Notes from Head of School

Category

Plans for Re-Opening and a Remote Learning Workgroup

As teachers are working to finish up the school year with students in remote learning, our school administration is working to plan for our in-person reopening in the fall. We have many pieces working simultaneously to prepare for being together next year.  We have many options available to us at Hilltop Montessori School, and the...
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29
May

Possibilities For Toddler and Children’s House SummerFun!

Wednesday night the guidance for childcare centers opening in the summer came out from Governor Scott. We are making plans to be able to care for Toddlers and Children’s House students. There are many components to take into consideration: Can our facilities and staff meet the requirements laid out?How many families might want to send...
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15
May

Balance

Balancing – Our current situation has brought “balance” to the forefront in several areas at our school: Social/emotional connection and support balanced with academic needs –  Teachers and staff have been giving lots of thought to the importance of supporting the emotional and social needs of our students and families during this time. Helping us...
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01
May

Support for the HMS Community During COVID-19

Dear Hilltop Community, The Hilltop Montessori School Administration and Board of Trustees have been working through many considerations to support families, staff, and students for the current crisis and for the long-term sustainability of the school. With so many unknowns regarding the COVID-19 crisis and how it will play out in the weeks, months, and...
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17
Apr

Leadership Update

Dear Hilltop Families, As many of you know, leaving Hilltop was a hard decision for me to make back in February. The prospect of having a new adventure in Massachusetts with my family just barely beat out the attachment, engagement, and satisfaction I feel in being at Hilltop. And now, COVID-19 has changed that.  The...
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14
Apr

Remote Learning Updates and Goals

In the first few weeks of remote learning, we focussed on: Reaching out to students and families to support learning at home as quickly and thoroughly as we couldBalancing staff roles and responsibilities to distribute the immense new online workload and the diminished onsite workload, and keep all staff employedStrategizing for managing the school and...
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10
Apr

HMS Learning from Home Handbook

Dear Families, I am very proud of how quickly, thoroughly, and thoughtfully the teachers have adapted the Hilltop Montessori School programs to this virtual learning environment. For an example, pretend you are at a Lower Elementary morning meeting and watch Amelia’s The Months Macarena to celebrate the start of April! We have been able to...
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03
Apr

Remote Learning for the Remainder of the Semester

Have our individual and collective lives ever changed so much in two weeks? And we are here for the long haul. As most of you have probably heard, we will not be allowed to meet in person with students and families for the rest of the school year (with the exception of providing care to...
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27
Mar

In-person Activities Cancelled Until at Least April 6, as Directed by the State

It is so strange for all of us to be working from home and not visit in person with you, each other on staff, and of course spend the days with your children. This has been a transition for us all, some more than others. . . I’ve been astounded by the work of the...
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20
Mar

HMS Current Status and Plans for Continuing Student Engagement at Home

Dear Families, As soon as we have a plan for one scenario, we are dealing with the reality of another. As you heard, schools in our area are closed as of Monday, March 16, and all Vermont schools must be closed by Wednesday. The soonest we will be back is April 6th, and that is...
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13
Mar
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