The idea for this project came about because I felt it was important for kids to know that they can create many of the things they use every day. I wanted them to get the feeling of excitement and pride that often occurs when making something you only thought you could buy.

This project has been a great success. You can see the kids shine when holding their finished projects. They are incredibly enthusiastic and are already coming up with more ideas of things to sew in the future!  My thanks to all the children I have worked with, Miss Sara, and the staff at DMA; it’s been a blast!

Lisa Minella is a DMA parent and self taught sewer who eventually started a small business selling a product created by sewing.

This year teachers have decided to make various different items; bookshelves, rocking chairs, benches, a desk, a quilt and paintings.  Each class will help to decorate these items and that’s where we need your help!  If you have any old furniture you want donate to the school, see at the Goodwill and would be willing to purchase, see something on the side of the street or are even a wood-worker yourself – we’d like to hear from you!  We need help acquiring these items so we can get started on the fun stuff – decorating!  If you are able to help in anyway – whether it be donating the furniture/materials, volunteering your time or donating a little money, please contact Emma Kennedy at ekennedy360@gmail.com. Thanks so much!

I received my teaching and reading license along with my Masters in Reading-Language Arts from Cardinal Stritch University. I have been teaching for about 22 years and bring to this position a love of working with students and watching them succeed. I have a passion for reading and encourage the students I work with to read at least 20 minutes a day. But I know as parents we have all heard this cry, “WHY CAN’T I SKIP MY 20 MINUTES OF READING TONIGHT?” Reading is the basis for all learning so… Let’s Figure it Out- MATHEMATICALLY!

We would like to invite you to stop by the school on Thursday, December 15 after 8:45AM for an informal coffee hour with Ginny, our Head of School. We’ll have conversations about Montessori, your child’s classroom and how it all ties together. So stop by for a few minutes and bring your questions! This will be an ongoing meet up, so if you can’t make it on the 15th we hope you can join us next time.

The mural is featured in the school entry hall. The next time you are in the building, be sure to check it out, along with many of the other great art projects students have created around the halls!

Photo by Ken Mobile

We’re pleased to announce that as of November 7, 2011, Downtown Montessori Academy completed the purchase of its school building in Bay View. The purchase was also featured in a recent article in the Bay View Compass.

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Downtown Montessori Academy is very grateful for this opportunity, as this will expand the number of students who can participate in the Outpost Lunch Program. The grant will fund seven lunches throughout the school year.

The presentation of the grant will take place during the first Outpost Lunch on Thursday November 3rd. The menu will feature chicken à la king over brown rice, berry yam bake, half an apple, pumpkin bread, and a cool glass of locally-sourced organic milk.

Because of the increased number of students we’ll be serving, we are in need of  parents to volunteer! Please contact Jessica Rodriguez as soon as possible if you can help out at the November 3rd lunch.

We thank Outpost Natural Foods for their generosity, and encourage all students to take advantage of this free Outpost Lunch!