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Show Volume XVIII Issue XXIV The Ogden Valley news Page 13 March 15, 2011 Ogden Valley Montessori Begins Enrollment for Fall Classes The moment parents and children walk tion. Their natural sense of curiosity is fostered through our door, they sense that there is something unique and different about Ogden Valley Montessori School. Those who have attended in the past will tell you their education was both fun and challenging in the most enjoyable way possible. They miss the warm feeling of community and abundant opportunities given them for self-directed learning. In Montessori education, teachers initiate lessons following a structured yet fluid curriculum. Then, they leave their students free to explore and make discoveries of their own. In our material-rich environment, children experience a genuine excitement about learning that they carry with them throughout their life. In the coming year, Ogden Valley Montessori we will offer classes for four age ranges: toddlers (age 2); primary (ages 3 to 6); lower elementary (1st thru 3rd grade); and upper elementary (4th thru 6th grade). The popular Toddler class provides an environment that has been carefully prepared with challenging and stimulating materials. Our toddlers develop into happy, self-confident, and independent three-year-olds. As these children explore their age-specific materials, they are guided in a manner that enhances their sense of independence, order, respect, and kindness. In our Primary class, learning is a process that involves all the senses. Maria Montessori created enticing materials. Through their exploration, children come to understand concepts that might otherwise be hard for them to grasp. Montessori math and language materials are among the most comprehensive and advanced in the world. Beyond this, our students also study zoology, botany, history, geography, music, art, and American Sign Language. Our Lower Elementary students continue to progress in math and language skills beyond what is normally taught in traditional educa- by a wide range of hands-on materials, books, and websites. They are encouraged to become self-directed learners who can explore any area that interests them. Our subjects are highly integrated and the students see connections throughout the curriculum. They are given ample opportunities to work collaboratively as is their great joy to do at this age. Our Upper Elementary curriculum is history-based and integrates all areas of learning. History is brought alive with hands-on experiments and projects. There is a strong focus on self-directed research and free reading within designated topics. As in Lower Elementary, the students love to work collaboratively and learn how to build teams—much like the ones they will encounter later in college and in their work in the world. Montessori students of all ages are taught to have respect for others, their classroom environment, and nature. They learn to foster a spirit of peacefulness within themselves, and cooperation with their peers and adults. Did you know the founders of Google, Larry Page and Sergei Brin, were Montessorieducated? They attribute their years in a Montessori school as a major factor in their success. According to an ABC-TV Special by Barbara Walters entitled “The 10 Most Fascinating People Of 2004,” Brin said the Montessori approach instilled in them selfdirection and self-motivation: an inclination to challenge the status quo and to do things differently. We see this kind of uniqueness emerge in every student who attends Ogden Valley Montessori School. For a tour of the school, or the opportunity for your child to “shadow” for a day (attend the school to see how it works), please call 801745-3383, visit us at www.ovms.org or e-mail us at <ovmseden@gmail.com> The Art of Intention School Project The 7th Annual Ogden Valley Music & Arts Festival—The Art of Intention—held on Saturday evening, February 19, included an amazing ceramic mountain scape sculpture created by Kevin Parson of Liberty, which he used in teaching the Valley Elementary’s thirdgrade class about the art of ceramics and the art of intention. He then donated the sculpture to raise funds for Art Education and Appreciation. Kevin said about his project, “I’ve been working with clay since I graduated from the University of Utah in 1990. My passion for clay is primarily driven by the process of teaching clay to other people. Along with teaching, the landscape of Utah and the ritual of food and drink are the well source for my inspiration. “In the sculpture that I’ve created, I tried to interpret the Art of Intention project as literal and simple as possible. My subject is the mountain landscape that surrounds Valley Elementary. In the construction of the piece, I carved the words that describe my own intention in teaching clay to young children: creativity, joy, respect, faith, innocence, knowledge, and love. I then worked these words deep into the clay surface of the mountain scape. Of all the words that are held in the surface of the mountain, to me, faith is the most important. “When I undertook this project with Kris, I decided to make a commitment to the intention of faith—faith in art and its ability to manifest things that bring communities together and make places magical and inspirational to live in.” Thanks Kevin S. Parson! Cheyenne and Lisa Herland are the proud recipients of Kevin Parson’s and Valley Elementary’s third graders’ “The Art of Intention School Project.” The Herlands describe themselves as conservationists and nature spiritualists. Cheyenne, a Utah native, is an herbalist and botanist by training and a singer-songwriter by heart who works as an environmental educator, using science, music, and art to connect children with nature. Lisa has been an active supporter of local and regional arts and music in the region for the past 12 years, and throughout her adult life in the state of Washington. Lisa and Cheyenne recently started their own business, Mermaid & Turtle, which specializes in eco-friendly, herbal bath and household products and jewelry. Both Cheyenne and Lisa say that they have been involved in their passion for nature and their support of local arts and music. They state that finding ways to blend art and music with scientific exploration and