Proud Montessori School of Lake Forest students raise money for Fill A Heart 4 Kids
October 3, 2018

As students at the Montessori School of Lake Forest head back to classes, they are also helping to ensure that homeless children in communities close to them feel a little more prepared and confident as they too head back to school.  Through a partnership with the Fill a Heart 4 Kids organization, children raised $276, and packaged over 200 kits through their MSLF Summer Service Week activities, Farmers Market sales and lemonade stands.

On Thursday September 6th, the children proudly presented a check to Annie McAveeney, founder and Executive Director of the Fill a Heart 4 Kids organization, in support of their Project Smart and Survival Backpacks initiatives.  See www.fillaheart4kids.org to see how you can help.

Earlier this summer, MSLF and Fill a Heart 4 Kids joined forces to march in the Lake Bluff 4 th of July Parade.  The #Lemonade4BrighterFutures float encouraged children to host lemonade stands to benefit Fill a Heart 4 Kids.  MSLF students did just that, and inspired others to do the same!  The parade entry won 3 rd Place in the Community category, and 1,000 How-To Host Your Own Lemonade Stand cups were distributed to kids!  This was repeated in the Lake Forest Days Parade, winning Most Original, and more importantly, driving greater awareness and support for kids in need.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As MSLF students presented their donation this week, teachers and volunteers sat down to collaborate on an ongoing partnership strategy.  The goal, to bring families together on a regular basis to volunteer and support Fill A Heart 4 Kids and other community organizations.  “Service work is a core principle here at MSLF”, said Ann Jordahl, Executive Director.  “The new ‘Volunteer Corp’ has been in the works since the school proudly celebrated 50 years through the 50 Acts of Kindness initiative, so we are very proud to formally launch it.”

Stay tuned for some remarkable volunteer opportunities for every age.

 

About MSLF

As one of the premier Montessori schools in the nation and with a long-standing history of over 50 years in the Lake Forest community, the Montessori School of Lake Forest (MSLF) offers exceptional learning programs for children ages birth to 12 years, preschool through elementary grade 6. Program options range from half-day to full-day and year-round academic offerings. The school is home to a diverse student body, encompassing eight countries and more than 30 communities in the Chicagoland area.

Contact:  Hope Allegretti, Admissions & Marketing Director  847-918-1000

MSLF Retirement Announcement

January 29, 2025
Dear MSLF Community, After over 20 years of teaching Lower Elementary students at MSLF, Kathryn Jasinski has shared her plans to retire from teaching at the end of the current school year. There is no doubt about the impact Miss Jasinski has had on our school community during her long tenure here. Kathryn has been well known for her dedication to her students, to developing the whole child, and for her passion for Montessori education, always staying true to the core tenets of Montessori philosophy. Her legacy at MSLF will certainly live on in each of the students who have been lucky enough to have been in her class and in the many words of wisdom she has shared with her fellow colleagues, past and present. No doubt each one of her current or former students who receives a note from her in the mail instantly recognizes her perfect cursive writing and the thoughtful note inside. Kathryn’s care of her students extends well beyond their time in her classroom as she has kept in touch with dozens of her former students and has even welcomed some back to work alongside her as assistants. She has been a mentor to many, imparting her years of expertise on all those who have had the privilege of working with her. While we are sad to see her go, we know that she will enjoy her well-earned retirement, and we look forward to celebrating Kathryn’s legacy more this year. MSLF is pleased to announce that Laura Earls will be the new Lower Elementary lead teacher for the 2025-26 school year. Laura has been co-teaching in our Upper Elementary classroom since the beginning of the current school year. Laura Earls joined the MSLF team from Higher Ground Education where she was Regional Program Lead, working to elevate program quality in all Guidepost Montessori schools across the Chicago area. It was during this work that she realized how much she missed working directly with children in the Montessori classroom and decided to return to teaching. Laura received her BA in art history from the University of Dallas and completed graduate work at the University of Notre Dame. Soon after, Laura shifted her career to education and earned her AMI Elementary Montessori Certification (6-12 years old) at the Montessori Institute of Milwaukee. She then taught in an Elementary classroom at Forest Bluff School, and her classroom was profiled in Paula Polk Lillard’s book, Montessori Today. After moving to Wisconsin to raise her three children, Laura received her AMI Primary Montessori Certification (3-6 years old) at the Midwest Montessori Institute. After that, she worked as a Primary Directress and Director of Admissions at a Montessori school in Wisconsin, as Head of School of Forest Bluff School, and as Senior Head of School at Guidepost Montessori. Laura has three grown children who all experienced Montessori education themselves and are thriving in college and beyond. Laura has lived and studied in both Paris and Rome and is an accomplished pianist. Laura is excited to make the transition to the Lower Elementary classroom and looks forward to working closely with current and new Lower Elementary families next year. She also looks forward to meeting families in the Lower Elementary classroom during the Open House on February 5. With Laura transitioning to the Lower Elementary classroom following the current school year, MSLF will be conducting a search for a new co-teacher to work alongside Debbie Lincoln in the Upper Elementary classroom for the 2025-26 school year. We are thankful to Laura for all the support she has offered the Upper Elementary community this year. Please join me in wishing Kathryn a peaceful and fulfilling retirement and in welcoming Laura to the Lower Elementary community. Sincerely, Hope Allegretti Head of School - Executive Director Montessori School of Lake Forest

Montessori Assessments at MSLF

By Teresa Pavelich • January 8, 2025
An overview of how Montessori schools assess student progress and development
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