June 2011

I did not get a chance to catch up with all the people at LOL that made such an impact on A’s experience these past 2 years but I want you to know how much we are really going to miss LOL. This year especially, A. has grown so much. My eyes are tearing up as I am writing this. LOL is truly a wonderful and unique learning environment and we were blessed to have been a part of it. The staff, and in particular Mrs. Kim and Mrs. Carr are second to none not only on the academic level, but in their personal attention and the pride they take in their students. We could not have asked for more.

The end of year ceremony was absolutely lovely and true testament to the level of education and world life exposure that a student receives being part of the LOL family, and all this in an enjoyable environment. Mr. Thompson you never fail to make everything fun.

I could go on forever about the office staff, the bus drivers, the art teachers and not to forget, the hamsters that spent a few weekends with us. I know I am missing a lot of people, but suffice to say I am very grateful to all of you.

Best to you all,
Tricia Meinen
Northport, New York

From a parent with a child enrolled in our 4^th grade program:

I often share with others my belief that investing in the early years of education is more important than saving for college. However, the investment is far beyond a monitory one.  Both my children (15 and 9 years old) have benefited immensely from their years in Montessori. They have cultivated their unique identities as inquisitive and independent learners, who understand knowledge to be the search for true understanding rather than the acquisition and regurgitation of information. Although they differ from each other in gender, temperament, and personal interests; they equally thrived in the multi age environment, individualized academic development, and unique blend of hands-on, creative approaches and intellectual stimulation in the Montessori classroom.

Many parents worry about the transition from Montessori to mainstream education. It is, indeed, a transition and may even be a challenge for the child to adjust to the artificial limits placed on learning by the standardized education system. My sense, however, as a parent, a psychologist, and university professor, is that the longer one can keep one’s child in the Montessori classroom the better (granted the specific class makeup is sufficiently stimulating for the child), simply because the foundation given by the Montessori education provides a degree of autonomy and self direction in learning that makes future academic growth of any style easier. This paradigm is symbolized by Montessori student’s early ability to both read geographical maps as well as map their own physical and personal worlds. They are not only able to find their way in the larger world with confidence, but can navigate their way in their nearby environment and, most importantly, know their inner world. Our family is indebted to the numerous Montessori teachers who shared their love for teaching with our children.

Dorit Netzer-Horton
Huntington, New York

September, 2010

Love of Learning takes the natural curiosity of children and helps them channel that into a thirst for knowledge.  Our children were embraced as individuals and encouraged to pursue their interests.  Hand in hand with developing a “love of learning,” our children’s social development was treated with equal importance.  They were taught to care about themselves, their classmates and the larger community in which they live.  Their years at Love of Learning were spent in an environment that has not only a natural beauty, but a beauty in the spirit of how the Montessori methods were implemented.

Rob & Deirdre Dapice
Syosset, New York

 July 29, 2003

Dear Thompsons,

Thank you for the wonderful card, but more importantly, thank you for helping me become the person I am today.  Your guidance and inspiration has helped me accomplish so many goals in my young life and I am so fortunate that your passion towards education has affected every academic decision I have made.  There are too many great experiences for me to write on this card, but I wanted to let you know that I am looking forward to college and life and I will never forget the lesson I learned from both of you.  Good luck and have fun!

Stu Schisgall
Syosset, New York
LOL Alumnus 

January 12, 2003

Kudos to Mr. And Mrs. Thompson and the Teacher and staff of Love of Learning Montessori School. Our approach to Kindergarten was to search for a school where the community of children is built on love, support, understanding, and encouragement. We have found such an environment for our two children at Love of Learning Montessori School.

The process began before our children started Kindergarten. We had a dialogue with Mr. Thompson who listened to our accounts of our child’s development, and noted our concerns. Since then, we have watched L. and M. grow socially and emotionally. We have watched them become valuable members of the Montessori community. They demonstrate a strong self-image and self-esteem. They have positive attitudes and dispositions towards learning as well.

This school has provided my children with the opportunity to play on their own and to work well alongside others. They are taught to respect others and to learn with confidence instead of by pure memorization. The kindergarteners are given a wide range of opportunities to feel out their strengths and allowed to seek out their teachers and peers to help them with challenges. The children are taught to read, write, communicate, play and develop socially and emotionally in a supportive and fostering manner. Our children have developed a confidence, which enables them to be successful learners. We are sure that our children will take what they have learned in Kindergarten into their future.

Very truly yours,
Dr. and Mrs. Michael Schwartz