Volume 7 | December 17, 2021

Dear Woodland Hill Community, This morning as I watched the children arrive at school, eagerly anticipating the special excitement and joy that pervades on the day before winter break, I felt at peace. The stressors of adult life, amidst the challenges of 2021, faded to the background, even if just for a short time. Being in the presence of children brings us the special gift of being in the moment.   This holiday season, may you also experience this deep joy and peace. Find those moments that make the season magical for our little ones and hold onto them for as long as you can. That is the most precious gift of all.  Sincerely, Michelle Edwards Head of School

Winter Specials Assembly 2021

Earlier today, music teacher Susie Gordon hosted a live Zoom event to showcase the specials at WHMS. Some classes watched the event live in their classroom, but we also recorded it to share with parents and grandparents. The Assembly includes: Art & Makerspace happenings from Primary – Middle School Music Classes for Primary and Lower El Audio Recordings from the UE and MS students and the school band! Exploration videos from Upper El and Middle School Violin Fun with Dr. Andrew Snow Katja’s fun Spanish classes

Click here to make a gift to the WHMS Fund in support of our important JEDI work.

Supporting Equity & Hope This year's WHMS Fund is supporting JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion) initiatives at Woodland Hill. As a community that affirms the inherent value, beauty, and potential in all our children, our work and commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are inextricably linked to our school’s mission. Montessori pedagogy was intended from its onset to be an aid to life and a tool for empowerment. We believe that each generation of our students will make the world better. To date, we have raised almost $23,350 toward our $65,000 goal. We thank all of those families who have donated or pledged to date. Donate by December 31 to take advantage of potential tax deductions.

Woodland Hill Shark Tank Exploration

Over the past 11 weeks, Nicholle Gregor worked with a group of Middle School students in the Woodland Hill Shark Tank Exploration. During this class, students worked to develop their own business, presented to the WHMS Sharks, completed product research, and brought their products to life! Now they are available for sale with profits going towards the Middle School. Purchase the items through the MS Square site

Watercolor Masterclass 25 members of the WHMS community gathered in the gym for a watercolor masterclass taught by Ritvik Sharma, whose work has been on display in the FLOCKart Gallery. Guests painted two landscapes, partook in high tea, and listened to piano music. FLOCKart EXHIBIT SCHEDULE Fenando Orellana (Lego robotics) — Jan. 5 - Feb. 19 WHMS Curator Club Gallery Shows — March and April Liz Zunon, May 2 — June 10

Fernando Orellana made beautiful prints of the FLOCKart Gallery mural. There are two sizes (8” x 38” or 12” x 62”). The prints are $100 L and $200 for XL unframed, and $185 and $355 framed. Contact Susan Thomas if you are interested in purchasing one.

Five Facts from our Faculty We will profile WHMS faculty each Messenger with five facts about them. This week features two Lower El teachers, Olga Febus and Sara Howard.

Olga Febus I was born and raised in Colombia, and have had the opportunity to live in other countries. In addition to Colombia, I have lived in Brazil, Puerto Rico, Belgium, and different states of the US. I decided to become a Montessori teacher after my eldest daughter initiated the Primary program. First I got my Primary certification and then years later received my Lower Elementary certification.   I married my Summer Love, 23 years ago, and I am a mom of three WHMS alumni; all of whom are high school and collegiate athletes. I spent a lot of time being their biggest fan! I love to travel and learn new things. I enjoy running in the morning, reading, and doing puzzles. My favorite writer is Isabel Allende from Chile. As a yearly tradition, my father gives me her new books.

Sara Howard I knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was in high school and created an independent study so I could try out being a PE teacher. I spent my college breaks volunteering in elementary classrooms and my summers being a day camp counselor. After college, I earned my master's degree while coaching college lacrosse and then started my teaching career in 2000. During the 2020 shut down I wrote many poems between April and June. I would craft them in my head during my morning runs. My dad is a wonderful storyteller. When we were young, he told my brother and me many tales about a magical elf who lives on the top of Peekamoose Mountain in the Catskills. This summer I started to write these stories down and create new ones. My family and I enjoy hiking, mountain biking, running, and skiing together. Our rambunctious yellow lab pup, Maple, enjoys hiking too. The Adirondacks are our favorite place to be. My favorite animals are the great blue heron for its grace and strength, the grey wolf for its loyalty to its pack, and the humpback whale for the songs it sings.

Annual Meeting and Report As required in our bylaws, the WHMS annual meeting of members (parents) was held on December 8. The meeting was held in person but was also recorded. The slide deck can be viewed here.

Annual Report Our Annual Report contains highlights from July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021, along with financial reports, and a list of donors to the WHMS Fund: 150 for Montessori, the Capital Campaign, and the WHMS eGala: Slippers and Sequins from that same time frame. View the 2020-2021 Annual Report.

WHMS Happenings

The 8th graders went on a field trip on December 3 to New York City. They visited the Museum of Natural History, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, and Bryant Park. Upper El students competed in a pickleball tournament today, a favorite of theirs.

Woodland Hill Middle School students took place in KIDS CAN BUILD at Crossgates Mall on December 6. WHMS competed against five other local schools: Maimonides Hebrew Day School, Robert C. Parker, Hebrew Academy of the Capital District, and Susan Odell Taylor. Woodland Hill won “Best use of Prop.” The competition benefits the Shalom Food Pantry. The Woodland Hill Montessori School basketball team is back in action after nearly two years. The team played twice this week, losing the first game, but winning the second one. The team is comprised of Upper El students and is coached by Julio Gonzalez and Gabe Baldizzi.

Sandy's Lower El class took turns presenting their North American animal dioramas and research reports. Sandy says that most children feel an affinity for animals, and they usually enjoy creating art. Katja works on a Spanish lesson with a Lower El class.

Lourdes teaches Spanish to Cassandre's Primary class. Primary students practiced their handwriting skills while learning about Hanukkah in the Primary classes.

For the second year in a row, the Upper El held a toy drive for the Salvation Army. Today, the van arrived and the students brought their gifts out. Shania and Vinita's class is shown here. A student concentrates on drawing a line from the Star of David.

As a community service project, the Lower Elementary students brought in new and “looks like new” books this week to donate to the Community Resource Center in Nassau. Student artwork is on display through the hallways and lobby for all to enjoy.

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