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SCHOOL NEWS
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March 06, 2008
Dear Parents, Students, Alumni and Friends of Bowman,
As most of you read in the latest Compass newsletter, Bowman International
School was awarded the highest level of accreditation from WASC, the
Western Association of Schools and Colleges. This represents an important
milestone in our school's growth, and is an achievement of which we are very
proud. When we purchased and moved into our own building in January,
2004 (another significant milestone in the school's history), Bowman's
founder and Head of School, Margaret Ricks, set the objective of
accreditation as her next major goal. Under Margaret's leadership, the
teachers, the staff, the members of the Board, and numerous volunteers
contributed many hours to the accreditation effort. Because of Margaret's
persistent focus on the target and the team's great work, we realized this
goal quickly and effectively.
We have further important news to share with you today. After much
thought and consideration, Margaret has decided to retire from her
operational role as Head of School as of June 30th, 2008. Announcing such
news is always bittersweet. While Margaret's day-to-day leadership and
involvement will obviously be missed, we are excited for her and feel
confident that Bowman's foundation has never been more solid and its future
never more bright. We are also thankful that Margaret has graciously agreed
to remain a member of the Board of Trustees, and is committed to
supporting our new Head of School and the Board through the transition. It is
with deep gratitude and appreciation that we accept her decision to retire
and welcome her continued participation on the Board.
The next question to answer is, "Who will be the new Head of School?"
Traditionally, when a Head of School retires, the Board names an Interim
Head of School and hires a recruiting firm to conduct a national search to fill
the position. At our meeting this week, the Board of Trustees unanimously
supported the appointment of Mary Beth Ricks as Head of School.
Mary Beth is an excellent candidate, with a solid background, and a strong
commitment to the school. The Board and Mary Beth plan to work together
over the course of the 2008-09 school year to determine whether her
appointment is a good fit for the school, for the students, and for Mary Beth
personally. Once we evaluate the mutual fit, the Board will conduct a search
if warranted.
We are fortunate to have such an extraordinarily well qualified candidate in
Mary Beth. Her entire professional career has focused on the education of
children, with an emphasis on Montessori methods and Montessori school
management. Mary Beth has been a teacher since 1988 in private and
public schools across the US. She received her degree from Purdue
University in both Elementary Education and Childhood Education with a K-8th
grade teaching certificate. Mary Beth also attended St. Mary's in California,
where she was trained as a Montessori teacher for ages 6 through 12 years.
Recently, Mary Beth completed a Heads of School Training program for
Montessori School Management at the Montessori Training Center in New
York. In addition to her work experience and education, Mary Beth has given
her time and talents to a number of Montessori and education-related
programs. She was the chair of the Montessori Works centennial celebration.
She participated in several model classroom projects including a study of
language and literacy in 1994, and an Inclusion in Public School project in
Indiana. Mary Beth has been an officer and board member of TELL (Teachers
Encouraging the Love of Literature), an organization promoting reading and
access to authors across rural America, and was a member and teacher for
the Gifted Education Resource Institute at Purdue.
Mary Beth has worked at Bowman full-time since its founding in 1995. She
has assumed increasing responsibility, and has received much of the handson
training necessary to assume the role of Head of School. Mary Beth
began as a primary teacher at Bowman, and has grown in her various roles
including Level Coordinator and her current position as Director of Education.
She has had a profound impact on the school and our students in each and
every position.
The Board is confident that this will be a smooth and positive transition. In
the coming months Margaret will gradually transfer the full operation of the
school to Mary Beth. Beyond July 1st, Margaret will remain a resource for
Mary Beth and the Board. And also importantly, we know that Mary Beth has
the support of an extremely strong, talented and dedicated group of teachers
and staff to help her adjust and thrive in her new position.