nature themes is a thread woven throughout their lives. “It’s the reflection of these values that attracted us to Kevin’s pottery; several of his pieces are featured and used daily in our home. We’re thrilled to welcome Parson’s Mountain Sculpture as its recipient.” Kris Wilkerson of Wilkerson Fine Art & Design, host or the 7th Annual Music & Arts Festival, stated, “The Art of Intention Project was really well received. The students loved the class-art adventure and really learned about the clay as well as what we focus on expands and how important our intention is.” Kris also reminds everyone, “We are still raising funds for Art Education and Appreciation in our local schools. One hundred percent of proceeds and donations go directly to our local schools, which are in desperate need of funding for the arts.” Donations can be sent to: OV MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL C/O KRIS WILKERSON PO BOX 567 HUNTSVILLE UT 84317 Donation receipts will be mailed to all donors. For more information about the event, please call 801-745-9557, or visit <www. WilkersonFineArt.com> For anyone interested in viewing the Art of Intention Project, it will be on display in the entrance of Valley Elementary until March 15. Order Your Raspberries and Strawberries Now! Willson Greenhouse is now taking orders for raspberry and strawberry plants. This ever-bearing variety, called Polana, is winter-hardy and may be cut down to the ground every fall. They are great perennials and are easy to maintain, The cost per plant is $3.50 each. Seascape strawberries are ever-bearing with super flavor and great volume. The cost is 99 cents each. Orders must be in by March 31, 2011. For more information, or to order, please call Jami Willson at (801) 745-1013. Great Clips has moved out . . . We are a sponsor of “Locks of Love” Family Salon is in! Located in the Fresh Market Complex at 21st and Harrison Blvd. Haircuts $10-$13 * Women’s Color $40 * Women’s Perms $45 Men’s Color $30 * Weaves $55 (All Perms & Colors include cut, style, & condition) Experienced Stylists ~ Walk-ins Welcome! Military, Senior, Missionary/Clergy, and Family Discounts! Mon.- Sat. 9 AM-7 PM 801-334-0999 Ladies with a Passion for Dance Open Studio in Eden It all began with princesses and ballerinas who became our idols. You had the tights, the leotards, and the special shoes, and we looked forward every week to our dance classes. It was the most exciting thing in our young lives. For years, we continued to look forward to practices and performances. Then we got older and practices and performances just seemed silly; after all, we are married women with children. So, our dreams changed to include our children and other’s children. The dream then became teaching them to learn to love dance as much as we have loved it. For two ladies, these dreams have come true. Heidi Willson and Elene Hess have opened a new dance and fitness studio they call “Valley Dance and Fitness.” The studio is located at 2595 Hwy 162 in Eden—in the same complex as Eats of Eden behind Chic Boutique. Dance classes are offered for children ages 3 to 14, including ballet, jazz, lyrical, and hip-hop. An adult beginning dance class for those 15 to 99 is also being offered, which includes a little bit of everything. For those who like an early morning workout routine, the owners are offering a Strength and Core class—a 45-minute routine that uses a combination of free weights, yoga ball, and cardio exercises. This is for men or women of all strength and ability levels. Starting in March, Willson and Hess say they are excited to announce Capoeira classes. Capoeira is a Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, sports, and music. It is known by quick and complex moves, using mainly kicks and quick leg sweeps, with some ground and aerial acrobatics, knee, elbows, punches, and headbutts. They state, “Our instructor, Troy Luke, will be teaching a sixweek course for $60, which is open for all ages. “We are also excited to work with Blue Dance and Fitness of Ogden to offer adult fitness classes that are just for the ladies. These classes will be great for those women who need a great workout at night. Please give us a call for more information on class schedule and prices. “We hope to add Pilates, belly dancing, African dance, salsa dancing, ballroom dancing classes, and many others this spring and summer. We will have a schedule on the door of our building. You are welcome to stop by anytime and see what classes we have. We are also working on a website. Until we have that up and running, you can keep up with us on our blog page at <valleydanceandfitness.blogspot.com> “We are so excited for this new adventure, and would love to hear any ideas you have for classes. We are also looking for instructors; so, if you’re willing to work with some ladies with a passion for dance and fitness, give us a call.” For more information or to registration, please call Elene at 801-388-7002, or Heidi at 801-644-5314; or send them an email at <Elene@sassyconcealment.com> Current Schedule Youth Dance: Thursdays 3:00 – 4:00, Ages 3-4 Beginning Dance, $35 per month, 4:00 – 5:00 Ages 5-6 Beginning Dance $35 per month; 5:00 – 6:00 Ages 7-9 Beginning Dance $35 per month; 6:00 – 7:30 Ages 10-14 Beginning Dance $40 per month Adult Dance: Thursdays 7:30 – 8:30, Ages 15-99 Beginning Dance $35 per month. Strength & Core: Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:15 - 7:00 a.m.; Saturday 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. $4 per class or a punch-pass with 12 punches for $40 Capoeira: Wednesdays 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Starting March 23rd-April 27th, $60 for adults, $45 for children 12 & Under for the 6 week session Thank You Kiwanis Club! On Friday March 4, the North Ogden Kiwanis donated 1,200 books to Valley Elementary’s library. Roger Shupe, a former native of the Valley, made the presentation. John Reynolds thanked the 102 4 th, 5 th, and 6th graders who entered the Kiwanis Freedom Essay contest. Afterwards kindergarteners gave each of the representatives a group hug. Ogden Valley Football needs parent volunteers to help with the upcoming season. Please call Jeff or Melanie Shaw at 745-0275. The first registration will be the last part of May. The season will begin the first Monday of August. |