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Woods learners produced some pretty amazing creations for the showcase this past December! We're so grateful for the many families who were able to join us for the event. Get a look at some of these items and check out the 10 Minute Play Cabaret!

CM made the news with our efforts to support Gloria, our awesome exchange teacher! Check out the article and please consider donating to the GoFundMe campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-glory-buy-a-car

Empowering teens Community Montessori programs focus on developmental needs Photos by Brooke McAfee | News and Tribune Teenagers Alex Wheat (left) and Lucy Adams (right) gather Wednesday in an area of Community Montessori meant to provide a peaceful space for teens. BROOKE MCAFEE BROOKE.MCAFEE@NEWSANDTRIBUNE.COM NEW ALBANY — For teenagers at Community Montessori, it’s not the traditional high school experience. The New Albany K-12 school follows a different structure than most schools, including flexible programs tailored to students’ individual developmental needs. Community Montessori Director Barbara Burke Fondren said the charter school continues to adapt its teen program from year to year. The teen staff are the “architects” of the program as they listen to the teens and pay attention to their needs, she said. This includes focusing on the social and emotional well-being of the teens. “We survey the teens every year and say, what are we missing?” Burke Fondren said. “What do we need to do more? We try to create options and choices for them to move into... We think [it] also completely blends together with social and emotional health, which is probably the most needed thing in our teens’ program right now and [for] all teens maybe around the world.” Burke Fondren said the school started creating the teen program around 2004 or 2005, and the school considered ways to focus on the kids’ needs. “We always had the plan to add an age level every year, and we knew we wanted it to be centered around the learner instead of around the adults,” she said. “And oftentimes, a traditional high school can get really focused on the adults, because you’ve got to fill all the class times and there are bells and blocks and so forth.” At Community Montessori, students are instead called learners, and teachers are advisors. Instead of traditional classrooms, the school includes open spaces with different studios. The school focuses on “choice and flexibility.” “Over this last 10, 8 years, we’ve been trying to think about, what do we want each person to have — certain skills and so forth — as they move on, so they can do whatever their life journey is, whether that’s [to] go to a four-year college or go to a two-year college or to get a certification or just go into the workforce or do mission work,” Burke Fondren said. For 17-year-old Seth Couveau, Community Montessori has provided an opportunity to pursue creative projects such as costume design, which is for a capstone project. Couveau has also been involved in projects such as the production of a diorama and a short movie. He started the school in eighth grade after attending public school. Seth Couveau, 17, is creating a costume based on a fictional character in a series called “Warhammer 40,000.” This is among the creative projects he has pursued in Community Montessori’s teen program. “You would not be able to do this in a normal public school,” Couveau said. “It’s definitely factoring stuff that I enjoy doing such as costume design.” The school has a “renewal time” for students that is kind of like recess for teenagers. Danielle Manzo Bair, a teen studio support coordinator, said this was added a couple of years ago based on observations of what the teens needed in school. “They have options to go outside and play—like kids, teens need play,” she said. “They also have the option to stay inside and play games with one another—different types of play or just talking. Teens are hugely social, and actually giving that time to socialize is important.” Community Montessori recently redesigned a common space for the teen program to provide a “collaborative café-like environment” with furniture that students can adjust and rearrange as needed, according to Manzo Bair. This provides “ownership and empowerment” for the teens, Burke Fondren said. In the past few years, the school has started a coffee cart called the “Cosmic Café.” This year, a teen will begin a management position at the café. Students have also taken the initiative to create a “sensory overload” space where they can go “if they’re feeling overwhelmed or if they need a minute to themselves,” Manzo Bair said. In the past couple of years, one of the new additions is “flex time” for teens. “So teens can come in later, they can leave earlier—different ways for them to be a part of a school that doesn’t feel so restrictive,” Burke Fondren said. “They can kind of create their courses sometimes. A lot of them go off campus for courses.” Burke Fondren said Community Montessori’s internship program is an important part of their education. Teens participate in full-day internships one day a week throughout the semester. “We don’t give them a piece of paper and say, this is where you’re going to go,” she said. “We say, who are you, what do you want to do in life?” Abby Kerns, teen transition coordinator at Community Montessori, supports teens as they receive dual credits through Ivy Tech Community College. They can take classes at the Ivy Tech Sellersburg campus. “We have a great partnership with them so that [teens] can have an opportunity to see what that world might be like before they leave our building,” Kerns said. Aimee Joy is an advisor and “courage coordinator” in the teen program. One of her roles is to coordinate mental health services. Burke Fondren noted the importance of Joy’s work in teaching students to be courageous. “That’s one of the biggest things we’re teaching these young people to be is courageous, whether that is self-advocating, whether that is setting personal or professional boundaries or saying I need help,” she said. The school partners with Centerstone for therapy services on campus, and the school is hoping to receive grant funding to expand the services. The staff also focuses on a “holistic role” in meeting the needs of learners, according to Burke Fondren. Joy said that “everybody in the teens’ program is really good at supporting individuals.” This means supporting youth who may need extra support, including LGBTQ teens. Joy supports a student group called the “Queer Collective,” which offers a time for students to connect and “form some community.” “I tried to bring some queer history, and we are able to connect over the things that are traumatizing to us that are happening in the world of families or sometimes even in our friend groups, but I also tried to bring in queer celebration and joy,” she said. Joy said Community Montessori has a “solid history” of supporting transgender youth. “It happened in a lot of really organic ways,” she said. “We never had an issue with bathrooms, because every studio has one unisex bathroom. So when that was a big thing in the news, I don’t think that really affected this school in the same way.” Burke Fondren emphasized the need to support LGBTQ youth. “That is obviously one of the most high-needs groups for mental health needs and suicidal risk, and so really showing a welcoming community for all people regardless is super important to us,” she said. Students Skye Berry, Katie Nash and Angie Ard work together in a common space at Community Montessori in New Albany. Community Montessori advisor Melanie Swihart talks to 17-year-old Nathan Merk at the New Albany school during a weekly advisory meeting. Photos and story by Brooke McAfee | News and Tribune

