Manners To Go at Trevose Day School and Neshaminy Montessori

Courtesy, consideration, and the ability to keep others comfortable in any circumstance are the cornerstone of nice manners. Mastered early in life, these skills help strengthen a child’s interactions and well-being while nurturing happy young citizens and healthy communities.

On January 29, Trevose Day School and Neshaminy Montessori were thrilled to have a visit from Lisa Richey, the renowned etiquette expert who founded the famous and fun Manners To Go program! 

“Our world today is changing rapidly, and as casual as we have become in our lives, good manners are still essential,” says Ms. Richey, whose programs are regularly used by universities such as Temple and Drexel and have been featured in The New York Timesand on CBS's “Eye on Philadelphia.”  “Technology has liberated us in so many ways, but teaching manners to children and teens remains crucial to our success as individuals and as a society.”

This engaging session included an introduction to the use of "magic words" please, thank you, you’re welcome, hello and good morning. The students then learned about the importance of eye contact, posture, respectful behavior, kind actions, how to shake hands and how to introduce others.

“It was nice because we learned manners and good posture,” says third grader Irina. “It was good to learn because it shows people that you are interested in what they are saying and doing,”

The wonderful experience concluded with a hands-on exercise in the art of writing thank-you notes.

Cultivating strong, compassionate youngsters who navigate the world with respect is an essential part of the culture at Trevose Day School and Neshaminy Montessori. In an earlier blog post about the power of compliments, we explored ways our classrooms encourage students to appreciate each other.

Our Head of School, Gwynne Frischmann, feels that at the heart of good manners is respect for oneself and for others. “When we treat students and adults with respect, they're much more likely to do the same to others,” says Frischmann. “Learning and reinforcing the importance of manners throughout the school is crucial to a positive and healthy school climate. Both students and teachers feel valued and appreciated by one another and this creates a respectful, happy and healthy environment.” 

We look forward to many more community building events in the months to come!

Back to School Night

On a recent autumn evening, Trevose Day School and Neshaminy Montessori opened its classrooms to a group of unexpected students — parents!

Our “Back To School Night” was a wonderful mixer in which parents got a glimpse of what a day of learning is like for their children. During the first part of the event, teachers provided classroom tours, lesson overviews and interactive experiences that highlighted our innovative programs.

“I am always excited to attend back to school night,” says Nina Mingioni, whose son is a fourth grader in Ms. Williams class. “This year, I had an opportunity to meet Alex's new teacher and it was great to see her use classroom technology and discuss the curriculum for the year. In addition, it was exciting to see the projects the class already accomplished proudly displayed on classroom walls.”

In addition to learning about lesson plans and fun activities, our teachers also described their philosophical approach to teaching and how they establish a nurturing community through learning, socializing and collaboration.

“Back to school night was enlightening,” says Nikki Shifren, whose three year old daughter is a student in Mrs. Hines’ Montessori class. “Mrs Hines explained her methods and their origins very thoroughly. She also handed out articles and other vital information about the teachings of Maria Montessori. I found it fascinating, and am utterly thrilled that my daughter will get to experience this type of educational process, and hopefully continue to thrive, as she has done since she started in Mrs. Hines class last year.” 

After parents concluded their “lessons” for the night (and everyone got an A+, by the way!), we all gathered in The Barn to enjoy refreshments and a slideshow of the past school year and our fantastic summer program.

Head of School Gwynne Frischmann provided an overview of school policy, then shared a poignant written piece called “Memo from a Child.” This list of twenty bullet points are told from the point of view of a child and offer honest reminders to adults on how encourage and empower a growing soul.

Some highlights include:

● Don’t spoil me. I know quite well that I ought not to have all I ask for – I’m only testing you.
● Don’t forget that I cannot explain myself as well as I should like. That is why I am not always accurate.
● Don’t put me off when I ask questions. If you do, you will find out that I stop asking and seek my information elsewhere.
● Please keep yourself fit and healthy. I need you.

“Parents and teachers are partners in education,” says Mrs. Frischmann. “When parents and teachers work together, students perform better, attend classes more regularly, and improve their attitudes towards school. I hope that parents left Back to School Night with the feeling that everyone shares the goals of helping their children learn and feel successful and that their children are in a safe, happy and caring environment!”

Thank you to all the parents who helped make Back to School Night such a wonderful success.

We look forward to continued partnership with parents and invite you to join us on October 29 at 7pm in The Barn for a meeting about our PTA and Parent Volunteer program. We hope to see you there!

