Back to School Edition: September 2026
Welcome to the 2026-2027 School Year!
We look forward to welcoming our new and returning students to the 2026–2027 school year. Our teachers are preparing for the year ahead with thoughtful planning to create meaningful learning experiences that inspire curiosity, independence, and connection. They are currently engaged in in-service planning sessions, while our classrooms are being refreshed and prepared for the arrival of our students. As is our tradition, our first days of school begin just after Labor Day! (See schedule below.)
Join Us for Meet & Greet: Friday, September 4!
We hope you and your child can drop in for an informal Meet and Greet in your child’s classroom on Friday, September 4, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. before school officially starts the following week. It’s a nice way to introduce students who are new to a classroom and a wonderful way for friends to reconnect before school starts the following week. Meet with the teachers, chat with fellow parents, and get a glimpse of what is in store for your child/ren.
“First Day of School” Arrivals Schedule for Next Week
Here’s a helpful reminder about the staggered “First Day of School” schedule for our programs. Please ensure your child arrives on time to set them up for success on day one. Students can bring their supplies on the first day of school or throughout the first week. Elementary and Middle School students should come dressed in uniform. Bring any questions you have to Meet and Greet day on September 4th, or plan to attend the Back to School Night (schedule below) where teachers go into detail about what to expect for the school year.
Tuesday, September 8:
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Middle School & Upper Elementary: Arrival 7:45 to 8 a.m.
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Lower Elementary (Constellation, Aurora, Galaxy): Arrival 8:00 to 8:15 a.m.
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Primary (Peaceful Ivory, Serene Indigo, Celestial Blue, Harmonious Orange, Ocean Blue): Arrival 8:30 to 8:45 a.m.
Wednesday, September 9:
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Toddler (Rosy Red & Orange Blossom): Arrival 9 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
Thursday, September 10:
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Little Explorers: 9 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
Brewshot Meetup for Parents of Children Transitioning to Our School
For children new to Hudson Montessori, the Hudson Montessori Volunteers (HMV) invite parents and caregivers to the Brewshot coffee shop at 9 Regent Street for refreshments as your child begins school and transitions into their classroom. This event is designed as a relaxing space for parents who are dropping off their children for the first days of school. For parents who want to find out how their child is settling into their new classroom that day, teachers and administrators will report back to Brewshot for parents who want a real-time update. Additionally, parents from the Hudson Montessori Volunteers will be there all week in the mornings to answer questions about Hudson Montessori and share information about what to expect.
Hudson Montessori Parent Volunteer Hours at Brewshot (Week of Sept 8-11, 2026)
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Tuesday: 8:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
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Wednesday: 8:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
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Thursday & Friday: 8:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Join Us for the Parent Welcome Breakfast
The Hudson Montessori Volunteers (HMV) welcome all parents back to school. Join us on Wednesday, September 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Zeppelin Hall (enter at 9 Regent Street, Zeppelin Hall door next to Brewshot). Parents from all classrooms—new and returning—are welcome to meet other parents, catch up from the summer, and learn about upcoming events. Come meet Mr. Eric, our new Head of School. Several school administrators and the parent-led Hudson Montessori Volunteer group will be on hand to meet with everyone and discuss upcoming events.
Make Plans to Attend Our Back-to-School Events
Please plan to attend Back-to-School Night for your child’s classroom. Please note the dates below, which are dependent on your child's age level. This event is for parents only. At this event, the teachers will explain specifics about the curriculum, the structure of your child’s day, and other essential classroom procedures and expectations. Get all your questions answered and so much more! Upcoming dates:
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Thursday, September 10: Upper Elementary (Comet), 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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Wednesday, September 16: Lower Elementary, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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Thursday, September 17: Middle School, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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Wednesday, September 23: Toddler, Bridge, Primary, Little Explorers*, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
*Time change for Little Explorers (It moved from Wed, Sept. 30, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., to Wed., Sept. 23, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
Welcome to New Head of School, Mr. Eric
Hudson Montessori School is pleased to welcome Eric Chapman as our new Head of School. Mr. Eric brings more than two decades of experience in independent school leadership, including roles as Head of School, Director of Admissions, Director of Diversity, and Middle School Director. He comes to us from a leadership role at The Inly School, a nationally recognized Montessori school in Massachusetts. An accomplished educational leader, Mr. Eric holds a bachelor's degree from Tufts University and two master's degrees from Pace University: the first in the Science of Teaching and the second in Educational Leadership and Administration. He is currently completing his doctoral studies in Educational Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania. (Read more…)
Select an Open Role on the Hudson Montessori Volunteers
Every Hudson Montessori parent is an honorary member of the Hudson Montessori Volunteers (HMV). This parent-led organization is looking for enthusiastic parents to join them to fill open coordinator positions. These include roles for events like Teacher Appreciation Day, the School Book Fair, the Community Holiday Drive, the Danceathon, and the Pancake Breakfast. Our Parent Guide Network in each classroom assists with communications. The group is always looking for new ideas. Whether you bring event-planning expertise, creative flair, or simply a willingness to lend a hand, your contributions will make a meaningful difference. Most HMV meetings are held virtually, with occasional in-person gatherings for specific events or subcommittees. We schedule meetings keeping our parents’ busy schedules in mind. Sign up here…
Middle Schoolers Get Ready for Camp Mason!
