Annual Report
The Brandon, Riverview & SouthShore
Spring 2013
Montessori Schools
Executive Summary
Our Mission
To develop and nurture
“Growth is not merely a harmonious increase in size,
the intellectual, creative
but a transformation.” ~ Maria Montessori
and human potential of our
More than a century ago, Dr. Maria Montessori penned those words
referring to the unique development of children. In this, the twelfth
year in our Schools’ history, I have witnessed a transformation of more
than 1,000 children. I have had the sheer pleasure of watching our
children develop their inner confidence, moral responsibility and joy of
learning that will carry them throughout their lives.
children through
excellence in all our
endeavors.
Inside
Exciting School Year!
2
Growing three Schools – One Team
Capital Improvements
Our Schools’ major expenditures
Faculty News
Teachers: dedicated professionals
Building of SMS
2
3
4
Ms. Rohini’s vision becomes reality
Life Lessons
5
Cultural lessons; window to the world
Editorial
The intangibles of Montessori
Community Service
5
6
Children lead the way to help others
Alumni Corner
6
I am thrilled to say that our new campus, The SouthShore Montessori
School at Waterset, has been embraced by the community and the
children are thriving in their new classrooms. Our unparalleled team of
teaching professionals is the reason behind our success! Directors and
teachers at each of our Schools have worked tirelessly together-building three Schools, one Team!
I am eternally grateful for the
continued support from our
wonderful families. Your loyalty
and faith in our Schools continues
to be our hallmark.
I hope you enjoy this Annual
Report. We are committed to
excellence in all we do, driven by
our children’s unlimited potential!
Ms. Rohini
Flying Kites -- Ms. Rohini’s
passion for the children shines
through in all that she does!
The Brandon, Riverview & SouthShore Montessori Schools
Annual Report, Spring 2013
Three schools.
One family.
One team.
Executive Team - (left to right) Angie Sokari Aziz, Rohini Rustogi, Laurie March, Sarinette Rivera
New School Year Brings Excitement… (three fold)!
August began another exciting school year with BMS
and RMS fully enrolled and teachers armed with fresh
new lessons. This year was especially exciting as we
welcomed Ms. Sarinette Rivera, Director of our new
SouthShore Montessori School at Waterset.
Sarinette began training alongside veteran RMS
Director, Angie Sokari Aziz, and quickly established
herself with the children, families and teachers of RMS.
Sarinette’s education and expertise combined with her
dedication made her perfectly suited to her new
position.
The Schools’ Executive Team worked together to kick
off one of the most exciting years in our history. Each
member played a pivotal role in furthering our Schools’
success. Ms. Angie established new business
management practices, aligning operations of all three
schools into a streamlined system. Ms. Laurie March,
Director of BMS, began planning for the Schools’
community service events and the establishment of
Voluntary Prekindergarten Classes at all three
campuses. Fueling the work of the Team, was Ms.
Rohini’s vision and dedication to the children.
The SouthShore Montessori School at Waterset
opened in October and has been warmly embraced by
the community. In February, SMS welcomed Ms. Sara
Wilson, Director of Accreditation for the American
Montessori Society. Ms. Wilson validated the stellar
Montessori program at SMS and returned to AMS
Headquarters in New York with a glowing
recommendation to the Board of Directors. SMS,
under the leadership of Ms. Sarinette, completed its
formal accreditation review; thus, confirming its
quality commitment to the children.
More excitement continues as all three campus
locations will offer Summer and School Year
Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) classes. VPK allows
more families to choose Montessori, preparing more
children for kindergarten (and beyond).
Capital Improvements
The Schools’ fiscal commitments align with our
priorities of safety and quality education for the
children. When it comes to our children’s well-being,
we spare no expense.
The chart below highlights major investments across
all three campus locations. The construction cost of
the SMS building is not included.
Playground &
Equipment ($60K)
8%
16%
48%
28%
Educational
Materials ($35K)
Building
Improvements ($20K)
Professional
Development ($10K)
Annual Report, Spring 2013
Educational
Accomplishments
The Brandon, Riverview & SouthShore Montessori Schools
Faculty News.
