Park View Montessori School- Come See What's New!

You’re driving on Bells Ferry Road, and across the street from Hobgood Park is a sign: Park View Montessori School. “Montessori… what exactly is Montessori?” you wonder.
 
You’ve heard a few other moms talking about choices in preschool education and the word “Montessori” did come up, but what a “Montessori education” is, you’re still unclear. You glance in your rear view mirror and see your precious toddler who really could benefit from a preschool program filled with learning and socialization.
 
So you make an appointment with Park View and you not only become educated as to the Montessori philosophy, but you learn they have a wonderful summer program as well as a newly added transitional room for toddlers. You leave, grinning from ear to ear because you just found your toddler a preschool AND a fun and educational summer program!
 
What is Montessori?
 
“There’s still a lot of people out there who don’t know what Montessori is,” noted Park View owner Kathy Faircloth. “Some even think we’re a religion,” she said with a big smile on her face.
 
Put simply, Montessori is a teaching method and philosophy that emphasizes individualized instruction in a self-paced environment. However, individualized programs do not equate to unstructured and free-for-all classes — that’s a common misconception, according to Kathy. The goal of Montessori is to instill a love of learning and exploring interests in a supportive, flexible and varied environment.
 
Park View was founded by Kathy and her husband Pat in 1989, and in those 19 years, they’ve seen a lot of children come through their doors, develop, bloom and become successful students. Some have returned with their own children and some have come back as employees. Park View is truly a family of long-time staff, students and parents.
 
And like any family, change for the better is inevitable, and for Park View, the changes only will strengthen this family.
 
Summer Brain Fun Extravaganza!
 
It’s that time of the year when parents begin contemplating summer camp choices. Park View always has offered a summer program, but this year, they are doing it differently. “We are offering what we do best at Park View,” said Kathy. “Learning.” “There are kids out there who need in depth learning exercises,” she continued.
 
Summer Brain Fun Extravaganza is a learning program for ages 3 — 8, and just as the name indicates, there’s learning AND fun involved! “Not every child likes sports or recreation camps or being outside all day. We offer a summer program for those who enjoy learning,” noted Kathy. The fees are lower than the Park View school year fees, and parents have the option of choosing full day camp or half day. The variety of sessions available should fit into most parents’ needs. There are weekly sessions, which are Basic Montessori, available in full and half days. Then, there are two “themed” sessions, each three weeks long, again available in full or half day programs.
 
During the “themed” weeks, the mornings will include four 40-minute enrichment units on a wide variety of topics including Everyday Science, Botany, Zoology, Reading, Practical Application Math and more. In addition, there will be a drama program with a student produced play at the end, and a music program where the students will produce their own CD, learn music theory and be introduced to a wide variety of instruments. Afternoons will consist of fun crafts, special guest speakers and water play (if permitted). There are still openings for all sessions, but Kathy encourages parents to act quickly to reserve a spot for their child.
 
Toddler Program Upgrade
 
“The need to expand our Infant/Toddler Program has existed for a long time,” explained Kathy. The program is still for ages 6 weeks — 36 months, but a new toddler transitional room will be added for the fall, expanding the number of classrooms from three to four. The newly added transitional toddler room is for the toddler who can complete a task from beginning to end. The infant/ toddler program now will have smaller, developmental age brackets. “We’ve always moved developmentally, but now we’re going to break it down even smaller,” said Kathy.
 
“This transitional room is for the toddler transitioning into Montessori, allowing him/her to become more prepared for the next level of classroom. It’s also for the 3 — 5 year old, entering Montessori for the first time,” Kathy continued. 

Park View is small enough to feel like family and provide truly individualized instruction to your child, yet large enough to provide a variety of stimulation, hot lunches and confidence-building learning. And with the expanded toddler program and new, learning-centered summer program, now is the perfect time to call Park View. Call them at (770) 926-0044 or visit them at www. parkviewmontessorischool.com.