Hershey News
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Swift Delivers, Memorable Adolescent Student Experience
By Joyce Cole, Hershey Montessori Farm Manager
Is she pregnant? This was the question that all of us in the community had been asking since we separated our Kunekune gilt, Swift, from our boar, Tui, back in November.
We couldn’t have timed our questioning and investigating more perfectly. We started just last week by attempting to use a human pregnancy test, with a seventh-year student managing to catch her urine! However, we then learned that pigs do not produce a hormone like the HCG hormone of a human woman, so we ordered the livestock urine pregnancy test that instead measured a hormone called estrone sulfate and asked the student to work his magic once again.
We were excited by the positive results, but then we found out that the test would only work between days 30 and 35, or days 85 – term. Pigs only carry for 115 days. That meant we had to be in late pregnancy and our preparation window was now a tight one.
By our calculations, and with 93% test accuracy, Swift would give birth in the next two weeks. Sure enough, we had just installed the Ring camera on the afternoon of Saturday, January 20th, when I noticed some increased swelling in her abdomen and teats. I went in again on Sunday morning and was able to express milk from her teats, so I rallied the student Pastured Pig team.
At 4:06 p.m. Sunday, January 21st, Hershey middle school guide Nicole arrived to relieve my watch. She found Swift with her head buried in straw and breathing very heavily. Nicole immediately called me back in due to Swift’s obvious signs of labor. She also alerted the whole Pastured Pig team.
By 6:30 p.m., nine healthy piglets were born! All members of the Pastured Pig team were able to be there for the birth. The team jumped right in and set up to help Nicole catch the babies, clean them off, and put them safely in their heated area while they waited for mama to finish.
Students help care for the piglets as Swift finishes her delivery.
Swift was exhausted, but she is very loving with her new litter, responding to them when they cry and turning her big ol’ pig belly out so that the babies can reach their milk. They were quickly able to latch on successfully and get a good dose of colostrum. Their warming area is outfitted with two heat lamps and a seedling heat mat. They flop onto the heat mat and fall asleep without worrying about pulling up the covers. Their little piglet bellies are full and round with their mama’s milk.
Congratulations, Swift, and congratulations to the team members who made it in for the birth. Those students include one ninth-year and two seventh-years. The team did a fabulous job assisting Mama Swift.
The team is now challenged with keeping the babies warm and fed and assisting Swift in the raising up of these sweet little piglets.
The newborn piglets are nourished by their mama.
Editor’s note: This was an experience most adolescents would never have the opportunity to witness or enjoy. For Hershey students, it is yet another unique, memorable moment to learn and grow from – a memory that will last a lifetime. Many things can be learned through books and classrooms, but learning is most impactful when experienced. This experiential learning is both the power and the beauty of authentic Montessori education.
Hershey’s Concord Campus in Top 2.5% of U.S. Schools
Hershey Montessori School is pleased to announce that its Concord Birth through 6th grade Campus is ranked by Niche as being in the top 2.5% of schools in the country. The Concord Campus has an A+ overall grade.
Niche is known as the market leader in connecting schools and colleges with students and families, helping them to enroll in the right school for them. Its grades and rankings are calculated using dozens of data sets and millions of reviews. Niche data scientists rigorously analyze data and user opinions to assess the key aspects of K-12 Schools, as well as Colleges and Places to Live.
Reviews play an important part in a school’s grade. Several new, impactful parent reviews have contributed to a recent grade increase. Raising it to an A+ from an A.
“Hershey is truly an amazing place. The guides recognize and respect each individual child’s needs and learning styles. This approach allows the kids to feel supported, yet it still gently pushes their boundaries so they can learn and grow. In addition to important school lessons, the kids are also taught life skills like cleaning, making food, helping others. Kids are allowed to be kids – they choose what interests them and have the freedom to learn lessons at their own pace. Plus the outdoor space is beautiful!” ~Parent Review on Niche
Hershey’s Concord Campus encompasses 13 acres, including 11 acres of woodland, trails, green space, play areas, and gardens. All lead guides are AMI-trained and certified. Classrooms at the Concord Campus consist of indoor spaces prepared with Montessori materials, outdoor spaces of vegetable plots, and open green space for play.