Nurturing Children With a Few Simple Words

 

“Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

Is this old children’s rhyme really true? As adults, we all know that words have incredible power. While we try to empower children with kindness and compliments, sometimes our words can have an unintended effect.

At Trevose Day School and Neshaminy Montessori, we work tirelessly to create nurturing classroom communities that emphasize positivity. Focusing on behavior, creativity and performance, our staff members seek out opportunities to praise students and have them celebrate the best they see in each other.

Here’s a glimpse into our classroom culture:

• Once a week in Ms. Berman’s Kindergarten class, a student is chosen to receive compliments from two other students about his or her classroom contributions. The words of appreciation, including one from Ms. Berman, are written down and sent home with the child to enjoy and share with parents. 
• J.J., a student in Mrs. Hines’ Montessori class, recently pulled our Head of School aside to boast about his friend Antonio’s work. “Ms. Gwynne, you have to see this great work that Antonio did! Didn’t he do such a nice job?” J.J. then turned to Antonio to say “Great work, buddy!”
• This week in Ms. Williams’ 4th and 5th grade class, Mark observed that “Christiane is helpful and nice. She always helps out and plays with everyone.” Mayzie shared that “Alex is really funny and likes to help his friends.” Christiane returned the goodwill by noting that “Mayzie is really nice and Mark is helpful because he is always cleaning up around the classroom.”

It’s important to note that in our classrooms, we don’t emphasize compliments about appearance. Many reasons why we take this approach are echoed in this wonderful new article from The Washington Post titled, “The Best Way To Compliment Little Girls.” 

In this piece, writer and mom Sarah Powers explores how the compliments that adults pay children can sometimes do more harm than good. Though her work focuses specifically on the vulnerability of young girls (who are subject to unfair scrutiny and pressure in our beauty-obsessed culture), there is a general healthy logic to her approach that applies to all burgeoning souls.

Below are some highlights from Powers’ article:

“I steer my compliments in the direction of creativity and activity, two traits I want my daughters to own with pride. “I love all the colors you have going on today! What’s your favorite?” sends the message that her creative choices matter. “You look so pretty in pink!” reduces the outfit to a single color and her to that loaded adjective.”

“When it comes to complimenting little girls on their natural beauty — darling dimples, gorgeous curls or flawless skin — I think we have to tread carefully...straight hair turns curly, porcelain skin meets puberty, and someday my daughter may choose to fixate on her well-endowed brows over her luscious lashes.”

“[Here’s] what I want my daughters to know. Your outfit doesn’t define you, nor does your size, or the coincidental proximity of your God-given beauty to a man-made aesthetic. On the other hand, your outfit is fabulous because it reflects your creativity, and your lashes are gorgeous because they are a part of you, and your long legs can take you to the top of a mountain or the front of a stage, if that’s where you want to go. You look great, and you are great. You are beautiful because of who you are, not who you are because you are beautiful.”

What a powerful message!

In the coming days, we will be distributing a copy of this article to all parents in each student’s Communication Folder. Please be sure to keep an eye out -- it’s a very compelling read.

And as always, we encourage you to share your thoughts and observations on this topic in the comments below!

5 Back To School Transition Tips

Welcome back to another wonderful school year at Neshaminy Montessori and Trevose Day School! We are thrilled to kick off a new season of discovery and fun!

Our staff has planned amazing lessons and activities for the months to come. However, despite all the excitement that awaits, we know that it isn’t always easy for children to transition from the lazy days of summer into the hustle and bustle of school life.

Whether it’s adjusting to new schedules, adapting to classroom structure, getting reacquainted with classmates, or hitting the good ol’ books, the shift in seasons and lifestyles offers no shortage of new experiences and potential challenges for children and their families.

To help ease your family back into school rhythms, we’ve collected a few tips that we hope will help you along! If you have any additional advice or insights, feel free to leave them in the comments below!

Establish healthy sleeping habits.

Create -- and stick to — a regular sleep schedule. This will prepare children for the morning and have them alert and engaged throughout the school day. If children are reluctant to let go of their summer sleeping patterns, encourage the change in behavior by praising them for their responsible and grown up decision to nurture their bodies for their school adventures.

Get organized each night. 

A little planning can go a long way. Selecting outfits, packing lunches/snacks, and tucking notebooks and assignments in backpacks each night will pave the way for a smooth morning exit for both you and your child. This practice can also strengthen and reinforce  organizational skills that will help your child over the course of his or her lifetime.

