“She tells me she is upset she does not get to go to school on Saturday and Sunday!”

We are thrilled with our experience at Good Shepherd. My kindergarten daughter (D) and preschool son (J) adore you and talk a lot about their school day at home. I can see their desire to learn evolving already! At home, J. will work diligently on writing his letters, all on his own, washes his hands without being told and is starting to be so much more independent. D. is determined to read and is practicing more than ever. I often find her “reading” to J. Again…all without prompting from me. She is also interested in cursive writing and will want me to practice letters with her at home. I did not notice any of this last year when she attended a traditional preschool.

I was anxious about D’s transition, especially since she had never been in a Montessori classroom before. Now she tells me she is upset she does not get to go to school on Saturday and Sunday! (She also asked, “Mom, can I please, please, please go to this school next year?”) It is so exciting because what I want more than ever is for my children to develop a life-long love of learning and I can tell they are headed down this path from their experiences in your classroom. And again, it thrills us more than ever to see J. come home dirty from his outdoor work and have D. tell me she got to go in the creek today! Thank you for all you do.

“I was extremely impressed with the students’ independence and ability to stay self-directed, motivated, and engaged.”

I just wanted to email you to let you know what a wonderful experience it was, to see the classroom in action.  I was extremely impressed with the students’ independence and ability to stay self-directed, motivated, and engaged. It was really a peaceful, calm classroom, while seeming very much alive and active. The calm demeanors of both teachers were remarkable. They re-directed the children and helped them solve their own problems or “issues” with such calm and ease. It was just a lovely classroom. I just wanted to pass along my thoughts and appreciation.

“He asked for peanut butter and jelly for lunch, but wanted to make it himself.”

I thought you would be pleased to hear how 3-year-old, A, surprised me this afternoon. He asked for peanut butter and jelly for lunch, but he wanted to make it by himself.  He’d learned how at school today. I set the things up in the kitchen and let him go for it. Sure enough, he did it! He worked very carefully at it for about 15 minutes. The end result was a very respectable PB&J, with reasonable amounts of each ingredient spread evenly on the bread. He was very proud of his sandwich, but “Mommy, please make your own lunch because I am too tired to make one for you.”

“Mrs. Bucksath is the perfect balance of organized and disciplined, yet flexible enough to meet the needs of the children.”

I had to take a few minutes this morning on the last day of the school year to commend Mrs. Bucksath and Mrs. Lotterer. I have had the pleasure of two children going through the 3-6 program with Mrs. Bucksath and I can truly say my children have been blessed to have had a wonderful Montessori experience under her directorship.

Mrs. Bucksath is the perfect balance of organized and disciplined, yet flexible enough to meet the needs of the children. N, like all children I suspect, has his own set of challenges in the classroom. However, Mrs. Bucksath and Mrs. Lotterer have always met them with grace and professionalism which as a parent I truly appreciate. Mrs. Bucksath has a gift for understanding how to get children to learn and progress through their work chart while still allowing them to have fun with their friends and enjoy their work. Rarely has N complained about going to school or working in the classroom. To me, this is high praise! GSCM is blessed to have a wonderful 3-6 team.

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