School visits #s 1 & 2: Montesorri & Waldorf

june 12, 2010:  school choice...

Ah, well, this week brought two visits to schools that are located less that 5 minutes away from the college campus where I work.  The Stoneridge Montessori is actually physically attached to our campus so that could not be more convenient.  I had a tour of the school and met with the admissions person and head of school.  The schoolrooms were fascinating, such as they were, set up in the Montessori layout (sans desks) and everything grouped by discipline.  Here in the math section are the beads on which one learns to count and then in the language area the blocks with letters, etc.  Each room has it's own patio access and students have beautiful wood lockers!!  I could live in one of these classrooms, I think...

Anyway, it was a beautiful school, head of school was very eager and willing to help.  They offered to have me come in and sit in the classroom as she gets phased in.  They can create an individual education plan and help map out what extra supports she might need.

Waldorf.  The folks from the Waldorf school in Beverly Farms invited me to come to the end of year ceremony.  I scooted over from work (took exactly 3 minutes!)  The ceremony involved all of the children from the school; each class did a performance and were formally invited to move to the next grade.  The children recited a story, read their original poetry, sang "Do Re Mi" song, and played instruments.  The first grade teacher was leaving and she was given some beautiful flowers and the children gathered around her.  My overall impression of the school is that it is full of love and a celebration of learning and creativity.  Key highlights:  tiny class of ten students, close community, every student learns a stringed instrument (violin or cello) as well as recorder, students all learn german and they offered to teach her english instead, their is another chinese girl in her class of 10 students, the teacher is a (chinese) adoptive parent and offered to come to our house when Lili gets here, you keep the same teacher until grade 8, 3 minutes from my work.  The key reason I am looking at these private schools is that my work is 40 minute from where I live, would be great to have her close by during the day...

Monday is the meeting with the local public school principal and ELL teacher... This is a tough process, as a new parent, and in trying to balance priorities.  Here is how they are weighing out at present:
I would like the school to be:
1) Able to provide her with a safe and caring environment,
2) Interested and happy to bring her into the school,
3) Able to help her learn English,
4) Accepting of differences,
5) Somehow be congruent with my work schedule in terms of hours/location (or free so that I can cut back my work hrs. or not work); I do not want to have to use any or much after school care at first.

Can you think of anything else?