Earth Day with a U.S. Senator

Imagine my surprise in late April when I received a call from U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s office requesting a visit to our school on Earth Day! How exciting for our school! While our Board Chair, Frank Grossman and our building’s architect, Dave Ely, pointed out the features of our energy efficient building, I was excited to share with her the beauty of our classrooms and the Montessori work going on within.

As she walked through each classroom I had a chance to share tidbits of information about our programs. In Lower Elementary, where the children were at gathering, one child shared her version of energy efficiency telling the Senator how much better it would be to grow our food locally so that the “raisin wouldn’t have to use all that energy traveling to New Hampshire”. Another child presented her with a knitted potholder. The Adolescent students asked her well articulated questions on her energy bill and why she chose to become a Senator. They presented her with products from Sunny Orchard, their small business, as a nod to her work as a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. The visit was a wonderful opportunity for our children and school.

-Kari

Springing to Life

Landscape Designer's rendering of the Children's House area.

With today’s snow, we have to remind ourselves that spring will arrive eventually and the children will soon find themselves enjoying a much different outdoor environment. In addition to warmer temperatures and spring flowers, the children will also see the HMS outdoor environment come to life. 

During the fall and winter months, we worked with a landscape designer to design a “natural playground.” Attention has been given to plants and structures that will complement our already beautiful natural setting. Among sunflowers and butterfly bushes, the younger children will enjoy a natural sandbox, low balance beams, bird houses and raised garden beds. In addition to the soccer field, our older children will find boulders to scramble upon, tree stumps to jump on, larger garden beds, and a climbing tower with a zip line. A centrally located natural outdoor amphitheater will offer a unique space for gathering.

All of this is possible through the effort and generosity of our families. The majority of the funding for the outdoor environment was raised last year at our Spring Gala and Silent Auction — a fun evening of dinner, dancing, and bidding on auction items. It will be gratifying to see the outdoor environment come to life, and it will serve as a reminder of each family’s participation in this annual fundraising event.

This year the Spring Gala will be held on March 22nd. All proceeds will benefit the newly created HMS Annual Fund. If you are interested in participating, either by donating or attending, please contact Karen in the front office. 

Think Spring!