Construction Progress: February Update
Progress on Phase I of the construction project is coming along right on schedule! Weather has been ideal for moving forward both indoors and outdoors thanks to an unseasonably warm winter and a minimal amount of rain. Below, some photos of the outside of the elementary building, the pavilion, and the pool house, as well as the newly level playing field. 
Above is the brand new level playing field, which will get 12 inches of special soil to make the surface softer to fall on. On top of that will be sod, which will be laid well before Camp Pegnita begins this summer. This will allow for plenty of games that were difficult to play on the sloped field before, like the all-time favorite: kickball!
The beloved Camp Pegnita totem pole has been saved and moved to be closer to where camp will take place this summer and many summers to come. The entire east side of Villa di Maria's campus will consist of camp space when school is out of session, allowing the pool, brand new pool house, bathrooms, and pavilion to be contained in one area as opposed to spread out all across the school grounds. Below: the pavilion, which already has picnic tables!
Above: the north side of the building. This faces a green space and a small portion of woods, which will fit in nicely with the additional trees that have been planted to replace those that had to be cut down in order to build. The windows alone are 7-feet tall and will allow plenty of natural light into each classroom.
The view facing south from the north-most part of the property; on the left, part of the pool house can be seen. On the right, the east side of the elementary building.
Great weather in early February allowed for sod to be laid on the north side of the elementary building. The feature in the center will be the bio-retention basin, which is where any water runoff will drain and connect up to the sewer system, regulated by the Metropolitan Sewer District."Over 15 - 20 different types of trees have been planted, and we added 20 additional trees more than what we had originally planned," BSI Contractor Greg Dietel explains. "The kids will be able to watch the trees grow from inside their classroom." This is good news for the children who felt a sense of loss at watching trees be bulldozed back in late August. Many of these saplings will grow quite quickly!
The changes are happening so quickly. Since these photos were taken just last week, a cement mixer made its way onto the grounds to deliver the concrete needed for a patio and walkway! Be sure to check on the progress as you drive through the drop-off line every morning; it truly is a wonderful time of growth!
Villa di Maria has been collecting the above gear since January 20th, and has extended our giving campaign until February 14th in order to collect more for this community in need. Please donate thick and heavy blankets, men's size large gloves, socks, hats, and scarves by going to this 
The extension of the St. Louis Winter Outreach drive also corresponds with another drive, which involves the children of Villa di Maria making Valentines for hospitalized children and low-income seniors in assisted living housing. Please check out more about that 
Part of the fun of this night is being able to see the younger siblings of the VdM students. Here, two future VdM'ers!
Also touching: the quick and easy way the older students include and help the younger ones. It really does come naturally!
The event, which was two hours long, was supplemented with snacks and water in the main conference room, thanks to parent volunteers. The evening was a huge success, and flew by!
Thank you, Magic House, for having us! We had a blast!
Megan Eilers, current Camp Pegnita Director and former camper, then camp counselor, took time to discuss a bit of the history of this special place. It is also worth noting that Megan has taken care of the binder full of Camp Pegnita paraphernalia with serious dedication; she has kept the pictures, brochures, and other artifacts in pristine condition, which is no easy feat, as some of them are from 1947! Below, Megan describes what she finds so special about Camp Pegnita."We had so many opportunities for free play. As campers, we would choose a place, then create our own games without anyone directing us. That was really special to us, and that is another tradition that continues today."
Late 1940's Tug of war at Camp Pegnita
Camp Pegnita has changed very little since the beginning, when Peggy Strauss purchased the property with her husband Milton. The original swimming pool, which was shaped like a whale, was removed seven years ago, and a new pool was built in a more favorable location, but aside from that, the grounds in 1947 were very similar to how they appear today.
Here is the original pamphlet for Camp Pegnita from 1947! Note the tuition: $15 per week! Horseback lessons were the fair fine price of $1.25! 
The original camp wagon, the wheels of which were hung in the pavilion as chandeliers. They will now be repurposed into tables for the elementary outdoor spaces. 
