Generated by All in One SEO Pro v5.0.1.1, this is an llms-full.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Hilltop Montessori School AMI Montessori in Steubenville ## Posts ### [With Deep Gratitude to Lucy](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/with-deep-gratitude-to-lucy/) **Published:** August 14, 2026 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** For the past four years, Lucy Bernetsky has served as assistant in the Children's House, but her contribution has reached far beyond the classroom. She has painted walls, helped prepare new learning environments, cleaned, organized, moved furniture, welcomed families, and faithfully supported children and colleagues through seasons of tremendous growth. **Content:** **We Love Lucy** As Hilltop enters a new year, we pause to celebrate someone whose quiet dedication has helped shape our story. For the past four years, Lucy Bernetsky has served as assistant in the Children’s House, but her contribution has reached far beyond the classroom. She has painted walls, helped prepare new learning environments, cleaned, organized, moved furniture, welcomed families, and faithfully supported children and colleagues through seasons of tremendous growth. ![Teacher sitting cross-legged on the classroom floor with children gathered in a circle around her; a small tray of materials sits on the rug nearby.](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:768/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Lucy-Sound-Game-1024x768.jpg "Lucy Sound Game | Hilltop Montessori School")Lucy Sound GameDuring her time at Hilltop, we launched our Elementary Program, expanded our Children’s House to include full-day enrollment, and welcomed many new families into our community. Through it all, Lucy’s steadiness, generosity, and willingness to help wherever needed have been a gift. At last year’s Moving Up Ceremony, we presented Lucy with an apron covered with the thumbprints of the children she has loved and served—a fitting reminder that she has left her mark on Hilltop, just as we hope Hilltop has left its mark on her. ![Two women in a backyard garden near a white house with a blue door and a Hilltop Montessori sign.](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Lucy-Apron-1-edited.jpg "Lucy Apron 1 | Hilltop Montessori School")Lucy Apron 1As she begins a new chapter following her marriage, we thank her for helping build the foundation on which Hilltop continues to grow. She **will always** be part of our story. **Categories:** Life at HCH **Tags:** Lucy Bernetsky --- ### [Summer Camps 2026!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/summer-camps-2026/) **Published:** May 17, 2026 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Hilltop Montessori School will offer two summer camps this year. ## Bingo! Camp Join us for a week of creativity, games, movement, and summer fun at Bingo Camp. Each day will feature a new themed Bingo board filled with hands-on activities, outdoor games, art projects, challenges, scavenger hunts, water play, and more. Campers will choose activities at their own pace while working toward completing their Bingo board. Daily themes may include Color Explosion Day, Ocean Adventure, Dinosaur Dig, Space Explorers, and Camping Fun! Designed for children ages 4–12 in a small-group, mixed-age setting that encourages creativity, cooperation, and active summer play. - Monday–Friday, July 20-24 - 8:30 AM–12:30 PM - Snack included - Limited to 10 campers for a more personal camp experience ## Ultimate Challenge Camp Get ready for an action-packed week of outdoor games, obstacle courses, team challenges, relays, water activities, silly competitions, and active summer fun! Campers will work together, build confidence, stay moving, and enjoy new challenges each day in our large fenced outdoor space. Activities may include obstacle courses, water relays, team games, mini Olympics, cooperative challenges, and creative movement games designed for a wide range of ages and abilities. Perfect for energetic kids who love to run, move, laugh, and play! Designed for children ages 4–12 in a small-group, mixed-age environment with plenty of encouragement, teamwork, and outdoor adventure. - Monday–Friday, July 27-31 - 8:30 AM–12:30 PM - Snack included - Limited to 10 campers for a more personal camp experience ## Tuition and Registration Tuition for each camp is **$200**. **Early bird:** Register by June 12 and receive $25 off **[Register for either or both camps here »](https://form.jotform.com/hilltopmontessori/summer-2026-camps)** **Categories:** Events, Life at HCH **Tags:** summer camps --- ### [Job Opening: Lead Guide, Elementary Classroom](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/job-opening-lead-guide-elementary-classroom/) **Published:** April 9, 2022 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Hilltop Children’s House is seeking an AMI-trained Lead Guide, Elementary Classroom for a full-time position for the 2022-23 school year.  **Content:** # Position Filled! Announcement Coming Soon! # \_\_\_\_\_\_ # Job Opening: Lead Guide, Elementary Classroom Hilltop Children’s House is seeking an AMI-trained Lead Guide, Elementary Classroom for a full-time position for the 2022-23 school year. Founded in 2017, Hilltop Children’s House is expanding from a Primary-only Montessori School and is seeking an individual to help build and grow an elementary program. Located in the Labelle neighborhood of Steubenville, OH, Hilltop Children’s House provides a Montessori approach to education to children regardless of means. Candidates should have an AMI Elementary diploma and a four-year college degree. Candidates should also be familiar with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level 2 and 3. Candidates should have the ability to work not only with children but with parents and other staff members as well. Job Responsibilities: - Responsible for preparation of the classroom environment, materials and equipment; ensures that all materials are in good repair and all sets complete. Develops and makes materials when needed. - Plan and implement the Montessori curriculum. Give appropriate presentations and establish a record keeping system to track the children’s progress. - Facilitate a respectful environment for children and adults.. - Ensure respectful and open lines of communication with parents. Be available to parents through written communication, setting up conferences, and educating parents in Montessori philosophy. - Plan and host Parent Education events. - Assist in the planning and maintenance of the outdoor environment. - Assess prospective children when they visit the school. - Comply with all continuing education requirements. To apply, please send resume and cover letter to **Categories:** Life at HCH --- ### [Mardi Gras Raffle Sponsorships Available!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-raffle-sponsorships-available/) **Published:** January 14, 2022 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** We welcome partners in the Mardi Gras Raffle for Hilltop Children's House to support our programs. We have multiple levels to fit any budget, and all sponsorships are fully tax deductible. **Content:** # Mardi Gras Raffle Sponsorships Are Available! We welcome partners in the [Mardi Gras Raffle for Hilltop Children’s House](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-raffle-for-hilltop-childrens-house/) to support our programs. We have multiple levels to fit any budget, and all sponsorships are fully tax deductible. Most are limited in number, but we’ll accept as many sponsors as are interested in partnering with us. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, email us at hilltopchildrenshouse@gmail.com and let us know! ## Sponsorship Levels **Title Sponsor – $1,500** The entire raffle is named in honor of this sponsor. Logo featured at the top of the pages and in the main artwork. Name mentioned along with major promotions every time. Sponsor gets an opportunity to make special remarks during the live event on Mardi Gras. *One Available* **Grand Prize Sponsor – $500 CLAIMED!** Mentioned along with Grand Prize every time it is mentioned on social media and during the live event on Mardi Gras. Logo also featured prominently on webpage. *One Available* **Prize Week Sponsors – $350** Sponsors the prizes raffled off during one of the six weeks of winning. All mentions of the raffle and winnings on social media that week include a mention of the sponsor. Logo included in sponsors area of website, and sponsor mentioned during the live event on Mardi Gras, March 1. *Six Available* **King Cake Sponsor – $250** Sponsors all six King Cakes raffled off on the successive Tuesdays leading up to Mardi Gras. Sponsor is mentioned in posts relating to the king cakes being raffled off, and the winners of the king cakes. Sponsor also included on the webpage and mentioned during the live event on Mardi Gras. *One Available* **Supporting Sponsors – $200** Mentioned on social media once each week prior to Mardi Gras, and during live event. Logo included on webpage. *Unlimited Availability* ***We look forward to partnering with you!*** ![](https://d2vy9bbiawimza.cloudfront.net/246x164/RallyUpProduction/e3d0af948bfe73b3a066d6b1e8d940db.png) [More Info](https://go.rallyup.com/hchmardigras22) 0% raised of $7,000 Goal [Buy Items](https://go.rallyup.com/hchmardigras22) [![Mardi Gras Raffle Sponsors](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1640/h:924/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/5.png "Mardi Gras Raffle Sponsors | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://go.rallyup.com/hchmardigras22) **Categories:** Events, Mardi Gras --- ### [Successful Raffles Help Our Programs](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/successful-raffles-help-our-programs/) **Published:** March 15, 2022 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Successful raffles for Mardi Gras and after included a $500 grand prize and two family passes to the Appaloosa Music Fest. The raffles were successful fundraisers. **Content:** [![Map Puzzles](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201048%20786'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:786/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_3379.jpeg "Map Puzzles") [![Number Rods](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201062%20797'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:797/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_3420.jpeg "Number Rods") [![Binomial Cube](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201036%20776'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:777/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_3422.jpeg "Binomial Cube") [![the Tens Board](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201048%20786'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:786/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/760FF0C1-10F8-4BE7-BA26-2A9104DA011B.jpeg "the Tens Board") [![Wood Polishing](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201084%20813'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:813/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_3445-2.jpeg "Wood Polishing") [![Scissors Work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201037%20778'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:778/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_3442-2.jpeg "Scissors Work") # Successful Raffles Help Our Programs! We had a successful Mardi Gras Raffle fundraiser, and then two smaller raffles immediately following. ### Mardi Gras Raffle A huge **THANK YOU** to everyone who purchased chances and donated during our Mardi Gras Raffle, especially our sponsors including [Laura and Matthew Photography](https://lauraandmatthewphoto.com/ "Laura and Matthew Photography")! You all helped make this event a success! With all of your support we raised just over $4,000, which is a very respectable amount for an organization with as small a budget as ours. The winners of our prizes were as follows - $500 GRAND PRIZE sponsored by [Blue Mantle Media](https://www.bluemantlemedia.com/ "Blue Mantle Media"): Erika Tuttle - 30″ Pikler Triangle: Susan Smith - Norwex Cleaning Supplies Basket: Sara Schadler - Handcrafted Soaps Basket: Maryanna Hiester - Charcuterie Basket: Donna Twyford - Coffee and Biscotti Basket: Ann Velasco - Coffee and Chocolate Basket: Michael Allan We really hope to have our main event in person next year, but we will certainly have some nice prizes available in an online raffle again next year for those who cannot join us in person. ### Appaloosa Family Passes We were pleased also to have two Family Passes for the [Appaloosa Roots Music Fest](https://appaloosafestival.com/ "Appaloosa Roots Music Fest") for later raffles. The first was raffled off at a local Mardi Gras party and was won by Sara and Ken Wear. The second was raffled off at the Ben David Warner Trio concert at the Sycamore Center in downtown Steubenville. This one was won by Robbie Crowe. Thanks again to everyone who purchased chances for those two raffles! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Job Opening: Assistant Guide, Primary Classroom](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/job-opening-assistant-guide-primary-classroom/) **Published:** April 9, 2022 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Hilltop Children’s House is seeking an Assistant Guide for a full-time position in the children’s house (Primary classroom) for the 2022-23 school year. **Content:** # Position Filled! Announcement Coming Soon! # \_\_\_\_\_ # Job Opening: Assistant Guide, Primary Classroom Hilltop Children’s House is seeking an Assistant Guide for a full-time position in the children’s house (Primary classroom) for the 2022-23 school year. Located in the Labelle neighborhood of Steubenville, OH, Hilltop Children’s House provides children with an environment where their natural curiosity, desire for order, longing for beauty, ability to concentrate, and capacity for growth within a society can flourish, so that they might more fully realize their potential as children of God. The Assistant Guide will collaborate with the Lead Guide to prepare and maintain an orderly, attractive, and joyful environment and will provide another pair of observant, attentive eyes and ears to the classroom. The Assistant Guide will also model courteous and respectful behavior and contribute to a supportive and calm atmosphere in the room. Other duties of the Assistant Guide include maintaining the supply of consumable items, assisting with the creation of new materials and repairing damaged ones, and ensuring that the classroom remains clean and tidy. Candidates will be at least 18 years old, have prior experience working with children, and be passionate about Montessori philosophy. Candidates must also have a positive attitude, willingness to learn, the ability to take direction well, and be professional, reliable, and responsible. Prior experience in a Montessori setting is a plus. To apply, please send resume and cover letter to **Categories:** Life at HCH --- ### [The Tax Credit Donation Will Help Us More Than Others](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/the-tax-credit-donation-will-help-us-more-than-others/) **Published:** February 27, 2026 **Author:** Tom **Content:** The Ohio tax credit donation means more to Hilltop Montessori School than it does to other area private schools. One reason is very simple: while other area private schools receive money from EdChoice and other state programs, HMS does not qualify for these programs. ## Non-Public, Non-Chartered EdChoice requires a school like ours to be chartered. The process of becoming chartered would be cost-prohibitive for us, so we remain what Ohio law regards as a “non-public, non-chartered” school. To be sure: we are every bit a school in Ohio law. We report our attendance to the appropriate officials. The City of Steubenville is in the process of putting signage and other school markings around our location. But we cannot qualify for government support the way other private schools nearby do. Those schools can calibrate their tuition to what EdChoice covers, then do a bit of fundraising to cover the overages. At present, even very well-off families — families who have no problem affording expensive tuition — qualify for EdChoice. They don’t actually need the help, but they can send their children to private schools and let EdChoice pick up the tab. At that point they have a great capacity to donate to fundraisers that the school puts on to cover what EdChoice does not. ## The Need is Still There We do, however, have students who desperately need financial assistance. Our tuition is well-below what is typical for what we offer. An elementary Montessori education for one student typically falls in the $12,000 to $20,000 range for one student for one year. Our tuition is about 75 percent of the lowest number there. Even at that we have students who have significant need. Some families may have to choose which of their children to send to Hilltop and which to send elsewhere because they cannot afford tuition for more than one student. This is where scholarships from this tax credit can come in absolutely clutch. ## Massive Scholarships Make the Difference We could give massive scholarships to families in such need if we have the funds. **Four couples filing jointly and giving the maximum of $1500 would nearly cover the tuition for one Elementary student.** **Our goal for donations through this tax credit scholarship mechanism for 2025 is $120,000.** This amount would enable us to give all eligible students at least a 50% scholarship [You can get full details on how it works and how to make your qualifying donation here.](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/ohio-tax-credit-donation/ "Ohio Tax Credit Donation") ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Scholarship-Thermometer-2-27.png "Scholarship Thermometer 2-27 | Hilltop Montessori School") ## How the Tax Credit Donation Works For starters, **this is a donation that the State of Ohio will give back to you**. No, really. Full details are available [on this page](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/ohio-tax-credit-donation/ "Ohio Tax Credit Donation"), but to make it simple: 1. You figure out what your Ohio tax liability is for 2025 2. Before filing your taxes you make a donation to our scholarship granting organization. 3. You report that donation on your tax filing. 4. Ohio gives you a credit for that amount against your liability. If you didn’t owe the State of Ohio any money then the credit will come back to you in a refund. If you did owe, the credit will apply to what you owe and anything above what you owe will come to you in a refund. There are more details, but it really is that easy. Thank you for your generosity! Your donation will make all the difference! **Categories:** Life at HCH, Needs --- ### [Great Coverage in the Steubenville Herald Star](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/great-coverage-in-the-steubenville-herald-star/) **Published:** January 24, 2026 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** The Herald Star published a long piece on Hilltop Montessori School. **Content:** Julie Stenger, Community Editor at the Steubenville *Herald Star* wrote a long piece about Hilltop Montessori School. It ran in the Sunday edition on January 25, and gives a good deal of information. > When Hilltop Montessori School opened its doors in October 2018, it began with a humble footprint: Two students and a vision held firmly by co-founders Thomas and Noëlle Crowe. Today, that vision has blossomed into a vibrant educational community of 41 students, ranging from toddlers to elementary-aged children, all thriving under a philosophy that values the person as opposed to a test score. > > For many, the word Montessori conjures images of exclusive, wealthy districts. But for the team at Hilltop, the mission is the exact opposite. [Read the whole article online!](https://www.heraldstaronline.com/news/local-news/2026/01/a-labor-of-love-on-the-hill/) ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Herald-Star-January-25-Labor-of-Love-Article-Large-768x1024.jpeg "Herald Star January 25 Labor of Love Article Large | Hilltop Montessori School")Herald Star January 25 Labor of Love Article Large **Categories:** Life at HCH, Media Coverage, News --- ### [End of Year 2025 Updates](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/end-of-year-2025-updates/) **Published:** January 24, 2026 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** We shared program updates with our supporters at the end of 2025. **Content:** To close out 2025 we shared a newsletter with supporters. ## Programs Update We began this school year on August 11 as we inaugurated our new year-round schedule. We will have three longer breaks during the year before ending on June 12. So far everyone seems to prefer this new schedule. **Toddler** has a new location nearer to our two main buildings, improving school cohesion. **Primary** began the year with 18 students, which includes eight new students who are fast settling into a Montessori routine. **Elementary** began the year with nine students, but with some families returning—and a few new families enrolling—the class has doubled to 18 students. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Students-Working-with-Racks-and-Tubes-1024x768.jpeg "Students Working with Racks and Tubes | Hilltop Montessori School")Long Division with the Racks and Tubes![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Micah-Slicing-Bananas-1024x784.jpg "Micah Slicing Bananas | Hilltop Montessori School")Slicing bananas to share![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Fractions-Work-768x1024.jpeg "Fractions Work | Hilltop Montessori School")Labeling fractions![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Writing-in-cursive-768x1024.jpeg "Writing in cursive | Hilltop Montessori School")Writing in cursive## Two AMI Diploma Holders Tom received his AMI Elementary diploma around Christmas last year. With Noëlle earning her AMI Primary diploma in 2022, Hilltop Montessori is one of only a small handful of schools in Ohio with AMI-trained guides. ![Noelle and Tom Crowe with their AMI diplomas](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Noelle-and-Tom-with-diplomas-Large-1024x768.jpeg "Noelle and Tom with diplomas Large | Hilltop Montessori School") ## New Heating and Cooling in Elementary Our Elementary building had a 50-plus year-old furnace and no central air. Multiple window AC units kept the space tolerable in the warmer months, but a central air system, and a more efficient furnace, were badly needed. This September, through the generosity of a donor who pledged to match donations up to half the cost, we had a new furnace and AC installed! Learning happens better in a comfortable environment. ## Elementary “Going Out” Camping Trip to Marietta In May of 2025 our Upper Elementary students went on a camping and historical exploration trip to Marietta, Ohio. Marietta is one of the first cities in Ohio. It has strong connections to the Revolutionary War era, as well as significant Native American sites. Upper Elementary learned about these things before going, and they planned the trip. They found a camping site, set the itinerary, arranged tours and visits to the sites, and they raised the money to make it happen. Going out into the world and learning from such experiences is the point of Elementary. Goings out are in the works for this year as well. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Marietta-Sign-with-Elementary-students.jpeg "Marietta Sign with Elementary students | Hilltop Montessori School") ## Hilltop Making a Mark on the Steubenville Nutcracker Village Every year from late November to early January downtown Steubenville becomes an Advent and Christmas destination as 200-plus 6’ nutcrackers decorated in unique ways line the streets. Many thousands of people come to Steubenville. Starting last year, Hilltop has been in charge of the Children’s Corner, where families can warm up, do some crafts, play some games, and get cookies and hot chocolate. More than 1,800 people enjoyed our services last year, and we are looking forward to welcoming so many more this year. Also this year, Elementary was invited to sing some Christmas songs at the Opening Night event. The kids did great! ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Singing-at-Nutcracker-Village-Large-edited.jpeg "Screenshot | Hilltop Montessori School") ## Endowment Fund Begun Two thirds of our families received unfunded scholarships this year. A fully funded endowment would help us cover these. Thanks to two generous gifts at the end of last year we launched our Endowment Fund for Hilltop Montessori School with an initial deposit of $60,000! We want to add at least another $10,000 this year in pursuit of our overall goal of $2 million to provide a decent return to be used for funded scholarships. ## New Roofs, Siding, Gutters, Drainage, and Windows! A storm with hail and violent wind blew through in April of this year, causing damage to the roofs of both buildings, to the siding, and to our gutters and downspouts. Fortunately, one of the dads at our school runs a company, Replace Pros, that specializes in working with property owners and insurance companies. The result was that both of our buildings got complete exterior makeovers, and new windows were installed in Primary! ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Interior-of-Primary-with-windows-1024x768.jpeg "Interior of Primary with windows | Hilltop Montessori School") ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_5162-Large-edited.jpeg "IMG_5162 Large | Hilltop Montessori School")![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_5163-Large-edited-1024x768.jpeg "IMG_5163 Large | Hilltop Montessori School") **Categories:** Events, Life at HCH, News, Renovations --- ### [Part-Time Montessori Adolescent Option for Homeschool Families](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/part-time-montessori-adolescent-option-for-homeschool-families/) **Published:** August 16, 2025 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Hilltop Montessori School will offer a part-time Montessori Adolescent Program especially for homeschool families. Come and see about it **Content:** Families looking for a part-time Montessori opportunity for their children have a new option. Beginning this fall, Hilltop Montessori School will offer a flexible Adolescent Montessori program for children ages 12 to 15. We invite students and families interested to a “come and see” experience on Tuesday, August 19, at 11 a.m. Email Rebekah Feeley at to RSVP for Tuesday’s experience or to inquire more about this exciting new opportunity. ## What Is a Montessori Adolescent Program? An Adolescent Montessori program serves children ages 12-15, and 15-18 as the children move through these times of incredible growth. The Program helps children find their place in the world. Children in this plane of development are looking to establish themselves as a new person. They ask questions about who they are, and what it means to be a person in the world. In a world very confused about identity, this program helps them think carefully and truthfully about who they are, what is their vocation, and how they can make an impact. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Planting-Trees-1024x768.jpeg "Planting Trees | Hilltop Montessori School") They seek meaningful work that they can share with the world. They seek to build skills that can then become occupations. They seek assistance and guidance from adults who are not their parents in learning how to be an adult. Adolescent Montessori exists to provide all of this, and through it to help them learn the lessons in all of the academic subjects that they need to thrive. ## **How Our Program Will Work** Students will begin with a 2.5- to 3-day schedule each week. A full three days will allow students to participate in the Occupations class, which is a vital component of Adolescent Montessori work. If students and their families show interest and readiness, we are ready to extend the program to four-days per week by the end of the year. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Working-Together-1-1024x768.jpeg "Working Together | Hilltop Montessori School") To be sure, a Montessori Adolescent Program is meant to be a full five-day program. The full program provides the deepest developmental and educational benefits of Montessori. A full program remains our our long-term vision, but we are happy to offer this modified version to help families see what being part of this community of learners could look like. ## **Supporting Families**, Overcoming Obstacles We know logistics can be challenging, especially transportation. To make things easier, one of the parents at our school has volunteered to coordinate a carpool and do a majority of the driving. ## **Program Details** The part-time program includes a humanities seminar taught by Mr. Christopher Chapman, Mathematics taught by Mr. Thomas Crowe, and sciences taught by Miss Micaela Forero. Because of the reduced schedule some individual work may need to be completed at home. - Tuition: $2,500 - **Tuition Reduction Opportunities:** Students participating in Occupations may have the chance to earn funds toward tuition and materials through project work. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/At-Aim.jpeg "At Aim | Hilltop Montessori School") ## **Try It Out** To help your family experience what this could look like, we’re hosting a try it out experience on Tuesday, August 19th at 11am. This will be a relaxed, welcoming time for prospective students (and their families) to meet one another, interact with our adult guides, and get a taste of the program environment. If you’d like to join us, or simply want to learn more about the new enrollment option, we would love to hear from you. Together, we hope this new format offers your family a bridge into the life-giving work of Montessori adolescence. Please email Rebekah Feeley at to RSVP for Tuesday’s experience or to inquire more about this exciting new opportunity! **Categories:** Life at HCH **Tags:** adolescent, montessori adolescent --- ### [Summer Camps 2025](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/summer-camps-2025/) **Published:** June 18, 2025 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Hilltop Montessori School will offer three summer camp sessions in 2025. Summer camps will be build a town, ice cream camp, and math and reading camp. **Content:** Hilltop Montessori School will offer three Montessori-based, hands-on Summer Camps this year. - Limited to 12 children - Ages 4-12 - Monday through Friday - 8:30 am to 12:30 pm - A snack will be provided ### Build-A-Town Camp **June 23-27** • **$175** Consider city layout, governmental structure, public services, what makes a town a town, and how people live together in community. Look back at the historic development of different cities, why cities grew where they are, and what factors lead to cities spreading and growing. ### Ice Cream Camp **July 7-11 • $175** The most delicious camp! Discover the history of ice cream in America, and the science behind how this delicious dessert comes to be. Make different kinds of ice cream — and enjoy the results of your work! ### Math & Reading Camp **July 21 – August 1 • $400** Move through the fundamentals of math and reading in a very hands-on way. Montessori materials make learning to read and how to manipulate numbers much more accessible and enjoyable. ## Registration Space is still available, but limited! Register for any or all of these camps today. [Register here](https://form.jotform.com/hilltopmontessori/summer-2025-camps) [![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Summer-Camps-2025-flyer-791x1024.jpg "Summer Camps 2025 flyer | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://form.jotform.com/hilltopmontessori/summer-2025-camps) **Categories:** Events, Life at HCH, News **Tags:** build a town, ice cream, math and reading, summer camp, summer camps --- ### [Moving Up Ceremony 2025](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/moving-up-ceremony-2025/) **Published:** May 28, 2025 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Montessori education from Primary to Elementary and then to Adolescent follows the child as they develop, and as their main question shifts from what, to why, to who. **Content:** On Friday, May 23, 2025 we held our third Moving Up Ceremony at Hilltop Montessori School. Six students from our Primary crossed the bridge to signify their move from Primary to Elementary. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1008-1-Medium.jpeg "IMG_1008 1 Medium | Hilltop Montessori School")Receiving a white rose from a classmate![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1016-Medium.jpeg "IMG_1016 Medium | Hilltop Montessori School")Crossing the bridge![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_0909-Medium.jpeg "IMG_0909 Medium | Hilltop Montessori School")Crossing the bridge![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_0950-Medium.jpeg "IMG_0950 Medium | Hilltop Montessori School")Crossing the bridge![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_0928-Medium.jpeg "IMG_0928 Medium | Hilltop Montessori School")Crossing the bridge![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_0988-Medium.jpeg "IMG_0988 Medium | Hilltop Montessori School")Crossing the bridge![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1001-1-Medium.jpeg "IMG_1001 1 Medium | Hilltop Montessori School")Receiving the work bag![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_0968-1-Medium.jpeg "IMG_0968 1 Medium | Hilltop Montessori School")Crossing the bridge![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_0978-1-Medium.jpeg "IMG_0978 1 Medium | Hilltop Montessori School")Being welcomed by Elementary![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1133-1-Medium.jpeg "IMG_1133 1 Medium | Hilltop Montessori School")Receiving a frame with a goodbye and a welcomeThis year also saw the first two students “move up” out of Elementary. Students move from Primary to Elementary when they manifest characteristics of the second plane child. It is not based on academics, test scores, or simply age. Similarly, students move up from Elementary when they have clearly moved into the third plane. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1082-Medium.jpeg "IMG_1082 Medium | Hilltop Montessori School")![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1087-Medium.jpeg "IMG_1087 Medium | Hilltop Montessori School")These planes are not marked off by clear lines, but by observable changes in the focus of their intellectual pursuits, their manner of social interactions, and the types of questions they are “asking” about themselves and the world around them. This can mean that students make the change during the school year. This year we had four students move up from Primary to Elementary during the course of the school year. Those four students joined the two who ended this year in Primary but who will begin next year in Elementary in crossing the bridge in our Moving Up Ceremony. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_0894-Medium.jpeg "IMG_0894 Medium | Hilltop Montessori School")Noëlle addresses the parents and families assembled For a greater explanation of the differences between the planes and why children “move up” when they do, here is the text of the address our school director, Noëlle Crowe, delivered at the outset of the Ceremony. > **Montessori Transition Talk: From What to Why to Who** > > Welcome, everyone. > > Thank you so much for being here as we mark an exciting and important milestone in your child’s journey: the transition from the Montessori Primary classroom to the Montessori Elementary environment. And, for two students the transition from elementary. > > For our Primary parents: > > For the past few years, your children have been immersed in the wonder of the *what*. > > What is this? > > What do I do with it? > > What is it for? > > They’ve explored these questions through language—learning the names of things, the words for feelings, actions, and experiences. They’ve explored *what* through their senses, absorbing the world around them—colors, textures, sounds, numbers, forms. They’ve explored it socially, asking *what* we do to live respectfully and harmoniously with others. > > And all along the way, the carefully prepared Montessori Primary environment has given them an external order—a structure in their classroom and daily routines—to support their developing sense of internal order and understanding. > > But now, something new is stirring in your children. > > They are entering what Dr. Montessori called the second plane of development, roughly from ages 6 to 12. And with it comes a new driving force—*not the what*, but the *why*. > > Why is the world the way it is? > > Why does this happen? > > Why do people act like this? > > Why did God make us this way? > > They begin to want not just to experience the world but to *understand* it. This shift marks a profound change, and it’s why we offer them a new environment—one that meets these deeper questions, one that honors the awakening of reason and imagination. > > The Montessori Elementary classroom is built for this new mind and this new heart. > > It is more social, more collaborative. It is more expansive and intellectually rich—not because we are pushing academics, but because at this stage of development, your children *want* to know. Their thirst for knowledge becomes insatiable, and so we give them tools: the Great Lessons that ignite their imagination, the materials that allow them to delve deeply into concepts, and a library of books and resources to follow the threads of their curiosity. > > You’ll notice that this environment is different from primary in many ways. It’s not one where we say, “You’re not old enough to learn that,” or “That’s not on the schedule today.” > > Instead, we say, “Let’s explore that together.” > > We follow the child’s passion because passion is what fuels real learning. > > The world begins to open up—literally. Maria Montessori said that at this stage, “the world is the classroom.” Elementary children begin to go out, to research, to interview, to visit and observe the world beyond the classroom walls. Their imagination stretches beyond the concrete, and now they can ponder time periods they haven’t lived through, lands they’ve never seen, people they’ve never met. > > This change in classroom is mirrored by changes you might be noticing in your child. They may be a little louder, a little messier, perhaps a little more emotional or intense at times. That’s all part of the shift. They don’t rely as much on the external order they needed before—they’re beginning to develop internal logic, internal ethics, internal questions of fairness, justice, and purpose. You may find that they suddenly have strong opinions. They may question authority or point out inconsistencies—because they are now examining the *why* of everything, including the rules. > > You might also notice that they are growing physically stronger and more resilient. They may seem less fragile, less prone to illness. This vertical growth, this stretching upward and outward, is a natural part of this phase. It’s exciting—but it can also be tiring. > > When your child comes home from school, they may need more rest, more solitude—or more talk. You may suddenly find that a child who never told you what they did at school now wants to tell you *everything*. And I invite you to listen—because you are now their most trusted sounding board for all these big ideas they’re encountering. > > You can support this transition by continuing to provide that essential foundation at home: plenty of sleep, good nutrition, time outside, and calm rhythms. These support the kind of mental, emotional, and social exploration they’re doing during the day. > > And just as we guide them here, we know that you—*their parents*—are, and always will be, their first and most important teachers. You model for them every day what it means to be a human person: how to wonder, how to ask questions, how to pursue truth, how to live with integrity and curiosity. Your wonder becomes their wonder. Your joy in discovering becomes their permission to explore. > > Eventually, though, even this stage will come to a close. And with the approach of adolescence comes yet another transformation—another developmental plane, and another question. > > This time, the question is no longer *why*, but *who*. > > Who am I? > > Who am I in this world? > > What do I have to offer? > > Where do I belong? > > Dr. Montessori called adolescence a “second infancy.” And while our rising adolescents may not love being compared to infants, if we think about it carefully, there are some striking similarities. Adolescents, like infants, need a great deal of sleep. Their bodies are growing rapidly, their brains are rewiring, and their emotions are recalibrating. They can be more prone to illness. And just like the infant explored the physical world, the adolescent is exploring the world of identity. > > Only now, their exploration is personal. It’s about their own purpose and belonging in the wider world. > > No longer are they primarily theoretical thinkers. They are *practical* thinkers now. They want knowledge they can use. They want to build, to serve, to create something real. They want to contribute in a meaningful way—to have a place, to have a role, to be valued. > > And so as we send our Adolescents out into this new stage of life, we pray that the foundation laid during their Primary and Elementary years—the *what* and the *why*—will serve them well as they search for the *who*. As they begin to shape not just what they know, but who they are becoming. > > Maria Montessori reminds us: > > “The child of this age sets out to explore the world with all the eagerness and curiosity of a discoverer… the universe is his field of exploration.” > > This is the arc of development in a Montessori education. > > From *what*, to *why*, to *who*— > > Each question leading them further into the great story of being human. > > And what a privilege it is—for us, and for you—to walk beside them on that journey. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Dear Parents, It's Elementary Montessori](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/its-elementary-montessori-dear-parents/) **Published:** May 27, 2025 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Elementary Montessori students meet and exceed the typical academic benchmarks, in addition to learning all of the intangibles that conventional school simply isn't set up to teach. **Content:** Our Elementary Montessori Guide, Mr. Tom, wrote a letter to parents at the conclusion of this school year. Our Primary has been such a success with Miss Noëlle at the helm since 2018, and Miss Lucy such an incredible assistant these past three years. The challenge has been that many seem not to understand what Montessori looks like at the Elementary level, or how it works. ![Suffixes and Root Words in a Dictionary](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_3059-1024x768.jpg "Suffixes and Root Words in a Dictionary | Hilltop Montessori School")Using a dictionary to understand the meanings of words and suffixes Mr. Tom wrote this to help open up conversation. --- Dear Families, As this year ends I’d like to share a few words with you all about Montessori Elementary, and what it’s all about here at Hilltop. Now that I have completed the training and have most of a full year under my belt after earning my AMI diploma, I am excited for the future, and what we are able to offer as an Elementary education here in Steubenville. If anyone has questions or would like to chat, I am happy to set something up over the next few weeks. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Adding-1024x768.jpeg "Adding | Hilltop Montessori School")Adding Large Numbers ### A New Program For The New Child First and foremost, Elementary Montessori is not just Primary for older students. Elementary is a very different environment, with a whole new collection of materials and lessons that responds to the new child who enters Elementary. He is no longer a Primary student. An Elementary student could not function in a Primary environment, nor could a Primary student function in an Elementary environment. The training for the guide is also significantly different. The Elementary guide is trained to interact with the Elementary child, and, of course, to present the Elementary lessons. Just as Primary gives those first plane children the best environment to achieve, Elementary gives the same to second plane children. And they do achieve. Montessori Elementary students meet and exceed typical academic benchmarks, plus they imbibe all of the intangibles that are not possible in a conventional school environment — all of the the integrated learning and executive functioning benefits of a Montessori education. If you have questions about Elementary Montessori, how it works, and why it works, please come talk to me. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Maiasaura-project-edited-scaled.jpg "Maiasaura project | Hilltop Montessori School")Maiasaura Research and Diorama ### A Bit About How We Started Elementary I did not grow up in Montessori. I did not know much about Montessori seven years ago when Noëlle and I started Hilltop. This school was only originally meant to be a Primary with a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. Noëlle was in charge of the program, while I would take the lead on marketing, fundraising, facilities management, and whatever else was needed. I never imagined I’d be teaching six to twelve year-olds, nor that I’d love it. I certainly never expected that I’d be waxing enthusiastic about the Pythagorean Theorem, the future present progressive tense in the active voice indicative mood, the inner workings of flowers, how the sun is responsible for all of our weather in conjunction with the tilt of the earth as it rotates and revolves, how students can approach the big questions of justice and fairness, the history of geometry, the etymology of “symbiosis,” the kingdom of trilobites and the forest of sea lilies, and so, so many other topics. But here I am, and I absolutely love it. When we started this Elementary Program three years ago I volunteered to be the guide “until we found someone more qualified.” We had a building, students, an eminently qualified assistant, and a number of the materials, but no guide. So I’d do it until we found someone more qualified. Well…famous last words. I had been Noëlle’s assistant in Primary for the previous year — 2021-2022 — and so I had seen first-hand how powerful the Montessori method is at bringing children along in their education and development. I learned two main things that year: first, that Montessori aids children in growth and learning in ways no other educational method does; and second, that Primary was not for me. My tendency is to try to reason with kids too much, and that simply doesn’t work with “first plane” children. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Handwriting-and-Polygons-1024x768.jpeg "Handwriting and Polygons | Hilltop Montessori School")Handwriting practice and making the largest possible polygon I felt confident, however, that I could work with the “second plane” children who are in Elementary well enough to educate them — again, until we had someone more qualified. To be sure, Elementary would not have happened without Rebekah Feeley signing on to be the Elementary assistant. She grew up in Montessori and her mother is a fully trained Elementary guide. Between her experience in the classroom, her training in the Toddler and Adolescent levels, and her mother’s guidance, I was well-supported to lead the Elementary classroom. In the fall of 2022 we came together for the first time. We began to establish a classroom culture. We worked on classroom processes, a general schedule for the day, and how to work together as a little society. Only about half of the children that first year had prior meaningful Montessori experience. On academics, we assessed where children were and built a program based on their needs, what materials were available, and what I was prepared to teach. The children had a wide range of proficiencies, with some being well-behind in things like language and mathematics, and some a bit ahead. This meant a wide range of lessons and much “catch up” was needed. We did what we needed to do and were able to do, and made significant progress in that first year. It was a powerful experience. The question of finding a qualified guide also resolved itself during that first year. By November of 2022 I had decided that I would become that qualified person. During the year I found that I had a capacity for working with the children and helping them to pursue the necessary investigations. What I lacked was the full training on how to use the many materials that Montessori presents, and the deeper interaction with the philosophy that animates Montessori Elementary instruction. To get these I signed up for the Elementary training program which would begin in July of 2023 and go through May of 2024. We knew that this training program would pull me out of the classroom a number of times during the second year of our Elementary Program. We knew that it would mean a lot of early mornings and late nights for me, plus additional strain on both Noëlle and on Rebekah — since Rebekah would have to manage the classroom in my absence. We kept parents in the loop and alerted them to what the impact on the classroom would be while I was in the midst of the training. But it was immediately worth it. Even while doing the training I was able to bring into the classroom things that I was learning — how to use materials, how to approach certain situations, how to move from one subject of study to another within the same presentation. This immediate integration only increased as the year went on. Then I completed the training and passed my exams in May of 2024. To receive my diploma I had only to complete the student teaching portion, which, unfortunately, was not possible during that previous school year. I completed that in October of this year, which meant being gone for most of that month, but since then I have been in the classroom, fully implementing what I have learned. And what a difference the training has made. My one regret is that the school year ended! ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Planting-Trees-1024x768.jpeg "Planting Trees | Hilltop Montessori School")Planting Trees in our future garden plot ### What’s Coming Next Year An Elementary classroom takes a long time to build-out. Since the Elementary child is interested in everything, and is capable of learning anything, we must be prepared to present to them the keys to explore and pursue whatever they take up. Thus Elementary has an enormous body of materials. A great many of the materials are available from specialty vendors, and through the generosity of many donors we have managed to acquire nearly every one of those specialty materials. There are, however, many, many other materials that are not specialty materials. These need to be sourced or produced by the guide. This includes a copious amount of nomenclature materials, many materials for natural sciences, biology, physics, and chemistry. It also includes a large number of explanatory materials and examples for particular lessons in language, music, art, mathematics, and history. We have put together a number of these materials, but the majority of them are still to be acquired and put together. Then, as we put together all of these materials I will have to rearrange things in the classroom to make everything fit! But while this is time consuming, it is the least strenuous part of the whole process. With some help we should be able to put most of it together over the course of this summer. This means that many of the lessons I was unable to give this year will be fully available come the fall. I am very excited for the opportunity this summer to make our Elementary program even better, and what it means for next year and beyond. If anyone has any questions about Montessori Elementary I would love to chat. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Multiplication-1024x768.jpeg "Multiplication | Hilltop Montessori School")Learning about multiplication **Categories:** Life at HCH **Tags:** elementary, montessori elementary --- ### [Mardi Gras Auction Items Gathering!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-auction-items-gathering/) **Published:** February 17, 2025 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Our Mardi Gras Gala for Hilltop Montessori School features silent and Chinese auctions. Auction items are gathering. Join us March 1. **Content:** The auctions for Mardi Gras 2025 are coming together! We’ve got some great baskets, wine, and tickets for events available. [Get your tickets by next Wednesday, February 26](/mardigras#tickets) or [become a sponsor by Friday, February 21](http://mardigras/#sponsorships), to join us on March 1! ## **Items for the silent and Chinese auctions currently include:** - Two different wine and Italian goods baskets from Ferrante Winery. - Two family passes to the Appaloosa Music Festival - Irish celebration basket donated by Robbie Crowe - Multiple coffee baskets with mugs - Pittsburgh Symphony tickets - Heinz History Center passes - A night stay at the Holiday Inn in Weirton - Two Austin Lake passes and all-day armbands - Yeti cooler and swag from Hancock Savings Bank - Framed sacred art from Nelson’s - Two tickets to a Pittsburgh Pirates game - Four tickets to the Akron Rubber Ducks - Four tickets to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers - Four tickets to the Altoona Curve - Two passes to the Pittsburgh Zoo - Swag basket from Franciscan University of Steubenville - Children’s basket donated by Robbie Crowe - Doll donated by Maryanna Hiester - Book Lover’s basket donated by the parents of Hilltop Montessori School - Dog Lover’s basket donated by Robbie Crowe - Signed picture of Cam Heyward of the Pittsburgh Steelers - One-night stay at Mountaineer Casino Resort - Area rug from Smitty’s - Concealed carry class from Powers Gun Shop - Various handmade items from Molly Yabs We are working on even more great items. We expect to have certificates from local restaurants and other establishments. Plus there’s Chuck-a-luck, 50-50, a lottery ticket tree raffle, and we just might bring back the trivia challenge for a door prize. Join us March 1 at the St. Francis Center in Follansbee for a night of winning, dancing, great food, and fun! ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Hancock-Savings-Bank-Yeti-Cooler-and-Swag.jpeg "Hancock Savings Bank Yeti Cooler and Swag | Hilltop Montessori School")Hancock Savings Bank Yeti Cooler and Swag ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ferrante-Wine-and-Pasta-Basket.jpeg "Ferrante Wine and Pasta Basket | Hilltop Montessori School")Ferrante Wine and Pasta Basket **Categories:** Events, Mardi Gras **Tags:** chinese auction, Mardi Gras, mardi gras auction items, silent auction --- ### [Send your Ohio taxes to us instead of to Ohio. Legally!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/send-your-ohio-taxes-to-us-instead-of-to-ohio-legally/) **Published:** January 27, 2025 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Ohio taxpayers can get a dollar-for-dollar tax credit of up to $750 per taxpayer ($1500 for couples filing jointly) when they make a donation to a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO). **Content:** This is a really exceptional opportunity for anyone who pays Ohio taxes. Ohio taxpayers can get a dollar-for-dollar tax credit of up to $750 per taxpayer ($1500 for couples filing jointly) when they make a donation to a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO). What’s more, as of a law passed in 2023, taxpayers can make the qualifying donation before April 15 of the following year to get the credit applied to the previous tax year’s state tax liability. If you feel like you’re getting crossed up trying to figure it out, let me try to clarify… So that means as you’re doing your 2024 Ohio state taxes, determine what your 2024 tax liability is, but don’t file immediately. You have until April 15 to make a donation to an SGO of whatever amount you wish to give. Then before you file your 2024 taxes, include the amount of your qualifying donation and you will receive that credit off of your liability. Then it will come back to you in your refund. [**Hilltop Montessori School partners with the Ohio Christian Education Network. Give through this page to make sure your donations support scholarships at Hilltop Montessori School.**](https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing) Important clarifications: 1. Think: *This applies to money you already owe to the state of Ohio*. If your employer withholds taxes, it applies to the money they withheld and paid to the state on your behalf. That means this money is already claimed by the state, but they give you the option to direct it, via an SGO, to a school rather than just into the state’s coffers. 2. You have to make the donation upfront, and then report the donation on line 15 of your Ohio State tax filing. The amount of your credit will then be included in whatever refund is coming to you. So if you had a 2024 tax liability of $450, you could donate $450 to OCEN, and then $450 will be *added* to your refund. 3. If your tax liability is $450 and you donate *more than* $450, 100 percent of your donation will still come to Hilltop for scholarships, but *you can only claim $450 worth of tax credit*, and thus will receive only $450 in your refund. 4. This is only available to Ohio taxpayers, and it only applies to Ohio state tax liability, not your federal tax liability. I’ll share that link one more time so you can take advantage of this fantastic opportunity: [Donate to Hilltop via OCEN here](https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing) **Categories:** Needs **Tags:** fundraising, scholarships --- ### [An Evening With Dueling Pianos!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/an-evening-with-dueling-pianos/) **Published:** November 12, 2024 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Our parents are hosting an evening of dueling pianos to support tuition reduction. It will be a great night of music, jokes, song requests, and fun! This Saturday, November 16 from 6-8 pm at the New Hellenic Hall in the lower level of the Greek Orthodox Church at 300 S. Fourth Street, Steubenville. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and non-alcoholic beverages included in your admission, wine available for a donation. Get your tickets ahead of time and join! [Get tickets here! ](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-dueling-pianos-fundraiser-for-hilltop-montessori-school-tickets-1045289487997) ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_2287-1.jpg "img_2287-1jpg | Hilltop Montessori School") **Categories:** Events, Needs --- ### [The HCH Logo](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/the-hch-logo/) **Published:** December 6, 2017 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Hello all! We’ve created the logo for Hilltop Children’s House. A little description of our thinking. First, we wanted simple. Just the three initials is about as simple as it gets, and the shape of the capital H allows for a clean visual by overlaying the inner uprights. Overlaying and slightly intertwining the C (slightly larger and in a separate, slightly more bold, color) emphasizes that the children are the dominating reason for what we do here. Second, we wanted clean, bright, and sophisticated. Many Montessori programs we looked at had logos made to look, well, childish. That’s fine for their purposes, I suppose, but if the Montessori method is, essentially, about treating children as intelligent persons moving toward healthy adulthood with an innate sense of respect, beauty, shape, and proportion, we do not want our logo to undermine that notion. So the font face is bold and elegant, but not too heavy. Also, the colors: a bright lime green and bright royal blue on a white background. These colors inspire hope, joy, growth, openness, confidence, and cleanliness. This logo is meant to grab attention and please the eye, and to inspire maturity and seriousness. Without further ado, here ’tis: ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/HCH-Logo-300x200.png "HCH Logo | Hilltop Montessori School") **Categories:** News **Tags:** Logo --- ### [Board of Trustees and Officers](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/board-of-trustees-and-officers/) **Published:** January 10, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** We are overjoyed to name the members of our governing board of trustees and the officers of the corporation. **Board of Trustees** - Robert Corzine, chairman - Brittany Breuninger - Justine Schmiesing - Noëlle Crowe - Thomas Crowe **Officers of the Corporation** - Thomas Crowe, President - Noëlle Crowe, Vice President and Secretary - Brittany Breuninger, Treasurer Many thanks to Rob, Brittany, and Justine, for joining us in this endeavor! **Categories:** News --- ### [Conditional Use Permit Meeting](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/conditional-use-permit-meeting/) **Published:** February 6, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Big meeting on March 5 at the Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting! That’s where we make our case for the conditional use permit and the Commission will vote! Background: The building we are under contract to purchase, the current Christ’s Community Church building at 1300 Maryland Avenue, is zoned “R2,” which is residential, but our purposes for it falls within a “conditional use.” So we applied for this permit. Our application was formally accepted by the Planning and Zoning Commission at the February meeting and is on the agenda for public comment and a vote at the March 5 meeting. Please keep us in our prayers, and if you’re able and interested, come out and support us! The meeting is in City Council Chambers at the city building at 7:00 p.m. **Categories:** News --- ### [501(c)(3) Certified](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/501c3-certified/) **Published:** February 6, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** A great day for the HCH! After many weeks of waiting we received today the “letter of determination” from the IRS certifying that the Hilltop Children’s House is, in fact, an Ohio non-profit corporation, and is a public charity (as opposed to a private foundation). This determination opens up many additional fundraising avenues to us, like GoFundMe. The only additional piece is waiting to be listed officially on the IRS website so the world can see it for themselves. This can take up to an additional 30 days since, according to our attorney, the ever-helpful Jim Hostetler, the IRS only updates that online list once per month. All donations to HCH are fully tax deductible, and with the upcoming push to raise the money to purchase the building that is welcome news indeed! **Categories:** News --- ### [1300 Maryland Avenue: The Exterior](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/1300-maryland-avenue-the-exterior/) **Published:** February 7, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** It’s a snowy day here in Steubenville but with the [Conditional Use Application accepted](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/conditional-use-permit-meeting/) I figured now is a good time to post some pictures of the exterior of the building we’re pursuing. I’ll have to contact the realtor to get back inside to take those pictures. The building will require a bit of work: new windows, an adjustment to the floor plan, perhaps some work on the plumbing and electrical, a paint job, and new flooring, but it is solid and in pretty good shape overall. [![The Front of the Building](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:150/h:150/q:mauto/rt:fill/g:ce/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_0004.jpg "Front | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/1300-maryland-avenue-the-exterior/img_0004/) [![](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:150/h:150/q:mauto/rt:fill/g:ce/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_0003.jpg "Front-left | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/1300-maryland-avenue-the-exterior/img_0003/) [![](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:150/h:150/q:mauto/rt:fill/g:ce/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_0001.jpg "Front-right | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/1300-maryland-avenue-the-exterior/img_0001/) **Categories:** News --- ### [In the Herald Star](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/in-the-herald-star/) **Published:** February 7, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Paul Giannamore of the Herald Star covers the Planning and Zoning Commission meetings. After [the meeting on Monday](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/conditional-use-permit-meeting/) he popped over to ask Noëlle and me a few questions. With the quibble that what we’re doing isn’t a school, the article is pretty good. > A Montessori school for as many as 25 children ages 3-6 is being planned for the former Christ’s Community Church building at 1300 Maryland Ave. > > Tom Crowe and his wife, Noelle, have formed a nonprofit corporation for the school, which they say will feature a sliding scale for tuition and financial aid to overcome any financial hurdles for families who want to send their children to the school. **[Read the whole thing »](http://www.heraldstaronline.com/news/local-news/2018/02/montessori-school-planned-in-former-church/)** **Categories:** Media Coverage, News --- ### [Unless the Lord Builds the House...](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/unless-the-lord-builds-the-house/) **Published:** February 13, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Nothing we are doing is possible without God’s help. When Noëlle and I were shopping for wedding bands we hadn’t given much thought to what we wanted inscribed on the interior of the rings. The question became prominent when my ring was going in to be stretched a little. We discussed a number of options and opted for a favorite verse of mine, Psalm 127, verse 1: “Unless the Lord builds the house, in vain do the builders labor.” Hers says “Unless the Lord builds the house,” and mine says “in vain do the builders labor.” It’s true of a marriage, and of any other endeavor: human success may be possible to some degree without seeking out and cooperating with the will of God, but heavenly success, success on what is ultimately important, is not. The Hilltop Children’s House is a fruit of our marriage. It would not be happening if we had not gotten married. It is borne of a desire to do something good for our home town and especially our home neighborhood. And so it is impossible if we are not reliant upon God’s providence. We ask you to pray with us for the success of this endeavor, [and to consider supporting the Hilltop Children’s House](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/) in any way you are able. **Categories:** Motivations --- ### [Why I am Doing This](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/why-i-am-doing-this/) **Published:** February 14, 2018 **Author:** Noëlle **Content:** Last year, on Palm Sunday, a 15-year-old boy was killed a block and a half from my house. He was shot down in the street because his brother was connected with a gang. At least, that’s the story that I heard. His two companions were also shot, but managed to flee the scene. It was one of the most horrible nights of my life as I stood there and watched his friends and family members rolling on the ground in sorrow, walking around crying, and calling others to tell them the news. That night I didn’t think I could continue living in a neighborhood where things like that happen. I wanted to pack up and move back to Virginia where no one was ever shot and killed just a few houses from me. But moving wasn’t an option. My husband (at the time he was my fiancé) lived in that neighborhood because he works at Franciscan University of Steubenville, which is located on the next hilltop. Over the next few days as I processed what had happened something became clear to me. If I was going to stay in this neighborhood I needed to do what I could to help the neighborhood. I couldn’t live in a place where children are killed and just ignore it. But what could I do? I have training in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and through that a familiarity with the Montessori method. I know what both of these programs can do to help a child learn to have respect for himself and for others. I know that CGS is one of the best ways to help a young child encounter the Lord who alone can bring hope to difficult circumstances. I knew that I had something valuable I could offer. But I didn’t have the space or the money to offer it. Then, this past October, a one room former church building just a short walk from our house went up for sale. It needed renovation, but it was the perfect location to offer a program that could bring hope, independence, order, and a model of healthy community to children in our neighborhood who so need those things. God seemed to be opening the way. After weeks of prayer, and with my husband of just 5 months supporting me, I made a offer and it was accepted. What followed was a whirlwind of setting up a non-profit, putting together a board of trustees, and applying to the city for a grant of conditional use. Now we are fundraising to make our vision a reality. We feel strongly that God has guided the path of this project to date. We trust in Him that if this truly is the path He wants us to take to help our neighbors the funding will come as well. If you would like to help us in this endeavor please [consider making a donation](https://www.gofundme.com/hilltopchildrenshouse), no matter how small. And please keep us and our work in your prayers. Thank you! **Categories:** Motivations --- ### [Our Patron Saint](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/our-patron-saint/) **Published:** February 15, 2018 **Author:** Noëlle **Content:** In the late 1940’s a sister of the Irish order of the Sisters of Loretto began receiving visions of Jesus. She was, at the time, teaching at a school in Calcutta, India. In these visions Jesus told her he wanted her to form an order of Indian nuns that would, among other things, assist children. That sister did as Jesus asked, and in 1950 she became Mother Teresa and established the Missionaries of Charity to serve “the poorest of the poor.” Mother Teresa went to her eternal reward in 1997. In 2009, Sister Nirmala Joshi, her successor as Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity, determined that when Jesus had instructed Mother Teresa to help children, He was referring to the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), the catechetical method that observes and utilizes the insights of Maria Montessori. Since that time CGS has been incorporated into the formation of all new sisters of the Missionaries of Charity, both active and contemplative, and it is the method used in their catechetical work with children worldwide. That means that today, CGS is utilized by the over 5,000 Missionaries of Charity in places like Baltimore, Los Angeles, and the Bronx to help children and the “poorest of the poor” to draw closer to God. Sister Vineeth Tom, superior at Gift of Hope in Baltimore summed up their work saying, “The children are receptive, and it’s important that we bring them to Jesus because they are the future.” At Hilltop Children’s House we agree with Sister Tom, and we see our mission as aligning with the mission given to the Missionaries of Charity by Jesus in his apparitions to Mother Teresa: to serve the poor and to assist children. For this reason we have adopted Mother Teresa as patroness of Hilltop Children’s House. Like Mother Teresa did when she left the Sisters of Loretto to follow the Lord’s call in Calcutta, we are trusting that the Lord, who is the source and strength of all good works, will guide our work and make it possible if we are faithful to him. *Jesus, you made Saint Teresa an inspiring example of firm faith and burning charity, an extraordinary witness to the way of spiritual childhood, and a great and esteemed teacher of the value and dignity of every human life.* *Hear the requests of all those who seek her intercession, especially the petition I now implore…the success of Hilltop Children’s House. *May we follow her example in heeding Your cry of thirst from the Cross and joyfully loving You in the distressing disguise of the poorest of the poor, especially those most unloved and unwanted.* *We ask this in Your name and through the intercession of Mary, Your Mother and the Mother of us all.* *Amen.* **Categories:** Motivations --- ### [To Eliminate the Achievement Gap](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/to-eliminate-the-achievement-gap/) **Published:** February 21, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** AMI Montessori in Steubenville is the only education that eliminates the income achievement gap among children throughout education. **Content:** > “Our care for the child should be governed, not by the desire to make him learn things, but by the endeavor always to keep burning within him that light which is called intelligence.” —Maria Montessori There is a gap in academic achievement among students according to family income. This income achievement gap has been established time and again, but according to extensive 2013 research, [it has been widening for the past few decades](http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/may13/vol70/num08/The-Widening-Income-Achievement-Gap.aspx). ### UVA Study: Montessori Eliminates the Income Achievement Gap This is why Montessori programs, like the ones we want to provide, are so vital. According to a study published by the University of Virginia in 2017, Montessori is the [only academic model that eliminates the income achievement gap](https://news.virginia.edu/content/study-montessori-education-erases-income-achievement-gap). The UVA study on Montessori says children succeed in later education, regardless of the income of their household, if they began their schooling in a solid Montessori program — like ours. Children benefit for the rest of their educational lives when they get this firm foundation at an early age, says the UVA Montessori study. Our Primary program is exactly that: forming children during those critical years, ages three to six. Our AMI Montessori programs prepare children for achievement from an early age, so they are better prepared to succeed in their academic endeavors for the rest of their lives. ### Montessori Began Among Low Income Children This outcome only makes sense, given Maria Montessori’s experience. She developed her educational models while working with the children in the slums of early 20th-century Rome, Italy. She saw what actually worked to unlock the children’s minds and enliven their natural curiosity. She saw them blossom as they were helped and encouraged to do things for themselves. “The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind,” she said. That hope is realized, the promise fulfilled, if the child grows in an environment where they can flourish. We provide that for the children of our hilltop neighborhood and beyond, and we hope [you will help us make that happen](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/). **Categories:** Motivations --- ### [Conditional Use Approved!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/conditional-use-approved/) **Published:** March 5, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** In order to use the building for the purpose we intend we needed to ask the city Planning and Zoning Commission to grant us a conditional use permit. It’s zoned “R2,” which is residential, with certain non-residential uses allowed including a church or a charitable and social use. We fit into that category. At tonight’s meeting the Commission approved it! Now we have to complete the purchase and commence with the renovations. So yeah… About completing the purchase, we’re still a few thousand dollars short of the needed funds to do that, but with a matching gift challenge underway right now your gift is doubled! [Give before 9 pm tomorrow night (Tuesday, March 6) at GoFundMe and your gift will be doubled! ](https://www.gofundme.com/hilltopchildrenshouse) **Categories:** News --- ### [Money for the Purchase Secured!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/money-for-the-purchase-secured/) **Published:** March 12, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** We did it! After just a month of fundraising we have the money to buy the building! Our closing date is set for next Tuesday, March 20, and we cannot wait to move on to the renovation phase. Special thanks to our matching gift donors who helped spur along some of the giving, to those who gave even though they themselves don’t have much, to those who gave multiple times, and to those who gave the large gifts that really moved this along. The generosity and bigness of spirit has been humbling. Noëlle and I will include everyone’s names in our prayers of thanksgiving. Once we’ve closed on the sale we will post pictures of the interior of the building and share some of the plans we have for the space. **Categories:** News --- ### [We have a building!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/we-have-a-building/) **Published:** March 20, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** 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 up with a renovation plan. Our main contractor is coming by at lunchtime tomorrow to do a walk-through, and then we’ll take pictures and consult with a architect soon thereafter. This next phase will require even more fundraising than the purchase called for, so if you’re able, [please consider supporting this effort today.](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/) No fees are taken from your contribution if you donate via check or give through the PayPal Giving Fund. St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us! **Categories:** News --- ### [Interior pics... "Before," if you will.](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/interior-pics-before-if-you-will/) **Published:** March 23, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** 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.](https://www.paypal.com/uk/fundraiser/charity/2732294) We’ve estimated that it will cost somewhere between $50,000 and $75,000 to renovate and furnish, so any amount you can give will be helpful. If you’re able to give at a higher level and would like to speak with us, shoot us an email at and we will get back to you shortly. We are a 501c3 Ohio non-profit corporation, so all donations are fully tax-deductible. St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us! [![panorama of main space from door](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:150/h:150/q:mauto/rt:fill/g:ce/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_4659.jpeg "panorama-of-main-space-from-door | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_4659.jpeg "panorama-of-main-space-from-door") A panorama of the main space from the front entranceway. We’re thinking of keeping the pastoral scene. Not really. [![Main space, from door](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:150/h:150/q:mauto/rt:fill/g:ce/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_2024.jpg "Main-space-from-door | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_2024.jpg "Main-space-from-door") I included this one to give a slightly larger view of the lovely forest river bridge wall art. [![panorama of main space toward door](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:150/h:150/q:mauto/rt:fill/g:ce/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_4662.jpeg "panorama-of-main-space-toward-door | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_4662.jpeg "panorama-of-main-space-toward-door") Panorama of the main space from the opposite corner looking back toward the front entrance. [![office, from main space](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:150/h:150/q:mauto/rt:fill/g:ce/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_9317.jpeg "office-from-main-space | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_9317.jpeg "office-from-main-space") What was the minister’s office when this was a church. Just off the main space, that’s one of the two bathrooms through the doorway straight ahead. [![office](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:150/h:150/q:mauto/rt:fill/g:ce/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_4182.jpeg "office | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_4182.jpeg "office") The minister’s office again. The doorway visible through the door in front of us is to the second bathroom. [![side room](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:150/h:150/q:mauto/rt:fill/g:ce/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_3616.jpeg "side-room | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_3616.jpeg "side-room") This odd room has a large built-in overhead storage attic-feeling area, and that window which, if drywall weren’t put up in the main space, would look into the main space directly opposite the forest river wall art. [![Parlor sort-of area just to the right.](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:150/h:150/q:mauto/rt:fill/g:ce/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Parlor.jpg "Parlor | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Parlor.jpg "Parlor") Parlor sort-of area just to the right as you walk in the front door. The door in the distance goes into the odd room with high storage. **Categories:** News --- ### ["I like whatever I do."](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/i-like-whatever-i-do/) **Published:** April 23, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** 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](http://mobile.edweek.org/c.jsp?cid=25919971&bcid=25919971&rssid=25919961&item=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.edweek.org%2Fv1%2Ftm%2Findex.html%3Fuuid%3D54AF7B6C-4323-11E8-B4DC-7F0EB4743667)” looks at the American education system’s emphasis on pulling children through pre-set levels at a pre-set pace of learning, irrespective of the child’s aptitude, interests, way of learning, or anything else. It’s a [Procrustean bed](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Procrustes). One size fits all, and if it doesn’t it’ll be made to fit one way or another. This is to take nothing away from the teachers who work so hard, and give so much, to love the children in their care and teach them to think, to love learning, to love the things they’re learning, and to grow. I love and respect teachers, and wish the system in which they work didn’t work this way. Learning doesn’t work that way, and Maria Montessori recognized that. The educational method she put together and which bears her name respects this. In her caption Noëlle offered, “One of the reasons why I love Montessori approach to education is that it doesn’t hurry the child from subject to subject. It lets the child enjoy and savor the process which is maybe more important for learning than the end result.” Just so. Children have a desire to learn, to be guided, to be encouraged and led, and to do for themselves. When they learn to do this learning thing in a way that respects how their minds and hearts work they take ownership of their own development—and not just in learning arithmetic and spelling, but in every aspect of their lives. Noëlle concludes her post with this: There is a story I love about Montessori. Supposedly a reporter once came to one of her classrooms to observe. Under the impression that there were no rules in a Montessori classroom he asked a young boy, “I hear that in this room you can do whatever you like.” The boy thought for a moment and then said, “I don’t know about that. But I do know that I like whatever I do.” This is what Noëlle and I are trying to bring to the children of the hilltop neighborhoods through the Hilltop Children’s House. [**Learn how to support our efforts today »**](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/) **Categories:** Motivations --- ### [Architect Visit!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/architect-visit/) **Published:** May 8, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Our architect, Ronald Cornell Faniro, of [Faniro Architects](http://faniroarchitects.com/) out of Youngstown, came by with Tom’s dad, Paul, of [Crowe’s Cabinets](https://crowescabinets.com/), 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 on, and we can’t wait to share more details when they’re available! [You can support this endeavor with donation today!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/) **Categories:** News --- ### [Join us for "Dinner for Six Friends"](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/join-us-for-dinner-for-six-friends/) **Published:** May 13, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** 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 when they are guided to “do for themselves.” They learn to take responsibility for their actions, their environment, their relationships, and their learning. Maria Montessori developed her method by observing the children in the slums of Rome who were left to their own devices when their mothers went to work for the day. She watched what made them tick, what encouraged their growth, what helped them to learn, and she learned to “follow the child” so as to guide, rather than force, their learning. Her method came to the United States during her lifetime by Thomas Edison, who had a Montessori “children’s house” for his own children. This is what Hilltop Children’s House will bring to the hilltop neighborhoods of Steubenville, but it cannot happen without help. We’re holding our first “Dinner for Six Friends” in the Totino Room of the St. Joseph Center at Franciscan University, and we’re looking for 9 co-hosts who can each bring 5 friends. The hosts will be responsible for an entree that will feed everyone at their table, as well as a dessert that can be shared with the whole group. We will provide beverages, salad, and everything else needed for the evening, including some very nice prizes available for raffle. ### [**Get more details and sign up to be a host here »**](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dinner-for-6-for-hilltop-childrens-house-tickets-45962266376?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&aff=escb&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing) If you’d like to be a host please get a “host” ticket on the Eventbrite page and we’ll be in touch about inviting your guests. God bless! **Categories:** News --- ### [Dinner with Six Friends](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/dinner-with-six-friends/) **Published:** May 21, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** 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! **Categories:** Events, News --- ### [Blueprints Mocking Up](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/blueprints-mocking-up/) **Published:** June 27, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** 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 on and Noëlle and I sat down to plan things out. Still a ways to go on the plans, but we’re working on an initial scratching… ![Blueprint Mockup](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blueprint-Mockup-800w.jpg "Blueprint Mockup 800w | Hilltop Montessori School") **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [The Five Ways](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/five-ways/) **Published:** July 2, 2018 **Author:** Noëlle **Content:** “The otherworldly quiet. This is how you recognize a true Montessori preschool. For over a century now, it is usually the thing that strikes people first, and anybody who knows what children ages 3 to 6 are usually like can see why. In a school where the Montessori Method is faithfully applied, the decibel levels will typically be eerily, monkishly low. The second thing that strikes a visitor is the orderliness. Children go about their tasks in quiet. They clean up after themselves. When they talk, it is politely and at a whisper—even when there is conflict, which is quickly and calmly resolved. Then there is the focus. The children apply themselves to activities with the sort of concentration most adults find hard to muster. It can be a transformative experience. It should be.” At Hilltop Children’s House we are dedicated to the Montessori Method because we want a place of [curiosity, order, beauty, concentration, and growth in society](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/our-vision/) for children. Read more of Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry’s wonderful article [“Montessori Schools Are Exceptionally Successful. So Why Aren’t There More of Them?”](https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2018/06/29/montessori-schools-are-exceptionally-successful-so-why-arent-there-more) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Opening This Fall](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/opening-this-fall/) **Published:** July 19, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** 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 of the Good Shepherd, is pursuing the basic Montessori training to make this first year with 10 students happen. I’m working on a few things at the building to prepare it for usage, in particular fixing an issue with the back door and back porch. In total, here are our needs, with approximate costs: - Training and Montessori Manual: $2,250 - Montessori Starter Materials kit: $800 - 2 dehumidifiers: $600 - Furniture and rugs for the space, plus various and sundry specialty materials: $1,000 - Materials for repairs to the back door and porch: $500 We are planning a significant renovation of the building next year, but it is so important to open this year so the good effects of Montessori can start to happen. You can partner with us now by helping to finance this phase of the project, either with a one-time donation or as a Hilltop Children’s Champion! [**Support the HCH here »**](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/) The last thing we need to confirm is STUDENTS. Ten of them, ages 3 and 4. To get this off the ground and encourage enrollments we will significantly reduce tuition for those who join us in this first year. Anyone interested should email us at for more information. We will host an **informational open house ice cream social** at the Hilltop Children’s House building at 1300 Maryland Avenue on Tuesday, August 7. More on that, and promotions, to come soon. **Categories:** Events, News --- ### [Catechesis of the Good Shepherd](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd/) **Published:** July 28, 2018 **Author:** Noëlle **Content:** In addition to a Montessori academic program, Hilltop Children’s House will also offer the Montessori based religious instruction in scripture and liturgy called Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS). In CGS children are given a place where they can fall in love with God. The Catechist does not act as an instructor, but rather as a spiritual director, facilitating an encounter between the child and God. In CGS the catechist remains aware that the true instructor is the Holy Spirit. How did this model come about? In 1954 a young mother asked Hebrew and Scripture scholar Sophia Cavaletti to give her 7-year-old son some religious instruction. An academic with little experience with children, Cavaletti at first refused. Eventually, however, she took on the challenge of teaching the boy. Not knowing how to proceed she opened her bible to the first page of Genesis and began to read. Far from being bored, the young boy left the session filled with great joy, asking if he could come back with friends. Cavaletti’s lack of preconceived notions about what and how the child should learn left her open to “follow the child.” She was able to give that to which he most responded with joy. That first encounter led her to partner with Gianna Gobi, a former assistant to Maria Montessori, in a quest to find the best way to open a path for the child to be led by the Holy Spirit into deeper relationship with God. For almost 50 years Cavaletti and Gobi worked together, always following where the child led. Whenever they moved ahead of the child, presenting something to which the child did not respond with joy, they kept their work as a reminder that the work of facilitating an encounter between the child and God requires great humility. The central question of CGS, which Cavaletti and Gobi never ceased reminding catechists to ask, is “What face of God is the child telling us he or she needs to see?” **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [A Statue of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and a beautiful soul.](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/a-statue-of-jesus-the-good-shepherd-and-a-beautiful-soul/) **Published:** November 12, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** One of the key components of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium is a statue of Jesus the Good Shepherd. We had one on our wishlist. We got it today, from a beautiful soul. Tears. Here is the note which accompanied the statue in its package: ![Theresa's Note](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Theresas-Not-1024x797.jpg "Theresa's Note | Hilltop Montessori School") It reads: > I go to atrium in Cleveland. I did jobs for my mom to earn money to buy this statue for your school. Love, Theresa. Thank you, Theresa. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Your generosity, love, and dedication to help others inspires us. Here is a picture of the statue Theresa worked so hard to buy for our atrium. ![](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Good-Shepherd-Statue-1024x732.jpg "Good Shepherd Statue | Hilltop Montessori School") The framed card next to it is a quote from Saint Teresa of Calcutta that Noëlle and I keep on our mantle: > I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love. Just so. The children of Steubenville who see this statue and come to love Jesus the Good Shepherd more because of it will have you to thank, Theresa. **Categories:** Needs, News --- ### [Pikler's Triangle and Balance Beam, Completed](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/piklers-triangle-and-balance-beam-completed/) **Published:** November 18, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** We’ve completed the Pikler’s Triangle and the larger balance beam! The Pikler’s Triangle needed two more dowels at the top as well as a locking mechanism to hold it at a desired angle. I added both on Saturday: Also, while the balance beam was basically completed, it needed to be softened. A round-over bit on the router and some 120-grit sandpaper took care of that. Now the beam is smooth and rounded and ready for crawling, walking, running, skipping, hopping, jumping and general frivolity. So there you have it: two items for the kiddos. **Categories:** News --- ### [One week until #GivingTuesday!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/one-week-until-givingtuesday/) **Published:** November 20, 2018 **Author:** Noëlle **Content:** In one week, on Tuesday, November 27, we’re joining a national day of generosity, #GivingTuesday. It’s a day when you can **send a message of love, beauty, and hope** to children living in a poor, rundown section of Steubenville, Ohio. Children like Rebecca,\* age 2 1/2, and Henry,\* age 3 1/2. Their parents approached us recently to have their kids start with us during this first year, but they aren’t able to afford even [this year’s modest tuition](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/programs/). And beyond this first year we have big plans for our little building in the heart of the Labelle neighborhood. We are planning a major renovation which will include: - **additional windows** to let in more natural light, - a **reconfigured floor plan** to better accommodate our programs, - updated plumbing, - a **backyard garden** area to introduce the children to planting and watching things grow, - other things a 100 year-old building needs. With your help this #GivingTuesday we’ll raise enough funds to provide needs-based scholarships to Rebecca and Henry and 3 of their friends: - Consider becoming a **Hilltop Children’s Champion** by [signing up as a monthly donor](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/hilltop-childrens-champions/) at just $20 a month. - Consider making a [gift of a one-time donation](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/renovation-and-furnishing-fund/) on #GivingTuesday - Help us get the word out on social media using @HilltopChildrensHouse (Facebook) and @HilltopChildren (Twitter) with the hashtag #GivingTuesday - Take photos demonstrating why you love Hilltop Children’s House and post them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. - Commit to pray for Hilltop Children’s House and the children we serve. Our patron is [St. Teresa of Calcutta.](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/our-patron-saint/) With your support we can help give a brighter future to the children of our hilltop neighborhoods. \_\_\_ \*Names changed **Categories:** Events --- ### [Crowes Cabinets Shelving Units Delivered](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/crowes-cabinets-shelving-units-delivered/) **Published:** November 21, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** A special delivery of shelving units from Crowes Cabinets, Inc.! Noëlle has been in desperate need of additional shelving space as the quantity of materials the children need has grown. I’ve done what I could modifying IKEA shelves, but they’re less-than-optimal. Today we got a delivery from [Crowes Cabinets,](https://crowescabinets.com) out of Poland, Ohio! In total, they built eleven units for us. Today we took delivery of 5 units—three with backs and two without. Crowes Cabinets was founded by my dad in 1978 and is now run by my brother, so a special thanks to them for these. Once the renovation of the building is complete and we are gearing up for the new year late next summer we’ll get the rest. Now we have shelving space for everything we’ve collected so far, and so much more! We’re looking for more items that the children will take from and replace on the shelves. With #SmallBusinessSaturday, #CyberMonday, and #GivingTuesday coming up, [we have some suggestions of items you might get for the children of the hilltops…](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wishlists/) **Categories:** News --- ### [Shelves Setup and Ready for More Materials!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/shelves-setup-and-ready-for-more-materials/) **Published:** November 25, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** The shelves we got from Crowe’s Cabinets are set up and ready for more materials! We arranged the shelving units to define some of the spaces, separated by age group and usage. Also we were able to pull out more of the materials we’ve received in donations. We’ve got lots of space still available as the photos show, so if you’re so inclined to help us fill them with materials for the children, [check out our wishlists](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wishlists/)! **Categories:** Needs, News --- ### [A Great Day for HCH!