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Th e Montessori School of the Berkshires

2011-2012Annual Report

Dear Families and Friends of MSB,We are pleased to present our fi rst annual report of Th e Montessori School of the Berkshires. From its humble beginning seven years ago (see ‘Our Story’ on page 3), our school has become a vital and important member of the Berk-shires’ educational landscape. I am confi dent the following pages more than support that claim.MSB – the dream of Meagan Ledendecker and Todd Covert – has trulybecome ‘our school’. It has drawn together the talent, commitment and resources of scores of dedicated parents, teachers and staff . A walk down the hallways of MSB is all it takes to feel and understand the extraordinary envi-ronment and educational experience they have created for these wonderful children. And our increasingly complex world needs the thinking, creative, compas-sionate students that MSB and the Montessori philosophy produces . Our parents and our MSB family can be confi dent that these children will not only perform impressively in their further educational pursuits but will also make extraordinary contributions to whatever community they choose to embrace.A warm thank you goes to all who have contributed fi nancially or in other ways to the current success of MSB. With your help, support and encourage-ment we are confi dent in a blessed future for our school and all its students.

Churchward DavisChairman, Board of Trustees

Board of Trustees Churchward Davis, Chair

Carter White, Vice-Chair

Dana Bixby, Treasurer

Meagan Ledendecker, Secretary

Rob Akroyd

Todd Covert

Gloria Freidman

Crispin Tresp

It is with deep gratitude that we acknowledge the following individuals who concluded their service on MSB’s

Board of Trustees this past year:

Chris Hieber

Cindy Kelly

Tom Skakel

Message from the Chair of the Board January 2013

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Who We AreTh e Montessori School of the Berkshires is a non-profi t private school dedicated to nurturing the academic and holistic development of children, from toddler age through early adolescence (grade 8).

Our mission is to work in the tradition of Dr. Maria Montessori to inspire children to develop independent thinking, self-assurance, inner discipline, and a love of learning in an authentic Montessori environment.

Our goal is to help children become well-rounded individuals who are independent thinkers, internally motivated, refl ective, self-disciplined, and self-assured. We want each child to enjoy the process of discovery and to genuinely love learning. We model behaviors that encourage children to grow as peacemakers who respect themselves and others, who appreciate diff erences, who embrace collaboration and cooperation, and who want to help and care for living things. We aim to foster the development of future citizens who have learned how to take responsibility for their actions and care for their world both locally and globally.

Key Montessori PrinciplesChild-Centered LearningTh e focus of activity in the Montessori setting is on children learning, not teachers teaching.

Hands-On LearningDirect contact with real objects of study bring learning concepts to life and allow children to understand them more deeply.

Intrinsic MotivationEach child’s own internal motivation is fostered through freedom of choice and independent activities.

Cooperation and CollaborationChildren are encouraged to work in partnership with others and treat each other with respect and kindness.

Focus on Individual DevelopmentChildren progress at a personal pace and receive indi-vidual attention from teachers as they move through each area of learning.

Humanity of the ChildMontessori education recognizes each child as a full and complete human being, celebrates the unique nature of each child, and supports the development of each child’s individual personality.

Global UnderstandingTh e Montessori curriculum is international in its heritage and focus, and consciously seeks to promote a global perspective.

Service to OthersCommunity service programs within the classroom, school, and beyond help promote the ideas of stew-ardship and compassion.

Adapted from: Th e Authentic American Montessori School: A Guide to the Self-Study, Evaluation, and Accreditation of Amer-ican Schools Committed to Montessori Education, by Nancy McCormick and John Stoops, 1992

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Our StoryTh e story of Th e Montessori School of the Berkshires (MSB) started seven years ago when Meagan Ledendecker and Todd Covert had a vision to bring Montessori education to their community. In 2006, a fl edgling program opened in a few rooms in the Aspinwell shops on the outskirts of Lenox. In 2009, MSB purchased the property at 21 Patterson Road in Lenox Dale and, with fi nancing from the USDA, built one of the fi rst LEED registered green campuses in the Berkshires. Aft er spring break of 2010, students moved into their new school.

Over the years the school has grown to what it is today because our parents and students witnessed the lasting value of their MSB experience and shared their story with others! As we embark on our fi ft h year as a non-profi t and seventh year as an independent school, we are assured of a strong and healthy institution dedi-cated to the education and development of the whole child. Th e meaningful, life-changing, foundation-forming lessons learned through a Montessori education at our school are carried forward long aft er our students leave us and help shape the communities in which our children enter for the rest of their lives.

