Parent Teacher Education

The Brain on Nature

Parents and staff who attended Wednesday night’s final presentation in the 2009-2010 NHMS Parent Teacher Education Series were treated to a dynamic a conversation with Marc Berman , doctoral student from University Of Michigan.

Berman’s research has focused on studies of the impact of connection with the natural world on short term memory and executive function.  His findings, derived from scientific experimental models and fMRI scans of the brain, support unstructured time spent in natural settings as as a way to restore the “directed ” attention required to do schoolwork and other focused tasks.

Directed attention reserves can be replenished by activities and environments that call on involuntary attention.  Meditation and nature rich environments allow the brain time to restore directed attention.   Just being outside is not enough said Berman.  Things like playing sports and riding bikes require directed attention and therefore do not allow for the downtime the brain needs to return to focused activities.  Interestingly, although many of us and our children use TV and video games to relax, both activities require directed attention and can further deplete it.

Bottom line for optimal brain health, schedule routine outings for your families that will take place in the natural environment, parks, woods, etc.  Likewise, we will continue to “follow the child” and are committed to allowing each child  these restorative experiences during the school day.

New Horizons is breaking ground on June 14, 2010 to develop the long promised Natural Playscape and Outdoor Classroom.

New Horizons, in partnership with Edgar David of SEDDesign, will reclaim the area of the current playground, removing macadam,  regrading the land, and resurfacing with a more environmentally responsible permeable surfaces.  An enclosed Toddler Garden will be created immediately adjacent to the building to allow easy and safe access to the outdoors for our youngest children.  A gate will lead to a serpentine path that will traverse the hill, taking children to the lower areas of the playscape.  The path will be be bounded by swales for storm water management and large grassy berms for rolling, running up and down and imaginative play.  The entire area will protected from driveway traffic.

This constitutes a first phase - the preparation for the subsequent introduction of both recreational and curricular elements that will engage the five senses and fire the natural curiosity of children ages 18 months through 12 years.  We anticipate that teachers, parents and students will collaborate for years to come on projects to enhance this natural canvas provided by this initial phase of development.

In perfect agreement with New Horizons philosophy, SED’s sustainable designs reduce the impact of the built landscape, mitigate impact on our natural resources, and restore our native landscapes and natural ecosystems and the critical functions that they serve.  SED design specializes in ecological restoration and planning with the purpose of integrating people with their landscape and enhancing the environment for the world around us.  SED Design is known for integrating sustainable design principles and Best Management Practices (BMP’s) in the design of meaningful landscapes, where these sustainable features are interesting and playful.

This is an innovative project for this area and has received early praise from Upper Dublin Township for its positive contribution to the local environment.  Above all, this is an exciting project that will help define every child’s New Horizons experience, educationally and recreationally. There is plenty of work to be done and ample opportunity for each of us to be involved in this project.  Please come to talk with us as this project captures your imagination .

We have just received notice that New Horizons Montessori School has been chosen to host runners in the 23rd Annual Global Harmony Run.  Schools around the world will be welcoming runners as they travel through 100 countries to promote international peace and harmony.

Tuesday, September 7, 4:30 - 6:30  PM

Welcome Back Picnic for all NHMS families BYO picnic dinner for your family, dessert will be provided.

Wednesday, September 1, 7:00 PM

New Parent Orientation for all parents new to the school

to learn about school procedures and get questions answered. (no childcare)

Wednesday, September 8, 8:30 AM

1st day of school for all returning children, remember to bring lunch and extra clothes.

August 2010

Dear New Horizons Families,

Before we know it, we will be celebrating a new school year. We look forward to another amazing year of growth for all students and we whole-heartedly thank you for entrusting your child’s education to us. This year promises some particularly exciting developments, and it’s important to reflect on our accomplishments as we move forward.

Did you know that…

· our school is celebrating its 40^th year this year?

· the majority of our students move on to top tier private schools like Germantown Academy, Abington Friends and Germantown Friends? And that our graduates attend colleges like Swarthmore, Tufts and the US Air Force Academy?

· New Horizons is the only Montessori school in our area that includes a full Elementary program through the 6^th grade?

· our school’s teachers have an average of 16 years of experience and have spent at least 6 years in their formal educational training? We think they’re the best faculty anywhere.

· New Horizons is an academic institution that provides a true elementary education starting at age 18 months? We’re a school, not a daycare.

· most parents in the school selected it based on their dedication to academics?

These facts are some of the many that describe who we are and what we do at New Horizons. We think that it’s critical that you, and everyone in our community, know the school’s full story.

That’s why, three years ago, the school’s Board of Trustees charged an ad hoc working group – the Marketing Committee – with rebranding the school. The Marketing Committee consists of seasoned marketing, sales, advertising, public relations and graphic design professionals. They were asked to create a full program to communicate who we really are and what we really do, considering everything from changing the name of the school to creating a new “look and feel”. The Committee has achieved the goal and we owe them tremendous gratitude for turning dreams into reality. This level of work, which was achieved on close to $0 budget, is worth tens of thousands of dollars, and we expect it to pay enormous dividends for years to come in terms of enrollment growth and retention.