Learn with your child.

Expressing interest in your child’s studies and confidence in his or her abilities helps instill a sense of accomplishment and pride in a young learner. By sharing daily challenges, accomplishments, and the fun facts that have sent their imaginations soaring, children invite you not just into their classrooms, but into their curious spirits and hearts. Ask questions and explore topics of interest with your child to help foster a love a learning and to strengthen your bond. 

Visit your doctors.

Your child’s physical and mental well being is a top priority. Schedule annual physicals, dentist appointments and eye exams early in the school year to identify any areas that may require attention. If you have concerns about your child’s emotional state, your pediatrician or other qualified professionals will be able to guide you on the proper course of action and support. 

Ease the jitters.

If your child is nervous or anxious about school, be calm, collected and let him or her know you care. Though you may feel concern about the feelings your child is expressing, project strength and optimism (vs. your own fears or worries) when you talk together. Let your child know it’s perfectly natural to feel jitters in any new situation but that those feelings will fade as peers and schedules become more familiar. If their feeling stem from a previous or ongoing issue, consider sharing that experience with our staff members so we can assist in any way we can.

Saving the Monarch Butterfly at Trevose Day School and Neshaminy Montessori

Just as caterpillars transform into butterflies, a corner of Trevose Day School and Neshaminy Montessori has blossomed into a beautiful habitat for local pollinators.

The creation of our brand new Butterfly Garden was a labor of love spearheaded by Helene Hines, Educational Director and Head Directress of Neshaminy Montessori. Together with twenty-four children from our Young Explorers and Adventure Camp, the group researched, planted, and tenderly cared for a blossom-filled haven that will provide safety, nourishment and shelter for the Monarch Butterfly and all of its winged insect friends. (To read about our Butterfly Garden in the Midweek Wire, click here!)

“The population of the Monarch Butterfly has been steadily decreasing in direct proportion to the housing development in the eastern part of the United States,” says Hines, who fell in love with gardening as a child while exploring nature with her father.

“Open areas full of milkweed and other wild plants have decreased in number, and this was the breeding ground of the Monarchs. The children and I took the butterfly pledge to help repopulate the Monarch Butterfly in our area.”

With support, guidelines and seeds from the National Wildlife Federation, our team got swiftly to work. Together they learned about the lifecycle of plants and trees and the vital role of pollinators like bees and butterflies in the circle of life. Then, they tapped their inner gardeners by growing plants from seed, weeding and watering like pros, and tending to each plant with lots of love and care. 

In order to become a certified wildlife habitat, our garden must fill all of the needs of the Monarch and other butterflies. To do so, we strategically planted a range of plants and flowers to provide food and shelter — most importantly milkweed, which is the host plant of the Monarch caterpillar, along with blooms including butterfly bushes, coneflowers,  rudbeckia, coreopsis, lantana and Verbena. The children crafted shallow butterfly water dishes and we added big rocks to provide the perfect spot for our insect VIPs to lounge in the sun.

“To eliminate one species is to upset the natural balance in our environment,” says Mrs. Hines who, along with the children, looks forward to welcoming Monarchs and other pollinator friends in the months and years to come. “The children are learning that no matter how small, each creature has a place in our environment.”

A Summer of Fun: Bees, Beats and Books!

Summer camp at Trevose Day School and Neshaminy Montessori  has been a blast!

As friendships grow and faces bask in the sun, imagination and creativity has soared. Our Young Explorers delved into the worlds of the Wild West and Pirates while Adventure Campers baked delicious blueberry bread and built sturdy vessels to protect eggs. Every day is filled with exciting challenges and new activities!

One of the most special aspects of our camp season has been visits from incredible, inspiring guests.

Farmer Ed of Quiver Farm came by to introduce us to his busy, buzzing honeybees! He explained the importance of these little wonders in our ecosystem: bees (and other insects) pollinate one third of all of our food and travel far and wide for nectar to make tasty honey. Campers got to observe the bees up close and even tried on beekeeper suits, bundling up in protective gear from head to toe.

A quick tip from Farmer Ed if you ever get stung by a bee: “Don't pull out the stinger, just flick it out. Baking soda and water takes the sting right out!”

Hip to more than honeybees, our campers have gotten in the groove with dancer and choreographer LaVon Patterson. He has a passion for teaching kids how to connect with music and has worked with amazing stars such as Justin Bieber and Usher. From stretches to steps to challenging games of freeze dance, LaVon has moves that make our campers smile!