The "Nature Hut," where Megan remembers discovering some interesting specimens... and you may recognize that totem pole on the left!More importantly, many of the camp traditions have remained. "What I love about this camp is that it wasn't, and isn't, a camp for just one kind of activity. As a child, archery was the biggest draw for me. I would strive every summer to get the 'Golden Arrow' award, which remains a camp tradition," shares Megan.
Nowadays, children are offered Red Cross certified swim lessons and an on-duty lifeguard supervises swim time. Young children often solidify their underwater skills here, in addition to playing all sorts of water games with their friends!
Originally, Camp Pegnita was an overnight camp (at least on the weekends). Now, children can sign up for a week at a time, or attend all summer long during the daytime hours. Each week, a specially scheduled event such as a luau, magic show, mad science demonstration, or camp-wide field day takes center stage. And though the particular themes have changed, the tradition of weekly themes remains an original feature since 1947!
Though it feels like summertime is ages away, the sign-up for Camp Pegnita and Montessori Mornings is fast approaching. For the general public, it is February 1st, and it fills up fast! For Villa di Maria students, priority enrollment for Camp Pegnita and Montessori Mornings opened last week. If you have not received an email about this, please contact Hilary!Thank you, Megan, for sharing some history of Camp Pegnita. There will be plenty more reminiscing in the Winter Newsletter... so stay tuned!
VdM: Can you share a bit about how your family got into Montessori education?Julia: This is my third year here at Villa di Maria. I started at another school in fourth grade. Before this, I was homeschooled, then tried a public school.Blaine: Laura, my wife, is an educator, and had been homeschooling both our girls. Our older daughter decided to attend public school for high school, so that's where she is. But we needed the next step for Julia. Laura took a very holistic approach to education, which is what I feel Montessori provides.Julia: I was struggling in school. It's really hard for me to read, but I'm good at math and science. I had trouble keeping up because they would switch subjects so fast; we were only allowed 45 minutes per subject, so we only learned one or two parts of it. I had trouble understanding what was going on.Blaine: The problems were compounded because Jules is so good at math, so good at science, but she was falling behind because of the reading. We had known about Montessori through my wife, who had been involved in Montessori as an educator through the years. We thought that given our daughter's needs and desires for education, this seemed like the perfect next step, and it has been.I wish my parents had known about Montessori when I was a child. I think there's this impression to the outsider about Montessori that it's easier or slower, or a free-for-all, but it's really quite the opposite! To give outsiders the amazing examples like MMUN, and the fact that they are working on some pretty advanced stuff; not only is it advanced, but it's self-directed. They're absolutely motivated to do it. I truly wish this had been available to me as a child!VdM: Thank you, Blaine and Julia, for sharing your story of Painting for Peace and also your take on Montessori education.
It was lovely to talk, laugh, and catch up with the Villa community post-holidays, and a perfect reminder to be grateful for the amazing people who make up this place. There were introductions and speeches to commemorate the milestones Villa di Maria has achieved, as well as the brilliant future we strive towards.The future, which includes necessary campus growth to support our expanding population of children, is upon us! We have witnessed the growth firsthand as we drop off our children every morning and note the (amazing) daily progress of the 
A special thanks to Maria Burr and Michaela Herbst, who pulled together the event so seamlessly! It was a wonderful success!And be sure to watch the beautiful video by our own Tim Gebauer about the Capital Campaign 
The children took turns coming up to present Jess with a book (and there were plenty of extras for those who didn't get a chance to bring one in). Every child had the chance to give, and all were engaged and excited to see what Baby Jente's home library will contain!
This was also a good opportunity to celebrate Jess, who has brought so much calm, positive energy to the P1 classroom on a daily basis. She will be greatly missed while she is gone, but the children and staff are so happy for her, her husband, and her growing family! Good luck, Jess, and we can't wait to meet your little one!
