From the Director

Dear Parents,

The 2009-2010 school year is under way at the Montessori Academy of Lancaster!
We are thrilled that our classroom construction is complete and the children are working
in their new, beautiful environments.

There are three new classrooms, a Fine Arts room, and a beautiful, inviting Library which
will serve all our students. Please take a moment to visit the Library and see our
wonderfully expanded quality book collection. In addition to generous donations from
our families, we were fortunate to be the recipient of a $5000 grant from Dollar General
Store. These funds have been instrumental in updating and improving our collection.
Future improvements include the reception area and the re-configuration of my office.
For now, I am moving my office to what was our former Library. I am pleased to be
conveniently located downstairs.

We opened the school year with our largest Elementary population ever– thirty-two
students in Grades Pre-first through Sixth. We also have record numbers in our Toddler
classrooms with a total of thirty-six children aged 20 months – two years old. I have also
learned that this year marks the first time since the Academy was established in 1982 that
an alumnus has enrolled their child in our school!

So, we have many joyful announcements to report.

It was delightful to see so many families at our Harvest Festival in September. We look
forward to many more community events as the school year progresses. Please keep your
calendars handy and watch for information in your child’s weekly folder.

As we enter our second month of school, I am impressed with how well the children have
adapted to their classroom routines. The older friends are happily taking on their
mentoring roles to help any younger friends as they transition into their work.
Our Afternoon Enrichments, which include Music, Spanish, Kindergarten Circle and
Cooking, have been well received! It is a wonderful addition to the Montessori
classroom work. If you would like to learn more about all the Enrichment opportunities,
please contact the school at 560-0815.

We are pleased to welcome three new staff members: Ms. Josie who works with Ms.
Yvonne in the Toddler Room, Ms. Mary, who works with Ms. Alice and Ms. Liz in the
Elementary room and Ms. Stephanie who is our Librarian. Please look for more detailed
“Bios” in future Newsletters.

Enjoy the splendors of the Fall season!

Sincerely,
Karen Rubenstein
Head of School