Press release from Fort Wayne Community Schools:
Bunche joins other schools in celebrating Montessori Awareness Week
(February 11, 2010) Families interested in the benefits of a Montessori education will be able to learn more and personally experience several area Montessori schools Feb. 22-26 during Montessori Awareness Week, a nationwide celebration of the Montessori Method.
As part of Montessori Awareness Week, area Montessori schools, including Bunche Early Childhood Center, will host open houses on Wednesday, Feb. 24. Bunche, 1111 Greene St., will be open from 6-7:30 p.m. for families to tour the school and talk to staff members.
“We want people to learn more about Montessori education, and there is no better way than to visit a Montessori school,” Bunche Principal Marilyn Horan said. “While the Montessori method has been around for more than 100 years, many people are unaware of how students work in a Montes-sori environment.”
The Montessori approach is a personalized education wherein each child is comfortably challenged academically with an emphasis on personal leadership skills. The method was devised a century ago by Italian physician Dr. Maria Montessori. There are more than 5,000 Montessori schools around the United States and nearly 8,000 worldwide.
Montessori learning, which has been in classroom use since 1907, emphasizes multi-age groupings, a rich and extensive curriculum implemented with hands-on materials, cross-disciplinary learning and care of the global environment.
Other local Montessori schools will also host open houses on Feb. 24:
- Three Rivers Montessori School, 2315 Long Road: 9-11 a.m.; 6-7:30 p.m.
- Hope Montessori School, 7715 Sunny Lane: 6-7:30 p.m.
- Martin Luther King Montessori School, 6001 S. Anthony Blvd.: 6-7:30 p.m.
- Oak Farm Montessori School, 502 Lemper Road (Avilla): 9 a.m.-3 p.m.