November 2025
Hudson Montessori School Reveals Annual Learning Theme: Tapestry of Cultures
Each year, our Theme Kickoff Event, held with students and parents in their respective classrooms, marks the beginning of our deep exploration into a schoolwide, yearlong theme that guides learning across all programs. This year’s theme, Tapestry of Cultures, invites students to explore how people, traditions, and histories are beautifully woven together across the world.
30 Days of Thanks
In November, we ask all our students (age 2 to Middle Schoolers) to share their reflections on this year's schoolwide theme, Tapestry of Cultures. We ask our children what they are thankful for regarding their own cultures/family heritage—from traditions and celebrations to foods, language, and attire—what resonates with them? Parents, please ask your children, help them respond to this prompt: "What from your family's culture or heritage are you thankful for?" Submit responses now through Sunday, November 30, 2025, to: https://forms.gle/jHGZoPWFw3d243ki7
Year of the Teacher: Meet Ms. Samira & Ms. Adinah
In our Teacher Insight series, we share more about our school through the words of our teachers. Ms. Samira, lead teachers in Celestial Blue and Constellation, respectively, who explain mixed-age classrooms, the three-year cycle, and give other highlights about the Primary and Lower Elementary programs. Click here to learn more from Ms. Samira and Ms. Adinah.
Annual Hudson Montessori Book Fair Was a Great Success!
Thank you to everyone who attended the Hudson Montessori Book Fair with their children and supported our classroom libraries by purchasing books from the teachers’ wish lists. We extend a special thank you to all our incredible volunteers and members of HMV for dedicating your time and energy throughout the week. Your help with setup, sales, and organization made everything run smoothly and created a warm, welcoming environment, extending the love of reading for all.
Our Student Scientists Participate in the Hudson River Event
Our school once again took part in the annual Day in the Life of the Hudson and Harbor event on October 15, serving as a proud host site at Jersey City’s Morris Canal Basin. This was the 23rd year for this large-scale event organized by Columbia University and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Our students were among the thousands of students who collected data along selected sites along the Hudson River, contributing to real-world science in action, gaining an appreciation for conservation, collaboration, and the interconnectedness of natural systems.
Our Montessori Journey
Parents of Toddler, Bridge, Primary, and Lower Elementary students visited their respective classrooms in October to learn how their children learn by using the Montessori materials. This hands-on experience gave parents greater insight about the Montessori methodology works. We thank our parents for spending the evening with your child’s teachers!
Holiday Drive to Support Foster Children of Hudson County
We are proud to partner with Hudson CASA, the Court Appointed Special Advocates, a non-profit organization that assists children in foster care. One of our Hudson Montessori parents is a CASA volunteer advocate who suggested we steer our attention to CASA for our annual holiday drive. We will collect holiday gifts and provisions for children in the foster care system. We will announce all the details, including collection dates and suggested donations, shortly.
New Building Progress Update
We’re noticing great progress at the construction site at the end of Regent Street (250 Morris Boulevard, adjacent to Zeppelin Hall), where a new building will house our older students. The rebar supports are going up!
Fire Truck Visit
The Jersey City Fire Department visited our younger students this week with helpful lessons about “Stop, Drop, and Roll” and how to dial 911 in the event of an emergency. It was a memorable experience for our children who climbed up into the fire truck and tried on the fire gear with the assistance of our local firefighters heroes!
Honoring the Holidays
As a non-sectarian school, we don’t celebrate one religion or culture, we honor the holidays important to our families. We welcome our parents to come into the classroom and talk about their cultures and religious celebrations, broadening our students’ understanding of the world around them. From Spanish Heritage Month, Jewish holy days, and Diwali in October, we launch into the celebration of Thanksgiving and the upcoming winter holidays. Our students love when their parents come into their classrooms to give in-class presentations! Email your teachers to set up a presentation in the coming months.
Sweets for Soldiers: Halloween Candy Donation
Each year, we provide an outlet for our families who are looking for a good place to offload their children’s Halloween candy. This year, we’re partnering with VAMSA, the Veteran’s and Military Support Alliance, who will distribute the candy to local veteran’s groups. The drop-off location is in the 50 Regent main office from now until November 10. Veteran’s Day falls on November 11th this year—when the candy will be distributed.
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Recent Middle School Sporting Activities: Basketball & Run Club
Our Middle Schooler offers two extracurricular sports for our students to keep active after school—Run Club and the Basketball Team.
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Run Club: We congratulate our Middle School Run Club participants who ran a 5K in Liberty State Park on October 19th and earned medals! The Run Club is a fun opportunity for our older students to get out in nature, get wonderful exercise, and strive for their personal goals.
