My Day” (February 17, 1938)

— By Judith Kemper

Board & Community Meeting Minutes April 1, 2014

Mission: To provide an exceptional Montessori education to all children and their families, encouraging a lifelong love of learning and active participation in their communities and the world.

Vision: We create a more peaceful world by developing conscientious citizens who approach their world with confidence, creativity and collaboration.

Values: Diversity, Independence, Joy, Passion & Respect

1. Opening Thoughts (5 min)

The meeting opened at 6:20 p.m. In attendance were: Kate McSpadden, Mary Evelyn Bowling, Elaine Steinbeck, Trevor Eissler, Tonya Hiland, Leigh Anna Martinets, and Karen Stapley. Colin Bowling was a guest presenter.

Elaine shared inspirational thoughts. From the latest Montessori journal, she shared the story of the White Cross. In 1917, Maria Montessori conceptualized the White Cross Society. It was to bring aid to the children who were victims of the war. The White Cross worker possessed the skills of a teacher, nurse and psychologist. Their goal was to help children through the traumas of living with war.

2. Motion to approve March minutes: Kate McSpadden (5 min)

Kate asked if anyone had any comments or changes to the minutes. There were none. Trevor moved to approve the minutes. Elaine seconded the motion. All voted in favor.

3. Children’s Newsletter: Children (10 min)

Colin Bowling presented the children's newsletter. He shared the process that he, Kira Bowling, and Grace McSpadden went through to write, edit, and publish it. There was some discussion about how other children could participate. At the end of each submission in the April issue is a contact for submitting copy for the upcoming May issue. There were questions about distribution. Colin indicated that the children wanted to mail the newsletter to the families involved. The group decided to request physical mailing addresses. The next newsletter will come out on Tuesday May 6, at our next Board/Community meeting. The plan is to mail this one to families. Tonya Hiland has funded the initial mailing.

4. Fundraising: Kate McSpadden (20 min)

Kate indicated that soon we will need to begin fundraising. She passed out a presentation titled “Board Roles." She has done some research on the Board’s responsibility for fundraising. Kate shared the importance of 100 percent participation from board members. Kate shared that fundraising is critical at this point. We have to have funds to get through the application phase. Geovanna Ricaldi, our fundraising Charter Development Chair is currently in the middle of a large campaign. Soon, she will be able to begin working with us on a more regular basis. We also plan to invite John Lyon, Associate Director of the Chasco Y, to discuss the Y’s approach to fundraising.

5. Marketing & Communications Update: Kathy Anthony (5 min)

Kathy Anthony presented the conversation cards that she created and had printed. Each member may use them when they are in discussion with others about our mission and goals. They were distributed to everyone present. Kathy also shared that the website is nearly ready to launch. It will be a work in progress but we will have something to present soon. Kate expressed gratitude for the presentation materials that Kathy prepared for the meeting at the end of March with Southwestern University.

6. Community Outreach Update (10 min)

Texas State University: Kate shared that Joan Morieta from Texas State University was able to talk with the administration about partnering with us to do a lab school. An endeavor like that is not in the University's plans at this point. Joan, however, is still interested in being involved with us. We will meet with her in early April to discuss the possibilities.

Southwestern University: Kate met with Dr. Jim Hunt of Southwestern University. His passion is teacher training. SU is also not in a position to do a lab school. They have an average of 12 education students per year. He does intend to put us in touch with the head of the education department so that we can explore possible ways to work with them.

United Way: United Way is hosting the Community Impact Summit on 4/22. Several members plan to attend. We hope to gain information that will assist us in determining the best location for our first site.

YMCA of Greater Williamson County: YMCA- we are planning on meeting with the Y sometime in May or June. They are currently in the middle of their annual campaign and all of their resources are taken up with that.

Project Plan: Mary Evelyn Bowling shared the Project Plan for the Charter Application. The plan/timeline begins in July of 2013 when the original group of founders began to meet. It goes through the opening of the first campus in 2016. The plan is very broad at this point, but gives a picture of what we need to focus on and when

7. AMS Conference Update (10 min)

The National AMS conference was held in Dallas in March. There were 2,800 people in attendance. Kate McSpadden attended sessions on Montessori in the public sector. Kate learned that it is difficult to start a charter school anywhere. But it is much harder in some places than others. She attended a session on high stakes testing. Some schools are beginning to oppose standardized testing, and there is a movement of people who are "opting out" of such tests. There is a school in Connecticut that that has begun an official movement opposing this testing. They have a website and Facebook page. Mary Evelyn added that Kira is writing a paper in Language Arts about this exact topic. When she finishes the final draft, we will post it on the blog and Facebook page. We will also give a copy to Trevor Eissler to distribute amongst the Montessori community.

8. New Business (5 min)

There was discussion about private schools changing to charter schools and also about ISDs opening charter schools.

