Friday, September 11, 2020 Hilltop Montessori School's mission is for students to practice responsible independence in a caring community of curious, critical learners and thoughtful citizens.

Next Week Wednesday, September 16 HALF DAY: Mid-day dismissal for all programs Upcoming Monday, September 21 - Friday, September 25 September Parent Meetings (see below)

Notes from the Head of School

Dear Families, We are so grateful for the thoughtful cooperation with the health and safety procedures we have in place this year. Everyone has been so understanding and cooperative as we worked through the new drop-off procedures with the health checks and travel restrictions. You have also been keeping children home when they have even slight symptoms. We also trust that you have been behaving safely outside of school (see Jade Harmon’s illustration above!) Thank you! To make the mornings as efficient as possible accommodating these new procedures, here are a few reminders: The staggered start times can really help with congestion. Please arrive during your program’s window. Please note that Middle School is now a 15 minute window, and in future weeks we might be adjusting other programs to also be 15 minutes. TP - 8:30 - 9:00 CH - 8:30 - 9:00 LE - 8:15 - 8:45 UE - 8:15 - 8:45 MS - 8:00 - 8:15 (earlier and shorter to make it better!) Drive slowly and carefully, use your turn signals, and watch for other cars pulling in and out. If you arrive later than your time frame, or return later with a missing lunch or water bottle, please wait in your car at the regular drop-off location for your program and call the front desk number (802-257-0500) listed on the sign at each spot. The students have shown themselves to be amazingly resilient and adaptable. They have been wearing masks (all except for the Toddler Program - though even a few of our youngest students have been practicing!), and enjoying all the time in their outdoor classrooms. Students have been distanced for lessons both indoors and outdoors (3 feet for students through Upper El, 6 feet for Middle School). We have had to give reminders about getting too close for any extended period when working together inside the classrooms, as this distancing continues to be a work in progress.  We are thrilled to have the students back in-person and are building community ties that will sustain us through whatever is to come. Thank you and stay well, Tamara

Our drop off map.

Welcome From the Board

At this time each year, Hilltop typically joins together for its Back to School Picnic, providing an opportunity for the Hilltop Board of Trustees to run the grill and introduce new officers and new board members. This year, of course, we are not holding our spatulas, but we will not be waylaid. We take this moment to recognize the hard work and persistence our administration and teachers, parents and families have put into making it possible to return to our campus, safely and with a palpable spirit of celebration. This year we are less surprised by the circumstances the pandemic presents and a great deal has been worked out. We may also be presented with new challenges, raising new questions about how to go forward and providing us with continued opportunity to discover who we are. And yet, like last year, we can rely on the constancy keeping our community together represents, putting at center sensitive responses to family and staff needs. In this spirit it is a joy to see the students return and easy to offer, from a safe distance, a warm welcome. You can find out about returning and new Trustees by visiting the Hilltop website here and keep yourself informed about Board activities by visiting the Hilltop’s Notes from the Board here. We will provide periodic updates to our board activities throughout the year and welcome any inquiries about our role in supporting and guiding this wonderful school. Asher Pucciarello Board Chair

Anti-Bias Workgroup

Dear Hilltop Families, We invite you to participate in one or both of Hilltop’s groups created to address equity and justice in our school and community. The Equity and Anti-Bias Work Group is an ongoing group whose purpose is to review all aspects of Hilltop’s operations through the equity and anti-bias lens, identify areas for improvement, assess progress, and provide actionable recommendations directly to the Head of School or the Board of Trustees. It has also supported parent-led activities such as last year’s clothing and school gear swaps. It is open to Hilltop family members, staff, and community members with a connection to Hilltop; there are also two Middle School student representatives. Contact Trustee Alix Fedoruk if you would like to participate. The Parent Anti-Bias Education Group is a group for people with a connection to Hilltop to do anti-bias self-education work for themselves and for their families. Last year the group generated a list of recommended readings for all ages, the Hilltop Diversity Bookshelf, and held a series of workshops on parenting for racial justice. Contact Trustee Elizabeth Fisher if you would like to participate in anti-bias educational activities and/or help organize them.