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/a-great-day-for-hch/) **Published:** November 28, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** \#GivingTuesday was a great day for HCH! [The fundraiser we set up on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/donate/1949123338504611/?fundraiser_source=external_url) in conjunction with their #GivingTuesday campaigns has been a great success so far! Thus far it has raised more than $2,800 out of a target of $7,000—which is enough to fund up to 5 full scholarships for part-time students. And it continues until December 6. The highlights of Facebook’s offer: - Facebook and PayPal matched the first $7 million of contributions yesterday; we should find out tomorrow how many of our donations were matched; - Facebook has suspended all fees on donations to non-profits, so 100 percent of your donation through December 6 comes to us! If you’ve given already, THANK YOU! You have made it possible for more students to experience the benefits of Montessori! And if you’re still thinking of supporting what we’re doing for kids here in Labelle, [you still have more than a week to help us get to that $7,000 goal.](https://www.facebook.com/donate/1949123338504611/?fundraiser_source=external_url) We’ll post soon a note from one of the families whose children have benefited from your generosity. You are making a real impact. [![Giving Tuesday Header Image](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Giving-Tuesday-Header-Image.png "Giving Tuesday Header Image | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.facebook.com/donate/1949123338504611/?fundraiser_source=external_url) **Categories:** News --- ### [Testimonial: "A Fantastic Start to Life"](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/testimonial-a-fantastic-start-to-life/) **Published:** November 29, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** The mother of two of our students shared this testimonial about a “fantastic start to life”: “My family and I feel so blessed that we are able to send our kids to Hilltop Children’s House, and we are so grateful for the work Noelle is doing, and for all of the donors! Without their generosity, we would not be able to provide a Montessori education for our children, which is a fantastic start to life.” We are thankful for the donors also. Without you, this simply wouldn’t be happening. If you’d like to help bring about more stories like this, please support our [\#GivingTuesday (and beyond) fundraiser on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/donate/1949123338504611/569374306840895/) (while they’ve waived all fees) and [please consider becoming a Hilltop Children’s Champion,](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/hilltop-childrens-champions/) the lifeblood of an organization like ours, since few of our families will be able to afford full tuition. [![Four Children At Work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20653'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:756/h:1008/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Four-Children-At-Work.jpg "Four Children At Work") [![Noëlle Presents the Pink Tower](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20617'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:858/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Noëlle-Presents-the-Pink-Tower.jpg "Noëlle Presents the Pink Tower") **Categories:** Testimonials --- ### [Red Rods and More Materials](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/red-rods-and-more-materials/) **Published:** December 12, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Through the generosity of so many people we’ve been able to acquire more materials, like red rods, for the children! ### Red Rods The red rods help children develop their ability to distinguish relative length. There are ten in total. The shortest rod is one decimeter (i.e., ten centimeters), the longest one meter, and each of them is one decimeter different than the ones to either side. Here’s a demonstration of what the children do with them: ### Knobbed Cylinders The knobbed cylinders help children discriminate among girth and height. There are four sets: 1. one that goes up in height and in girth; 2. One that goes up in height but down in girth; 3. One that remains the same height but goes up in girth; and 4. one that goes up in height but remains the same girth. Perhaps it would be easier just to watch this… ### Other Materials We were also able to acquire materials for pouring liquids, cleaning messes, distinguishing among louder versus softer sounds, transferring cotton pompoms to develop fine motor skills, color boxes to help distinguish among colors, and temperature tablets to help distinguish relative hot and cold. The needs never end, however. More materials are always needed, our utilities keep coming in, and we have big plans for a major building renovation next year. [Consider becoming a monthly donor or making a year-end donation!](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/) **Categories:** News --- ### [Happening in the House](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/happening-in-the-house/) **Published:** December 18, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** We’ve collected a few videos and pictures lately of things that happen in a typical day at Hilltop Children’s House Sorting pompoms by color, transferring buttons from one bowl to another, matching noise cylinders by sound, setting up a prayer table for Advent… all typical occurrences here at Hilltop Children’s House. There are still so many materials to acquire, but, as you can see, those we’ve been able to pull together so far have been great! A few snippets for you: **Transferring Buttons** Transferring buttons from one bowl to another and back again seems mundane… once you’re older. At this age it’s a cause for high concentration. > [](https://www.facebook.com/hilltopchildrenshouse/videos/198261441115792/)Transferring buttons today. > > Posted by [Hilltop Children's House](https://www.facebook.com/hilltopchildrenshouse/) on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 --- **Sound Cylinders** You must listen carefully to find the cylinders that sound the same when shaken. Eventually you organize them from loudest to softest, and back again. > [Learning the Sound Cylinders](https://www.facebook.com/hilltopchildrenshouse/videos/2226439930700942/)The sound cylinders come in two sets with matching fillers. The child learns to discern among the sounds they make when shaken. They do two things: 1) find the matching sounds between the sets, 2) order the cylinders from softest to loudest. Noëlle spends time guiding the work. > > Posted by [Hilltop Children's House](https://www.facebook.com/hilltopchildrenshouse/) on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 --- **Setting the Prayer Table** Many parts are needed. Prayer is a serious business. Setting the table is a big responsibility. > [](https://www.facebook.com/hilltopchildrenshouse/videos/510080706148835/)Setting the prayer table for the 2nd week of Advent. > > Posted by [Hilltop Children's House](https://www.facebook.com/hilltopchildrenshouse/) on Monday, December 10, 2018 --- **Sorting Pompoms** Moving cotton pompoms from a container to a sheet and setting them on their corresponding color, using a strawberry huller… this is relatively simple for a grownup with a large, strong hand and mastery of fine motor skills. Not so much for children. ![](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Transfering-Pompoms-1024x768.jpg "Transfering Pompoms | Hilltop Montessori School") **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [End of an Amazing Year](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/end-of-an-amazing-year/) **Published:** December 30, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** This is the end of an amazing year for Hilltop Children’s House. We bought a building, fixed it up a little, acquired just enough materials to open our doors in mid-October, and found some amazing help. I’d like to share with you a letter we sent to a bunch of Steubenville-area businesses a couple of weeks ago to introduce HCH to them and to ask them for their support: --- Dear Friend of Steubenville, On Palm Sunday 2017 a 15-year-old boy was shot and killed two blocks from my home in Labelle. My then-fiancée, now wife, Noëlle, and I were out for a walk that fine spring evening. We were on Belleview Boulevard and we heard the shots: five in rapid succession, then two more. We made our way, slowly, to the home of some friends a mere stone’s throw from the scene of the crime, and what a scene it was: sirens, lights, and the family and friends of the youth wailing and shouting. There and then Noëlle and I pledged to do what we could to make a difference in our neighborhood. Eight months later, in December 2017, we founded the Hilltop Children’s House to bring the life-changing benefits of a Montessori experience to the young children—three to six years-old—of our home, the hilltop neighborhoods of Steubenville. The Montessori method is about giving children a “foundation for life.” It is about putting children in an atmosphere that has order, beauty, structure, and simplicity. Everything in a Montessori house is arranged to encourage children to focus, concentrate, and learn at their own pace, doing activities that they choose to do. Children learn to take responsibility for their own learning, and to care for their environment. Importantly, they also learn how to live in harmony with others. Children are not separated by age, nor by any other demographic. **They learn to take turns, to assist each other, and to see persons, rather than demographics, among their fellows.** These lessons affect their behavior outside the classroom, and eventually become foundational for the rest of their lives thus helping the whole community. This is true no matter the economic status of their families. Indeed, a 2017 study by the University of Virginia showed that lower income children who experience Montessori at an early age achieved academic success at the same rate as their wealthier peers. Montessori was the only developmental model that showed this effect. And it’s no wonder that the method has been successful, especially among lower-income children: Maria Montessori began to develop her method in the early 1900s by observing children in the slums of Rome who roamed unsupervised as their parents were off at work in the factories. A system with such a provenance can’t fail to work. This is what Hilltop Children’s House intends to bring every year to 25 to 30 children of these distressed neighborhoods of Steubenville. **But a life-changing, community-supporting endeavor like this doesn’t happen without much support from the community.** Through the generosity of family and close friends we were able to raise the money to purchase a small former church building in the heart of Labelle—at the intersection of Maryland Avenue and Pittsburgh Street. (Providentially, this places us **on the opposite corner of the same block** **where the shooting took**place on Palm Sunday 2017.) Since then we have taken steps to improve the security and comfort of the building, and to acquire enough materials to open our doors. This past October we did open our doors for a pilot program. Currently we have six children in the program, with Noëlle as the directress, and a friend volunteering daily to assist. We intend to add up to ten more children next fall and to find additional (very needed) help to manage the space. As you can imagine, our need for support will continue to grow. And this is where you come in. **Need 1: Tuition Assistance Funds** Our tuition is modest by Montessori standards. Nationally such programs average $7,300 per child. We are asking just $2,200, and we have established a sliding scale to reduce that number based on the family’s income—and according to the availability of funds. **Need 2: Building Renovation Assistance** Our 100-year-old building cost little to purchase, but it needs a significant amount of work to make it the space the children need. It needs new (and more) windows to seal out the weather and let in more natural light. It needs electrical, plumbing, flooring, and HVAC work, as well as some wall reconfiguration. Hilltop Children’s House is an Ohio 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation; all donations are tax-deductible. I invite you to learn more about Hilltop Children’s House in the enclosed brochure and at our website: . And I ask humbly for [whatever generous contribution you and/or your business is able to make as this year ends.](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/) Sincerely, Thomas Crowe President Hilltop Children’s House **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [MARDI GRAS GALA 2019](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-gala-2019/) **Published:** January 5, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Content:** ## JOIN US FOR A MARDI GRAS GALA EVENT: SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2019 Jazz, gumbo, beer, wine, and beads. A night of fun before Lent begins, in support of Hilltop Children’s House. **[Go to the Information Page Now »](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardigras)** [![](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/MARDI-GRAS-sign-1200w-683x1024.jpg "MARDI GRAS sign 1200w | Hilltop Montessori School")](HTTPS://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardigras) **A room full of exciting opportunities!** - Silent auction - Chinese auction - King cake chances (he who gets the baby wins!) - Chuck-a-luck - Photo booth - Escape room - Trivia competition - 50-50 - More! ### Sponsorship Opportunities Sponsors will get additional tickets, plus prominent placement of their name and logo in the program, and, if applicable, in the room near their sponsored activity. [Get more information on the Mardi Gras informational page. ](/mardi) **Categories:** Events, Mardi Gras 2019 **Tags:** Mardi Gras --- ### [Awesome Auction Items Coming In!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/awesome-auction-items-coming-in/) **Published:** February 4, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Hand-made, one-of-a-kind items, weekends away, tickets to sports and arts, a day of baking and stimulating conversation with the chaplain of Christendom College (yes, I'm serious), wine, coffee, and so much more, will be up for bidding. **Content:** We’ve got some nice items coming in for the silent and Chinese auctions at the [Mardi Gras Gala 2019](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardigras/)! Hand-made, one-of-a-kind items, weekends away, tickets to sports and arts, a day of baking and stimulating conversation with the chaplain of Christendom College (yes, I’m serious), wine, coffee, and so much more, will be up for bidding. ## A few examples ### Berliners and Conversation with Father Pollard Father Marcus Pollard, priest of the Diocese of Arlington, is the chaplain of Christendom College. He’s also a long-time friend of Noëlle Crowe, and married Noëlle and Tom in 2017. He has his German grandmother’s recipe for Berliners, and loves spending a day making these German delights with people who love to have good conversation. He’ll bring the materials and some conversation ideas (he’s never lacking), you supply the kitchen! ### Crowe-Pikler Triangle A Pikler’s Triangle is a thing found in many Montessori classrooms. Kids absolutely love to play on and around one of these basic, beginner jungle gyms. Noëlle told Tom that she needed one for the Hilltop Children’s House, but they can be expensive. So Tom decided to make one. Problem was, every design he saw had problems. So he devised his own design—one with very few points sticking out and almost no exposed metal, thus reducing the risk of injury to the kids. Thus, “[Crowe-Pikler Triangle](https://www.facebook.com/hilltopchildrenshouse/videos/438403780020927/).” ### Hand Crocheted Ohio Home Blanket One of Noëlle’s sisters has designed a custom blanket which she is crocheting with “HOME” in a block and the “O” replaced by the state of Ohio. We’ll share a picture once it’s ready. ### Photography Sessions Laura Schaeffer of [Fire and Gold Photography ](https://www.fireandgoldphoto.com/) has offered three different photography packages: a senior photo shoot, a family photo shoot, and a 20-minute mini session ### Hand Knit and Crocheted Baby Blankets Another of Noëlle’s sisters is completing multiple beautiful baby blankets using by crochet and knit stitches. Pictures will be posted when they’re ready. ### Mahoning Valley Scrappers Tickets C.C. Sabathia, Victor Martinez, Josh Tomlin, Lonnie Chisenhall, and Jason Kipnis: what do they all have in common? They started their professional careers playing for the [Mahoning Valley Scrappers](https://www.milb.com/mahoning-valley), at Cafaro Field just northwest of Youngstown, Ohio. The Scrappers have donated a four-ticket package. ### Mountaineer Race Track and Casino The nearby destination for gaming, racing, and relaxing has donated a one-night stay and a gift card. Take a night off, on them! ### St. Ambrose Coffee Delicious coffee roasted by [St. Ambrose Coffee](https://www.facebook.com/ambrosecoffeeroasting/) right here in Steubenville, along with a gourmet coffee brewer with filters, and a burr grinder to ensure a good even grind, will help your mornings get off to a good start. ### Viriditas Herbals Basket If you’ve never treated yourself to some of Brittany’s herbal soap, lip balm, lotion, or body scrub you really [owe it to yourself to get familiar](https://www.facebook.com/Viriditasherbals/). It’s soothing just to look at it! You won’t want to miss what’s in this basket. ### So Much More… We already have more items lined up, and so many more on the way, but we don’t want to overload you in one post. Keep checking back, or follow us on Facebook to see when we post more auction items! **Categories:** Events, Mardi Gras 2019 --- ### [Merrymakers Band Booked!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/merrymakers-band-booked/) **Published:** February 4, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** We've confirmed the booking of the MerryMakers tonight, and we look forward to having their Sweet Georgia Brown sounds delighting our ears. **Content:** [Ron Bickel](https://ronbickel.com/), a professor of piano at Duquesne University, leads a trio called the Merrymakers. We’ve confirmed their booking for the [Mardi Gras Gala 2019](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardigras/), and we look forward to having their Sweet Georgia Brown sounds delighting our ears. Give a listen to some of their music, and get ready to dance (when you’re not having too much fun elsewhere): **Categories:** Events, Mardi Gras 2019 --- ### [Mardi Gras Tickets and Sponsorships Available!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-tickets-and-sponsorships-available/) **Published:** February 5, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Book your Mardi Gras 2019 tickets today, because ticket sales are DONE on Saturday, February 23! No tickets will sell at the door. Dinner, two drink tickets, an opportunity at the door prize trivia game, and great music are included with your ticket **Content:** Book your Mardi Gras 2019 tickets today, because ticket sales are DONE on Saturday, February 23! *No tickets will sell at the door.* Dinner, two drink tickets, an opportunity at the door prize trivia game, and great music are included with your ticket! Our friends from Desperado Dogs—who, let’s be honest, are really good at so many more things than just hot dogs—are preparing gumbo, jambalaya, roasted chicken, as well as lots more great food. We will have wine, and beer from Dungeon Hollow and Hightower will be there. The Merrymakers Trio will keep the tunes playing. **Your ticket for all of this is just $40.** [**Get your ticket today!**](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mardi-gras-2019-a-night-to-remember-tickets-55260301048?aff=websitemainpage) If you’re interested in being a sponsor of the evening and get a batch of tickets and more benefits, [get the sponsorship form and get that exposure!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Gala-Sponsorships-Form-2019.pdf) **Categories:** Events, Mardi Gras 2019, News --- ### [Come to the Mardi Gras!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/come-to-the-mardi-gras/) **Published:** February 13, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** We recorded a short video at the Hilltop Children's House building to help people get an idea of what they'll be supporting when they come to the Mardi Gras Gala. **Content:** We recorded a short video at the Hilltop Children’s House building to help people get an idea of what they’ll be supporting when they come to the [Mardi Gras Gala](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardigras/). > [What's Happening at Hilltop Children's House](https://www.facebook.com/tomcrowe/videos/10158153320037067/)Noëlle and I are excited to show you a bit of what’s going on at Hilltop Children's House and what you’ll be supporting at the MARDI GRAS GALA 2019! Sorry for the bad ending, I ran out of things to say.Come to the Mardi Gras! https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardigrasIf you can't come to the Mardi Gras you can still support HCH: https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support > > Posted by [Tom Crowe](#) on Monday, February 11, 2019 **Categories:** Events, Mardi Gras 2019 --- ### [More Auction Items!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/more-auction-items/) **Published:** February 13, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Content:** ![Popcorn Maker](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Popcorn-Maker.png "Popcorn Maker | Hilltop Montessori School")A vintage popcorn maker with lots of popcorn flavors and movies just might be the perfect thingWe [posted previously](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/awesome-auction-items-coming-in/) about auction items for the [Mardi Gras Gala ](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardigras/)auctions. Well, more auction items have come in, and we’re still looking to get more! Contact us if you or your company would like to be part of the action and get exposure supporting a great cause! ### Recent Additions - **Popcorn Night at the Movies:** a home popcorn maker, a large supply of popcorn, and a few classic movies! - **$100 in Dry Cleaning!** - **Getaway FunDay** at Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio - Two Tickets to hear Igor Levit play Mozart with the **Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra** - **MOAR Baseball Tickets** (details to follow) - **Autographed NFL photos** - **Plus baskets of goodies!** Get your [tickets](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mardi-gras-2019-a-night-to-remember-tickets-55260301048?aff=websitemainpage) today or book a [sponsorship](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardigras#sponsorships) (we’ll accept them until next Saturday, February 23! **Categories:** Events, Mardi Gras 2019 --- ### [UPDATED: Mardi Gras Gala Sponsorships Confirmed!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-gala-sponsorships-confirmed/) **Published:** February 18, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** We're pleased to announce the following confirmed sponsorships for the Mardi Gras Gala 2019! **Content:** We are pleased to announce the following sponsorships of the [Mardi Gras Gala 2019](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardigras/)! ## Gold Level - [**Trinity Health System**](https://trinityhealth.com/) - [**Franciscan University of Steubenville**](https://www.franciscan.edu) - [**Crowe’s Cabinets**](https://crowescabinets.com) - **Paul and Roberta Crowe** ## Green Level - [**Dr. Thomas F. Brown, DDS**](http://www.tbrowndds.com/) - [**Hauser Furniture**](http://hausersfurniturestore.com/) - **Zita Reis, and Maryanna and Edwin Hiester** - [**St. Andrew Christmas Novena**](https://www.christmasnovena.com/) - **Jarrett Hiester** - **Erika and John Tuttle** - **Mihalyo Family Companies** **We cannot thank these partners enough.** [Get your tickets here before time runs out this Saturday, February 23! »](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mardi-gras-2019-a-night-to-remember-tickets-55260301048) **Categories:** Events, Mardi Gras 2019 --- ### [King Cake King!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/king-cake-king/) **Published:** February 18, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** What's Mardi Gras without king cake? We will have a bunch of king cakes, each with its own baby, made possible by a generous donor. If you get the baby in your piece of king cake you get extra tickets to use at the chuck-a-luck wheel! **Content:** What’s Mardi Gras without [king cake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_cake)? We will have a bunch of king cakes, each with its own baby, made possible by a generous donor. If you get the baby in your piece of king cake you get extra tickets to use at the chuck-a-luck wheel! Let Tom explain what’s up with the king cake in this short video, and be sure to [get your tickets for the Mardi Gras today!](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mardi-gras-2019-a-night-to-remember-tickets-55260301048) > [The King Cake King](https://www.facebook.com/hilltopchildrenshouse/videos/2002549516539337/)He or she who gets a baby wins Chuck-a-luck tickets. So join us for MARDI GRAS GALA 2019! Get your tickets hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardigras > > Posted by [Hilltop Children's House](https://www.facebook.com/hilltopchildrenshouse/) on Monday, February 18, 2019 **Categories:** Events, Mardi Gras 2019 --- ### [MOAR AWESOME AUCTION ITEMS](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/moar-awesome-auction-items/) **Published:** February 20, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** More and moar and MOAR AWESOME AUCTION ITEMS are rolling in! There will be an item that you want, so don't miss the opportunity to win it for less! **Content:** We’ve posted a [couple](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/awesome-auction-items-coming-in/) of [times](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/more-auction-items/) already, but more and moar and MOAR AWESOME AUCTION ITEMS are rolling in! There will be an item that you want, so don’t miss the opportunity to win it for less! ## Items include donations from… - Appaloosa Festival and Scythian - Cleveland Indians - Cleveland Cavaliers - Spread Eagle Tavern - Restoration Solutions - Steubenville Popcorn Co. - Nelson’s Fine Arts - Fire & Gold Photography — 3 different packages! - Scratch-off lottery ticket packages - More! [So get your tickets ](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mardi-gras-2019-a-night-to-remember-tickets-55260301048)**[by this Saturday, February 23](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mardi-gras-2019-a-night-to-remember-tickets-55260301048)**, and join us for [Mardi Gras 2019](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardigras/)! **Categories:** Events, Mardi Gras 2019 --- ### [You Haven't Missed Out Yet! Limited Tickets Still Available](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/you-havent-missed-out-yet-limited-tickets-still-available/) **Published:** February 26, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** You haven't missed your opportunity to join us at the Mardi Gras 2019 Gala! Ticket sales ended this past Saturday, but there are still tickets available. **Content:** You haven’t missed your opportunity to join us on Saturday at the Mardi Gras 2019 Gala! Ticket sales ended this past Saturday, but there is a limited number of tickets available. [Contact us today!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/contact/) **Categories:** Events, Mardi Gras 2019 --- ### [Mardi Gras Wrap-up](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-wrap-up/) **Published:** March 7, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** A few notes to wrap up the Mardi Gras Gala—an unclaimed Chinese auction Echo and a trivia winner! **Content:** A few notes as we do our Mardi Gras Wrap-up. First of all, mark your calendar! **February 22, 2020, we’re doing it again!** Now that you’re already planning for next year, we have to once again say THANK YOU to everyone who came out to our first annual Mardi Gras Gala! It was an amazing night, and we’re already talking about ways to make next year better! **Thanks especially to our partners!** Gold Sponsors: Trinity Health Systems, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Crowe’s Cabinets, and Paul and Robbie Crowe. Green Sponsors: Hauser’s Furniture, Dr. Thomas Brown, DDS, christmasnovena.com, Zita Reis, Maryanna and Edwin Hiester, Jarrett Hiester, Erika and John Tuttle, and Mihalyo Family Companies. [We’ve got lots of great photos, check them out here!](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-gala-2019-in-pictures/) [Also, WTOV-9 showed up to cover the event, see if you made it into their coverage!](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wtov-news-9-mardi-gras-coverage/) As we’ve sorted through things we have a couple of items to finalize. **First, the winner of the Trivia Door Prize**—four tickets to the National Aviary in Pittsburgh—was **Bobbyjon Bauman**! Among the sheets which got all ten questions correct, his was pulled from the hat. Congratulations Bobbyjon! **Second**, we had one **unclaimed Chinese auction item, the Amazon Echo**. The winning Chinese auction number was **0984547**. If you haven’t yet emptied out those pockets and you happen to still have your winning ticket, email a photo of your ticket to and we’ll arrange the exchange. If we don’t hear from the winner soon we’ll auction it off online! ### Trivia Answers Here are the answers to the trivia questions: 1. In what city was Mardi Gras first celebrated in the United States? **Mobile, Alabama, 1703** 2. Maria Montessori was the first woman to do what? **First woman to graduate from Rome Medical School, and thus the first female doctor in Italy** 3. It is illegal to ride in a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans without what? **A mask, because a mask is a leveler: it allows people from all levels of society to be seen as equal, not knowing whom they’re speaking with.** 4. Which U.S. president set up a Montessori school in the basement of the White House? **Woodrow Wilson set one up for the children of his staff.** 5. What is the meaning of the Mardi Gras colors, green, purple, and gold? **Green stands for faith, purple stands for justice, and gold for power.** 6. Maria Montessori opened her first school on January 6, 1907, in the San Lorenzo slum of Rome. What was the school called? ***“Casa dei Bambini”* or “The House of the Children”** 7. Mardi Gras was made a state holiday in Louisiana in 1875. In which two other states is Mardi Gras also a state holiday? **Florida and Alabama** 8. Maria Montessori won two gold medals at the 1915 World’s Fair in San Francisco for what exhibit? **“The Glass Classroom,” a classroom closed in glass so people could sit on stools around the exhibit and watch 30 children at their class work.** 9. The first person to throw beads from a Mardi Gras float was dressed as whom? **Santa Claus** 10. According to Maria Montessori, what are the most important years for education for children? **0-6 years old** **Categories:** Events, Mardi Gras 2019 --- ### [WTOV News 9 Mardi Gras Coverage](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wtov-news-9-mardi-gras-coverage/) **Published:** March 7, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Just before we went upstairs for the coronation of the King and Queen of Mardi Gras, a reporter and cameraman from WTOV-9 walked into the Mardi Gras Gala. **Content:** Just before we went upstairs for the coronation of the King and Queen of Mardi Gras, a reporter and cameraman from WTOV-9 walked into the Mardi Gras Gala. [Check out their coverage!](http://wtov9.com/news/local/mardi-gras-event-held-to-raise-money-for-hilltop-childrens-house) [![WTOV-9-interview](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-07-at-6.21.07-PM.png "WTOV-9-interview | Hilltop Montessori School")](wtov9.com/news/local/mardi-gras-event-held-to-raise-money-for-hilltop-childrens-house)HCH President Tom Crowe is interviewed by WTOV9 Click the image to see the news package **Categories:** Mardi Gras 2019, Media Coverage --- ### [Mardi Gras Gala 2019: In Pictures](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-gala-2019-in-pictures/) **Published:** March 7, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Content:** We’re pleased to share these pictures from the Mardi Gras taken by Brian Sizemore of the Harmonium Project (have we mentioned how important their help was in making this happen?). Also, we have a trivia winner (and the answers) and an unclaimed prize. [Go to our wrap-up post and see if it’s yours! ](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-wrap-up/) [![Table Setting](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09185.jpg "Table Setting") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09182.jpg "DSC09182") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09186.jpg "DSC09186") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09191.jpg "DSC09191") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09193.jpg "DSC09193") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09139.jpg "DSC09139") [![Chinese Auction](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09198.jpg "Chinese Auction") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09146.jpg "DSC09146") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20735'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:683/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09143.jpg "DSC09143") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09196.jpg "DSC09196") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09145.jpg "DSC09145") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09140.jpg "DSC09140") [![Chinese Auction at Mardi Gras](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09202.jpg "Chinese Auction at Mardi Gras") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20735'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:683/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09142.jpg "DSC09142") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09208.jpg "DSC09208") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09210.jpg "DSC09210") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09209.jpg "DSC09209") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09211.jpg "DSC09211") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09217.jpg "DSC09217") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09212.jpg "DSC09212") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09218.jpg "DSC09218") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09226.jpg "DSC09226") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09239.jpg "DSC09239") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09243.jpg "DSC09243") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09244.jpg "DSC09244") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09247.jpg "DSC09247") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09251.jpg "DSC09251") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09256.jpg "DSC09256") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20735'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:683/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09257.jpg "DSC09257") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09261.jpg "DSC09261") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09259.jpg "DSC09259") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09268.jpg "DSC09268") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20735'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:683/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09273.jpg "DSC09273") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20735'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:683/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09272.jpg "DSC09272") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20735'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:683/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09275.jpg "DSC09275") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09278.jpg "DSC09278") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20735'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:683/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09277.jpg "DSC09277") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09281.jpg "DSC09281") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09291.jpg "DSC09291") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20735'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:683/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09301.jpg "DSC09301") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09325.jpg "DSC09325") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09311.jpg "DSC09311") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09303.jpg "DSC09303") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09334.jpg "DSC09334") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09339.jpg "DSC09339") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09336.jpg "DSC09336") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09342.jpg "DSC09342") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09349.jpg "DSC09349") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09353.jpg "DSC09353") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09356.jpg "DSC09356") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09369.jpg "DSC09369") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09365.jpg "DSC09365") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09369-2.jpg "DSC09369-2") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09374.jpg "DSC09374") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09372.jpg "DSC09372") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09375.jpg "DSC09375") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09382.jpg "DSC09382") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09180.jpg "DSC09180") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9614-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9614 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9922-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9922 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9850-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9850 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9958-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9958 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9436-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9436 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9602-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9602 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9598-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9598 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9818-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9818 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9242-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9242 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9788-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9788 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9909-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9909 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9620-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9620 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9587-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9587 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9453-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9453 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9481-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9481 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9590-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9590 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9799-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9799 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9354-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9354 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20735'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:720/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9261-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9261 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9504-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9504 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9729-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9729 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9949-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9949 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9686-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9686 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9776-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9776 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20735'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:720/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9823-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9823 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9402-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9402 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9537-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9537 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9798-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9798 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9668-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9668 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9848-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9848 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9303-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9303 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9398-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9398 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9964-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9964 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9930-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9930 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9665-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9665 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9805-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9805 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9838-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9838 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9774-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9774 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9627-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9627 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9362-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9362 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9594-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9594 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9771-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9771 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9911-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9911 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9383-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9383 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9610-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9610 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9644-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9644 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9577-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9577 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9783-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9783 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9373-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9373 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20638'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:828/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9293-Mary-Norton_edited-scaled.jpg "IMG_9293 Mary Norton_edited") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9830-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9830 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9349-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9349 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9878-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9878 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9563-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9563 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9672-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9672 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9756-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9756 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9844-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9844 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9446-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9446 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9462-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9462 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9375-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9375 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9332-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9332 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9656-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9656 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9890-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9890 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9293-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9293 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9422-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9422 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9843-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9843 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9867-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9867 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9632-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9632 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9970-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9970 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9748-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9748 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9607-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9607 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9899-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9899 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9802-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9802 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9316-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9316 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9735-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9735 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9582-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9582 Mary Norton") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20327'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1619/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9385-Mary-Norton-scaled.jpg "IMG_9385 Mary Norton") **Categories:** Events, Mardi Gras 2019 --- ### [Materials from Mardi Gras!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/materials-from-mardi-gras/) **Published:** March 28, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** We raised just over $3,000 at our Mardi Gras Gala 2019, and we're already planning for next year. (Mark your calendar for the second annual Mardi Gras Gala: February 22, 2020!) But here's a little video to show all of our supporters some of the great materials their partnership has helped supply. **Content:** We’re excited to share with you some of the materials we’ve been able to get from our Mardi Gras Gala! We raised just over $3,000 at [our Mardi Gras Gala 2019](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-wrap-up/), and we’re already planning for next year. (Mark your calendar for the second annual Mardi Gras Gala: February 22, 2020!) But here’s a little video to show all of our supporters some of the great materials their partnership has helped supply. > [New Materials from Mardi Gras!](https://www.facebook.com/hilltopchildrenshouse/videos/320832258618797/)It’s like Christmas! We just put out a load of new materials that we were able to order after the success of our Mardi Gras! THANK YOU again to everyone who has supported us, none of this would be here without you! > > Posted by [Hilltop Children's House](https://www.facebook.com/hilltopchildrenshouse/) on Sunday, March 24, 2019 Ways to support Hilltop Children’s House: - [Become a Hilltop Children’s Champion!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/hilltop-childrens-champions/) Monthly donations are the lifeblood of HCH, enabling us to plan, and pay our monthly bills. - [Make a one-time donation!