Volume 4 | October 29, 2021
The annual Special Report on Private Schools ranks local private schools by tuition and the list includes the number of students enrolled, the percent change from last year, the type of school, and the number of full-time faculty.

WHMS currently has 344 students enrolled from Toddler through 8th grade, a nearly 20% increase from last year. Woodland Hill has grown considerably from 165 students in November 2002, when we moved into our current building and changed the name from the Montessori School of Albany to Woodland Hill Montessori.

Enrollment Growth at WHMS
It is an honor to be featured in this year’s Albany Business Review Special Report on Private Schools. While I was recognized in the interview, Woodland Hill’s success belongs to all of us. I am incredibly proud to represent each and every hard-working teacher, talented staff member, committed family, accomplished alum, and flourishing student. 

Just this past weekend, the Board of Trustees hosted Dane Peters, a highly regarded leader in both the Montessori and independent school communities, to lead our board retreat.

As we toured the school together with his wife Chris, there were several opportunities to pause and talk about our school. When the tour ended and it was time for us to join the group for dinner, Dane stopped, looked me in the eye, and said, “Dr. Montessori would be proud.” I couldn’t agree more.

Michelle Edwards
Head of School
FLOCKart's Art and Hoop Jam
Join us for FLOCKart's art and hoop jam, Saturday, November 6, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
 
FLOCKart is excited to host artist and world-record-holding hula hooper "Mr. O" at the WHMS gallery.

Please join us for a fun morning of art-viewing, hula-hooping, and donut-eating on Saturday, November 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 
We'll have dozens of hoops available for the young and the young at heart, and Mr. O will be leading a hula hooping clinic to help you perfect your moves!

After your workout, enjoy delicious FREE coffee and donuts from Stack's Coffee House. 
 
Mr. O says no hooping experience is necessary. "If the hoop drops, just say 'WHOOPS!' and keep going."
 
Mr. O is an Albany-based artist with degrees in Art, Design, and Art Education and who holds a Guinness Book of World Records for hula hooping. He gets inspiration for his art through hooping, often combining the two for amazing results on the canvas.
 
For hooping inspiration, be sure to stop by the FLOCKart gallery in advance and watch some videos of Mr. O hooping in many creative venues.

The gallery is open Wednesday, Nov. 3 (2 - 5 p.m.), Thursday, Nov. 4 (8 - 9 a.m.), and Friday, Nov. 5 (2 - 5 p.m.).
 
P.S. Everyone is welcome Saturday, even if you come for the donuts and not the hooping! 
FLOCKart EXHIBIT SCHEDULE

“Mr. O” — Oct. 18 - Nov. 15, 2021
Ritvik Sharma — Nov. 29 - Dec. 17, 2021
Fenando Orellana (Lego robotics) — Jan. 5 - Feb. 19, 2022
WHMS Curator Club Gallery Shows — March and April 2022
Liz Zunon, May 2 — June 10, 2022
Five Facts from our Faculty
We will profile WHMS faculty each Messenger with five facts about them. This week features Shania Jackson, an Upper El Lead Teacher, who is new to WHMS.
Shania Jackson
  1. I've been teaching since the age of 15. I started teaching Children's Church in my church, then sign language ministry, and then Sunday School. Since then I've had two or three classrooms I've taught in or out of church at least once a week!
  2. My favorite way to spend my time is hiking and taking walks in nature. I prefer local places, like the Historic Ida Lake in Troy or Peebles Island in Cohoes, to take advantage of the places we can explore close to home.
  3. I am currently completing coursework for a master's degree in STEM Education and to gain a national STEM teacher certification in addition to my early childhood and childhood teacher certification. 
  4. I just became a bunny mom! I've only had fish (and an African Dwarf Frog) as pets, so I'm excited to have one I can snuggle with.
  5. I am the youngest of six siblings! Two older sisters and three older brothers!
Welcome to Hannah Heiser
Hannah Heiser has joined the WHMS faculty as an Assistant Teacher in Sara Howard's Lower Elementary classroom. Sara's former assistant, Bridget Kalsi, moved to North Carolina as her husband pursues a new job opportunity