The Primary classes started the concert with 8 songs, accompanied by the ever-patient Nathan Jatcko. The children clearly enjoyed sharing the songs they have been singing in class nearly every day for the past month!
After the Primary performance, the Lower Elementary classrooms joined in singing and reciting poetry, quite impressive were the poems about the Mobius strip and Fibonacci numbers.In-between set changes, former Primary Directress (and current Director of Education) Robyn Milos and Lower Elementary Directress Meghan Moffitt Eilers gave touching speeches about their own girlhood experiences at Villa di Maria, true testaments to the special draw this space has on people well beyond the elementary years. It was a delight to hear some of their favorite memories and what they look forward to as Villa di Maria grows.
The last part of the concert was a very special, very impressive treat, as the Upper Elementary class put on a play about the Revolutionary War and George Washington's first Christmas at Mount Vernon as the leader of a new nation, all the while tying into current political undertones. The truly amazing thing is that the students completely and totally took up the tasks required for such a production: the costumes (with help from Joanne Brew-Fisher), the dialogue, the concept, the props, the music (with guidance from Nathan Jatcko), and their own personal touches on some pretty great dance moves. It was a joy to watch all the hard work result in such a well-executed production. The students definitely appeared to be enjoying themselves throughout the play!
Well done, Villa di Maria students and staff! And Happy New Year!
Donning hard hats for safety, the children were taken through in groups to make the tours more manageable.
Questions were asked and answered, such as "Will we get stuck in any of the concrete?" and "No, all the concrete has dried and hardened." First, the necessary details!
Above, one of the workers showed the children where the fireplace will be -- somewhere around here, in the library. Being within the rooms was very special -- the building is so much larger once you step inside! Also, the windows really are huge!
This worker also pointed out where the play yard will be. The children gathered around to peak out the window and imagine the space -- a practice that is getting easier and easier as the building comes along.
Here is the west side of the building, and below, the north side.
Thank you, BSI Constructors, for taking your time to show the children around, and for your patience and positivity while answering their questions!
Photo credit: Ladue NewsGarden Glow at Missouri Botanical GardenThis St. Louis tradition also includes over a million beautiful lights, but also has the appeal of traditional holiday music, food, and drinks. Look for select Family Nights, which occur on certain Wednesdays, and feature a discounted ticket price of $3. Purchase tickets 
Photo credit: Branson Ticket TravelTrail of Lights in Branson, MOIf you're up for a long drive (perhaps a weekend stay?), head down to Branson, MO for their Trail of Lights display, a drive-through animation display with music, lights, and many different scenes. At the end of the trail, visitors can stop by Inspiration Tower, where they can ride glass elevators up to 230 feet for "a Santa's-eye view of the lights from above." Children are $6, Adults $12, or by the carload $35. Buy tickets 
Photo credit: downtownstl.orgHolidays at Union StationLocated in downtown St. Louis at the Union Station train shed, Holidays at Union Station invites kids to go ice skating, get photos with Santa, and even take a train ride to the North Pole on the Santa Express Train. Trains leave the station at 4:45, 6:15, 7:30, and 8:30 p.m Wednesdays through Sundays. Reserve tickets 
Katelyn and two of her friends making a game for Boo FestAs a parent, it was wonderful to see the spark in her eyes while she worked.Rachel (8) wants to be a baker and maybe a chef. Recently, I had to work a couple hours late one night. While Eric and Katelyn were at gymnastics, Rachel said something like, "Mom, it's a treat because you are working so hard tonight. Please don't peak or come into the kitchen. I'm making dinner for the whole family all by myself. You cannot come into the kitchen until I'm ready so you will be surprised. It will be wonderful!"