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/renovation-and-furnishing-fund/) We’re looking to start the renovations this summer, adding windows as soon as possible, eventually plumbing and electrical work, flooring, taking out some walls, and so much more. - Prayers. To be sure, this is not third because it’s least important. It is most important. **Categories:** Needs, News --- ### [Photos from Our First Year](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/photos-from-our-first-year/) **Published:** April 14, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Content:** This first year has been one of constant growth. More children joined as the year progressed, and through the generosity of so many supporters we have acquired many, many more materials. We still have a couple of months to go in this first year, but here are some looks at what’s been happening at Hilltop Children’s House. And if you’re interested in applying for your child to join us in 2019 [**you’ll find that information here »**](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/programs/) [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20416'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Brown-Stair-work.jpg "Brown Stair work") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20416'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Tea-and-Cards.jpg "Learning Prepositions") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20416'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Plain-Cylinders-Work.jpg "Plain Cylinders Work") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20740'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Number-Rods.jpg "Number Rods") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20416'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Chasubles.jpg "Chasubles") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20416'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Pasting.jpg "Pasting") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20416'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Number-Rods-and-Number-Cards.jpg "Number Rods and Number Cards") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20416'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Math-Materials-Shelves.jpg "Math Materials Shelves") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20416'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Knobbed-Cylinders-Work.jpg "Knobbed Cylinders Work") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20416'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1008/h:756/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Montessori-At-Work.jpg "Montessori At Work") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20740'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:756/h:1008/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Sandpaper-Letter-Presentation.jpg "Sandpaper Letter Presentation") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20416'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Spelling-with-the-Moveable-Alphabet.jpg "Spelling with the Moveable Alphabet") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20740'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:756/h:1008/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/On-their-Mats.jpg "On their Mats") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20416'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Counting-Spindles.jpg "Counting Spindles") [![Hello from HCH moveable alphabet](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20416'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Moveable-Alphabet.jpg "Moveable Alphabet") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20416'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Sandpaper-Letters-and-Sound-Pouches.jpg "Sandpaper Letters and Sound Pouches") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20416'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Using-the-Moveable-Alphabet.jpg "Using the Moveable Alphabet") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20416'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Numbers-Cards.jpg "Numbers Cards") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20416'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Pink-Tower-Work.jpg "Pink Tower Work") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20740'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:756/h:1008/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Nuts-and-Bolts.jpg "Nuts and Bolts") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20416'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1008/h:756/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/At-the-Prayer-Table.jpg "At the Prayer Table") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20416'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Sandpaper-Numbers.jpg "Sandpaper Numbers") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20416'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Knobbed-Cylinders-Together.jpg "Knobbed Cylinders Together") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20740'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:756/h:1008/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Locks-and-Latches.jpg "Locks and Latches") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20416'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Numbers-and-Counters.jpg "Numbers and Counters") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20740'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:756/h:1008/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/A-Presentation.jpg "A Presentation") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20350'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:808/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/The-Childrens-House.jpg "The Children’s House") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20416'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Pompoms-Work.jpg "Pompoms Work") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20416'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Pompoms-Work-1.jpg "Pompoms Work") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20416'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1008/h:756/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Story-Time.jpg "Story Time") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20555%20740'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:756/h:1008/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Pouring.jpg "Pouring") **Categories:** Life at HCH **Tags:** Life at HCH --- ### [Thank you, Chapel of Hope!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/navychaplainthanks/) **Published:** June 17, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** We wanted to extend a personal and unique note of thanks to all the sailors, Marines, diplomatic staff, and the families based over in Yokosuka, Japan, who have contributed to the Religious Offering Fund in support of Hilltop Children's House! **Content:** We wanted to extend a personal and unique note of thanks to all the sailors, Marines, diplomatic staff, and the families based over in Yokosuka, Japan, who have contributed to the Religious Offering Fund in support of Hilltop Children’s House! You all already give so much to us, offering your selves in service to our country; to see such financial generosity on top of that truly is motivating! ![](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Knobbed-Cylinders-Together-1024x768.jpg "Knobbed Cylinders Together | Hilltop Montessori School")Theyre helping each other complete the knobbed cylinder work Through our work here in Steubenville we hope to help as many children as possible to have brighter futures. So many children in our neighborhood come from broken homes. Our neighborhood sees more than its share of crime—drugs, human trafficking, domestic violence, gang activity—and those who bear the brunt of it all the most are the most innocent of all, the children. Our hope is that through the Montessori approach to learning and growth, the children who come through Hilltop Children’s House will be more prepared to break out of the cycle of poverty and dysfunction. ![](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Pink-Tower-Work-1024x768.jpg "Pink Tower Work | Hilltop Montessori School")The pink tower helps children learn about size gradations and putting things in order Your contributions have helped and will help with the following: - enable us to put a fence around the back yard so we can include outdoor activities like gardening; - seek an assistant to help Noëlle in the children’s house, so her efforts can be more effectively channeled; - acquire more materials for the many works the children can choose among; - help us keep the utilities paid. Eventually we intend to offer a full-day program from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., but that will require enough funding to pay a full-time teacher (at present, Noëlle covers the morning session 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. on a completely volunteer basis). ![](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Spelling-with-the-Moveable-Alphabet-1024x768.jpg "Spelling with the Moveable Alphabet | Hilltop Montessori School")Children learn to read and spell using the moveable alphabet And since cursive is a more natural hand motion they get exposure to cursive letters from very early on So thank you, most sincerely, for your service, and for your generosity to this little mission in a rough neighborhood on the other side of the globe. You will remain in our prayers, please pray for us as well. Tom and Noëlle Crowe **Categories:** Motivations --- ### [Catholic Heart Work Camp Comes to Hilltop Children's House](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/catholic-heart-work-camp-comes-to-hilltop-childrens-house/) **Published:** July 20, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** We had a crew from Catholic Heart Work Camp helping out at Hilltop Children's House this past week, and WOW! what a difference four days can make! **Content:** What a week! We had a crew from [Catholic Heart Work Camp](https://heartworkcamp.com/) helping out at Hilltop Children’s House this past week, and WOW! what a difference four days can make! ![The CHWC crew at HCH](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/CHWC-at-HCH.jpg "CHWC-at-HCH | Hilltop Montessori School")Along with Tom Noëlle Cecilia and Macy are Amanda behind Noëlle Maria Diego Charlie Margot and Natalie We weren’t quite sure what to expect, but we knew we needed help. Much of the fringes of the of the yard, plus all around the building, had gotten badly overgrown, the interior needed a good cleaning after the last school year, and there was more. It all was a LOT of work. So when Bobbyjon Bauman of the Ohio Valley Youth Network and the Sycamore Center let us know that the Catholic Heart Work Camp was coming to town, we jumped at the opportunity! I had done a work camp as a chaperone back when I was in seminary and really loved the opportunity to work that directly with kids: helping them to appreciate the value of their work, the impact it can have on others, and to help them connect that service to the life of a Christian—faith without works is dead, so let your faith give birth to good works and watch both flourish! ![](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Overgrown-front-at-HCH.jpg "Overgrown-front-at-HCH | Hilltop Montessori School")The front had gotten badly overgrown![](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Sidewalk-along-HCH.jpg "Sidewalk-along-HCH | Hilltop Montessori School")as had the side along Pittsburgh Street![](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/AC-in-Weeds-at-HCH.jpg "AC-in-Weeds-at-HCH | Hilltop Montessori School")and the back around the old central air unit![back yard](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Stump-behind-HCH.jpg "Stump-behind-HCH | Hilltop Montessori School")This stump proved more of a problem than I anticipated![](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Large-Weed-at-HCH.jpg "Large-Weed-at-HCH | Hilltop Montessori School")I would cut this weedy bush back twice per year but it always comes back No moreThese kids and their leader, Amanda, were GREAT! Not only did they weed the entire front area and put down mulch, but they weeded the whole back of the property—I hadn’t even put that on the list! They took a crack at the stump in the back yard and really knocked it down, but it proved to be too much for an axe. But the stump in the front was much older so they took out that one instead! They knocked down the old stoop and would have helped build the new one, but some complications revealed when the old one was removed prevented them helping with that. Then when we got our hands on a pressure washer they cleaned the encroaching sod off the sidewalk and, using sponges, the hose, and the pressure washer, they cleaned grime and loose paint off the siding of our building! They helped clean every. single. item. among the Montessori works to disinfect everything in preparation for another year of classes. ![](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Rinsing-the-Front-of-HCH.jpg "Rinsing-the-Front-of-HCH | Hilltop Montessori School")Macy LOVES going after water flowing from a hose![](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Washing-the-Front-of-HCH.jpg "Washing-the-Front-of-HCH | Hilltop Montessori School")The front of the building getting a much needed wash![](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Rear-brush-removal-at-HCH.jpg "Rear-brush-removal-at-HCH | Hilltop Montessori School")A neighborhood boy came by to help with clearing out the brush out back![Both buildings](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Front-Stump-Removal-at-HCH.jpg "Front-Stump-Removal-at-HCH | Hilltop Montessori School")Eliminating the stump out front wasnt on my list but Im glad to see them take it onAnd most importantly, they did everything with cheer and a smile. Truly there are servant hearts among those kids. We were blessed to have them. There’s still more to do, but this place hasn’t looked this good in years! THANK YOU and GOD BLESS YOU Catholic Heart Work Camp! ![](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Front-of-HCH.jpg "Front-of-HCH | Hilltop Montessori School")What a difference![](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Rear-of-HCH.jpg "Rear-of-HCH | Hilltop Montessori School")We still need to build the new stoop but this is remarkable **Categories:** Motivations, Renovations --- ### [Our Children's House and Atrium, Year Two](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/our-childrens-house-and-atrium-year-two/) **Published:** October 8, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Content:** In the weeks leading up to the beginning of our second year we worked feverishly to get the room prepared for the kids. We had hoped to have the new windows installed before classes began. That was not to be, but it could happen during the school year. We would like to thank especially some special volunteers who really pitched in to help: **Sara Mathews, Katie Takats, Cindy and Aidan Welker, Jace and Adam Weiss, Bekah Weigle and kids, Brady and Christine Webb, and Patrick Grace and kids**. Without their help painting, digging, stripping the pastoral mural, and cleaning, we would not have been ready nearly as quickly as we were. Also, even more indispensable, our donors. Without their generosity, the paint, cleaning materials, and the many new materials we’ve put in the children’s house simply wouldn’t be here. Please enjoy some photos of the space before the programs began in the building this year. [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Entryway.jpeg "Entryway") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Mat-Basket.jpeg "Mat Basket") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Sensorial-Table.jpeg "Sensorial Table") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Handwashing-and-Aprons.jpeg "Handwashing and Aprons") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Mathematics-Shelf-and-Numbered-Rods.jpeg "Mathematics Shelf and Numbered Rods") [![Pink Tower and Two tables](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Pink-Tower-and-Two-tables.jpeg "Pink Tower and Two tables") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Geography-and-tables.jpeg "Geography and tables") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Mathematics-and-art.jpeg "Mathematics and art") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Art-area-and-Writing-Desk.jpeg "Art area and Writing Desk") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Language-Corner.jpeg "Language Corner") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Reading-Corner.jpeg "Reading Corner") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Practical-Life.jpeg "Practical Life") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Geography-and-Nature.jpeg "Geography and Nature") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Practical-Life-and-Table.jpeg "Practical Life and Table") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Practical-Life-Shelves.jpeg "Practical Life Shelves") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Atrium.jpeg "Atrium") [![The Children's House before Year Two began.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20279'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1800/h:1026/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Hilltop-Childrens-House-Panorama.jpg "Hilltop Children’s House Panorama") **Categories:** Life at HCH, Renovations --- ### [New Back Stoop and Stairs!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/new-back-stoop-and-stairs/) **Published:** October 14, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Content:** [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20975%20975'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1300/h:975/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/stoop-from-west.jpeg "stoop from west") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20975%20975'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1300/h:975/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/stoop-from-east.jpeg "stoop from east") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20975%20975'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1300/h:975/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/stoop-planters.jpeg "stoop planters") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20975%20975'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1300/h:975/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/stoop-from-south.jpeg "stoop from south") We have a new, beautiful, STURDY, stoop and stairs on the back of the building! You may recall that when [the Catholic Heart Work Camp group came in July](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/catholic-heart-work-camp-comes-to-hilltop-childrens-house/) we had them tear down the old stoop on the back of the building. It was rotting away and was just unsafe in a number of ways. We had thought about having them help to build the replacement, but that quickly became impossible. Building code. Designs. Permits. Specialized parts. Deep holes and concrete footers. So we worked with our friend David Mathews who took on the project, developed a plan that would suit our needs, meet code, and make the back yard easily accessible! The materials were a bit more expensive than we had anticipated. But it’s worth it to do it right, and have a deck and stairs that will last for a long time. If you’re looking for ways to help, we just found out that we have to get a our water line replaced from the main to our meter, we need to get the furnace serviced and the ducts repaired, and we’re working toward fencing in the backyard, with a retaining wall to maximize the space available for outdoor programs. Can you support one of these acute needs quickly? You can partner with us by making [a large one-time donation](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/one-time-donations/), by becoming [a monthly donor](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/hilltop-childrens-champions/) to provide the monthly lifeblood that keeps us going. Or, if you’d like to visit with us personally and talk about what’s needed and what’s available, please [join us for a very nice dinner at our place!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/dinner-for-six-friends/) ![back yard](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:800/h:600/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Stump-behind-HCH.jpg "Stump-behind-HCH | Hilltop Montessori School") The only picture we have that includes the old stoop and stairs out back. Already removed are all of the small trees that kept growing up through it. **Categories:** Needs, Renovations --- ### [Views From the Children's House](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/views-from-the-childrens-house/) **Published:** November 24, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Content:** #### Things are cruising right along this year at Hilltop Children’s House. We thought you might appreciate some views from the children’s house; some glimpses into some of the things the children are up to. Enjoy! Stringing Work Cleaning a Spill Tracing Letters More Views [![Sink or Float demonstration](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:768/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Polishing-demonstration.jpeg "Sink or Float demonstration") [![Sink or Float Work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:768/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Polishing-Work.jpeg "Sink or Float Work") [![Stackable shapes unstacked](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:768/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Rings-unstacked.jpeg "Stackable shapes unstacked") [![Shapes, stacked](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:768/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Rings-stacked.jpeg "Shapes, stacked") [![Polishing Work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:768/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Reading-Corner.jpeg "Reading Corner") [![Globes, Maps, Puzzles, and stringing cloth](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:768/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Globes-Maps-Puzzles-and-stringing-cloth.jpeg "Globes, Maps, Puzzles, and stringing cloth") [![Knobbed Cylinder work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:768/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Knobbed-Cylinder-work.jpeg "Knobbed Cylinder work") [![Globe map puzzle](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:768/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Globe-map-puzzle.jpeg "Globe map puzzle") [![number symbols and amounts](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:768/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/number-symbols-and-amounts.jpeg "number symbols and amounts") [![Globe map puzzle and globe](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:768/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Globe-map-puzzle-and-globe.jpeg "Globe map puzzle and globe") Follow Us for More! To keep up to date, follow us on Social Media: - **[Facebook.com/HilltopChildrensHouse](https://www.facebook.com/hilltopchildrenshouse)** - **[Instagram @HilltopChildrensHouse](https://www.instagram.com/hilltopchildrenshouse)** **Categories:** Life at HCH --- ### [#GivingTuesday 2019!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/givingtuesday-2019/) **Published:** November 29, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Like last year, Facebook is matching the first $7,000,000 in donations made through their platform on #GivingTuesday. We only received $5 in matching donations last year, but hey! $5 is better than nothing! This year we’re looking to raise the $3,600 needed to pay for the emergency water line replacement last month. [Can you support this effort?](https://www.facebook.com/donate/582992779198283/) All donations are 100% tax deductible, and Facebook takes no fee or percentage of your donation: 100% comes to us. If you prefer not to give through Facebook, [there are other options available here.](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/water-line-replacement-surprise/) Add to Your Calendar [Add this event to your calendar](https://calendar.google.com/event?action=TEMPLATE&tmeid=MmhubzAyOWJtYnUxM25iZm1sMGE5M3NtaWMgaGlsbHRvcGNoaWxkcmVuc2hvdXNlQG0&tmsrc=hilltopchildrenshouse%40gmail.com) to get notifications and a link to support Hilltop Children’s House: [![](https://www.google.com/calendar/images/ext/gc_button1_en.gif)](https://calendar.google.com/event?action=TEMPLATE&tmeid=MmhubzAyOWJtYnUxM25iZm1sMGE5M3NtaWMgaGlsbHRvcGNoaWxkcmVuc2hvdXNlQG0&tmsrc=hilltopchildrenshouse%40gmail.com) [![Giving Tuesday 2019](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:657/h:260/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/GT_logo_stacked_1.png "GT_logo_stacked_1 | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/water-line-replacement-surprise/) **Categories:** Needs, Renovations --- ### [New Assistant!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/new-assistant/) **Published:** December 2, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Content:** *We were blessed to welcome a new assistant here at Hilltop Children’s House this year: Sara Mathews. Sara has been a friend of ours for a while, and her background in nursing made her a perfect fit to help Noëlle in the Children’s House.* *Read more below about Sara and why she’s such a great addition to Hilltop Children’s House!* ![Sara Mathews](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:700/h:467/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Sara-Mathews.jpg "Sara Mathews | Hilltop Montessori School") Photo: Caitlin Renn My name is Sara Mathews. I am a transplant to the area, growing up in upstate New York, not far from Utica. I’ve worked for the past 11 years as a registered nurse, in various areas of nursing, and have grown immensely from the ups and downs of my career. After getting my fill of the long hours and the long commute while working at a large hospital in Pittsburgh, I switched gears and got a job in a local clinic. The move served me well. I got to know countless members of the local community whom I wouldn’t otherwise have met. One unexpected side-effect has been a growing passion for serving the people of Steubenville. After giving birth to my husband’s and my second child I found it more difficult to return to the workforce. I wanted to continue helping the people of Steubenville, but I also had a strong desire to stay home with my children. Hilltop Children’s House has made it possible to do both. Over the last few years, through a friendship with Noëlle and Tom as they’ve been building Hilltop Children’s House, I’ve been learning more about Maria Montessori and her legacy. I’ve found it to be a fantastic method of educating children, and one that I felt I could truly get behind. After much thought and discussion, I decided to take a step back from full time work as a nurse and offer to be Noëlle’s assistant at HCH….and I’m so glad I did! It’s been such a blessing working with and learning from Noëlle. Guiding the children as they learn and grow in this prepared environment is stretching me in ways I never thought was possible. Not only is it helping me to better understand the intricacies of how children learn, it’s also helping me to be a better parent. There are so many daily distractions and items to check off to-do lists, that it sometimes can be difficult to slow down and give our undivided attention to our children — to stop and just quietly watch them interact with the world around them, to witness them discover new interests or patiently wait for them to complete a task or master a life skill. What a wonder it is to behold! I am hopeful and excited for the year ahead with Hilltop Children’s House and look forward to seeing the impact on the local children of the Labelle neighborhood and beyond! **Categories:** Life at HCH, Testimonials --- ### [Giving Tuesday Thanks](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/giving-tuesday-thanks/) **Published:** December 5, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Content:** We took a moment midday today to record a quick video to thank everyone who contributed to our #GivingTuesday fundraiser. We have, at last glance, raised a little over $2,100 toward our goal of $3,400 to finance the emergency water line project. We are humbled by this support. … okay, I’ll stop typing. Just click and listen. **Categories:** Needs, Testimonials --- ### [Water Line Fundraising Complete!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/water-line-fundraising-complete/) **Published:** December 14, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Content:** THANK YOU! [![Road Closed for Water Line Work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20800%20400'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:800/h:600/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Road-Closed-for-Water-Line-Work.jpeg "Road Closed for Water Line Work") [![Water Department Truck](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20800%20400'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:800/h:600/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Water-Department-Truck.jpeg "Water Department Truck") [![Water Line Work in Street](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20800%20400'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:800/h:600/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Water-Line-Work-in-Street.jpeg "Water Line Work in Street") Through the generosity and support of so many people we were able to raise the $3600 needed to pay for the [emergency water line work!](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/water-line-replacement-surprise/) We are always humbled by the support so many people give, through prayer, sharing posts, and especially by contributing your hard earned money, to this project here in our neighborhood. Your dedication inspires us to keep doing what we’re doing, to make an impact on the lives of these kids, and thereby to help Steubenville. Thank you for partnering with us in this mission. Now, since the water line project is completely funded, we don’t have to tap into other areas of our budget to pay for that unexpected expense; we can just stick to the programs. Follow us on Instagram, [@hilltopchildrenshouse](https://instagram.com/hilltopchildrenshouse), and [on Facebook](https://facebook.com/hilltopchildrenshouse) to see the latest views from the classroom. **Categories:** Life at HCH, Needs --- ### [Be King and Queen of Mardi Gras!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/be-king-and-queen-of-mardi-gras/) **Published:** January 19, 2020 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Every Mardi Gras needs a King and Queen! [Mardi Gras presented by Trinity Health System](/mardigras) is just a few weeks away, and we’re looking forward to crowning a king and queen! Will that be you? Krewes down in New Orleans [choose their king and queen in many ways](http://www.krewe-of-aquarius.org/history/MGhistory05.html), one of them being the degree to which the folks have supported the krewe. Well, consider us the only krewe in town, and we will crown the couple who has done the most to support Hilltop Children’s House. To toss your hat in the ring (and replace it with a crown), **[sign up at Mightycause](https://www.mightycause.com/event/T2z3zf)** and start asking your family and friends for pledges, hosting events, selling handmade items, whatever! Couples who raise at least $150 get discounts on tickets to Mardi Gras, so whether or not you are crowned, you still win. And we’ll see you at Mardi Gras on February 22! **Categories:** Mardi Gras --- ### [Herald-Star Writes Up Mardi Gras!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/herald-star-writes-up-mardi-gras/) **Published:** February 1, 2020 **Author:** Tom **Content:** [![Herald Star Article on Mardi Gras](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:700/h:414/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Herald-Star-Article-on-Mardi-Gras.png "Herald Star Article on Mardi Gras | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.heraldstaronline.com/news/community/2020/01/hilltop-childrens-house-plans-mardi-gras-gala/) [The Steubenville *Herald Star* ran a long piece in the Community section on Monday on our Mardi Gras fundraiser.](https://www.heraldstaronline.com/news/community/2020/01/hilltop-childrens-house-plans-mardi-gras-gala/?fbclid=IwAR1mqLLNJDdf9BM6pBm_hvcL05Npc7B041y4k8E7p4xo25c_V1UT2YFTZPM) They give a pretty comprehensive treatment to the event itself, plus who Hilltop Children’s House is, but the paragraph I want to focus on is this one: > Our goal with the king and queen contest is two-fold. Of course, we want to raise some money for Hilltop Children’s House, but we also want people to have fun,” Noelle explained. “Our hope is that people will host some creative fundraisers and thereby will add to the list of fun, wholesome events that have been happening in Steubenville. One such event is the Make Your Own Mardi Gras Mask fundraiser being held by Ohio Valley Handmaids. \[sic\] That’s “Ohio Valley Handmades,” not “Handmaids.” I believe the typo came from us, when we sent information to them; it was not their own error. But read the whole article, [sign up and start your fundraisers](https://www.mightycause.com/event/T2z3zf) to be king and queen, head over to Ohio Valley Handmades to make your own Mardi Gras mask, [BUY YOUR EVENT TICKETS](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mardi-gras-2020-presented-by-trinity-health-system-tickets-87628494185?aff=HSArticlePost) (ticket sales end on February 14, because we need to turn in numbers to the caterers), and we’ll see you there! **Categories:** Events, Mardi Gras, Media Coverage --- ### [Mardi Gras Prizes Rolling In!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-prizes-rolling-in/) **Published:** February 1, 2020 **Author:** Tom **Content:** We are so excited for the auctions at this year’s [Mardi Gras Gala presented by Trinity Health System](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardigras/)! Here’s are the items we’ve been getting in for the silent and Chinese auctions that you will be able to win! 1. Tickets to the Columbus Museum of Art 2. Honey, candles, and krupnik (Polish honey liqueur) from Walnut Ridge Bees in Dexter, Michigan 3. An Amazon Alexa echo 4. 4×8 Oldhausen **Pool Table** – very lightly used 5. Signed **Cameron Heyward** Photo from the **Pittsburgh Steelers** (2 available) 6. **Cleveland Browns** hat signed by **Greg Robinson** 7. Tickets to the **Pittsburgh Zoo** 8. Tickets to the **National Aviary** 9. Tickets to the **Pittsburgh Children’s Museum** 10. Tickets to a **Pittsburgh Pirates** game. 11. Tickets to a **Mahoning Valley Scrappers** baseball game 12. Tickets to a **Wheeling Nailers** game 13. Tickets to a **Columbus Crew** game 14. Home-crafted items from Molly Yabs 15. Hand-made afghan in Mardi Gras colors donated by Anne Borsick Sweeney 16. Two night-three day stay at Tom & Noelle’s Airbnb house in Worcester, Massachusetts (ask Justine and David Schmiesing about this one — they won it last year) 17. One night stay, with breakfast at **Spread Eagle Tavern** 18. One night stay at the **Weirton Holiday Inn** 19. One night stay at **Mountaineer** 20. A Thomas the Tank Engine basket 21. An Italian food and pizza-making basket 22. A St. Patrick’s Day wreath with Guinness and Irish accoutrements 23. A classic Christmas decorations basket 24. Gift card from **Valley Wine Cellar** 25. A handmade afghan in Mardi Gras colors 26. Photo session from **Laura & Matthew Photography** 27. Family pass to the **Appaloosa Music Festival** (two available) 28. Dry cleaning coupons from **Two Brothers** 29. A day of making Berliners with Father Marcus Pollard (with his mother’s recipe — he’s the chaplain at Christendom College and an all-around good guy) 30. Tickets to **Canton Charge** game 31. **Pittsburgh Public Theatre** tickets 32. **Geneva On-The-Lake** tickets for food and games 33. Two quarts of Tom’s “Better than New England” Seafood Chowder — as seen at First Friday’s on Fourth We’ll update with more as they come in. [**Get your tickets today!**](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mardi-gras-2020-presented-by-trinity-health-system-tickets-87628494185?aff=prizespage) **Categories:** Events, Mardi Gras --- ### [Mouth: Watering. Mardi Gras Menu Set](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mouth-watering-mardi-gras-menu-set/) **Published:** February 3, 2020 **Author:** Tom **Content:** We are pleased to have Jesse and Heidi Stetson of Toast the Host Catering back this year to delight our taste buds with amazing New Orleans fare. Share with your friends who aren’t coming, to make them want to come. [And get your tickets by Friday, February 14!](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mardi-gras-2020-presented-by-trinity-health-system-tickets-87628494185?aff=MenuPost) The menu this year includes: ### Main Dishes - Crawfish Etouffee - Blackened chicken with a bourbon glaze, roasted potatoes, and yellow squash. - Seared beef with aged cheddar grits and roasted parsnips and carrots. Served with a stout Demi glaze. - Roasted vegetable Napoleon with blended grains and a creole sauce. ### Appetizers - Vegetable crudités - Fruit trays - 3-cheese tray - Tarte au soleil - Served with pesto dip, hummus and sweet cream. ### Hors d’Oeuvres: - Shrimp cocktail - Pears with prosciutto and rosemary goat cheese - Dried apricot with blue cheese and walnut - Brussel sprouts with bacon jam - Stuffed mushroom caps **Categories:** Events, Mardi Gras --- ### [Mardi Gras 2020 THANK YOUS!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-2020-thank-yous/) **Published:** February 24, 2020 **Author:** Tom **Content:** What a night! The Mardi Gras Gala presented by Trinity Health System We have so many people to thank for helping it to be such a great night! ### Sponsors First we want to thank our title sponsor, **[Trinity Health System](https://trinityhealth.com/).** Their support and encouragement was vital to pulling off such an event. The same goes for the rest of our sponsors: Gold Sponsors included [Crowe’s Cabinets](https://crowescabinets.com), [Franciscan University of Steubenville](https://franciscan.edu), and the [St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology](https://stpaulcenter.com/). Purple Sponsors included Roberta and Paul Crowe, and [Shannon Price Irvin with Cedar One Realty](https://cedaronerealty.com/our-team/cedar-one-realtor-shannon-price-irvin). And our Green Sponsors were Jennifer and John Dubé and Molly and Jan Yabs. We are so grateful to you all. ### Volunteers Our indispensable volunteers included parents of some of our students — **Helen and Joe Coyle** (who also won our competition and wee crowned King and Queen of Mardi Gras!), **Sara and Dave Mathews**, **Holly and Matt Coakley**, **Emily and Eric Allen;** also **Christine and Brady Webb** who were happy to help wherever help was needed; **Katie Takats**, who made our signage; **Raquel Lopez**, who our first [**Hilltop Children’s Champion**](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/hilltop-childrens-champions/); **Annie Delfiandra** who let everyone in; some friends from the Harmonium Project, **Sarita Asawa**, **Samantha McCoy**, and **Theresa Baker;** **Liz** **Schriber**, who was with us all the way from Rochester, New York; plus **Cindy Welker,** who, with her son LIam, got the chuck-a-luck wheel going for us; the crafting sisters **Anne Borsick Sweeney** and **Jacqueline Borsick Welling;** **Matthew Schaefer**, with additional help from **Kevin Lee**, **Tommy Gies**, **Robert Corzine** and **Christina Pankus**, **Rocco Palumbo**, **Jerry Crowe**, **Brian Antal**, and, last but not least, **Roberta and Paul Crowe**. The Ballroom is a wonderful space, but that’s all it is: a space. All tables, chairs, decorations, and all prizes, and business elements have to be brought in and put up in the 24 hours before the event begins, and then has to be completely taken down and packed out within 2 hours after the event if over. A massive undertaking of that nature doesn’t happen without a **LOT** of help. ### Toast the Host Catering, with Jesse and Heidi Stetson Toast the Host Catering, featuring the culinary stylings of Jesse Stetson, did a remarkable job with the food once again. Last year and this year we were eager to give Jesse a blank canvas to create amazing foods in the New Orleans cuisine family, and both years he has really shown off his skill and flair. We’re still working to figure out the best way to accomplish food stations in that tight space, but the food itself is incredible, we hope you all agree. ### Photography by John Novotny John Novotny was the roving photographer. He has been sharing his photos bit by bit through Facebook, and once he has them all prepared we will post a gallery here on our website. We’ll share it soon! ### ALL OF OUR GUESTS! None of this matters if our guests don’t come and have a good time and buy tickets and bid on auction items. Thank you to all of you who came out and made the Gala such a success. We netted nearly $5,000 on Saturday, between sponsorship and money raised that night, after expenses. ## SAVE THE DATE for MARDI GRAS 2021! The Mardi Gras Gala 2021 will take place on Saturday, February 13, 2021! Put it on you calendar now, and we’ll see you there! **Categories:** Events, Mardi Gras --- ### [Mardi Gras Photo Booth Greatest Hits](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-photo-booth-greatest-hits/) **Published:** February 24, 2020 **Author:** Tom **Content:** We had a photo booth at the Mardi Gras this year, and it was quite a hit! [See our post-event wrap-up and thank you.](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-2020-thank-yous/) If you didn’t get your photo set sent to you, let me know and I can send you the high-res version. **Categories:** Events, Mardi Gras --- ### [Coronavirus Survival Pack from HCH](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/coronavirus-survival-pack-from-hch/) **Published:** March 29, 2020 **Author:** Noëlle **Content:** Like everyone else, we’ve closed down for the time being in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t things for the children to do! We shared the below links and resources with the parens of our children, and thought maybe others would find them useful, too. - [Virtual tours of some of the world’s museums](https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours?fbclid=IwAR2Qju5Babsw8B3i1z2jA4Aw5yheB1E_2Ep9A2LexfemE2p8V0EtUYDrSo8) We’ve been studying about Ireland and Europe, with a focus on Austria. Here are some links about Irish and Austria culture: - [Irish step dancing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKUXxftWNS8&fbclid=IwAR23eQnsolT_FchIWNnrqIpcFz-bzjAwTbjqo2Oz_RltQIyCiunDc9AH9UE) - [More Irish step dancing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT0qpJ0ChHs&fbclid=IwAR2ueNuoyYxwov1c0z4KuGWPl8rfISl08SLcrK3z95Z7x7y6wm-VZnB_kxs) - [Austrian dancing with traditional dress](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0F6rLYFQ1g&fbclid=IwAR3lxs8vyrGYsgKxa-ybkTVvaTjlT-EjcKKmfJZiKWjbO_3CY_GB0w_3KGU) - [More Austria Dancing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXJQGwoA4ec&fbclid=IwAR1DY2ipu4GqurAaBij7TpvY2AuM78gNX5kKzT_sG94Bqy9Lp8SuupqRvHc) - [Even More Austrian Dancing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK2kV5Qdf9I&fbclid=IwAR3lEc5HQrS-MX9YpK1QIfH1WASLNwJ9BXHKwX9xoDiVs2FHaCG302OED1s) - [Irish (well, actually Scottish) music](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JddRkt_FYDY&fbclid=IwAR3lxs8vyrGYsgKxa-ybkTVvaTjlT-EjcKKmfJZiKWjbO_3CY_GB0w_3KGU) - [Austrian yodeling](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByHPs5BQAqQ&fbclid=IwAR0xo2uueIR_dJcntnSqGkBM811QWIEOd1eMeNOkYwMy3x6Hu3BkO1BL2iI) - [Maria von Trapp teaches Julie Andrews how to yodel](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6j376yOlm4&fbclid=IwAR30yJ0_u2qAXVPJdcwmoZQphG2cyCIbOFKi0aSKHeUFgFUQY153IjGJpsE) - [National flower of Ireland: the shamrock](https://whatsanswer.com/what-is-the-national-flower-of-ireland/?fbclid=IwAR1Wdmcvx9d6QySPhyIs-lV3icHr-IHT2R_-0sCrJhye0EiVO79bj09zQ0A) - [National flower of Austria: edelweiss ](https://whatsanswer.com/what-is-the-national-flower-of-austria/?fbclid=IwAR1rvhzYShwpvyyoAEIgS6f2QKC_-I8gNxflbqTslA3Ydh1LDNDLZ6No03A) - [Short video about Ireland](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2O7UCpXoWs&fbclid=IwAR0iq4tjlqle2qZUIYhq__ub3zNhPwaEDgqT9vHew5cBaX45-Xo9H78Qsp8) - [Short video about Salzburg, Austria](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPuM9XioO_g&fbclid=IwAR1DY2ipu4GqurAaBij7TpvY2AuM78gNX5kKzT_sG94Bqy9Lp8SuupqRvHc) We use a moveable alphabet to help children learn to write. Here are two printable moveable alphabets. In our children’s house we use red for consonants and blue for vowels - [Blue moveable alphabet](https://montessoriassistant.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/small-movable-alphabet-cursive-blue.pdf) - [Red moveable alphabet](https://montessoriassistant.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/small-movable-alphabet-cursive-red.pdf) This printable stamp game can be used to help the children learn math and writing numbers. - [Get the stamp game here](https://montessoriassistant.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/stamp-game-pieces-and-papers.pdf) And with the arrival of spring we like to talk about different kinds of flowers and birds. We just started talking about how all animals are either vertebrates and invertebrates. Birds are one of the 5 types of vertebrates. This page shows 50 types of birds and what kinds of sounds they make. The maps also show the continents where you can find them! - [Birds and their sounds](https://www.aaastateofplay.com/50-bird-species-sounds-they-make/?fbclid=IwAR1gTETrUaIgStdMMRQ7cLH_AZ9T-AvPYqO_Lq_QMj2yq7IOLCpBtAFmWC4) - [And here’s a tutorial on how to draw a bird](https://artprojectsforkids.org/draw-a-chickadee-2/) We will post more, including resources on how to hunt bear, soon. **Categories:** Life at HCH --- ### [Going On A Bear Hunt](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/going-on-a-bear-hunt/) **Published:** March 30, 2020 **Author:** Noëlle **Content:** People in our neighborhood are putting bears in their windows for families to “hunt” while out walking. Based on the popular book *[We’re Going On A Bear Hunt](https://smile.amazon.com/dp/0689853491/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_JpvGEbDYXFABW)* it’s a fun way to keep the community engaged and give the kids something new to do, while still keeping your “social distance.” We’ve made a do-it-yourself booklet for kids to take with them on a bear hunt. Just print it off, staple four times along both long sides, then cut it in half along the dotted lines both long-ways and short-ways. [Download the Booklet](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Bear-Hunt-Booklet.pdf) If you’d like to participate by putting out a bear for families to find but you don’t have a teddy bear, we also have [a pdf of cute bears](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Bears-for-Bear-Hunt.pdf) you (or the kids) can color and post in the window. Enjoy! **Categories:** Life at HCH --- ### [Learning Multiplication and Division](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/learning-multiplication-and-division/) **Published:** April 2, 2020 **Author:** Noëlle **Content:** While using actual Montessori materials is best sometimes that’s just not possible such as now when we’re all staying home during this COVID-19 pandemic. These printable resources can help you mimic the wooden materials we use in our classroom so that hands-on learning can more easily be achieved at home with nothing more than a printer, paper, and a pair of scissors. This [printable Multiplication Bead Board](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Printable-Multiplication-Bead-Board.pdf) helps children memorize multiplication tables from 1-9. It also helps children see geometric relationships as the resulting shape is always a rectangle (or a square in the case of the multiplicand and the multiplier being the same) and allows children to practice skip counting. The accompanying [Multiplication Facts Sheet](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Multiplication-facts.pdf) can be used for writing answers to the problems worked on on the Multiplication Bead Board. How to use the Multiplication Bead Board 1. Cut out the red colored circles and squares 2. Use the red circle with no number to represent the multiplicand by placing it above the number at the top of the board. 3. Use the red circle with a number to represent the multiplier by placing it in the circle on the side of the board. 4. Place the red squares on the board across to the multiplicand, repeating the number of times of the multiplier. 5. Count how many red squares are on the board and record the answer on the Multiplication Facts Sheet We’ll post a printable Division Bead Board resource soon. **Categories:** Life at HCH --- ### [An Unexpected (and sad!) Ending to the Year](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/an-unexpected-and-sad-ending-to-the-year/) **Published:** June 26, 2020 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Our in-person sessions ended early due to the pandemic this year, but we did what we could to help the children and their parents have plenty of Montessori-based exercises and experiences to do at home. **Content:** Well, the Coronavirus affected us, too. No one at Hilltop Children’s House was diagnosed the virus, mind you, but when everything shut down back in March, we did too. We weren’t sure we would have to at first, but when Governor Dewine announced the sweeping closures of schools and so many other parts of the state, we met with our parents and decided, together, that we also should follow suit and suspend in-person classes on March 15. We had sincerely hoped that we would be able to gather at our children’s house again before the end of the school year, but the two weeks turned into months, and it rapidly became apparent that that would not happen. We are so sad that the year ended this way, without being able to say goodbye to those students who won’t be returning next year, and without being able to work one-on-one with the children in their works! So much good progress had been made, and we had been having so much fun as a community! During those eight weeks after everything closed we did what we could online to keep the program going, mostly through posts in a private group on Facebook. We also were sure to remember everyone’s birthday, conducting live chats with all of the families to have our birthday celebrations — “The earth goes around the sun, the earth goes around the sun, the earth goes around the sun and then Jane was two!” We even made sure the family whose child had a birthday had the globe, candle, candle snuffer, and all the items they needed to have the birthday celebration. Beyond the birthday celebrations we also did the following to encourage the hands-on, experiential, Montessori education at home, trying to keep our recommendations hemmed in by what we thought parents might already have at home. **So each week we provided:** 1. resources for parents to continue working on letter sounds with their children; [![Sounds post](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Sounds-post-300x176.png) ](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Sounds-post.png) 1. counting pages and word problems for those children who are reading and doing addition and subtraction; [![Word Math Problem](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/HCH-word-problem-sample-300x247.jpg) ](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/HCH-word-problem-sample.jpg) [![Counting exercise](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Counting-Exercise-Post-300x142.png) ](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Counting-Exercise-Post.png) 1. a video of a poem recitation each week; 1. a question each week to help children categorize their world; [![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Question-Counting-post-300x121.png) ](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Question-Counting-post.png) 1. a zoology unit on birds which included [pictures of different types of nests](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IaULXqNhI48r20nt3l_9jEesfTzUUsBa/view?fbclid=IwAR03sJhm6PzYbGS9yykPwvQuxZp_uFgpohPJWiaAyC8fyDpnhWLJ4IXTDFU "pictures of different types of nests"), learning about different parts of birds, etc.; [![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bird-Egg-Types-213x300.jpg) ](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bird-Egg-Types.jpg) 1. a geography unit on Europe consisting of reading books about different countries and recommended recipes from those countries; 1. reading a story each week; 1. different sensorial works, such as geometric shapes, [in a printable format](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J-j-HsFBT_tOYnY7-6w79ZFvEOkDiZhB/view?usp=sharing "Downloadable geometric lesson"); [![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Geometric-and-cursive-lesson-210x300.jpg) ](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Geometric-and-cursive-lesson.jpg) 1. An art project with a little information about a different artist and a project that would imitate some aspect of that artist’s work. 1. a movement exercise such as moving like different kinds of animals or doing motions to a song. So the latter portion of this year didn’t go quite as we had hoped, but it wasn’t all bad at the Children’s House. A donor gave us a Granny Smith apple tree which we planted behind the House this spring. It had a handful of apple blossoms on it already this year, so we look forward to picking apples with the children for years to come. We’ll have some more updates very soon. Stay tuned! **Categories:** Life at HCH --- ### [A Hopeful New Year!