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Prosperity Church Campus |
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Johnston Oehler Campus |
In The News
Congrats to our Young Authors Four Countryside students recently won Young Authors awards with Charlotte Parenting Magazine. Middle school students Kaylan Hunter, Will Henriques, and Rachel Simpson took first, second, and third place respectively in the Spanish language children's book category. Jalah Clayton won the Spanish category for book illustration. On Sunday, January 11th, all four students were recognized at a reception held in the Joe & Joan Martin Center at ImaginOn. Countryside Montessori Schools raises $1,000 for Cancer Ms. Sandra Clark, English teacher at Countryside Community High School, was recently named Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year. Two Countryside Montessori School students will move up in the local Geography and Spelling Bees. Countryside 7th Grader Wins 1st Place at Science Fair Athletics in Full Swing at Countryside Countryside Montessori School Names Administrators
April 24, 2009
Four Duke TIP Students Recognized
Countryside Montessori School congratulates Akhari Brown, Alex Letica, Stephen Letica and Aiden Smith who are eligible to participate in the Duke University Talent Identification Program State Recognition Ceremony. Alex Letica also qualified to participate in the Grand Recognition Ceremony. All four students scored above-level on the SAT and have demonstrated exceptional academic ability. They are now eligible to attend the Duke TIP summer educational programs, will receive academic guidance about preparing for college as well as additional academic resources through the 10th grade.
Over 200 Attend January Event
February 10, 2009
We would like to thank the over 200 guests (families, community, and entire Countryside staff) for attending our special presentation on January 29th. Marta Donahoe, our guest speaker, shared some valuable thoughts and information on the benefits of a long term Montessori education. The very foundations children begin to develop at a young age help to shape the person they will become. Marta also shared experiences for the adolescent that enable each student to expand and act on their personal sense of values. As Countryside continues to grow and offer the whole Montessori continuum for children ages 2 through high school, we reflect on the ideals and way in which each child is an integral part of our entire school community. Montessori students recognize their own goodwill character; someone you can trust and on whom you can depend. They have warmth, humanity and compassion. They are eager to learn, think and explore new ideas. They have learned how to learn by doing real things in the real world. They are creative and original thinkers. Montessori is truly an “Education for a New World,” giving children the sense of belonging to a family and helping them to live in harmony with others.
Akhari Brown Wins Second Place in Spelling Bee
February 5, 2009
Akhari Brown was the seond-palce finisher at the Charlotte Observer Spelling Bee contest. She won a $250 VISA gift card, a Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, and a one-year subscription to Encyclopedia Britannica online. Akhari is a 7th grade student in the middle school.
January 7, 2009
October 26, 2008
Recently, Countryside Montessori Students participated in the national Hats on Day to support the Foundation for Children with Cancer. Students paid a nominal fee for the privilege of wearing a hat of their choice to school to help raise cancer awareness.
Why Hats? Many times, students battling pediatric cancer must wear hats to school following chemotherapy or radiation treatments that cause their hair loss. Since 1995, after a few St. Louis students designated the day as a sign of compassion for a classmate undergoing treatment, over $700,000 has been raised to support the Foundation. Funds provide needed financial support to families with children undergoing treatment so they are able to focus on their child’s treatment and recovery.
The Hats on Day focuses on the students’ understanding of the estimated 12,400 children under the age of 20, who are diagnosed with cancer each year.
October 2008
“She is a great teacher as she provides guidance and direction to students in a trusting environment,” said Lynne Roberson, CCHS parent who nominated Clark for the award. Ms. Clark was presented with a check for $1,000, a celebration cake and a bouquet of flowers from representatives of the University City Sam’s Club. “The high school students are making recommendations on how to spend the $1,000; they are deciding on something for their new campus,” said Clark. Ms. Clark began last year as a full-time English teacher with CCHS.
January 2007
Rachel Porter, 5th grader, became the champion of the school-wide 2007 National Geography Society Geography Bee on December 5th. Porter will represent the school at the next level of competition next Friday and will compete against other students from area Montessori schools. For 19 years, the National Geographic Society has held competitions across the United States and in the five U.S. Territories as well as in Department of Defense Dependents Schools around the world. The local winner will advance to the next level which includes a written examination to determine state competitors. All school winners are eligible to win the national championship and its first prize, a $25,000 college scholarship, at the national competition on May 22nd in Washington D.C.
Lucas Huet-Hudson, an 8th grader, was determined the champion of the 2007 Countryside Montessori School Spelling Bee. Huet-Hudson will represent the school at the next level which competes against other local Montessori schools later this month. The winner of this event will move up to challenge others at the 2007 Charlotte Observer Regional Spelling Bee on February 14th. The winner will advance to the 2007 National Spell Bee on May 30 in Washington D.C. This is the 80th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee. The Louisville Courier-Journal started the event with nine contestants in 1925. The purpose is to helps students through the 8th grade improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts, and develop correct English usage that will help them throughout their lives.
