Special Events: PAC (Parent Association Committee) designed the following events for our families and community members. These events rely on volunteer parents for their success. Let us know if you can help!
GrandDays
Grandparents/Grandfriends gather at Central to spend time with their Grandchild/Grandfriend’s special friends and teachers. Reservations required. P. S. Parents have their own special visitation days as well! Children will make two “invitations” at school. These are sent home with the child along with a stamped envelope. Parents and children simply write the address on the envelope and send! (Because of space, Central can only accommodate two grandones for each family…)
Chili Cook Off
A school wide potluck event! Your chance to to show off your skills at making your favorite chili, beef, beans, chicken, vegetarian, or secret: All of the accompanying goodies can be served up as well! We invite our First Responders to “judge” the chili and to present our “Chili Chef” of the year with a fire engine (with siren).
Continent Day
Each classroom focuses on one country or culture within a continent. We all come together to share foods that have been prepared by our parents and enjoy classroom presentations with a culturally-specific theme. PAC hosts a talented and inspirational performer(s) for this special event.
Variety Show (even numbered years)
Parents and their children have the opportunity to show off their talents (together!). Puppet shows, piano performances, singing songs, joke telling, music making and more. This is open to all families and great fun. This is our only weekend event and suitable for children old enough to participate in a performer/audience venue. We host this event every two years.
End of Year Picnic
Families gather at Central where Honeypot Awards are presented to our parents who have exceeded their required Volunteer Hours by the most hours. We then move to beautiful Jefferson Park for a picnic and outdoor play.
Winter Celebration and Sing -a- Long
Perfect for children three years and older but everyone is welcome. We sing seasonal songs, enjoy classroom performances, eat and drink delicious seasonal recipes our families have baked (or bought) and a warm heart.
Pancake Heaven
Our parents prepare, cook, and serve the best pancakes in town! Our Parent Association Committee crafts a delightful raffle. Live music and newspapers. Best coffee in town! Required (suggested) attire: Pajamas and slippers.
Parents-in-the-Know Events: Parents to gain information about Montessori education and Central Montessori School’s unique program design. These events rely on volunteer parents for their success. Let us know if you can help!
P.I.N.
Parent Information Nights occur twice during the year for each classroom level and are designed to cover a specific subject. Teachers present information about the Montessori Method and child development. Parents share information and insight and offer support and wisdom…. A short Meet and Greet precedes the presentation. A great way to spend some time with teachers and parents and enjoy the refreshments provided by our volunteer parents.
Silent Journey (even numbered years)
Recommended for new parents and beneficial for all parents. Teachers and parents come together to receive an 8 hour comprehensive overview of a Montessori program from the child’s perspective. This is a “must see” for all parents who truly desire to know and understand the intricacies that make Montessori a much sought after educational experience for children from toddlerhood through middle school years. Dinner and breakfast are provided. Reservations required.
Parent Visitation Week
Days Parents are invited to spend a bit of time in their child’s classroom during this time. Meet your child’s friends, spend time with your child’s teacher and see your child’s work. This is a deeply meaningful event for children. Children love to have their parents in their “space”.
Parent Conferences
Four conferences are offered every year. Meet with your child’s teacher to gain insight into your child’s progress and development. Additional conferences may be requested at any time by both parents and teachers. * By appointment only.
Parent Observations
Parents are invited to observe their child’s classroom before they enroll as well as any time after their child has acclimated to their new program. Once your child can separate easily from you in the morning, they will probably be able to separate from you after your visit. Come on in!
Individualized Written Information
Our youngest children receive weekly “love notes” from their teachers. Primary children will receive one love note a week and elementary students will bring home a near-weekly work chart. * Written conference reports are provided as well.
Student Academic/Social Enrichment Programs: Students experience days full of enrichment. We are a small school with a big desire to know as much as we can know.
Science Fairs: Central holds three different Science Fairs for primary and older students. Plan to attend all of them!
School Dance: We have the space and...the DJ’s! Upper elementary students determine the “theme” and hosts this annual dance.