A Family StoryMy personal history with the Montessori School of the Berkshires goes back to the beginning—in fact, before the beginning, in a way. Around the summer of 2005, I sat around a fi re pit with a few other parents, listening to Todd and Meagan describe their vision for a Montessori school. Th at night, I heard Meagan promise what education could be: she described a school where the child’s natural proclivities would guide his learning; where a student’s interest would inform his studies, with teachers acting as guides to ensure that a whole education was achieved; a school built on respect and nurturing of a child’s love of learning. Meagan talked of an environment where each child wouldn’t be constrained by the boundaries of class periods, or subjects, or the pace of the slow-est students, but instead, would be guided through his studies according to his specifi c needs, his pace, and his interests, all in a concerted eff ort to foster a lifelong love of learning.

I was sold—then, and I still am now. My daughter, Claudia, is one of the remaining students from that inaugural class in the fall of 2006, her kindergarten year. My son, Th eo, began attending as soon as legally possible, a few years later. Everything that Meagan described seven years ago in her backyard while taking notes on a legal pad has come to pass. My children and their friends and classmates love school, and they are thriving as thinkers, artists, writers, and people. To visit the school, or observe a class in action, or to spend some time with a few Montessori students hanging out, is a joy and a revelation—these kids are thinkers, they are compassionate, they are analytical, they are creative, and they are funny.

And for that, I credit the education they are getting at Th e Montessori School of the Berkshires. Th is school is teaching them not just math and history and science, but how to think, how to reason, how to create, how to design; this school teaches children to be learners and thinkers, not just test takers.

I never thought I would send my children to private school; like many of us, I went to public schools, and, I like to think, I turned out “just fi ne.” I fi gured my kids would be just fi ne in public school as well. But once I learned about the Montessori method and Meagan’s vision—and certainly now, aft er six years at the school—I realized that there was the potential for something for my kids which could be far greater than “just fi ne,” and I’ve been grateful every day.

Marc Maurino

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Message from the Head of SchoolFirst of all, thank you for believing that our students and families deserve the fi nest Montessori education available in the best learning environment. MSB has grown and evolved in many ways over our fi rst six years. It is with extreme gratitude and appreciation that I share some of the highlights of our past year in our fi rst Annual Report.

Our enrollment continued to grow despite these challenging economic times. We had the unique pleasure of sending our fi rst graduating class of innovative, creative, individ-ual thinking 8th graders out into the world. Th is fi rst class of 8th graders completes our whole-school, toddler through 8th grade, Montessori approach to education.

Th is past year, we continued to expand our Parent Education and Parent Group off er-ings, and introduced our Silent Journey, Next Level nights, and Winter Oasis dinners. Th ese events incorporated a social aspect as well as the chance to deepen the understanding of Montessori education. I had the pleasurable opportunity to fl ip pancakes at our Children’s House pancake breakfasts. Our Parent Group also introduced af-ter-school enrichment opportunities for our children.

MSB is an extraordinary place to be. We value every member of our community. We are grateful to all donors for support of the ongoing and vital fundraising activities of the school, through Annual Fund, Spring Auction, volun-teerism, and in-kind gift s. Whether motivated by love of their own children, gratitude for the school’s impact on former students, or appreciation for Montessori today, all donations merit a sincere thank you.

Warmly,

Todd CovertHead of School

Warmly,“Education should no longer be mostly imparting knowledge, but must take a new path, seeking the release of human potentials.”

~Maria Montessori

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Building• LEED for Schools Registered – Leadership in Energy and Envi-ronmental Design

• Acoustics – Specially designed wall systems and a quiet HVAC system improve acoustics and create a more productive learning environment for children.

• Th ermal Comfort – Comfortable indoor temperatures enhance productivity and keep students more alert.

• Water effi ciency – Low fl ow sinks and dual fl ush toilets reduce total water use by as much as 50%.

• Materials with locally produced content & recycled content– Buying locally reduces the school’s carbon footprint and supports the local economy. Products have the highest possible recycled content.

• Forest Certifi ed Lumber – Lumber and other wood products from wood that has been grown and harvested sustainably.

• Daylighting – Solar tubes and large windows allow daylight to stream in, reducing energy costs and improving student concen-tration and performance. Lightshelves bounce sunlight deep into the room and provide even natural light distribution.