We are so grateful to our families who were able to attend our first in-person orientation since before the pandemic! For our families who were unable to attend, we look forward to other opportunities to meet with you - hopefully at our upcoming Sub/Volunteer workshop! You can download the slideshow to follow along, as well as access links for materials referenced in this conversation.

What an incredible start to the new school year! We're filled with gratitude as we reflect on the smooth first days and rather seamless car lines. Heartfelt thanks go out to our amazing teachers, devoted families, and enthusiastic learners who made this day (and week) so extraordinary. As we embark on this grand adventure together, we extend our appreciation to our dedicated staff for their hard work and passion for education. To our incredible CM families, your diligence in reading and responding to emails is truly valued. And to our learners, whether returning or joining us for the first time, your presence and partnership are the driving force behind all that we do. Don't miss out on reliving the magic of the first day through the wonderful slideshow crafted by our talented Michael Sylvester! It captures the moments that make our community truly special. Here's to a fantastic year ahead, filled with growth, discovery, and boundless possibilities!

We are thrilled to announce our upcoming event "ASD and the Neurodivergent Brain," which will feature Dr Temple Grandin as a virtual guest speaker! The event will take place on Tuesday, April 4th, in the school theatre, CASA dei Curiosity, and is open to the public. We welcome everyone to attend. Tickets will be available at the door for a reasonable cost of $5 and proceeds will support our Exceptional Learner Program. Seating will be first come, first serve, and doors will open at 6:30. Temple Grandin (bio linked here) is a prominent advocate for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and a professor of animal science at Colorado State University. Temple was diagnosed with ASD at a young age and struggled with social and communication difficulties. However, she has not let her diagnosis hold her back. Instead, she has used her unique perspective and experiences to become a leading authority on animal behavior and welfare, as well as a sought-after speaker on autism and neurodiversity. Temple Grandin's contributions to the field of autism have been immense. Her work has helped to increase awareness of autism and the unique perspectives and strengths of individuals with ASD. She has also been instrumental in developing educational and employment opportunities for people on the spectrum. She has written numerous books, including "Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism" and "The Autistic Brain: Helping Different Kinds of Minds Succeed." Temple has also been recognized for her work, receiving awards such as the National Women's Hall of Fame, being listed in Time Magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World," and was featured in an award-winning HBO biopic of her life. At our event, Temple will speak about ASD and the Neurodivergent brain, drawing on her personal experiences and expertise. She will discuss the challenges and strengths of individuals on the spectrum, as well as the importance of understanding and accommodating neurodiversity in society. We are excited to welcome Temple Grandin as our virtual guest speaker. This event promises to be informative, engaging, inspiring, and educational. We hope to see you all there, and we hope that everyone who attends will leave with a greater understanding and appreciation of neurodiversity! Post Event: We had a delightfully authentic and unique Temple Grandin experience. Dr. Grandin shared her insights and experiences and devoted so much of her time to answering questions from families and learners! We're so grateful to all the families who were able to join us, and especially grateful to the learners who worked up the courage to ask questions themselves! You can also download Dr. Grandin's presentation slides (some of which you might recognize from her Ted Talks) below: Great Minds Are Not All the Same

Have you ever wondered how to best support your elementary child? Have you ever noticed their endless questions and struggled to best answer them in a way that they would understand? Have you ever wondered why your elementary child now suddenly acts differently than they did or questions you when they didn’t seem to before? If you’ve had any of these questions or thoughts, you are not alone! In answering some of the questions, the Biomes team has put together an asynchronous presentation about the characteristics of the elementary-aged child discovered by Dr. Maria Montessori and held true to today’s child. Watch from the comforts of your own home with your coffee cup and pajamas to learn more about your child and gain some tips and tricks on how to best support them within the context of these characteristics! Download the handout to follow along: Connecting to Your Elementary Child - handout

Did you know that gardening can be a valuable educational tool for children? Not only does it provide hands-on learning opportunities, but it also promotes healthy living and environmental awareness. Gardening can teach children about plant life cycles, soil science, and the importance of conservation. Plus, it can be a fun and engaging way to learn about nutrition and healthy eating habits. By incorporating gardening into education, we can help children develop a deeper connection to nature and a greater appreciation for the environment. Let's inspire the next generation of eco-conscious leaders by cultivating their love for gardening and nature! Teens in our Gardening Occupation have certainly been working hard to get our greenhouse in working order, including excavating this HUGE rock that contains fossils!