Middle School students can start looking forward to a three-day visit to Camp Mason, where our Middle School students will rekindle friendships, bond with new students, and enjoy fun team-building activities at the YMCA camp in the Delaware Water Gap region. This year, the camping trip takes place from Monday, September 28, to Wednesday, September 30. Middle school parents: If you haven’t already filled out the consent forms, please return them ASAP.
Our Montessori Journey
We invite new and returning parents to learn more about your student’s “Montessori Journey,” an in-person, parents-only evening event on Wednesday, October 7th, to learn how our students learn Math, Language Arts, Practical Life, and Sensorial Work in the Toddler through Lower Elementary levels. Our teachers will explain everything you want to know about the classroom setup and how your child will learn throughout the year using the Montessori approach.
Please note that this event differs from the virtual Parent Workshop (scheduled as a Zoom session on October 14 for Toddler and Primary and October 15 for Upper Elementary and Middle School).
New Building Update
Since the groundbreaking of our new school building last April, we have seen a lot of construction activity, with new floors going in. The new 16-story building on Regent Street will reserve the first two floors as new space for our school. We plan to relocate our Elementary and Middle School to this new Liberty Harbor building in the next couple of years. We’ll keep you informed of any sporadic street closures as the project continues.
30 Regent Playspace Is Getting a Makeover!
We’re excited to announce that the playspace on Regent Street is getting a refresh! Construction is underway, with the Liberty Harbor construction team planning to complete the project this September. Construction crews have cleared the existing green space along Regent Street and poured new concrete spanning Liberty View Drive to River Street. The renderings include a new playspace and courtyard with seating. We’ll be sharing progress updates in the coming weeks as the new playspace takes shape.
Montessori in a Minute: Normalization
Maria Montessori used the term “normalization” as the name of the process for when a child acclimates to their classroom environment, understanding the expectations of the teachers, other students, and feeling a sense of ease and calm as a member of the classroom community. This process can take a few weeks or a month or so before normalization sets in. The beauty of the multi-year classroom is that older, returning students already understand the rules and become role models for younger or new students. They also normalize quicker to their environment, since they have a greater familiarity with it and their teachers. (Read more…)
Upcoming Events
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Friday, Sept. 4 (9 a.m. to 10 a.m.): Meet and Greet (In respective classrooms)
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Tues, Sept. 8- Thur, Sept 10: First Days of School (See schedule above for days/times)
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Thursday, Sept. 10 (6 p.m. to 7 p.m.): Back-to-School Night (UPPER ELEMENTARY)
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Wednesday, Sept. 16 (8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.): Parent Welcome Breakfast (ALL)
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Wednesday, Sept. 16 (6 p.m. to 7 p.m.): Back-to-School Night (LOWER ELEMENTARY)
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Thursday, Sept. 17 (6 p.m. to 7 p.m,): Back-to-School Night (MIDDLE SCHOOL)
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Thursday, Sept. 17: Liberty State Park Field Trip (AURORA)
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Wednesday, Sept. 23 (6 p.m.-7 p.m.): Back-to-School Night (PRIMARY, TODDLER)
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Tuesday, Sept. 29: Liberty State Park Field Trip (CONSTELLATION)
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Wednesday, Sep. 30: (6 p.m.-7 p.m.): Coffee & Chat (LITTLE EXPLORERS)
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Wednesday, Sept. 30: Liberty State Park Field Trip (GALAXY)
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Wednesday, Oct. 7 (6 p.m.-7 p.m.): Montessori Journey Event (TODDLER, BRIDGE, PRIMARY, LOWER ELEMENTARY parents)
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Wednesday, Oct. 14 (6 p.m.-7 p.m.): Virtual Parent Workshop on Zoom (TODDLER & PRIMARY)
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Thursday, Oct. 15 (6 p.m.-7 p.m.): Virtual Parent Workshop on Zoom (UPPER ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL)
