educating for life - pines montessori school · educating for life . 2016—2017 pines montessori...

Pines Montessori School

est. 1977


est. 1977

2016 – 2017

Annual Appreciation Report

3535 Cedar Knolls Drive • Kingwood, Texas 77339 • www.pinesmontessori.com

Educating for Life

2016—2017 Pines Montessori School Annual Appreciation Report | 2

To Pines Families & Friends

It was just May 2016 when at the Potluck

Progress Meeting we shared plans and dreams for

the future of Pines with friends and families. A

vision board and presentation was displayed that

showed projected designs for the upcoming

remodel. We could only imagine what would

come of the construction that was to take place

last summer. Sure, we had sketch drawings and

diagrams, but they could not even begin to capture

the beauty and function of what was to come of

the construction rubble.

As the Pines administration & teaching staff, we can certainly tell you what a

pleasure it has been to see these dreams come to reality. It was clear we had the

support of our Pines families and friends, as we asked you to endure the summer of

construction, and you did, with such patience! We are pleased to be a part of fulfilling

the Pines mission for your children. We feel the changes to our campus will better

exemplify the beauty of an authentic Montessori environment where children are

encouraged to experience the world around them.

This Annual Appreciation report allows us a chance to reflect on milestones and to

review accomplishments of the 2016-2017 school year. It is an opportunity to offer

gratitude to those who supported Pines through talents, dedication, service, and

contributions. The beautiful outcome of our construction could not have been realized

without the families and friends of Pines Montessori School. The generous giving to

programs and fundraisers such as the Pines Annual fund, Snowball Run & Spring Gala

help to establish financial security, allowing us to make our vision a reality.


2016—2017 Board of Trustees

Connie Chandler, President Owner, Minuteman Press Humble

Pam McNair, Treasurer Vice President & Commercial Loan Officer, MINT National Bank Kingwood

Kathleen Goerner, Secretary HISD Coordinator of Secondary Science

Robert Remkes, Member at Large President & CEO, RTS LLC

Valerie Sutherland, Member at Large Sales Manager, Drilling & Completion, Aegis Chemical Solutions

George Foreman, Member at Large Director of Public Relations, Foreman Digital LLC

Jonathan Randolph, Member at Large Attorney, Owner, The Randolph Law Firm

Administration

Patty Sobelman, Head of School

Libby Egan, Facilities

Joy Fields, Finance

Sabrina Padgett, Communications

Wendy Stephens, Front Office

Christine Rock, Front Office

Deb Francis, Front Office

5+ Years at Pines

Cindy Conyers Julie Davila Ashley Fancy Joy Fields Deb Francis Catherine Hall Humaira John Hope Sarver

10+ Years at Pines Maria Spinnato—19 Tazeen Kahn—11 Adriana Anderson—18 Patty Sobelman—11 Jessica Aylesworth—16 Anna Brinson—10 Kahkashan Sohail—16 Jena Murski—10 Libby Egan—13 Sabrina Padgett—10 Diana Delgado—13 Wendy Stephens—10

21 Years at Pines

Hina Patel


Finances & Giving Pines Educational Assistance Corporation, A Non-Profit 501(c)3


Giving Matters

Pines relies on a combination of tuition and fundraising to support our daily operations

and the education of every student. We work hard to connect each family and

supporter with the giving opportunity that works for them. As a vital part of our Montessori

community, your gifts are an investment in our students. Each gift matters and helps us with

fulfilling our mission to provide an authentic Montessori education. Donations made may be

tax deductible and are used for added support in some of the following ways: Upkeep and pur-

chase of educational resources for our classrooms, professional development opportunities for

our teachers, tuition assistance, improvements to our facility, and more! Gift contributions

are accepted year round and can be made as one time, or regularly scheduled donations.