“Dance is good for children because it helps build confidence,” says LaVon. “It is a fun outlet for them to utilize their listening skills. They can put energy and motions into movement and it teaches teamwork and friendship building. It’s all about getting them to understand what makes them happy — dancing is fun and it makes you feel good!” 

During our Summer Book Club, campers let their minds dance with stories and books galore. From discussing the challenges and triumphs of book characters to illustrating their favorite parts of the narrative, campers are fostering a passion for reading.

Reading fun doesn’t stop once a chapter ends at camp. Mrs. Green, a librarian from the Lower South Hampton Library, has been assisting with our Book Club. She has some great suggestions on motivating children to read more at home.

“Talking to kids about their interests outside of school can help when looking for the right books,” says Mrs. Green. “If children read about something they’re interested in, they will be more excited about reading! Also, finding books appropriate for their reading level is key. This way, they will be challenged but not discouraged.”

We are so grateful for the wonderful visitors who have kindly shared their expertise and talents with us in such engaging ways. Special guests and surprise adventures delight our campers daily — stay tuned for exciting updates on pony rides, karate lessons, butterfly gardens and much, much more!

If you’d like to join our community on Facebook for additional photos, activities, news and fun, please click right here!

Welcome to Summer Camp at Neshaminy Montessori!

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Our fantastic summer of discovery, fun and lasting friendships has begun!

Camp has gotten off to a great start. In the first week alone, our campers have begun work on their own animated movies, built pom pom launchers, played fun sports like Dodgeball and spent quality time with our fabulous flock of chickens! Each day is packed with arts, crafts, athletics, science, and themed activities that inspire and captivate our young campers.

The staff has been hard at work planning amazing events and opportunities for the weeks ahead. Here are a few highlights we can’t resist sharing: 

Trips

Both age groups will visit the Churchville Nature Center Butterfly House where they will learn about metamorphosis, visit a special chrysalis chamber, meet different types of butterflies and observe caterpillars munching on leaves. Our Adventure Campers will also experience a Cartoonist Superhero class and a Therapy Dog Show at the Lower Southampton Library.

Special Guests

The beekeepers of Quiver Farm will visit our camp to teach us all about beekeeping, bees, honey and honeycomb (we’ll also get a sweet taste of their hard work!). Our friends from the Peaceable Kingdom petting zoo will introduce us to ecological principals and the ways that people and animals coexist. Bonnie Reeves, the Lower Southampton children's librarian, will lead our Young Explorers in a summer-long reading program. The Barclay Farm Pony Party People will also teach the Young Explorers all about caring for ponies as they ride, groom and pet the animals.

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We are committed to providing a caring, encouraging community for our campers. Our highly skilled staff excels in fostering stewardship and attending to the needs of each individual child.

We would love to take this opportunity to introduce our amazing team:

Helene Shannon-Hines is the Educational Director and Head Directress of Neshaminy Montessori. This summer, she will lead our campers in establishing a Butterfly Garden using National Wildlife Federation guidelines. Together, we will plant milkweed, herbs and flowers to attract the Monarchs to our habitat and create a water source and sheltered place to raise their young. Our hope is to become a Certified Wildlife Habitat!

o   Favorite thing about camp: “Learning a whole lot of things but not having to take tests!” 

o   Fun Fact about Helene: “I can knit a purse out of plastic bags.” 

o   Dream Superpower: “My super power would be being in more than one place at a time.” 

Lauren Berman is a recent graduate of Muhlenberg College where she majored in Psychology and received her PreK-4 Education Certification. She has worked at summer camps in the past and absolutely loves leading exciting activities and getting to know all of the campers.

o   Favorite thing about camp: “The best thing about summer camp is meeting new friends and learning new things!”

o   Fun Fact about Lauren: “I have a bearded dragon lizard named Rambo. He loves carrots and playing in water!”

o   Dream Superpower: “If I could have one super power it would be to fly so I could see the world!

Shelby Wolf is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design where she obtained her Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Animation. She specializes in 2D traditional hand drawn animation. Her animation class teaches campers skills such as filmmaking, animation principals, fine drawing and storytelling.

o   Favorite thing about camp: “All of the various special activities are such a great way to learn and try new things!”

o   Fun Fact about Shelby:  “I still watch cartoons and make a point to try to see as many animated films in theaters as I can. “

o   Dream Superpower: “If I could have one super power it would be the ability to do magic so I could do a bunch of things like teleport, make my room clean itself, and fly!”

