A note from Susan Kambrich and Michelle Edwards
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Dear Parents,
The events of the past week have been heartbreaking and tragic. This week we have seen the brutal murder of George Floyd by white police officers, and the reaction and protests from all over the U.S and the world.
Our new Board President of the American Montessori Society, a Black Muslim who has been a leader in public school Montessori schools, is quoted in this week’s AMS bulletin:
“Now is the time for us to be intentionally anti-racist, and to denounce and call out injustices that are occurring right before our eyes—injustices that impact the students, parents, staff members, and schools within our community, and in some cases determine whether they live or die. It’s time to stand for, and with, justice.”
- Amira Mogaji, AMS Board President.
We want our children to grow up in a peaceful world, free from racism and injustice. Unfortunately, this is not a reality, and if we approach our parenting or teaching by always protecting them from unpleasant or upsetting truths, we do them an injustice. We need to empower our children to speak up and work for racial justice. Of course, this must be done in a developmentally appropriate way. Here are some resources that you as parents and we as teachers can use to help our children learn.
Dr. Montessori was revolutionary and advocated for the education of those who were discriminated against and who needed a voice. One of her most famous quotes is that “Establishing lasting peace is the work of education.” Our work with children is important and as a Montessori school we are committed to helping our children find their voice and determine and live their own values.
We continue to be part of the problem of the systemic racism prevalent in our society if we do not actively do what we can to raise awareness and learn how we can participate. Our children will be deciding the future. They will be the citizens who will be leaders and voters. We need to consider what we are teaching them and how we can influence them to actively engage in working for justice.
“Our task as educators is to ensure that an intense consciousness of universal solidarity will flourish in our children… This is the great task of education: to make the child conscious of the reality and depth of human unity”
~Maria Montessori. “Human Solidarity in Time and Space” The San Remo Lectures, 1949. Amsterdam: AMI, 2003/2004
Susan Kambrich, Ed.D.
Head of School
Michelle Edwards
Incoming Head of School
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We are excited to share the news that Michele Praileau has been promoted to the position of lead teacher in the Upper El starting in September.
Michele’s commitment to the ongoing pursuit of knowledge, deep connection to the students, and dedication to the Montessori philosophy make her the right choice. She has been a member of the Woodland Hill faculty since 2007 when she began as an Upper Elementary Assistant Teacher. In addition to being a faculty member, Michele is also the proud parent of four Woodland Hill alumni: Aminah '13, Yasin '15, Ahmad '16, and Bashir '19.
Michele holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the State University of New York at Binghamton and a master’s degree in counselor education from Syracuse University. Before joining Woodland Hill, Michele worked with school-aged children as an Education Assistant at the Boys & Girls Clubs in New York City and with college students at Cornell University and the University at Albany. Michele is currently enrolled in the Elementary II (ages 9-12) Montessori teacher certification program at the Montessori Elementary Teacher Training Collaborative. She looks forward to bringing her positivity, warmth, and experience to this new leadership role.
Joining Michele as an Assistant Teacher will be Kim Morrison. Kim has experience working in many capacities at Woodland Hill; all-level assistant teacher, substitute teacher, art assistant teacher, as well as teaching in our summer camp. Kim first joined our school as the mother of a toddler student in 2014 and now has three children at the school: Hunter, Skylar, and Denver. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University at Albany and is currently enrolled in the Elementary Assistant training through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. Kim is excited to bring her creativity, positive energy, and kind spirit to the Upper Elementary level.
Michele and Kim are looking forward to a wonderful year together in the classroom!
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Support WHMS will our online auction.
We're auctioning off two separate weeks in the Outer Banks at the Baltrush Bungalow, Head of School for a Day, a reserved parking spot, Four Fat Fowl cheese, and more!
The auction runs until 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 4.
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Thursday, June 4
Moving Up Visits for third-year Primary students going to Lower El, 9 a.m.
Moving Up Visits for third-year Lower El students going to UE, 1:00 p.m.
Friday, June 5
Moving Up Visits for sixth-year Upper El students going to MS, 10:30 a.m.
Monday, June 8
We will be hosting two end-of-the-year assemblies:
- Primary, 9 a.m.
- Elementary and MS, 10 a.m.
8th graders will have their photos taken in their caps and gowns
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12 - 4 p.m.
Tuesday, June 9 - Parades
Primary car parade, 9:30 a.m.
Lower El, Upper El, and MS car parade, 11:40 a.m.
Thursday, June 11
Assembly to say goodbye to Andrew McClain, 1 p.m.
Friday, June 12
Graduation for 8th graders, which will be live streamed
Monday, June 15
Toddler Closing Circle in the WHMS parking lot,
- 9:00 a.m. for Toddler I (AM)
- 9:45 a.m. for Toddler II (PM)
Week of June 15-19:
Pick up personal belongings and return library books, textbooks, Chromebooks, and other WHMS items during the week following the end of school.
Curbside Schedule
- Monday, June 15 A - F Last Names
- Tuesday, June 16 G - L Last Names
- Wednesday, June 17 M - R Last Names
- Thursday, June 18 S - Z Last Names
- Friday, June 19 - Those who missed their assigned day.
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If you have any WHMS library books, please return them the week after school ends when you come to pick up your child's belongings. Thank you.
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A note from the WHMS Health Office
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Dear Parents,
As of July 2018, New York State law requires a current health examination for all students entering the school district for the first time and when entering Pre-K or K, 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th grades.
The examination must be completed by a New York State licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner and should be documented on the
NYSED Student Health Examination Form
for School. However, physicals completed on or before January 30, 2021 will be accepted on any physical form. Physicals completed on or after January 31, 2021
must be on the NYS approved physical form.
- A copy of the health examination must be provided to the school within 30 days of school entry. This examination must have been completed within one calendar year of entering.
- If your child has an appointment for an exam during the 2020-2021 school year that is after the first 30 days of school, please notify the Health Office with the date.
- A copy of the Health Examination Form can be found here. Please provide this form to your child’s health care provider when they are seen for their physical exam. Once the physical exam has been completed, please promptly provide a copy to the school Health Office.
We suggest you make copies of the completed forms for your own records before sending them to the school health office
. Forms may also be faxed to WHMS at 518-283-4861
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Vanessa Adalian, RN
Woodland Hill Montessori School Nurse
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Join Leah for morning meditation and yoga here.
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Virtual Office Hours
Pop in to ask Susan Kambrich or Michelle Edwards a question, or have a conversation.
Michelle
and
Susan
are available anytime via email.
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Meghan Johnson and Nicholle Gregor are offering tech support times for anyone - teachers, parents or students - who needs assistance. Join them every Monday and Wednesday at 2 p.m.
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