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Middle School Basketball: Our team’s current record is 3-0 in the Hudson County Sports League, a group of local private schools. Come out to support our team, playing every Wednesday, now until December 10 (the championship). Come and cheer them on at the next game vs. Hoboken Dual Language Academy on Wednesday, November 5th at 6:30 p.m. All games are played at French American Academy at 209 3rd Street in Jersey City.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Our teachers are preparing for the first Parent-Teacher Conferences on November 13 and 14. All of our teachers have been teaching, observing, and assessing your students. They are excited to sit with you to share their observations and discuss your child. Emails already went out to schedule these important sessions. If you still need to sign up, please reach out to your teachers to get a meeting time on the calendar.
Moving Up Meetings Coming Soon
In November and December, teachers will host orientation meetings for the parents of children who will be moving up to a new program. Primarily, these meetings are for Toddler and Bridge parents, third-year Primary parents (Kindergarteners),and parents of third graders and fifth graders. All meetings are in the 50 Regent Multipurpose Room. Here’s the upcoming schedule:
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Thursday, November 6, 8:30 a.m.: Moving Up to Upper Elementary (Third Grade parents)
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Wednesday, November 19, 8 a.m.: Moving Up to Middle School (Fifth Grade parents)
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Wednesday, November 19, 9 a.m.: Moving Up to Lower Elementary (Harmonious Orange and Ocean Blue Kindergarten parents)
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Thursday, November 20, 9 a.m.: Moving Up to Lower Elementary (Celestial Blue, Peaceful Ivory, and Serene Indigo parents)
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Wednesday, December 10, 9 a.m: Coffee & Chat for Toddler/Bridge/Primary (3 year-old) parents
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Thursday, December 11, 9 a.m.: Moving Up to Kindergarten Program for Primary (4 year-old) parents
Coming on Saturday, November 8: Hacklebarney Park Hike
Join the Adventure Club, led by Ms. Susan Wallen, for a 3-mile easy hike in Hacklebarney State Park on Saturday, November 8, 10 a.m. in Long Valley, NJ. The Adventure Club meets a couple times a year outside of school for active fun. Participating students must be accompanied by their parent or guardian. If you’re interested to join, email Ms. Susan W. at constellation@hudsonmontessori.net.
Upcoming Events
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Wednesday, November 5: Middle School Basketball Game (@French American Academy vs. HOLA, 6:30 p.m.)
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Thursday, November 6: Moving Up to Upper Elementary for 3rd Grade Families (8:30 a.m.)
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Friday, November 7: School Closed for Staff Development Day (NJMAC Conference for teachers)
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Saturday, November 8: Adventure Club’s Hacklebarney Park Hike (10 a.m.)
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Wednesday, November 12: Middle School Basketball Game (@French American Academy vs. The Hudson School, 6:30 p.m.)
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Thursday, November 13: Noon Dismissal for Full & Extended Day students for Parent Teacher Conferences
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Friday, November 14: School Closed for Parent Teacher Conferences
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Wednesday, November 19: Middle School Basketball League Semifinals (@ French American Academy, 5:30 p.m.)
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Wednesday, November 19: Moving Up to Middle School (8 a.m.)
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Wednesday, November 19: Moving Up to Lower Elementary for Harmonious Orange and Ocean Blue (9 a.m.)
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Thursday, November 20: Moving Up to Lower Elementary for Celestial Blue, Serene Indigo, and Peaceful Ivory (9 a.m.)
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November 26 - November 28: School Closed for Thanksgiving Break
Past Issues
Year of the Teacher at Hudson Montessori School
We are proud to celebrate the teachers who power the academic, STEAM, and social/emotional needs of our students all year long! We share their stories about our school through our Teacher Insight series. In this series, starting in October and spanning the year, they will reflect on the students, their classrooms, and the motivations behind their teaching. We’ll share why they chose Hudson Montessori School, and what drives them to teach. Our teachers will tell the story of Hudson Montessori School. Thank you to our teachers who shape our school and form the foundation of our community. More…
Primary Students Get Set for a Trip to Fosterfields Farm: Friday, Oct. 3
Hudson Montessori’s Primary students (Ocean Blue, Celestial Blue, Harmonious Orange, Serene Indigo, and Peaceful Ivory) will be going to Fosterfields Living Historical Farm in Morristown, this Friday, October 3. All students are expected to arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. Dismissal for all students (including half-day students) will be 3 p.m. All students will need a brown bag lunch (sandwiches, finger foods)—no lunch boxes. Please note: If your child is unable to join the event, they will need to stay home that day, as all staff will be chaperoning the children during the trip. For more information, please contact your classroom teacher directly. If you haven’t done so already, please sign the permission slip that your teacher sent.
Parents: Join Our Montessori Journey Event on October 8th
We look forward to welcoming you back to the classroom for Our Montessori Journey on Wednesday, October 8th, at 6 p.m. This event is for Toddler, Bridge, Primary, and Lower Elementary parents. During Back-to-School Night, teachers discussed general information about the day’s schedule, expectations, and the Montessori environment. At this upcoming event, you will have the chance to explore how children learn. This hands-on experience will provide you with greater insight into how learning unfolds during the Montessori work cycle—something parents often inquire about. Please save the date, as you will not want to miss it. Childcare will be offered by Luna de Papel from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Picture Day Is Coming Soon!