• Sunshading – Roof overhangs and other devices shade glass and prevent overheating.

• Air Quality – All paints, adhesives, and materials have low or no VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds).

• Solar Walls – Th e sun’s energy pre-heats fresh air for the venti-lation system.

• Energy Effi cient Lighting – Remote sensors, individual controls and task lighting greatly reduce electricity costs and enhance learning conditions.

Site

• Central Courtyard – Provides a free-fl ow between indoor and outdoor learning spaces and deepens students’ connection to the natural world. Includes patios, gardening plots, and class meeting spaces.

• Multiple Ecosystems – Campus designed for the diversity that occurs in natural transitions between lawn, open meadow, or-chards, gardens, woodlands and wetlands.

• Rain garden – Serves as the entry circle centerpiece and pro-vides a natural water runoff solution.

• Water Re-Use Cistern – Roof gutters lead into an underground cistern so water can be used for irrigation around the property and in the gardens.

• Below ground infi ltration of storm water – By design, all storm water is infi ltrated back into the ground.

Our CampusSituated on 40 acres of land in Lenox Dale, Massachusetts, the Montessori School of the Berkshires is one of the fi rst LEED for Schools projects in the Northeast. Nestled among fi eld and forest, MSB’s green campus and LEED registered building allow children to learn about sustainability both within the classroom and out of doors. Children have access to the natural world through garden areas and trails. Dr. Maria Montessori considered this connection to the earth and living things to be an essential part of education.

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Massachusetts:Cheshire DaltonGreat BarringtonLenox Lee North Adams New MarlboroughNorth EgremontOtis PeruPittsfi eldRichmondSandisfi eldSheffi eld StockbridgeWest Stockbridge

New York:CraryvilleNew Lebanon

Enrollment – Growth and RetentionWhen our capacity for students increased, we focused on fi lling our classrooms. It is just as important, however, to keep a close eye on retention rates.

CLASS AM/Full Day 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012Toddler Five Mornings NA NA NA NA 2 2Toddler Five Full Days NA NA NA NA 7 83 & 4 year olds Five Mornings 6 7 5 4 5 43 & 4 year olds Five Full Days 25 30 25 16 18 235 year olds(Kindergarten)

Five Full Days 6 8 13 11 13 10

Lower Elementary

Five Full Days NA NA 15 15 22 21

Upper Elementary

Five Full Days NA NA 15 13 22 19

Adolescent Experience

Five Full Days NA NA NA NA 5 7

TOTAL 37 45 60 60 89 94Retained NA - - 41 50 67New NA - - 19 39 27

Where Our Students Came From in 2011-2012

Our bus service transports 15 students living in the South Berkshire County area to and from school on a daily basis.

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WARM WELCOME in SeptemberApril Smith grew up between the north shore of Massachusetts and the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and has been living in the mountains of Vermont for several years. For many years, she worked professionally with horses and dogs as a trainer and an instructor to students of all ages, and has worked with children in a unique variety of settings. Before coming to MSB, April developed a Montessori classroom at the Hartford Autism Regional Program. In addition to her Montessori experience, April worked with students who have learning and behavioral challenges, and spends summers in India collaborating on special education development. She helped develop and directs an NGO and special needs school in the Punjab. April holds an Associates Degree in Applied Science, and a B.A. from God-dard College with a focus on socially and ecologically sustainable community, alternative education, and psychology. She earned her Masters in Education in Montessori Integrative Learning in addition to 6-12 (Elementary) Montessori training from Endicott College. Other passions include downhill skiing, coaching and coordinating a Special Olympics alpine race team, poetry, traveling, geocaching, hiking and camping.

Jed Tuchscherer was born and raised in Stockbridge, MA. He received an Associate of Science degree in Turf Grass Management. Aft er ten years working on golf courses he made a move to North Carolina to pursue building custom homes. He started his own company, Rattlesnake Mountain Construction. Aft er spending ten years in North Carolina and nearly twenty years away from home he began to make plans to start a family and continue wood-working back in Stockbridge. Jed is enthusiastic about being back in the Berkshires and joining the MSB community.

FOND FAREWELL in JuneEmmy Bowser-Dadak was an Elementary Guide at MSB for three years. During that time she shared with us her love of cooking, gardening, and exploring nature. Emmy was par-ticularly pleased to be part of a community that holds forth the virtues of being kind and respectful to one another and to our land. Our students benefi tted from her knowledge of biology and her passion for environmental stewardship. We wish her all the best as she embarks on a new chapter in her life.

