Patricia Wadsley
BOVINA — On a very snowy Saturday afternoon in Delaware County parents and supporters from points far and wide in the Greater Catskill area gathered at the Bovina Montessori School for their school fundraiser, the second annual KidSkill Fund Winter Gala. Set on 50 rolling acres nestled between Delhi and Andes, Bovina Montessori follows the precepts of Maria Montessori the early 20th century educator, who identified children’s learning stages, and saw that education and activities should meet each child at his or her stage of development.
After belonging to a “home-schooling pod” of several families for the duration of Covid, Bovina residents and school founders Sophie Rasmussen and David Madie wanted to continue a more personalized education for their children, and for other children and parents too.
“We researched Rudolf Steiner schools, Reggio Emilia, and other independent
schools but when we researched Montessori we knew it was the right one,” says David Madie. “It has a good support system of other Montessori schools throughout the country, sister schools and a national association.”Then, when we saw this land we knew we had to do it. It’s a place where the indoors and outdoors meet, and where children can have a practical experience of what they learn in science, biology and math—a place where nature is a place for learning, artistic expression and nutrition.”
At the Saturday fundraiser, Parents of students already in attendance, , as well as parents new to the Montessori method got to see how this worked in practice. Parents were shown a short film which showed students at work and play. “It’s great to see children laughing while they’re learning,” mused one of the parents who attended. “Learning should be fun.”
Lessons change with the seasons. In autumn, children learn how to make apple cider vinegar, for example. Organizer Katie Henry explains that math is integrated into making vinegar. “How long does it take to ferment? How long do particular volumes of the liquid take to ferment?” she asks. Students make math calculations based on this and other real world hands-on activities.
At the fundraiser, students also gave in person demonstrations of their interests and knowledge. Sophie Deysenroth demonstrated the “Clock of Eras,” one of the materials kept on hand for students. For her presentation, Sophie had drawn her own clock of eras. The clock face functions as an analogy for the history of the world—starting with the birth of the earth at midnight, continuing through the Headen Era in which the solar system consists of spinning clouds and gases, through to today, when mammals roam the earth. Sophie spoke most animatedly about the Paleozoic Era, in which plants and animals learned how to co-exist.
Sophie and David stress that no child should be turned away. The fundraiser , catered by Chef Deanna of the new Bovina eatery, Bramble Hill restaurant, raised 14 thousand dollars through their partner non-profit KidSkill, according to Henry, and goes to scholarships for new and old students, as well as apportioned to other non-profits in the area. This year, for example, the school plans to implement transportation for other schools to go to after school activities, In past years funds were apportioned to non-profits such as the Pine Hill Community Center.
On Sunday, June 7, Bovina Montessori puts on the Pink Street festival on its grounds, a family friendly event that celebrates and promotes local vendors, environmental and arts organizations, agriculture, children and youth programs and just plain fun.
“We are so happy that our gala was a success and that we’ll have more to offer,” says Henry. “We are thankful to be vital members of the community.”
If you are a family or a non-profit seeking funds for programming, hop over to KidSkillFund.org.
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