All about JACK

Captain Jack’s first day of Montessori school is tomorrow!!!

I don’t know who’s more nervous or excited, Papa, Mama or the Captain? Actually I think Arlin can’t wait.

Today all three of us attended an Open House at the new Bergamo Academy, the only AMI Montessori in Denver. The Academy offered to entertain any children while the parents watched an introduction video about Maria Montessori and the ideals behind Montessori teachings.

The founder of the Academy, Meredith Malak, spoke about her in depth training in San Diego and shared a bit of information about her husband who is also helping run the school business with her.  We also listened to a mother whose 2 yr. old son, David, who was enrolled when the school first opened last September spoke about her experience as a parent. While speaking she seemed kind of choked up and expressed an immense amount of gratitude to the Academy for their efforts and she explained the remarkable strides her son was making as a student. That was probably my favorite part of the Open House…hearing a real story, we met David in the Toddler environment a little later, he is quite the Alpha male dancin around in his undies and crocs- hootin’ and a hollarn’ hello! with a big wave and smile.

After all the speaking,  the Open House attendees were given a tour of the facility. First the Toddler setting (14 mo-36 months) and then the Primary environment for the older children (2 1/2- 6 yrs.) While passing through the hallway, Jessica the Director of the Academy stopped briefly to point out and explain the children’s storage area for coats, extra clothes, etc…Chad pulls on my arm and points down the hallway corridor and there goes a red Radio Flyer Wagon with Arlin and two other little girls sitting tall in it, being pulled by another older little girl. Arlin looks our way with a big ole’ smile on his face, holding on tight and turns his head forward… ready to go!

For Papa and I, it was a special moment, solidifying our enrollment process. Arlin was ready for Montessori. Our little guy is growing up! It’s awesome to see how independent the Captain is. A confident young lad, not afraid to be away from us and explore his surroundings. We couldn’t ask for more as parents.

I’ll be nervous to drop Arlin off for his first day of school but at the same time I can’t wait to see what’s in store for him… and all the things he is going to learn from his guide and even more- the children his with on a daily basis.

A few details about the toddler setting, Arlin will be a part of…starting tomorrow morning!

• Session begins at 8:30am Pick up is at 12pm
• All toddler students wear cotton “undies” (a laundary service provided by the Academy)…and are potty training within the first week of enrollment (no more diapers Arlin!)
• Yes, because they are potty training- they all wear “indoor shoes”- i.e.) “Crocs” or something of the like, shoes that can be pee’d on.. and then easily cleaned up
• All toddlers drink out of real glasses (nope not plastic!) no sippy cups or straws for these tots!
• They wash their drinking glasses and plates after snack time in the kitchen sink with soap and sponges, then dry them and return to their proper storage space.
• They learn respect for others as well as working to together as a community.
• Everything in the Toddler environment is built for people of 2 ft. stature…Yes, it’s like a mini real world where everything is at their eye level!
• It’s all about the little details…small toilet, small tables, chairs, benches, brooms, sleeping cots, plants, chalkboard, pictures hung at the 2 ft. eye level, mini aprons, small basins and pitchers for washing hands, little kitchenette area for snack time setting and clean up…etc. it’s so darn cute!
• There are no “toys” in the setting. Everything used to teach the students is considered purposeful to stimulate a real environment  for them to learn the use of everyday household items and many other educational/fine motor skills.
• NO television or video watching.
• The Academy strong discourages any outside distractions…we’ve been instructed to suit Arlin in plain attire- no distracting Logo’s or artwork on his clothing- ha…looks like I’ll be hitting Target for some plain tees!

I will try and remember to snap some pictures of the Captain tomorrow morning- but of course, I may be making a quick exit…so I’m not seen losing it! I can’t guarantee I won’t shed a tear.

Proud Mama, signing off…goodnight!

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 8th, 2009 at 12:09 am and is filed under School. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.