Some community-minded employers may match your contribution, making your gift twice

as valuable to us! Your employer, or your spouse’s, may offer dollar-for-dollar, or even double,

or triple, the amount of your initial donation—at no cost, and little paperwork to you! Ask

your human resources office for more information.

Pines is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational institution. The school’s operational financial expenses are covered through tuition revenues, while major capital budget projects are typically funded through fund raising, donor contributions and other initiatives. The Board of Trustees and the Finance Committee, along with the school’s administration, prepare a budget that is operationally balanced. This is then approved by the Board. Federal Tax ID Number is 74-296448

Just a Few of Houston’s Matching Gift Companies

American General

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

Apache Corporation

Baker Hughes Foundation

Bank of America Corporation

Bechtel Group, Inc.

BHP Billiton Petroleum

BMC Industries Inc.

BP Global

Charles Schwab

Chevron/Texaco

Citicorp/Citibank N.A.

Coca-Cola Industries

ConocoPhillips

Cooper Industries, Inc.

Duke Energy Corporation

Dynegy, Inc.

El Paso Energy Foundation

Entergy Power Group

EOG Resources

ExxonMobil

FMC Foundation

Hewlett-Packard/Compaq

Insperity

J.P. Morgan Chase

Kellogg Brown & Root/

Halliburton

Kinder Morgan

Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc.

Price Waterhouse Coopers

Shell Oil Company

Wells Fargo & Co

Pines received matching gifts from

Shell Oil Company in 2016.

Thank you, Foreman Family, for your generous gift donations.

Thank you, Kofron Family, for your matching corporate gift donations.


6th Annual Snowball Run Sponsors

Gold

K Austin & Associates

Silver

Northshore Medical Supply

Talos Energy LLC

Mudpie & Co.

The McGehee Family

Bronze

Panera Bread

HEB

Bahama Bucks

Ready Refresh

Angel’s Moonwalks

Lake Houston Pediatric Dentistry

Richey Insurance Agency

The Stein Family

Corporate Snow Angels

Alspaugh’s

Richards Orthodonics

Chez Nous French Restaurant

Probody Boot Camp

Johnny’s Pizza

Thank you to the

amazing volunteers

that helped with the 6th Annual

Snowball Run! Proceeds from the

Run directly benefit our Infinity

Science Park.

If your name has been omitted from our appreciation report, please accept our apologies and know that we appreciate you!

Corporate and Family Sponsorships are Available!

Find out more at PinesMontessori.com/Events

Dec. 3rd, 2016

9:00—11:00 AM Chip Timed, USATF Sanctioned Greenbelt Course,

Kids Activities, Cash Prizes, DJ, Costume Contest, Rock Wall,

Fun for the whole family!

Registration at thedriven.net

Family Snow Angels

Perry Family

Barber Family

Hall Family

Steinberger Family

Baker Family

Nieland Family

McGehee Family

Sarner Family

Hammond/Williams Family

Kofron Family

Benlaziz Family


Globetrotters

Bruce & Lavina Kofron

Nico & Theresa Robison

Adventurers


Philip & Kathleen Goerner

Voyagers

Jeff & Christina Nieland

Wanda Kimbrell

Sightseers

Latoya Doyle

Gordon & Elizabeth Sullivan

Teacher Table

The Kofron Family—Bruce, Lavina & Halleli Kofron

Ad Sponsors

Night Light Pediatrics

Amegy Bank of Texas


Luiz Pizzamiglio, Red Door Realty

Shelancia Daniel, Creativity Shell

Francie Stonestreet, Fireheart Photography

Christy Duncan, Mudpie & Co.

