Topics This Week
Ongoing Series of Talks and Workshops for Parents
Next Showings of Race To Nowhere Parent/Infant Classes Begin in October The 10-Month School Year: Please share your thoughts A Few Notes From Ms. Robby, NewGate Art September Class and Community Meetings, Thursday September 15th Bookstore 1 BookFair to Benefit NewGate Downtown This Saturday, September 17th Friendly Fridays NewGate on Facebook Upper Elementary Student, Aiden Pearson, to appear in upcoming production of Seussical the Musical
 The Montessori Way: An Ongoing Series of Talks and Workshops for Parents
 This month, NewGate and the Montessori Foundation will begin to offer an ongoing series of workshops, discussions, and presentations for parents. Two or more topics will be offered every month. Some will be held after morning drop-off, some in the afternoon before school ends, and some in the evenings. Some will be small and intimate discussions or hands on workshops for small groups, others over the year will be for larger audiences and will be held off campus.
These talks are offered to NewGate families and friends of the school. A few of the programs we offer will have a fee: Race To Nowhere and our Parent Infant Classes. The schedule of upcoming talks will be sent out periodically by email. Sorry, child care will not be provided for talks or workshops held at night or on the weekend. Initial Schedule of talks and workshops Thursday, September 22 · 9:00 - 10:30 AM · Repeated at 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Montessori 101: An Overview of The Foundations of The Montessori Approach: This talk will offer a broad introduction to the Montessori approach. Topics will include the prepared environment ... Click here to Read More and RSVP. Monday, September 26 · 9:15-11:00 AM
Race To Nowhere · Tim Seldin · Potter Room: Race To Nowhere is a nationally acclaimed documentary film that explores the dark, and often ignored, side of America's over-emphasis on highly competitive education. Click here to Read More and RSVP.
Tuesday, September 27 · 6:30-8:30 PM
Race To Nowhere · Tim Seldin · Carson Room: See description above.
Seating is limited to 30 participants. Click here to reserve a seat. We are requesting a donation of $15 or more to the school to help defray the cost of our use of the film. Click here to Read More and RSVP.
* Additional showings of Race to Nowhere will be scheduled during the school year.
Thursday, September 28 · 9:15-11:00 AM and 2:15-3:15 PM ·
Montessori 101: The Foundations of The Montessori Approach
Tim Seldin · Potter Room: This talk will offer a broad introduction to the Montessori approach. Click here to Read More and RSVP.
Wednesday, October 5th · 9:15-10:15 PM · Learning How to Learn: The Design of the Montessori Curriculum · Tim SeldinPotter Room: Click here to Read More and RSVP.
Thursday, October 6 · 6:30-8:00 PM · A Guided Tour of a Montessori Classroom · Lorna McGrath · Carson Room: We will begin with a brief survey of the structure of the Montessori curriculum from age 2 ½ through the 6th grade, then go into classrooms to explore the fascinating Montessori materials. You will come away with fresh insights and a much deeper sense of the wonderful opportunities that New Gate offers its students. Click here to Read More and RSVP.
Thursday, October 13 · 9:15-10:15 and 2:15-3:15
Parenting With Warmth And Respect · Lorna McGrath · Potter Room: Practical strategies from the Montessori approach for creating a climate of kindness, mutual consideration and respect; establishing a positive social contract within the home; and encouraging children to be independent and self-disciplined. With the right approach, it is not only possible, it is a delight, to take young children anywhere: to the theater, concerts, ballet, opera, museums, art galleries, restaurants, camping, even on trips out of town or overseas. Here's how!!!
Click here to Read More and RSVP for the morning session
NewGate's 6-week Parent/Infant Classes will begin Monday, October 3 · 11am-12pm · Lorna McGrath · Potter Room:  This highly successful course was offered last fall and now will be offered again to NewGate families as well as for families from the larger Sarasota and Manatee communities! An evening Orientation for Parents will be offered on Thursday, September 28, 6:30-7:30pm. Orientation is designed to give the parents a sense of how the class is structured and what topics will be covered each week. The cost for the 6-week series is $120 and includes a copy of Your Self Confident Baby by Madga Gerber. Space is limited. Click Here to register. Here is what one participant had to say, "Today I completed the NewGate Parent/Infant Class with my 6 month old Grandson Carver. We eagerly attended all six sessions. The philosophy and principles from the text, Your Self Confident Baby, by Magda Gerber were the starting point for our classroom observations and discussions. Your warm and caring leadership helped us to see the ideas in action, as we witnessed your calm and gentle direction, conversation, and inspiration. I am more aware and more confident with Carver. He has been given the opportunity to demonstrate his abilities and convey his ambitions now that I tune in and observe him more purposefully. When his mother arrives home after work our conversations regarding Carver are much more meaningful. Instead of giving her a list of diapers changed, meals fed, and naps taken, we discuss Carver's determination to roll over, or his willingness to vocalize, and how he wants to participate in the feeding process. I would recommend your program to parents, teachers, caretakers, and grandparents. The class provided me with new insights and guidelines for communicating, nurturing, and fostering my grandson's independence and
and achievements. The connections with other Moms and their babies was enjoyable and helpful. Our stories and examples reinforced the value of your teaching."