Learners from Ocean and Rainforest studios in our 6-9 program showcased their projects and presentations in the CASA dei Curiosity last Friday after several weeks of hard work. They were so grateful for such a tremendous turnout, with families and learners visiting in support, and providing a wonderful audience for the performance of "Eagle’s Mountain!" Check out the video to see what our 6-9 learners have been up to (with the full presentation of "Eagle’s Mountain" at the end)!

Watch the first three installments - short, but eye-opening videos, featuring interviews with Charter School leaders, including our own Director, Barbara Burke Fondren, and other folks on the front lines of this funding gap issue. Share this blog and these videos with friends, family, and any influential folks you know! And, if you haven’t already, check out our last blog on this subject to see how much this funding gap directly impacts OUR school, AND sign the Indiana Student Funding Alliance Petition to support this growing movement! This blog will be updated as new videos and information become available.

Young children love to try to do everything adults can do. This is why, in a Montessori school, we have a whole area called Practical Life, which offers children a lot of opportunities for cleaning, sewing, and other tasks for caring for themselves and their living spaces. Some of the most beloved practical life activities are food preparation, cooking, and baking. Offering your child opportunities to help with these tasks at home not only gives them opportunities for concentration, independence, and joy, but can have the added incentive of inspiring picky eaters to try new foods and eat a greater variety of foods. Sometimes, parents have some anxiety about allowing their children access to the kitchen. Here are some tips to help alleviate your anxieties, embrace the process, and have as much fun cooking with your child as they will have cooking with you. Do you have safety concerns? Set the expectation in your home. Maybe say something like “When we cook, we cook together. There will be an adult with you.” Then decide on how you want things done in the kitchen. Will you be the only one to turn on the stove knobs? Will you be the one to hold sharp knives? Show your child what is and what is not available to them. Talk about safety in the kitchen. Prepare the environment. What do you have that your child can use? Do you have serrated knives? Or child friendly kitchen tools? Model a simple task like cutting a carrot. Then stay with your child when it’s their turn to cut so that you can guide them in the process. Are you worried it’ll take too much time? Use the weekends as a time to tackle a bigger project like bread or cookies. When time is short, like during the week night, start small, like peeling a few carrots or scrambling one egg. Cooking with your child does not have to take a lot of time. Just let them be involved in one part of the process - washing the produce, stirring the sauce, or cutting a fruit or vegetable. Give one job at a time. One idea is to let them make the salad dressing. Have them start at the beginning so they have ample time to finish the project while you are getting the rest of dinner together. Be mindful of the age of your child. For example, a 3 year old may be content to just stir something for 20 minutes while a 5 ½ year old will want to do more. Maybe they’ll want to try and read a recipe, measure out all of the ingredients, and cut the vegetables. Are you afraid that your child will make a big mess? You will be the one to model how to clean up. Have cleaning supplies at the ready and don’t put too much pressure on the area getting cleaned right away. Let your child help clean up and if it’s not to your satisfaction, go back after your child is gone and clean. Try separating your food preparation space from your eating space. Are you concerned about wasting food? There may be waste in the beginning of this process but over time as your children practice and learn, waste will be more minimal. For example, you may not have your child pour directly from a big gallon jug of milk. Consider keeping the milk in a more accessible container or pouring some milk into a smaller pitcher and then let your child measure out how much milk they need for the recipe. Remember, the end result will not be perfect and it may not even be pretty, but your child will have joy and they’ll feel a stronger connection with you! Focus on process over product and just have fun!

The Winter Creativity Showcase is a new tradition - this is the first year! The Woods level and Creativity Inc were all very excited to share this showcase with the Internship Poster session, which is meant to help teens who are about to begin internships get some exposure to the possibilities, as well as allow families to learn more about what happens in this program. Creativity Inc began in the 2019-2020 school year and has been on quite the journey since then! It consists of three branches of creativity that meet each Wednesday afternoon. Woods Teens are able to participate in Maker’s Space, Performing Arts, or Music Recording. Internships begin at CM after the age of 16, when teens are in their Junior and Senior years. The goal is to help our teens explore potential career paths and goals. Our alumni often report back that these experiences were some of the most memorable, important, and helpful of their high school career! These internships culminate in the Internship Poster Session. All in all, this showcase was a great success with a terrific turnout! You can view the slideshow to see some of the works completed by CM teens! And, while you're here, grab some popcorn, kick back, and enjoy the full Creativity Inc Showcase!