Dance and Mystery Dinner: Middle school students from other schools are invited to join us. Lasagna dinner and a mystery! Are you kidding? Great fun.
Market Days (Fall, Winter, Spring) Upper el and middle school students bring handmade or gently loved items to sell. All students older than 6 may purchase items for sale. Many items only $1.00.
Market Day (Summer) All students 7 and older may bring items for sale. All items must cost only $1.00. All primary and older students may buy! (We may hold an outdoor market!)
Middle School Business: This year the students are selling popcorn! This is one component of our Math Made Meaningful studies. (Advanced Practical Life!)
School Wide Spirit Days: Students learn about the history of our school (including the efforts of civil rights workers who made integrated schools possible) and Dr. Montessori. Spirit items may be available for purchase! Yes!
Field Day: Lower, upper el and middle school students walk up to one of our beautiful parks for a day of activities. Competitive games and skill building.
Performances/Presentations: Students learn to perform (speak) before a friendly audience. Voice projection, staging, music, art, line development and memorization, cooperation and creativity all find their way into these original scripts and plays. Short (and longer) plays are performed at GrandDays , Parents Week, Winter Sing a Long, Continent Day, and the End of the Year event. Recitation, debate, presentations and more.
End of School Year Classroom Performances: Students primary and older perform short (and longer) plays. Elementary students and older manage all aspects of theater from script writing to stage design. Art and music is evident in each wonderful production. Students participate in other performances as well:
Camp In (Odd Numbered Years) Lower elementary II and III students (second and third grade) pitch tents and have an evening of stargazing before settling in for a peaceful night's sleep right here inside our beautiful building.
Family Camp-Out (Odd Numbered Years) Upper elementary and older gather their parents and their sleeping bags to head up to the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. What a great few days.
Variety and Talent Show (Even Numbered Years) PAC provides popcorn and beverages and our children and parents provide the talent and fun! A great way to spend a few Saturday family hours.
Annual Eco Camp Out: Upper el and middle school students leave to join the James River Association educators for an in-depth and truly natural-world experience.
Washington DC Trip: Upper el and middle school students travel to DC for a day of adventure and learning. We have visited the nation’s capital, Hirshhorn Museum, and Aeronautics Museum.
Poetry Month: Students read/study and create poetry! Parents may read/perform Spoken Word. Student recitations...
Science Parade: Students research scientists and then parade up to Jefferson Park to create a large timeline of scientists and their discoveries!
Summer Solar Picnic: Students design their own ovens and cook their food! PAC solar ovens are also on campus for use.
Go-Trips, Field Trips and Walk-Abouts: Montessori advocated outside-of-the classroom learning experiences. And we go outside all the time! (Have you seen our parks? Have you seen our museums? We are just blocks away from the beautiful James River!) Elementary students and older go in small groups to venues close to the school for short amounts of time (walk-abouts/go-trips). These are often unannounced and happens if staffing and weather permit. Field Trips are designed for a much larger group and requires parent notification and permission.
Individual Music Lessons: Students may receive personalized music lessons from excellent private instructors right here during the school day. Drums, guitar, ukulele, violin,piano. Music is built into the cultural studies, and the daily school activities.
Art: Students have continual access to art materials and instruction. Students may have art shows as well. Art history and appreciation is taught at the elementary and older grade levels.
Spanish: Students of all ages are in classrooms with Spanish materials and vocabulary. Students in elementary and older receive twice weekly Spanish lessons in their classrooms. One poem, skit or song is performed in Spanish each year.
A Few of the Many Things that Central Students (and their families) Give to Others
GrandDays
Grandparents/Grandfriends gather at Central to spend time with their Grandchild/Grandfriend’s special friends and teachers. Reservations required. P. S. Parents have their own special visitation days as well! Children will make two “invitations” at school. These are sent home with the child along with a stamped envelope. Parents and children simply write the address on the envelope and send! (Because of space, Central can only accommodate two grandones for each family…)
Chili Cook Off
A school wide potluck event! Your chance to to show off your skills at making your favorite chili, beef, beans, chicken, vegetarian, or secret: All of the accompanying goodies can be served up as well! We invite our First Responders to “judge” the chili and to present our “Chili Chef” of the year with a fire engine (with siren).
