Welcoming the new School Year!

The children at Montessori del Mar have started the new 2012/2013 school year with enthusiasm and warm welcome to new friends.

This year we are so very happy to have our new Teacher and Director, Michael Bagiackas, join our Montessori community. (Pictured below with Montessori Mom Alison)

We also have a wonderful and enthusiastic new Food Program Director, Natalie Cotrell. (Pictured below)

Thanks to Parent Volunteer Karen Youngblood, and lots of wonderful parent volunteers, our garden is shaping up to provide our lunch program with nutritious produce grown and nurtured by the children.

The children receive a healthy, gluten free, vegetarian lunch every Monday through Thursday, full of nutritious vegetables and whole grains.

We had the pleasure of welcoming 10 new families to our learning center this past September. Our Montessori family continues to grow as we remain very optimistic about the future!

Our New Educational Lunch Program

Meet Leu Leung, our new Food Program Director.

With a Bachelors degree in Child and Adolescent Development from SFSU, Leu previously held a nutrition educator position at the Edible Schoolyard in Berkeley from 2010 to 2011.

Leu visits our school 4 days a week, Monday through Thursday (Friday is a half day) and teaches the children while preparing kid-friendly, nutritionally well balanced, culturally diverse, vegetarian and gluten-free meals.

Monthly rotating groups of 4 to 6 children work together to prepare lunch for the school.

While preparing lunches, children explore basic concepts of good health and nutrition.

While maintaining her values of simplicity and sustainability, Leu is committed to using unrefined ingredients such as fresh and local fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.

Using nutritious food and healthy recipes, the children learn to comprehend measurements, build math skills. practice creative problem solving and teamwork.

The students create satisfying meals that they are proud to share.

Leu's dream for the food program at Montessori del Mar is to grow, harvest and prepare food on site.

According to Leu, "Cultivating a connection to the earth is perhaps one of our biggest responsibilities to impart on future generations. Farm-to-school programs succeed at doing just that."

The only question is whether it is more fun for the kids to make the food or eat it!

Thanks Leu!

Montessori del Mar proudly supports the local business of Rising Tide Sea Vegetables and Noyo Hill Farm

February Newsletter

Hello friends! The new year has brought some changes and a few surprises here at Montessori del Mar. Through it all, we are sure that the best is yet to come.

Keep updated and  Read our February newsletter here.

Seeking a New Teacher

We are seeking an experienced elementary Montessori guide to teach at our small, parent-run, public charter program beginning August 2012. The candidate must possess a California multiple subject teaching credential or be eligible, and be AMI certified to work with six through twelve year old children. Experience with public school education, grant writing and administration desired.

This position provides a unique opportunity to work within a model of school reform. Our students are meeting and exceeding state standards and work at their own individual level. Our teachers enjoy a flexible method of teaching where they have the privilege to create a Montessori program, which meets the needs of a small group of dedicated families. Our families are empowered to participate in the daily running of the learning center. Our non-profit fundraising group is run by a volunteer board of directors and works closely with the teachers to provide support of every kind. Our family environment meets the needs of each child academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.

Teacher salary is based on experience with a benefit package including medical, dental and vision coverage as well as contribution towards the states teacher retirement fund.

January Newsletter

The children of Montessori del Mar greeted the new year with 2 new teachers! Lots going on this month... read all about it in the January 2012 Newsletter.

And... just in case you're interested, you can read last November's Newsletter too! Happy New year!