Montessori Training
“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in
creative expression and knowledge.” ~ Albert Einstein
Jennifer Holbrook (SMS) In Progress
Trupti Lodha (BMS)
Laurie March (BMS)
Sedoina Momparler (BMS)
The effectiveness of a school depends on the effectiveness of its
teachers. With over 150 collective years of institutional expertise, our
teachers have grown our School into the highly regarded educational
institution for young children in the Tampa Bay area.
Child Development
Janet Gallow (RMS)
Khairu Lalani (RMS)
Chloe Marun (BMS)
Lily Marun (RMS)
Suzanne Mistretta (RMS)
Courtney Noyce (RMS)
Cathy Pinelli (BMS)
Dawn Redmond (RMS)
Angie Sokari Aziz (RMS)
Anjali Singh (RMS)
Suzann Walker (SMS)
Donna Yelton (BMS) In Progress
Administrator Training
Sarinette Rivera (SMS)
Angie Sokari Aziz (RMS)
mental milestones).
Our professionally trained
teachers working in the specially
equipped classrooms give our
children a prepared environment
that fosters their holistic
development – socially,
emotionally and intellectually: an
education for life!
Pictured at right – BMS, RMS,
SMS faculty gather together for
the Team’s Annual Kick-Off
Meeting.
Professional growth continues to be a staff priority. Our teachers and
administrators completed coursework with Montessori teacher
training institutes including:
- Maitland Montessori Teacher Education Program
- Orlando Montessori Teacher Education Institute
- The Center for Guided Montessori Studies
Teachers stayed in tune with latest research and topics relating to
early child education through professional memberships with:
- The American Montessori Society
Association Montessori Internationale
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
Assistant Teachers continued their professional growth earning Child
Development Associate credentials from:
- Rasmussen College
- Leary Technical Institute
Our teachers’ accomplishments reflect a commitment to the quality
education of our children.
Everyone on our team is committed to the Montessori principle of
“following the child”: serving each individual child’s needs, interests
and learning style. Respect for each child is honored through loving
teacher-child relationships and through the practice of recognizing a
child’s “sensitive periods” (windows of opportunity for key develop-
The Brandon, Riverview & SouthShore Montessori Schools
Annual Report, Spring 2013
July, 2012
Stewards of Our
Community
The SouthShore Montessori School;
A Vision Becomes Reality
August, 2012
Hot Off The Press - Osprey Observer, Sep 16, 2012
As Apollo Beach prepares for the upcoming grand opening of its new
Waterset community by Newland Communities this fall, it also welcomes
the under-construction SouthShore Montessori School at Waterset.
Families in Riverview, Apollo Beach, Ruskin and neighboring communities
are already signing up to enroll their children in the newest school which
is the third school in the trio, including both The Brandon and The
Riverview Montessori schools. Brandon opened in 2001 and Riverview
opened in 2005, with the schools now celebrating more than 1,000 local
graduates.
The professional crew of Spartan Builders is right on
schedule to have the school completed in October. Spartan owner, Kevin
Suarez, Platinum Bank’s CEO, Jerry Kyle and the School’s owner, Rohini
Rustogi have once again collaborated to build what is sure to be another
award-winning school.
September, 2012
“We wanted to answer the call for quality early education in this area,”
said Rustogi adding that the proven Montessori approach gives children
the tools to help them succeed in our demanding and global environment.
The new SouthShore Montessori School (SMS) will be a reflection of its
sister schools, led by a professional team of dedicated educators. SMS
Director, Sarinette Rivera, brings a wealth of experience to the area’s first
Montessori school. Rivera’s academic background in both teaching and
directing coupled with graduate-level education makes her perfectly suited
to the challenges of the position. Classroom Lead Teachers, holding
Montessori Teaching Certifications, and professionally educated Teacher
Assistants are long-time faculty of the Schools (having taught at Rustogi’s
first two Montessori schools). The American Montessori Society, the
official accrediting organization of schools in the United States, has
formally accredited SMS.