Continent Day
Each classroom focuses on one country or culture within a continent. We all come together to share foods that have been prepared by our parents and enjoy classroom presentations with a culturally-specific theme. PAC hosts a talented and inspirational performer(s) for this special event.
Variety Show (even numbered years)
Parents and their children have the opportunity to show off their talents (together!). Puppet shows, piano performances, singing songs, joke telling, music making and more. This is open to all families and great fun. This is our only weekend event and suitable for children old enough to participate in a performer/audience venue. We host this event every two years.
End of Year Picnic
Families gather at Central where Honeypot Awards are presented to our parents who have exceeded their required Volunteer Hours by the most hours. We then move to beautiful Jefferson Park for a picnic and outdoor play.
Winter Celebration and Sing -a- Long
Perfect for children three years and older but everyone is welcome. We sing seasonal songs, enjoy classroom performances, eat and drink delicious seasonal recipes our families have baked (or bought) and a warm heart.
Pancake Heaven
Our parents prepare, cook, and serve the best pancakes in town! Our Parent Association Committee crafts a delightful raffle. Live music and newspapers. Best coffee in town! Required (suggested) attire: Pajamas and slippers.
Parents-in-the-Know Events: Parents to gain information about Montessori education and Central Montessori School’s unique program design. These events rely on volunteer parents for their success. Let us know if you can help!
P.I.N.
Parent Information Nights occur twice during the year for each classroom level and are designed to cover a specific subject. Teachers present information about the Montessori Method and child development. Parents share information and insight and offer support and wisdom…. A short Meet and Greet precedes the presentation. A great way to spend some time with teachers and parents and enjoy the refreshments provided by our volunteer parents.
Silent Journey (even numbered years)
Recommended for new parents and beneficial for all parents. Teachers and parents come together to receive an 8 hour comprehensive overview of a Montessori program from the child’s perspective. This is a “must see” for all parents who truly desire to know and understand the intricacies that make Montessori a much sought after educational experience for children from toddlerhood through middle school years. Dinner and breakfast are provided. Reservations required.
Parent Visitation Week
Days Parents are invited to spend a bit of time in their child’s classroom during this time. Meet your child’s friends, spend time with your child’s teacher and see your child’s work. This is a deeply meaningful event for children. Children love to have their parents in their “space”.
Parent Conferences
Four conferences are offered every year. Meet with your child’s teacher to gain insight into your child’s progress and development. Additional conferences may be requested at any time by both parents and teachers. * By appointment only.
Parent Observations
Parents are invited to observe their child’s classroom before they enroll as well as any time after their child has acclimated to their new program. Once your child can separate easily from you in the morning, they will probably be able to separate from you after your visit. Come on in!
Individualized Written Information
Our youngest children receive weekly “love notes” from their teachers. Primary children will receive one love note a week and elementary students will bring home a near-weekly work chart. * Written conference reports are provided as well.
Student Academic/Social Enrichment Programs: Students experience days full of enrichment. We are a small school with a big desire to know as much as we can know.
Science Fairs: Central holds three different Science Fairs for primary and older students. Plan to attend all of them!
School Dance: We have the space and...the DJ’s! Upper elementary students determine the “theme” and hosts this annual dance.
Dance and Mystery Dinner: Middle school students from other schools are invited to join us. Lasagna dinner and a mystery! Are you kidding? Great fun.
Market Days (Fall, Winter, Spring) Upper el and middle school students bring handmade or gently loved items to sell. All students older than 6 may purchase items for sale. Many items only $1.00.
Market Day (Summer) All students 7 and older may bring items for sale. All items must cost only $1.00. All primary and older students may buy! (We may hold an outdoor market!)
Middle School Business: This year the students are selling popcorn! This is one component of our Math Made Meaningful studies. (Advanced Practical Life!)