March 1, 2007 Charlotte Observer
Ella Beth Wickliff won 1st pace in the Regional Science Fair at UNC Charlotte held February 24th. Her project, “Testing water Quality Using Macroinvertebrates & Chemical Testing” also one four additional special awards. The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) “Pulse of the Planet” award, the Discovery Channel Young Scientists Challenge award, the North Carolina American Water Works Association – Water Environment Federation 1st place middles school and the Stockholm Water Prize for middle school. Wickliff, a Countryside middle-schooler, has been participating in the Science for Girls program sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences for the last three years.
February 23, 2007
Student athletes at CountrysideMontessoriSchool are making the grade in athletics. As part of the Charlotte-Gaston Athletic Association (CGAA), the Countryside boys and girls basketball teams were undefeated this season. The 2006-2007 CGAA sports season ended with Countryside as Tournament and Division Champions.
Under the direction of Nick Nichols, athletic director and girl’s basketball coach, the girl’s basketball team began their season with daily practice and repetitive drills. “Some of our female athletes were new to the sport and we worked slowly in the beginning on basics,” said Nichols. “As a team, we built confidence and strength which showed in our game.” Countryside Girls Basketball Team: Chloe Aktas, Joey Dockery, Lauren Henderson, Dani Lea, Kyla Mace, Alexis McCahan, Mary Jo Rigney, Carla Sanchez, Kaylie Schmidt, Rachel Simpson, Miyah Smith, Rachel Stearns, and Maggie Lamorey as manager.
Tom Chepke, boys basketball coach for seven consecutive years, said, “Our boys have become stronger (and taller) every year. This year they had many long, intensive practices and their teamwork was evident throughout the season. They were right on target.” Countryside Boys Basketball Team: Peter Buch, Tommy Chepke, Oliver Crawford, John Henry Forster, Matthew Godley, Drew Goshorn, Luca Huet-Hudson, Nicky Jyothinagaram, A.J. Long, Ash Proctor, Rob Schmidt, and Brandon Wolf.
The Countryside Spirit Squad cheered both teams into victory. Coached by Brooke Witt and Anna Montegudo, the girls were upbeat, well-rehearsed, and kept the crowd entertained. The Spirit Squad included Mallory Chepke, Joey Dockery, Mikaela Guenette, Ariel Herbert, Dani Lea, Casey Moss, and Kaylie Schmidt.
Spring sports are beginning and include co-ed tennis with Coach Marc Sylvester at the Charlotte Racquet Club North, co-ed golf at Skybrook Golf Club with Coach Mike Riddle, and girl’s softball with Coach Richard Henderson. In addition, the 4 & 5 year old T-Ball clinic will take place this spring.
August 2007
Since its inception in 1981, CountrysideMontessoriSchool has witnessed considerable growth with a current enrollment of 460 students - toddler through 8th grade. Plans for expansion are a natural continuum for Countryside which is responding to community needs by adding grades 9-12. With the addition of the new CountrysideCommunityHigh School several individuals were recently named school administrators.
Heide Putt accepted the principal position of the new CountrysideCommunityHigh School which will house 9th and 10th graders this fall at the current Mallard Creek campus before moving to its permanent location on Johnston-Oehler Road. Putt was the lead middle school teacher for CountrysideMontessoriSchool from 1993-2003. Before joining Countryside, she directed environmental education programs at two YMCA’s. Putt earned her MA of Environmental Education at MontclairState in New Jersey and her BS of Zoology from the University of Maryland.
The high school athletic director, Nick Nichols, will continue his nine year tenure at Countryside. Nichols earned his BA of Education from MississippiStateUniversity and spent nine years working with YMCA’s in Mississippi until he arrived in Charlotte. While working as program director for the University City YMCA Nichols worked closely with Countryside in developing athletic programs for the school and joined the staff in 1998. He has served in capacity of administrator, athletic director and activity director.
Lynne Erickson was named the Mallard Creek Campus administrator beginning July 2007. Erickson joined founder and head of schools, Debby Haugh in 1984 as a pre-school administrator. She has taught pre-school and lower elementary grades since 1989. Erickson earned her BA of Psychology and Early Childhood Education at UNC-Charlotte. She later trained at an American Montessori Society accredited center in Boston, MA.
The leadership of Debbie Morton at Countryside’s Prosperity Church Campus, which includes toddler through Kindergarten programs, will bring continuity to the school. In 1993 Morton joined Countryside as a Montessori directress for 3-6 year olds until 2002 when she became an administrator. Morton earned her BS of Family and Child Development from WinthropUniversity and worked at a childcare center and two pre-school programs. She completed her Montessori teacher education at the North CarolinaCenter for Montessori Teacher Education as well as CPCCs Level III Administration Credential.
“We are very pleased at the capable leadership skills of our administrators,” said Debby Haugh, head of schools. “As we continue our expansion plans, the school and the many students we serve will benefit from their knowledge and expertise.”