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/a-hopeful-new-year/) **Published:** October 27, 2020 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Our new school year started on time in mid-September, with eleven children (soon to be twelve) in the Children's House. But it was a daddy long legs that stole the show early. **Content:** Our new school year started on time in mid-September, with eleven children in the Children’s House. We were concerned in mid-summer that COVID restrictions would make reopening this fall nearly impossible, but in August the guidelines were relaxed. No children of this age are required to wear face coverings, nor are the adults supervising them. The children’s temperatures are checked at the door every morning, and we do not allow parents to enter the building. If any children show symptoms of illness we ask their parents to keep them home. So with those protocols in place, our program kicked off on time. About one month into the year a twelfth child joined us. So our year is going well with seven girls and five boys, and a daddy long legs. ![Daddy Long Leg Sighting](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Daddy-Long-Leg-Sighting.jpg) That is, the sensation one morning was a daddy long leg sighting, which brought everything else to a halt as everyone had to stop and look. We may incorporate some lessons on insects of this type some time soon to ride the wave of the intrigue. But beyond the daddy long legs sensation the beginning of the year has been very ordinary. Thanks be to God. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [#GivingTuesday 2020 at Hilltop Children's House](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/givingtuesday-2020-at-hilltop-childrens-house/) **Published:** November 30, 2020 **Author:** Tom **Content:** [ hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/hilltopmontessoristeub/) [ View Instagram post by hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dct8sD_OZw1/) Aug 31 [ Open post by hilltopmontessoristeub with ID 17946217422274540 ](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/790968844_18366066205245327_5620305704395560467_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=RbSP-VFeQu0Q7kNvwHM5mPJ&_nc_oc=AdrIV0ZUJclJLwHMlXuj3HAdnrL-Tn1qChO9Vk_mLgwlQK70KGVHJDeFgC1pK7FPLsBHv5CpjMuY2jVVFtODIC28&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=AM6HXa8EAAAA&_nc_gid=kK9nvPeBX6nUg7rB2ic-Dg&oh=00_AQIly6uSRZVEJksMVhlyTm298ldM4wiC8bP3QKkHcrByrw&oe=6AA0E9B9) [ ![Today we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Maria Montessori, whose vision continues to shape the lives of children around the world. We are so grateful for the work she did to observe children, understand their needs, and develop an approach to education that respects their dignity, independence, curiosity, and capacity to learn. What she discovered through her work so many years ago is something we have the privilege of witnessing every day. Every time we prepare an environment, give a child the freedom to choose meaningful work, watch concentration unfold, or see a child proudly accomplish something they once thought they couldn’t do, we are reminded of the gift Maria Montessori left to us. Today, we celebrate her birthday with gratitude—not only for the work she did, but for the opportunity to carry that work forward with the children in our care every day. ❤️ Happy Birthday, Dr. Montessori! 🎂](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dct8sD_OZw1/) Today we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Maria Montessori, whose vision continues to shape the lives of children around the world. We are so grateful for the work she did to observe children, understand their needs, and develop an approach to education that respects their dignity, independence, curiosity, and capacity to learn. What she discovered through her work so many years ago is something we have the privilege of witnessing every day. Every time we prepare an environment, give a child the freedom to choose meaningful work, watch concentration unfold, or see a child proudly accomplish something they once thought they couldn’t do, we are reminded of the gift Maria Montessori left to us. Today, we celebrate her birthday with gratitude—not only for the work she did, but for the opportunity to carry that work forward with the children in our care every day. ❤️ Happy Birthday, Dr. Montessori! 🎂 ... 2 0 [ hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/hilltopmontessoristeub/) [ View Instagram post by hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWcQY-_j34v/) Mar 28 [ Open post by hilltopmontessoristeub with ID 18353166025239639 ](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/657404158_18342928618245327_3547935550260347716_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=CLuFryU5w-MQ7kNvwH6Qg5Q&_nc_oc=AdpA_H0X-H6iDkWz8j4cxRRZWe5l9vct9yNDfSkLJ5MbW0O-QU1Qlyf2jpRfSWSMPUebtQlMlzysz2Kp4NohvNpp&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=AM6HXa8EAAAA&_nc_gid=kK9nvPeBX6nUg7rB2ic-Dg&oh=00_AQJ7mcKVTwWrl3NI6T0xSjmtixCQvcNJlNzUJKzGWiXQJg&oe=6AA0CBD5) [ ![A couple more donor spaces have been filled! THANK YOU to everyone who has donated to our scholarship fund thus far. Just 18 MORE DAYS to donate and make a difference for children on our hilltops and surrounding areas! #hilltopmontessorischool #scholarshipdonations #taxcredit](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWcQY-_j34v/) A couple more donor spaces have been filled! THANK YOU to everyone who has donated to our scholarship fund thus far. Just 18 MORE DAYS to donate and make a difference for children on our hilltops and surrounding areas! \#hilltopmontessorischool #scholarshipdonations #taxcredit ... 3 0 [ hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/hilltopmontessoristeub/) [ View Instagram post by hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWZZQwQjUJx/) Mar 27 [ Open post by hilltopmontessoristeub with ID 18067300241659065 ](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/658799464_18342786757245327_2838742578181766912_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=MYxQB_1bV-MQ7kNvwHvufh9&_nc_oc=AdoRUx32qBLP3qTVp_F0sIHj3N-_jykm2I1f3Q4Sq2OyqDzTcvQzcDaw64FmczXkv6D8K6BGwUkPjDr4sS_IYkwp&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=AM6HXa8EAAAA&_nc_gid=kK9nvPeBX6nUg7rB2ic-Dg&oh=00_AQK7Ub-59QohG7vIojJsosa4gSwhjCrZc6bylPjFnfSjFQ&oe=6AA0C951) [ ![Now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year. Limited spaces available for our Toddler, Primary, and Adolescent programs. #hilltopmontessorischool #montessori #openenrollment](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWZZQwQjUJx/) Now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year. Limited spaces available for our Toddler, Primary, and Adolescent programs. \#hilltopmontessorischool #montessori #openenrollment ... 1 0 [ hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/hilltopmontessoristeub/) [ View Instagram post by hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWUTAGfIJGo/) Mar 25 [ Open post by hilltopmontessoristeub with ID 17974070150851103 ](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/656857661_985639410454941_5357069891032045866_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=bCTeEl1qPOEQ7kNvwH1mPRL&_nc_oc=AdrETXkvsQiWlTpkqJyy6ig33q13V6QNBtVzTHb-r2_M50goTYDf7KpiffFn6o1xNoqwWemumHI8LkAlXMT7KFgu&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=AM6HXa8EAAAA&_nc_gid=kK9nvPeBX6nUg7rB2ic-Dg&oh=00_AQIuNa0FsKjSz-kOtwsQMwFId807ku_-Ue88ZT20FOQRwA&oe=6AA0C65A) [ ![How blessed we are to be in a neighborhood on a hilltop in a city along a great river valley. #montessorischool #montessorieducation #steubenville #hilltopchildrenshouse #steubenvilleohio #montessori #montessoriinsteubenville #elementarymontessori #rivervalley #panorama #sketching](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWUTAGfIJGo/) How blessed we are to be in a neighborhood on a hilltop in a city along a great river valley. \#montessorischool #montessorieducation #steubenville #hilltopchildrenshouse #steubenvilleohio #montessori #montessoriinsteubenville #elementarymontessori #rivervalley #panorama #sketching ... 5 0 [ hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/hilltopmontessoristeub/) [ View Instagram post by hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWPp6aZkgnn/) Mar 23 [ Open post by hilltopmontessoristeub with ID 17940198999168829 ](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/641583012_962467336105482_3025601593257148496_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=gCQGn-fcDoAQ7kNvwGiJApa&_nc_oc=AdoF_3UkjoCqGMrCApjOLpGsVf0pToe0JyjmZzDHAupYaW5fDbBkW5nt6r1DqO_eRRNjjPVi8PRRyRL-6OgU-qK4&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=AM6HXa8EAAAA&_nc_gid=kK9nvPeBX6nUg7rB2ic-Dg&oh=00_AQLRO8WEiAOwnbVc1kbHpuEa6Q7XzBR7yGSmkGgZS3jkZQ&oe=6AA0C884) [ ![It’s more than a donation—it’s an investment in a child’s future. Donate here: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWPp6aZkgnn/) It’s more than a donation—it’s an investment in a child’s future. Donate here: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing ... 0 0 [ hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/hilltopmontessoristeub/) [ View Instagram post by hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWG9zzhiOcG/) Mar 20 [ Open post by hilltopmontessoristeub with ID 17952641199096426 ](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/641628367_962463586105857_485296880627824798_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=CyKeqVgDHYEQ7kNvwHQhGLG&_nc_oc=AdrNlCZVlluog5OdCHP_2w1ZM7d78Q3HUAv11Uy6j9Zu2fTUYnu9SMQo4mDSAEqw3QxGrRfdf3aHQF6uN13AFx98&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=AM6HXa8EAAAA&_nc_gid=kK9nvPeBX6nUg7rB2ic-Dg&oh=00_AQLiqaI5URd2DbroGt2WQoUxs47Pd1XZklNzPj7N30UpPQ&oe=6AA0E471) [ ![Transform your tax dollars into something meaningful: access to education. Donate here: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWG9zzhiOcG/) Transform your tax dollars into something meaningful: access to education. Donate here: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing ... 0 0 [ hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/hilltopmontessoristeub/) [ View Instagram post by hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWCrEBQgUjC/) Mar 18 [ Open post by hilltopmontessoristeub with ID 18055038584468468 ](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/641586858_962461869439362_4452286370148580411_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=qrcQA4ginZIQ7kNvwFQ9K7P&_nc_oc=AdpdLEuHTD3TkdF110iWy2_RqCpC6hIDzyEDmUjCAX85J6-JfKvNsEYpf7KxOU4RR8CeKSApuy6HY9EdBylrdGyY&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=AM6HXa8EAAAA&_nc_gid=kK9nvPeBX6nUg7rB2ic-Dg&oh=00_AQLMLx9ub5vXbEZWGYGfSxRsC792OaYrr7xt404y5Xa-nQ&oe=6AA0E0F0) [ ![You can help a child attend Hilltop—and receive a tax credit in return. Donate here: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWCrEBQgUjC/) You can help a child attend Hilltop—and receive a tax credit in return. Donate here: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing ... 0 0 [ hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/hilltopmontessoristeub/) [ View Instagram post by hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DV08L0wDXbZ/) Mar 13 [ Open post by hilltopmontessoristeub with ID 18071976914536209 ](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/641581148_962459159439633_3638092002554824926_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=6hykaYFFz58Q7kNvwEDvy4D&_nc_oc=Adq1cF97PZcTkSKLuYibU3b6J34uYi36RsfuyjwbJMnsIyPtj9qAUupIjqHYGkytfCz7vPJc4oIKJx39jDpE87p-&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=AM6HXa8EAAAA&_nc_gid=kK9nvPeBX6nUg7rB2ic-Dg&oh=00_AQKoOQV4A28sOebV8V8KHS0vXW06PAUFY5XGoKFq7tyW5A&oe=6AA0CC11) [ ![This is your chance to make a direct impact on a child’s education—at no extra cost to you. Give at: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing #hilltopmontessorischool #scholarships #support #Montessori](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DV08L0wDXbZ/) This is your chance to make a direct impact on a child’s education—at no extra cost to you. Give at: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing #hilltopmontessorischool #scholarships #support #Montessori ... 0 0 [ hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/hilltopmontessoristeub/) [ View Instagram post by hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DVwwab3FMPy/) Mar 11 [ Open post by hilltopmontessoristeub with ID 17851040658649433 ](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/641621203_962457192773163_7065465768130261687_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=1NEx2LgtMWcQ7kNvwFPO5MM&_nc_oc=AdphruzS1_hMirflC6pyy99U5hzphGxdEqiKAbkiPJNEcglL_hFTpomNvR17xxb47oGUUfEkH5SuHGiEmjYxBwsX&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=AM6HXa8EAAAA&_nc_gid=kK9nvPeBX6nUg7rB2ic-Dg&oh=00_AQJtIC0usHh_2jdMPUeVU_R1jsyUEZjdcm0tyczaObBZlQ&oe=6AA0CE23) [ ![Your contribution helps make a Montessori education accessible to more families. Give at: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing #hilltopmontessorischool #Montessori #scholarships #support](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DVwwab3FMPy/) Your contribution helps make a Montessori education accessible to more families. Give at: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing #hilltopmontessorischool #Montessori #scholarships #support ... 1 0 [ hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/hilltopmontessoristeub/) [ View Instagram post by hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DVrSOu6jQ7r/) Mar 9 [ Open post by hilltopmontessoristeub with ID 18082288241599515 ](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/641569422_962454672773415_4779070558680233085_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=B67DUSts5ywQ7kNvwGImeQS&_nc_oc=AdpwFjfbJcR6rLVbmgZw4MOjIGYI3jv90YcTUIrESw9gzaXHYxoI6g4-nbU_FO1H8sYehTVC5LG8hb3YQfdr3mbD&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=AM6HXa8EAAAA&_nc_gid=kK9nvPeBX6nUg7rB2ic-Dg&oh=00_AQJCr-yoXNRKz5TzHsXv4pulmdaM7HEd0FHpQLXtSA4CFw&oe=6AA0C767) [ ![Education changes lives—and you can be part of that change. Give here: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing #hilltopmontessorischool #Montessori #scholarships #support](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DVrSOu6jQ7r/) Education changes lives—and you can be part of that change. Give here: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing #hilltopmontessorischool #Montessori #scholarships #support ... 0 0 [ hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/hilltopmontessoristeub/) [ View Instagram post by hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DVjBdKkDMmB/) Mar 6 [ Open post by hilltopmontessoristeub with ID 18100297546899289 ](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/641596930_962452239440325_3794829788426613994_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=IWfJwHWye7AQ7kNvwGBI6Kd&_nc_oc=AdpWssYFQxOrdGvb0ZlWiU0cRkYzslnvoYmU4zY462_taOnF1vtML6NsKgMfxJ0S_UtJAWImARGPTcX6BHamIOnm&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=AM6HXa8EAAAA&_nc_gid=kK9nvPeBX6nUg7rB2ic-Dg&oh=00_AQLVdW3hIKn6vB7RkVVXT9Sd5kk-dLxIsprGWxRDazBxKg&oe=6AA0C356) [ ![Support scholarships. Strengthen our community. Receive a tax credit. Everybody benefits. Give here: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing #hilltopmontessorischool #scholarships #support #Montessori](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DVjBdKkDMmB/) Support scholarships. Strengthen our community. Receive a tax credit. Everybody benefits. Give here: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing #hilltopmontessorischool #scholarships #support #Montessori ... 0 0 [ hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/hilltopmontessoristeub/) [ View Instagram post by hilltopmontessoristeub ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DVcQ3v0D90K/) Mar 4 [ Open post by hilltopmontessoristeub with ID 17905054008201875 ](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/641592381_962450222773860_2716484809585664723_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=isXWpbfNnqYQ7kNvwGqknls&_nc_oc=AdpyERLA8TFRyTwMP9RnnBQT3x5D-eh781MqFW79A1AVRcPYSxvJTMPg5JVe9h6KDtL01fvJFWonN-UHHtWp7_uR&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=AM6HXa8EAAAA&_nc_gid=kK9nvPeBX6nUg7rB2ic-Dg&oh=00_AQJJllv1pLKFs2ksyNduvP-wHh_ZxdwPjGyrBfraFRrnvA&oe=6AA0DD60) [ ![A small act of generosity can make a lifelong impact. Donate and receive an Ohio tax credit. Give here: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing #hilltopmontessorischool #Montessori #support #scholarships](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DVcQ3v0D90K/) A small act of generosity can make a lifelong impact. Donate and receive an Ohio tax credit. Give here: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing #hilltopmontessorischool #Montessori #support #scholarships ... 1 0 Load More... [ Follow on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/hilltopmontessoristeub/) It’s #GivingTuesday 2020. Like so many other worthy charities we are seeking your support. [We began this year](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/a-hopeful-new-year/) in spite of COVID with twelve children. Since we do not wish ability to pay to be a barrier, seven of those twelve have received some level of tuition reduction. As you can see in the photos below from our Instagram feed, it has been a pleasing year thus far. We have added: - a dishwashing stand where children can learn to wash and dry their own dishes after snack; - a knobs and screws work for the children to learn how to use basic tools; - aprons and oil cloth underlays to increase the number of children who can do pouring works; - some outdoor tools for raking leaves; - more books for our reading corner, among other things. Our ask for #GivingTuesday is two-fold: ### Large Needs **Heating and Ventilation:** First, if you can give a large amount, it will help us shore up our aging heating and cooling system. Our furnace, air conditioning unit, and ductwork are very old and need to be serviced badly. Such work doesn’t fit into the regular budget, so an emergency could be catastrophic for us. **Outdoor Works:** Second, we would love to provide an outdoor space where children could go to do outdoor works in a secure and well-designed yard. This requires a retaining wall and fence around the perimeter. [Larger gifts will help make these possible sooner rather than later.](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/) ### Smaller Needs For those who cannot give a large amount, would you consider becoming a monthly donor? **Monthly donors are the lifeblood of our operations**, allowing us to plan for the future. We are looking for 20 new donors at the $20 level by the end of the year. We have nine new monthly donors, could you help us close that gap with [a first $20 monthly donation](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/20at20in2020/)? Whatever you give, we thank you from the bottoms of our hearts. God bless! [![](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1920/h:944/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Giving-Tuesday-HCH-for-Facebook-2020.png "Giving Tuesday HCH for Facebook 2020 | Hilltop Montessori School")](http://hilltopchildrenshouse.com/support) **Categories:** Needs --- ### [Christmas Card Photo Shoot](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/christmas-card/) **Published:** December 19, 2020 **Author:** Tom **Content:** The mother of one of our children, Laura Schaefer, is a photographer ([check out her excellent work here](https://lauraandmatthewphoto.com)) and she came to the Children’s House for a Christmas Card Photo shoot. Unfortunately, due to illness and travel, five of our twelve children weren’t able to be there that day. Here’s a selection of the day’s photos, taken at the end of the day when we all gathered at the prayer table. Merry Christmas, everyone! [![Merry Christmas!](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20253'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:800/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/HCH-Christmas2.jpeg "Merry Christmas!") [![Macy On the Lookout](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20253'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:800/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/HCH-Christmas4.jpeg "Macy On the Lookout") [![Getting Prepared for the Prayer Table](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20253'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:800/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/HCH-Christmas5.jpeg "Getting Prepared for the Prayer Table") [![Gathering at the Prayer Table](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20253'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:800/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/HCH-Christmas10.jpeg "Gathering at the Prayer Table") [![Singing Along](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20569'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:720/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/HCH-Christmas13.jpeg "Singing Along") [![Salute!](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20253'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:800/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/HCH-Christmas16.jpeg "Salute!") [![Singing (and Signing) Alleluia](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20253'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:800/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/HCH-Christmas19.jpeg "Singing (and Signing) Alleluia") [![Extinguising the Candles](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20569'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:720/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/HCH-Christmas21.jpeg "Extinguising the Candles") [![Bundled Up to Go Home](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20253'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:800/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/HCH-Christmas28.jpeg "Bundled Up to Go Home") **Categories:** Life at HCH --- ### [Mardi Gras Raffle Fundraiser 2021!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-raffle-fundraiser-2021/) **Published:** January 9, 2021 **Author:** Tom **Content:** ![Mardi Gras 2021 Header](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:957/h:321/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Mardi-Gras-2021-Header.jpg "Mardi Gras 2021 Header | Hilltop Montessori School") Mardi Gras Raffle 2021! The bad news: We cannot host our annual Mardi Gras Gala this year due to COVID. BOOOO! ([Seriously](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-wrap-up/) [how](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-gala-2019-in-pictures/) [much](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wtov-news-9-mardi-gras-coverage/) [fun](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-2020-thank-yous/) [it](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-photo-booth-greatest-hits/) [is](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mouth-watering-mardi-gras-menu-set/)! We’ll do it again in 2022, we PROMISE!!) The GOOD news: We have a raffle with some really spectacular prizes! - **weekly** King Cakes delivered straight to you directly from [Joe Gambino’s in New Orleans!](https://gambinos.com) - Gia Russa Italian feast basket - Mia Emilia gourmet Italian specialties - a Pikler Triangle - other prizes - and a GRAND PRIZE of… … ***$500*** … The King Cake drawings begin THIS COMING TUESDAY, January 12! So get your tickets soon to start winning! We will announce the winners of the major prizes during a LIVE event on Mardi Gras, Tuesday, February 16. ### ***Check out the details and get your tickets today!*** [Go To the Raffle Page](https://go.rallyup.com/hchmardigras2021 "Go to the Raffle Page") ![](https://d2vy9bbiawimza.cloudfront.net/246x164/RallyUpProduction/86dfada98edb2640eb876b6ca16d3a89.jpg) [More Info](https://go.rallyup.com/hchmardigras2021) 0% raised of $5,000 Goal [Buy Entries](https://go.rallyup.com/hchmardigras2021) **Categories:** Mardi Gras --- ### [The First King Cake is Won!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/the-first-king-cake-is-won/) **Published:** January 12, 2021 **Author:** Tom **Content:** The First King Cake is Won! We raffled off our first King Cake tonight, and the winner was… **Christiana Warmerdam!** Congratulations to Christiana! A King Cake from [Gambino’s Bakery in New Orleans](https://gambinos.com "Joe Gambino's Bakery") will be on its way to you tomorrow! We have four more King Cakes to raffle off on each of the Tuesdays between now and Mardi Gras, February 16. Get your tickets — or get more tickets to increase your chances! [Get Your Tickets Today!](https://go.rallyup.com/hchmardigras2021 "Get Your Tickets!") [![Joe Gambino's Bakery Logo](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:919/h:617/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Gambinos-logo.jpg "Gambinos logo | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://gambinos.com) Proudly partnering with Joe Gambino’s Bakery ![king cake winner #1](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1080/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/King-Cake-Winner-1-Tuesday-January-12.png "King Cake Winner #1 | Hilltop Montessori School") **Categories:** Mardi Gras --- ### [Dungeon Hollow Brewing Sponsors King Cakes!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/dungeon-hollow-brewing-sponsors-king-cakes/) **Published:** January 13, 2021 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Dungeon Hollow Brewing Sponsors King Cakes! We are excited to announce a sponsor for the five King Cakes! [**Dungeon Hollow Brewing!**](https://www.dungeonhollow.com/) Bill and Heidi Ryan, the proprietors of this local brewery, are the parents of one of our students, and they were happy to pitch in to help [our raffle fundraiser](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-raffle-fundraiser-2021/) be a success! Through their generosity, the cost of the five King Cakes that we are raffling off, [like the one we raffled off yesterday](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/the-first-king-cake-is-won/), is covered. To win one of these King Cakes, [**get your tickets here**](https://go.rallyup.com/hchmardigras2021), and you’ll be entered to win any of the prizes we are raffling off on Mardi Gras — including the ***$500 GRAND PRIZE!*** — as well as the weekly King Cake drawings that we’re doing on each Tuesday between now and Mardi Gras. And if you’re in the area looking for a good brew and good people, stop by the Dungeon Hollow tasting room, or find their beer on tap and in bottles at many local establishments. Thanks, Bill and Heidi! ![Dungeon Hollow Brewing Logo](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:340/h:338/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Dungeon-Hollow-Brewing-Logo.jpg "Dungeon Hollow Brewing Logo | Hilltop Montessori School") **Categories:** Mardi Gras --- ### [Applications Open for Limited Spots in 2021-22!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/applications-open-for-limited-spots-in-2021-22/) **Published:** May 19, 2021 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Applications are Open for Limited Spots in 2021-22 We are pleased to announce that we are accepting applications for the 2021-2022 school year, which will begin on Monday, September 13, 2021 and will conclude just before Memorial Day Weekend, on Friday, May 27, 2022. See the full calendar for next year on [the calendar page](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/calendar/). As a reminder, new applicants to start our programs should be 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years old, and should be toilet trained (no diapers). Download the application below, and return it to us via email at , or by mail at: Hilltop Children’s House 117 S. Hollywood Blvd. #133 Steubenville, Ohio 43952 ***Get your application in before the slots fill up!*** [Download the Application](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ppqpOic_EY3nB_cQk4jqAjqVXtTfOb2Af6Xs9ZhSDwo/edit?usp=sharing "Download the Application") **Categories:** Life at HCH --- ### [Our Final Day of Class](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/our-final-day-of-class/) **Published:** May 28, 2021 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Today was our final day of classes in 2021 in our Montessori children's house. This children worked — and sung! — beautifully, but it's always bittersweet. **Content:** Last Day of Class, 2021 Oh what a year! We had our final day of class for 2021 at Hilltop Children’s House today, and it was a wonderful day. [**\[See Pictures Below\]**](#pictures) The children frequently hum or sing to themselves as they’re busy at their work in a Montessori Children’s House, and today the sound in the room was a low hum as the multitude of small voices mixed together. Sometimes they’re singing a song of their own composition about the work they’re doing, sometimes it’s just a random tune, and sometimes it’s a standard, like, oddly, Jingle Bells! But whatever it was, the overall effect was the most beautiful music in the world. The year began with twelve children in the house, but over the course of the year two left due to family choices related to COVID. Fortunately, we never had more than a couple of days affected by the pandemic, and our year was mostly healthy. As far as the children in the room, the year showed the sort of growth you hope to see in the children growing in society. Older children helping younger children learn new skills or helping them to clean things up. Children learning to deal with conflict. Children learning how to ask politely rather than demand when they want something. Children greeting each other with multilingual salutations (based on a song they learned). Children — on their own, without prompting — reciting back poems they learned. And on the academic side, the children learned about continents and countries, the life cycle and parts of butterflies and other animals, how to write letters and words (in cursive) as well as their numbers, parts of speech and how they work in a sentence, plus colors. Additionally, in mathematics, children learned skip counting, basic concepts of alegbra, shape names and how shapes relate to each other, and even how to do division with three-digit numbers. They also imbibed physical-conceptual lessons about loud and quiet, rough and smooth, hard and soft, warm and cold, and large and small. Oh, and how to slice a banana with a real paring knife, and then how to wash dishes, dry them, and put them away where they belong. Everything one expects in a Montessori school, we strive to provide. The final day of classes is always bittersweet because it means this little society is breaking up for the summer, and next year we will be missing some of our children, whether because they aged out or because their parents don’t send them back. But we will welcome others, and we’ve already received applications for our open slots — we’re still accepting applications, [find information about next year and get the application here](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/programs/). And this summer has a lot of promise for big updates at Hilltop Children’s House. We’re hoping to have a major renovation of our backyard, plus have a number of new windows installed at the house so that much-needed natural light can flow into the children’s house. [Support our renovation projects here](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/)! For those who have supported us, THANK YOU! We simply would not be here, able to provide this service, without your support. Photos from the Last Day of Class [![Triangles](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Triangles.jpg "Triangles") [![Moveable Alphabet](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Moveable-Alphabet.jpg "Moveable Alphabet") [![Tying Bows](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Tying-Bows.jpg "Tying Bows") [![Washing Dishes](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Washing-Dishes.jpg "Washing Dishes") [![Rolling a Mat](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Rolling-a-Mat.jpg "Rolling a Mat") [![Large to Small and Colors](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Large-to-Small-and-Colors.jpg "Large to Small and Colors") [![Knobbed Cylinders](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Knobbed-Cylinders.jpg "Knobbed Cylinders") [![Wood Polishing](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Wood-Polishing.jpg "Wood Polishing") [![Flower Arranging](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Flower-Arranging.jpg "Flower Arranging") [![Definition Cards](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Definition-Cards.jpg "Definition Cards") [![Altar Assembled](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Altar-Assembled.jpg "Altar Assembled") [![Sewing and Stitching](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Sewing-and-Stitching.jpg "Sewing and Stitching") [![Shapes Colors Sizes](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Shapes-Colors-Sizes.jpg "Shapes Colors Sizes") **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Advanced Montessori Training Completed](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/advanced-montessori-training-completed/) **Published:** July 1, 2021 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Noelle completed her advanced Montessori training at the Southwest Montessori Institute, an AMI training center, in June. **Content:** Advanced Montessori Training Completed [![Noelle Receives Her AMI Diploma](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201200%20800'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:831/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Noelle-Receives-Her-AMI-Diploma.jpg "Noelle Receives Her AMI Diploma") [![Noelle Hugging Anne](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201200%20800'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Noelle-Hugging-Anne.jpg "Noelle Hugging Anne") Our co-founder and lead guide, Noëlle, completed her AMI Primary Certification in June! This is the best training available. AMI was founded by Maria Montessori and her son, Mario, and thus AMI presents Montessori in its truest form. This training is usually out of reach for many, due either to cost or distance — this training has always been in-person-only, at a small number of centers across the country. But due to the pandemic, the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies in Phoenix, Arizona developed a means of doing the course online. Noëlle leapt at the opportunity. Beginning in September of 2020, Noëlle spent three nights weekly, three hours each night, in online courses. Then her “homework” would consume at least an additional 15 hours each week. The training required her to write out step-by-step processes for giving presentations, to produce materials that could be used for works, to record videos of her giving presentations, and produce albums of everything she had done. Then the final four weeks of the program required Noëlle to travel to Phoenix in June 2021 for lots of practice, oral exams, and graduation. It was many months of grueling work, but it was VERY worth it. The classroom began improving based on this more-rigorous training immediately. We removed materials that had been recommended by the previous Montessori method in favor of more effective materials. Presentations of works were strengthened. This training challenged Noëlle and required a ton of work, but all of it was worth the effort. Help support the work of Hilltop Children’s House so we can continue to provide truly excellent Montessori programming to the children of Steubenville! [Support HCH Today](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/ "Support") **Categories:** Life at HCH --- ### [A New Floor for Practical Life](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/a-new-floor-for-practical-life/) **Published:** September 8, 2021 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** We installed a new floor in the practical life portion of the Montessori children's house to help with the works, and especially with cleanup! **Content:** [![New Floor Going In](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201200%20800'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Floor-Going-In.jpg "New Floor Going In") [![Installing Final Floor Transition](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201200%20800'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Installing-Final-Floor-Transition.jpg "Installing Final Floor Transition") [![Macy Approves of the New Floor Area](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201200%20800'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Floor-Area.jpg "Macy Approves of the New Floor Area") A New Floor for Practical Life Our lead guide and co-founder, Noelle, has long desired a hard floor throughout the Montessori children’s house. Practical life has needed it especially. Many of the works have small parts that may get scattered. Or, until the children learn to be careful with them, they can tend to make a mess. Practical life includes many works of this sort. Children learn to use a spoon to transfer items like corn kernels from one bowl to another. Children use water in many works. Children learn to cut flowers and arrange them in vases. Lentils get poured from one cup to another. These works, and so many others, can get away from children who are learning — through these very actions — how to control their motions to accomplish the task well. And when they make a mess, the hard floor makes cleanup so much easier. So the Tuesday before our sessions began for the 2021-22 school year, our president and co-founder, Tom, installed a laminate floating floor in half of the classroom. It took him most of a day, but the improvement in the look and feel of the classroom, not to mention the improvement in the programs now that the children have that hard, smooth surface beneath them, made this one-day task a real benefit to our children’s house. Please support ongoing improvements like this at Hilltop Children’s House by becoming a Hilltop Children’s Champion today! [Become a Hilltop Children’s Champion](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/hilltop-childrens-champions/ "Hilltop Children’s Champions") ![Our Children's House](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:583/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Our-Childrens-House.jpg "Our Children's House | Hilltop Montessori School") **Categories:** Life at HCH, Renovations --- ### [A New Children's House Configuration](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/a-new-childrens-house-configuration/) **Published:** September 17, 2021 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** A new school year means new beginnings. Due to new materials and new works and a new floor, we needed a new children's house configuration. **Content:** A New Children's House Configuration Our new year has started with a new configuration in our children’s house! New materials, the [new flooring](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/a-new-floor-for-practical-life/), plus a new, [AMI-trained approach](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/advanced-montessori-training-completed/) to the materials and the overall program compelled us to reconsider the arrangement of materials. For starters, we brought together all practical life materials onto the new hard floor. This required a significant realignment of other parts of the children’s house, such as math works, and some sensorial materials that had previously been in the middle of the room. Also, with Noelle’s training, we found many ways to improve our already excellent programs. Please enjoy the photos of the new and improved Hilltop Children’s House! **And consider supporting our ongoing improvements by** [**supporting Hilltop Children’s House**](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/). [![Our Children's House](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20382%20254'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Our-Childrens-House.jpg "Our Children’s House") [![Art and Care of Environment](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20382%20254'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:768/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Art-and-Care-of-Environment.jpg "Art and Care of Environment") [![Practical Life and Entryway](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20382%20254'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:768/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Practical-Life.jpg "Practical Life and Entryway") [![Main Practical Life Area](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20382%20254'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:768/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Practical-Life-2.jpg "Main Practical Life Area") [![Cloth Washing and Flower Arranging](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20382%20254'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:768/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Cloth-Washing-and-Flower-Arranging.jpg "Cloth Washing and Flower Arranging") [![Snack Area and Hand Washing](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20382%20254'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:768/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Snack-Area-and-Hand-Washing.jpg "Snack Area and Hand Washing") [![Sensorial Works Space](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20382%20254'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:768/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Sensorial-2.jpg "Sensorial Works Space") [![Sensorial Works Central Area](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20382%20254'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:768/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Sensorial.jpg "Sensorial Works Central Area") [![Math and Language Area](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20382%20254'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:768/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Language-and-Math.jpg "Language and Math") [![Reading area and Bead Cabinet](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20382%20254'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:768/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Reading-and-Math.jpg "Reading and Math") [![Noelle Completing some Last-Minute Preparations](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20382%20254'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:768/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Last-Minute-Preparations.jpg "Last-Minute Preparations") [Become a Hilltop Children’s Champion](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/hilltop-childrens-champions/ "Hilltop Children’s Champions") **Categories:** Life at HCH, Renovations --- ### [Our Board of Trustees, Updated!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/our-board-of-trustees-updated/) **Published:** January 4, 2022 **Author:** Tom **Content:** This update is somewhat belated because the event happened many months ago. We have a mostly new board of trustees to help further the mission of [affordable Montessori in Steubenville, Ohio](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/programs/ "Programs and Costs")! All bios are up on the site. [Check out the new bios here](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/our-team/ "Our Team"). The seven members of the board include three returners: Rob Corzine, chair; Tom Crowe, president of the corporation; Noëlle Crowe, vice president of the corporation. The rest of the board includes four long-time friends of Hilltop Children’s House: James Wurzler, secretary; Heidi Ryan, treasurer; David Mathews; and Jan Yabs. This board brings a wealth of experience and expertise that will make — and has already made! — a huge difference for our work at Hilltop Children’s House: providing life-changing preschool opportunities through a primary Montessori program in Steubenville, Ohio. They either are natives of the area or have lived here for many years. Most are raising children in town, some have had children in our children’s house and one still does. They all take a keen interest in seeing good things happen here in Steubenville, especially good things for our families. We’re excited for the future opportunities that this board will help bring about! **Categories:** Life at HCH, News --- ### [Mardi Gras Raffle for Hilltop Children's House!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardigras22/) **Published:** January 12, 2022 **Author:** Tom **Content:** # Mardi Gras Raffle for Hilltop Children’s House! Win multiple prizes, including cash, king cakes, and Mardi Gras-in-a-box, among other items in the Mardi Gras Raffle for Hilltop Children’s House! We’d promised to do our Mardi Gras in-person again this year, but alas, Omicron has forced us back online. Le sigh… But never fear! We’re working on ways to bring the [spirit of Carnival and Mardi Gras](https://americancatholichistory.org/carnival-and-mardi-gras-in-the-united-states/ "spirit of Carnival and Mardi Gras") to you wherever you are! ## Prizes ### GRAND PRIZE #### $500 *sponsored by* **Blue Mantle Media** Drawn on Mardi Gras, Tuesday, March 1 ### EVERY TUESDAY #### **King Cakes!** straight from Joe Gambino’s Bakery in New Orleans ### MIDWAY CASH #### $100 Drawn on Thursday, February 10 ### SUNDAY CASH #### $50 Drawn each Sunday between January 18 and March 1 ### REGULAR WINNERS #### $25 Drawn every day that doesn’t have any other prize between January 18 and March 1 ### MARDI GRAS PREP PRIZE #### Mardi Gras-in-a-box Drawn on Thursdays, January 24 and February 24 [Get Tickets Here](https://go.rallyup.com/hchmardigras22 "Get Tickets Here") #### Drawings begin Tuesday, January 18! Tickets Can Win Multiple Times Get tickets early to increase your odds early on! ## We’re Grateful For Our Sponsors! ### Grand Prize Sponsor ![Blue Mantle Media logo](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:300/h:210/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/BlueMantleMedia_Logo_Small-scaled.jpg "BlueMantleMedia_Logo_Small | Hilltop Montessori School") ### Supporting Sponsors [![Laura & Matthew Logo](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:300/h:46/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Laura-Matthew-Logo.jpg "Laura & Matthew Logo | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://lauraandmatthewphoto.com) [![Joe Gambino's Bakery Logo](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:919/h:617/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Gambinos-logo.jpg "Gambinos logo | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://gambinos.com/) Sponsorship Opportunities We have multiple sponsorship levels available for partners in this work. Don’t miss your opportunity! [See Sponsorship Levels](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-raffle-sponsorships-available/ "Mardi Gras Raffle Sponsorships Available!") ![](https://d2vy9bbiawimza.cloudfront.net/246x164/RallyUpProduction/e3d0af948bfe73b3a066d6b1e8d940db.png) [More Info](https://go.rallyup.com/hchmardigras22) 0% raised of $7,000 Goal [Buy Items](https://go.rallyup.com/hchmardigras22) [![MARDI GRAS 2022](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1640/h:924/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1.png "MARDI GRAS 2022 | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://go.rallyup.com/hchmardigras22) ## Mardi Gras Raffle code ![QR Code]() **Categories:** Mardi Gras, Needs, Renovations --- ### [Two New Prizes for Mardi Gras Raffle!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/two-new-prizes-for-mardi-gras-raffle/) **Published:** January 24, 2022 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Two new prizes will be pulled on Mardi Gras with the Grand Prize sponsored by Blue Mantle Media. A Norwex basket and a Pikler Triangle. Get tickets to start winning! **Content:** # Two New Prizes for Mardi Gras Raffle! The Mardi Gras Raffle has two new prizes for the final day! They’ll join the Grand Prize of $500, sponsored by [Blue Mantle Media](https://www.bluemantlefilms.com/). (And we’re still accepting additional prizes for the raffle, drop us a line!) [Get Tickets Here](https://go.rallyup.com/hchmardigras22 "Get Tickets Here") Norwex Cleaning Basket [![Norwex Cleaning Basket](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:1016/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Norwex-Cleaning-Basket-scaled.jpg "Norwex Cleaning Basket | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1088/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Norwex-Cleaning-Basket-scaled.jpg) If you’ve never cleaned with Norwex then you’ve really been missing out. They clean to spotless **without soap or other chemicals**, just water, and then you just toss them in your regular laundry. Thanks to Erika and John Tuttle for this prize donation! This basket contains one multi-purpose envirocloth, a window cloth, a dust mitt, a kitchen cloth, two body cloths, and three makeup removal cloths — ***a $109 value!