Hannah has been working at Woodland Hill since June of 2020 as a substitute teacher, aftercare teacher, and summer camp guide. She comes with a depth of experience in working with children as a childcare provider and a camp counselor. With a bachelor’s degree in environmental sustainability, Michelle Edwards says that "Hannah brings us a deep interest in caring for our environment and knowledge of the interconnectedness of systems within a community."
WHMS Happenings
UE students in Andrew and Kim's class view a mural by former WHMS parent Arzu Fallahi in the walking tour of downtown Albany art.
A Lower El student, along with her Lower El class, coordinated a food drive for the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. Thank you to Sara's LE class for collecting the donations and to the Woodland Hill families for their generous support.
For math work, Jessa and Jeanne's Primary class have been working on exploration with 1-10, extension work with the colored bead stair, continued practice with the Teen and Ten Boards, as well as introductions to the decimal system (1,10,100,1000). The Teen and Ten Boards, shown above, teach number names, symbols, and sequences. 
The Middle School held a Coffee House on Wednesday, October 27. Due to the weather, it was held in the Great Room. Students attended by level, and all seemed to enjoy the spooky decorations and costumes.
Library News
Librarian Sarah Colwell has curated books for National Native American Heritage Month, which runs for the month of November.

The Scholastic Book Fair begins on Monday, November 8, and ends on Wednesday, November 10. Students will be allowed to visit the Fair during the school day and parents will be invited to attend after school. More details will be forthcoming.
Give your child a safe, cashless way to shop at the Book Fair. This digital payment option can be used at the in-school Book Fair or online at the Virtual Book Fair, where you'll discover an expanded selection of over 5,000 products. Plus, every purchase benefits Woodland Hill!
November Enrichment
WHMS will be offering enrichment in November for the following days when school is not in session:

Thursday, November 11 - Veterans Day
Wednesday, November 24 - Day before Thanksgiving
 
If you are interested, please register via the registration link. Payment for enrichment will be through the registration site. Please be sure to register for your child’s specific level (Primary, Lower El, etc.). Spots for enrichment are limited and will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Enrichment days will run from 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Feel free to reach out to Eraena Fraites-Gonzalez if you have any questions!
Student-Led Anti-Racism Workgroup Book Recommendations
Hello WHMS,

Thank you for five weeks of following the Student-Led Anti-Racism Book Recommendations! We’re happy to be sharing these wonderful stories with you, in the hope that you will feel inspired and empowered.
Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier 

Catrina and her family are moving to the coast of Northern California. Cat isn’t happy about living in the little town of Bahía de la Luna, and leaving her friends behind, but she understands why she needs to. Cat’s little sister Maya has cystic fibrosis, and the cool salty sea air will be beneficial for her. While the girls explore their new home, they are stunned to discover that the quaint little town has a secret. Bahía de la Luna has ghosts. Maya is enthralled by the ghosts, and is determined to meet one, but Cat wants nothing to do with them. As Día de Los Muertos, the Day of The Dead, and the night ghosts reunite with their loved ones approaches, Cat must figure out how to push past her fears for her sister’s sake. And for her own. In this beautifully illustrated graphic novel, acclaimed author Raina Telgemeier spins a moving and insightful tale about family, friendship, and how it instills in us the courage to do what we never thought possible. 

Ages 8-13
The Okay Witch
by Emma Steinkellner

It’s Halloween--an appropriate time for 13-year old Moth Hush to discover that she’s a witch. At first Moth is excited, but she soon finds that being a witch is not easy. In fact, witchery comes with secrets, lies, and un-righted wrongs that are entangled within the history of her town. Now it seems that it is up to Moth to uncover the truth and save her family. 

Ages 8-13
Monster Trouble
by Lane Fredrickson

Winifred Schnitzel isn’t scared of anything. But she does need her sleep, and she can’t get any when all the neighborhood monsters keep sneaking into her room! What’s a girl to do? Winifred sets clever traps but nothing stops the monsters. This creative story with its sweet ending will leave everyone loving Winifred and her monsters.
  
Ages 4-8

News from the Art Department
MS students cut wood to construct their own simple looms in the Makerspace.
Primary students make spooky paper jack-o-lantern collages in art class.
MS students use painters tape to make temporary collaborative murals in the back lobby of the school.
LE students in Olga and John's class test the aerodynamics of the hoop flyers they made in the Makerspace.