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History
and Vision
Two decades ago,
a small group of parents desired a school for
their children where the teachers would treat
the students respectfully, as human beings loved
by God, as well as nurturing them academically. Christian
Family Montessori School opened in September
of 1981 with 12 students, meeting in the
living room of Catherine and Charley Maresca.
Rebekah Rojcewicz was their teacher, called to
our school from her study in Rome with Sofia
Cavalletti, initiator of the Catechesis
of the Good Shepherd. Over the years, CFMS
has added another Primary class, a Lower Elementary
class and an Upper Elementary class. Since
its opening, CFMS has offered financial assistance
in an effort to serve an economically diverse community
of families. We now serve more than 70 families. The
school has expanded to include a diverse student
body while maintaining its founding vision of providing
an education that nourishes children in body, mind,
and spirit.
Community
Just as Montessori education is
concerned about the growth of
the whole child, at CFMS we are
concerned about the growth of
the whole school community.
The Parent Co-op provides low
cost services for the school with
each parent making the
commitment of holding a
job in the school. Parents
perform tasks such as
cleaning the classrooms,
creative arts, and staffing
the library. These jobs give
the children the opportunity
to see their whole family as
an integral part of the school.
We also hold school-wide events that
include the parent body. These range from religious
celebrations such as the Liturgy of the Light held at
Easter, to fun events like a Silent Auction and a Spring
Sing and Social. All of these events along with
observations, conferences, night school, Loved Ones Day,
and school picnics have the direct aim of creating a caring
community for the children, their families, and the staff. Parents
are also expected to take part in a number of fundraising
events
Day
to Day Matters
Every school day, the
Director welcomes each child with a handshake
and greeting at the entrance door between 8:30
and 9:00. Children who are between two and
a half and five-years-old attend school for half
the day, leaving at 11:45. Five-year-olds
who are socially and academically ready may stay
at school until 3:00. This
is at the discretion of the teacher and the Director. New
five-year-olds will begin the school year in the half-day
program. All children attend school five days a
week and all children must be potty trained in order to
attend. We
follow a typical school schedule, which means we are not
open during school vacations or during the summer.
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