Keep Kindergarten Private?

Twice in two weeks, a few parents and Director Tricia Cossick have met to ponder an important question: Should Our Children's Center Montessori apply for a kindergarten "charter school"?

Now first off, what is a charter school? Pennsylvania and many other states have supported school choice by providing tuition dollars to schools -- called "charter schools" -- whose methods and operations are different from the public school at large. In our case, OCC Montessori kindergarten is certainly different from the State College kindergarten, and so we could apply to be a "charter school".

The advantage is clear: the tuition dollars walk with the student, meaning that OCC kindergarten would have no tuition. That also provides extra stability for the school. But of course, nothing is free. Not only is the application a fair bit of work, but when the school district provides money, they also add regulations and paperwork. Special types of teaching certificates, additional building codes, and other regulations would enter OCC doors.

Where do the conversations stand now? First off, the discussions have been very firm on one point: There will be no change to who we are as a Montessori community, and the Montessori teaching principles will not be sacrificed one bit.

Right now some big questions before us are these: 1) Will the regulations enable us to continue providing a Montessori education in the OCC community? If not, a charter is the wrong path. 2) When we charter, we become a "public school". How are admissions to the school handled? That will be a subject of a soon-to-come blog. 3) Should we apply for a K-only charter, or K-3 or even K-6? 4) For teachers who have changed the entire building just over a year ago, how much change is possible or good? 5) When to apply? The deadline is in November, and so this year is out. But we could apply for next year.

We hope that you'll participate in the conversation, perhaps in future meetings and perhaps by commenting on this blog. If you can help -- perhaps you know regulations or people or examples -- let Tricia know and she will pass it on, or come to a meeting. There are of course many concerns and complexities, and we'll continue to discuss those as a community and put them online.

Together as parents, we will make the best decision for the key participants -- our children. We will be moving our meeting times to the evenings to include more parents and staff and will let you know when the next meeting is, as soon as we know.

Darrell Velegol (Lauren's Dad)
Associate Professor (Charter Team Member)
Department of Chemical Engineering
The Pennsylvania State University (OCC)

Why Kindergarten at OCC?

"Why is it so important for my child to continue at OCC for Kindergarten?"

I usually field this question in the spring from a parent who likes our program but doesn't really fully understand it. I'd like to begin with the importance of finishing the Montessori three year cycle. This will give all of you with rising Kindergarten students, children who will be five on or before Aug. 31 2008, time to plan for your preschool child's educational future.

You'll want to find out about the entire Montessori learning cycle as well as the special events and projects developed for our Kindergarten students. Miss Kassie, our Kindergarten families, and OCC alumni will also be sharing important information about the OCC Kindergarten experience this year. When you know the all of the facts, you won't want your child to miss this wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity.

Kassie and I will be able to answer additional questions during the upcoming parent-teacher conferences so be ready with your questions.

In OCC's Montessori Kindergarten environment, every child is presented with endless opportunities to develop advanced skills in language and literacy, problem-solving, mathematical concepts, and interpersonal relationships.

During the Kindergarten year, a child can not only engage with the Montessori materials in more depth, thus gaining more insight, but, using this base, has the confidence to invent and create unique ways to use the materials.

The OCC Kindergartner is a responsible leader in the classroom and throughout the school environment. Helping younger friends, acting as a teacher helper, and helping with school and office jobs benefits the school as well as the child. How many five year old have such an impressive resume?

Students engage in critical learning habits—concentration, risk-taking, self-discipline, a sense of order, persistence in completing a task, creative self-expression and a love for learning, (invaluable preparations for life) -- the child develops these behaviors in a supportive, exciting learning community.

All preparations for later academic work and for social and emotional development which have been so carefully nurtured in the three and four year old child are reinforced and expanded upon in the kindergarten year.

As one Montessori parent put it, “Everything my child had learned up to then seemed to fall into place, and he was ready to meet other challenges once he had this foundation.”