Child Learn

Learning According to Development

If you’ve not read it yet I highly highly recommend P.E. Gobry’s article on Montessori. Gobry asks, “Montessori schools are exceptionally successful, so why aren’t there more of them?” Indeed. One of my favorite things that he points out is the dedication to respecting the child’s own development that is inherent in Montessori. He writes:…

Opening This Fall

We are eager to get the Hilltop Children’s House going, by opening THIS FALL! Last evening Noëlle and I sat down after dinner and established a schedule for the first year of operation (first day of sessions will be Monday, October 1) and what is needed to get it open. Noëlle, already fully trained in the Catechesis…

Blueprint Mockup

Blueprints Mocking Up

We’re in the next phase of things for the Hilltop Children’s House, getting to know people here in our neighborhood and planning for the building. The architect who is working with us, Faniro Architects, Inc., out of Youngstown, Ohio, sent us the drawings of the current floor plan for us to mark up and work…

Dinner with Six Friends

A wonderful evening last night for our Dinner with Six Friends! We look forward to having a number of smaller events to share our vision and discuss the future of the Hilltop, as well as ice cream social open house events at the building itself!  

Join us for “Dinner for Six Friends”

Join us for a fun evening on Sunday, May 20, at 6:30 p.m. (dinner at 7:00) to learn more about how Montessori programs can help kids, especially kids who live in difficult circumstances, and how you can help make it happen! Children can flourish when they are given the opportunity to, and that opportunity comes…

Architect Visit

Architect Visit!

Our architect, Ronald Cornell Faniro, of Faniro Architects out of Youngstown, came by with Tom’s dad, Paul, of Crowe’s Cabinets, to measure the space and begin the process of turning this venerable space into the Hilltop Children’s House. Lots of work will need to be done. We’re excited about the prospects and the plans we’re working…

“I like whatever I do.”

Noëlle posted an article on Facebook today and led off her caption with this quote: “We should be encouraging the children in our care to revel in their childhood, not hurry out of it as if children were no more than miniature, imperfect versions of adults.” This article, “The Problem With Hurrying Childhood Learning” looks…

panorama of main space from door

Interior pics… “Before,” if you will.

A few pictures of the interior.  It’s an interesting space, but we think it will work well for our purposes with just a few minor modifications and upgrades. We’re working on plans and needs with a contractor and an architect, but if you’re inspired to support us fundraising at this date you can give here. We’ve…

panorama of main space from door
panorama of main space toward doorMain space, from doorpanorama of main space from door

Hilltop Children’s House: The Before Pictures

A few pictures of the interior.  It’s an interesting space, but we think it will work well for our purposes with just a few minor modifications and upgrades. We’re working on plans and needs with a contractor and an architect, but if you’re inspired to support us fundraising at this date you can give here. We’ve…

Ohio Valley Title folder and key

We have a building!

Winter just refuses to let go of us as spring begins, but here’s a reason for happy thoughts about new beginnings: Noëlle and I went downtown today and closed on the building! THANK YOU to all of the incredibly generous people who made this day possible! Next up: work with contractors and architects to come…