*** But beware: if you win this basket and begin to use Norwex cleaning cloths, you’ll want to get more of them! Crowebuilt Pikler Triangle ![Pikler Triangle cropped](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:617/h:606/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Pikler-Triangle-cropped.jpg "Pikler Triangle cropped | Hilltop Montessori School") From the time they start crawling through the age of ten (and even older, frequently), **kids love a Crowebuilt Pikler Triangle**. The concept is simple: two sides with rungs that form a triangle. **But in the mind of a child**, the possibilities are endless. A mountain. A castle. A tent. A haven. A horse. No matter what it becomes in the mind of the child, it is a structure that helps them with their gross motor skills, balance, confidence, and provides years of entertainment. And with Tom Crowe’s unique design, **it folds and stores easily**. Thanks to Noëlle and Tom Crowe for this donation, ***a $250 value!*** These are, of course, in addition to the daily prizes of $25, or a King Cake from Gambino’s in New Orleans, or $100, or $50, or a Mardi Gras-in-a-box package! ### [Get your tickets and start winning!](https://go.rallyup.com/hchmardigras22/) ![](https://d2vy9bbiawimza.cloudfront.net/246x164/RallyUpProduction/e3d0af948bfe73b3a066d6b1e8d940db.png) [More Info](https://go.rallyup.com/hchmardigras22) 0% raised of $7,000 Goal [Buy Items](https://go.rallyup.com/hchmardigras22) [![Mardi Gras Raffle Sponsors](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1640/h:924/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/5.png "Mardi Gras Raffle Sponsors | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://go.rallyup.com/hchmardigras22) **Categories:** Mardi Gras --- ### [An Elementary Classroom Building Deal](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/an-elementary-classroom-building-deal/) **Published:** April 10, 2022 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Hilltop Children's House has an opportunity to purchase the building next door for just $10,000. This building will enable us to expand our offerings to include an Elementary Classroom. **Content:** An Elementary Classroom Opportunity for Hilltop Children's House [Give on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/donate/1127249494735353/ "Give via Facebook") [Give on Paypal](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=ALFYX2K62BKTU "Give via PayPal") A blessed Palm Sunday to you! Palm Sunday is a sort of anniversary for Hilltop Children’s House. It was on Palm Sunday of 2017 that Noelle and Tom determined that they would do something to make a difference in the neighborhood of Steubenville. On Palm Sunday 2017 a gang shooting left a 15 year-old dead. He was killed just two blocks from where Tom was living at the time, and one block from where HCH is presently located. The shooting convinced Noelle and Tom that they had to do something with their time and talents to help the children of the neighborhood. In 2018, this conviction became Hilltop Children’s House. So it seems that Palm Sunday is a great time to step back and pause for a moment. To step back and look at where things are. And also, to share with you all some exciting news for the future. Presently our Primary Classroom enjoys great success. Our materials have expanded and grown. We have a very full complement of materials to help children learn practical life skills, sensorial lessons, language, and mathematics. We’re in pretty good shape, but there’s alway room for improvement. Some items, like our bells, came to us second hand, so they are well-used and need to be replaced. Other items, like clay pitchers or glass trays, suffer the consequences when a child doesn’t handle with proper care. Natural consequences are a huge part of the learning process! And what a group we have! We have 14 children this year, all ages from two-and-a-half through six, coming and learning together five days each week. The mix of ages, interests, and abilities allows children to learn at their own pace, to help each other learn, and to learn how to be a healthy member of a society. One of our students who has been with us since we opened our doors in 2018 is now seven. She aged out of our regular program last year. But there are some works in the classroom that she hadn’t quite mastered yet — division, fractions, and baking (yes, baking) among them. If we had an Elementary classroom she would be in it. Her parents opted to home school rather than send her to a conventional school, but they asked if she could come back to our Primary classroom two days each week to put in extra work on those areas. We are only too-happy to have her this year! She is a positive example to our younger children, and she is learning these all-important lessons! But, truth be told, she really is ready to be in an actual Elementary Montessori environment. And we hope to provide an Elementary Classroom for her next year. The people from whom we bought our present building in 2018 still own the building next door to ours. Both structures were built in the 1920s: ours to be a small one-room church, the other to be the parsonage. Our neighbors no longer have need for the the other building, and they believe in what we are doing, so they have offered to sell it to us for the incredible price of just $10,000. This is where you come in. This building would be perfect for a new Elementary Program. And since the back yards connect, we would fence in the entire space to be a secure shared space. Children from the two programs would interact in outdoor works like gardening, animal husbandry (yes, we would have chickens), and other large outdoor works. As for students, well, between our present Primary children who are ready for Elementary, and inquiries from other schools, we have more than 10 children who are ready to start THIS FALL. **Can you help us raise this modest sum by April 24?** Your gift of $100, $500, $1,000, or more will help Hilltop Children’s House literally take our impact to the next level. Any moneys raised beyond the amount needed to purchase will go toward closing costs and the needed renovations to the building. You can give via [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/donate/1127249494735353/) (which takes no fee), [PayPal](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=ALFYX2K62BKTU) (which takes a percentage), or send us a check to: Hilltop Children’s House 117 S. Hollywood Blvd. #133 Steubenville, Ohio 43952 But whichever way you give, you will be giving children in Steubenville a great opportunity for a truly life-changing education! **To give us the best chance possible to open this fall, be sure to give by April 24!** God bless, and thank you! [Give on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/donate/1127249494735353/ "Give via Facebook") [Give on Paypal](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=ALFYX2K62BKTU "Give via PayPal") **Categories:** Life at HCH, Needs --- ### [An Elementary Program](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/an-elementary-program/) **Published:** May 3, 2022 **Author:** Tom **Content:** We have some **great news!** Hilltop Children’s House will begin to offer an elementary program beginning this fall! Get the registration and details about costs, dates, and other information[ **on our website »**](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/programs/?swcfpc=1) Let’s take a look at how this unexpected and momentous day came about. When we started in 2018 we had no intention, nor a desire, to offer an Elementary program. We knew that the *[most](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/to-eliminate-the-achievement-gap/)*[ important time for a child to have a Montessori education was in the 2-6 age range](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/to-eliminate-the-achievement-gap/), which is the demographic served by the Primary program. But then some of our present students began to age out of Primary. And their parents asked us if we intended to start an Elementary. Then, very unexpectedly, parents of children who have gone to other Montessori programs inquired also. So there was demand, and we began to wonder if we could offer a supply. To do so, we’d need three things: 1. a space 2. materials 3. a lead guide The space was tricky, because our current building is only big enough for Primary. And then our neighbor offered us his building for just $10,000. So with an answer to the space question a possibility, we set about raising the money, and we told parents we’d make a decision about Elementary for this fall by May 1. Well, as of this writing, **we have raised a total of $11,420** **toward the purchase and renovation of the building!** So, *thanks to so many of you,* the purchase will happen! Space? Check. Next we had to be sure we could acquire the materials. We have some funding mechanisms in the works to make this happen, plus other arrangements. However, we’re still accepting donations to make this process even easier! [If you missed out on the fundraiser to buy the building and still have Easter Alms to give, we’re still accepting!](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=ALFYX2K62BKTU) But the point is, we will have the minimum materials necessary to open a quality program in the fall. Materials? Check. And lastly, well, we needed a lead guide. This was the tricky one. This isn’t just budgeting for compensation and figuring out where to get the money. No, this meant a person had to commit to our program here in Steubenville — perhaps move to town. And not just any person. The person had to be the right fit, be committed to our mission, and be committed to sticking with a program as it becomes established and grows. We put out feelers and an application, and we had some conversations, but nothing jumped out of the weeds. Until about a week ago. Our co-founder and president, Tom Crowe, suggested that, should the perfect person not come along, he would do what it took to lead the Elementary program at least for its first year. The more we looked at the possibility, the more the idea made sense. He has been serving as the assistant in the Primary program this whole year. He is obviously a mission fit, and committed to the growth of the organization. He knows a few of the kids who are ready to rise up to Elementary, because he’s been working with them in the Primary. He hasn’t had the formal Elementary training, but he is well-acquainted with the philosophy of Montessori. Also, importantly, he has a number of intangibles that are actually better suited to an Elementary environment than a Primary: he has a great interest in getting involved in a wide variety of topics of study, he loves leading long-term study projects, he is an adept storyteller, and he has a broad range of knowledge and interests. All of these things fit very nicely with the method of education that prevails in an Elementary Montessori program. We are very confident that as we begin our Elementary program, Tom will be a great fit at least for this first year. And who knows: maybe he’ll be so taken with the classroom it will become a new passion for him! So, lead guide: Check. And now we’ve got ourselves a Montessori Elementary Program in the works! So again: THANK YOU to those who prayed and donated to make this possible! And if you’re able, please consider supporting our need for materials as we near this momentous occasion! May God continue to bless you this Easter season and always! ![HCH Builings Aerial View](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/HCH-Buildings.jpg "HCH Buildings | Hilltop Montessori School")A huge combined back yard will make outdoor works, and works common to Primary and Elementary, possible. **Categories:** Life at HCH, News --- ### [Summer Camps: Math Camp and Reading Camp](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/summer-camps-math-camp-and-reading-camp/) **Published:** May 26, 2022 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Hilltop Children’s House will open its doors for three two-week summer camp sessions. During each of the two weeks a math camp and a reading camp will be offered. Children can do either of them, or both, during the same two-week session. Geared toward children seven and older, these camps make the beautiful and sensible materials and educational approach of a Montessori classroom available to children from conventional and homeschooling environments. The instructors are fully trained by the Association Montessori International — the gold standard of Montessori training. Read a little more below, or [get full details and register today!](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/summer-camps/ "Summer Camps") ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Instructor-and-student-with-moveable-alphabet.jpeg "Instructor-and-student-with-moveable-alphabet | Hilltop Montessori School") In the **math camp**, children will benefit from the stamp game, bead chains, exchange game, snake game, and other materials. The child’s grasp of, and ability to, add, multiply, subtract, and divide — even four digit numbers — will be enhanced. (In our regular session, four year-olds routinely add four-digit numbers, and are working on multiplication.) ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/stamp-game-1024x576.jpeg "stamp-game | Hilltop Montessori School") In the **reading camp**, children will learn, or strengthen, phonetic reading, cursive writing, and functions of words and their usage in a sentence. Children will benefit from a kinesthetic approach to learning reading. And a small research project will help them take ideas, information, and thoughts that they read and restate them in their own words. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/child-writing-in-cursive-1024x576.jpeg "child-writing-in-cursive | Hilltop Montessori School") These camps are **limited to six students each**, so the small class size will guarantee personal attention and a maximized learning experience. [Get details and apply soon, before the spaces fill up!](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/summer-camps/ "Summer Camps") ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/fractions-material-1024x576.jpeg "fractions material | Hilltop Montessori School") **Categories:** Events, Life at HCH --- ### [A Montessori Primer, TEDx Talk](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/a-montessori-primer-tedx-talk/) **Published:** July 11, 2022 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Dear anyone curious about a Montessori school, or who presently has children at a Montessori school. WATCH THE FIRST THREE MINUTES and TWENTY SECONDS OF THIS VIDEO. Seriously. Katy Wright was a second grade teacher with multiple education degrees and certification. And then she learned about Montessori. Just listen to her talk about what Montessori is, why it works, and why you should want it for your children. Watch the whole talk, but at least the first three minutes. She hits on the major points: individual learning, the opportunity to concentrate, an environment that encourages self-directed education, and executive functioning. The structure of a Montessori classroom means that children can learn the thing they are most interested in first. As other children are learning other things around them, they learn those things incidentally, and are enticed to try out those things as well. Before you know it, they’ve learned more than anyone thought they would, at a much earlier age. And as a parting thought, if you send your kids to a Montessori school, ask your school’s administrators and teachers — guides, if it’s a Montessori program — their thoughts about this. And what their commitment to real, authentic Montessori is. Real Montessori is a game changer. Accept no substitutes. **Categories:** Life at HCH, Motivations --- ### [A $25,000 Grant for Renovations + $3,000 = 54% of The Way There!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/a-25000-grant-for-renovations-50-of-whats-needed/) **Published:** July 29, 2022 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Hilltop Children's House was recently awarded a grant of $25,000 by the J.C. Williams Charitable Trust! This is great for AMI Montessori in Steubenville, Ohio **Content:** ![Children's House Set for January 5](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Childrens-House-Set-for-January-5-1024x768.jpg "Children's House Set for January 5 | Hilltop Montessori School")More space more natural light better flooring throughout and a better water source would greatly improve our already top notch AMI Montessori Primary program We received great news: Hilltop Children’s House was recently awarded a grant of $25,000 by the J.C. Williams Charitable Trust! This is a great help to our AMI Montessori in Steubenville, Ohio. ## Grant Application for Major Renovations Our application to the J.C. Williams Charitable Trust included plans for a significant renovation of our Primary building — the building we’ve owned and operated in since 2018. The renovations will: - greatly increase the space available for our classes; - replace existing, badly deteriorated windows; - install new windows in walls where there are none (thus greatly increasing the natural light in the space); - replace the flooring with a waterproof surface more suited to AMI Montessori works; - provide an in-classroom sink and water source where the children can take care of more water works on their own; - fence in the entire back yard behind both buildings to provide a large outdoor space for important outdoor works. The increase in classroom capacity cannot come soon enough — we are maxed out this year, and for the first time we have a waiting list! But there’s a hitch: the total amount for all of the renovations is $51,000. So we’re looking for some major donors who want to help great AMI Montessori expand and flourish in this rough neighborhood of Steubenville. So this $25,000 grant is a huge chunk, add to it $3,000 in donations we’ve received toward these projects, and we’re 54 percent of the way! ![Binomial Cube](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_3422-1024x723.jpeg "Binomial Cube | Hilltop Montessori School")The binomial cube is just one of the many ingenious materials that introduce complex concepts to children through physical representations giving them a leg up when the abstract is introduced later in life ## Support Life-Changing AMI Montessori Education As a reminder, Montessori is the only educational method which [eliminates the income achievement gap](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/to-eliminate-the-achievement-gap/ "To Eliminate the Achievement Gap"). Children from lower-income families achieve at the same high rate as children from wealthier families if they get a good Montessori education in their 3-6 age range. And that is exactly what we provide, and we never let inability to pay get in the way. **Your Support Is Vital!** Please check out [the many ways to support Hilltop Children’s House](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/ "Support"), and help us match this grant and make these renovations a reality! ![Shapes Colors Sizes](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Shapes-Colors-Sizes-1024x768.jpg "Shapes Colors Sizes | Hilltop Montessori School")Gradations of size and shape **Categories:** Needs, Renovations --- ### [Countertops Installed in Elementary Montessori Room](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/countertops-installed-in-elementary-montessori-room/) **Published:** August 30, 2022 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** New cabinets and countertops are installed in the Elementary Montessori Program building, thanks to Crowe's Cabinets. More preparations are ongoing. Join us! **Content:** Cabinets and countertops are installed in the Elementary Montessori program in Steubenville. Huge thanks to [Crowe’s Cabinets](https://crowescabinets.com "Crowe's Cabinets") who donated all of it. Tom and his dad, Paul, fabricated the countertops and installed all of it over the last couple of weeks. We’re racing toward our first day of classes next Wednesday, September 7. Lots of shelving to put up, materials to place, and lots of arranging to do. We still have a few spaces available in the Elementary Program. Find out more and fill out the application to get your child into a [life-changing Montessori Program in Steubenville](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/programs/). Also, thank you to our supporters. If you’re able to help us complete preparations [please support great Montessori in Steubenville today!](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/) **Categories:** Needs, Renovations --- ### [First Day of Classes 2022 In The Books!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/first-day-of-classes-2022-in-the-books/) **Published:** September 7, 2022 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** The first day of classes for the 2022 school year at Hilltop Children's House resumed great Montessori in Steubenville, Ohio. **Content:** [![Primary Mid-Room](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_5356-scaled.jpg "Primary Mid-Room") [![Primary Back of Room](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_5360-scaled.jpg "Primary Back of Room") [![Primary Prayer Table](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_5352-scaled.jpg "Primary Prayer Table") [![Primary Lunch with Miss Lucy](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201920%201440'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_9093-scaled.jpg "Primary Lunch with Miss Lucy") [![Primary Lunch](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_5354-scaled.jpg "Primary Lunch") [![Elementary Decorating Work Bags](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_5600-scaled.jpg "Elementary Decorating Work Bags") [![Elementary Decorating Work Bags](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_5602-scaled.jpg "Elementary Decorating Work Bags") [![Elementary Group Meeting](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_5624-scaled.jpg "Elementary Group Meeting") We had a great first day of great Montessori in Steubenville here at Hilltop Children’s House. Our first day of classes saw the resumption of our Primary Montessori, with our biggest class ever, as well as the inaugural meeting of our Elementary Montessori. ### Primary Resumes Miss Noelle began her fifth year as the lead guide in our Primary Elementary. She has ten learners in these first few days, as she starts with returning learners, getting them re-acclimated to the classroom and the work cycle. This makes it easier for new learners to normalize, because they have the example of the other learners. Soon, eight more learners will join, bringing the Primary to an all-time high of 18! Our new assistant, Miss Lucy, who is also fully AMI-trained as a Primary guide, ably stepped into the role. ### Elementary Begins The Elementary began well, with eight learners. All of them have previous Montessori experience. Mr. Tom and his assistant, Miss Rebekah, worked with this all-new classroom of learners. These first few days will be filled with settling in, setting up, establishing routines and norms, and learning from one another how the year will go. ### Material Assistance We are still looking to fill out our Elementary classroom. Please [take a look at this list](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/elementary-materials-sponsorship-opportunities/) and find some items you can sponsor. [Or just make your best gift right now, here.](paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/2732294 "Give Now at Paypal Giving Fund") *Thank you for your support!* **Categories:** Life at HCH, Needs --- ### [Fall Parents Work Day](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/fall-parents-work-day/) **Published:** October 24, 2022 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Parents organized a work day to get lots of projects done at our buildings. And the different was dramatic. We have a great group of families! **Content:** We truly are blessed with a tremendous group of families! During our first dedicated Parents Work Day — set up and organized by the parents themselves — lots of great work got done at our buildings. Shrubs and flowers planted, towel rods and shelves installed, flooring put down, pulls put on cabinet doors and drawers, some exterior work done to shore up the insulation, and quite a bit of cleaning. Check out the pictures to get a taste of some of the projects. [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/removing-sod.jpeg "removing sod") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/coffee-station-for-workers.jpeg "coffee station for workers") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/edging-mowing-and-removing-sod.jpeg "edging mowing and removing sod") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/putting-in-flowers.jpeg "putting in flowers") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/students-planting-strawberries.jpeg "students planting strawberries") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20653'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/planting-hostas.jpeg "planting hostas") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20653'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/a-gate-on-the-stairs.jpeg "a gate on the stairs") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20653'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/shoring-up-insulation.jpeg "shoring up insulation") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/finished-landscaping.jpeg "finished landscaping") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/finished-for-the-day.jpeg "finished for the day") **Categories:** Life at HCH, Renovations --- ### [A Fantastic Night at our First 240 Club Dinner](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/a-fantastic-night-at-our-first-240-club-dinner/) **Published:** December 12, 2022 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Forty of 90 members joined us for the 240 Club Dinner at the Sycamore Center in Steubenville to support great Montessori in Steubenville at Hilltop Children's House. **Content:** [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201199%20857'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Serving-Dinner.jpg "Serving Dinner") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201199%20857'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Conversation.jpg "Conversation") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201199%20857'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Noelle-at-Checkin.jpg "Noelle at Checkin") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201199%20857'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Enjoying-Dinner.jpg "Enjoying Dinner") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201199%20857'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Cutting-and-Serving-Lasagna.jpg "Cutting and Serving Lasagna") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20898%20642'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Serving-Mom-and-Grandma.jpg "Serving Mom and Grandma") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201199%20857'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Cookie-Makers.jpg "Cookie Makers") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201199%20857'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Noelle-Talking.jpg "Noelle Talking") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201199%20857'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Elementary-Picking-Winners.jpg "Elementary Picking Winners") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201199%20857'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Baby-on-shoulder.jpg "Baby on shoulder") Our First 240 Club Dinner was a great success! About 40 of the 90 active members of the 240 Club joined us for dinner in the lower level of the Sycamore Center in downtown Steubenville on Saturday, December 3, 2022. Families, friends, students, and religious were among the members, and all had a blast. [*We can’t wait until the next 240 Club Dinner, June 3, 2023! Become a member soon to have the maximum number of chances of winning, and join us in June!*](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/the-240-club/) Mr. Tom brought his homemade lasagna and seafood chowder. Miss Noelle made her amazing cranberry-jalapeno-ginger salsa. The elementary class, with Miss Rebekah, made the cookies for dessert. Elementary students also aided in setup, they served dinner with panache, AND they helped to bus tables. ### Congratulations to our winners! Thank you for your support! We also shared a short and quick slide show about the development of Hilltop Children’s House, and drew 11 more winners. **$25 Winners:** - \#43 Cameron Fradd - \#92 Augustine Miller - \#52 Bridget Bernetsky - \#33 Cindy Welker - \#240 Tom Crowe - \#83 Spencer Hancock - \#95 Rob Corzine - \#88 Mary Neugebauer **$50 Winner:** \#76 Sarah Janik **$150 Winner:** \#55 Juliana Feeley **$300 Winner:** \#74 David Dowd ### Thank You to Those Who Made the Night Possible Bobbyjon and Pam Bauman made the wonderful space in the Sycamore Center available for us. Beverages were provided in part by Zelensky’s Restaurant, and in part by Board member Paul Crowe and his wife Robbie. The meat for the lasagna was generously provided by Board member Heidi Ryan and her husband Bill. Centerpieces for the tables were designed by Katie Takats. Home-and-School Association president Holly Coakley aided in setup and coordination. Josh and Brooke Miller and their Inscape Missionaries provided invaluable assistance during the event. But of course, the night wouldn’t have been possible at all without all of those who became members of the 240 Club this first session! ### Renew or Become a Member Today! We’re about to begin drawing $25 winners again, so renew your membership, or become a new member today! The next 240 Club Dinner will be Saturday, June 3, 2023 — become a member and mark your calendar to join us! [Become a 240 Club Member](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/the-240-club/ "The 240 Club") Images From the Evening [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Noelle-at-Checkin.jpg "Noelle at Checkin") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20653'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Hors-Doeuvres-Table.jpg "Hors D’oeuvres Table") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Bread.jpg "Bread") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20653'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Too-cute.jpg "Too cute") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Table-Conversation.jpg "Table Conversation") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20653'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Serving-Lasagna.jpg "Serving Lasagna") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Cutting-and-Serving-Lasagna.jpg "Cutting and Serving Lasagna") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Serving-Dinner.jpg "Serving Dinner") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Enjoying-Dinner.jpg "Enjoying Dinner") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Bringing-Dinner.jpg "Bringing Dinner") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20653'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Serving-Mom-and-Grandma.jpg "Serving Mom and Grandma") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Serving-with-Flair.jpg "Serving with Flair") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Conversation.jpg "Conversation") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Inscape-Dishwashers.jpg "Inscape Dishwashers") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Cookie-Makers.jpg "Cookie Makers") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Noelle-Talking.jpg "Noelle Talking") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Elementary-Picking-Winners.jpg "Elementary Picking Winners") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20368'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Baby-on-shoulder.jpg "Baby on shoulder") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20490%20653'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Centerpiece.jpg "Centerpiece") **Categories:** 240 Club, Events --- ### [An Epic 2022 at Hilltop Children's House](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/an-epic-2022-at-hilltop-childrens-house/) **Published:** December 26, 2022 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** We had an epic 2022 at Hilltop Children's House. We bought a second building, launched an Elementary, & nearly doubled the number of students. Support Hilltop Children's House today. **Content:** [![Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Hilltop Children's House](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:768/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/HCH-Christmas-Photo-2022-web-size.jpg "HCH Christmas Photo 2022 web size | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/HCH-Christmas-Photo-2022-web-size.jpg) ### Dear Friends, A very Merry Christmas Season and Happy New Year to you! This has been an epic year of growth and forward thinking for Hilltop Children’s House Montessori School, and it means [**we appreciate your partnership even more.**](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/) **A quick rundown:** - Our Primary Program, in its fifth year, has 18 students now, with five students starting in January. *Our largest class before this year was 14.* What’s more: we have a waiting list for Primary. - Our next-door neighbor offered us his building for very little. We were able to buy it with cash through donors’ generosity. *This means we own both of our buildings outright.* - In that new building we launched our Elementary Program. The Elementary Program extends our education from age three all the way to twelve. We have eight students in our Elementary, and we anticipate at least five more next year. - We fenced in the back yard to provide a safe and secure place for our children to do outdoor works. We have great plans for gardens, chickens, and other structures to extend the education. - We received a $25,000 grant from the J.C. Williams Foundation to begin significant renovations to our Primary building. - We finally replaced the 100 year-old windows in the Primary building. This will significantly help with heating and cooling costs. **This is what we have *done.* We have lots more *to do**.*** [![Building the pink tower](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201000%20750'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1000/h:850/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/pink-tower.jpg "Building the pink tower") [![Our two buildings](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201280%20960'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Our-Two-Buildings.jpeg "Our Two Buildings") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Snake-Game-Abe-with-Onlookers-scaled.jpg "Working the snake game with onlookers") [![Fenced-in Yard](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201280%20960'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Fenced-in-Yard.jpeg "Fenced-in Yard") [![Setting the table in Elementary](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201280%20960'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Setting-Table-in-Elementary.jpeg "Setting the table in Elementary") [![Doing the number rods together](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20914%20686'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1000/h:686/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/number-rods.jpg "Doing the number rods together") [Support HCH Today](https://www.continuetogive.com/4898507/donation_prompt "Give to HCH Today") And all of it is in pursuit of our goal: to provide life-changing Montessori programming to those who need it most, the underprivileged children of our own rough inner-city neighborhood and the surrounding area. Your support can hardly be directed better to make a positive impact on the future. *One four year-old girl on a full subsidy* is learning the decimal system, can write the alphabet in cursive, and is preparing to count to 1,000. She can put together the puzzle map of the United States in under three minutes. *A five year-old boy on a 50 percent subsidy* can label the continents of the world. He is practicing addition and is on the cusp of learning multiplication. This boy also knows how to make coffee with a French press — and how to clean up after himself! One day when he accidentally spilled the coffee he was making, he cleaned the entire mess on his own, without asking for help. In Elementary, students are improving their cursive, conducting advanced research into volcanoes, the solar system, birds of Ohio, fossils, and more. Two students wrote a Christmas play, which they and their classmates staged, set-designed, and performed for their parents. By the time students are 10 they are learning how to multiply fractions, make sushi, lead a class discussion about classroom rules, write a research report, and so much more. Elementary students call and run their own class meetings to discuss classroom discipline and what can be done to encourage good behavior. This is education for a good and responsible life. But it is not cheap to run. **Comparable Montessori schools charge about $7,500 nationally**. They usually are found in wealthier enclaves. The cost to us to educate each child is $6,400. But we are in a poor neighborhood where that is a prohibitive expense. We charge less than $4,000 per child, *plus* we have a sliding scale to reduce the amount that we charge families in need. The education is too important to let money get in the way. *Some of our families pay nothing at all.* Naturally, our expenses don’t operate on a sliding scale. So yes: [we *very much* rely on your partnership to keep this going](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/) — this year especially. - **We issued $19,728 in tuition reduction this school year.** This isn’t money we pulled from a fund or endowment, this is money we simply didn’t charge. - We incurred significant startup costs to get the Elementary Program off the ground. - Essential renovations to the new building, where we started our Elementary Program were not planned at the beginning of the fiscal year. - Renovations in the Primary building will run about $47,000. Fortunately, we received $25,000 from the J.C. Williams Foundation, **leaving us about $22,000 to raise.** [![Elementary building being Sided](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20960%20720'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Building-being-Sided.jpeg "Elementary building being Sided") [![Elementary building siding completed](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201280%20960'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Back-of-Building-Sided.jpeg "Elementary building siding completed") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201280%20960'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Installing-flooring-in-Elementary.jpeg "Installing flooring in Elementary") [![Flooring completed in elementary](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201280%20960'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Flooring-completed-in-elementary.jpeg "Flooring completed in elementary") [![Cabinets and counter in elementary](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20960%20720'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Cabinets-and-counter-in-elementary.jpeg "Cabinets and counter in elementary") [![Cabinets and stove in Elementary](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201280%20960'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Cabinets-in-Elementary.jpeg "Cabinets and stove in Elementary") [![Fence Being Completed](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201280%20960'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Fence-Being-Completed.jpeg "Fence Being Completed") [Support HCH Today](https://www.continuetogive.com/4898507/donation_prompt "Give to HCH Today") We do as much of the physical plant work as we can on our own. Volunteers also help significantly. But many more-complicated jobs — plus staff salaries and construction materials for the jobs we DIY — still cost money. But all of it is worth the time and sweat, because the results are amazing. When you see the way these children develop, take responsibility for their own learning, learn to work together, learn to learn from one another and how to teach one another, and learn skills and knowledge that outpaces their peers, you see just how important this work really is. Montessori well done truly changes lives. None of this is possible without your support — THANK YOU! Can we rely on a generous end-of-year gift? Even $50 would help, but if you are able to give at a higher level — $500, the full $6,400 to cover one child, or even more — your generosity will help to ensure a brighter future for underprivileged children in Steubenville, Ohio. Gifts can be given [by credit card here](https://www.continuetogive.com/4898507/donation_prompt "Gifts can be given by credit card here"). Bank transfers [via Zelle can be given from your own banking app](https://www.zellepay.com/) using our email address or phone number to find us: hilltopchildrenshouse@gmail.com or 703-517-8735. Checks can be mailed to: > Hilltop Children’s House > 117 S. Hollywood Blvd. #133 > Steubenville, Ohio 43952 God bless you this Christmas Season, and may you have a blessed and prosperous 2023. Sincerely, Noëlle and Tom Crowe Co-Founders and Lead Guides, Hilltop Children’s House ![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg' viewBox%3D'0 0 1024 768'%2F%3E "primary children's house | Hilltop Montessori School") **Categories:** Life at HCH, Needs, Renovations --- ### [Mardi Gras Gala 2023 Coming Soon!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-gala-2023-coming-soon/) **Published:** January 18, 2023 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Join us for the Mardi Gras Gala 2023 at Froehlich's Classic Corner on February 18, 2023. New Orleans jazz, great food, **Content:** ![Mardi Gras Gala banner popup](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:707/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Mardi-Gras-Gala-banner-popup.jpg "Mardi Gras Gala banner popup | Hilltop Montessori School") ## Let the Good Times Roll! The Mardi Gras Gala in support of Hilltop Children’s House will be celebrated in person! After two years of online-only events due to COVID, we will gather at Froehlich’s Classic Corner in downtown Steubenville on Saturday, February 18, 2023. ### We Love Our Sponsors We are so grateful for our sponsors who make this Gala possible. Our Gold sponsors thus far are Trinity Health System, Blue Mantle Media, Fort Steuben Maintenance, and Paul & Robbie Crowe. Our Green sponsors thus far are Wayne Doors, Shannon Irvin of Cedar One Realty, Crowe’s Cabinets, AXIO Fitness, Hauser’s Furniture & Carpet, and The Inscape Center for Personal Vocation. We are looking for more sponsors. [Check out the the levels and what they receive here](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Gala-Sponsorship-Letter-2023-1.pdf), and become a sponsor! ### Live Music and Dancing! We are pleased to welcome back The Merrymakers, a trio of gifted musicians from Pittsburgh. They are sure to provide a very New Orleans background for our festivities. ### A Taste of New Orleans We are working with the chefs at Froehlichs to put together a menu fit for Mardi Gras. We’ve always provided a great menu for our guests, and we intend to keep up that record! ### Prizes and Games We will have a great collection of baskets, prizes, and games to excite and entertain. Plus a photobooth! You’ll have lots of opportunities to go home with some great prizes! ### A Great Time! With all of this together, you will have a great time with great people, in support of a great cause! Tickets are available individually and through sponsorships. [Learn More and Join Us!](/mardigras) [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20910%20683'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09372.jpg "DSC09372") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20910%20683'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09353.jpg "DSC09353") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20682%20512'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:683/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09344.jpg "DSC09344") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20910%20683'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09336.jpg "DSC09336") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20910%20683'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09325.jpg "DSC09325") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20682%20512'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:683/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09301.jpg "DSC09301") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20682%20512'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:683/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09277.jpg "DSC09277") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20910%20683'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09268.jpg "DSC09268") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20682%20512'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:683/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09257.jpg "DSC09257") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20910%20683'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09239.jpg "DSC09239") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20910%20683'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09261.jpg "DSC09261") [![Chinese Auction at Mardi Gras](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20910%20683'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09202.jpg "Chinese Auction at Mardi Gras") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20910%20683'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09208.jpg "DSC09208") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20910%20683'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09139.jpg "DSC09139") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20910%20683'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:683/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC09146.jpg "DSC09146") **Categories:** Events, Mardi Gras --- ### [Mardi Gras Update: Some Pretty Great Prize Items](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-update-some-pretty-great-prize-items/) **Published:** February 8, 2023 **Author:** Tom **Content:** We’ve got some pretty spectacular items for our auctions coming in! Here is just a partial list. - Pastaio Italian Restaurant: Private dinner experience for four cooked specially by Chef Giuseppe - Italian Specialties Basket - Pittsburgh Steelers: Cameron Heyward autographed picture - Phipps Conservatory Passes - Appaloosa Roots Music Festival: Family Pass - 40″ Pikler Triangle - A Family Portrait Session by Caitlen Renn - Game Night Basket - A Thomas Kincade Throw from McCauslen’s - Pittsburgh Zoo Passes - Studio Time at Heard Studios - Wine and wheel basket by Stoneborn pottery - Pittsburgh Pirates: Two tickets - Night Stays from Drury Inn, Holiday Inn Weirton, The Inn and Suites at Franciscan Square - Gift Certificates from: Two Brothers Dry Cleaning, Valley Wine Cellar, Hot Tip Nails, Deejays, Martoni’s, Theo Yanni’s, and many more Plus we’ll have a Lottery Ticket Tree, chuck-a-luck, 50-50, a Trivia challenge. There will be lots of opportunities for going home with a great prize, or even cash! [**Become a sponsor or get your tickets by Friday!