Grand Rapids Public Schools Montessori Communication Toolkit (2012)

Montessori Advisory Council
Grand Rapids Public Schools
June 2012
GRPS Montessori Communication Toolkit

GRPS Montessori Communication Toolkit | June 2012 2
Introduction
This document gathers the work of the Grand Rapids Public School’s Montessori
Advisory Council Marketing and Recruiting Committee. This group of parents,
teachers and staff, in collaboration with the GRPS Ofﬁce of Communications and
External Affairs, has developed processes and materials to better enable our
community to share the uniqueness of this great program. It is organized in the
following sections:
!  Communication Processes
!  Framing Montessori
!  Outreach Opportunities
!  Brand Elements
!  Program Contacts
Each section provides high level details of every aspect of the GRPS Montessori
program. There is built in ﬂexibility adapt to new or changing opportunities as
they present themselves.

COMMUNICATION PROCESSES

What do we talk about when we talk about Montessori?
When designing a Montessori program it is
said that one wants to build the base to grow
the pyramid. Historically our families ﬁnd their
way to our program from other families who
have ﬁrst-hand experience in our schools.
By taking this informal process and giving it
some consistency and structure we hope to:
!  Increase overall awareness of Montessori
as a school choice among GRPS students,
parents, staff, and the GRMI community.
!  Strengthen enrollment in GRPS Montessori,
with emphasis on Children’s House and
Adolescent 1 levels.
!  Nurture community champions by
building long-term positive relationships
with students, parents, staff, citizens
and civic leaders.
Children’s House
Elementary 1
Elementary 2
Adolescent 1
A2
A3

Recruiting Families in 3 Steps: Share, Connect, Enroll
Share Connect Enroll
NPS
FS
CMHS
MAC
NPS
FS
CMHS
MAC

Step 1: Sharing Stories
School
Classroom innovation
Community events
Concerts/Plays
Field Trips
Fundraisers
Grand outcomes
Grant wins
Montessori awareness
Professional development
Recruiting
Staff achievement
Student Awards
Kinds of Stories
P/T
Class
Rooms
Parents
Admin
Program
GRPS
OC
NPS
FS
CMHS
PRINT
TV/RADIO
PR
District Channels
TWITTER
BACK PACK
WEB
NEWS-
LETTER
FACEBOOK
VIDEO
MAC

Step 2: Making the Connection
Community events
Concerts/Plays/socials
Parent to Parent
Each of these settings
is an opportunity to
share the strength of
our program with
potential families and
community members
Journey and Discovery
Classroom Visit
Road show
Students to Students
PTO/PTA

Step 3: Choosing to Enroll
Children's House
Elementary 1
Elementary 2
Adolescent 1
Adolescent 2
Adolescent 3
Theme
School
App
Potential Students
Lottery
Completed Application Theme School Selection
A second choice can be turn into a ﬁrst
by discussing with the families any
questions or concerns as early as possible
We can shepherd family enrollment
by correlating program interest with a
completed application

Timeline: Communications
ACTION Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar April May June July
Welcome packets
Make consistent
across program
GRPS eNews We Are GR is sent every Friday, content due on Wednesday from school communities
Program eNews Sent ﬁrst week of the month, content due last day of last month from school communities
Web/Social media Sent through out month as available, added to next month’s newsletter as appropriate
PTA/PTO meetings Use as means to socialize recruiting efforts, program accomplishments, ﬁnd volunteers
School Social Events Principals use as means to socialize recruiting efforts, program accomplishments, shape of things to come
GRPS Highlights
Update FAQ
Update Brochures
Update GRPS Website

Calendar: Recruiting
ACTION Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar April May June July
School Newsletter/eNews Sent ﬁrst week of the month, content due last day of last month from school communities
GRPS highlights mag
Web/Social media Sent through out month as available, added to next month’s newsletter when appropriate
PTA/PTO meetings Use as means to socialize recruiting efforts, program accomplishments, ﬁnd volunteers
Phone bank
O/C provide call list and
script need 4-8 volunteers
Postcards
Program and
school level
Program and
school level
Road shows
In-person visits at
6/7/8 programs
School open houses
Emulate
City HS schools
District open houses
Journey and Discovery
One at each
campus

FRAMING MONTESSORI

Talking Points: What is Montessori?
!  The Montessori method is a +100 year old, scientiﬁcally validated,
method of teaching the whole child to realize his or her fullest potential.
!  The Montessori method focuses on experience-based learning with
hands-on lessons and experiences to help students learn by doing.
!  Students choose meaningful activities under the guidance of a
Montessori-certiﬁed teacher.
!  Students have the opportunity to develop independence, concentration,
motivation, persistence and self-discipline.
!  Hard work is honored, and kindness is valued with a focus on
cooperation, creativity, collaboration and respect for self, for others and
for the process of learning.
!  Stewardship of our community, culture, and environment is integrated
into the Montessori curriculum.

