February 8, 2011

Dear Montessori Parents:

First and foremost, I wish to thank all of you who were able to attend our informational meeting on Jan. 27. I continue to be amazed by the thoughtfulness of our incredible parents, who are engaged and committed to promoting academic excellence at Springbrook.

Since its inception, the focus of our Montessori program has been to support the natural development of each child by nurturing such skills as critical-thinking, creativity and problem-solving. Our goals and objectives were designed to align with the original vision of Dr. Maria Montessori, and I don’t have to tell you that this is a wonderful program for students, fueled by some of the finest teachers in the business. With the support of our community, we can and will continue to offer this outstanding curriculum to generations of Irvine Unified students. At the same time, we know that all instructional programs must evolve to meet the needs of their communities, and to remain in compliance with federal and state laws.

As many of you know, the American Civil Liberties Union recently filed a lawsuit against the state of California in an effort to prevent public schools – including those in Irvine – from charging fees for everything from lab materials to P.E. locks. That case has since ended with a settlement that poses significant challenges for our district, as well as some very real consequences for noncompliance. Yet it’s also brought much-needed clarity for schools and districts. While the Irvine Unified School District has always strived to provide the highest level of instruction, as well as additional enrichment opportunities deemed valuable by our families, we agree that some fees are incompatible with California’s promise of a free public education. And we will certainly comply with all legal requirements.

So what does the ACLU settlement mean for our Montessori families? For continuing students, their academic experiences will not change. However, we are ending the practice of the current designated pledge amount for contributions. Instead, we will ask families for donations to ensure that our classrooms have the additional instructional assistants and supplies needed to maintain – and even advance – the renowned Montessori learning environment. We will take this a step further by working with our Parent Advisory Committee to conduct fundraising drives after identifying specific classroom needs and setting quantifiable goals.

But fees are only part of the equation. To fully comply with all state and federal requirements, we must also ensure our program is completely accessible to those who would pursue a Montessori education. In reviewing similar public school programs from around the country, we have determined that most – if not all – use a lottery-style selection process to fill open spots. This ensures that all families have equal access to the program, as mandated by the public school guarantees in the California Constitution. We know from experience that Montessori strategies have the potential to meet the individual needs of many students, ensuring they are successful, self-directed and autonomous learners. Above all, our Montessori program will retain its level of rigor and enrichment.

Springbrook is so fortunate to have parents who support the Montessori program, as well as teachers who work incredibly hard to maintain its excellence. Working together, I have no doubt that we can make the modifications necessary to ensure our practices meet the highest standards while aligning with all aspects of the law. If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact me directly, and watch for new pages on our Montessori website.

As always, thanks for all that you do to make Springbrook a special place.

Warm regards,
Elaine. E. Keeley, Ed.D.
Principal, Springbrook Elementary