Parent Education

New Parent Orientation

  • August 29, 8:45-10:15 a.m.
  • OR
  • August 31, 3:15-4:45 p.m. (This session will be followed by an Open House Wine & Cheese Reception for all of our families.)

Our New Parent Orientation is required for all new parents (adults only). New parents will meet with Cathy, Head of School, and Caitlin S., Program Manager, for an orientation to Sunstone Montessori and our important policies and procedures.

We encourage both parents to attend if possible, however only one parent per family needs to attend. Sunstone is not able to provide childcare for this event. Please RSVP below for the session that works for you.

Click Here to RSVP

Going Out Chaperone Training

  • September 20, 8:45-9:45 a.m.
  • September 20, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
  • September 22, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
  • September 25, 8:45-9:45 a.m.
  • September 27, 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Click Here to Choose Your Training Session

Elementary children use their newly developing powers of reason and imagination to explore not only the world they can experience directly, but further, to explore everything that was too long ago or is too small, too big, or too abstract to observe, and to ask big questions such as: “How did it begin? Why? Where is it leading? What is its purpose?” Inspired by the evocative ‘Great Lessons’ from their Guide, students choose and carry out work independently and cooperatively, learning to balance freedom and responsibility as they track their work, set goals, follow their interests, and engage in explorations both inside and outside the classroom.

Explorations outside of the classroom are supported through our Going Out program. When a child or a small group of children has exhausted the classroom resources, they need to “go out” into the world to find more information. This could take the form of interviewing an expert, going to a museum, visiting a specific location, or going behind the scenes at a business, the zoo, or restaurant.

Throughout the year, parent drivers and chaperones are needed to support our Elementary Going Out program. Drivers and chaperones are required to attend a Going Out Chaperone Training session (good for three years), undergo a criminal background check, and submit a copy of their driver’s license and insurance.

Please click below to choose a training session that works with your schedule. Each session will run if there are 4 or more people signed up. Thanks!

Click Here to Choose Your Training Session

Back to School Night

RSVP and Order Pizza
  • Thursday, September 21
  • 5:45-7:15 p.m. Childcare by reservation only includes pizza dinner.
  • 5:45-6:15 p.m. Pizza Dinner for Adults in the Courtyard (optional)
    • Pizza dinner is included with childcare reservations and available for adults to purchase separately. Pizza orders close at midnight, Wednesday, September 13th.
  • 6:15-7:15 p.m. Back to School Night in the Classrooms

Back to School Night is an important evening that will give you an overview of the year from your child’s Guide. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to meet other parents in your child’s classroom as well as the room parents. Attendance at Back to School Night is expected of at least one parent/guardian per family (returning and new).

RSVP and Order Pizza

Silent Journey and Discovery

  • Friday, October 20, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
  • & Saturday, October 21, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
  • Only 25 spaces!
  • Cost: $15 per person
  • Includes lunch on Saturday
  • Sorry, childcare is not available.

Click here to RSVP

This is the NUMBER ONE, most recommended parent education event of the year!

Silent Journey & Discovery Parent Testimonials

Silent Journey & Discovery Photo Essay

The Silent Journey and Discovery is an unforgettable experience hosted by the Sunstone Guides, Program Director, Caitlin Sweeney, and Head of School, Cathy Newman! This event brings an unparalleled understanding of what Montessori is, from the environment, to the materials, to the curriculum, to the culture of the classroom and, perhaps most intriguing, how Montessori meets your child exactly where they are and supports their individual growth and development over time from Toddler all the way through Upper Elementary! The Silent Journey & Discovery allows the adult to come as close as possible to seeing through the eyes of the child, understanding how the Montessori child spends their days in the classroom, and how they learn and develop academically, emotionally, and socially.

On Friday evening, parents take a “Silent Journey” of observation through the classroom environments, followed by group discussion. This evening is quite powerful in it’s simplicity and sets the stage and perspective for the “Discovery” portion on Saturday, when we return for a hands-on learning experience, at every program level. Participants are often surprised at what they discover about themselves, their child, and the social and cognitive frameworks of the Montessori environment.

Participants must plan to attend both sessions as it is an experience that builds upon itself. We hope you will treat yourself to the Silent Journey & Discovery. It’s a gift of clarity that keeps on giving.

Click here to RSVP

Children’s House Classroom Sharing

  • Thursday, October 26, 4:00–6:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, February 1, 4:00–6:00 p.m.

