Almost Travel Time

With only a little more than a week before our departure, the excitement is building. Look at me, I can hardly contain myself!

Learning the Culture

In order to be good citizens, each TNSM traveler engages in some form of preparation to learn the culture, understand the people and gain some appreciation for what lies ahead. Take a look at this information about table manners prepared by TNSM World Citizen Paul. (Clicking on the pictures will enlarge them.) Enjoy!

Creating a Friendship

Since its beginning, the community of teachers, parents and students at TNSM has worked diligently to successfully achieve the goals and aspirations of Maria Montessori. Constantly pursuing opportunities to engage children in real-life learning, 2004 presented an unprecedented possibility. It would be the first year of a true, Montessori going-out experience. An experience extending from research texts and Fundamental Human Needs Charts to first-hand exchanges of hello and ohayo gozaimasu, laughter and play in the TNSM woods. It was an opportunity unlike any other, an opportunity to welcome other children from half way around the world into our Montessori environments and then to be provided the same welcome within their own. A real cultural and humanitarian exchange.

Since 2004, children from Japan have been welcomed annually to TNSM in the spring. Each, ages 6-12, have enrolled in our classes, engaged in our lessons, shared of their own school experience and become a friend within our community. Each summer then, any interested 9-12 year old from TNSM may travel to Japan for at least ten days. While there, they visit schools, catch and engage in various aspect of the culture and enjoy an opportunity to re-connect with familiar faces and friends.

In a few short weeks, nine excited and interested kids from TNSM will make the trip to Japan once again. They will further this community's efforts to present hands-on experiences that enhance friendships and engage us all in world citizenry. Stay tuned and watch our posts- it's going to be beautiful.

Citizen History

The late 60's and early 70's saw an emergence of experimentation in education. During that period, more than 2,000 alternative schools sprouted up around the United States. Many of these "free" schools died on the vine, closing within their first couple of years. One that survived was the project of a few daring families who wanted something different and better for their children. From those early days in North Avondale's Mitchell mansion, with vision, hard work, and a pervasive spirit of community, came the treasure still known as The New School.

The New School was founded in 1970 by a group of parents, teachers and community members. The school pioneered Montessori education in an all-day setting, and has since served as a standard for academic excellence.

Working with them on this project was Hilda Rothschild, Professor of Education at Xavier University, student of Dr. Maria Montessori and founder of the first Montessori teacher education course at XU. In 1978, The New School received formal accreditation from the state of Ohio. In 2004, The New School received formal accreditation with the American Montessori Society and the Independent Schools of the Central States. Membership is maintained in the Ohio Association of Independent Schools.

Maria Montessori saw children as a "powerful force for humanities salvation." Following Dr. Montessori's vision of a holistic education our programs integrate and support children's understanding of history, biology, geography, mathematics, language and practical life skills, including problem solving and conflict resolution skills. We maintain an authentic context for this curriculum by sustaining a culturally and racially diverse school community. We are committed to preparing children to be "citizens of the world."