Thanks to that team, and to you, our dedicated parents, students, faculty, staff and alumni, we have many exciting announcements for the coming school year. The response to our renaming and rebranding effort was far-reaching and overwhelming. Over the last three years, the Committee conducted focus groups, interviewed teachers, talked with students and alumni, and surveyed our parent community several times. We are all tremendously appreciative of every contribution.

Now we’re itching to unveil the results of all of this hard work! The Committee took all of your input and spent countless hours of brainstorming and wordsmithing and developed a brand for the school – a new name, logo and tagline and marketing copy and materials – that truly reflects who we are. We’ve seen it and it’s great!

But we’re not rushing into this. We think it’s critical to pay as much attention to the roll out of the changes as was paid to their development. We’re a participatory community and we want everyone to share our excitement. So, as you prepare for the new school year – new backpacks, lunchboxes, clothes and more – remember that there’s an extra reason to look forward to this new school.

Here’s what’s going to happen:

§ The formal announcement of the new name, logo, and tagline will be made in an open letter to the entire community in late August. The name won’t actually change until October, but this letter will ensure that everyone hears the story at the same time, from the source.

§ Mark your calendars for a School Social from 4:30-6:30 pm on September 7^th. It’s a chance for the children to reunite and for everyone to learn more about the new name, logo, its evolution and transition. At this celebration, you will hear directly from both us and the Marketing Committee about the marketing changes you can expect to see over the following months and – most importantly – we will join in celebration and gratitude to our entire community for making it all possible.

§ On September 16, please come to Back to School Night – every parent should every year, even if you’re an old hand. It is an opportunity to (re-)connect with your child’s teacher, and get all of your questions about the classroom answered. It’s also a chance to hear about our vision for the school and the programs we’re developing.

§ Then, join us on October 2^nd for the Fall Festival to celebrate the day of the official name change, and check out the new sign that we’ll unveil.

Come out and get involved in the excitement! Your fellow parents, Board of Trustees, faculty and staff are proud of the new image of our great school – we know that you will be too! Thank you for helping to make our school the very best place to educate young minds.

Sincerely,

Laura Stulb,  Head of School

Lucinda Holt, Board President

It’s hard to believe that it’s almost the end of summer.  Summer projects are in full swing, and teachers are beginning to drift in and out of classrooms; excitement is beginning to build for the new school year.

Our Opening Schedule for the 2010-2011 school year is as follows:

Wednesday, September 1, 7:00 PM

New Parent Orientation for all parents new to the school to learn about school procedures and get questions answered. (no childcare)

Tuesday, September 7, 4:30 - 6:30  PM

Welcome Back Picnic for all NHMS families BYO picnic dinner for your family, dessert will be provided.

Wednesday, September 8, 8:30 AM

1st day of school for all returning children, remember to bring lunch and extra clothes.

Remember that children new to Toddler and Children’s House will be phased in. Your child’s start date will be finalized and communicated to you in about a week’s time.

We hope you will be able to join us for an early picnic on September 7th and look forward to seeing you on Wednesday the 8th.

Best wishes for the rest of the summer,

Laura Stulb

Head of School

New Horizons Natural Playscape takes shape!

Land reclamation, removal of over 1600 square feet of macadam, resurfacing with more environmentally responsible, permeable surfaces, regrading of the grounds, the planting of four native trees, installation of split rail fencing, hedging the driveway.

A Toddler Garden enclosure has been built. A meandering path, bound by swales, traversing the berms and connecting the upper & lower areas of the playscape has been created.

The living canvas is set & there is still plenty of work to be done & ample opportunity for each of us to be involved in this ongoing project.  Please feel free to stop by as our Natural Playscape grows & continues to shape into our vision.

Our Board President & the mother of two NHMS students, Lucinda Holt, forwarded this article from the New York Times, recognizing that

New Horizons is definitely doing the right things.

… our research on child development makes it clear that there is only one way to truly combat bullying. As an essential part of the school curriculum, we have to teach children how to be good to one another, how to cooperate, how to defend someone who is being picked on and how to stand up for what is right.

Teaching children how to get along will require much more than legislation, but a deeper rethinking of what schools should do for their students.

To read the entire article, click on the link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/23/opinion/23engel.html

The July 2010 Enterprise Newspaper & Ambler Gazette have featured articles on our

Natural Playscape & Outdoor Classroom Groundbreaking.

New Horizons Summer Art & Nature Camp ends Friday, August 6, 2010.

New Horizons Summer Art & Nature Camp

will be closed Monday, July 5, 2010

in observance of Independence Day.