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Hallmark
How
TRM Works
Parental
Involvement
Parent References
Turtle River Montessori
is a school that was established in the fall of 1994 by five families who
were in search of a Montessori school that followed the philosophy in its
entirety. Their dream of providing a true Montessori environment led them to sow
a seed in the form of a home-school group of 6 elementary age children. This was
followed by its formal inception in 1995 in a larger building that housed a
pre-primary program as well.
Mission Statement
Guided by the educational philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori, we pride ourselves on our
high standards and a deep commitment to the method and philosophy of educating the
"whole child". In order to do so we have created a nurturing environment that
respects the child, and is keenly tuned in to their social, emotional and
intellectual development. We strive to empower the child to build
themselves while awakening a lifelong love of learning.
 The Founder of this school,
Bubli Dandiya, is one of the five families who had a clear vision of what
she wanted for her two daughters who were three and eight at the time. She had a
background in Montessori teaching which helped her considerably in setting up
the school. Her strong belief that a child can thrive beautifully in an
environment where there is utmost respect for the child, and where the child is
empowered to build himself/herself on all levels, led her to create a school
herself.
Turtle River was founded on
the premise that in order for children to reach their potentials they must be
surrounded by positive energy which fosters their confidence and self esteem -
both of which are key to a strong foundation of their sense of self. This in
conjunction with a 3-dimensional and hands-on curriculum that ensures a well
rounded child who has been exposed to a variety of experiences at an early age.
The school has an
enrollment of approximately 110 students ranging from three to twelve years old. In addition to
its rich academic curriculum, it offers physical education, sign language,
Spanish, and art. In keeping with its philosophy that the school and the parents
must work hand in hand, parent education evenings are offered every six weeks.
Turtle River Montessori School strives to provide a Montessori education in the
"purest" sense - fully encompassing the spirit and ideology Dr. Maria Montessori
developed almost 100 years ago. The school was developed out of a need for
a learning center in the Jupiter area that more richly and truly offered parents
the very best Montessori environment possible and the most exceptional
educational opportunity possible. Parents searching for the
most optimal learning experience for their children, for the fullest growth and
development possible, for the highest opportunities available for encouraging a
lifelong, positive learning relationship resulting in a happy and successful
individual choose Turtle River Montessori. The school's hallmark is our
warm and welcoming environment, embracing the community of families who choose
to participate in the opportunities for learning, commitment and involvement.
We provide nurturing, child-centered settings for
children almost 3 years through twelve years of age. The school is committed to
building and fostering a community of life-long learners, using proven
Montessori methodology, which has been successful for the past 100 years. While
we focus on helping children master language, math, and sensorial experience at
age-appropriate levels, we simultaneously nurture the development of conscious,
caring, and compassionate human beings.
At Turtle River, we rejoice in the basic tenet of Montessori: that children want
to learn naturally. We believe that even the youngest child delights in
seeing—and mastering—how the world works. So our teachers respect each child's
individual interests and abilities. Free to follow their own inner dictates,
children acquire an ability to learn which is virtually unlimited; free to
explore in prepared environments, they develop a sense of purpose, process,
completion—and success.
We offer rich and varied environments—from individual activity tables to open
floor areas that promote group interaction; from quiet areas for independent
interests to the natural abundance of our own glorious “backyards”. Each of
these environments invites exploration, and in total, fully meets the
developmental needs of young children.
Nearly everything within our walls is child-sized. Children “work” with
authentic Montessori materials including a wide range of high-quality,
age-appropriate materials—objects such as wooden blocks, sand trays, textured
fabrics, and glass beads, to name just a few. All of our materials are designed
to be self-teaching: our children learn to solve problems, see natural
connections in knowledge, learn skills related to practical living, and
therefore, expand their imaginative thinking.
Operating on the principle of freedom within limits, Turtle River inspires
children to work at their own pace, alone or with others. Our teachers encourage
the growth of self-motivated, independent children by balancing active,
self-directed learning with small group collaboration and peer teaching. Classes
comprise a range of ages and abilities. Older, more experienced children take on
the role of peer mentors, reinforcing their own skills and experiencing the
responsibilities of leadership through helping others. Younger children, in
turn, enjoy the daily stimulation of older role models, while children of all
ages learn to respect each other in a warm atmosphere of acceptance and joy.
We are dedicated to fostering a tight-knit community and encourage
parents to participate on various levels. Our belief is that
participation enhances the school programs and raises parental
commitment to the quality of education, which has created our
extended family of students, faculty, parents and alumni.
Research has proven that children thrive better in environments
where their families are involved. We are committed to educating the
parent community in our Montessori philosophy.
VOLUNTEERS Parental involvement
is a requirement at Turtle River, and we encourage all families to participate
actively at our school as we greatly value the community spirit that it creates.
Each family agrees to contribute a minimum of 25 hours of parental involvement
time per school year. 6 of these 25 hours will be attendance at a minimum
of three evening Parent Awareness workshops a year familiarizing parents on the
Montessori educational goals and practices. Parents have the opportunity to
participate in the on-going life of the classrooms in a variety of volunteer
roles, including assisting at lunchtime, obtaining and preparing craft materials
or library books, assisting with our garden, organizing and participating in
special events, taking class photos, and a multitude of other options. Each
Classroom designates a Classroom Coordinator who organizes all volunteer roles.