This is an exciting time for Bowman. From our early days with Margaret's
vision and drive at our core, to buying our own school building, to receiving
the highest WASC accreditation, we continue to grow and develop our
program. Under Mary Beth's leadership, we look forward to new challenges
and reaching new milestones with the continued objective of making
Bowman International School the best Montessori program it can be.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me by
email at bill@romans-barsamian.com or on my direct line at 650-322-0418.
Bill Romans
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
December 2007 - After-School Drama Class
Bowman International School is teaming up with Peninsula Youth Theatre to offer after-school drama in the fall and spring this year. Students will learn the basics of acting, character development, storytelling and theater terminology while having fun and rehearsing a show. Parents will be responsible for providing their child's simple costume (instructions will be provided) and helping with props.
A maximum of 20 students will be accepted per session, on a first come, first serve basis - so sign-up now!
Cost $160 per student
Register online at: pytbowman.eventbrite.com
November 2007 - Bowman Middle School Joins Math Counts
MathCounts is a national middle school mathematics enrichment program that offers students an opportunity to hone their mathematical skills as well as a network for regional, state, and national mathematics competitions. To celebrate it's 25th year, MathCounts has launched a new program to provide structure and activities for regular middle school math club meetings. MathCounts challenges and motivates students to develop strong math skills. Moreover, this program provides students with opportunities to take pride in individual and collective achievements.
MathCounts provides material resources for both their club and team programs at no cost; registering a team for the spring competitions costs $20 per student (up to 8 students), to be covered by the school.
We hope that these two opportunities will provide students with an exciting supplement to their progress in the classroom and new contexts to exercise mathematical ability (also known as "doing brainy puzzles for fun"). MathCounts additionally provides opportunities to build teamwork skills, meet students from other schools, and vie for scholarships/prizes.
If your student would like to be involved in MathCounts this year, please contact Monica Sircar at monicas@bowmanschool.org by Friday, December 1st.
To scope out the MathCounts program further, check their website at: www.mathcounts.org
November 2007 - Bowman Kicks Off Annual Fund
The top 5 reasons to contribute to this year's Bowman International School fund are:
1. Participation by 100% of our families is critical for achieving accreditation by the American Montessori Society and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Our applications for accreditation have been submitted to both these organizations, and their review boards look for a high level of support from parent communities when evaluating a school's request for accreditation. The participation level of parents in school annual fund drives is an extremely important indicator of that support.
2. Your donation counts: while our budgeted day-to-day operating expenses are covered by tuition there are many costs that we pay from the Annual Fund:
- Expansion of school programs
- Facility and infrastructure improvements and repairs
- Retirement of mortgage debt
- Other expenses that ensure the continuation of Bowman into the future!
3. No amount is too small (really!): We leave it up to you to determine the amount of your family's donation. Everyone who participates gives a special gift, not only because your contribution is an act of generosity, but also because participation shows support, unity and confidence in the goals of Bowman International School.
4. Pledge now and pay later: You may wish to realize your tax deductible donation in this tax year by making your contribution in December. However, a donation to the 2007-2008 Annual Fund may be paid any time before June 30, 2008.
5. If you donate or pledge soon, you'll avoid being asked to donate to the Annual Fund later in the year!
Last year the 2006-2007 Annual Fund achieved 99% of the total dollar goal with contributions by 66% of our families. While we are pleased at the amount of money raised, our goal remains to have 100% of our families participate!
If you have any questions about the Annual Fund, please feel free to contact Dana Granoski at dana@granoski.com. To donate, you can pick up a contribution form in the office, or download one from our school's web site
Thank you for your participation in this important campaign and for your commitment to the Bowman International School!
October 2007 - Bowman Students Attend U.N. Conference
Nine Bowman students from the 8th grade level traveled to NYC to participate in the Global Citizenship Action Project (GCAP). GCAP is a global citizenship program designed as a professional conference for students. Montessori Middle schoolers from all over the United States, Canada and elsewhere gather annually in New York City to hear from speakers on a variety of global issues, tour the United Nations and visit a permanent mission to the UN. The aim of the program is to inspire young people to learn what they can do to become better educated and more productive global citizens.
