American Montessori Academy, formerly South Loop Montessori School, has announced that it has rebranded to better reflect its growing community of families, educators and students and commitment to the Montessori philosophy, as well as developments within the schools and an additional campus set to open in Chicago’s Uptown-Andersonville neighborhood this fall.
Sometimes it is easier to understand the differences between traditional forms of education and that of Montessori pedagogy when the two ideologies are placed in a side by side comparison. Here is a chart to help you compare.
American Montessori Academy plays an important role for children in their key developmental years — and the Montessori Method provides the best opportunities for them to develop as they step out into the world with an understanding and appreciation that learning is for life.
“This is just uncharted territory for everybody, and there are so many questions about CPS’ plan,” one parent said.
Lessons from child care centers that have stayed open during the pandemic, and why it might not work in schools.
The end of summer marks a very exciting, but often anxious time known as back-to-school season. For families with toddlers, however, an entirely different set of challenges are presented with the transition into school for the first time.
Thursday’s coronavirus numbers were the highest since May 24 and one Chicago doctor is hinting it could be unlikely kids go back to school this fall.
Read the original story on NBC 5 Chicago here: https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/private-schools-in-chicago-fielding-wave-of-calls-after-cps-goes-with-remote-learning-plan/2317736/
“We’ve had calls from people wanting their children to be engaged in in-class instruction,” Mahdi Dadrass, Director of the South Loop Montessori School (American Montessori Academy), said. That school is just one of many that are seeing an uptick in interest, as they’ll offer in-person instruction in the fall. Dadrass says they are willing to take on new students that are craving a return to the classroom. “Success profiles are quite different in terms of general engagement. Children really have that social, emotional need to be around their peers,” Dadrass said.
The Archdiocese of Chicago is fielding more phone calls than usual too.
“I think parents are faced with a really tough choice, and they are looking at all their options and weighing them,” Justin Lombaro, Chief Human Resource and Staff Development Officer for the Archdiocese, said. Catholic schools in Chicago are offering e-learning options for students, but also believes that bringing students back to class is in their best interests. “Part of who we are as a Catholic school system is development of the whole person,” Lombardo said.
Those private schools choosing to implement in-person instruction must follow CDC, state and city guidelines, including those involving social distancing and mandatory face coverings.
The South Loop Montessori School (now American Montessori Academy) is testing its teachers on a bi-weekly basis, and the Archdiocese says its hired its own infectious disease doctors to help guide them through reopening.
“We know to maintain our promise to kids and our staff, we have to watch this every day from every angle,” Lombardo said.