Raintree Archives • Raintree Montessori

Raintree Chef Spotlight: Chris Rieke
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Raintree Chef Spotlight: Chris Rieke

Raintree

Raintree Chef Spotlight: Chris Rieke

Heather2023-06-10T15:12:23-05:00April 23rd, 2023|Categories: Raintree|Tags: food, gardens|

As the chef at Raintree, I have the unique opportunity to utilize some of the base, organic processes of the school. Whether it’s Erdkinder students composting all of our useable food scraps or using fresh produce from the gardens – all of it comes down to supplying the students and staff with high quality food and creating as low an impact the environment as possible. During the peak of the season, I often go out to the classrooms’ gardens just outside our back doors with [...]

Spring Has Arrived!
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Spring Has Arrived!

Early Childhood, Raintree

Spring Has Arrived!

Heather2023-06-10T15:50:43-05:00March 26th, 2023|Categories: Early Childhood, Raintree|Tags: Montessori, nature|

Spring has arrived! As we look outside we see sprouting bits of green and blooms beginning to form. It is a time for new beginnings. As we transition from snow boots and gloves to rain boots and umbrellas, the children are bursting for outdoor adventures. The South classroom children have spent this past week cleaning and prepping the outdoor space, splashing in rain puddles, petting the goats and soaking up each and every ray of sunshine. Immersing ones-self into nature is an integral part of [...]

World Peace Game Reflections
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World Peace Game Reflections

Adolescent, Elementary, Raintree

World Peace Game Reflections

Heather2023-06-10T16:15:45-05:00February 19th, 2023|Categories: Adolescent, Elementary, Raintree|Tags: education, peace, World Peace Game|

What affects one of us affects all of us. "My first impression was that my role was not important and I wouldn't be able to do much. After a while I realized that I could change the game and solve crises and at the end I was proud of myself." - Elise "Before, I believed peace was nearly impossible. Now, I have a achieved it, it could happen in the real world" - Ella "I feel that violence is something connected with humans. It will [...]

Animals of Raintree
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Animals of Raintree

Early Childhood, Raintree

Animals of Raintree

Heather2023-06-10T16:42:44-05:00January 26th, 2023|Categories: Early Childhood, Raintree|Tags: animals, community, independence, nature, responsibility|

The longer I work at Raintree, the more I wonder about the stories that collect around these fourteen acres of land. The tales that are told with the most joy and humor are those of the animals. Some are woven into the Raintree quilt, the earliest threads of the school story. Some are retold at staff gatherings or parent/teacher conferences. All are cherished memories that remind us of our responsibility to the small and delicate life around us. The chickens are visited daily by children, [...]

What Is It Like to Be a Raintree Substitute (and also a Raintree Parent)?
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What Is It Like to Be a Raintree Substitute (and also a Raintree Parent)?

Early Childhood, Elementary, Montessori, Raintree

What Is It Like to Be a Raintree Substitute (and also a Raintree Parent)?

Heather2023-06-10T16:41:20-05:00December 18th, 2022|Categories: Early Childhood, Elementary, Montessori, Raintree|Tags: community, love, Montessori, Parenting|

Some names in the story have been changed. After making my way down to the Lower Far East toddler community, I find the children gathered around the tables joined by a few parents and/or guardians, having a cookie exchange. It’s the penultimate day before winter break and although the children may not have a full grasp of how much their routines are about to alter for the foreseeable future, they can certainly grasp the growing buzz around campus as the holiday spirit begins to take [...]

It is Often Through Change That We Experience Great Growth: Helping Children Face Transitions
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It is Often Through Change That We Experience Great Growth: Helping Children Face Transitions

Montessori, Raintree

It is Often Through Change That We Experience Great Growth: Helping Children Face Transitions

Heather2021-05-07T14:30:17-05:00May 7th, 2021|Categories: Montessori, Raintree|Tags: community, education, Grit, Montessori, Parenting, separation|

by Jennifer Baker Powers Spring is often referred to as a time of growth and rebirth. Just as the grass becomes green again and the buds come back out on the trees and flowers, humans experience change and renewal. Sometimes, that growth isn’t easy. There are many clichés and quotes we are all familiar with such as “what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger” or “stuck in a rut” and talk of “growing pains”. What all of these sentiments have in common is the idea [...]

Inspired by Greta Thunberg, Raintree student leads weekly protest about climate change
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Inspired by Greta Thunberg, Raintree student leads weekly protest about climate change

Montessori, Raintree, Uncategorized

Inspired by Greta Thunberg, Raintree student leads weekly protest about climate change

Heather2020-12-29T13:50:59-06:00October 30th, 2020|Categories: Montessori, Raintree, Uncategorized|Tags: community, education, Grit, independence, nature|

By Lauren Fox, Lawrence Journal World, October 30, 2020 For over a year, 10-year-old Dylan Tenbrink has been standing outside Raintree Montessori School on Friday mornings, protesting about climate change with her sign, “Our planet, our future.” Dylan, a fifth grader, became inspired to speak out about the climate after watching a short video about Greta Thunberg, the 17-year-old Swedish climate activist. “She had a really strong voice and she was able to be heard,” Dylan said of Thunberg. “She had strong feelings about the [...]

How the Outdoors Makes Your Kids Smarter
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How the Outdoors Makes Your Kids Smarter

Parenting, Raintree

How the Outdoors Makes Your Kids Smarter

Heather2019-12-05T16:42:05-06:00December 5th, 2019|Categories: Parenting, Raintree|Tags: brain development, nature|

The freedom to move and play outside inspires creativity and improves brain function By Katie Arnold When I was eight years old, I spent an hour every autumn day after school shooting baskets in our driveway in New Jersey. I was small for my age, had little talent for the sport, and didn’t love it all that much; what I loved were the stories I made up in my head as I practiced my layups alone. I loved how my mind was free to wander [...]

Three Important Points for Toddler and Primary Parents
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Three Important Points for Toddler and Primary Parents

Montessori, Parenting, Raintree

Three Important Points for Toddler and Primary Parents

Heather2019-12-05T16:41:10-06:00September 5th, 2019|Categories: Montessori, Parenting, Raintree|Tags: Parenting, separation|

1. Quiet and Peacefulness Essential Montessori called the classroom a “children’s house,” a warm and inviting place scaled to the child’s size. Our job is to protect and nurture this special place. Please help us by…. Being quiet when you enter Raintree. Noise in the hallway distracts children who are working and awakens children who are sleeping in the afternoon. Please help us follow the same guidelines the children follow during the day by being quiet in the hall. Giving your full attention to your [...]

Kansas Citizens and Business Community Say Students Need More Than Academics to Succeed

Heather2019-02-28T11:21:40-06:00October 28th, 2018|Categories: Raintree|Tags: brain development, education, Soft Skills|

By Denise Kahler, Director of Communications The Kansas State Board of Education (KSBE) is reviewing the tabulated results from the Community Conversation events held throughout the state three years ago where education officials asked Kansas residents and members of the business community what they want from their state education system. The board is using these results to support the development of its vision for K-12 education in Kansas. Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson and members of the board conducted 20 events across the [...]