Montessori Children’s House Montessori Children’s House of Lansing 2100 W St. Joseph Hwy Lansing, MI 48915 Tel: 1.517.482.9191
 
 
Specialist Programs
For School Inquiries:  E-mail Administrator Mo Newton
For Website Inquiries: E-mail Webmaster Cheryl L. Kendall
Band with Jaime DeMott Contracted to us through the MSU Community School of Music, Jaime works with our upper elementary 5th and 6th year children in band instruction twice a week.  All of the instrument groups are represented, including flute, trombone, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, and percussion.  Jaime has a degree in Instrumental Music Education from MSU, and also teaches private lessons in clarinet and saxophone. Afternoon Day Care Beginning in the fall of 2006, we will be offering afternoon day care for children who are enrolled in our morning program.  We are very excited to be able to finally meet the needs of the working parent with onsite day care.  With the purchase of a home at 2101 Bruce Street (adjacent to the school on the east side) in December of 2005, our plans are to begin renovations and open for daycare in the 2006-07 school year.  Three and four year old children will bring their lunches, and be escorted to the new childcare house at 11:30 by our staff.  There, they will eat, rest or nap, and have outdoor play time, as well as inside activities appropriate for their age.  The philosophy and approach will be in sync with that of the school, so as to provide consistency for the children.  Parents will be able to elect a childcare schedule from 11:30 – 3, or 11:30 – 5:45.  There will be an extra charge for each of these options.  If space is in high demand, first priority will be given to children needing full time care, 11:30 – 5:45 Monday through Friday. After School Art with Renee Dvorak Renee Dvorak has been an assistant in a lower elementary classroom for 10 years. She began working with the children in art appreciation several years ago, studying an artist, and then having the children do an art piece in the style of that artist. Recently, Renee has taken this idea to the other elementary classrooms, and has been very well received both by the children and the adults. This is the second year that Renee has been offering hands-on after school art programs to children ages 5 – 12.  These classes range in content from exploring art from every continent to abstract art, book illustration, and a variety of craft projects.  These classes vary in duration from one day to 8 weeks, with children’s work culminating in beautiful projects.  In her spare time, Renee continues to pursue a degree in art. After School Program The after school program is designed for the 5 - 12 year old.  Beginning at 3 p.m., children check in with staff and have a snack.  They then proceed to afternoon activities, including outdoor play, art projects, playground games, board games, etc. Typically, the after school program is mildly structured to give children the feeling of a neighborhood play area, allowing children to choose  large motor games or quiet activity to suit their needs at the end of the school day.  This program is staffed by current parents and adult alumni of our school.  There is an extra charge for this program. Before School Program The before school program begins at 7:45 and ends at 8:20 at the beginning of the school day.  It is staffed by a current parent, and designed to offer a calm environment for those who need to ease into the day, or an active time for those who may need to get their blood moving before starting classes.  There is an extra charge for this program. Physical Education with Kim McKeon and Todd Culver Kim McKeon has her B.S. in Physical Education and her M.A. of Education in Athletic Administration.  She has been a softball coach at Bowling Green State University, and an assistant softball coach at MSU.  In addition, Kim has directed numerous youth sport camps and clinics as well as spent time as a personal trainer.  Kim works with our extended day and lower elementary children once a week. Todd Culver has an M.A. in English Language and Literature from The University of Michigan; since 1995, he has served as Project Director for the MARO Employment and Training Association, a network of organizations that create opportunities for people with disabilities and other barriers to community access and employment. His experience with youth athletics extends over 25 years, including coaching and teaching soccer, hockey, basketball, tennis, swimming, and cross-country. Todd and his wife Trude have 2 children who graduated from our school - he has been Phys. Ed. specialist at Montessori since 1999. Drama with Bridgette and Richard Redman  Bridgette and Richard have both been involved with professional theater for years. Richard has been on stage for many theaters in Lansing, including Lansing Civic Players, Riverwalk, Icarus Falling, and LCC.  He is also a company member of the Michigan Shakespeare Festival, and has participated in the New Works Festival in Ann Arbor.  Bridgette earned her degree in journalism from MSU, and served on the board of the  Lansing Civic Players, and Bath Community Theatre Guild.  She has worked both backstage and on stage.  She is now a theater critic for the Lansing State Journal. Richard and Bridgette work with the extended day – upper elementary age children each week. Computer Technology with Cheryl Kendall Cheryl holds a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from MSU.  Cheryl has returned to MSU to get her training to be an elementary teacher, and certification to teach Math and Science through the eighth grade.  Cheryl enjoys doing all kinds of computer projects with our 3rd – 6th year students, including web page design, word processing, power point presentation, excel and digital photography.  Each third through sixth year child enjoys a 50 minute class with Cheryl and 3-5 other students once a week. Nature Study with Jim McGrath Jim McGrath has been the Nature specialist at Montessori Children’s House since 1990.  Each week, Jim arrives with interesting stories (and often with live creatures) to speak with the extended day and lower elementary children.  Jim got his B.S. degree in Wildlife Biology from MSU, but claims that most of his study has been self-taught.  Jim’s love of the natural world goes way back to the days of his childhood, and he enjoys sharing this passion with our children.  Jim’s enthusiasm is contagious, as he builds on the children’s natural curiosity and love of the outdoor world. Choral Music with Linda Abar  Linda has been teaching music for over ten years.  She is a graduate of MSU with degrees in Vocal Music Education and Theory Composition.  Linda also has a private music studio, where she teaches individuals of all ages who wish to study voice, piano, or composition.  Her lovely voice helps to train the voices of our children, extended day – upper elementary age.
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