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Director of Development

By Tina Paccione
Two Area Schools Are Growing and Expanding
In a time when schools are downsizing and consolidating, laying off staff regardless of tenure and in some cases, doors closing forever, it’s rare to find a school that is experiencing expansion. However, expansion is taking place for a private school with locations in Hillsborough and Bridgewater. So how is it that these schools that charge tuition, are housed in inconspicuous buildings that allow for little to no outdoor signage, are located in districts that are known for excellent public schools, in a time when people are pinching pennies on items such as a cup of coffee are growing and expanding? 
The schools I’m talking about are The Cherry Blossom Montessori School in Hillsborough and its sister school, Raritan Valley Montessori Academy in Bridgewater. Both schools are private Montessori Schools with programs for children 18 months of age through 6th grade. Since its beginning in 1967, RVM, as it’s called to its parent and staff base, follows the philosophy of Maria Montessori who believed that children thrive on learning from not only their peers, but also older students who still share the same interests as well as younger students whom they could mentor and teach along the way. The classrooms consist of students who vary in age up to four years. One of the values of a mixed-age classroom is that it gives students an opportunity to learn leadership skills by watching other older classmates while providing a learning environment to practice being a leader to younger classmates. Each program spans three years. For instance, our Stepping Stones Program combines children ages 18 months to three years while our Primary Program includes students beginning at age 3 through Kindergarten. This three-year cycle is typically carried out within the same classroom with the same teacher and classmates giving the students time to understand and be understood and to really be known by the teacher. Over the course of these three years, the teachers learn how best to communicate with each individual student, what to say and how to say it to produce positive outcomes. They also know what inspires each of their students – their hearts, dreams and ambitions. 
It is through this three-year cycle that the parents and school create a strong partnership; something that is part of this school’s heritage. According to Leslie Meldrum, Head of School for both sites, “We have created this school and people – staff, parents and guardians, grandparents, alumni – to be a home, a place of peace and fulfillment for each parent or guardian and their child and a place for each family to thrive.”
The three-year cycle isn’t the only aspect that helps create a strong bond and retention. The school stands upon values that are at the core of everything they stand for: 
1.       Excellence. Excellence is valued from the staff to the students and even to the classroom materials. This is not just excellence in academics.
2.      Universal Values. Values that are respected and honored by all people regardless of race, color, creed, stature, or education.
3.      Global Understanding. Recognizing, accepting and appreciating one’s culture and heritage opens the doors for many partnerships, and relationships where diverse backgrounds become invisible.
4.      Service. Being of service to others creates a culture of giving and being a part of something larger than our immediate selves.
According to a letter from a parent to the school; “When we first met, I hesitated to believe that such a global vision of universality and service could actually be a tenet of practice embraced by an educational organization and that it was probably more likely that these were just words alone in a great sounding school motto. It is common in this day and age for many to speak of “organic” values and principles, but it is a rare find when one comes across these values in action and Raritan Valley Montessori is one such rare find.”
“When a child enrolls in either of our schools, it’s important that the entire family feel connected to the school and a part of our community,” said Tina Paccione, Director of Development for both sites. “We invite parents/guardians to be active within our school communities in a way that they see fit whether it be as a volunteer, or to participate in classroom parties, or present their culture, heritage or holiday to our students just to name a few.”
In the 43 years this school has been in operation, Raritan Valley Montessori School expanded from the Flagtown section of Hillsborough to include a second campus in Bridgewater which was called Raritan Valley Montessori Academy. The Hillsborough campus later changed its name to The Cherry Blossom Montessori School. Both campuses have a total of two classrooms for 18 months to 3-year-old children, six classrooms for children ages 3-6, two classrooms for elementary children in grades 1-3 and two classrooms for elementary children in grades 4-6.
For more information about The Cherry Blossom Montessori School or Raritan Valley Montessori Academy, visit www.rvmontessori.com or attend an open house at either location on Tuesday, November 16th at 6:15 PM. An information session will begin at 6:30 PM. Call to register for the Open House at 908-369-4436 ext. 201 for The Cherry Blossom Montessori School or 908-595-2900 ext. 201 for Raritan Valley Montessori Academy.