Classroom Coordinators

Want to get more involved with your child’s program? We need Parent Coordinators! Every year, each classroom at Hilltop has a Classroom Coordinator, a role that serves as a bridge between teachers, the school, and families. While this role has always been integral to our community, this year, it’s even more important. As you know, we may not have many events on campus for a while, and things look different than they used to. The Classroom Coordinators for each classroom will play a big part in helping everyone in our community stay connected — as well as helping new families feel welcome.  Here are some ways the Parent Coordinator can be involved: Assisting teachers in communicating general classroom needs to families Working with teachers and admin staff to remind parents of important dates and events Working with the Development Director (Roselle Garro) to welcome new families Potentially arranging virtual or socially distanced gatherings with classroom families! Other ideas? Bring your creativity and enthusiasm! Are you interested in being the Parent Coordinator for your classroom? This is a chance to define and expand the role, connect our families and community, and hopefully have some fun in the process. This work is incredibly important to teachers, students, and families. If you’re interested, please contact Roselle.

September Parent Meetings

The Year Ahead and Supporting Home to School Life This is an evening meeting for all new and returning parents to learn about the upcoming year's curriculum, program, expectations of students, and ways to be involved in your child's education. This year, as with all of our community events, these meetings will be held over Zoom. With each program meeting taking place on a different day, we are hoping that families with multiple children will be able to attend each of their children's meetings. We strongly encourage all families to attend. This is an important opportunity to learn about your child's classroom, "see" and meet other parents in the program, and hear about what this year will be like for them. Teachers will be sending out Zoom invitations and reminders the week prior. Monday September 21: Middle School, 7pm Tuesday, September 22: Upper Elementary, 7pm Wednesday, September 23: Lower Elementary, 6pm Thursday, September 24: Children's House, 6pm Friday, September 25: Toddler Program, 5pm

Next Week's Travel Map

As you all know, Hilltop families must be in compliance with Vermont travel restrictions in order to attend school in person. The State of Vermont updates their travel map each Friday, and you will be able to find it here to reference for the following week.

Toddler Program

Hello Toddler Families, We are off to a great start to the school year. The Toddler Program is getting into a routine: group time outdoors, and small groups choosing individual works inside. Outdoors, we have been doing language lessons with our garden plants, enjoying our new sandbox, and climbing, jumping, and running together! Inside, we’ve done lots of practical life activities - children have especially enjoyed hand washing at the stand and glass cleaning. These activities allow children to explore new sensorial experiences while also doing the challenging work of following a sequence, and completing a whole activity before moving on to the next interesting thing in the classroom or outdoors. As always, we have lots of interest in our art materials as well. This week, we were also lucky to have a visitor: our music teacher Baba Jay! He will join our outdoor classroom for singing and movement each Thursday.  As the school year continues, we really appreciate your vigilance in keeping your child home if they display any symptoms. A healthy class is one that allows us all to participate, learn, and play together.  Have a great weekend, The Toddler Team Sarah, Laura and Haley

Louis and Lenny play in the rain! Lachlan practices balancing.

Olive E. works with the gluing box. Luca diligently cleans the glass in the classroom.

Luca washes his hands.

Shiloh wipes her face clean!

Louis explores the garden.

Children's House

What a wonderful first week! We just want to remind you of a few things that you can do to help set your child up for success during their day: The mornings are getting chilly! Please pack warm layers, we are spending a lot of time outside. Remember - small children can not regulate their body temperature! If you haven't already done so, please label a small snack bag or container separately from your child's lunch so that they can locate it easily to place in their snack "basket" independently.

Jay has music class with the Willow Room. Phillip works on the 45 Layout. Harrison gives Zhong Yi a helping hand. Hudson works on the rubber band peg board. Snack time in the yard. Han practices his fine motor skills.

Jay has music class outside with Birch students. Laylani and Jody climb! Cole and Hudston paint. Davis works at his table. Liam pulls Mason in the wagon. Meiyi washes the baby. Harrison paints at his table.

The Willow Room tends to their flowers.

Lower Elementary

It has been wonderful to see students in person this week! Everyone returned with enthusiasm, and has done a great job keeping their masks on throughout the day.  The Story of the Coming of the Universe was told on Tuesday afternoon, and from that, our first Project Morning was born! On Wednesday morning, students were given the option of creating collage pictures, oil pastel drawings and stories, or acting out the Story of the Universe. Jade will be on hand for these half days, to lead us in one of the chosen projects. Behind the scenes, she collaborates with the rest of the LE team to discuss the cultural (geography, history of Earth, science) themes and brainstorm ideas for art.