Hershey’s 7th-12th grade Huntsburg Campus holds an A- grade overall. And, although as a Montessori school we use mastery as our marker, we recognize that Niche grades provide a universal understanding for the general population in regard to the quality and value of an educational institution.
We are thankful for our community’s trust, support, and the time they have taken to share their perspectives and experiences with Niche. We are also grateful for the staff and guides who help make Hershey Montessori School the warm and caring academic community that so many have come to love and respect.
If you would like to leave a review for either Hershey campus, you may do so here.
2023 Hershey Cosmic Run 5K/1M
Get ready for the Hershey Montessori School Cosmic Run!
This annual event is a community favorite. It serves as a healthy, family-friendly event that provides great fun and connection.
Awards are given in age group categories as young as 11 years up to 71 and over.
When: Saturday, October 28, 2023
Where: Observatory Park at 101610 Clay St. in Montville
Time: Race starts at 9 am
Choose: 5k Race or 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk
All ages are welcome!
All proceeds help support our school mission:
“To provide beautiful Montessori environments, where learning and work are integrated within a community experience engaging intellectual, moral and social development of children and adolescents from birth to eighteen years.”
We can’t wait to see you at the 2023 Cosmic Run!
Hershey Montessori School Offers Student Shadow Days
Hershey Montessori School is offering Student Shadow Days at the Middle and Upper School campus.
The Shadow Day opportunity allows prospective students to experience Hershey’s campus, culture, and curriculum in a personal way. Shadow students are also able to ask peers relevant questions that equip them to make an informed decision about their education journey.
Shadowing students will be able to authentically experience what being a student at Hershey Montessori School is like.
Hershey’s Middle and Upper School campus is located at 11530 Madison Road in Huntsburg, Ohio.
Interested families may contact the Huntsburg campus Administration and Admissions Coordinator, Kate Zolikoff, to schedule a Shadow Day for their child. Phone 440-636-6290 or email kzolikoff@hershey-montessori.org to request more information.
We look forward to meeting you!
Hershey Alumni Summer Social
Join us for Hershey Montessori School’s Alumni Social!
The Alumni Social is open to Hershey alumni and guides. Hershey defines “Alumni” as any person who has been enrolled at Hershey Montessori School for any length of time. Come connect with us and to one another!
Date: Thursday, June 15, 2023
Time: 5-7 pm
Location: Westel’s | 4084 Erie St., Willoughby
Cost: $15
Register at: https://one.bidpal.net/westles2023/welcome
Hershey Students Just Run!
Hershey Montessori School wound down this year’s Just Run® program with its last practice on Thursday, May 25, with a total of thirty-one students. The program readied students for the Just Run 5K race that was held on Saturday, May 27, in Fairport Harbor. Thirty students participated — Hershey’s biggest group ever to represent our school community.
We are grateful to Cheryl McGovern, Hershey Elementary Assistant and Outdoor & Physical Education Coordinator, for leading Hershey’s Just Run group, and to Jennifer Finan, Johan van der Wee, Lakisha Wingard, Saren Peetz, and Venus Kohler for their assistance with the program.
Pictured left to right: Lakisha Wingard, Jennifer Finan, Johan van der Wee, Venus Kohler, Cheryl McGovern
“The energy before the race was palpable and contagious!,” said Cheryl. “They kept up their energy during the race, with the first Hershey runner crossing the finish line in 30th place out of 768 runners!”
A total of four Hershey runners placed in the top 50. Eleven finished in the top 100. One Hershey runner placed in the top 10 Female Runners category, and another placed in the top 20.
“Most importantly, all who began the race crossed the finish line, with our last two crossing holding hands with smiling faces!” enthused Cheryl. “One of my favorite parts was that so many [Hershey runners and supporters] stayed around as the race was winding down that we were able to provide loud cheers for the very last runner! The young girl went from looking a little confused to wearing a broad smile as she realized the cheers were for her.
The sense of community was strong throughout the event, as a school and in our participation with the Fairport Harbor Just Run 5k community.
We congratulate all the students who took part in Just Run and extend gratitude to all the families for their support.
