There are three main issues, we want to bring to your attention:

We welcome your thoughts!

As you may already know, the Helena School District is embarking on a planning process aimed at defining the way they deliver education as well as identifying improvements to facilities that support the educational delivery.

A Steering Committee has been chosen and the public is encouraged to participate in public workshops.

The first workshop will be held at the Helena High Cafeteria at 6:00-8:30 on Tuesday, December 6^th, 2011.  The focus of this workshop will be an introduction of the planning process to the public and identification of issues and challenges that the community currently faces.  The format for the meeting will include table discussions of topics ranging from educational delivery to transportation and building capacities.

Workshops will continue approximately monthly through the fall of 2012.

Please bookmark this website for updated information as well as visiting the District website:

http://www.helenaeducationplanning.com and http://www.helena.k12.mt.us/index.dhtm

On a related note:  With the input of interested Montessori parents, HPMP Board is currently working on a presentation to deliver to the District Trustees.

HPMP is also continuing the discussion of the future of Montessori with the School District.  The Principals from Broadwater, Central, and Smith Elementary Schools have joined us and continue to be a part of these discussions.  HPMP and the Principals are meeting with Keith Meyer later this month.

Since its inception HPMP has worked in partnership with the District to create a Montessori program that is available to our children, strong and supported by our Helena community.

It is the current Board’s intention to be an active participant in the District’s Ed Planning Citizen’s Group.

And we want your help!

YOU make up the Montessori community and YOUR input is invaluable! You can email, attend workshops and/or share your thoughts with us.  We invite you to be informed and be a part of this process!

Thank you for all that you are able to do!

LobsterFest would not be a success without the help of local businesses.  Thank you to  KMTX, KHBB, and Cherry Creek radio stations, as well as other local stations who ran our announcements; the City of Helena for use of Memorial Park; the Independent Record; Montana City Meats; the Lewis and Clark Brewery; the Montana Book Company; Mountain West Bank; Hometown Helena; and all the businesses who generously allowed us to display posters.  We offer special thanks to our participating restaurants: Benny’s, the Mediterranean Grill; and the Montana Club.  And we extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone in our community who embraces LobsterFest each year with such enthusiasm!

We look forward to seeing you again next year.  LobsterFest 2012 will be Saturday, November 3, 2012.

To learn more about HPMP and Montessori in Helena’s public schools, please visit our website: www.helenamontessori.org.  Montessori is another great choice for Helena’s children in our public schools.

Warmly,

Marika Adamek & Rebecca Stanfel, Co-Presidents

On behalf of the Helena Public Montessori Parents 2011-2012 Board

In February, a survey link was sent to these targeted groups, with a link to a survey specific to each group (parent survey, teacher/administrator survey, student survey). In March the online survey closed and the results were compiled. The results were discussed during the next HPMP meeting. Then, in early April, HPMP Co-Presidents Marika and Diana briefed the Broadwater, Central, and Smith Principals and Dr. Messinger about the survey results.

Overall, the results were very positive – even glowing – responses regarding public Montessori education in Helena. Many wanted to see Montessori education in “all grades, all locations.” There was interest in growing the program at the Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, and High School levels, as well as to new locations within the District. There was also interest in having a public school that was only Montessori.

Response rates by category -

• Parents – 58 (~39%)
• Students – 61 (47%)
• Teachers/Admin. – 11 (92%)

Response rates by school -

• Broadwater: Parents – 25%; Students – 41%
• Central: Parents – 40%; Students – 36%
• Smith: Parents – 35%; Students – 22%

Student results – highlights:

• 78% favored expansion to other grades (especially Middle School)
• 41% favored expansion to new locations
• “Montessori is fun and other grades might like it.”
• “I really enjoy Montessori and I want to stay in it for Middle School.”
• “So kids that learned Montessori in their earlier life can continue to learn the beauty of Montessori.”
• 61% interested in helping with fund-raisers
• 44% willing to talk with students at other schools about Montessori
• Will help make posters, write a story for the newspaper
• Grow up and teach Montessori

Parent results – highlights:

