Fraser-Woods Montessori School

Honors Grandparents And Special Persons

By Eliza Hallabeck

Students at Fraser-Woods Montessori School had the opportunity to discuss art and show their grandparents or a special person in their lives around the school on Monday, November 24.

More than 200 people were expected for the event, which was schoolwide. Invitations were sent out to parents in October for them to invite grandparents of the children or a special person.

“This is a very special day for us,” said Myriam Woods, the head of the school, “and for your grandchildren.”

The event was kicked off with food and refreshments for the visitors to the school. Then the visitors sat during a presentation by Ms Woods, art teacher Christine Mitchell, and the school’s chorus.

“There’s nothing better to welcome you than the voices of our students,” said Ms Woods before the chorus sand multiple songs for the visitors.

Ms Woods said this is an extra special year at the school, because it is celebrating 40 years of Montessori education in Newtown.

Ms Mitchell explained to the visitors that the school has been undertaking a “Year of Art” at the school, which has had artists visiting the school, using the hallways for exhibition space and the students are learning through the art.

“We’ve transformed the halls of academia,” said Ms Mitchell. She said the artists have been enjoying working with the students. She added that all of the artwork is for sale and the artists have been donating part of the proceeds back to the school.

Middle school students at the school acted as docents for the day and wore T-shits that said, “Year of Art” to distinguish them in the hallways. After the presentation everyone was encouraged to learn about the art from the docents and to visit students in their classrooms.

“That’s the whole meaning of this year,” said Ms Mitchell, “connecting students, artists and parents.”

Sixth grade student Christina Cistulli stood next to a painting by Rob Wilstein, one of the artists now exhibiting at the school. The other artist displaying there now is David Boyajian, known primarily for his sculptures.

“It makes me feel relaxed,” said Christina. She added that the painting was done in 2007 and is called “Distant Thunder.” “He doesn’tlike to interpret his paintings,” Christina said. “He likes people to do that for themselves.”

Other students stood next to each piece in the exhibit waiting to share the information about them with the visiting grandparents and special persons.