Friday Update: September 4

Hello Arbor Families! 

I hope you’ve all had a lovely first week in the Arbor! This is your weekly Friday email, where we let you know about upcoming events and reminders. 

It’s been wonderful to see the new students start to acclimate to our classroom this week! In the Arbor, we are always looking for more ways to support their independence. With this in mind, please note the following requests: 

  • We ask that you supply them with a lunchbox or lunch bag that can fit all of their sides and utensils. They should be able to carry that and their water bottle independently. 
  • If your child likes to eat a snack during the morning, we encourage you to pack the snack in a separate container. Some of our students are eating big portions of their lunch, and we want to make sure they have enough energy for the rest of the day! 
  • They will need a backpack big enough to fit a standard 2″ binder (approximately 11″x11.5″), their lunch, snack, water bottle, and any extra books or clothes they might choose to bring. It can be very difficult to walk down the steps with their hands full, so this one is important! 
  • If you have not already, please transition to saying your arrival goodbyes at the gate and encouraging your student to come upstairs by themselves. If this is something you anticipate will cause stress or difficulty for your student, please let us know so we can come up with a plan together! 

Please also remember to send in a pair of indoor shoes if your student still needs them, and a water bottle every day! If you have any questions about anything, don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Here are some important upcoming dates: 

  • The Welcome Brunch is tomorrow, September 5th from 10:00-12:00 (weather dependent). Join us to get to know the staff as well as new and returning families, all over some delicious bagels, sandwiches, and snacks. 
  • There is no school Monday, September 7th for Labor Day. Enjoy your three day weekend! 
  • Back to School Night is Thursday, September 17th from 5:30-7:30pm. Please mark your calendars! We’ll fill you in on some Arbor routines, introduce our homework recommendations, and answer any burning questions you might have. We’re looking forward to seeing you there! 
  • Don’t forget to sign up for fall enrichment

Please never hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or comments! 

Kelly, Shebly, and Sara

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Toddler Program

Our Montessori Little Stars preschool and daycare program provides a warm, welcoming, and inclusive atmosphere for children and families in the Chevy Chase area.  Our youngest students participate in the wider community life of the school in ways that nurture a sense of belonging and are appropriate to age and activity levels.

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Primary Programs

The Oneness-Family School primary program for students in preschool through kindergarten is grounded in the child-centered, Montessori approach. The multi-sensory learning environments of our classrooms encourage children’s discoveries about themselves and their world, building practical skills, joy in creativity, and a strong foundation in math, languages, and science.

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Lower Elementary

In our lower and upper elementary programs there is a strong emphasis on cultivating community, finding one’s own voice, and contributing to a peaceful and sustainable world. Individualized learning, allowing students to immerse themselves in their area of interest, facilitates mastery of essential academic skills in language, math, social studies, and science, and world languages.

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Upper Elementary

In our lower and upper elementary programs there is a strong emphasis on cultivating community, finding one’s own voice, and contributing to a peaceful and sustainable world. Individualized learning, allowing students to immerse themselves in their area of interest, facilitates mastery of essential academic skills in language, math, social studies, and science, and world languages.

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Middle School

The only Montessori middle school in the region, our students thrive in this academically challenging, interdisciplinary program, developing the time-management, work habits, and social skills important in high school and beyond. Students are encouraged to think critically on how they can make a difference on local, national, and global levels. 

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High School

The Oneness-Family High School cultivates global citizens in a progressive, close-knit learning community. Our accredited Montessori program emphasizes experiential learning, small classes, community-focused internships, and a groundbreaking Leadership program that empowers students to address complex 21st-century problems that require creativity and collaboration.

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