Lisa Brown is the art instructor at Trevose Day School and taught our 4th and 5th graders this past year while their teacher was on maternity leave.  She has a Bachelors degree in Textile Design, a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education and an American Montessori Society Certification for Early Elementary. 

o   Favorite thing about camp: “The best thing about summer camp is learning from new experiences, strengthening old friendships, making new ones, and playing outdoors!”

o   Fun Fact about Lisa: “Sharks are my very favorite animal. For my birthday last summer, I got to go swimming with sharks. There was a sand tiger shark that was the same age as me!”

o   Dream Superpower: “If I could have one superpower, it would be the ability to understand and communicate with animals. Then I could know what my pug is saying when he makes his silly, strange sounds!”

Amanda McDonald is a returning Trevose Day School camp counselor and an upcoming senior at La Salle University. She is majoring in Speech-Language Pathology and has a minor in Psychology. Her passion is working with preschool and elementary age children.

o   Favorite thing about camp: “The best thing about summer camp is getting the opportunity to make new friends while having fun at the same time!”

o   Fun Fact about Amanda: “My favorite place to go on vacation is the beach.”

o   Dream Superpower: “If I could have one super power, it would be the ability to have super strength so I could fight crime and save the world.”

This is going to be a fantastic summer, and we look forward to sharing more news with you soon!

An Original Opera Debuts at Trevose Day School and Neshaminy Montessori!

With awe-inspiring arias and captivating storytelling, the talented performers of Trevose Day School and Neshaminy Montessori have come together to create a magical musical experience.

On June 1st and 2nd, our students debuted “Desire For Light,” an original opera by our Musical Director, award-winning composer and pianist Charis Bean Duke. Working together to act, dance, sing and create beautiful backdrops, our students and staff have crafted a heartwarming spectacle that showcases their creativity and the power of the human spirit.

“Opera is such a wonderful way for students to express and learn language because it is literature that comes to life,” says Head of School Gwynne Frischmann. “It helps children learn about setting, character development, and plot all through a wonderful musical adventure. It is so important to have the arts be an integral part of our curriculum.”

“Desire for Light” is an inspirational story from the Mackenzie Delta Eskimo people of Northern Alaska. This opera was commissioned by the Arts Academy of Bella Vista in Clovis, NM and created specifically for our arts curriculum.

In “Desire for Light,” the curtain rises on a lonely boy who lives with his mother and is mocked and shunned by the other villagers. Despite being an outcast, he is convinced the spirits have great things in store for him. While visiting a dance hall in a nearby village, a kind Shaman reveals the boy’s own Shaman power to summon seals, fish, and caribou. He returns to his own village to share his talents and earn the respect and reverence of his peers.

 “The challenge is always to present the story in a concise fashion — folk tales generally need a lot of editing,” says Duke, whose music has been performed by numerous ensembles including the Jezic Ensemble of Baltimore, the Amadeus Choir of Toronto, the Boston Viola Quartet, and the Cincinnati Camerata. “However, the triumph is when I go into rehearsal after it’s composed and find that the children enjoy singing it.

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​Auditions were held throughout the 1st to 5th grades to find our best singers, dancers, and most dedicated leaders. Vocal solos were given to four students, several received a special dance number, and three students were asked to lead our youngest classes. Everyone else was assigned to a group based on the difficulty of the role. All of the students are so excited to be a part of this unique opportunity!

The entire Trevose Day School and Neshaminy Montessori community has contributed their efforts and talents to making this production a success, beginning work on this wonderful endeavor at the beginning of April. The art department worked hand in hand with the students to create backdrops and scenery. Costumes were hand made by generous parent volunteers and a former staff member. Teachers make sure the scenes flow seamlessly as stage managers. Classroom assistants helped wrangle our students backstage.

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​​It is so wonderful to see the entire school working together!

Our performances will be held on June 1st with shows at 10:00AM and 1:30PM. We will also have a performance on  June 2nd at 1:30PM. Tickets are $10 per person.

Duke has received numerous honors and awards, most notably the Nancy van de Vate International Prize for Opera from Vienna Masterworks. She is a four-time winner of the International Christmas Carol and Chanukah song writing competition, and received the Cincinnati Camerata Prize for choral music.  She is currently working on a musical about the Great Fire of London.

For a peek at Duke’s deft composition skills, view these inspirational lyrics from “Desire for Light:”

I visited a village, a village filled with light
And there a kindly Shaman taught me what is right.
So now I know my calling. I know what I can be.
I finally understand my soul’s true destiny.