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Hershey Shifts into Referral Drive!

Hershey Shifts into Referral Drive!

Our 2022-2023 Referral Drive is on and we are asking families, staff, and students to please join us in growing our Montessori community! We believe that it is in the best interest of children and the future, to empower young learners with the necessary tools and skills that Hershey provides to effectively navigate an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world. Help us ready this generation to impact their communities for years to come!

Why a Hershey Montessori education?

The outcomes observed in Montessori students include independence, confidence, adaptability, financial literacy, and life skills such as organization and self-direction, problem-solving, innovating solutions, and effectively communicating. Montessori students are college, career, and life ready, and they possess a desire to continually learn and grow through all circumstances.

What kind of students might be a great fit for Hershey Montessori School? Some characteristics may inlcude:

  • Independent thinkers
  • Scientifically minded
  • Curious collaborators
  • Lovers of peace and nature
  • Desire to belong to an authentic community

What can Hershey offer students and families? 

  • Comprehensive education
  • Sincere focus on the whole child
  • Individualized attention
  • Safe school environment
  • Warm and caring community
  • And so much more!

How can you participate? Just a few simple efforts can make a profound impact!

  1. Share your child’s/grandchild’s education experiences with other parents and students
  2. Invite friends to attend a school open house, visitors’ day, or student shadow
  3. Share Hershey’s social media posts with your friends and followers

What is in it for you?

  • Free Hershey gear (items will vary by month) as gratitude for every referral that attends our school open house, visitors’ day, or shadows a Hershey student
  • A $250 tuition credit for current families if their referral enrolls a student
  • Peace in knowing you are positively impacting the most foundational years in education of both current and potential new students

The Referral Drive will run throughout the 2022-23 school year. If you have any questions, please contact Hershey’s Admissions Director, Lakisha Wingard, by calling 440-357-0918 or by email at admissions@hershey-montessori.org.

We look forward to a vibrant school year at Hershey and we thank you for being important contributors to our incredible community. We are grateful for you partnering with us in this year’s Referral Drive!

 

Ready-Set-Go to Hershey’s 2022 Cosmic Run!

Ready-Set-Go to Hershey’s 2022 Cosmic Run!

Hershey Montessori School will host its 2022 Cosmic Run 5K and and 1-mile fun walk on Saturday, October 22, 2022. The event will be held at Observatory Park located at 10610 Clay St., Montville in the Geauga Park District. 

Race start time is 9:00 am. Registration may be made at gcxcracing.com/hersheycosmic

Participants can pick up their race packets between 4-7 pm on Friday, October 21 at Hershey Montessori School’s Concord Campus or at 8:15 am on the day of the race at Observatory Park.

This annual event has become a community favorite. It serves as a healthy, family-friendly event that provides great fun and connection. For many, it is a much anticipated autumn tradition.

More details can be found on our 5K page or by contacting the school at 440-357-0918.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Nature Notes for Parents and Children

Nature Notes for Parents and Children

By Cheryl McGovern, Outdoor Education Coordinator

Fall is in the Air

Praying mantis ootheca (egg case)

While our weather turns from warm to cold to warm again, the natural world is aware of winter’s approach. As the daylight lessens, plants and animals prepare for the changing seasons.

Wildlife have been plentiful on campus. All have watched the milkweed, first full of hungry monarch caterpillars, now devoid of these munchers, the air has been full of adult monarchs beginning their migration journey. Now the milkweed seeds on their fluffy strands float around ensuring the growth of new milkweed as the cycle continues.

Turkey with young (poults). Photographed by Shelley Morgan.

The troupe of wild turkey who roam our play area and woods, still have a few young ones mixed in. A hen turkey must have produced a second, later nest of eggs which can happen if the first attempt is unsuccessful. Seeing the poults size change from the end of August until now shows just how quickly they grow.

Captured by the Upper Elementary trail camera.

 

White-tail deer fawn have also changed before our eyes as their camouflage of white spots have slowly faded into their growing bodies. Students are noticing insects as they are at their most mature size. Praying mantids have been seen on the building and plants as they females search for a good spot to create their egg case, called an “ootheca.”

An abundance of black walnut will help many animals in their preparations. Trees, most notable in nut trees, go through “mast years” where they produce a greater amount of fruit than in other years. It’s a natural phenomenon that is not completely understood since it often includes trees of a particular species in a large region all producing greatly at the same time. And, of course, we all await the show of fall colors produced as leaves shut down their food production factory for a winter’s rest. With chlorophyll no longer needed for photosynthesis, the other pigments can be displayed.

Take time in your own yard, neighborhood, or nearby park to take in all the sights and sounds of the season.

Look Up!

International Observe the Moon Night 2021 is coming up. On Saturday, October 16th, your family can join citizens and scientists around the world in observing the moon. It’s an opportunity to unite people from all over our planet in observing our nearest neighbor in space. There are virtual events, live streams, and live events too. However, observing from your own yard is perfect too. If the sky is clear the viewing should be good with many lunar maria, or “seas” of solidified basaltic lava, visible to the unaided eye. The moon has a slight apparent wobble in its orbit, and on the night of observation a small amount that we normally cannot see will be visible, just a peek at the edge of the far side of the moon!