The SouthShore Montessori School is located at the front of the new
Waterset community just off of Big Bend Rd. near I-75 and will be
licensed for up to 90 children, ages 2-6 years old. The long-term goal of
the school is to provide early education for children who might not
otherwise have the opportunity to attend. SMS will partner with the Early
Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, in order to provide Voluntary
Prekindergarten (VPK) to eligible children.
For
information
on
SouthShore
www.wearemontessori.com or call 741-3300.
Montessori,
visit
October, 2012
Annual Report, Spring 2013
The Brandon, Riverview & SouthShore Montessori Schools
Editorial
The intangible benefits of
Montessori
There is a renewed buzz about
Montessori recently. Celebrities,
entrepreneurs, regarded education
professionals, and even those in the
scientific community are expressing
the proven effectiveness of
Montessori. The benefits run
deeper than academic achievement
and test score results. Below are a
few of the intangible benefits with a
lifelong impact.
Positive Self-Confidence.
Bringing the World to Our
Children
The sounds of joyful learning resonate throughout our classrooms.
The children’s natural curiosity to learn about their world is satisfied
through real life experiences: science experiments, gardening, musical
instruments, art mediums, theater, special guests, and so much
more.). Dr. Montessori called these the “cultural subjects” and
referred to them as a “window to the world”.
Children make choices and work at
their own pace. This personal
discovery process nurtures the
child’s natural joy of learning and
grows their inner confidence.
Creative Thinking.
The classroom environment
(specially designed hands-on
materials and the child-focused
classroom) instills a deep curiosity
and exercises the analytical mind.
Our cultural studies teach the children about the world and their place
in it. The subjects are taught in a specific order (big picture to smaller
parts), and are integrated into the curriculum. Once the foundation of
each cultural area is set, then the areas are integrated into each other,
reinforcing the interconnectedness of everything in the world.
Colorful celebrations honor people and traditions of our world:
- Japanese Tea Ceremony
- St. Lucia Light Ceremony
- Diwali Festival
- Chinese New Year
- Australia Day
- Earth Day
Respect for All.
Experience with the arts and earth develops a universal connection:
- Theater Presentations
- Musical Concerts
- Children’s Art Exhibit
- Garden Harvests
The cooperative class community
cares for each other (regardless of
differences) and cares for the
environment (on a global scale).
When children are given opportunities
to experience their world, they come
to appreciate the value and
connection of everything in it!
These invaluable attributes make
Montessori the clear choice for
our children’s future!
By Laurie March, BMS Director &
Annual Report Editor
Annual Report, Spring 2013
Annual Report, Spring 2013
Alumni
Corner
Stewards of Our Community
Our Montessori children develop a sense of connectedness
to each other and to the world. Their compassion for others
is unmistakable and inspirational.
Miss Yasmine Aziz, BMS class of
2005, is one of our accomplished
ambassadors! Her elementary
and middle school years are full
of honors and accolades. Most
recently, Yasmine won 1st place
on her Science Fair Project at
Barrington Middle School, and
will represent her school at the
Regional level. Yasmine also
won 1st place in her School
Spelling Bee and is soon to
compete at the Regional Bee!
Yasmine gives back to her fellow
Montessorians by volunteering
daily with their morning arrivals.
We are so very proud of our
gracious and talented Yasmine!
Relay for Life 2012
(pictured above):
Our children collected $800 in coins! Teachers and families
walked in shifts for 18 hours while selling baked goods and
sand art to fight cancer. Proceeds from the Schools’ Yard
Sale, Raffle, Coin Challenge and Team Donations totaled
$3,582!
Committed
to
Excellence
Open Arms Food Pantry:
Families and teachers contributed over 100 pounds of food
to support local families in our community!
A Kids Place Wish Tree:
Our Schools donated $350 to make dreams come true for
children displaced from their homes.
Commitment
to
Excellence
Trike-A-Thon:
Our students, families and teachers gave selflessly to help 3
year old Samara Antonio, battling leukemia. Together we
raised $2,500 for Samara and also $1,000 for the Leukemia &
Lymphoma Society to help other children like Samara!
WeAreMontessori.com
WeAreMontessori.com