Pathfinder Update

It may seem quiet around these parts, but we are still busy working on making Pathfinder a reality. As you know, we spent the better part of the summer months with the arduous task of preparing and submitting an application for a federal Non-SEA grant.  This grant was highly competitive and sought after by not only charter schools like ours, but well established school districts throughout the country.  The criteria were extremely difficult to meet, and although our grant writer and charter advisor felt we had a solid request for funds, we did not get awarded for this year.  The Federal Education Department’s Office of Innovation and Improvement informed us that nearly all of the applicants scored very high, exceeding the baseline score, which raised the bar considerably.  Because of this valuable experience and the enormous amount of research required for the federal grant process, we are confident that our next grant application to be submitted to the Oregon Department of Education next summer will be successful. 

We have changed the target opening date for Pathfinder Montessori Charter School to September of 2013 and are actively pursuing other resources for funding through organizations and foundations that will support the work ahead. We are continuing our community outreach through public meetings (the next one being in mid-December) and our search for suitable facilities is underway.

If you are interested in volunteering with Pathfinder in any capacity please click on the link to the right and fill out the volunteer form. Also, keep your eyes open for information on the upcoming community events.

Pathfinder Volunteer Form

Pathfinder Montessori Development Team Volunteer Survey

It takes a village! Please tell us more about yourself.

1. Contact Information:

First Name

Last Name

Street Address

City

State

Zip

Email Address

Phone Number

Mobile Phone

2. Preferred method of contact: *This question is required

• 
  
  Email
• 
  
  Phone
• 
  
  Other 

3. Skills:

4. Interests:

5. Do you speak any foreign languages?

• 
  
  Yes
• 
  
  No

6. If so, which one?

7. Are you available to meet on a regular basis or would you prefer helping from home?

• 
  
  I am available to meet.
• 
  
  I would prefer helping from home.
• 
  
  Either one works for me.

8. How did you hear about Pathfinder?

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Community Outreach Meetings Scheduled

We are excited to be hosting our first two community outreach meetings next week! We will be discussing details about charter schools, the Montessori philosophy, Positive Discipline, and answering any questions you have.

Please join us at one of our community meetings next week: Wednesday, September 21st, 6:30pm at the Wilsonville Library (Spanish interpreter available), Oak Room ~or~ Saturday, September 24th, 10:00 am at the Willamette Fire Station 59 in West Linn.

Hope to see you there!

Take our Community Survey!

Pathfinder Montessori Charter School Community Survey

This Survey

There was an error on your page. Please correct any required fields and submit again. Go to the first error

1. Estamos en el proceso de traducir esta encuesta al español. Si le gustaría un aviso cuando esté disponible en español, favor de escribir su dirección electrónica abajo.

We are currently translating this survey into Spanish. Please leave your email address below If you would like to be notified when it is available.

Your responses to this survey will help us understand your family’s educational needs and concerns as we refine this charter school concept.  This survey is anonymous and takes only a few minutes to complete.  Thank you for your feedback.

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Positive Discipline School

What does a Positive Discipline school look like? Here is an excerpt from an excellent document called "The Positive Discipline School: Using solution focused discipline to build a powerful learning community that models mutual respect and supports academic excellence." It explains Positive Discipline in the classroom and how it might differ from more traditional discipline. I highly encourage you to read the full article for more detailed understanding.

In a Positive Discipline School, every adult...

- Understands that the quality of relationships and school climate are absolutely critical to successful student learning.

- Seeks to establish strong meaning and connection for students, families and staff in social and academic contexts.

- Implements principles of mutual respect and encouragement ␣ Focuses on long term, solutions to misbehavior at individual, class and school wide levels.

- Views mistakes as opportunities to learn and misbehavior as opportunities to practice critical life skills.

- Questions the tradition of adult control, rewards and punishments.

The Positive Discipline School  Terry Chadsey, MST and Jody McVittie, MD Certified Positive Discipline Associates

Off with the grant application!

Less than a month ago the US Department of Education notified the Oregon Department of Education’s Charter School Program (CSP) that the most recent competitive grant application submitted for Oregon was not funded. Of the 14 states applying for funding, only two, New York and Florida, received funding. This threw us for a loop, as it had been funded every year in the past and we had already been working with a grant writer to apply for this incentive grant. 


We were not disheartened, though! Because Oregon wasn't funded we now qualified for the highly competitive Federal non-SEA Charter School Dissemination Grant. The application, however, was due much sooner than expected. We have been working tirelessly on the 88 page application and are happy to say that it was submitted yesterday. We will know by October 1st if we are one of the recipients. We are counting down the days, and moving forward with preparations to submit our charter application to the West Linn-Wilsonville School District. 


When sponsored, Pathfinder will be the first public charter school in Oregon to combine the Montessori method with environmental awareness, a Positive Discipline philosophy, and a curriculum based on appreciation of cultural diversity. 

Our Story

It all started last spring, with conversations among parents of a West Linn preschool, SunGarden Montessori Children's House. Many of us were looking for an elementary program that would build upon the independent learning experience, confidence, compassion and love of learning our children had enjoyed at the Montessori Children’s House. It was not easy to find—some of us have sought private Montessori elementary education, others are pursuing homeschooling. We all agreed that another choice for public elementary education, one that could meet the needs of children with diverse learning styles, was missing.

Montessori education not only exceeds our academic expectations, and also supports the physical, emotional, intellectual and social developmental needs of our children in a respectful and compassionate atmosphere.

After several months of dedicated research, intense working meetings, and long nights of conversation, we formed a Development Team, a name for our school, a mission and vision, and started reaching out for community support. We have contracted with a grant writer and consultant and the search for funding has begun. The path ahead of us will be challenging. We are confident in our success, tenacity, and capabilities. We are inspired by the spark of discovery we see in the eyes of our children.

Our goal is to seek the support of the West Linn/Wilsonville School District, find a suitable facility, recruit stellar teachers and build a strong foundation for success of the school. We strongly believe in educational choice and feel that a public Montessori school would enrich our community and touch the lives of a diverse group of children.