2011-2012 School Year Administration, Faculty & Staff Todd Covert, Head of SchoolKehr Davis, Business ManagerMeagan Ledendecker, Director of EducationJed Tuchscherer, Facilities Manager

Toddler Room Guides: Barbara Pinkerton and Bridgette MooreChildren’s House I Guides: Joey Chernila and Rose BohmannChildren’s House II Guides: Patricia Pent and Bonny FlowerElementary Guides: Meagan Ledendecker, Aaron Eliassen, Emmy Bower-Dadak, April SmithAdolescent Guide: Julie HaagensonSpecialists: Dana Harrison, Drama; Andrea Goodman, Music; Leigh Minor, Physical EducationAft er School: Bridgette Moore

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School Year HighlightsSeptember 2011AE undertakes the Chimney Corners Outdoor Challenge course.

October 2011Elementary students start a Great Lesson: Th e Story of WritingChildren’s House fi eld trip to Bartlett Apple OrchardFirst Family Sharing Day of the year.

November 2011Elementary Historical DinnerChildren’s House helps Parent Group prepare our gardens with bulbsSchool-wide Th anksgiving MealNew swings go in on playground

December 2011“Th e Journey” gives parents a chance to explore the Montessori curriculum Elementary students participate in Berkshire Museum’s Festival of TreesStudents entertain Kimball Farms residents with singing

January 2012Parent Social & Next Level NightAuthor Hester Velmans visits Elementary students who are reading her booksAft er-school ski program begins

February 2012 Class Pancake BreakfastsCH fi eld trip to Mahaiwe for “Twinkle Twonkle”, an astronomy showValentine Card Exchange

Auggie and Angus, the gerbils, join the Toddler RoomAE CATA service learning trip

March 2012Kindergarten Pinning CeremonyElem fi eld trip to Mt. HolyokeRobotics Challenge

April 2012Jr. Elementary visits Berkshire MuseumAE trip to Model UNSchool Talent ShowParent Group off ers an Aft er-School Enrichment SeriesToddler trip to Hancock Shaker Village

May 2012May Day celebrationTeacher Appreciation WeekSr. Elementary production of Macbeth

June 2012Elementary Great Brain FairAE internshipsMove-Up Day Graduation

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Th e following are excerpts from some of the speeches our students gave at their graduation ceremony.

“I would suppose that I had generally the same middle school experience as every other teen in the modern world, right? I started at a new school, made new friends, discovered some values, fell in love (you can say what you like), tried hard to do the right thing, got caught in teen drama, mostly got good grades, searched for (and got nervous about) high school, and now I’m graduating. It’s an average story, right? But I have something more than that. I have friendships that will last my entire life, and experiences that I could get nowhere but at Th e Montessori School of the Berkshires.” ~ Maddie McCain ‘12

“When I think about it, the biggest lessons I’m tak-ing away are the ones Julie taught me when I was struggling to keep up. Sure I learned the academic material, but what made Montessori special is that I learned something else that isn’t taught in public education: how to listen. In a lot of public schools the teachers don’t even know how to do that. Whether it’s at school or out in the world, being able to listen to yourself and to other people will help in so many ways.” ~ Raven Ross-Kelso ‘12

“I think the most important skills I have learned from Montessori was the Personal World fi eld, and the many skills it teaches. I have always enjoyed the fact that it connects with life. Th e 7 habits from last year, and the heroic journey from this year, I can confi dently say, will help guide myself towards ultimate success in life. Th at is what I am looking forward to; to use the skills, to apply it in life, and to get to the top of the heroic journey, the road built on music for me. My life will surely be based on the social skills that I have learned, and pushing my comfort zone, until I reach success and absolutely never give up. ” ~ Sean Th rasher ‘12

Th e Class of 2012: Sara Sprague, Sean Th rasher, Casey Booth-Desnoyers, AE Guide Julie Haagenson, Raven Ross-Kelso, Maddie McCain

Class of 2012: Graduation Highlights

MSB Parent GroupTh e MSB Parent Group is an integral part of Th e Montessori School of the Berkshires, fostering a sense of com-munity between our families, the School, and the neighboring public. Th e Parent Group serves as a focal point for all volunteer activities, including fundraising activities, in support of and in coordination with the Board, classroom guides, Head of School, and staff . We appreciate the thoughtfulness, planning, resources, and eff ort it took to carry out their mission through the following:

Parent SocialsEnd of Year Ice Cream SocialLocal Goods & Gift s FundraiserParent Education Nights & “Th e Journey”Aft er-School Enrichment ProgramClass Liaisons & Field Trip ChaperonesStaff Appreciation WeekEnd-of-Year School Gift

Special thanks to Jen Salinetti for her leadership as Chair of the Parent Group for another year!

