ALUMNI NEWSLETTER Summer 2023 |
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The Ferris Elementary Wing, named for the legacy and support of
John N. (Jake) and Maxine Ferris, was celebrated at the ribbon cutting
by sons Bill and John, daughter-in-law Kathleen, and grandchildren, Jack and Lola Ferris.
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Ferris Wing sparks Montessori Radmoor
expansion, future programs
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Room to grow. Room to learn. Room for students, current attendees and those for years to come, to feel that spark of knowledge.
That "room" even expands outside the building, with outdoor gathering spaces for learning opportunities. Everywhere – space beckons. More than 5,700 feet of it.
The Ferris Elementary Wing opened last fall, fully realizing the Montessori legacy of John N. (Jake) and Maxine Ferris.
And, with their generosity, the expansion represented the most significant Montessori Radmoor School building project since 2003.
The three new classrooms and the student kitchen at the time of the October 2022 ribbon cutting all awaited furniture placement, but soon would be bustling with activity. Also included in the expansion are: two new student bathrooms, a larger library space and dedicated spaces for nap and after-school time.
Both Jake and Maxine passed away in 2022, prior to the completion of the project. Susie Hyatt, former Radmoor Head of School, was one of many who recognized them at the riboon cutting: “My heart is full seeing this amazing building. It all started with Jake and Maxine. The family legacy and kindness and their love of learning will live on.”
Jake and Maxine’s sons John and Bill, alumni of the school, daughter in law, Kathleen, and grandchildren, Jack and Lola attended the ceremony.
John Ferris remarked, “I know my parents would have loved to be here. Montessori was the number one thing they talked about and what they were proud of.”
Bill Ferris added the wish of his parents to leave people and places better than they were before, saying, “This brought pride and joy and it’s beautiful in there.”
As one of the early Radmoor families, the Ferrises were heavily invested in the school's future and its community. Jake served as a member of the school’s Board of Trustees from 1968 to 2018. Maxine wrote “Thirty Years and Counting” in 2001, which records Radmoor's early years.
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Dedicated in October 2022, the Ferris Elementary Wing spaces include (counterclockwise from top left) outdoor gathering places, elementary classrooms, and student kitchen. Former Head of School Susie Hyatt speaks at the October ribbon cutting. |
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Alumni students from recent years attended to get a look at the Ferris Elementary Wing. |
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Congratulations to the 6th Year Graduates |
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Montessori Radmoor School's newest alumni members include these sixth grade graduates. They celebrated with their families on June 8.
2023 6th Grade Graduates: Finnegan Bills, Reika Kemp, Hailey McClure, Kendalyn Revis and Oliver Brann
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Alumni Feature
Sarah Welti
Okemos High School, Class of 2018
Western Washington University, B.A., 2023
Double Major: Environmental Studies with a Policy Emphasis and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
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What advice would you give to parents of elementary students about Montessori elementary programming?
What's beautiful about a Montessori education is the emphasis on community building and maintaining connections; I'm still friends with the people I met at Radmoor when I was 6. My best advice for parents, especially ones whose children will go off into public education or non-Montessori education, is to help their children maintain their relationships with Radmoor folks and use what they have learned there to develop connections across their new communities.
How did your Montessori education and experience at Radmoor prepare you for High School and Life beyond high school?
I loved how Radmoor and Montessori's education allowed me to prioritize my interests, recognizing my differences and hobbies as valuable to the classroom. I bring this into my personal and professional life and strive to engage in spaces where interdisciplinary focuses are valued.
What are your favorite Radmoor memories?
My favorite times were always the preparation for and event of International Night and any Potluck opportunities available. I loved being able to see my school friends with their families and get a glimpse of how other children lived. Also, the food was always fantastic!
Some “words of wisdom”: it's okay to be different. In my experience, when we're young, we might spend time trying to be like everybody else, trying to fit in and find our place amongst others. As I've gotten older, I noticed people around me changing their minds, wanting to be different and unique. I suggest finding the people who celebrate those differences to begin with and learning how to live in community with those who are different from you. It's with a community that I've been most happy, starting with Radmoor.
Sarah's photograph includes her parents, Angela and Jeff Welti.
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Celebrating high school graduation: Class of 2023 |
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Once students begin their education at Montessori Radmoor School, they will always have a home there. That's why the school community take such happiness celebrating that next step, high school graduation.
This list was compiled based upon birth dates of enrollees - toddler, primary and elementary students - and intends to list those students who are likely to have reached graduation this year. We apologize if we have a student listed in the incorrect year.
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Ben Anderson
Enzo Bandemehr
Sophia Betten
Rosella Bills
Chloe Chen
Soveren Chhin-Kreiner
Hannah Choi
Heemin Choi
Jasmine Chow
Bjorn Dahlby
Zahava Dworkin
Macon Eckhardt
Ian Finkbeiner
Max Finnegan
Eva Fischer
Kayla Fogarty
Mattia Fornari
Alexander Gandhi
Elena Garbaccio
Jack Goebel
Xiangyu Gu
Akash Gupta
Bennett Halbritter
Luca Harmenil
Paz Hassan-Contreras
Elida Hughes-Margolis
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Annelise Jeitschko
Ryan Kang
Ava Kilgren
Iris Li
Chaewon (Anjela) Ma
Radha Malde
Cade Mehretu-Rankin
Xander Mielock
Sophia Miller
Anna Mondragon
Quinn Moore
Jade Naser
Graham Neely
Gavin Ni
Dev Srikar Nimmold
Kennedi North
Prabhleen Pawar
Saran Senthil
Richa Shah
Ekmita Singh
Shreya Srinatha
Laya Srinivas
Claire Stanko
Kavya Tumbalam
Tony Uraz
Gabriel Winkler
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Montessori Radmoor School remembers
Will Goodale, former student who passed away from cancer Nov. 2, 2015, at age 10. Will would have graduated from high school in 2023.
Will (photographed enjoying art and face paint at International Night in 2010) was remembered at the celebration of his life by his primary teacher Patricia Murphy, "Will had an immense curiosity about the world around him. He had a beautiful smile, and he loved learning and life and his friends and family."
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Giving back helps support Radmoor’s mission
Lila Radway Scholarship Fund
As a non-profit school, tuition dollars propel the school forward, and donations and gifts help to ease the burden on current families and continue the school’s legacy.
Both the general fund, which assists in school improvements, and the Lila Radway Scholarship Fund accept donations. For online giving, visit our website. To send a check, visit the school's web site for the form.
The Lila Radway Scholarship Fund was established in 2000 and current families with financial need can apply. The scholarship was named for a member of one of Montessori Radmoor’s founding families, Lila Radway, who along with Pat Moore advocated for the school and its elementary programming. Radmoor earns its name from these two families, having been renamed (from the Children’s House) in 1982.
Montessori Radmoor aka Michigan Montessori Internationale, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) organization. EIN: 38-1873309
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Contact Montessori Radmoor School at www.montessoriradmoor.org, and follow the link to the alumni section. Alumni can submit "Your Montessori Story" there to share.
Newsletter created by Michelle Munson, proud alumni parent.
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