Sabrina Padgett, George Poe Band

Hope Sarver, S&F Designs

Jasmine Franks, Artavia’s Place

Postal Annex

Donors

Alspaugh’s Ace Hardware

Amanda Pitts

AMC Theaters

Ashley Logan

Becky Bollom

Brad & Fleur Bruna

Brewingz

Bruce & Lavina Kofron

Camp Gladiator

Carol McTee Roach

Carrabba’s Italian Grill

Catherine & Beau Hall

Chelsea’s Deli

Christine Rock

Christy Duncan

Circuit Fitness LLC

Clubhouse Playcare

Courtney McGrew

Crosby Massage Center

Disneyland Resorts

Dogs Day Inn

Donna Guerra

Dunkin’ Donuts

Emily McGehee

Fur Babies Dog Wash

Gap Plumbing

Gigi’s Cupcakes Kingwood

Grape Creek Winery

Healthiest You

Hina Patel

Hoffman Haus

Hope Sarver

Houston Astros

Houston Children’s Museum

Houston Dynamos

Humaira John

Humble Family Skate Center

Incredible Pizza Company Conroe

James Avery Jewelry

Jasmine Hebert

Javier Osornio

Jena Murski

Jennifer Pullen

Jennika’s—A Bazaar Place

Jessica Aylesworth

Joan Forehand

Joy Fields

Karen Wadsworth

Kids Stir

25th Annual Gala Sponsors & Donors

To the countless volunteers that offered ideas, talents, hard work and

support and those that donated and gathered items to auction,

this huge fundraising effort couldn’t have been done without you!

Thank you!


25th Annual Gala Sponsors & Donors

Kingwood Alspaugh’s Sterling Events

Kingwood Country Club

Kingwood Courtyard by Marriott

Kiwi Carpet Cleaning

La Cantera Hill Country Resort

Libby Egan

Liz Valdez

Lone Star College Kingwood

Mandy Schiel

Marcela Martinez

Massage Heights

Medieval Times Dallas

Mike & Hope Sarver

Mudpie & Associates

Nails by Emily

Nannette Baker

Nothing Bundt Cakes

On the Park

Outback Steakhouse

Papa Murphy’s

Patrizia Kelin Boschetti

Pierre’s Pet Grooming

Pump It Up!

Rebecca Hall

Rebecca Steinburger

Rob Rosenbaum

Russo’s New York Pizzeria

S & F Designs

Sacred Emotions Photography

Samira Howard

San Antonio Zoo

Savvas Greek Cuisine

School of Rock

Sharky’s Waterfront Grill

Shelancia Daniel

Shura Normand

Silpada

Smashburger

Spec’s Liquor

Stacey’s Dance Studio

Tazeen Kahn

The Guerra Family

The Hall Family

The Howard Family

The Kofron Family

The Nunez Family

The Padgett Family

The Pullen Family

The Sobelman Family

The Stein Family

Toni Metroyer Salons at the Loft

VaVa Bloom

Warren’s Southern Gardens

Wholesome Bites

Will Williams & Kim Hammond

The Wine Tasting Room

Youniquely Yours

Zachary’s Cajun Café

Zoe’s Kitchen

the

May 6, 2017 6 o’clock at Kingwood Country Club

Garden of Dreams

26th Annual Spring Gala

Garden of Dreams

May 6, 2017 6 o’clock at Kingwood Country Club

If your name has been omitted from our appreciation report, please accept our apologies and know that we appreciate you!


Thanks goes to the Foreman family who made

a donation of a passenger van for Pines to use for

school tips. This like-new bus was gifted to us at

the end of the school year. Some of our Lower

Elementary students were able to ride on it to

Camp Allen for their trip last May. Our close

Pines friend and business associate, Mr. Don

Arnold drove them as he holds a Commercial

Drivers License. The bus does require a driver

with a CDL on hand. We are on the lookout to

find the perfect candidate. Thanks for your help in the interim, Don!

As part of our front office remodel, the staff

lounge also received a makeover. Teachers and

staff have been enjoying the new larger space

furnished with tables and chairs from Ikea, a

larger kitchen area and a new refrigerator. The

beautiful stainless fridge was generously donated

by the Guzman family. Another thank you must

go to Kenny Robinson and his associates, for

moving the refrigerator. Not once, but twice they

came to help move and install this beautiful, but

heavy piece.