Th e Parent Group compiled photo memory books for graduating eighth grade students. Th e memory books were given as gift s at the end of the school year.

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Spring Auction: Swingin’ Speakeasy RevivalTh e Montessori School of the Berkshires’ 2012 silent auction fundraiser, “Swingin’ Speakeasy Revival”, was held at Shakespeare & Company’s Bernstein Th eatre in Lenox, MA on Saturday, May 19th from 7-10pm. Proceeds benefi tted the school’s fi nancial aid fund.

Our sincere appreciation to all of the volunteers, underwriters, sponsors and donors who helped make the event a “roaring” success!

Amenitek, Inc.American GirlAmerican Textile History MuseumApplegate InnArcadian ShopArtemesiaAtelier HolidayBaba Louie’s PizzaBerkshire Botanical GardensBerkshire FabricationsBerkshire Functional FitnessBerkshire Lawn and OrderBerkshire MuseumBerkshire OrganicsBerkshire Th eatre GroupBest BuyBillings Farm & MuseumBizenBoston BruinsBoston Duck ToursBoston Red SoxBra & GirlBroadway Comedy ClubButtonwood Park ZooCakewalk Bakery & CaféCamp WagalotCanvas on DemandCarol WhiteCarr HardwareChase SimmeringCheryl MooreChez Nous

Christmas Tree ShopsCranwell Resort, Spa & GolfCynthia LaRocheDave NadigDeCordova Museum and Sculpture ParkDelair, Edwards, & Krol, P.C.DeWitt Spoons & BowlsDisney Th eme ParksDr. Susan LordEco-TariumEmily Dickenson MuseumEric Carle MuseumFastenalF.L. Roberts and CompanyFirefl y RestaurantFrankie’s Ristorante ItalianoGloria FreidmanGourmet Gift Baskets .comGreen Mtn Coff ee RoastersGuido’s Fresh MarketplaceGymboreeH. Cachat PhotographyHancock Shaker VillageHaven Café & BakeryHiggins Armory MuseumHildene, Th e Lincoln Family HomeHistoric Deerfi eldHy-Line CruisesIredale CosmeticsIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Iverson StudiosJacob’s Pillow DanceJan BrettJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and MuseumJudy & Steven SpragueJulie BerriaultKalon StudiosKripaluLeahey FarmLexi SpragueLisa Nelson, MDLyric Stage Company of BostonMarya LaRocheMassachusetts MoCAMontshire Museum of ScienceMuddy Angel MusicMystic SeaportNew Bedford Whaling MuseumNew England AquariumNew England PatriotsNicolette Enhorning-PictonNorman Rockwell MuseumO’Laughlin’s PharmacyOld Sturbridge VillageOptimal Wellness Lifestyle StrategiesOriental Trading Co.Peabody Essex MuseumPersnickety ToysPink Calyx

Plimoth PlantationProject NativeProvidence Children’s MuseumRaphael LluberesRJ Stohr Diamonds & Fine JewelryShakespeare & CoSix Flags New EnglandSki ButternutSmartworks, Inc.Southwick’s ZooStampin’ UpSteve MeyerowitzStory LandSusan LacombeTh e BookstoreTh e Great ExchangeTh e MountTh e Preservation Society of Newport CountyTh e WellTh ey Might Be GiantsTon WhitesideTony IsraelTrader Joe’s TreehouseUSS Constitution MuseumVermont Institute of Natural ScienceWater Wizz Fun ParkWilliamstown Theatre FestivalZack McCain IIIZoo New England

Auction Committee:Judy SpraguePaula SubklewJean PollockTess FedellLauna O’GaraMarya LaRocheBridgette MooreTodd CovertMary HanniganEmily RechnitzNancy Ringer

Underwriters:Wandering Star BreweryBerkshire Mountain DistillersYour Color ConnectionTrustees of MSB