Jade introduces the illustrious Art Carts!

Owen paints his sculpture with tempera sticks. Lower Elers sanding their supply caddies. Lower El Artists make collages of the universe. Henry and Eko discuss their collage plans.

Leo and Reine explore the Story of the Universe props. Leo explores watercolors during outdoor art class. Hiba composes her universe collage during project day.

Because we are exercising as much caution as we possibly can, we are spending much of our time outside, under our tent or shade sail, or on the field. Music, Art, and P.E. are held outdoors every week. It’s imperative that each child come to school with a set of extra clothes (please send those in if you haven’t already), shoes, and layers for any type of weather. The grass is always wet in the morning, and rain can catch us unawares on the playground, as it did on Thursday. If your household contains extras of any rain boots or other outdoor items, we would gladly take them to have on hand for students who are missing them. Thank you! In addition to this gear, we ask that each family send their child to school with an old, oversize shirt next week, that they can comfortably wear as a smock for art. If you have extras, we will gratefully take them.  Thank you for your cooperation and patience this week. Have a great weekend! The LE Team

Lower El's brainstorm on "Why we come to school".

Lower El plays a group game during outdoor morning meeting. Amir builds with symmetry.

Amelia leads an Energizer in our expanded classroom space. The joyous re-opening of Haytown!

Upper Elementary

It has been wonderful the last two weeks to be able to welcome our students back in person, play and laugh together, and begin some serious discussions about the meaning of community, and for Tom, Jen, Ashley and Kathy, to enjoy working as a foursome with our students. Here are a few highlights of the week: Learning and practicing new routines, such as washing hands at regular intervals and transitions throughout our day, and eating snack outside Using a scavenger hunt to discover where shelves and resource books are now located in the new classroom Getting to know our new outdoor space under two 20x24” tents on the lower field, which the students have dubbed our second classroom Collaging the covers of new writing journals Completing the construction of individual wooden caddies that will accompany each student throughout the day with their personal set of pencils, rulers, etc. Each student designing their section of a fabric wall hanging with symbols or words about a wish for the class this year Adapting former greeting activities during morning meeting to allow for safe distancing Art lessons outside PE lessons in Mace’s new circumscribed areas for work in Qigong and other movement practices Surviving a sudden downpour while down on the field! (with some not quite by accident drenched students … those changes of clothes do come in handy!)  Exploring the meaning of kindness, community, and work through discussion of short stories Experiencing our first formal “community meeting” on Friday afternoon This is a new adventure for us all. The students have been terrific about wearing their masks. Thank you parents for helping this happen by seeing that your students come prepared. We look forward to visiting with you at September Parent Meetings on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 7-8:00 pm.

First outside art class! Esmé and Oona sand their caddies. Claire and Layla paint nature. Scavenger Hunt to get to know the new classroom!  Skyler works with Aiden and Talia to measure borders for a class quilt.

Hard at work on supply caddies. Max and Dylan draw in their new sketchbooks. Read aloud in the 'amphitheater' - one of our beautiful outdoor spaces. Students mirroring one another in pairs during morning meeting. Through analogy, a story about a city and how it functions, Tom introduces our new science unit on the human body.

Middle School

Great to actually be in school for our first week. Last week’s three half days of orientation were a start but this week felt more fully like school. We’re working with the masks, the distance, and the sanitation and moving beyond those limitations to building community and diving into our academic year. Dialogue is always a major component of the middle school program and we jumped right in with Isabel Wilkerson’s “America’s Enduring Caste System” from the New York Times magazine. Curriculums for humanities, math, and science went out, we got drenched in Upland, made remarkable pizza in our Upland bread oven, wrote Haiku, learning Qigong with Mace, and brought home our first seminar book of the year, “Kindred” by Octavia E. Butler.

It wouldn't be Upland without pour down rain! Creating seat numbers.

Preparing wood for the pizza oven. Preparing signs for our classroom. Sign making.

Competitive Pro Middle School Saw Champions with Narrator.

Community At Large