Email Lorna McGrath for more information
 Follow NewGate on Facebook:
September Class and Community Meetings: Thursday, September 15th 6:30-8:30 Notes from the August Community Meeting
Fr iendly Fridays Friendly Fridays are held every Friday after school. Bring snacks and non-alcoholic beverages for everyone to share: children and adults. Friendly Fridays create a nice opportunity to get to know each in a relaxed setting. Also, it is a nice way to end the week and welcome the weekend.
Special Sale Event Supports NewGate!! 
NewGate School will receive 20% of all books sold on 9/17! Where: BookStore 1 1359 Main St., Sarasota When: Saturday, September 17th Time: 10a.m. to 2pm
Come early and enjoy coffee and freshly baked goods by Café Six Available from 9a.m. - 1p.m.
Storytelling and fun activities for children scheduled throughout the day. Free Raffle: There will be several drawings of donations form Tommy Bahama, Zen Body, Michelle's Brown Bag Cafe, YogaSRQ, and Burns Court Cafe. You must complete the free raffle ticket form on the attached flyer. Headmaster, Tim Seldin, will be there to sign several of his books and lead informal discussion about education and parenting. Download BookFair Flyer & Raffle Ticket
The Arts At NewGate · Creative Expressions:
by Robby Schlessinger, Art We're off to a great start at New Gate in Creative Expression classes, which often blend art and music.
The elementary students are learning all about the basic elements of art and how to use them to create wonderful drawings.
Secondary First Cycle students are experiencing the interconnections in the world's of music and art in Creative Expression. Ms. Liz is really quite remarkable in her depth of knowledge about music, but she's also an art history scholar. So far, we've talked about synesthesia* and Kandinsky's work, how Edward Munch** was inspired to paint "The Scream." and listened to the story of the Arabian Nights.
Second Cycle students are working very hard, talking art history and honing the drawing skills they will need to prepare for their independent study portfolios, a self-directed unit of study that they will be working on during the second term.
* Synesthesia is a condition in which one sense is simultaneously perceived by one or more additional senses such as sight. People who have synesthesia often see colors when they hear music, or associate certain shapes or numbers with specific colors.
** "I was walking along the road with two friends. The sun set. I felt a tinge of melancholy. Suddenly the sky became a bloody red. I stopped, leaned against the railing, dead tired. And I looked at the flaming clouds that hung like blood and a sword over the blue-black fjord and city. My friends walked on. I stood there, trembling with fright. And I felt a loud, unending scream piercing nature." 2 Requests: We are gathering gold foil
We are planning a collage project based on the work of Gustave Klimt. We are looking for used gold foil wrapping paper, foil gift bags, candy wrappers, bits of greeting cards with gold foil. Anything paper and shiny will do! Lots of variety will make for very creative collages from the students. Thanks! Ms. Robby Starving Artists in Art Extension
Kids are pretty hungry after school, especially when they are thinking and working creatively. Parents who wish to can contribute non-perishable snacks like crackers, pretzels, etc. for art extension on Wednesdays. Send to the office labelled "Snacks for Art Extension"
Parents are always welcome in the Art Extension sessions, Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30. Join us, observe, have fun!
Express yourself creatively!
Upper Elementary Student, Aiden Pearson, to appear in upcoming production of Seussical the Musical A current Upper Elementary student, Aiden Pearson, has the role of a Whoville child in the Sarasota Players production of Seussical the Musical. We are very sad that they do not offer an opportunity for us to see the play during school time, but we have reserved a block of tickets for a Saturday matinee. Ticket information is below and we will share this with parents. I have reserved 50 tickets, but if we get that commitment quickly then I am sure I can reserve more. People will need to pay upfront. Saturday, October 29 2:00 pm
Student tickets: $12
Adult tickets $17.50
This is a good savings for everyone and it would be so much fun to have lots of people supporting him! I'll keep a list, but please e-mail me, don't tell me in passing because I am likely to forget.
Thanks,
Back to Top _________________________________________________________________ The Girl Scouts Are Looking For A Few Good Young Ladies! 
Girl Scout Flyer
Aikido And Montessori
Many students will eventually take classes in a martial art. There are many benefits to all of the disciplines, but one stands out as a particularly good fit with Montessori: Aikido. One of the School's alumni parents, Barry Tuchfeld happens to be an Aikido Sensei (teacher). He has opened a new studio in the area and some of our students attend. Because we have recognized the links between Montessori and Aikido for those students who are interested, we invited Barry to write a short article.
Click Here to read more.
Extended School Year
Since school began this year, we have had a renewed sense of community, a great deal of positive energy, and open dialogue.
