Staff Attending American Montessori Society Conference

Earlier in the year we became aware that Title I funds were not going to be available to use for Montessori-specific staff development (I think this has to do with very specific Title I regulations and the Federal Gov't not officially recognizing Montessori methodology), and other professional development funds for the year were already allocated.

Principal Carlson asked PTO to help fund the registration fees for 3 staff to attend the American Montessori Society annual conference - she indicated that this was the best chance of the year for staff to connect with other Montessorians working in the public arena.

This was a significant expenditure for the PTO so I (James) consulted both the PTO board and a small group of parents before bringing the topic up for discussion at a PTO meeting.  The response from parents was overwhelmingly in support of using PTO funds to support staff professional development and we proceeded to pay for the registration fees for Mrs. Carlson, Mrs. Cyrier (Montessori Facilitator) and Mrs. Streeter to attend.  They are responsible for their own airfare and hotel fees.

The conference is taking place now (Thursday March 14 - Sunday March 17) and Mrs. Carlson sent me a couple pictures from her agenda (see below).

Full conference schedule is available here:
https://www.amshq.org/Events/AMS%20Annual%20Conference/2013%20Annual%20Conference/Conference%20Schedule.aspx