Next week, Lifetouch Photography will come on Thursday, October 9, and Friday, October 10, to take photos of students in the Primary, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Middle School programs. Place your order by going to https://mylifetouch.com/, using the following Picture Day ID: Picture Day ID: EVTSZVJ3N. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping. Special Note: Students in Bridge and Toddler classrooms will have their photos taken in early spring. We have found that younger children need a little more time to get settled before they can sit calmly for their photos.
Virtual Parent Education Night: Recognizing Signs for Self-Regulation and Anxiety in Children
We are pleased to announce our partnership again this year with Advanced Therapy of America (ATA). The ATA therapy team has worked with our school for years to help our parents recognize signs of stress in children who might need additional assistance during their development. Learn more about sensory processing, and how it may be connected to attention issues, speech, self-confidence, fine and gross motor skills, and emotional regulation. Join Maria McNish on Wednesday, October 15, for this parent education seminar on October 15, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., on Zoom. Register here for the Zoom login link.
It’s Time to Start Getting Our Students Excited for the Book Fair
Our highly anticipated Hudson Montessori Book Fair returns on Friday, October 17, spanning the whole week, until Friday, October 24! Our book fair is open to students and families of Hudson Montessori School. Like last year, we welcome back Literati as our book vendor, joining Paperpie (formerly Usborne Books) to offer our students a fantastic range of books. Make time to visit the fair with your child and encourage a love of reading! Every purchase supports our school's library and classroom bookshelves. Teachers will have wishlists from each classroom. Check your email and classroom newsletters for book fair hours. Here's the link requesting parent volunteers for hour-long shifts: https://signup.com/go/TkuDAkw.
Later This Month: Parents Are Invited to Theme Kickoff Day
On Friday, October 24, we welcome our parents back to your child’s classroom for the big reveal of our school-wide, yearlong theme. Each year, our school dedicates itself to exploring a connected theme throughout the school. Each classroom takes one facet of the theme, which is woven throughout the school’s curriculum. We look forward to the unveiling of the theme on October 24th and are excited for the interesting studies that will come from this theme throughout the year. Our yearlong theme culminates with our Social Studies Fair in May and our Year End Celebration in June.
Theme Kickoff Schedule:
Middle School - 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Upper Elementary - 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Lower Elementary - 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Primary - 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Bridge - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Toddler (Farmer's Market) - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
New Building Update
Work on the new building at 250 Morris Boulevard, adjacent to Zeppelin Hall, is continuing full steam ahead. It will feature at least two stories, approximately 12,000 square feet, for our Lower and Upper Elementaries and Middle School. Completion is still a couple of years away; we remain actively involved in the planning process.
Middle School Bonding Commences at Camp Mason
Our Middle School students arrived for their three-day adventure at Camp Mason in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area on Monday. They’re enjoying hikes, wilderness survival training, canoeing, and so much more! This annual trip is a highlight for our sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students at Hudson Montessori School. This yearly trip allows students to step outside the classroom and immerse themselves in nature, teamwork, and personal growth—one canoe at a time.
Lower Elementary Students Explore the Pond Habitat at Liberty State Park
Our first-, second-, and third-grade students (from Constellation, Galaxy, and Aurora) recently embarked on an exciting field trip to the Liberty State Park Nature Center, situated along the Hudson River estuary. This trip allowed them to apply the scientific method in real-time, expanding their scientific knowledge, sense of wonder, and respect for the environment. Through observation, collection of information, and review of data, students deepened their understanding of the natural world while connecting their studies to hands-on experiences. More…
Open House Schedule Starts October 7
We welcome prospective new parents to tour our school and learn more about Hudson Montessori starting this coming Tuesday, October 7, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. We have announced our full schedule for the Open House. Please share this information with your neighbors who may be interested. More here…
Adieu to September: A Month of New Beginnings
We’ve reached the one-month mark, and our Hudson Montessori students are in the midst of the normalization process, settling into their new environment and routines, with some new faces joining them. Meanwhile, parents met with teachers, other parents, and school administrators at welcoming events in September, such as the Parent Welcome Breakfast and Back-to-School Nights. These meetings go a long way in fostering connection, collaboration, and understanding—the cornerstones of a successful school year.
Upcoming Events
Friday, October 3, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Fosterfields Living Historical Farm Field Trip (Primary)
Wednesday, October 8, 6 p.m.: Our Montessori Journey (Toddler through Lower Elementary)
Thursday, October 9, & Friday, October 10: Picture Days for Primary through Middle School
Monday, October 13: School Closed for Indigenous Peoples Day
Wednesday, October 15, 6 p.m.: Virtual Parent Education Night With Advanced Therapy of America
Friday, October 17, through Friday, October 24: Book Fair
Friday, October 24: Theme Kickoff
Friday, October 31: Wear Orange Day