To discover more about the moon, including printable maps, activities, and highlights, visit https://moon.nasa.gov/observe-the-moon-night/

 

Staff Spotlight: Johan van der Wee

Staff Spotlight: Johan van der Wee

 

Our Staff Spotlight series is intended to bring recognition to Hershey’s amazing guides and administrators while connecting us with them in a personal way.

This month, we honor

Johan van der Wee

 

Johan van der Wee is a Children’s House guide at our Concord campus where he has been for six years. Johan and his wife, Katie Bodnovich, are the proud parents of their beloved dog, Betsy, who came from Rescue Village.

Johan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the International Agricultural College in the Netherlands, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Dayton. Wanting to further explore a career in education, he enrolled in the Ohio Montessori Training Institute and earned his AMI Primary diploma. 

Here is our interview with Johan:

 

Where are you from and where do you now live?

I was born in Rotterdam in the Netherlands and am now living in Mayfield Village. 

 

What did you do before coming to Hershey?

I did outdoor gardening programs and nature hikes with children and families for Five Rivers MetroParks in Dayton, OH and for the Cleveland Botanical Garden.

 

What brought you to Hershey?

I was an assistant in one of the lower elementary classrooms in 2001. I loved the Hershey community and was very excited when there was a position for a Children’s House guide many years later.

 

What drew you to Montessori?

Children learn to make independent choices and are able to excel in areas of strength while working on skills that need more practice. The multiple age group creates an atmosphere for development of leadership and cooperation.

 

What is your favorite part of your work at Hershey?

Helping children to connect with activities they enjoy doing. It is always a joy to see a child beginning to write their own thoughts. 

 

What do you do at Hershey that is unique to you?

My education in, and love of, the outdoors combined with my experience working on farms and in outdoor education brings great passion and knowledge to my students. We spend our recess time exploring in the woods rather than on the playground. We see animals and creatures from deer and hawks to toads and salamanders. The connection I’m able to facilitate between my students and nature brings a calm and greater connection in the classroom.

 

What is your favorite Hershey memory?

Cheering on our parents and children at the “beginning of summer” parade at the end of last school [pandemic] year.

 

Where is your favorite place to go?

North Chagrin Metro Park and River.

 

What is your favorite thing to do?

I like running, fishing, biking, gardening, and oil painting.

 

What is a little-known fact about you?

During my 15 months as a Conscientious Objector from the Dutch army, I worked for an environmental education organization writing brochures and making educational materials for farmers.

 

Who has made the biggest impact in your life and what does that impact look like?

Spirited children have taught me the most as they encourage me to learn more about myself and how I’m doing things. They cause me to draw deeper from my Montessori training to build and apply myself and to reach the highest challenges. I’m a better guide to all the children because they inspire me to continually grow and be better equipped to handle all learning styles. 

 

What is your favorite book?

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse and Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer and Christian Johnson.

 

What is your favorite quote?

 “And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.” Max Ehrmann.

 

What is your favorite movie?

Gandhi

 

How would your friends and family describe you?

My friends and family will describe me as a kind, patient, and tenacious person who likes to bring happiness and joy to others.

 

How would you describe yourself?

Always looking for ways to improve a situation.

 

What is your happiest moment?

Hiking in the Pyrenees by myself.

 

What is your biggest life lesson you would like to share with others?

Be flexible. Have an open mind in everything you’re doing. Montessori is very prescribed and you follow the method, but I still keep my eyes open to other views out there that may contribute even greater benefit when combined with the Montessori approach.

 

Is there anything else you would like to share with others?

My years spent in outdoor education and visiting other schools is what led me to Montessori. When I visited Holy Rosary — now Cleveland Montessori — I was invited to do lessons about gardening and nature. Children were happy and self-directed. I knew that if I ever wanted to teach in a classroom setting, this is the kind in which I would want to teach. After 9/11, I evaluated my life and decided it was time to choose a new career path. I realized how important it is to have a world open to peace and that children are our future. Montessori is an education for peace. Life is short, but it is the longest thing that I will know. I want to make a difference while I can. It’s my contribution to the world. The events of 9/11 gave me courage to do something different, to create something different. I reprioritized what was important to me. I gave my two-week notice right after 9/11, and Debbie Guren connected me to Hershey. Sometimes life brings unexpected turns that lead to the most fulfilling, beautiful places.

You’re an inspiration to us all, Johan. Thank you for taking time to share with us. We appreciate you and value all that you bring to our community!

 

 

 

The 2020 Hershey Cosmic Run is On!

The 2020 Hershey Cosmic Run is On!

We are pleased to announce our annual Hershey Cosmic Run is going forward! We are grateful for the opportunity to provide this healthy, family-friendly event that so many have now made an autumn tradition.

It all happens Saturday, October 24, 2020 9:00 am at Observatory Park in the Geauga Park District. 

You may register to run at Observatory Park or you  can register as a Virtual Runner to show your support from anywhere in the world.

Please see more details on our 5K page or contact Julie Loxterman at jloxterman@hershey-montessori.org.

We hope to see you there!