Approximately 125 students, from 16 Montessori schools from all over the United States as well as Canada and the Dominican Republic, gathered in the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square. Events included speakers, team building activities, reflection activities, and presentations from other schools.
Speaker Topics: clean water, poverty, land mine disarmament, micro finance, rain forest preservation, grass roots organization for students
The highlight of the trip was the visit to the UN and the visit to the Mission of Sudan. Bowman students were fortunate to spend nearly 2 hours directly with the UN Ambassador from Sudan. He answered some tough questions from our students about Darfur and the issues facing the Sudanese. This was clearly a monumental experience for all, students and adults alike!
The expectation from the GCAP Conference is that the students attending will return home and set up a project that makes a difference. The students are planning a bi-monthly club with ideas to raise awareness for a particular issue. The club will include 7th and 8th grade students, with the 8th grade leading and the 7th grade being responsible to present in 2008.
October 2007 - Adoptive Parents Group
Would you like to meet with other Bowman adoptive parents to share experiences and concerns? June Mikkelsen, an adoptive mom and therapist who specializes in working with adoptive families, will bring her expertise and the latest information about different adoption issues to the Bowman Adoptive Parents Group. We'll meet the first school Monday of each month, (beginning Nov. 5th,) at 8:30 am, in the teachers' lounge. We intend the meetings to be casual, no agenda, come when you can.
Questions? Email June at douglassmikkelsen@sbcglobal.net or Carol Michaels at carol94040@yahoo.com
September 2007 - Introducing Drama Club
Bowman is teaming up with Peninsula Youth Theatre to offer after-school drama classes for the 2007-2008 school year. Students will learn the basics of acting, character development, storytelling, and theater terminology while having fun rehearsing for and performing a show. Parents are required to help with props and to provide a simple costume for their child (instructions will be provided).
- Drama classes meet in the Multi-purpose room
- A maximum of 20 students accepted per session
- Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis
- Cost is $160 per student, per session
- Sorry, no refunds once a session has begun
For more details, go to www.pytnet.org/bowman
October 2006 - Study Finds that Montessori Students Have Better Academic and Social Skills
According to a study reported in the September 29th issue of Science, Montessori educated children have better social and academic skills than children who attend traditional schools. The authors, Virginia University psychology professor Dr Angeline Lillard and former University of Wisconsin- Madison graduate student Dr Nicole Else-Quest compared the outcomes of children at a public inner-city Montessori school with children at traditional schools.
Children came from families of similar incomes and were evaluated at the end of the two most widely implemented levels of Montessori education: preschool (3-6 year-olds) and primary (6-12 year- olds). The children who attended the Montessori school, and the children who did not, were tested for their cognitive and academic skills, and for their social and behavioral skills. "We found significant advantages for the Montessori students in these tests for both age groups," Lillard said. "Particularly remarkable are the positive social effects of Montessori education. Typically the home environment overwhelms all other influences in that area." More information can be found at
http://www.montessori-science.org/montessori_science_journal.htm
September 2006 - Bowman Co-Sponsors Montessori Symposium
2007 marks the 100th anniversary of the introduction of of the opening of the first Montessori school. Bowman is proud to co-sponsor a symposium in San Francisco to raise awareness of the Montessori philosophy. Mary Beth Ricks, the director of education, is serving as a co-chair on the program committee for Lasting, Proven, Successful: Montessori Works!, which will be held in San Francisco on January 5 - 6, 2007.
Come celebrate Dr. Montessori's legacy, learn why the Montessori method has been highly successful for 100 years throughout the world, and why it offers the most comprehensive and peaceful education for future generations. Enjoy a day of learning and networking. Demonstration classrooms showcasing Montessori in action will also be featured.
For more information, visit the symposium web site at www.montessoriworks.org or contact Mary Beth at marybeth@bowmanschool.org
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