**](/mardigras) **Categories:** Mardi Gras --- ### [Our First-Ever Moving Up Ceremony](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/our-first-ever-moving-up-ceremony/) **Published:** May 26, 2023 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** We held our first-ever Moving Up Ceremony at Hilltop Children's House Montessori School. Four students from our Primary moved up to join Elementary. **Content:** Wow, what a day. Our first-ever Moving Up Ceremony here at Hilltop Children’s House Montessori School was a sun-drenched affair. We gathered in the front yard with the Primary children in front of their building and the Elementary in front of theirs. Between the buildings was a small arched bridge which Mr. Tom made last night. The bridge served as a physical sign of the crossing over that takes place. [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20975%20975'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1300/h:975/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Assembly-from-west.jpeg "Assembly from west") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20979%20979'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1300/h:979/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Assembly-from-east.jpg "Assembly from east") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20900%20900'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Macy-scratching.jpeg "Macy scratching") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20979%20979'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1300/h:979/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Primary-before-ceremony.jpg "Primary before ceremony") As the ceremony began, Miss Noëlle shared what it means to move up from Primary to Elementary. She talked about what changes are happening in the children, why and how the Elementary environment is different due to these changes, and what parents can do to grow with and support their new Elementary student’s development. Then, when Miss Noëlle called each child’s name, a classmate from their Primary classroom gave them a white rose — a symbol of farewell and of new beginnings. Then they stepped over the bridge, pausing in the middle for a photo with their rose. After they crossed the bridge to join their new Elementary classmates, Mr. Tom invested each with their work bag. Work bags are one of main differences between Primary and Elementary, and are a real sign that a student is in Elementary rather than Primary. [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20900%20900'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:771/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Avila-on-bridge.jpg "Avila on bridge") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20900%20900'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:771/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Magda-on-bridge.jpg "Magda on bridge") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20900%20900'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:771/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Becket-on-bridge.jpg "Becket on bridge") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20900%20900'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:771/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/John-Edward-on-bridge.jpg "John Edward on bridge") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20900%20900'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Magda-receiving-bag.jpg "Magda receiving bag") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20900%20900'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/John-Edward-with-work-bag.jpg "John Edward with work bag") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20900%20900'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Becket-receiving-frame.jpg "Becket receiving frame") They then were presented with a frame that has a sendoff card from their Primary classmates, a welcome card from their Elementary classmates, and a space for their own photo from this day. Then Mr. Tom welcomed them to the Elementary class, and exhorted the entire class to welcome each other, work together, learn together, learn from one another, and be a great class, as we had this past year. This moving ceremony was followed by a cake and bubbly reception — sparkling cider for the kids and champagne for the parents. The Elementary kids took it upon themselves to organize a toast with their new classmates. [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201536%201536'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/students-moving-up.jpeg "students moving up") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20975%20975'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1300/h:975/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Elementary-around-bridge-cropped.jpeg "Elementary around bridge cropped") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20975%20975'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1300/h:975/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/toast-wide-view.jpeg "toast wide view") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20974%20974'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1300/h:974/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/toast-close-up.jpeg "toast close up") The kicker at the end of the day was when one of the new Elementary students asked his mother if he could come back to school tomorrow to get to work! She informed him that there’s no school tomorrow, it’s Saturday, and Elementary wouldn’t resume for three months. He was disappointed and asked sincerely why he had to wait three months to go to Elementary! We have such great kids. This was truly a great day for Montessori in Steubenville. **Categories:** Events, Life at HCH, News --- ### [I'm Starting Montessori Elementary Guide Training (And Why It Is Important)](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/im-starting-montessori-elementary-guide-training-and-why-it-is-important/) **Published:** July 9, 2023 **Author:** Tom **Content:** I begin the Elementary guide training tomorrow. This is a rather significant training course. It is the Diploma Course for Montessori Elementary guides. It is through an AMI-certified training center, which is very important (but more on that later). Most importantly, this means that Hilltop Children’s House will have fully trained guides leading [both of our Montessori environments.](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/programs/ "Programs and Costs") ![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg' viewBox%3D'0 0 1024 768'%2F%3E "states research | Hilltop Montessori School") ### **Intense Training** The course is intense. The work is concentrated into eleven months, but those eleven months are jam packed. During the eleven months: - - I will have three-hour classes via Zoom for 22 weeks. - I will have to be at the training center in Phoenix for nine weeks. - I will need to do 100 hours of observation. - I will need to do four weeks of practice teaching. - Plus countless reflections, papers, material making, practicing presentations, writing out processes, and producing my own teaching albums and materials. - Capped by in-person oral exams and a practicum exam. It is intense. I watched Noëlle do the Primary diploma training two years ago. I saw what it required of her — the time commitment, and the work requirements. She worked so hard at it, and the payoff has been tremendous. She is such an amazing guide in the Primary program. Now, I am eager to dive into this Elementary course. I know this training is essential to me being the best Elementary guide I can be. And I want to be that. The children deserve it. Their parents deserve it. The world needs it. [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201080%201080'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/triangles-work.jpeg "triangles work") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201920%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Snake-Game-Abe-with-Onlookers-scaled.jpg "Working the snake game with onlookers") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201920%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/lunch-scaled.jpg "lunch") ### **The Reluctant Elementary Guide Who Loves It** The funny thing is, I never planned on being a Montessori Elementary guide. I never planned on being a teacher at all. But then last year, the stars aligned and Hilltop Children’s House was gearing up to launch an Elementary Program. The building next door to our Primary Program fell into our lap. Some of our Primary families and others in the community approached us about expanding into Elementary. Through some of these connections, a significant amount of the materials needed were available, and we had enough money in the bank to purchase other essentials. All we needed was a guide. [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201920%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/volcanoes-presentation-scaled.jpg "volcanoes presentation") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201952%201952'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1398/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Presenting-Biomes.png "Presenting Biomes") I had spent the year as Noëlle’s assistant in Primary, and I learned two things: 1) I actually really deeply love the Montessori approach to education and I desire to make it more available to more people; 2) Primary is not for me. So one day, and I still don’t know what exactly prompted me to say it, I told Noëlle that, if all we lacked to launch the Elementary was a guide, I would do it. [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20960%20960'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Elementary-Works.jpeg "Elementary Works") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201920%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Parts-of-a-Biome-scaled.jpg "Parts of a Biome") I wasn’t sure if I would like it. I knew I wasn’t the most qualified, and I figured someone more qualified would come by if it was God’s will. I would happily step aside when that person came. But I wasn’t just going to slouch into the year! I would be the best guide I could be, under the circumstances. ### Montessori Guide Training is Essential I know, from watching Noëlle, that **a Montessori classroom cannot run properly without a properly trained guide**. The materials have a progression to them, and they are designed to be used in a very particular manner. The guide needs to know exactly how to present them, and how to step back and let the child work at it. Also, the guide must have a firm grasp of all materials and presentations in the room, so that they can identify in a timely fashion which presentations are appropriate for which child, and when. The guide also must understand, and have imbibed, the underlying philosophy. They must be well-versed in how to draw forth from the child the curiosity and internal drive that will bring about incredible learning. And this isn’t even touching on conflict resolution and discipline within a Montessori context — essential elements all their own. This all requires training. I knew I did not have time to do the full Elementary training before classes began, so I did what I could do to prepare myself. [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20960%20960'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/math-works.jpeg "math works") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201077%201077'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1077/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/making-sushi.jpeg "making sushi") I did the Orientation training course. I observed at some other schools last summer. And I talked a lot with some fully trained Elementary guides among our friends and acquaintances to get a feel for what I should expect, and how I should proceed. The year began. It went pretty well. God did not inspire someone else to come and relieve me. And I found that I love doing it. Now, to be sure, we have an exceptional group of kids in our classroom. They are curious, caring, respectful, resourceful, intelligent, creative, and loving. They made this first year memorable, and a real learning experience for me. [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201920%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Building-the-Tree-of-Life-scaled.jpg "Building the Tree of Life") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201920%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/trash-pickup-scaled.jpg "trash pickup") And now, I have the opportunity to give back, if you will, by getting this training. And, as I say, I’m eager to dive in. ### Caveat Emptor At the opening I said that I am doing this through an “AMI-certified training center,” and I said that this is important. Here’s the reason. [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201920%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Drawing-with-Shadow-Box-scaled.jpg "Drawing with Shadow Box") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201536%201536'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/St.-Patricks-Day.jpeg "St. Patrick’s Day") No one has “Montessori” trademarked. There is no governing body protecting the “Montessori” brand and certifying that all schools that use the word “Montessori” really are following the principles and methods of Maria Montessori. As such, any school could call itself “Local Montessori School,” and any school could call its curriculum “Montessori.” But using the word doesn’t guarantee the program. Maria Montessori realized this problem, too. She saw people taking liberties with her methods and training people to do things that were not true to her discoveries and philosophy. So she and her son, Mario, founded the Association Montessori International, or AMI, to carry on her work. That is an excellent reason to trust AMI. [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20960%20960'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IMG_5988.jpeg "IMG_5988") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201920%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/class-toast-scaled.jpg "class toast") At Hilltop Children’s House we insist on training at AMI-certified centers. The one we’ve utilized most is the [Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies, or “SIMS,”](https://www.sims-ami.org/) which is located in Phoenix, Arizona We have gone to SIMS for three training courses already. Noëlle completed the Primary Diploma Course, and I have completed the Orientation courses for both Primary and Elementary. Further, Noëlle’s assistant, Lucy, completed the Primary diploma course through SIMS. My assistant, Rebekah, has Orientation training for Toddler and Adolescent (high school) levels. Hers were not through SIMS, but they were through another AMI training center. AMI training is typically more expensive, but it is absolutely worth it. The children’s education makes it worth it. So I am embarking on this program, and I can’t wait to bring what I’ve learned to bear on the Elementary Program at HCH! Your prayers for me and for the school, and your support ([including financial: this training isn’t cheap](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/ "Support")) are most appreciated. — Mr. Tom **Categories:** Life at HCH, News --- ### [Macy, Primary Classroom Dog, RIP](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/macy-primary-classroom-dog-rip/) **Published:** July 18, 2023 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Macy, the Primary Montessori classroom dog since we opened in 2018, died on Monday. **Content:** Since we opened the doors at Hilltop Children’s House Montessori in 2018, two things have been constants in the classroom: Noelle as guide, and Macy as the classroom dog. Noelle and I got Macy in July 2018 to be our dog. She was six years old at the time, and the family she had grown up with could no longer care for her. We welcomed her into our home and into our hearts. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Noelle-Macy-Red-Rods-1.jpeg "Noelle-Macy-Red-Rods-1 | Hilltop Montessori School") I was working at Franciscan University at the time. When Noelle came to the classroom during that first school year in October 2018, she brought Macy along — she didn’t want to leave her home alone for those three hours. The fit was obvious and perfect from the first. Macy had such a gentle spirit for children. She would let the children pet her, and sit with her. She would snuggle in on their lap, and nose-in under their arm for pets. And of course she loved treats. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Macy-with-Child-1.jpeg "Macy-with-Child-1 | Hilltop Montessori School") She was just fine with being a classroom work — [learning to brush a dog requires a number of skills that children do well to learn.](https://www.facebook.com/reel/660855052569864) But she also would let them know when she was not pleased with what they were doing. The children learned quickly to know the signs. Macy would clearly indicate that she didn’t like what they were doing, or that she wasn’t interested in being bothered. Then she would go to her pillow, which was her safe place. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Macy-In-Line-769x1024.jpeg "Macy In Line | Hilltop Montessori School") She was such a good dog for the classroom. She helped more than one child overcome a fear of dogs. She helped more than one child who was having a rough day. She was as near the perfect classroom dog as we could have hoped for. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Macy-Near-Thousand-Chain-769x1024.jpeg "Macy Near Thousand Chain | Hilltop Montessori School") About a year ago, she developed lumps that proved to be lymphoma. We took her in for surgery to remove the first lumps we found, hoping they would not come back quickly. They did. Within six months, we knew what we were facing. In February we nearly lost her, but the vet put her on medication which reduced swelling and slowed the growth of the worst lumps. We had her with us at home for another five months. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Macy-Near-Good-Shepherd-Work-1024x769.jpeg "Macy Near Good Shepherd Work | Hilltop Montessori School") Macy passed away in her sleep, at home, yesterday morning, Monday, July 17. She was one of the sweetest and most affectionate dogs I’ve ever known. She was very obedient, despite no formal training. She was loyal and protective. And she loved her children at Hilltop Children’s House. —Tom ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Macy-in-the-Classroom-1024x769.jpeg "Macy in the Classroom | Hilltop Montessori School") **Categories:** Life at HCH, News --- ### [Introducing Hilltop Montessori School](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/introducing-hilltop-montessori-school/) **Published:** September 6, 2023 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Hilltop Children's House is now Hilltop Montessori School because of great growth, and the addition of an Elementary program. **Content:** No one planned for this kind of growth at Hilltop Children’s House. When Noëlle and I founded Hilltop Children’s House in 2017 and then opened the doors in October 2018, the plan was merely to offer a Montessori Primary program. Our Primary Montessori program — called a “children’s house” in Montessori parlance — started modestly with two students. We had seven students by the end of the first year, and we have enjoyed growth in the children’s house every year since. ![Merry Christmas!](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/HCH-Christmas2-edited.jpeg "Merry Christmas! | Hilltop Montessori School")Our Primary classroom at an early Christmas This sixth year of Primary opened today with 23 students. With our renovated classroom (more on that soon) we will be able to reach our maximum capacity of students in Primary within the next couple of years. But if we had remained only a Primary, only a *children’s house*, our name, “Hilltop Children’s House,” would have remained appropriate. Well, we did not remain just a children’s house. During the 2021-22 school year pieces began falling into place for us to launch a Montessori Elementary program. We were not planning on opening an Elementary. But then, if it were all about our plans and our efforts, this school wouldn’t be open. We had placed this school under the patronage of St. Teresa of Calcutta from day one. Her life was one instance after another of setting aside her plans and doing the thing that God placed in front of her. Well, we saw that same movement in what came together during that 2021-22 school year. We didn’t plan it, but too many things fell into place to be pure coincidence. So we poured ourselves into making an Elementary happen. With a significant amount of help and sweat from others, [we got the new building renovated](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/an-elementary-program/ "An Elementary Program"), and we opened the Elementary program in fall 2022. This past May we celebrated as [four students from our Primary program moved up to Elementary](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/our-first-ever-moving-up-ceremony/ "Our First-Ever Moving Up Ceremony"). This, however, meant that the name “Hilltop Children’s House” no longer applied. Over the summer of 2023 our Board discussed this matter and decided upon the name “Hilltop Montessori School.” This, of course, means a new website domain. We have secured this and will switch everything over soon. It also means a new logo was needed. Our new logo was designed by [Matt Coakley of Blue Mantle Media](https://www.bluemantlemedia.com/). Matt and his wife, Holly, have had children in our school since we opened our doors in 2018. We are deeply grateful for their support, and for this crisp, clean new logo! ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hilltop-Montessori-School-color-logo-600w.jpg "Hilltop Montessori School color logo 600w | Hilltop Montessori School") We chose to retain “Hilltop” as it keeps the connection with our founding, which in turn was selected to emphasize our community. We are in the Labelle neighborhood, one of the hilltop neighborhoods of Steubenville, and we have always intended to serve the hilltop communities of Steubenville first. Including “Montessori” emphasizes that we offer Montessori programs, pure and simple. We believe Montessori is the most complete, effective, and human method of education. We do not, nor will we ever, offer a blended, hybrid, classical, or any other sort of education. We insist that our guides be fully trained by an accredited AMI training center — guides trained at the level they are teaching are absolutely indispensable for a true Montessori experience. Noëlle holds a Primary diploma from the Southwest Institute for Montessori Studies (SIMS). I am currently in the diploma training program for Elementary through the same Institute. Our assistants also have Montessori training — Lucy, our Primary assistant, holds a Primary diploma, while Rebekah, our assistant in Elementary, holds certificates at both the toddler and adolescent levels. Rebekah also grew up in Montessori schooling, and her mother is a fully trained Elementary guide who has been a tremendous help to us. We take Montessori seriously and hope our parents do as well. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Snake-Game-Abe-with-Onlookers-1024x768.jpg "Working the snake game with onlookers | Hilltop Montessori School") Naturally, “School” is included because that is what we are: a school. We are not a daycare, an after-school program, or anything else. We are a school, and we educate children for life. We are proud of how much growth we have enjoyed in these six years. We are humbled by the support we have received from our community. We look forward to contributing to society through the children whom we help to become effective, knowledgeable, compassionate, capable adults who take initiative to make the world a better place. As we say of ourselves, we are “A place where children can flourish.” As Hilltop Montessori School we look forward to many years of excellent Montessori for the families of Steubenville and the surrounding area. \_\_\_\_ *Hilltop Montessori School offers excellent Montessori education at a price that our families can afford. We do everything we can to make sure finances are not a barrier to enrollment. A significant number of our students receive reduced tuition, with some paying nearly nothing. Your support for this important mission is deeply appreciated. [Please give today.](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/ "Support")* *Hilltop Children’s House, Inc., the parent non-profit corporation of Hilltop Montessori School is a 501c3 non-profit corporation. All donations are tax-deductible.* **Categories:** Life at HCH --- ### [Primary Works in Early 2023](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/primary-works-in-early-2023/) **Published:** November 26, 2023 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** We have had many great Primary works here in the first few months of 2023 at Hilltop Montessori School. **Content:** We have had a great first few months of work in Primary this year. Check out some photos from what’s been going on! [![Reading Corner](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230907_085318-scaled.jpg "Reading Corner") [![Tying Bows](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230907_085255-scaled.jpg "Tying Bows") [![Telling Time Work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230907_085308-scaled.jpg "Telling Time Work") [![Cubes and Sound Works](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230907_085108-scaled.jpg "Cubes and Sound Works") [![Quantity Work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230911_095846-scaled.jpg "Quantity Work") [![Math and Art Area](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0932-scaled.jpg "Math and Art Area") [![Plant Watering Can](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230911_111157-scaled.jpg "Plant Watering Can") [![Constructive Triangles](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230911_095818-1-scaled.jpg "Constructive Triangles") [![Sewing](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230914_100419-scaled.jpg "Sewing") [![Pink Tower and classroom](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230915_100209-scaled.jpg "Pink Tower and classroom") [![Brown Stair](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230913_110157-scaled.jpg "Brown Stair") [![Cloth Washing](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230913_112444-scaled.jpg "Cloth Washing") [![Lunch Together](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0937-scaled.jpg "Lunch Together") [![Prayer Table](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230920_115303-scaled.jpg "Prayer Table") [![Cutting Apples](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230922_085209-1-scaled.jpg "Cutting Apples") [![Three Cylinders Blocks](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230922_100116-scaled.jpg "Three Cylinders Blocks") [![Hook and Loop Dressing Frame](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230920_093203-scaled.jpg "Hook and Loop Dressing Frame") [![Globe and Israel](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0946-scaled.jpg "Globe and Israel") [![Reading a Story](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0945-scaled.jpg "Reading a Story") [![Stamp Game](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230929_090830-scaled.jpg "Stamp Game") [![Numbers and Quantities](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230927_144651-scaled.jpg "Numbers and Quantities") [![Reading a Story](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0976-scaled.jpg "Reading a Story") [![Braided Rug](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0989-scaled.jpg "Braided Rug") [![North America](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1002-scaled.jpg "North America") [![Cylinders Work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0999-scaled.jpg "Cylinders Work") [![Needlework](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231010_091157-scaled.jpg "Needlework") [![Balance Beam Outdoors](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231012_101324-scaled.jpg "Balance Beam Outdoors") [![Number Rods and Symbols](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1058.png "Number Rods and Symbols") [![Articles](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1055.png "Articles") [![Hundred Chain](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1082-scaled.jpg "Hundred Chain") [![Tones in Bells](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1095-scaled.jpg "Tones in Bells") [![Binomial Cube Blindfolded](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1097-scaled.jpg "Binomial Cube Blindfolded") [![Cleaning a Mess](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1100-scaled.jpg "Cleaning a Mess") [![Making Numbers](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20273'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1497/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1131-scaled-e1701051927607.jpg "Making Numbers") [![Sponging Work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1094-scaled.jpg "Sponging Work") [![Matching Colors](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1149-scaled.jpg "Matching Colors") [![Sound Games](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1153-scaled.jpg "Sound Games") [![Color Box Three Work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1178-scaled.jpg "Color Box Three Work") [![South America Work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1234-scaled.jpg "South America Work") [![Making Coffee](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1231-scaled.jpg "Making Coffee") [![Making Numbers](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1233-scaled.jpg "Making Numbers") [![Writing a Sentence](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1236-scaled.jpg "Writing a Sentence") [![Building the Pink Tower](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1013-Large.jpeg "Building the Pink Tower") [![Wood Polishing](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1009-Large.jpeg "Wood Polishing") **Categories:** Life at HCH --- ### [Elementary Works in Early 2023](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/elementary-works-in-early-2023/) **Published:** November 26, 2023 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Photos from the Elementary program here in the early months of 2023. **Content:** Our second year of Elementary has seen an increase in types of works and their complexity. [![Class Meeting](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9532-scaled.jpg "Class Meeting") [![Tree of Life](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9359-Large-e1701056414287.jpeg "Tree of Life") [![Scientific Exercise](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9361-Large.jpeg "Scientific Exercise") [![Painting](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9360-Large.jpeg "Painting") [![White Tail Deer Work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9382-Large.jpeg "White Tail Deer Work") [![Yarn Work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9383-Large-e1701053841934.jpeg "Yarn Work") [![Writing Labels](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9401-Large.jpeg "Writing Labels") [![Math Work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9398-Large.jpeg "Math Work") [![Chopping Cranberries](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9397-Large.jpeg "Chopping Cranberries") [![Handwriting Exercise](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9395-Large.jpeg "Handwriting Exercise") [![Multiplying](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9394-Large.jpeg "Multiplying") [![Biome map](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9393-Large.jpeg "Biome map") [![Elementary Prayer Table](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9386-Large.jpeg "Elementary Prayer Table") [![The Mute Timeline](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9384-Large.jpeg "The Mute Timeline") [![Sewing](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9351-Large.jpeg "Sewing") [![Large Bead Frame multiplication](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9350-Large.jpeg "Large Bead Frame multiplication") [![The Checkerboard](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9349-Large.jpeg "The Checkerboard") [![Research on Genes](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9348-Large.jpeg "Research on Genes") [![Writing a Story](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9346-Large.jpeg "Writing a Story") [![Research Assistance](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0338-scaled.jpg "Research Assistance") [![Reading Help](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0339-scaled.jpg "Reading Help") [![Quantities and Multiplication](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0337-scaled.jpg "Quantities and Multiplication") [![Castle Research](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0336-scaled.jpg "Castle Research") [![Making Checkerboards](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0341-scaled.jpg "Making Checkerboards") [![Sewing Fashion](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9268-Large.jpeg "Sewing Fashion") [![Constructive Triangles](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9234-Large.jpeg "Constructive Triangles") [![Pin Maps](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9751-scaled.jpg "Pin Maps") [![Second Great Story — The Coming of Life](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9749-scaled.jpg "Second Great Story — The Coming of Life") [![Black Strip](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20505'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9813-scaled.jpg "Black Strip") [![First Great Story](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20379%20284'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9653-scaled.jpg "First Great Story") **Categories:** Life at HCH --- ### [Hilltop Montessori School: A Work of Hope](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/hilltop-montessori-school-a-work-of-hope/) **Published:** November 27, 2023 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Thank you to our supporters! Please help us continue this work of love for the children of Steubenville. **Content:** Dear Supporters and Friends of Hilltop Montessori School, Thank you! 2023 has been another year of tremendous growth at Hilltop Montessori School. It has only been possible because of your support. Every organization looking for support says that, but none means it more than we do. Each year we set a modest budget and make plans for responsible operations and growth, and then we look to God to bring generous donors to us. And each year, through donors like you, we have been blessed. Your support, no matter how large or small, is humbling, and a sign of hope. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. [![Math and Art Area](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0932-scaled.jpg "Math and Art Area") [![Pink Tower and classroom](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230915_100209-scaled.jpg "Pink Tower and classroom") [![Brown Stair](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230913_110157-scaled.jpg "Brown Stair") [![Reading Corner](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230907_085318-scaled.jpg "Reading Corner") Noelle and I founded this organization as an expression of hope for the future of our troubled neighborhood and town. But hope alone will not change anything. Action and support must follow. Your continued support for our actions at Hilltop Montessori School means this hope is shared. It means this hope has the opportunity to bear fruit. Our growth here in 2023 is case-in-point. Some highlights of 2023: - Our Primary building underwent long-dreamed-of renovations. Walls came down to increase the space available for programs. A child-height countertop and sink went in to make water works more readily available. - We replaced the century-old colored windows in Primary. These both let in much more natural light and greatly improve our heating efficiency. - Our Primary expanded to 24 students. With the added space, we now have a maximum capacity of 28. We likely will reach that number next year. - Our Elementary expanded from nine students to 14 in its second year. - We acquired a significant number of new materials for our Elementary, giving our students even more learning opportunities. - We changed our name from Hilltop Children’s House to Hilltop Montessori School to reflect the addition of the Elementary Program. - We acquired an abandoned and overgrown lot across the street for future gardening opportunities. We’ve accomplished all of this while staying true to our Mission to keep tuition affordable for all families. In fact, two thirds of our students qualify for and receive reduced tuition due to their family income. *Six out of 38 students attend for $528 or less for the entire year.* [![Black Strip](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201920%201440'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9813-scaled.jpg "Black Strip") [![White Tail Deer Work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201280%20960'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9382-Large.jpeg "White Tail Deer Work") [![Painting](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20960%20720'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9360-Large.jpeg "Painting") [![Writing Labels](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201280%20960'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9401-Large.jpeg "Writing Labels") [![Chopping Cranberries](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20960%20720'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9397-Large.jpeg "Chopping Cranberries") [![Pin Maps](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9751-scaled.jpg "Pin Maps") [![Constructive Triangles](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201280%20960'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9234-Large.jpeg "Constructive Triangles") [![Research on Genes](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201280%20960'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9348-Large.jpeg "Research on Genes") [![Biome map](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20960%20720'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9393-Large.jpeg "Biome map") [![Multiplying](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201280%20960'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9394-Large.jpeg "Multiplying") In our Elementary program, students ages six to twelve are: - knitting and crocheting scarves, hats, and mittens for the homeless of Steubenville; - learning about the scientific method through experiments of their own choosing; - planning a camping trip for the end of the year; - working through the binomial equation and learning how to multiply large numbers, with multipliers of four digits; - doing research on medieval history, butterflies, spotted salamanders, quarterhorses, and the history of Pangaea - learning cooking and food preparation techniques; - perfecting their cursive writing and advancing their reading skills; - learning how to work together, to help one another, to resolve conflicts, to think through problems and come up with creative solutions, and to respect one another; - and lots, lots more. [![Cloth Washing](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230913_112444-scaled.jpg "Cloth Washing") [![Brown Stair](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230913_110157-scaled.jpg "Brown Stair") [![Telling Time Work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230907_085308-scaled.jpg "Telling Time Work") [![Quantity Work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230911_095846-scaled.jpg "Quantity Work") [![Cubes and Sound Works](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230907_085108-scaled.jpg "Cubes and Sound Works") [![Math and Art Area](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0932-scaled.jpg "Math and Art Area") [![Plant Watering Can](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230911_111157-scaled.jpg "Plant Watering Can") [![Cutting Apples](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230922_085209-1-scaled.jpg "Cutting Apples") [![Globe and Israel](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0946-scaled.jpg "Globe and Israel") [![Braided Rug](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0989-scaled.jpg "Braided Rug") [![Reading a Story](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0976-scaled.jpg "Reading a Story") [![Numbers and Quantities](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230927_144651-scaled.jpg "Numbers and Quantities") In Primary, students ages three to six are learning: - how to tie their own shoes; - how to work in teams to set the table and clean up after lunch; - to recognize and differentiate among letter sounds, colors, numbers, quantities, pitches, and textures; - how to form letters and numbers; - how to add, multiply, subtract, and divide and work through word problems; - how to function in a society that is not just their immediate family; - how to make coffee or tea for guides and guests; - and lots more. Perhaps the most important lesson in both classrooms is the development of executive functioning. Each child comes to understand that they are capable of making their own choices, and they are responsible for their own learning. The environment is arranged to help the child succeed, and the guide facilitates learning through presentations and guidance, but the child, ultimately, must choose to learn. When they realize this, and embrace it, there is little that remains inaccessible to them. This is what a true Montessori school provides. [![Research Assistance](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0338-scaled.jpg "Research Assistance") [![Writing a Story](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201280%20960'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9346-Large.jpeg "Writing a Story") [![Quantities and Multiplication](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0337-scaled.jpg "Quantities and Multiplication") [![Castle Research](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0336-scaled.jpg "Castle Research") [![Making Checkerboards](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0341-scaled.jpg "Making Checkerboards") [![Sewing Fashion](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201280%20960'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9268-Large.jpeg "Sewing Fashion") [![Class Meeting](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9532-scaled.jpg "Class Meeting") [![First Great Story](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9653-scaled.jpg "First Great Story") [![Pin Maps](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9751-scaled.jpg "Pin Maps") [![Prayer Table](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20230920_115303-scaled.jpg "Prayer Table") [![North America](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1002-scaled.jpg "North America") [![Cylinders Work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0999-scaled.jpg "Cylinders Work") [![Making Coffee](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201920%201440'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1231-scaled.jpg "Making Coffee") [![Making Numbers](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1233-scaled.jpg "Making Numbers") [![Writing a Sentence](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201920%201440'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1236-scaled.jpg "Writing a Sentence") [![Color Box Three Work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201920%201440'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1178-scaled.jpg "Color Box Three Work") [![Matching Colors](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201920%201440'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1149-scaled.jpg "Matching Colors") [![Sponging Work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201920%201440'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1094-scaled.jpg "Sponging Work") [![Building the Pink Tower](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20960%20720'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1013-Large.jpeg "Building the Pink Tower") [![Wood Polishing](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20960%20720'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1009-Large.jpeg "Wood Polishing") We are pleased and blessed to be able to make this possible. A true Montessori education gives children the best possible opportunity for future success — an opportunity especially important for children from lower-income families. But keeping this promise of affordability means we do not cover our budget through tuition; we must fill our budget through the generosity of our supporters. This, of course, is where you come in. You sustain this Mission. You are the fuel that keeps the engine running. Without your consistent support we simply cannot keep going. As you make your end-of-year decisions, please keep the children of Steubenville in your heart. We have a good thing going here, and we need your support to keep it going. Whether through a generous one-time contribution here at the end of the year, or through a monthly pledge, your support keeps the lights on, our faculty paid, and our programs growing. Can you make a gift of $50, $500, or even $5,000? Any contribution of any size will help, but your generosity at this time will help us plan for future purchases of needed materials, set a schedule for needed improvements to our physical plant, and give us a firm foundation for future growth. Whatever your best and most generous gift may be, you can give online via [PayPal Giving Fund, here](http://paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/2732294), or give a direct donation via Zelle using “.” You can mail a check made payable to Hilltop Montessori School to: Hilltop Montessori School 117 S. Hollywood Blvd. #133 Steubenville, Ohio 43952 If you’d like to become a monthly donor, a Hilltop Montessori Champion, you can set up recurring donations at [Continue to Give, here](https://www.continuetogive.com/4898507/donation_prompt), or, depending on your financial institution, fee-free through Zelle. Check with your financial institution to find out if they do this through Zelle. However you choose to renew your support of Hilltop Montessori School, we thank you most sincerely for your support of excellent, true Montessori in Steubenville, Ohio. Your gift will have an impact immediately in our programs, and, as our students grown and learn, long into the future. God bless you and yours this Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas season. Sincerely, Tom Crowe President, Hilltop Montessori School [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20600%20450'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:600/h:561/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hilltop-Montessori-School-color-logo-600w.jpg "Hilltop Montessori School color logo 600w") [![Balance Beam Outdoors](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231012_101324-scaled.jpg "Balance Beam Outdoors") [![Reading a Story](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0945-scaled.jpg "Reading a Story") [![First Great Story](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9653-scaled.jpg "First Great Story") [![Pin Maps](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201920'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9751-scaled.jpg "Pin Maps") [![Tree of Life](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201280%20960'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:960/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9359-Large-e1701056414287.jpeg "Tree of Life") [![Math Work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20960%20720'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9398-Large.jpeg "Math Work") **Categories:** Life at HCH, Needs, Renovations --- ### [Join us for the 240 Club Dinner!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/join-us-for-the-240-club-dinner/) **Published:** November 27, 2023 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Join us for the 240 Club Dinner on Saturday, December 2! **Content:** ![Checking People In](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image.jpeg "undefined | Hilltop Montessori School")![Elementary Students Serving Dinner](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/319891111_3231980917113243_4214966294518833295_n-768x1024.jpg "Elementary Students Serving Dinner | Hilltop Montessori School")![Serving Dinner](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/319646385_496624502305541_1761548422963104859_n.jpg "Serving Dinner | Hilltop Montessori School") The 240 Club is a chance to win cash and learn more about what’s going on at Hilltop Montessori School. ## Here’s how it works: There are 240 memberships (hence the name). Each membership costs $25. For six months we draw a weekly $25 winner. Every member is eligible to win every week. At the end of the six months we host every member for a delicious dinner, at which we draw 11 more winners (8 at $25, 1 each at $50, $150, and $300). After the dinner we take one week off, then we start a new 6-month session drawing $25 weekly winners. Anyone who won in the previous session had the opportunity to renew their membership rather than claim their winnings. Anyone who didn’t win and re-up with their winnings can renew their membership with a $25 renewal. ## Dinner This Saturday Our current six-month session ends this week, and our next members-only dinner is Saturday, 4:30 – 7:00 p.m. at the Sycamore Center in downtown Steubenville. We have hors d’oeuvres, delicious lasagna, and desserts made by our Elementary students, plus two drink tickets. **You can still become a member!** Email us at to let us know you’d like to be a member. You can pay for your membership via Zelle, using hilltopchildrenshouse@gmail.com, or let us know that you’ll bring the cash to the dinner. **Categories:** 240 Club, Events --- ### [Wishlists and Classroom Needs](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wishlists-and-classroom-needs/) **Published:** December 10, 2023 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Check out wishlists and needs to further improve the educational opportunities in our Elementary Montessori classroom at Hilltop Montessori School. **Content:** People ask us if there’s anything they can get for us. Naturally, since we award so much in need-based tuition reduction, we’re always in need of financial support to cover our operating expenses. [Anyone able to support this need can find their preferred way to give here.](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/ "Support") But we also need a number of classroom materials to expand the educational opportunities for our children — particularly in our Elementary. These materials come in a variety of price points. I’ve listed them roughly in order of priority. I’ve tried to explain what they help the children learn, and how they would advance the education beyond what we presently have in the classroom, to help make decisions. If you purchase any of these for us, please let us know at so we can update this page ASAP to prevent duplicate orders. Our shipping address, if it is not automatically applied through the seller, is: Hilltop Montessori School 117 S. Hollywood Blvd. #133 Steubenville, Ohio 43952 We thank you for your generosity! Your gift will help advance the education of needy children in Steubenville for years to come. ## Amazon Wishlist We have a wishlist on Amazon with a number of containers, pouches, books and other items that would be very helpful. **[Browse our Amazon Wishlist »](https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1WGQR57MW46V8/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_2 "Amazon Wishlist")** ## Specific Items ### SOLD! Scientific Scale [![Balance Scale](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-10-at-2.14.17-PM-e1702246999228-300x292.png "Balance Scale | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F8R5FU/?coliid=I3MPMBU0CPJYM4&colid=1WGQR57MW46V8&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it)**This has been purchased for us. Thank you!** A quality balance scale will open up all manner of scientific exploration. [$39.19 at Amazon »](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F8R5FU/?coliid=I3MPMBU0CPJYM4&colid=1WGQR57MW46V8&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it) ### SOLD! Decimal Fraction Exercise [![Decimal Fraction Exercise](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-10-at-3.08.05-PM-300x229.png "Decimal Fraction Exercise | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://montessorioutlet.com/decimal-fraction-exercise-510501250.html) **This has been purchased for us. Thank you!