Just Run is a free, multifaceted youth fitness program developed by the Big Sur Marathon Foundation. It promotes fitness, healthy eating, good citizenship, and pride in accomplishment. It promotes exercise and the sport of running. Virtual runs across the USA and Europe link points of interest and geographical and historical sites, making it educational as well.
Hershey Community Drive-In Night
Join us for Hershey Montessori School’s Drive-in Theater at the Mayfield Drive-In!
This is a family-fun, community-wide event that will bring us together to celebrate the end of the school year!
Bring the whole family to the Mayfield Drive-In to see the new Disney’s The Little Mermaid with Hershey Montessori School!
Date: Friday, June 2, 2023
Location: Mayfield Drive-In located at 12100 State Route 322 in Chardon
Cost: $20 per car (Each car will receive 1 free large popcorn!)
Gates open: 7:00 pm
Movie begins: at dark
The Little Mermaid. “The Little Mermaid” is the beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea and, while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy. Rated PG. View the trailer.
Get tickets!
Hershey Middle Schoolers Build Computers, Experience Digital Age
In Hershey Montessori School’s Adolescent Community, studies in Humanities give adolescents the opportunity to connect with the whole of human history through integrated scholarship, including research, experiential investigation, and expression.
This quarter, some students explored the Digital Age. Students, led by Humanities guide Nicole Lederle, first began their exploration by learning about the evolution of communication, from the invention of the printing press to today’s growing use of A.I. (artificial intelligence).
Adolescents researched the ins and outs of computer functions, creating their own presentations on selected topics involving technology and communication.
The next step was to begin the hands-on execution of building their own computers. Students worked in teams of three to build Piper Computer models. The Piper Computer comes in a kit and is designed to give a hands-on STEM learning experience. It also provides students with the fundamentals of electronics and coding through the use of Minecraft Pi and a Scratch-like coding language.
Each model was put together like a puzzle and students got to see how the parts of the computer connect and work together. The adolescents took two class sessions to strategize, problem-solve, and build their fully functioning model. By the end of the second building session, students basked in the glory of their final product, eager to show the other Humanities class what they had accomplished.
The Piper Models consist of a wooden shell fully put together by the students, a Raspberry Pi motherboard, a screen, a small mouse, breadboards, and wiring for controls.
Hershey middle school students engaged individually, and collaboratively, in sophisticated academic and multisensory, project-based learning.
The hands help the development of the intellect. When a child is capable of using his hands, he can have a quantity of experiences in the environment through using them. In order to develop his consciousness, then his intellect, and then his will, he must have exercises and experiences.
Maria Montessori, The 1946 London Lectures, p. 130
Bringing lessons to life through an experiential, hands-on learning process is what truly captivates the student. Dr. Montessori knew this. Her approach to educating the whole child in this manner is what makes the Montessori method the sought-after education model families love providing for their children and adolescents.
Hershey Adolescents Undergo Suicide Prevention Training
Mental health training professionals from the Integrated Student Supports and Prevention Services for the ESCWR (Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve) came to Hershey Montessori School’s Huntsburg Campus to lead Middle and Upper School students in QPR Training. They were impressed with the students’ openness, respectful demeanor, and thoughtful questions.
QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer, and its mission is to reduce suicidal behavior and save lives by providing innovative, practical, and proven suicide prevention training. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to best help.
QPR training teaches both adults and adolescents to identify signs that other people, especially adolescents, may be at risk for attempting suicide. QPR is a nationally recognized, research-based approach to providing life-saving, short-term support and refers people to the professional help they need.
Hershey’s Huntsburg staff was fortunate enough to receive this training earlier this year and will now be able to share a common language with the adolescent students. Providing social-emotional support is not only a focal point in Montessori education but it is also a renewed commitment by school leadership and staff to ensure that every student has the support and the tools to navigate social and emotional challenges they or their friends and peers might encounter.
Through Hershey Montessori School’s close partnerships with parents, our Social-Emotional Learning program, our collaboration with mental health professionals through Family Pride of Northeast Ohio, regular student check-ins with staff advisors, and our holistic, adolescent community-centered Montessori approach, our goal is to guide and support students to recognize and respond to mental and emotional health needs for themselves and others.
For more information about the QPR student training, please visit the QPR website at: https://www.qprinstitute.com/ :
Grandparents and Special Friends Day
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