News from Woodland Hill Montessori School 

WHMS is Growing!


Members of the WHMS community and local dignitaries broke ground on a new addition at Wooodland Hill Montessori School on June 20. The  building addition will include two additional classrooms to accomodate our growing enrollment, a makerspace, expanded gardens, a teaching kitchen, amphitheater, learning resource rooms, and administrative office space.

Joining the ceremonial groundbreaking were Head of School Susan Kambrich, Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce President Kate Manley, WHMS Board of Trustees President Katie Singh, Matt Ludwin of Wainschaf Associates, WHMS board member Julie Massry Knox, Michael Bellows, David Canfield of Wainschaf Associates, Rensselaer County Executive Steven McLaughlin, NYS Assemblymember John McDonald, and Rensselaer County Legislator Tom Grant, along with several WHMS students.

Construction will begin in July and should be completed by next May. 


Congratulations to the Class of 2018! Fifteen 8th graders graduated on Friday, June 15.
They'll be attending the following schools this fall -
  • The Albany Academies (4)
  • Averill Park High School (2)
  • Bard Academy (Great Barrington, Mass.)
  • Doane Stuart School (4)
  • Niskayuna High School
  • Northwood High School (North Carolina)
  • Troy High School (2)
We wish them all much success as they head to high school. 
Elementary Moving Up and 8th Grade Graduation 









The 2018 Moving Up and Graduation ceremony took place on Friday, June 15. The keynote speaker was Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan  

Lola Garrigue was nominated by her classmates and teachers to serve as the senior speaker. Lola told the crowd that "When we leave, we do not just leave behind a school, but also all the things that make WHMS unique and great: 
the strong sense of community; being fully accepted for who you are; the amazing and personalized learning experience; and the incredible bond between the teachers and students."

As coordinator of the Middle School's Mac & Cheese lunch program, Lola donned a cheese hat at the end of her speech, and encouraged families to order macaroni and cheese lunch next year. 





Primary Moving Up
All of the Primary students performed before the kindergarten students were recognized for moving up to first grade. 







Head of School Susan Kambrich and WHMS Board President Katie Singh both spoke at the ceremony.

MS Banquet

On Monday, June 11, a celebration of the WHMS Middle School was held. The 8th grade students debuted their movie, held a candle lighting ceremony with the 7th graders, were recognized by their teachers, and received a hand-crafted keychain from our 3D printer made by the 7th graders.



It was great to see so many alumni!

13 members of the class of 2017 and 2016 attended the banquet.




WHMS Happenings









Close to 60 members of the WHMS community participated in the Capital Pride Parade on Sunday, June 10. Thank you to Jessa Pelizari, Alexa Andujar, and Kris Gernert-Dott for coordinating WHMS' team. 

To commemorate Flag Day on June 14, Lower El students watched the Middle School students raise the flag as they do each morning. 
On June 11, NYS Assemblymember John McDonald came to WHMS and spoke to our Middle School students about the three branches of NY state government. 
Nieves and the Upper El students made a beautiful and delicious Paella on June 8.
WHMS art teacher Megan Stasi is looking for donations of old wooden rolling pins of any size. They can be droped off to WHMS over the summer, or brought in September.
Enjoy the summer! 
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