RS YEA DHMC 45 DEARBORN HEIGHTS MONTESSORI CENTER News & Notes January–FEBRUARY 2017 It’s time to re-enroll A DHMC education offers many benefits—here are the top 10 e are so happy that you are part of the Our 2016 graduates are now attending Re-enrollment WDHMC family, and we are honored to Bloomfield Hills High School, Cranbrook Parent Meeting set continue the very important task of educat- Kingswood High School, Dearborn High for January 26 ing your child. Re-enrollment information School, Detroit Catholic Central High Be sure to attend our Re-enrollment will be distributed at our January 26 parent School, Divine Child High School, Henry Parent Meeting on Thursday, January 26 meeting (see details at right). Please be sure Ford Academy, Ladywood High School, at 6 p.m. Enrollment packets will be to complete and submit all forms in a timely and Mercy High School. distributed, and families of students at fashion so that we may secure placement for The maturity and self-possession of all levels are invited. Complimentary your child with our wonderful, highly edu- DHMC graduates are remarkable. Here are child care will be available. cated, experienced, dedicated teaching staff. some of the many achievements our grads Giving your child the gift of an authentic have attained: Montessori education at DHMC has numer- n High school scholarships Come to our winter ous lifelong benefits. Here are the top 10. n Honor roll status in high school, many Open House on February 9 with summa cum laude honors Families of current and prospective 1. Amazing graduates. Our graduates n Valedictorians of their high schools students are invited to our winter Open are recruited by college-preparatory high n Perfect scores on the ACT House on Thursday, February 9 from schools, are accepted at the high schools of n Acceptance to prestigious universities, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Invite your friends and their choice, and thrive when they get there. continued on page 3 family members to come meet the teachers and tour the classrooms. This is a great time to take a peek at the next level of your child’s Montessori education at DHMC. See you there! First grader Oliver K. (left) and second grader Laszlo H. display a timeline of Abraham Accredited by the National Association Lincoln’s life, a project that they researched, wrote, and illustrated together. for the Education of Young Children FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL Choose a school that inspires All schools teach reading, math, and other fundamentals. DHMC offers your child much more, including three important differentiators little over 45 years ago, with work habits and thinking skills. We help children build A two active little boys and Children learn how to learn, a 3 good character no acceptable preschool to send skill they will need for success in The third part of my answer is them to, I submitted a license our fast-changing world. the most important aspect. We Our objective application to the Michigan We are also aiming for mas- help children become solid citi- Department of Social Services tery. This means that the children zens. If you visit classes at any is to help children with the intention of starting a can advance at their own pace. level, you will see an unusually school for them to attend. Rather Once they understand the con- high degree of respect, responsi- develop excellent selfishly, I wanted to create a cept and can demonstrate it to the bility, and appropriate behavior. place that was guilt-free for teacher, they can move on. This Outside presenters who work character and me—where my sons would is wonderful for the child who with our children often compli- have a joyful, stimulating school needs more time because there is ment their group conduct. a world view experience, with the best teach- no stigma attached to receiving A speaker at one of our staff ers, the best materials, and a an extra lesson or doing addi- professional development sessions based on peace lovely group of classmates. tional practice. For the advanced once said, “What you permit, Many years have passed and student, it means that the door is you promote, and what you and tolerance. much is different since that always open to additional learn- accept, you teach.” Montessori first foray into the world of pre- ing: The next lesson is always at teachers do not accept or permit school education (I had been a hand. Individual needs are met in rudeness, bullying, or disrespect high school teacher and aspiring a positive way, taking into account toward adults or peers. They counselor), but one thing that each child’s abilities. model appropriate behavior and hasn’t changed is the commit- teach it to the children by word ment to excellence. I still see We provide enriching and deed. DHMC through the eyes of a 2 experiences There is a pervasive spirit of mother who wants the best pos- Part two of my answer has to do community and service toward sible education for her children, with enrichment. We provide others in the school. We have a only now it’s your children that numerous in-house “field trips,” diverse student body, and our I’m looking out for. with a wide variety of presenters. cultural curriculum emphasizes I am occasionally asked Beginning with the Extended similarities, rather than differ- (challenged is a more accurate Day kindergarten program, the ences, among the people of the word) to explain why a parent children also venture out for world. Our objective is to help should spend $12,000 to send experiences at nature centers, children develop excellent char- a child to DHMC. My answer theaters, farms, museums, and acter and a world view based on has three parts. other horizon-expanding places. peace and tolerance. Beginning in preschool, every We teach work habits DHMC child’s program includes As I’ve said many times 1 and thinking skills art, music, physical education, before, as a school we aspire to First, it’s true that in any school and world languages. Technol- help each child become the sort you choose, your child will ogy is added in the elementary of person I would like to live receive instruction in reading, grades. Upper elementary chil- next door to 20 years from now. math, social studies, science, dren camp together, and upper el and other fundamentals. What’s and Middle School students different about the Montessori travel out of state. approach is that we focus on All of these things help to create a well-rounded child who is able to act appropriately in many situations. 2 News & Notes / January–February 2017 www.dhmontessori.org It’s time to re-enroll continued from page 1 including the University of Michigan, George- town, and Johns Hopkins n Athletic scholarships n Full scholarship to MIT n Opportunity to work with NASA 2. Safety. Our students are safe here, both physically and emotionally. Policies and procedures Thank you to… related to physical safety are firmly in place. And in the Pietrandrea family contrast to many other schools, at DHMC it is safe for donating envelopes for to be smart, to be polite, to ask questions, to make use in the office. a mistake, to be different, to tell the truth. Our teachers truly know their students and create a safe haven in every respect. Keep those Still life by Katherine P., grade 5 Box Tops comin’ in 3. Impressive test scores. Our students’ com- Don’t forget: The Parents posite scores on standardized achievement tests are ary to character. We care most about the kind of Association is still collecting consistently higher than their actual grade level. people these children will grow up to be. Loosely Box Tops for Education labels. Grade equivalent is a decimal number that describes defined, character is doing the right thing when Each one is redeemable for a student’s location on an achievement continuum no one is looking. This internalized sense of integ- 10 cents, and the group uses in terms of grade and months at which the typical rity—of moral and ethical conduct that is inde- the funds to support a variety student received this score. On the 2016 IOWA pendent of external control—is the overriding of activities here at DHMC. The Assessment, DHMC students achieved the follow- goal of our program. next submission deadline is in ing Complete Composite grade equivalent scores: March, so please keep those 7. Respect. Children are treated with respect labels comin’ in! Simply drop and in turn are expected to behave respectfully. off your Box Tops labels in the DHMC students Scored a grade They are trusted to do the right thing, and basket located in the lobby. in this grade equivalent of their conduct justifies that trust. We receive many 3 4.3 compliments from outside presenters who are impressed by the students’ interest, attentiveness, 4 5.8 and thoughtful questions. 5 6.9 6 8.0 8. Independence. In developmentally appro- 7 11.6 priate ways, children acquire an array of self- 8 13+ management skills. They learn to be responsible for their work, their belongings, and the school environment. They develop confidence in them- 4. Depth and richness of program. We selves as individuals and as members of a group. offer so much more than the basics. Field trips, in-house presenters, art, music, world languages, 9. We are the world. Our culturally diverse physical education, and technology complement community welcomes and celebrates individual a rich curriculum that encourages discovery and differences, at the same time recognizing and in-depth exploration.