Welcome To A New School Year!
August 27, 2019

Dear MSLF families and friends,

I hope everyone has had a wonderful summer. Each year it seems to fly by faster than the last, but I hope you had a moment to pause and enjoy some time together. These are the days we will remember most! I know that many adventures were had, and there are many tales for the children to tell as they return to the classroom. We are so excited to hear them all!

Here at MSLF, it has been a very busy summer indeed. Between our Summer Program, garden markets, elementary garden volunteers and new family visits, the school has been abuzz with student activity. The staff and teachers have been especially busy during the past two weeks, planning for the students return to school tomorrow. From enhancing our outdoor education program, preparing the Multi-Purpose Room for new and improved movement and P.E. programs, the development of an exciting new MSLF Parent Organization, as well as all of preparations in each of our classrooms, there has been little rest. The dedication and time devoted to preparing for the year is truly inspiring. Each and every effort ensures that the ‘magic’ of MSLF is felt the moment you walk through our doors. Wait until you see the results of this hard work!

For the year ahead, you have my commitment: to your children, to your family and to the ‘magic’ of MSLF, not only as the Interim Executive Director, but also as a Montessori educator, administrator and mother of four MSLF students.

I can’t wait to begin the year, to see all of our friends returning, to welcome our new families and staff, and most importantly – to continue fulfilling our mission and serving the needs of each and every child at MSLF.

Welcome back!

Hope Allegretti
Interim Executive Director

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