9. Adjourn

Mary Evelyn moved to adjourn at 7:50. Trevor seconded the motion. All voted in favor.

Board & Community Meeting Minutes - March 4, 2014

Mission: To provide an exceptional Montessori education to all children and their families, encouraging a lifelong love of learning and active participation in their communities and the world.

Vision: We create a more peaceful world by developing conscientious citizens who approach their world with confidence, creativity and collaboration.  

Values: Diversity, Independence, Joy, Passion & Respect

1. Opening Thoughts  

The meeting opened at 6:29 p.m. Board members in attendance were: Kate McSpadden, Mary Evelyn Bowling, Elaine Steinbeck and Trevor Eissler. Mary Evelyn Bowling began with a quote from Antoine de Saint-Exupery. 

2. Motion to approve January & February minutes - Kate McSpadden  

Kate McSpadden asked for a motion to approve Board minutes from January and February. Kate McSpadden made a correction to the mission. The last words "in their world" were inadvertently omitted. Mary Evelyn Bowling made a correction to the date referenced as 4/4/14 in the February minutes in the section about emails. Trevor Eissler motioned to approve the minutes with the changes. Elaine Steinbeck seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion. 

3. Motion to approve Bylaws - Kate McSpadden  

Kate McSpadden asked for a motion to approve the changes in the bylaws. The group discussed the change. The revised bylaws omit the section referencing the giving of grants by WilCo Montessori Partners (WCMP). Kate McSpadden asked for a motion to approve Bylaws. Trevor Eissler made a motion to approve the amended bylaws. Elaine Steinbeck seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion. 

4. Charter Development Team Update - Elaine Steinbeck  

Elaine Steinbeck shared that she that she was not able to contribute to the EPPT in the leadership role the way she wanted. She explained that her expertise is birth to 3 and not necessarily elementary and middle school years. She wants to focus her attention on her primary business, Best Start. Judith Kemper will assume some of the responsibilities of leadership for the EPPT for a while.

Why More Public Schools Are Adopting the Montessori Model

Austin's KUT explores how Montessori methods are growing in public school settings.

http://kut.org/post/why-more-public-schools-are-adopting-montessori-model

Community Meeting Minutes 2/4/14

WilCo Montessori Partners

Community Meeting Agenda

February 4, 2014 

Mission: To provide an exceptional Montessori education to all children and their families, encouraging a lifelong love of learning and active participation in their communities.

Vision: We create a more peaceful world by developing conscientious citizens who approach their world with confidence, creativity and collaboration.

Values: Diversity, Independence, Joy, Passion & Respect

1.     Welcome New Members - Mary Evelyn Bowling — We all introduced ourselves and shared our connection with Montessori and the group. We welcomed a new member, Claire Kosckacovich. Kate shared that her interests lie in creating a legacy for other children.

2.     501c3 Status - Kate McSpadden — The 501c3 paperwork has been submitted and was received on 1/30. We anticipate a 3-6 month approval. When communicating about Wilco Montessori Partners, we can state that we are a 501c3, pending.

3.     Demographics - Kate McSpadden — Omitted. Please see Board minutes dated 2/4/14.

4.     Public Relations Update - Kathy Anthony — Kate shared the PR update as Kathy was not able to attend the meeting. Kathy Anthony is a founder and former Montessori Parent. She has worked many years for public schools in communications and public relations. She has created a comprehensive plan for us to follow as we develop our school and become involved in the community. The blog and FB page are up. We are researching the development of a website.

Charter Development Team Minutes for 2/12/14

Demographics

We reviewed the demographic information and student numbers discussed in the February Board and Community meetings. The numbers of children ages 5-18 in Hutto/Taylor and Killeen make these two areas very good locations for our second and third campuses. There are very few educational choices for families in these areas, which strengthens the argument for locating in and serving these communities.

Generation 19 Application

The Generation 19 charter school application is out. It is much more streamlined than previous years’ applications. It only allows for a 60-page narrative regarding the educational plan. The overview must be kept to four pages. The State Board of Education is also looking for more data and research to substantiate the application. Previously, there were no limits on the length of the document.

University Relationships

Earlier in the week, Mary Evelyn and Kate met with Joan Morieta. Joan is a professor of education at Texas State University in San Marcos and Round Rock. Joan is a firm believer in the Montessori Method and is very familiar with its philosophies. She has been involved in Montessori through her grandchildren who attended Montessori and also as a substitute teacher in the classrooms. We discussed the many ways that we could work with TSRR and Joan. One idea presented by Kathy was the possibility of a dual certification path for teachers: State Certification and Montessori certification. Joan will arrange a meeting with the Assistant Director at the Round Rock campus.

Community Outreach

Kate has a meeting with the United Way next week to learn more about the area’s social service profile and needs.

Conversation Cards

Kathy will send our some ideas to the group for comment.