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Harborlight Montessori
243 Essex Street
Beverly, MA 01915
Phone: 978-922-1008
Fax: 978-922-0594
News
Head of School Update - August 2009
I am pleased to report that the Harborlight Montessori School made great strides this past year in enriching and developing the School. This Annual State of the School Report illustrates the operational progress made during the 2008-2009 fiscal year. It also shows some of the ways in which the School directed the generous support of our donors in advancing the School.
Governance: The Board of Trustees continues to work on the advancing the School with their implementation of the 6 year Strategic Plan. All of the Board Committees worked on the tasks that they were charged with by the Executive Committee in order to sustain programmatic excellence by taking viability focused action on behalf of the present and next generation of students to come.
All aspects of the School’s operations ran very smoothly in 2008-2009 resulting in a very positive, successful and productive year in spite of the recession.
Facilities were improved tremendously with the addition of 3 new Upper Elementary classrooms including new furniture, computers, lockers, etc. The Upper Elementary students and faculty were absolutely thrilled with their new space and the Middle School faculty and students were very happy to be in larger quarters as well.
Faculty members were very busy implementing the Montessori curriculum while sampling tested and proven new curricular to adjunct our already very impressive course of studies. The Teacher Enrichment Fund enabled several teachers to attend the American Montessori School Annual Conference in New Orleans. It was very heartening to see the students and faculty enjoying the process of education so much this past year.
Students were happy to come to school every day and some of them were upset to go home on many occasions. That’s the way school should be: full of fun, friends, excitement, learning and challenges. I have never met a child at Harborlight who does not love learning and who is joyful to be able to grow at their own individual pace to reach their fullest potential. I only wish that all the children in the world could experience the gift of attending a school where all of their emotional, intellectual and physical needs are met.
Parents repeatedly expressed throughout the year how pleased, grateful and happy they were with the curriculum, faculty and facilities. The entire Harborlight community was “buzzing” with all sorts of wonderful activities this past year, i.e. celebrating the Montessori Philosophy and Method of Education during Montessori Education Week including learning about Dr. Maria Montessori and her life and her work on behalf of all children in the world in an effort to bring about world peace. Other highlights enjoyed by parents included visiting a model 1850 town which was set up in the new Upper Elementary wing where the students wore period costumes depicting the dress of the times as they sat in their storefronts or offices greeting all of their visitors. The Middle School students, who have been studying pirates as a bridge between their studies of the Far East and colonial America, gave an informative presentation of their work.
The School has successfully tackled the challenges of this economy without cutting any part of the superb program and by retaining all of our excellent faculty and staff. As we begin a new academic year, I’m convinced that a Harborlight education is more relevant and vital than ever. This leaves me feeling especially grateful for, and inspired by, your support, encouragement and commitment to Harborlight. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch if you have any comments or suggestions, or if we may be of assistance to you.
Best regards,
Susan Egan
Head of School