• Most favored expansion of the Montessori program – in some form
• Middle School was the one most frequently suggested (21)
• Many (19) favored new locations and/or more classrooms in the schools which currently have Montessori classrooms
• Some (5) wanted “all grades, all locations”; Eight suggested High School; Five suggested expansion to Kindergarten; One suggested pre-school; Four are “happy” now
• Other comments noted:  more involvement at current schools; desire to see a “sibling preference” in the lottery; more education/information for parents of Kindergarten age children re: Montessori; and separate building or magnet school for Montessori.
• Many are willing to help with HPMP activities; others expressed financial and/or time constraints
• Among the most valuable aspects of Montssori education, Parents cited:   the multi-age classroom; independent learning/own-pace; mentoring; “follow the child” approach; non-competitiveness; time management skills; love of learning; interpersonal skills; hands-on learning; challenging curriculum; social skills; and community
• One parent commented that they are “not sure Montessori is working for us.”
• Other comments included:  need changes to the lottery system; “Montessori ‘saved’ my child!” ; required training must be completed by teachers; fortunate to have Montessori as a public option; quality and dedication of the teachers; Not ‘truly’ Montessori but still great!

Teacher/Administrator results – highlights:

• Interested in annual refresher course/work shops (e.g., 2012 AMS conference) and other professional development opportunities
• Interested in expansion in the following ways: Kindergarten; additional pods in schools on west side or valley; Montessori K-8; all Montessori in one building; offer Montessori in all willing elementary schools.
• Willing to help with expansion by mentoring/assisting new teachers; helping with planning and implementation; talking with parents
• Additional feedback:  HPMP should provide teacher training and materials; Want to be able to attend conferences; and Have host schools ensure placement for half of open slots
• “Love teaching Montessori and the ‘follow the child’ approach!

HPMP will follow up on the interests identified in this survey and continuing this dialogue during the 2011-2012 school year.  HPMP will also look for opportunities to participate in the long-range planning the District will begin this fall.

If you are interested in learning more about this effort, please contact Diana at 461-4148.

Co-President Marika Adamek Broadwater parent 459-1489

Co-President Rebecca Stanfel Smith parent 449-5590

Treasurer Erin Turner Central parent 443-2496

Co-Secretary Alana Listoe Broadwater parent 431-8253

Co-Secretary Rikki Read Broadwater parent 457-0697

Past President Diana Hammer Central parent 461-4148

a time to think about our future and that of public Montessori education in Helena.

Working with the Helena School District, we have successfully established full “pods” at three public schools:  two Lower Elementary Montessori (grades 1-3) and one Intermediate Montessori (grades 4-5) at Broadwater, Central, and Smith Elementary schools.

We are proud of this accomplishment and grateful that public Montessori education continues to be a choice for families in Helena.

Beginning last year, a number of us began meeting and brainstorming to develop a strategic plan for HPMP in the next few years.

We are asking:

Do we grow the public Montessori program in Helena and if so, how?

It is clear to us that there is wide support for and interest in public Montessori education in Helena.  Each year, there are more lottery applicants than there are openings.  (As an aside, Merry Fahrman, Central School Principal, plans to put together a committee to look at the way the lottery is conducted and possible changes to the process.  For more information, contact Merry at 324-1230.) Developing a clear vision for HPMP and public Montessori in Helena will place us in a better position to successfully apply for (and receive!) grants to further our public Montessori goals.  To help us gauge interest, we decided we want to survey current and former Montessori students and parents – asking how we should focus our energies.  After meeting three times, we have have come up with these ideas for possible future directions on which to focus (not filtered for feasibility nor desirability):

• Pre-school/K Montessori (changes to the lottery?)
• K only (change the lottery?)
• Expand to another elementary school (grades 1-5)
• Work to make existing Montessori classrooms more “truly Montessori” (as much as possible operating within a traditional system)
• Move existing Montessori classrooms into their own space/building
• Create a pre/K-8 grade Montessori program (in its own building?)
• Middle School Montessori “Erdkinder” (grades 6-8)
• High School Montessori/International Baccaureate (IB)

By November 12, 2010, please send your ideas for survey questions to Julie Flynn at jflynn@carroll.edu (with a copy to Diana Hammer at diana_hammer@yahoo.com ).

Next steps:

• Now – December 2010:  Develop survey
• Early January 2011:  Send out survey
• Late January 2011:  Tally results
• February 2011:  Public discussion of results
• March 2011:  Arrange meeting with Dr. Messinger; present findings to school board?
• Spring 2011:  Determine next steps/strategic plan

The discussion continues – we welcome your input!

If you are interested in participating in the next meeting, please send an email to diana_hammer@yahoo.com or call 461-4148.

Thanks!

– Diana Hammer, HPMP Co-President 2010-2011