We are so excited to start the year and have been preparing all summer. In this blog, you will find information about our staff, birthday celebrations, upcoming events, afternoon programs, and what to bring on the first day.

Here’s a sneak peek at the Holly classroom!

Field trips

Field trips will happen on Friday’s from 2:45-5:00pm, weather permitting. In the first month, we will be going on neighborhood walks, riding SEPTA, and learning field trip routines. As the year progresses, we plan to visit area museums, playgrounds, the library, etc. Children can not be picked up during field trips for safety reasons. Please plan to pick up your child either before 2:45 or after 5:00 on Fridays!

Music, Movement, and After School Enrichment

This year we are also bringing back music and movement classes in the afternoons for the whole class! Movement class will be Mondays from 3:00-3:30 and Music will be Thursdays from 2:00-2:30. Movement will be taught by Madeline Shuron- a new face at Greene Towne this year- and Music will be taught by Settlement Music.  

The school will be offering afterschool enrichment opportunities again this year. The majority of offerings are for second years, third years, and Kindergarteners. They are offered Monday through Friday from 3:00-4:00. These classes are open to All Day Primary children and we will coordinate them getting to and from the classes.

Birthday Celebrations

We love to celebrate everyone’s birthday in PADM. There is a short circle either in the morning or the afternoon. The child “walks around the sun” holding our painted globe while the class sings a special song then they take questions or receive birthday wishes from their peers and teachers. We invite you to create a birthday poster of photos of your child’s life so far and the people and things they care about. We cannot accept edible treats for birthdays but if your child would like to offer a plant or a beloved book- does not need to be new- we would gladly accept that! 

First year parents: On the day we celebrate your child’s birthday at school, you are invited to attend our closing circle at 4:30 to read a book. You can bring a favorite book from home or pick one from our library.

Second year & K parents: On the day we celebrate your child’s birthday at school, you are invited to eat lunch with your child in the classroom. Our lunch is from 11:55-12:30. You will be seated at the snack table with your child and a friend. 

Meet Our Staff!

Ms. Amanda

Amanda Cunningham (she/her): This is my third year as a Lead Guide in the ADM program. Previously I worked in both preschool and toddler Montessori environments as I received my Bachelors Degree in Painting and Education certification. I am very passionate about the Montessori method of teaching, and received my Montessori teaching certification from the North American Montessori Center.  I grew up in Havertown PA, but currently live in South Philadelphia with my partner Joe. Outside of work I dedicate time to creating art through drawing, painting, and crochet. I love to bring these art forms into the classroom when possible to create alongside the children! I also enjoy practicing yoga, reading, and traveling whenever I have the opportunity. This summer I traveled to London, Budapest, the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia. I can’t wait to get to know, and continue growing along with everyone this school year!

Ms. Maria

Ms. Maria (She/Her): Hi all! I’m Maria Meredith, and this is technically my 14^th year at Greene Towne. I was originally here from 1993-2005 as the art teacher/primary assistant but came back last year. In between I taught art and assisted at two other local Montessori schools. During this time I worked in toddler, primary and elementary classrooms. I have bachelor’s degrees in fine arts and Elementary Education from Cabrini College and have lived in suburban Philadelphia my whole life. I have a 19-year-old son named Mick and in my spare time I love photography, cooking, going to concerts and dancing to 80’s music. I am very excited to be joining the Holly room and looking forward to meeting everyone!

Teacher Milo

Teacher Milo (They/Them): I’m thrilled to return for my second year at Greene Towne and step into the new role of Lead Assistant! This summer, along with completing my Master’s in Early Childhood Education and Montessori teacher training, I went camping and kayaking in Virginia. In the classroom, I love giving lessons on sewing, weaving, story-writing with the Moveable Alphabet, and practicing Mathematical operations with the Stamp Game. I am excited to welcome our new friends, parents, and staff members to the Holly Tree community.

Ms. Channing

Ms. Channing (She/Her): My name is Channing Beldegreen Klein. I was at Greene Towne over the summer as a substitute in the Primary and Toddler classroom. I am Thrilled to be in the Holly classroom for the 2024-2025 school year! My background is teaching students from 17 months through Pre-K. I found my love of teaching while working at Summer Camps as a teen. I have a BA in English with a minor in film studies from Manhattanville College in New York. I am so excited for the School Year!

Teacher Charlie

Teacher Charlie (They/Them): Hi friends! I’m Teacher Charlie, and this is my first year at Greene Towne. I am a recent grad of Temple University where I studied Psychology with a focus in developmental and educational psychology, during which I also began working with preschoolers and kindergartners. My favorite thing to do with the children is run around and explore the outdoors with them. Outside of work I love to read, write, cook, and bike. I am beyond excited to join the Holly team this year and I can not wait to get to know everyone!

Items to bring on the first day:

-2 complete labeled sets of seasonally appropriate clothes (shirt, bottoms, underwear, and socks- because space is limited, items should be easily stowable)

-A bag to store extra clothes in (Here are a few examples: 1, 2, 3)

-A labeled blanket for nap or rest time (something light and compact)

-A pair of comfortable, indoor shoes (Here are just a few examples: 1, 2, 3, or 4) *We have found that Tom’s and moccasin-style slippers are not safe indoor shoes for school.* 

-2 labeled epi pens, if prescribed, with a doctor’s note and prescription attached and benadryl

-A labeled reusable water bottle to be sent home daily

NEW THIS YEAR: Our extra clothes storage has changed and we can only accommodate 2 sets of clothes per child. Additionally, we will be sending nap blankets home with children on Fridays because with two Primary All Day classrooms now, we are unable to wash them at school.

**To prevent items being lost, please label all clothes, blankets, shoes, masks, and epi pens with your child’s name**

Because fostering your child’s independence is one of our primary objectives in a Montessori environment, we ask that the items you bring- extra clothes, lunch boxes and containers, and shoes- are easy for your child to use on their own. We want each child to feel a sense of self-confidence and self-determination when they dress themselves, open their own containers, or change their shoes.

Upcoming Events

• 9/2 ALL GTMS CLOSED
• 9/4 Phase in will begin. Phase in schedule
• 9/6 8:30am Back to school orientation.
• 9/12 6:00pm ADM Family potluck!
• 9/20 8:30 am Kindergarten parent orientation.
• 10/8 Picture day!

Please send a photo of your family for our classroom photo album!

Thank you so much for all that you do, we can’t wait to start the school year with this new and familiar community!

Best,

Ms. Amanda, Teacher Milo, Ms. Maria, Ms. Channing, and Teacher Charlie