A New Passenger Van

A New Lounge Refrigerator

You Gave, Just Because You Could!

40 Stories for 40 Years

Our 2017-2018 school year will be Pines 40th Anniversary Year. In

honor of this celebratory year, we will be working on a project to gather

40 stories over our 40 years as a school. We will have opportunities for

alumni and families of Pines to report, write and video personal

experience stories while attending, or after graduating from, our school.

You will begin seeing Ms. Sabrina out with her video camera at upcoming

Pines events. Have you known Pines from way back when? Were you a Pines student, and now

are bringing your child? Have you had your older student at Pines since they were very

little? Would you share your story with us? Contact Ms. Sabrina at

[email protected] for more information.


The Big Make Over

The summer of 2016 began our Pines Building 1

make over. Plans that were merely dreams came to a

reality. In order to fulfill the need for a better

Montessori flow in primary rooms, the old “pod” style

bathrooms and hallways were removed. New

bathrooms were built and rooms were opened up.

With walls removed, these classrooms are now open from windows on the east side to the west

side. Natural daylight, more space, a soft green paint color and more customized storage make

these spaces much more functional for both the students and teachers.

Toddler classrooms were remodeled and expanded to three rooms. A dream design for our

Infant & Toddler teaching team was to bring bathrooms into the classroom. Having the

bathrooms in the classrooms allows autonomy during this important developmental phase for

the child, and offers toileting as a point of focus. Diapering takes place behind the privacy of the

shortened walls, while also allowing teachers the ability to monitor the classroom at the same

time.

Walls were removed in Lower Elementary to allow for more

class space. What was once the Middle School room was divided

into part Lower Elementary addition, and what will expand our

kitchen at a building phase to come in the near future.

Not only did they gain additional space, but there were two new

additions to the teaching team. Mr. David & Ms. Cindy are proud

to be working with Ms. Hope Sarver and Ms. Alexandra Leon as

interns. These two ladies, along with Ms. Ashley Fancy from Upper

Elementary, will finish interning this year and then attend more

classes at Houston Montessori Center over the summer of 2017 to become Elementary Certified

teachers.

Over the summer, the portable that was being used as our Studios space, was remodeled to

become the Middle School classroom. The interior space

was brightened with a coat of light paint over new sheet-

rock, new carpet and new flooring was also installed. Upon

first seeing the room, many students commented how nice

it was that new windows had also been installed. This was

the project stamp of approval as there were no windows

added, the room just felt that much brighter. Fitting the

model for Pines classrooms, the space is now airy, bright

and open.

Growth


The Snowball Run funds improvements and updates to our

backyard, Infinity Science Park. Students from the 2016 Pines

running club chose, from a selection of approved structures, an

item to be purchased with Snowball Run funds. The group

picked the Spinami Whirl (seen in the back of the photo on the

left). It was ordered as soon as the race was over in early

December. The spinner arrived and was installed before the

end of the year. The run group was extremely proud to share

this accomplishment with other students, and to have ownership in this addition to their

playground, Infinity Science Park.

Other playground structures were added, such as the “friendly” green crocodile that has a

home in the infant playground. The babies love climbing

on his back, warmed from the sun. Toddlers received a

balance beam and a Sit-n-Spin structure to enjoy.

In addition to the Spinami, the Elementary students

enjoy a Funnel Ball Pole that was installed.

Around the Grounds

September 2016 is forever marked in Pines history as the

month that we closed on the building next door. This newest

addition to the Pines campus will be undergoing some

transformations with Middle School students in mind. The

building has been gutted and made into large, open, industrial

style spaces. New bathrooms, kitchenette and private study areas

are being designed. The large open spaces will be ideal for this

student group. They will start the 2017-2018 school year off here.