Recently, several students and parents have commented or asked about the lengthened school year - why do we need a longer school year, who decided to extend the year, when was it announced to the community?
Last February, when we were preparing for re-enrollment, the Board and the Administration discussed many issues pertaining to the 2011-2012 school year. We looked at what NewGate had traditionally done, and what the Field School had intended to do. One of the goals for the Field School was to become a more family-friendly school for those who needed longer hours, care during school breaks and the summer. As international educators, we also recognized the benefits of a somewhat longer school year. Our thought was that adding any extra three weeks to the school year would be a valued-added enhancement.
The decision to extend the school year was announced several times, but this was a case where, in the press of the move to Ashton Road and the process of transition, we did not focus on this particular question together.
Please send us your thoughts in the brief survey linked to this email below. This will also be one of the items on the agenda at the Community Meeting this Thursday, September 15.
Thanks for taking the time to let us know you thoughts. We value your feedback.
Survey on the Extended School Year Back to top of page
Box Tops Program 
The Upper Elementary students have asked us all to collect Box Tops: the little coupons that can be found on boxes, and other food packages. Please turn them into the Picasso Room or the front office. Each one will earn the School 10¢. The students' goal is to earn $200 this year to benefit NewGate. They add that there are also Bonus Box Tops, which count as 2 or more Box Tops. They hope that we will keep our eyes open for these extra valuable coupons! Back to top of page ___________________________________________________________________ Thursday, September 22 · 9:00 - 10:30 AM · Repeated at 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Montessori 101: An Overview of The Foundations of The Montessori Approach: This talk will offer a broad introduction to the Montessori approach. Topics will include how we create a "prepared environment" for young children, the structure of the day and role of the teachers, the psychological principles behind the Montessori educational materials, why the classes are multi-age grouped, how the teachers track the children's progress, and the rationale for combining two smaller groups of children into one larger group with two adults. We will consider the question of competition and adult expectations in Montessori, how Montessori teachers monitor each student's development, the outcomes of a Montessori education, the importance of student initiated work, and how well Montessori students make the transition to traditional programs should they elect to transfer. In addition, we will consider some of the common myths and misperceptions about Montessori education. Click Here to RSVP for 9:00 AM Session (Tim Seldin) Click Here to RSVP for 6:30 PM Session (Lorna McGrath) Back to top of page Monday, September 26 · 9:15-11:00 AM
Race To Nowhere · Tim Seldin · Potter Room: Race To Nowhere is a nationally acclaimed documentary film that explores the dark, and often ignored, side of America's over-emphasis on highly competitive educational programs that stress test scores and hours of homework, over a calmer, more thoughtful approach to deep learning. The film address topics that many parents find thought-provoking and disturbing. We will remain after the film ends for discussion.
Seating is limited to 15 participants. We are requesting a donation of $15 or more to the school to help defray the cost of our use of the film. Click here to reserve a seat. Back to top of page Tuesday, September 27 · 6:30-8:30 PM
Race To Nowhere · Tim Seldin · Carson Room: See description above.
Seating is limited to 30 par ticipants. We are requesting a donation of $15 or more to the school to help defray the cost of our use of the film. Click here to reserve a seat.
* Additional showings of Race to Nowhere will be scheduled during the school year. Back to top of page Wednesday, October 5th · 9:15-10:15 AM · Learning How to Learn: The Design of the Montessori Curriculum · Tim Seldin · Potter Room:The Montessori model weaves the curriculum into an integrated web of carefully sequenced discoveries and investigations. This highly flexible approach, once considered very controversial, is now widely considered to be an outstanding example of "developmentally appropriate" education. This session will introduce the overall structure of the Montessori curriculum from age 2 through the 12th grade, Montessori theory of learning, integration of subject matter, hands on learning, the children's passage from concrete experience to abstract knowledge and understanding, how and why Montessori individualizes learning, Montessori and academic competition, and the three streams of a balanced Montessori curriculum. Click Here to RSVP Back to top of page Thursday, October 6 · 6:30-8:00 PM · A Guided Tour of a Montessori Classroom · Lorna McGrath · Carson Room: We will begin with a brief survey of the structure of the Montessori curriculum from age 2 ½ through the 6th grade, then go into classrooms to explore the fascinating Montessori materials. You will come away with fresh insights and a much deeper sense of the wonderful opportunities that New Gate offers its students. Click Here to RSVPĀ Back to top of page Thursday, October 13 · 9:15-10:15 and 2:15-3:15 · Parenting With Warmth And Respect · Lorna McGrath · Potter Room: Practical strategies from the Montessori approach for creating a climate of kindness, mutual consideration and respect; establishing a positive social contract within the home; and encouraging children to be independent and self-disciplined. With the right approach, it is not only possible, it is a delight, to take young children anywhere: to the theater, concerts, ballet, opera, museums, art galleries, restaurants, camping, even on trips out of town or overseas. Here's how!!!
Click Here to RSVP for the morning session
Click Here to RSVP for the afternoon session Back to top of page | 