Children’s House Classroom Sharing is a window into your child’s experience at Sunstone. Come visit your child’s classroom with your child and let them be your guide. They may give you a tour, they may show you materials they enjoy working with, and you may even get a lesson. You may come anytime in the 4:00-6:00 p.m. window. We suggest allowing at least 30 minutes for your visit.

NO RSVP Required.

Elementary Presentation Day

  • Thursday, February 9
    • Upper Elementary 1:00-3:00 p.m.
    • Lower Elementary 2:00-3:00 p.m.

This is a day you DO NOT want to miss! One of the most favorite days of the year. The Elementary Students present lessons to you! The classrooms are like a fair and you can go to as many “booths” as you like and get as many different lessons as you wish. It’s a fantastic day of learning and fun, a great way to get your hands on some Montessori Elementary materials, and provides insight into the Elementary curriculum and it’s vast spectrum of information and creativity.

NO RSVP Required.

Conferences

  • Thursday, November 2 & March 7
    • Children’s House and Elementary Conferences
    • NO SCHOOL for Children’s House and Elementary
    • Toddler classroom is open as usual.
  • Friday, November 3 & March 8
    • Toddler, Children’s House, and Elementary Conferences
    • NO SCHOOL, all programs closed
  • Wednesday, November 1 & March 1
    • Extra conference day for Trillium and Camassia.
    • All classrooms in session as usual. No childcare needed.

Returning and new parents are expected to attend. Parent-Guide conferences are scheduled twice a year—once in the fall and again in the spring. Additional conferences can be scheduled with the Guide as the need arises.

The school provides a single conference time for each child. Married, separated, or divorced parents can attend simultaneously, as the focus is on the child and we want to share a consistent message.

Conferences are for adults only. There is NO SCHOOL during conference days as delineated above. Sunstone provides free childcare, for currently enrolled students, during your conference slot.

During the conferences, your child’s Guide will share your child’s work with you, report on his or her personal and academic development, and discuss any other relevant issues. Feel free to ask questions and bring up any issues or concerns you might have.

Conference sign-ups will be available approximately one month before conferences:

  • Friday, September 29: Conference sign ups emailed to families with siblings enrolled.
  • Tuesday, October 3: Conference sign ups available to everyone in the weekly Communications.

Transitions

  • TBD

Parents often experience ambiguity, in varying degrees, when confronting their child’s eventual transition out of Montessori and into another educational model. If this resonates with you, we invite you to an evening of clarity and answers with Sunstone alumni parent Katy Rustvold and Sunstone alumni parent and current Communications Manager, Monica Wright. We will also have Sunstone graduates there to give you their first hand experience of transitioning from Montessori into a different education model. We hope you can join us!

Children’s House Parent Education

  • Thursday, January 11, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
  • Topic TBD

The Children’s House Guides will offer an evening of enlightenment to Children’s House parents. The topic is yet to be decided but you can be sure it will be valuable! They may discuss the Montessori curriculum, childhood development and behavior, best parenting practices to align with your child’s current and future development, or all three together. Stay tuned!

Sunstone offers childcare for currently enrolled students ages 3+. We do not provide childcare for toddlers at our evening events.

Childcare space is limited, first come, first served.

Click Here to RSVP and Reserve Childcare

Introduction to Montessori Elementary

  • Thursday, January 18, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

This presentation is recommended for new Elementary parents and all Children’s House parents.
What is the Montessori Elementary program all about? Join our Elementary Guides, Robert, Jennifer, and Jack, for an overview of the Montessori Elementary program. This is a great opportunity to learn why our Elementary program is perfectly suited to the developmental growth of your second plane child (ages 6-12).

Sunstone offers childcare for currently enrolled students ages 3+. We do not provide childcare for toddlers at our evening events.

Childcare space is limited, first come, first served.

Click Here to RSVP and Reserve Childcare

Importance of Completing the Upper Elementary Cycle/Intro to Sunstone’s Middle School

  • Thursday, January 25, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

This presentation is recommended for Elementary parents. Does Sunstone prepare children for Middle School and beyond? This is one of the most frequent questions we hear from parents and we’d love to share with you why the answer is Yes! Please join Upper Elementary Guide, Jack Graham for an informative night on the Upper Elementary Montessori cycle and the importance of that final graduate year.

Sunstone offers childcare for currently enrolled students ages 3+. We do not provide childcare for toddlers at our evening events.

Childcare space is limited, first come, first served.

RSVP and Childcare Reservations Coming Soon