A walkway has been created that bridges our campus to this new

building. It couldn’t be more perfect that you can

look out Lower’s door, and join up with the back of

the Upper and Lower pathways to jaunt off to this

addition. This back side of the building is equipped

with shaded picnic tables and access to the main

playground for this age group. Students from MS

and Upper, that will make up this class, have all

excitedly been a part of the demolition and planning

phases. Go Pines Middle School!

Our Newest Addition—The Building Next Door


As an associate of the American Montessori Society and members of the International

Montessori Council, Pines Montessori School seeks to foster competent, responsible,

adaptive citizens who are life-long learners and problem solvers.

Pines Perspectives

Alumnus, Emily Sobelman Travels to Poland to Speak

Most Likely to Succeed

It was a real honor to bring the documentary film, Most Likely to

Succeed, to Pines. The viewing took place at Lone Star College,

Kingwood and was well attended by Pines parents, staff, friends,

fellow traditional and Montessori educators. The film is an engaging

look at how big-picture issues can be intimately explored through

human confessionals. The film’s subjects are contemplative and

provide an honest assessment of their role in a system that might

need an overhaul to survive. As the school system was designed in

1893, the film ponders the idea that it may need at least an update to

meet the current needs of students and society.

Invited by the Polski Instytut Montessori,

Emily Sobelman gave her presentation

“Przygotowanie do życia/ Prepared for Life” at

the VI Międzynarodowa Konferencja Montessori,

held in Warsaw Poland in April 2016. Speaking

before 300 conference attendees from all over

Poland and many other European nations. Emily

chronicled her school journey having attended a

Montessori school from age 2 until her

graduation from a

Montessori High School

in May.

Montessori schools in Poland are continuing to grow to have

Upper Elementary and Middle Schools. Emily was the first Montessori

High School graduate that attendees had ever met! Emily attended

Pines from grade 3 through grade 8 and is now a freshman at the Uni-

versity of Alabama studying engineering.

~ Emily was Pines first Middle School graduate student and is the

daughter of Pines Head of School, Ms. Patty, and Rick Sobelman.


Since moving into the role of our Earth Connections

teacher at the start of the year, Ms. Humaira has been

working with toddler through elementary aged

students. Her work with them includes studying the

plant and creature life here on our campus. With

Earth Connections, Pines students cultivate plants,

foods and herbs, and study earth sciences and the

nature of all living things around our school. Along

with improvement projects to current beds, Ms. Humaira plans to further develop the Pines

landscape by adding cactus, lavender and herb gardens, very soon. Her classes hope to provide

more fruits, vegetables and herbs for Chef Liz to work with in the kitchen. These students are

learning a variety of skills and having a ton of fun in the process. Children typically like to try

foods they grow and are proud to be able to offer these “fruits” of their labors to others. Being

able to come to the table and say “I grew that” can be a real boost to a child’s self esteem.

Earth Connections with Ms. Humaira

Chef Liz Plans to Serve it Up!

Not only is it a self esteem builder for children to grow the food, but it is

equally important for them to taste it, and sometimes get to cook it. Our

school Chef, Liz, helps with this part of the cycle of connecting with the earth.

Helping with planning and preparing of the snack, serving up lunch from the

Healthy Lunch Box, and helping Elementary students in the

lunchroom are among the things Chef Liz does in a day.

A new feature at Pines this year is that parents can drop off

fruit or other healthy snack option on birthday celebration days.

Chef Liz prepares it for the celebration snack for the entire class.

Her beautiful preparations are a special treat for the birthday

child and arranged in inviting ways. Sign up to bring a healthy

birthday treat at the Pines Parent Page.

Working with Ms. Humaira to harvest the Pines garden

bounties, and to make sure they are used to the best purpose, hasn’t proved a

challenge for Chef. Of recent, our lime bush has been offering an abundance

of juicy limes. Ms. Humaira has worked with her students in Earth

Connections to pick these, wash them, and deliver them to Chef. Parents,

guests, students and all have enjoyed treats such as refreshing lime and berry infused water as

of late. Once our kitchen remodel is finished, Liz plans to work at preparing meals in-house for

the students lunches.