Talking Points: Benefits of Montessori
Montessori encourages students to engage in their own unique potentials
to realize their fullness as a person by:
!  Academically prepared for college a/o adult work experiences
!  Equipped with ‘Soft Skills’ competencies:
•  Communication skills
•  Conflict resolution and negotiation
•  Personal effectiveness
•  Creative problem solving
•  Strategic thinking
•  Team building
•  Influencing and selling skills
!  Lives life as engaged citizen at a local and global level

Talking Points: GRPS is committed to Public Montessori
The Grand Rapids Public schools is committed to public Montessori:
!  Appointed a Montessori Coordinator to oversee integrity of program.
!  Established ‘Montessori Advisory Council’ to guide program strategies.
!  Secured a $250,000 professional development fund for staff:
•  $50k for each of the next 5 years
•  Will impact up to 30 teachers and administrators
•  5 Adolescent teachers and two administrators will receive AMS
credentialed Montessori training in Summer 2012.
!  Adding back funding to allow 4 days children’s house for fall 2012—
up from 2 days a week since 2009.
!  Actively seeking partnerships to support program curriculum.

Talking Points: Montessori Program Overview [spring 2012]
!  The GRPS district has provided a Montessori option for students and
parents for over 40 years—one of the longest-running public programs
in the country.
!  Currently, the district provides Montessori programming on two
campuses, with two elementary schools, a middle school, and a high
school serving about 700 students from PK3–12th grade.
!  Our Elementary Montessori schools have consistently outperformed
other district schools and many neighboring district schools on state
assessments.
!  Montessori High School has one of the highest graduation rates in the
region (over 90%).

Talking Points: We have a diverse community [spring 2012]
Overall, the students currently enrolled at GRPS Montessori schools
represent a diverse population:
!  Gender
•  Female: 51%
•  Male: 49%
!  Race
•  Asian: 2%
•  African American: 23%
•  Hispanic: 11%
•  Native American: 1%
•  Multi-ethnic: 9%
•  White: 54%
!  Socio-economic
•  Qualify for free/reduced price meals: 65%
•  One or more special education disabilities: 6%

Talking Points: Montessori Children’s House [PK3/PK4/K]
!  ‘Children’s House’ is a term used to denote the preschool and
kindergarten Montessori classroom where students ages three to six
are combined.
!  The classrooms are well-planned environments, and the Montessori
teacher is the link between the child and the environment.
!  Special materials, largely manipulative in nature, are suited to the
pre-school child’s developmental needs.
!  Each piece of material used at ages three and four will develop
coordination, power of observation, concentration and work habits,
which are the foundation for the more abstract learning that will occur
at ages ﬁve and six.

Talking Points: Montessori Elementary [Grades 1–6]
!  Organized into 2, 3-year cohorts: grades 1/2/3 and grades 4/5/6.
!  The “Great Lessons” give students the “big picture” of cosmology,
astronomy, earth science, geography, chemistry, physics, biology,
history, anthropology, cultural and social studies, language, math,
music, and art. Research is a large component of the workday.
!  Elementary children have a strong drive to be social and to collaborate.
For this reason, most of the lessons and follow-up projects in
elementary are done in pairs or groups of children.
!  The Montessori teacher models and supports constructive and
respectful problem solving. Conﬂict is not uncommon, but the
motivation to resolve it comes from the children and their
engagement with their projects.
!  At the end of the Montessori elementary program, 12 year olds are
ready for a very important transition: becoming an adolescent.

Talking Points: Montessori Adolescence [Grades 7–12]
!  Organized into 3, 2-year cohorts: grades 7/8, 9/10, and 11/12.
!  Dr. Montessori’s vision for adolescent education can be summarized as
the clear application of school knowledge to practical contexts.
!  Adolescent Montessori education uses a team teaching approach that
integrates core subjects to individualize instruction.
!  Students work on assignments in a cooperative learning environment
where discussion and collaboration are encouraged through a process
known as the Socratic Seminar.
!  Students conduct meaningful work with a focus on stewardship of the
community (family, academic, civic); of culture (literature, music, art);
and of the environment (natural and built).

Talking Points: Montessori Advisory Council
!  The Montessori Advisory Council (MAC) supports the design,
implementation, and accountability of the components that serve the
instructional core and success of our students.
!  Established in response to parents and community members requesting
a meaningful role in the operations of the GRPS Montessori program,
!  Meeting on a monthly basis, the Montessori Advisory Council is made
of up of parents, teachers, district leadership and community members.
!  The collaboration of professional educators, community members,
students and parents in the activities of the Montessori community
contributes signiﬁcantly to student learning and success.
!  All members serve in an advisory capacity to assist the schools and
district with the development and growth of the GRPS Montessori
schools, including public-private partnerships, fundraising, student
retention/recruitment, and more.

OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES

Outreach: Montessori Observation Guide
The parent observation is an opportunity for you to get a glimpse of what
life is like in a Montessori classroom. This may be your first exposure to
the Montessori experience, so here are few things to consider:
!  When you enter the classroom, you will find an adult-sized chair. This
chair is for observation. Please be seated.
!  When you sit down, children may come up to you. Please try not to
engage them in conversation. A polite “Hello” and a direct response as
to who you are is fine; then quietly ask the child to return to work.
!  Don’t be surprised if your child doesn’t respond to having you there in
the way that you might expect.
!  The teacher will not be able to take time from their classroom duties to
converse with you during or immediately after your observation.
!  If questions occur to you while you are watching, please write them
down on the paper provided.

Outreach: Journey and Discovery
Share an evening to experience, in 2 hours, what your child will
experience in their journey as Montessori students.
!  Teachers serve as guides in this adults-only event for parents and
community members.
!  It’s an opportunity to “become a student” and learn about the
materials, the philosophy and the journey from children’s house to
Elementary 2 and beyond.
!  These events are typically organized in the fall by the teaching staff
with the support of the school principal.

Outreach: Community Events
!  Open Houses
School or district level events in the late fall/early winter. Primary
recruiting focus is Children’s House and Middle School. Include
incentives and food.
!  Road Shows
Organize students, parents, and staff to visit GRPS schools, charters
(Abney, New Branches, Vista, GR Child Discovery Center, Stepping
Stones, other Charters, Catholic and Christian. (October – January)
!  Targeted Events
Ensure Montessori has a presence at targeted school and community
events ie. Believe to Become West Zone Meetings, Hispanic Center,
Hispanic Chamber, PAL meetings, PTCC meetings, school parent/fun
nights, Neighborhood Association events such as Garﬁeld Park Arts &
Crafts, Creston NA Summer event, etc.

Outreach: GRPS Storytellers Project
!  A standardized story format to record/capture upcoming or recent school
level activities that can be submitted by anyone: student, parent, teacher,
staff, Principal, volunteer, program partner.
!  Basic information required:
•  First name/last name of submitter and School afﬁliation
•  Article title and 150–300 word description
•  Date/time/location
•  1-6 photographs
!  Review process
•  Submit to principal to review w/ staff for accuracy and photo release.
•  If approved, forward onto school-level communication channels for publishing
on newsletters, website/social media.
•  Forwarded to GRPS Communication ofﬁce and Montessori Coordinator to
share across their channels.

Outreach: Phone Bank
A great way to create Parent-to-Parent outreach to identiﬁed prospective
students from GRPS provided phone list
!  December/January, timed with an upcoming Open House or ‘Journey and
Discovery’
!  Communications ofﬁce will provide script
!  Requires 4–8 parents with cell phones recruited by principals or
Montessori Coordinator
!  GRPS will provide common space to work as team
!  Occurs in the evening 6-8pm
!  Can happen multiple times over several weeks

PROGRAM BRAND ELEMENTS

Primary Branding
Guiding active minds with grace and courtesy
English
Spanish
Dirigiendo mentes activas con gracia y cortesía
!  GR Montessori @Central
!  GR Montessori @North Park
!  GR Montessori @Fountain
Tagline
Logo School name formats for print and web:

Logotype Options
Grey scale
Red w/ white tag
White
Pantone 484U
C:0 M:95 Y:100 K:29
#832317
C:0 M:0 Y:o K:100
#000000
C:0 M:0 Y:o K:62
#666666
C:0 M:0 Y:o K:0
#FFFFFF

Signs and Banners

Program Brochure

Other Potential Brand Components
!  Stationery
•  Letterhead
•  Business Cards
•  Labels
•  PowerPoint template
!  SWAG
•  T-shirts
•  Bags
•  Window cling
•  Coffee cups
•  Ball caps
!  Fact sheets
•  What is Montessori?
•  Central Middle/High
•  Fountain School
•  North Park
!  Parent Pack
•  Folder /w label
•  Application
•  Brochure
•  Fact sheets
•  Handbook

Digital Asset Management
!  Since 2009, The work by the MTF, the MAC marketing committee,
parents and PTOs has resulted in a collection of several hundred
photographs documents, videos, presentations and graphics
!  A private, password protected, online asset library would allow our
program to organize all of these various imagery ephemera into
easily searchable collections.
!  It is suggested that GRPS Montessori program adopt a free Web based
tool called ResourceSpace to organize this content.
!  Organizing content in this way allows us to think programmatically
while also preserving our next 40 years of history.

Digital Asset Management

FOR MORE
INFORMATION
GR Montessori @Fountain (PK-6)
GR Montessori @Central (7-12)
159 College Ave. NE
Nikki Jones, Principal
Main: (616) 819-2310
FAX: (616) 819-2406
GR Montessori @North Park (PK-8)
3375 Cheney Ave. NE
Robin Sorge, Principal
Main: (616) 819-2848
FAX: (616) 819-2849
Director of Communications & External Affairs
John Helmholdt
E-Mail: helmholdtj@grps.org
Main: (616) 819-3740
FAX: (616) 819-2146
Cell: (616) 481-2152

Grand Rapids Public Schools Montessori Communication Toolkit (2012)

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