We are ready for a wonderful year full of many explorations and discoveries. We had a good first week back, easing into the routine. For the first week, children have had the opportunity to learn how to navigate through the classroom, choosing their own work and activities, as well as knowing where to put their materials away when finished. We met new friends, and greeted each other each morning. Thank you to all who attended our Orientation on Monday evening. For more detailed information on the expectations and guidelines, please review the Parent Handbook. 

Have a wonderful year! 

Jonathan and Rebecca

For our first music class, which meets on Wednesday afternoons, Jay took us up into the woods to engage our senses of hearing, touch, sight, and smell.  

On Friday, we told "The Story of the Universe" (or how the Earth came to be), one of Montessori's "Great Lessons."  Many parts of the Lower El and Upper El  curriculum are grounded in this, and it is always the first lesson of the new school year.

Housekeeping items: Please make sure your child comes to school with the following, if they do not already have them: a mug for water, an extra pair of shoes, and extra clothes to keep in their cubby.   

Kerstin and Patrick

It has been very hot and we are blessed with a pond.  Many students found themselves happily in the water during our lunch breaks and after hot walks to and from Upland.

Next Tuesday we begin our four days in Upland.  We have a very full and rich week ahead of us.

Chicken baseball...is it a new tradition?

Our first Upland circle...

Silence in the woods...

CH Olders and LE have PE on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

UE has PE on Wednesdays and the other day will vary.

MS has PE on Monday and Fridays, when they are on campus.

For PE, we have the following requirements:

1) "Proper attire is required for PE class." (page 38 of the Student and Family Handbook) This, most importantly, refers to shoes. Sneakers and adventure sandals (covered toes and secured well to the foot) are best. They are made for moving and offer support and traction for active feet. Shoes that may not be used in PE are open toed sandals, flip flops, crocs, slippers, boots, and other clumsy, flimsy, or loose fitting footwear. Good shoes will keep us all doing our best in PE.

2) Water Bottles for PE Class - Active people need to stay hydrated, especially on these hot days. Please send your students to school with water bottles. The PE class often uses far corners of our campus, and running back to the water fountain is not feasible. 

3) Parent/Doctor Note for an Excuse from PE Class - The second request is that parents let us know in writing/email if a student is injured, ill, or has a physical condition that will hinder their ability to participate in PE class. If there is a physical ailment that will keep a student from participating in PE, please send a note to school, email the Front Desk, or email Ben James directly Ben James before school starts. 

Thank you, 

Ben James

Hilltop PE/AD

We are looking for someone to help us with cleaning the Main building and the Arts Barn (The Middle School takes care of themselves - showing their "responsible independence"!). This task includes about 2 hours of work every weekday, ideally from 2:30-4:30pm. Vacuuming, mopping, cleaning the bathrooms, etc. Anyone interested should contact Tamara. 

Brattleboro Hockey League