Sponsors:White Horse HillAmenitek, Inc.Starr Snead

Special Th anks:David JosephShakespeare & Co.Firefl yTh e Lucky Five Band

Volunteers:Dave & Lori NadigDavid FlynnBrian O’GaraJennifer TravisMark & Karen Cross LosardoJeremy Smith

Contributors:

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2011-2012 Annual Fund Donors

Annual Fund Percentage of

Participation by MSB Families:

60%

Annual Fund Total Revenue:

$11,275

“Building Strong

Foundations”

In-Kind Donors and Other Supporters

Stephen Alsdorf & Lisa NelsonTh e Arcadian ShopCara Barkett DavisDave BarrettAndrew & Rachel BeckwithJulie Berriault & Tony SheldonDana BixbyRose BohmannMary Bowser-DadakMr. & Mrs. Austin BrazeeJulie CarloTh e Catherine Alan FundEnore & Ursula CeolaElwynda ChapmanJoey & Alana ChernilaLeonard ChernilaSandy ClearyAlejandro De Onis & Chase SimmeringAaron EliassenBonny FlowerLeonard & Gloria FriedmanTh omas & Barbara GahertyJohn & Cathy GamberoniRamesh Gangisetty & Mala ShettyHerbert Gregg & Emma Weiskopf Diego Gutierrez & Terri ZuckerJulie HaagensonAnne HarrisonBrenda HebertChris Hennessey & Giovanna FessendenTony Israel & Rebecca DeWittWarren IvieCurtis Jones & Liz Greene

Cindy KellyMark & Arti Ross KelsoBen & Marya LaRocheBob & Govane LohbauerKay Lothrop & Tom SerminiSaul & Kehr MaldonadoColin Mathews & Stephanie IversonMarc Maurino & Dana HarrisonZack McCain III & Wendy BrownBridgette MooreSharon & Matthew MozianDave & Lori NadigChris & Brandee NelsonNorthern Building SystemsBrian & Launa O’GaraJohn Paladino & Emily RechnitzDavid Ripley & Renee HarvittPatricia PentCharlie & Kathy PlungisPeter & Jo PodolPatrick & Jean PollockJudith Pomerantz & Neel WebberVlada Rousseff William & Barbara SalinettiPete & Jen SalinettiSteven & Judy SpragueDavid Strzepa & Nicolette Enhorning-PictonKarl & Paula SubklewFranck Tessier & Rachel PortnoyDavid & Isil Th rasherJen Travis & Nancy RingerDavid & Tammy ValicentiJerry & Virginia Vuolo

Rob & Wendy AkroydRose BohmannAndrew & Rachel BeckwithBecky CachatTodd Covert & Meagan LedendeckerTony & Diana CreaEnore & Ursula CeolaSheryl Diaja James & Ron JamesMarc & Julie DiGrigoliDavid & Heather FlynnJohn & Cathy Gamberoni

Chris Hennessey & Giovanna FessendenKay Lothrop & Tom SerminiBen & Marya LaRocheSusan LordSaul & Kehr MaldonadoZack McCain III & Wendy BrownColin Mathews & Stephanie IversonDave & Lori NadigBrian & Launa O’GaraJohn Paladino & Emily RechnitzJudith Pomerantz & Neel Webber

David Ripley & Renee HarvittNancy Ringer & Jennifer TravisPete & Jen SalinettiDavid Strzepa & Nicolette Enhorning-PictonMorgan & Anne SmithSteven & Judy SpragueFranck Tessier & Rachel PortnoyDavid & Tammy Valicenti

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P.O. Box 42221 Patterson RoadLenox Dale, MA 01242

At Th e Montessori School of the Berkshires, we proudly celebrate a unique mission inspired by Maria Montessori more than a hundred years ago. Today, this same mission continues to shape the MSB experience for all students - an experi-ence that would be impossible to sustain without donors like you.

If you’ve made a donation to MSB recently: On behalf of the students, faculty, and volunteers, thank you very much for your support. Donations to our Annual Fund strengthen the school’s ability to continue to better serve our students.

If you would like to make a donation to this year’s Annual Fund: Please send your tax-deductible gift to:Th e Montessori School of the BerkshiresPO Box 422 Lenox Dale, MA 01242

Or donate online through our website at:www.berkshiremontessori.org/annualfund

For more information contact:Marya LaRoche, Director of School Advancement(413) 637-3662 x122

Every gift counts.