FAMILY PHOTO is requested for display
in each child's classroom as Montessori education revolves around family.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS that are both
meaningful and educational celebrate the child through the years.
SNACKS for the classroom are provided
by each child on a monthly rotational basis. On the day the child provides
snack, they are also the line leader and the teacher's helper.
SCHOOL PICNICS, FAMILY EVENTS and PARENTS-ONLY SOCIALS are held during
the school year. Families and staff have a chance to socialize outside of school
hours, developing friendships and networks.
CLASSROOM EVENTS are organized by each Classroom's Parents and have
ranged from Holiday parties to kayaking trips to Teacher Appreciation weeks.
ANNUAL FUNDRAISER AUCTION is enormous fun as parents and staff get to
know the Jupiter community better as we obtain donations auctioned at a gala
evening event.
NEWSLETTER is a monthly source of information about news and upcoming events at the
School.
MEMORY BOOKS are a photographic keepsake of the school year.
BOOK FAIRS offer a wide selection of children's books at reduced
prices. Families have the opportunity to donate books for classroom use.
•Thank you for a tremendous Turtle River
Experience! We are thrilled with the educational knowledge and
social skills that our (son) has received in his 3 school years at
Turtle River Montessori. Our active and determined little guy
has developed into a kind boy with a genuine interest for learning!
We are grateful...for (the teachers') unfailing patience, fun sense
of humor and genuine love for teaching these children. (Our
son) has had the freedom to grow and learn at his individual pace
and has become quite proud of his math and reading skills! We
are confident that (his) Turtle River Montessori education will
benefit him both scholastically and socially in his new school next
fall.
We have thoroughly enjoyed the closeness and kind reciprocity of the
Turtle River families and appreciate the level of communication that
Turtle River upholds....We are grateful that our (younger son) will
receive the same experience and Montessori education next winter!
Thank you,
Victor & Julie Del Guercio
•I first encountered Turtle River Montessori as a
private music contractor. I am a certified Musikgarten
instructor of music and movement for children from birth through age
7. I have worked in the preschool setting as a music teacher
for the last decade and have seen many things that I have loved as
well as things that have been appalling. With my background in early
childhood development, I was immediately impressed with the Turtle
River Montessori environment and knew when our children were old
enough this is the school we would like them to attend. Our
first child has just completed his first year in the green room and
has grown from the loving and careful attention given to that
environment. I have worked first hand with his teachers to
approach his holistic development as a team and that is the benefit
of not only a Montessori education, but the specific approach
applied at Turtle River Montessori. I deeply believe in the
developmental appropriateness of a Montessori foundation and know
that you will be extremely happy with what your child encounters
here.
Amber Bishop, Owner Jumpin' Jingles, Inc.
•Thank you for creating a home away from home for
our children. (They) are happy, safe, learning, secure...everything
we'd ever wished for, and more. It is an honor to be a part of
something so special. We are so appreciative of all you have
done.
Thank you.
Chelsea & Michael Reed
•Our son has been at Turtle River Montessori for
one and a half years now. This has been a very nurturing
environment for our son. He was very shy and an extreme
introvert before entering Turtle River. Since attending this
school he has opened up so much. We believe that this has
happened through the nurturing environment he has been in.
This year he has learned to read and write and also learned
beginning math skills. This is a child who refused to hold a
pencil at age four and a half. He has also made many friends
here and has had lots of fun. This has helped him to relax and
enjoy going to school. He is now prepared to enter the
elementary class here at Turtle River. We are both very
pleased with the teachers and the curriculum at this school.
Turtle River is comfortable place to come to every day and we
feel at peace knowing our son is in such good hands.
Sincerely,
Donna Cochrane and Andrew Whalley
•We feel so much sadness leaving the warm, loving
and nurturing environment at Turtle River Montessori, after 3
amazing years....(We) are so grateful for your dedication to the
school. Thank you for handpicking the most wonderful teachers and
always being on top of things, making sure that your students are
always getting the best. (Our daughter) is an enthusiastic
reader largely as a result of the time the teachers spent teaching
her how to read. In no small part because of their dedication,
the psychologist who tested (her) for the gifted program was
pleasantly surprised at her ability to read at such a young
age....Turtle River Montessori is the best school. Your love
and enthusiasm is contagious to all who join the school. Everyone
becomes a family. It is an amazing feeling to be in a school
where you, too, share our dreams for our children, and your
dedication is truly touching. We thank you from the bottom of our
hearts for making this an exceptional school. We feel so
grateful to have been a part of it.
Lots of love,
Sumathi and Mohan Nadarajah
•After almost 5 years at Turtle River it breaks my
heart to leave this warm family....TRM has changed my life
completely. It has left a positive imprint on my childrens'
social behavior, on their view on the world, on their understanding
of themselves and of course on their knowledge. (My son) has
loved going to school.
Christine Kruyt
And Some Additional Remarks -
•Thank you for providing a loving and nurturing environment.
•Thank you for all of your dedication to the students...and your hard
work running your wonderful school.
•You truly inspire all our children and it is for this that we are
truly grateful.
•How can we thank you for all the TLC you have given us.
•There aren't enough words to express our thanks. We love our school
thanks to you.
•Thanks for providing such an enriching setting and all your love and
support.
•Thank you so much for another BEAUTIFUL year.
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