Have you noticed the named bricks in our Peace Garden? Those

bricks are available to purchase as a way to commemorate your child’s

and/or your family’s time spent at our school. Say thank you to your

teachers, offer a memorable quote, build a memorial spot for a loved

one. The bricks are $100 and tiles are $1000. Contact Ms. Libby for

more information, [email protected].

You make us smile! We have 40 friends and families that

have set us up as their AmazonSmile Foundation charitable

organization. This foundation donates .5% of the original

purchase price from your eligible purchases and sends Pines a

check. Think .5% doesn’t sound like a lot? Thanks to the families

already using the web address Smile.Amazon.com for Amazon

home or business purchases, Pines earned $521.93 from Aug

2015 to Aug. 2016. If you haven’t signed up yet, just add Pines Montessori School as your

charity of choice, preferably before you start your Holiday shopping :)

Do we want your Box Tops? Yes, please! If you purchase any of

the hundreds of products with a Box Tops for Education logo,

clip or tear them off the packages, collect them in a small

container or baggie, send them in with your student to us, then we

earn 10¢ for each one. Last year we collected about 1,000 tops.

In the past, we have used our money from these to purchase items

to use around our school. Our large coffee pot and school sewing machine are examples.

Continued Support

We appreciate all that our families do for us, and every little bit counts!

Families contributed $866 in total for the year,

through the Randall’s Good Neighbor Program.

Join this program to contribute to Pines as you

regularly shop for groceries. To participate just

link your Remarkable Randall’s card to the Pines

eligible charity account number, #512. You can

do this easily by visiting the Randall’s courtesy desk.


Support Pines in this fun way and show your student some

love at the same time, with Pines Birthday Marquee. Pines will

add a Happy Birthday wish to the front marquee for a nominal

$25.00 donation. Just email the front office with two weeks

advance notice to participate. The fee can be added to your

account.

Upper Elementary and Middle School students

take turns preparing and selling baked goods at

Play in the Park events. These playdates take place

on the second Friday of every month of the school

year. Your support to these sales raised $635 for

Upper Elementary and $579 for Middle School last

year alone. Every treat purchased, every penny of

change donated, went towards special projects and

planned trips. These sales allow for real world ex-

perience and lessons for the students. They plan,

promote, often bake for, manage, and sell the items. Group meetings are often held at the

beginning of the school year to decide for what projects the monies will be earmarked.

Students research the cost of desired items or trips to set goals for earnings. Middle School stu-

dents, if caught up on the current work load, often use the kitchen, and the help of Chef Liz, to

bake goodies to sell.

Looking for Pines logoed spirit items? Shirts and hoodies in adult and child

sizes are available for sale at the Pines Parent page. Items come in a small

variety of colors and varied sizes.

You can find out more about these ways to support Pines on our Website,

www.PinesMontessori.com or our Parent Page, Pines.my-pta.org.

Another way to show support for Pines is through sharing of your photos. If

you attended a Pines event, have taken a cute picture on our campus, or have a

talent for photos, we could use your pictures. You can share them with

Ms. Sabrina at [email protected], through email or drop box.

Pines also has a SmugMug account that you may upload to,

pinesphotos.smugmug.com.

When a child is given a little leeway, he will at once shout, “I want to do it!” But in our

schools, which have an environment adapted to children’s needs, they say,

“Help me to do it alone.” And these words reveal their inner needs.

~Maria Montessori

Pines Montessor i School prepares

ch i ldren for l i fe through learn ing

exper iences based on authent ic

Montessor i pr inc ip les and pract ices .

Established 1977


3535 Cedar Knolls Drive

Kingwood, TX 77339

(281) 358-8933

educating for life - pines montessori school · educating for life . 2016—2017 pines montessori...

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