There
are many aspects of the Elementary Workshop Montessori
School that make us special. First and foremost,
we are a Parent Co-op. Our families pitch in on everything
from painting to fundraising. Parents help out on
projects, in the classrooms, and library, and on
field trips. Having Moms, Dads, and other significant
adults play such an important role in their school
helps children learn the value of education, and
keeps the school and home connection strong.
Children at EWMS wear slippers during their work time. This keeps them comfortable
as they work, keeps the school quieter so they can work, and keeps it cleaner
so they can work in a beautiful environment.
Most
Fridays the entire school body congregates for an assembly.
Assembly topics vary from Pedestrian Safety to show cats
to judo. Guest speakers have included visitors from foreign
countries, experts in carving, and students from the
school sharing their work and projects. Assemblies are
an opportunity to share a song and learn something all
together.
At the end of May and just into June, the children in EII pack up and go to
Cape Henlopen for three days of classes at the Nature Center, and lots
of time cooking together, spending time at the beach, and generally bonding
before the long summer break. The children in EI spend one night at Cape
Henlopen at the end of the week after the EII group returns.
Our school celebrates holidays from a traditional and ethnic perspective rather
than a religious one. To enhance our educational program, we welcome parents
and children to share their celebrations with their classes. Typically
our holiday celebrations are observed through special food, stories, songs,
and art projects. We seek to avoid the over-commercialization of holidays and
focus instead on their true meaning and the sharing with others. We invite
our parents and siblings to dress up and join us on Halloween Morning, for
example, when we have a parade in the neighborhood, followed by a celebratory
circle at which we can see each other’s costumes, and then booths staffed
by parents and students for everything from donuts-on-a-string to hand painting.
It’s a fun way to learn about and participate in a traditional American
children’s celebration.
Typically
our holiday celebrations are observed through special food, stories, songs,
and art projects. We seek to avoid the over-commercialization of holidays and
focus instead on their true meaning and the sharing with others. We invite
our parents and siblings to dress up and join us on Halloween Morning, for
example, when we have a parade in the neighborhood, followed by a celebratory
circle at which we can see each other’s costumes, and then booths staffed
by parents and students for everything from donuts-on-a-string to hand painting.
It’s a fun way to learn about and participate in a traditional American
children’s celebration.