Namaste Montessori School

November 18, 2024School Eventsalternative education, Community, Montessori, Music and Art Education

Namaste Fall Festival

Despite the chill, Namaste families gathered for a fun-filled afternoon of games and activities early this November. The annual festival was larger than ever with the addition of a paper plane launching area and a timed obstacle course. So many parent volunteers helped to make this event a success and the community is so grateful!!

September 22, 2024School Eventsalternative education, child development, Community, elementary, Montessori

Upper Elementary Annual Camping Trip

Each year, the upper elementary heads out on a fall two-night adventure to an area state park. This trip offers valuable experience planning, preparing, and packing, as well as a opportunities to cook meals, explore the area, and bond with peers. Before the trip, the students decided on meals and went on a field trip to Wegmans to purchase food. …

September 19, 2024School Projectsalternative education, child development, Montessori, primary, Science

The Indoor/Outdoor Classroom

The Montessori Primary program incorporates the natural world into the curriculum and prioritizes the freedom to go outside (when the weather is mild), allowing young children to move as needed and participate in activities that are inspiring and meaningful to them! When the weather turns cold, we continue to continue to go outside to explore the playground, and bring in …

September 9, 2024School Eventsalternative education, child development, Community, elementary, Montessori, primary

Namaste Celebrates 20 Years of Serving Children and Families

Current and past members of the Namaste community gathered to celebrate 20 years of excellent early childhood education with shared food, music, activities, and memories! Namaste sponsored free carousel rides for visitors to the park for the day. History Namaste Montessori School was founded in August of 2004 by Bridgid and Stanley Beames. It was initially licensed as a NYS …

July 2, 2024School Eventsalternative education, Community, Montessori

Ithaca Fest Parade

Each year the elementary students help design and create a float for the Ithaca Fest parade. This year the theme was “Let the Sunshine In!” and our float was colorful, with flowers and butterflies! We had record turnout for our little school, with many alumni and families walking with us.

June 30, 2024School Events, School Projectsalternative education, child development, Community, elementary, Montessori, Music and Art Education, technology

Elementary Annual City Trip for 5th and 6th Years

Each Spring our 5th and 6th year elementary students plan a field trip to a nearby city. This year the students chose Philadelphia and planned for a very busy three days of activities, including visits to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Museum (the oldest art museum in the US) for a private tour and art lesson, the Philadelphia Mint …

June 23, 2024School Eventsalternative education, child development, Community, elementary, Montessori, Music and Art Education, primary

Annual Spring Festival

What a joy to be together as a community this spring, to spread blankets across the lawn and watch performances! The Spring Fest was an opportunity for the children to share songs, rhythms, and motions from their music classes with their families and for us all to share a meal, enjoy each other’s company, listen to great music, and do …

June 18, 2024School Projectsalternative education, Careers, child development, Community, elementary, Montessori, Science

From Seed to Loaf

Our elementary students learned about the growing of wheat and milling of flour, the creation of sourdough starters, and the kneading, shaping, and baking of bread this spring! With guidance and support from staff from Wide Awake Bakery and Farmer Ground Flour, the children enjoyed in-class visits and field trips to gain hand-on experiences with the processes of farming grain …

May 14, 2024School Projectsalternative education, Careers, child development, elementary, Montessori, Science, technology

Poultry Sciences

The chickens laid fertile eggs, thanks to our not-so-friendly rooster, and the elementary children were able to incubate and raise three chicks this spring! The children were able to observe at every step of the process, candling the eggs to see the embryos form, and watching them hatch and grow. The life cycle is more fascinating and memorable when you …

November 7, 2023School EventsAdult Education, alternative education, child development, media, technology, Workshop

Workshop: Technology, Media, and Child Development

The internet and modern technology make media exposure almost unavoidable even for young children. While technology can provide education and entertainment, it can also impact children in a less positive way. As parents and caregivers, how do we find that right balance of what to offer our children and when? With the holidays approaching, it can be especially difficult to …

September 21, 2023School EventsAdult Education, alternative education, elementary, Montessori, preschool, primary

Montessori 101

Montessori philosophy is a radically progressive form of education based in scientific observation of children at each stage of development. The environment is designed to engage and inspire the child, and the adults are trained to guide the child toward their individual potential. Our first adult educational workshop is coming up in a couple of weeks. This event is open …

alternative education