Rachel, posing with her surprise family dinnerWhen we were allowed to enter the kitchen, she'd made dinner (even customizing the salads to each family member's vegetable and dressing preferences), set the table, lit the candles, dimmed the lights, served drinks and put the soft dinner music on (knowing we prefer that station as a family to her preferred pop station so we can talk better at the table). It was a beautiful, calming dinner that she served with pride. At dinner she especially enjoyed taking the lead prompting everyone to say something they were thankful for, then announcing her favorite "Bon appetite" similar to her classroom lunch hour before starting our meal. I could see her glowing with pride and joy that she did everyone herself and that we all loved it!VdM: What advice would you give to parents who are curious about or interested in Montessori education?TP: Observe, question, and read. Observe the classrooms; notice the prepared environment and the calm and concentration of the children. If you are very analytical like my husband and I are, thus needing more "proof" that this type of education is right for your child, interview staff and parents and current (as well as previous) Montessori students. Read about Montessori concepts; three books I've found useful are Montessori Madness, The Montessori Method, and The Absorbent Mind.Thank you, Tami, for taking time out of your busy schedule to allow us into your family's life! We are so grateful for all the hard work you do for Villa di Maria, surely making it all run more smoothly. 
The new elementary building will include three classrooms, a kitchen and multipurpose room, a pool house with girls' and boys' locker rooms as well as an office, and a pavilion for community gatherings and Camp Pegnita.
This is a sample of the siding for the new building. All of the materials chosen for the new building are environmentally friendly, in addition to maintaining some of the characteristics of the current structures and surrounding neighborhood.The children were very curious about the construction process itself. They asked questions about the large machinery, such as "the one with the big roller," which is used to flatten the concrete they have poured. In fact, they were quite curious about all things relating to the slab: the big pourer, the concrete finisher, and whether getting the concrete wet might ruin it (as there were some rainy days following the pouring of the concrete slab). They all agreed that they wanted the job of the guy who operated the ride-on trowel (shown below).
Photo credit: Constructionequipment.comEach worker talked about his or her job and what they liked best about their job. Questions ranged from what happens if someone forgets to put in a piece of wood, to what type of pencil was attached to one of the hard hats! Amazing the little details these curious learners pick up on!
The construction of Phase I (which includes all of the structures mentioned above) is on target for being complete by May 31, 2017. This will complete on campus construction for awhile before Phase II begins - at least one year, more likely around three years - (Phase II will include an administrative building and a gym; Phase III will include four Primary classrooms), leaving a bit of time for everyone to settle in.
The skeleton of the building is going up fast; since taking the above photo, the roof is now up! One of the most exciting aspects of this space is the grand size — not just of the building, but also of the huge windows which will allow plenty of natural light into the classrooms and new spaces! We cannot wait to see the finished product!Thank you, Melinda, for taking these beautiful pictures! 
Ms. Sophie so patiently guided two children through the long process of making apple dumplings to share with one classroom, while the other classroom prepared a feast for their classmates. Four of the third-year students took it upon themselves to organize. They formed a committee, encouraged children to sign up and bring in different dishes, and executed the whole thing without a hitch. It was really impressive to watch them negotiate, work through so many different issues and steps along the way, and finally pull together the lunchtime feast.
They moved tables around a bit before deciding on the best way to present the food.
Many children lingered as the food was slowly brought out — it all looked so tempting!
While the four children were working to pull together the main event, Ms. Schwind played several rounds of "21 Questions" with the rest of the class. Their deductive reasoning skills are so impressive!
In case you were wondering, the answer to the round above was the South Asian country of Bhutan, which Ms. Schwind pointed out is the happiest country in Asia, and one of the happiest countries in the world. And I believe the children guessed correctly, but it took them all 21 questions to get there!
The children who put on this feast not only set it up and organized, but also served every one of their classmates before serving themselves. They thought of everything, even putting numbers on or near each food item recommending the quantity each person should take so there would be enough for everyone.
And they had plenty! Below, some of the very full plates:
There was plenty of ham...We are so thankful for Villa di Maria! The people who make this place what it is, the hard work they put into each day, the patience, empathy, and love they show our children — it is all part of what makes this place so special. Our hearts are full. Happy Thanksgiving, both to and from Villa!