School Wide Spirit Days: Students learn about the history of our school (including the efforts of civil rights workers who made integrated schools possible) and Dr. Montessori. Spirit items may be available for purchase! Yes!
Field Day: Lower, upper el and middle school students walk up to one of our beautiful parks for a day of activities. Competitive games and skill building.
Performances/Presentations: Students learn to perform (speak) before a friendly audience. Voice projection, staging, music, art, line development and memorization, cooperation and creativity all find their way into these original scripts and plays. Short (and longer) plays are performed at GrandDays , Parents Week, Winter Sing a Long, Continent Day, and the End of the Year event. Recitation, debate, presentations and more.
End of School Year Classroom Performances: Students primary and older perform short (and longer) plays. Elementary students and older manage all aspects of theater from script writing to stage design. Art and music is evident in each wonderful production. Students participate in other performances as well:
Camp In (Odd Numbered Years) Lower elementary II and III students (second and third grade) pitch tents and have an evening of stargazing before settling in for a peaceful night's sleep right here inside our beautiful building.
Family Camp-Out (Odd Numbered Years) Upper elementary and older gather their parents and their sleeping bags to head up to the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. What a great few days.
Variety and Talent Show (Even Numbered Years) PAC provides popcorn and beverages and our children and parents provide the talent and fun! A great way to spend a few Saturday family hours.
Annual Eco Camp Out: Upper el and middle school students leave to join the James River Association educators for an in-depth and truly natural-world experience.
Washington DC Trip: Upper el and middle school students travel to DC for a day of adventure and learning. We have visited the nation’s capital, Hirshhorn Museum, and Aeronautics Museum.
Poetry Month: Students read/study and create poetry! Parents may read/perform Spoken Word. Student recitations...
Science Parade: Students research scientists and then parade up to Jefferson Park to create a large timeline of scientists and their discoveries!
Summer Solar Picnic: Students design their own ovens and cook their food! PAC solar ovens are also on campus for use.
Go-Trips, Field Trips and Walk-Abouts: Montessori advocated outside-of-the classroom learning experiences. And we go outside all the time! (Have you seen our parks? Have you seen our museums? We are just blocks away from the beautiful James River!) Elementary students and older go in small groups to venues close to the school for short amounts of time (walk-abouts/go-trips). These are often unannounced and happens if staffing and weather permit. Field Trips are designed for a much larger group and requires parent notification and permission.
Individual Music Lessons: Students may receive personalized music lessons from excellent private instructors right here during the school day. Drums, guitar, ukulele, violin,piano. Music is built into the cultural studies, and the daily school activities.
Art: Students have continual access to art materials and instruction. Students may have art shows as well. Art history and appreciation is taught at the elementary and older grade levels.
Spanish: Students of all ages are in classrooms with Spanish materials and vocabulary. Students in elementary and older receive twice weekly Spanish lessons in their classrooms. One poem, skit or song is performed in Spanish each year.
A Few of the Many Things that Central Students (and their families) Give to Others
- Bbgb bookstore: Annual public readings and PAC fundraiser
- Dinner at a local restaurant PAC fundraiser
- Running in Circles and NRC fundraiser
- Pancake Heaven PAC fundraiser
- Food Drive for FeedMore: November and Winter Celebration
- Thank you to volunteers who help at FeedMore: Winter Packet
- Save the Bay Trash Collection: On-going
- Trash Collection at Jefferson Park: On-going
- Chili Cook Off to honor First Responders: October
- Cookie drive and walk for First Responders: Winter Celebration
- Book collection for our Little Free Library: On-going
- Book collection for Community Hospital: On-going
- Students volunteer on campus: Lower el and older: On-going
- 3 Parks Community Walk for Peace: Odd numbered years
- Student compost Daily Soup trimmings and manage a compost bin: On-going
- Central parents, students and staff use only multi-use containers-reducing landfill-whenever possible.
- Central does not use chemicals in their gardens or on their campus understanding that our runoff water makes its way into our precious Chesapeake Bay.
- Service Learning and community internship and volunteering: Middle school
- Central supports neighborhood businesses: On-going!
