“The mind is not a passive thing, but a devouring flame, never in repose, always in action.”   Dr. Maria Montessori

Welcome to, and welcome back to Montessori Borealis! For many of you, this will be your first experience in a Montessori school and we are excited to usher you into our community. For others of you, this is old hand and our new families will look to you for practical knowledge and understanding of this endeavor called Montessori.

Montessori is a family experience. It is not something that happens to your child, but a process that together – you and we – guide your child through. It takes many hands to help a child successfully reach his/her best and we are honored that you have chosen our hands to help you shepherd your child.

At Montessori Borealis…

• We aim to be a learning environment that stimulates the intellect, the imagination, the psyche, and the body.

• We aim to be a warm social environment that heartens the individual and encourages the building up of a culture of responsibility toward others.

• We aim to be creative and thought provoking, hard working, loving adults who surround and summon children to meet their maximum potentials.

• We aim to be a physical place that is orderly, attractive, and engaging where children want to be everyday.

• We are a cohort of “Alaska Highly Qualified” licensed teachers specially trained for the levels we teach by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).

What to expect next / useful information:

• Online resources

Subscribe to our blog for updates and information directly from teachers (the district website is maintained by a volunteer parent):

http://montessoriborealis.wordpress.com

• Registration: If your child is new to Montessori Borealis or the Juneau School District s/he MUST register for school prior to the first day to be allowed to attend. All elementary (1^st-6^th grade) Montessori students register at Harborview school. All adolescent students (7^th & 8^th grade) register at DZ. Register beginning August 11 between 1 and 3 p.m.

• Bus Riders & Before/Afterschool Care

All children may attend the Harborview before/afterschool RALLY program.

Please send your child’s BUS NUMBERS and YOUR CONTACT PHONE with them the first day of school.

If your child lives on a bus route, s/he will  1. take his/her neighborhood bus to their local elementary school and then 2. shuttle bus to Marie Drake in the mornings (see the blog or district website). In the afternoons, all Montessori Borealis students 3. ride the high school buses home. High school buses leave about an hour after the end of our day and school bus riders only will be allowed in the building and supervised in the gym.

If your child does not ride a school bus to/from school please make sure you have made arrangements for pick up in front of the school at 3 pm. There is no afterschool care provided for non-school bus riders in Marie Drake, but all elementary children may attend RALLY at Harborview.

We are so happy that you are giving us the opportunity to share in nurturing the growth of your child. We undertake this awesome responsibility in full partnership with you and look forward to many years of growing and learning together. All is being prepared for your child’s experience and we look forward to meeting you for the first time or the “next” time in a few weeks.

We eagerly anticipate working with you to provide fuel for that devouring flame that is a child’s quest for the truth about life.

Warm Regards,

Chris Trostel