** This material helps children do arithmetic with decimals down to millionths. [On sale for $47.95 at Montessori Outlet »](https://montessorioutlet.com/decimal-fraction-exercise-510501250.html) ### Decimal Checkerboard [![Decimal Checkerboard](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-10-at-4.12.26-PM-300x156.png "Decimal Checkerboard | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://montessorioutlet.com/decimal-checker-board-510501120.html)Helps children learn to, and understand, multiplication involving decimals. [On Sale for $69.95 at Montessori Outlet »](https://montessorioutlet.com/decimal-checker-board-510501120.html "Decimal Checkerboard") ### SOLD! Magnet Set ![Magnet Set](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-10-at-3.35.24-PM-294x300.png "Magnet Set | Hilltop Montessori School") **These have been purchased. Thank you!** Magnets play a large role in imaginative scientific exploration at the Elementary level. ### Trinomial Cube [![Trinomial Cube](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-10-at-3.08.51-PM-300x238.png "Trinomial Cube | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://montessorioutlet.com/trinomial-cube-510500520.html)A sensorial experience of the trinomial equation. In Elementary math it aids the students in understanding cubing and the trinomial equation. [On Sale for $59.95 at Montessori Outlet »](https://montessorioutlet.com/trinomial-cube-510500520.html) ### SOLD! Floor Cushions [![Floor Cushions](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-10-at-3.49.22-PM-300x251.png "Floor Cushions | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PRYSSNV/?coliid=I26FAG4SVPCQSH&colid=1WGQR57MW46V8&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it)Floor cushions aid in concentration while sitting at lower tables. **These have been purchased! Thank you!** ### SOLD! Green, Blue, and Red Beads [![Green, Blue, and Red Beads](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-10-at-3.14.12-PM-300x99.png "Green, Blue, and Red Beads | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://montessorioutlet.com/100-green-beads-with-plastic-box-510501060.html) **These have been purchased for us. Thank you!** Green, Blue, and Red beads are used to count units, tens, and hundreds ina number of works As children work into more advanced math works, loose beads take a larger role. **They’re on sale at Montessori Outlet in Sets of 100 Each.** - [100 Green Beads for $2.95 »](https://montessorioutlet.com/100-green-beads-with-plastic-box-510501060.html "100 Green Beads for $2.95 »") - [100 Blue Beads for $2.95 »](https://montessorioutlet.com/100-blue-beads-with-plastic-box-510501070.html "100 Blue Beads for $2.95 »") - [100 Red Beads for $2.95 »](https://montessorioutlet.com/100-red-beads-with-plastic-box-510501080.html "100 Red Beads for $2.95 »") ### Arithmetic Trinomial Cube [![Arithmetic Trinomial Cube](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-10-at-3.13.22-PM-286x300.png "Arithmetic Trinomial Cube | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://montessorioutlet.com/arithmetic-trinomial-cube-510500570.html)The arithmetic trinomial cube helps children make the transition from the trinomial cube to working out cubes of numbers with the trinomial equation. [On Sale at Montessori Outlet for $49.95 »](https://montessorioutlet.com/arithmetic-trinomial-cube-510500570.html "Arithmetic Trinomial Cube") **Categories:** Needs --- ### [Mardi Gras Gala, Saturday, February 10, 2024!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-gala-saturday-february-10-2024/) **Published:** January 18, 2024 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Join us for our [sixth annual Mardi Gras Gala for Hilltop Montessori School! ](/mardigras)This year the event will be on Saturday, February 10. Froehlich’s Classic Corner in downtown Steubenville provides the venue. Live jazz will once again be provided by the Merry Makers. Our menu will feature New Orleans-style food, and an open bar will keep the evening going. We will have fantastic prizes for our silent and Chinese auctions; a lottery ticket tree; chuck-a-luck; a trivia competition; 50-50; and more chances to win. We have three levels of sponsorships that come with tickets and loads more, as well as individual and couples tickets available. [Visit the Mardi Gras Gala page](/mardigras) for full details, sponsorship levels, 50-50 tickets (winner need not be present), and individual tickets. **Categories:** Events, Mardi Gras --- ### [My AMI Elementary Guide Training Nearly Done](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/my-ami-elementary-guide-training-nearly-done/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Tom is in Arizona completing the course work for the AMI Elementary diploma training program. **Content:** I’m in Arizona to complete the classroom and exams portion of my Elementary Guide diploma training. I wrote previously about why [AMI Montessori training is so important](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/im-starting-montessori-elementary-guide-training-and-why-it-is-important/ "I’m Starting Montessori Elementary Guide Training (And Why It Is Important)"). In short: it is the most rigorous and most comprehensive Montessori training. The *Association Montessori Internationale* was established by Maria Montessori and her son Mario to safeguard the authentic transmission of her insights and approaches to education. We insist on AMI training at Hilltop. Noelle completed the AMI Primary diploma training program in July 2021. Now that we have an Elementary I am doing the AMI Elementary training to ensure the best possible education for our children. ![Presenting the Interjection Grammar Box](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Grammar-Box-Presentation-1024x768.jpg "Grammar Box Presentation | Hilltop Montessori School") I can attest: this has been the most difficult academic program I have ever embarked upon. My cohort began in July of last year with 30 students. Only 20 are in Phoenix for this final module, and not all of us will complete the course within the 10.5-month timeframe. Within the 10.5 months the course work includes: - three in-person sessions in Arizona, totaling 9 weeks; - three online modules, totaling 44 three-hour online classes (132 hours of online classes in total); - 275 homework assignments which took about 825 hours to complete; - 99 hours of observation in other classrooms plus four hours to complete writeups and essays; - 2 two-week sessions of student teaching (which I will complete next school year) which also will require many hours of follow-up writeups and essays. All told, this course will require more time than seven months of 40-hour work weeks, all shoe-horned into 10.5 months of running my classroom, plus other duties, expected and unexpected. But the material… Oh, the material. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Showing-Multiplication-with-Bead-Material-1024x768.jpg "Showing Multiplication with Bead Material | Hilltop Montessori School") Maria Montessori’s insights into human flourishing, the creative and intellectual capacities of the elementary child, the techniques for helping them learn and showing them that they can learn, the tricks and materials… Pure genius. I wish I’d had especially the math materials and this approach when I was a child! ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Showing-Part-of-a-Bird-Material-1024x768.jpg "Showing Part of a Bird Material | Hilltop Montessori School") I am learning (or re-learning) everything from… - from how to add to how to calculate the cube of a binomial; - from how to write a fraction to how to divide a fraction by a fraction; - from what the origins of geometry are to how to calcuate the volume of a sphere; - from how to pronounce and spell basic words to how to analyze sentences and develop your own writing style; - from how to draw a line to how to approach different artistic styles; - from how to play a tone on the tone bars to how to identify what key a piece of music is written in; - from what the states of matter are to how the sun affects ocean currents and prevailing winds, how plate tectonics affect animal and plant life, and how it all has affected the development of cultures, languages, cuisines, and economic zones; - from what the difference between a plant and animal is to how to classify animals and plants; - from what the parts of flowers and plants are to the intricate details of different kinds of fruits and seeds and roots and leaves and stems are; - so much more. AND MOST ESPECIALLY, I’m learning how to guide the children into learning in a way that grabs their attention and sparks their imagination. This training is incredible. This training already has had a tremendous impact on our classroom and the learning of our children, even while it has pulled me out of the classroom for so many weeks this year. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Introducing-Parakeets-1024x768.jpg "Introducing Parakeets | Hilltop Montessori School") I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported this work and helped to make it possible. My assistant guide, Rebekah, who has really stepped up to keep the classroom going, donors who have helped us pay for it, those who have helped in the classroom during my absences, and to my exceptional trainer, Gaby Lopez. The benefits for the children in the short and long-term is incalculable. On their behalf, I say thank you! **Categories:** Life at HCH, News **Tags:** AMI Montessori --- ### ["Where does the money come from?"](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/where-does-the-money-come-from/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Where does the money come from? Hilltop is committed to remaining affordable, which means your support is vital. **Content:** Where do you get the money? That’s a question we’re often asked about the significant tuition reductions Hilltop Montessori School offers its families. Based in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Ohio, where the median income is just $28,000, two-thirds of our families receive some form of tuition assistance. The lowest-income families pay as little as $600 a year. And even the families paying full tuition, pay thousands less than the average cost of a Montessori education in the U.S. So again, where do we get the money? How do we manage to keep tuition so low? The answer is that it doesn’t come from grants, an endowment, or a scholarship fund. We don’t have any of those. We also don’t have major donors underwriting scholarships. Rather, when we give a tuition reduction it simply means we take in less money from tuition. Which in turn means we have less money to operate the school. Important purchases often get delayed and our staff sometimes risk going months without pay. But the school continues to offer tuition reductions anyhow, for every family who needs them. Why? Because our mission is too important to let money get in the way. According to a recent study, Montessori is the only educational method which eliminates the achievement gap that usually comes with income inequality. It has the potential to make a tremendous difference in the life of every child, but especially in the lives of children growing up in low-income areas. Every child deserves the opportunity Hilltop provides. And when you make a tax-deductible donation to our school, you’re giving them that opportunity. You’re also furthering our mission of educating the whole child, by stabilizing our operations and making them less dependent on tuition. Help us bring opportunity to the children and families of Steubenville by supporting authentic Montessori education at Hilltop Montessori School. Pray for us, [and please contribute to our school today.](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/ "Support") Thank you! **Categories:** Life at HCH, Needs --- ### [Finally: An AMI Elementary Trained Guide](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/finally-an-ami-elementary-trained-guide/) **Published:** May 28, 2024 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** I completed the AMI Elementary Guide Training. Hilltop is the only school around with a fully trained AMI Montessori guide in each program. **Content:** What a trip. I passed the final oral exams for [the Elementary Montessori diploma course](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/im-starting-montessori-elementary-guide-training-and-why-it-is-important/ "I’m Starting Montessori Elementary Guide Training (And Why It Is Important)") this week. Graduation is on Saturday. I have to complete the student teaching next year in order to receive my diploma, but all course work is done. I will walk on Saturday with my classmates. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Seed-dispersal-chart-2-1.png "Seed-dispersal-chart-2-1 | Hilltop Montessori School") This means Hilltop Montessori School has [AMI-trained Montessori guides](http://ami "AMI-trained Montessori guides") leading both of our programs: Primary and Elementary. This is no small thing. AMI was established by Maria Montessori and her son Mario to faithfully carry on their work. It is the most rigorous and authentic Montessori training available. Montessori, when properly done, is [the only education method which eliminates the achievement gap due to family income](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/to-eliminate-the-achievement-gap/ "To Eliminate the Achievement Gap"). This is what excellent Montessori can do, and this is why we insist on the best training at Hilltop Montessori School. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Showing-kids-buds-on-trees-1.jpg "Showing-kids-buds-on-trees-1 | Hilltop Montessori School") Even our assistants are trained. Our Primary assistant is also AMI-trained to be a Primary guide, and our Elementary assistant has the introductory training for the toddler and adolescent levels. Few Montessori schools anywhere can boast such a well-qualified slate of guides and assistants. I am proud to make this life-changing education available to families in Steubenville. What makes AMI training so rigorous? ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Parts-of-the-Flower-presentation.png "Parts-of-the-Flower-presentation | Hilltop Montessori School") No other method insists on such a wide-ranging and deep understanding of the underlying philosophy of the Montessori method. Other training methods will focus plenty on the *mechanics* of the education method, but AMI makes sure you understand the WHY and not just the WHAT of Montessori education. Understanding the WHY makes the difference in dealing with classroom situations that break the mold. We explore in depth the basic human tendencies and how these manifest within an educational environment We talk about the psychological and physiological characteristics of the different planes of development. We discuss how the different areas of the classroom satisfy or correspond to those characteristics and needs. The three days of written exams at the end of April were primarily about the philosophy, and secondarily about the mechanics of the classroom. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Discussion-with-students-about-the-parakeets-1024x768.jpg "Discussion-with-students-about-the-parakeets | Hilltop Montessori School") Then during the oral exams, which are more about how to manage educational aspects of the classroom, the examiners ask question about how these particular presentations, the ones that precede them, and those that come after, fit into the needs of the child or correspond to a characteristic of the child. This is a comprehensive education. During this 10.5 months of training I produced 3,300 pages of “how to” albums for myself. These albums will forever be my reference for precisely how to do things, and when. They cover every single presentation in the classroom. They cover a significant amount of background information — why do we do this, what are things to consider, what are possible follow-ups, how can we get children engaged in other ways, etc.? The nine albums are: Math, Language, Geometry, Music, Art, Biology, Geography, History, and Theory. ![Presenting the Interjection Grammar Box](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Grammar-Box-Presentation-1024x768.jpg "Grammar Box Presentation | Hilltop Montessori School") I am incredibly excited for what I, Noelle, Lucy, and Rebekah are prepared to offer the children of Steubenville. These 10.5 months of hard work, missed events and opportunities, and sleepless nights have been difficult. We had some unexpected bumps along the way that delayed completion of the student teaching portion. Many other projects and duties have been set aside for the last 9 months — our podcast has been entirely on hiatus. This has been a very trying time. But one thing has remained the same: the children are so worth it. Working with them as they discover what they are capable of. Helping them to unlock the parts of their brain that can handle large, and complex concepts. Guiding them through considerations of right and wrong, good and bad, what these terms mean and what impact that has on how we behave, how we treat each other, how we regard ourselves, and how we take care of our own environment — micro or macro. These are all amazing opportunities that this training has equipped me even more to dive into. I am eager to bring this training to bear in the classroom, for the good of the children entrusted to Hilltop Montessori School. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Telling-First-Great-Story-1024x768.jpg "Telling First Great Story | Hilltop Montessori School") **Categories:** Life at HCH --- ### [Summer Camps Coming Soon!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/summer-camps-coming-soon/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Summer Camps for children ages 4 to 12 at Hilltop Montessori School begin soon. Reading and Math Camp, Slime Camp, Rube Goldberg, Create a Town, Science of Baking **Content:** Hands-on summer camps are coming fast at Hilltop Montessori School! Limited spaces remain for [our summer camps](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/summer-camps/ "Summer Camps")! Slime Camp, Create-a-Town, The Science of Baking, Rube Goldberg Machines, and Math & Reading camps will bring a hands-on, and engaging approach to education. With the exception of Math & Reading camp (more on that below), each of these week-long camps will give kids ages 4 to 12 a week-long experience that they will never forget. Slime Camp will work through different experiences of the ooey-gooey-ness of different slimes. Some edible, some crunchy, all with different uses and purposes. Have some sticky, colorful, slimy fun with us! ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Baking-in-Elementary-1024x647.jpeg "Baking-in-Elementary | Hilltop Montessori School") In The Science of Baking, children will learn through hands-on activities how chemistry, biology, and physics combine to make delicious breads, cakes, cookies, and other confections. How does yeast work? Why do many recipes not use it? What effect do different ingredients have? In the Create-a-Town Camp we partner with Strong Towns Steubenville to help children understand urban planning. Children will work together to think through what makes a town strong and healthy for human flourishing. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Discussing-in-the-Back-Yard-1024x691.jpg "Discussing-in-the-Back-Yard | Hilltop Montessori School") Rube Goldberg Machines Camp will see children designing their own fun and effective simple machine. How many steps can they include? How many interesting items can they use? What will it do? Each of these camps has a maximum of 12 students. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Reading-and-Writing-in-Elemetary-1024x678.jpeg "Reading-and-Writing-in-Elemetary | Hilltop Montessori School") Our Math & Reading Camp is a two-week special for children ages 6 to 12. The Montessori approach to reading and math brings children into a new and deeper appreciation for these vital skills. Using hands-on materials, children learn how the decimal system works and why it’s important. They learn how to write in cursive, and why this skill is so valuable for brain development and learning. Depending on the children’s ability, we move quickly into arithmetical operations, functions of words, and parts of speech. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Math-in-Primary-1024x719.jpg "Math-in-Primary | Hilltop Montessori School") The Math & Reading Camp is limited to six students to ensure more one-on-one attention for each student. All camp sessions run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A light snack is included each day. [Get more details and sign up soon to ensure your child’s place in these fun, engaging, and educational summer camps!](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/summer-camps/ "Summer Camps") **Categories:** Events, Life at HCH **Tags:** summer camps --- ### [End-of-Year Picnic Invaded by Paper Mache Animals!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/end-of-year-picnic-invaded-by-paper-mache-animals/) **Published:** June 27, 2024 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** The end-of-year picnic included an invasion of paper mache animals made by the Elementary Montessori students **Content:** Our end-of-year picnic turned into a zoo! An invasion of paper mache animals and their keepers made it an event to remember. The Elementary students spent the last three weeks of the school year working on two things: American Sign Language, and learning about animals from different continents. ![Don't Feed the Animals](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Dont-Feed-the-Animals-1024x768.jpeg "Don't Feed the Animals | Hilltop Montessori School")DONT FEED THE ANIMALS![Koala Bear with Keeper](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Koala-with-Keeper-768x1024.jpeg "Koala with Keeper | Hilltop Montessori School")A koala bear from Australia with Keeper![Boa Constrictor with Keeper](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Boa-Constrictor-with-Keeper-768x1024.jpeg "Boa Constrictor with Keeper | Hilltop Montessori School")A boa constrictor from South America with Keeper Before he departed for Arizona in early May, Mr. Tom worked with the students to pair them up into seven couples and give each pairing a continent. The students then worked together to choose an animal particular to that continent. Their task was to learn about the animal, its habitat, its anatomy, its diet, life cycle, and anything else that they could learn. ![Wolverine with Keeper](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Wolverine-with-Keeper-1024x768.jpeg "Wolverine with Keeper | Hilltop Montessori School")Wolverine from North America with Keeper![European Rabbit with Keeper](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/European-Rabbit-with-Keeper-768x1024.jpeg "European Rabbit with Keeper | Hilltop Montessori School")European rabbit from Europe with Keeper![Penguin with Keeper](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Penguin-with-Keeper-768x1024.jpeg "Penguin with Keeper | Hilltop Montessori School")An emperor penguin from Antarctica with Keeper Then they were tasked with producing a model of their selected creature, along with some rendition of their habitat. The creativity and expression were something to behold! A koala hiding in a tree, a penguin standing on an iceberg, a European rabbit in a meadow, as well as a boa constrictor, an Indian cobra, a wolverine in its habitat, and an African elephant. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Indian-Cobra-with-Display-1024x768.jpeg "Indian Cobra with Display | Hilltop Montessori School")An Indian cobra from Asia![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/African-Elephant-768x1024.jpeg "African Elephant | Hilltop Montessori School")An African elephant from Africa with Keeper![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Families-at-the-Zoo-768x1024.jpeg "Families at the Zoo | Hilltop Montessori School")Families enjoying the zoo The students who were able to make it to the picnic were excited to share what they had learned with parents, siblings, and friends alike. This Paper Mache Zoo may become a regular event! ## Take a Stroll Through the Zoo With Us ## More Photos From the Picnic ![Running with Kite](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Running-with-Kite-1024x768.jpeg "Running with Kite | Hilltop Montessori School")![Wolverine Top Display](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Wolvering-Top-Display-768x1024.jpeg "Wolverine Top Display | Hilltop Montessori School")![Wolverine Display](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Wolverine-Display-768x1024.jpeg "Wolverine Display | Hilltop Montessori School")![Teaching about the European Rabbit](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Teaching-about-the-European-Rabbit-768x1024.jpeg "Teaching about the European Rabbit | Hilltop Montessori School")![Teaching about the Cobra](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Teaching-about-the-Cobra-768x1024.jpeg "Teaching about the Cobra | Hilltop Montessori School")![Teaching about the Boa Constrictor](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Teaching-about-the-Boa-Constrictor-768x1024.jpeg "Teaching about the Boa Constrictor | Hilltop Montessori School")![Boa Constrictor up Close](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Boa-Constrictor-up-Close-768x1024.jpeg "Boa Constrictor up Close | Hilltop Montessori School")![Boa Constrictor Booklets](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Boa-Constrictor-Booklets-768x1024.jpeg "Boa Constrictor Booklets | Hilltop Montessori School")![Boa Constrictor Display](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Boa-Constrictor-Display-1024x768.jpeg "Boa Constrictor Display | Hilltop Montessori School")![European Rabbit (with Pippa)](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/European-Rabbit-with-Pippa-768x1024.jpeg "European Rabbit (with Pippa) | Hilltop Montessori School")![Friends at the Zoo](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Friends-at-the-Zoo-768x1024.jpeg "Friends at the Zoo | Hilltop Montessori School")![Koala Display](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Koala-Display-768x1024.jpeg "Koala Display | Hilltop Montessori School") **Categories:** Events --- ### [Front Page News in the Herald-Star](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/front-page-news-in-the-herald-star/) **Published:** July 10, 2024 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Hilltop Montessori School was front page news in the Steubenville Herald-Star on Sunday, July 7! Reporter Christopher Dacanay interviewed Tom and Noelle about the AMI training that they both have completed, and what it means for the children at our school **Content:** Hilltop Montessori School was front page news in the Steubenville *Herald-Star* on Sunday, July 7! Reporter Christopher Dacanay interviewed Tom and Noelle about the AMI training that they both have completed, and what it means for the children at our school. For reference, we posted previously about why [Tom started the training here](/im-starting-montessori-elementary-guide-training-and-why-it-is-important/), and then about [the completion of his training here](/finally-an-ami-elementary-trained-guide/). > It’s rare to see a school \[of our size\] have two fully AMI-trained guides, Noëlle Crowe said, noting that she and Tom Crowe may be the first husband-and-wife duo to achieve AMI certification \[through SIMS\]. > > Part of a growing movement of Catholic Montessori schools in the U.S., Hilltop has more on its agenda, the Crowes said, including expanding its Montessori programs to toddler and adolescent age ranges, the latter of which reaches up to age 18. Other goals include having all school staff AMI trained and creating a garden space and pavilion for the school’s use. > > Hilltop’s goal has always been to be *“an asset to the hilltop and have a positive impact on Steubenville,”* not being closed to students based on religion and seeking to offer affordable tuition and tuition reduction opportunities, Noëlle Crowe said. [**Read the full article in the *Herald Star* here.**](https://www.heraldstaronline.com/news/local-news/2024/07/montessori-school-educator-gains-high-level-certification/) **Categories:** Media Coverage, News --- ### [Hilltop Montessori Adds Toddler Program](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/hilltop-montessori-adds-toddler-program/) **Published:** July 10, 2024 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Hilltop Montessori School is thrilled to add a toddler program to our offerings. Montessori toddler develops motor skills, sensory perception, language, more **Content:** Hilltop Montessori School is thrilled to add [a toddler program to our offerings](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/programs/ "Programs, Costs, and Admissions"). A Montessori toddler program welcomes children from when they are stably walking. Children remain in the toddler environment until they are ready to enter the Primary Program, which is generally between two and a half and three years old. The environment for the toddler level provides children with experiences that help them develop in key areas: gross and fine motor skills, sensory perception, foundations of language, and order. Through specially selected and arranged materials, children develop the ability to distinguish between different textures, sounds, and other stimuli. The foundations are laid for recognizing the difference between, for instance, different instruments based on the sound they make. ![Fine Motor Skills in Toddler](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Toddler-Program-Works-1024x698.jpg "Fine Motor Skills in Toddler | Hilltop Montessori School")Fine Motor Skills in Toddler Children have the opportunity to learn how to take off and put on their own shoes, manipulate buttons and snaps, and put on their own coat. Oral exercises help children develop their language skills. For some children this can be very basic foundations in sound formation, while for others the work will be in expanding vocabulary, improving conversational skills, and general communication. Matching activities help open up the mind’s powers of abstraction — as in matching a real item like a carrot or turnip to a photograph of that item. ![Matching Penguins](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Matching-Penguins-1024x768.jpg "Matching Penguins | Hilltop Montessori School")Matching Penguins Gross and fine movement develop along with the child’s sense of order in the practical life area. The children take part in preparing a shared snack. They also participate in maintaining the environment with child-sized brooms, cleaning cloths, washing basins, and the like. Children who need it receive assistance with toilet training. The Toddler environment in a Montessori school really lays the foundations for a well-developed person. --- *This short video from a Montessori school in Baltimore gives a glimpse into what a Toddler Program looks like*. --- At Hilltop Montessori School we remain committed to AMI training for all of our guides. Our guide and assistant will begin this year with the Orientation training through the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies — the same organization through which Noelle, Lucy, and Tom received their training. ![Reading in Toddler](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Reading-in-Toddler-1024x743.jpg "Reading in Toddler | Hilltop Montessori School")Reading in Toddler Rebekah, who is Tom’s assistant in Elementary, has previous experience establishing a Montessori Toddler program. She already has the Orientation training for Toddler, and she is actively helping to set up our Toddler Program and prepare the women who will be the guide and assistant in our Toddler Program. Our Toddler Program will be limited to ten children. The Program will run from 8:45 to 10:45 Monday through Thursday, beginning on Wednesday, September 4. It will follow the same academic year schedule as our other programs. Tuition is $2,500 per child. Spaces are filling up! [Fill out the inquiry form to start your journey with us!](https://form.jotform.com/232343561642048) **Categories:** Life at HCH, News **Tags:** toddler --- ### [Rube Goldberg Machines And Their Results](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/rube-goldberg-machines-and-their-results/) **Published:** July 23, 2024 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Rube Goldberg Machines Camp concluded with two teams presenting their simple machines to friends and family. **Content:** The Rube Goldberg Machines camp at Hilltop Montessori School saw the children learn about simple machines like levers, pulleys, and ramps. They only had five days for this camp, but by the end of the week the students broke up into two groups and built two simple machines to share with family and friends. ![Rube Goldberg Machines Image](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Rube-Goldberg-Machines-Image.jpg "Rube Goldberg Machines Image | Hilltop Montessori School")Rube Goldberg Machines Image## Popping a Balloon The first group put together a simple machine designed to break a balloon. The machine involved ramps, dominoes, two different balls, and a car with a skewer on it. It took a few attempts to get it all right, but it was fun to watch the patient development, and the success! ## Ball In A Cup Next Up was the team that devised a plan to drop a tennis ball into a cup. This setup involved a marble going through three ramps, dominoes, and a car that nudged the ball on its way. Check it out! ## Learning Perseverance and Inventiveness The students only had a short time during this camp, so their machines couldn’t get that elaborate. However, they did work at things, find materials that were ready to hand, and keep tweaking until each successive step performed as needed. One of the groups even made a rather significant change during the final demonstration as one component kept misfiring. Eventually everything worked out. Also, all of the campers are students in our Elementary classroom. So we expect a number of “simple” machines to figure into our classroom experience this year. Stay tuned and we will keep you posted! **Categories:** Events, Life at HCH **Tags:** summer camps --- ### [Montessori Materials Wishlists 2024](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/montessori-materials-wishlists-2024/) **Published:** August 13, 2024 **Author:** Tom **Excerpt:** Please help fill out our Materials needs as we get set for our seventh year of education! Elementary is in year three, we're building a whole new Toddler program, and Primary has many items that need to be replaced. **Content:** **WOW! An incredible update!** Thanks to [the assistance of Emily Stimpson Chapman](https://emilystimpsonchapman.substack.com/p/a-small-favor), our Amazon and Montessori Services Wishlists were emptied by lunchtime today! Incredible! We are so humbled by the generosity of so, so many people. For those who still wish to help us outfit our classrooms, we included the original items from Nienhuis, plus a few more that we hadn’t imagined it possible to get this year, along with a few additional items from Amazon and elsewhere, to [a MyRegistry.com list, available here »](https://www.myregistry.com/giftlist/hilltopmontessori) If you need our shipping and mailing address, it is: Hilltop Montessori School 117 S. Hollywood Blvd. #133 Steubenville, Ohio 43952 **THANK YOU, and GOD BLESS YOU!** ————————– ## ORIGINAL POST: Just three weeks until Hilltop Montessori School begins our new school year! As we gear up for our seventh year of Primary, third year of Elementary, and FIRST year of Toddler, we have wishlists for our various programs. These wishlists come through three different vendors — Neinhuis, Montessori Services, and Amazon — based on which has the best version of the item at a reliable quality and with a predictable delivery schedule. **The total amount for the Wishlists presented here is roughly $14,000.** This represents a large portion of what we need to get Toddler up and running, continue to furnish our Elementary program, and replace items that have been well-used over the years in Primary. But it is not all we will need for Materials this year. We will need to replenish our supply of consumables like paper, art supplies, notebooks and sketch pads, glue, polish, soaps, plants, baking supplies, and more. And then, of course, some things break — Montessori embraces friendliness with error — so we will need to replace those items, whatever they are, over the course of the year. Whether you purchase items directly from these lists and send them to us, [or make a donation for our Materials fund](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/make-a-donation/ "Make a Donation"), your gift is fully tax deductible and you will receive a letter from us for tax purposes. ### Shipping Information If you order from either Montessori Services or Nienhuis, please have the item(s) shipped to: Hilltop Montessori School 117 S. Hollywood Blvd. #133 Steubenville, Ohio 43952 If you order from our Amazon Wishlist the item will be shipped to us automatically. --- ## Amazon Wishlist ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Children-on-Stool.jpeg "Screenshot | Hilltop Montessori School")Most of our Toddler Program needs are within this Amazon Wishlist. You also will find many books and other resources that are needed for Elementary and Primary. These also will be very helpful to our upper level programming but the Toddler materials are essential. The total amount for Toddler items is roughly $1,000. If you purchase from here Amazon will automatically send the item to us. **[See the Amazon Wishlist »](https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1WGQR57MW46V8?ref_=wl_share)** --- ## Montessori Services Wishlist ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Boy-with-Eyedropper.jpeg "Screenshot | Hilltop Montessori School")Montessori Services has some items that are necessary for our Primary Program and they just aren’t available elsewhere. The total amount for this Wishlist is about $700. **[See the Montessori Services Wishlist »](https://www.montessoriservices.com/wishlist/5288c40280fcd55116c656b5cd1c0a53)** --- ## Nienhuis Wishlist Neinhuis is one of the oldest and most reliable producers of Montessori materials. We prefer to purchase from them because of consistent quality and predictable delivery. We have items at various prices from about $1 up to over $1,000, with items at various price points in between. Below are 50 of the items we desire from Nienhuis. The total amount for all desired items from Nienhuis is roughly $11,500. **Neinhuis doesn’t have a wishlist function, so we built this list in MyRegistry.com.** **[See the list at MyRegistry »](https://www.myregistry.com/giftlist/hilltopmontessori)** ### Some of the items on our Niehuis list [![Fraction and Metal Frame Cabinet](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Metal-Plates-and-Fraction-Cabinet-300x203.jpeg "Fraction and Metal Frame Cabinet | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/fraction-cabinet-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4131/)Fraction and Metal Frame Cabinet $50107[![Metal Equivalent Material](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Equivalent-Figure-Material-300x187.jpeg "Metal Equivalent Material | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/fraction-cabinet-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4131/)Metal Equivalent Material $67444[![Decimal Checkerboard](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Decimal-Checkerboard-300x213.jpeg "Decimal Checkerboard | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/decimal-checker-board-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/5209/)Decimal Checkerboard $15902[![Montessori Protractor](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Motessori-Protractor-300x198.jpeg "Montessori Protractor | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/instrument-for-the-measurement-of-angles-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/5330/)Montessori Protractor $3494[![Decanomial Bead Bar Box](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Decanomial-Bead-Bar-Box-300x184.jpeg "Decanomial Bead Bar Box | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/fraction-cabinet-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4131/)Decanomial Bead Bar Box $43545[![Elementary Negative Snake Game](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Negative-Snake-Game-300x201.png "Elementary Negative Snake Game | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/elementary-negative-snake-game-individual-beads-glass-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4944/)Elementary Negative Snake Game $31439[![Five Yellow Prisms in Yellow Box](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Five-Yellow-Prisms-in-Wooden-Box-300x202.jpeg "Five Yellow Prisms in Yellow Box | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/five-yellow-prisms-in-wooden-box-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4285/)Five Yellow Prisms in Yellow Box $17321[![Metal Triangles](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Metal-Triangles-Frames-300x203.jpeg "Metal Triangles | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/metal-triangles-4-plates-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/5028/)Metal Triangles $16016[![Fraction Circles Stands](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Fractions-Material-Holder-300x203.jpeg "Fraction Circles Stands | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/fraction-circles-stands-2-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4250/)Fraction Circles Stands $6370[![Trinomial Cube](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Trinomial-Cube-300x199.jpeg "Trinomial Cube | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/trinomial-cube-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4603/)Trinomial Cube $20644[![Patterns for Square Root](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Square-Guides-300x212.jpeg "Patterns for Square Root | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/patterns-for-square-root-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/5090/)Patterns for Square Root $3037[![Small Numbers Cards](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Small-Numbers-Cards-Large-300x197.jpeg "Small Numbers Cards | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/small-number-cards-19000-plastic-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4236/)Small Numbers Cards $1695[![Triangle Base Prism](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Triangle-Base-Prism-Large-300x281.jpeg "Triangle Base Prism | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/triangular-based-prism-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4617/)Triangle Base Prism $6921[![Rhombus Base Prism](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Rhombus-Base-Prism-Large-300x264.jpeg "Rhombus Base Prism | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/rhombic-based-prism-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4406/)Rhombus Base Prism $9547[![Square Base Prism](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Square-Base-Prism-Large-300x270.jpeg "Square Base Prism | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/square-based-prism-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4864/)Square Base Prism $6344[![Cylinder](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Cylinder-300x201.jpeg "Cylinder | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/cylinder-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4573/)Cylinder $6677[![Cone](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Cone-300x207.jpeg "Cone | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/cone-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4569/)Cone $8804[![Short Square Based Prism](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Short-Square-Base-Prism-300x220.jpeg "Short Square Based Prism | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/short-square-based-prism-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/5223/)Short Square Based Prism $5112[![Short Triangular Based Prism](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Short-Triangle-Base-Prism-300x220.jpeg "Short Triangular Based Prism | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/short-triangular-based-prism-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/5201/)Short Triangular Based Prism $5112[![Short Cylinder](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Short-Cylinder-300x235.jpeg "Short Cylinder | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/short-cylinder-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4369/)Short Cylinder $4571[![Metal Volume Containers](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Metal-Volume-Containers-Large-300x176.jpeg "Metal Volume Containers | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/metal-volume-containers-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4343/)Metal Volume Containers $20270[![Volume Box With 1000 Cubes](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Volume-Box-1000-Cubes-300x229.jpeg "Volume Box With 1000 Cubes | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/volume-box-with-1000-cubes-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4769/)Volume Box With 1000 Cubes $13276[![Drying Rack](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Drying-Rack-300x206.jpeg "Drying Rack | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/drying-rack-movable-25-racks-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/6622/)Drying Rack $23436[![Sentence Analysis Working Chart](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Sentence-Analysis-Charts-300x239.jpeg "Sentence Analysis Working Chart | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/sentence-analysis-working-chart-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/5086/)Sentence Analysis Working Chart $2283![Blackboard chalk anti-dust - Assorted Colors](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Dustless-Chalk-300x198.jpeg "Blackboard chalk anti-dust - Assorted Colors | Hilltop Montessori School")Blackboard chalk anti dust Assorted Colors 4 needed $114[![3D Wooden Grammar Symbol - Noun](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Wooden-Noun-Grammar-Symbol-Large-300x203.jpeg "3D Wooden Grammar Symbol - Noun | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/3d-wooden-grammar-symbol-noun-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4226/)3D Wooden Grammar Symbol Noun $3000[![Snap Frame](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Snaps-Frame-Large-300x207.jpeg "Snap Frame | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/snapping-frame-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4447/)Snap Frame $4644[![Shoe Lacing Frame](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Shoe-Lacing-Frame-Large-300x213.jpeg "Shoe Lacing Frame | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/shoe-lacing-frame-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4596/)Shoe Lacing Frame $4644[![Bow Tying Frame](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bow-Tying-Frame-Large-300x221.jpeg "Bow Tying Frame | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/bow-tying-frame-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/5036/)Bow Tying Frame 44644[![Buckling Frame](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Buckling-Frame-Large-300x217.jpeg "Buckling Frame | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/buckling-frame-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4316/)Buckling Frame $4644[![Bells Set](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bells-Large-300x218.jpeg "Bells Set | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/bells-set-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4466/)Bells Set $107484[![Bells Keyboard](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bells-Keyboard-Large-300x212.jpeg "Bells Keyboard | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/bells-keyboards-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4246/)Bells Keyboard $4867[![Geometric Solids Basket](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Geometric-Solids-Basket-Large-300x229.jpeg "Geometric Solids Basket | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/geometric-solids-basket-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4473/)Geometric Solids Basket $1430[![Thermic Bottles](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Thermic-Bottles-Large-300x221.jpeg "Thermic Bottles | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/thermic-bottles-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4124/)Thermic Bottles $22948[![Thermic Tablets](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Thermic-Tablets-Large-300x217.jpeg "Thermic Tablets | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/thermic-tablets-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4742/)Thermic Tablets $6895[![Rough and Smooth Boards](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Smooth-and-Rough-Boards-Large-300x236.jpeg "Rough and Smooth Boards | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/rough-and-smooth-boards-set-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4674/)Rough and Smooth Boards $4118[![Third Box of Color Tablets](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Third-Box-Color-Tablets-Large-300x229.jpeg "Third Box of Color Tablets | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/third-box-of-color-tablets-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4280/)Third Box of Color Tablets $15704[![Second Box of Color Tablets](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Second-Box-Color-Tablets-Large-300x227.jpeg "Second Box of Color Tablets | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/second-box-of-color-tablets-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4565/)Second Box of Color Tablets $6198[![First Box of Color Tablets](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/First-Box-Color-Tablets-Large-300x218.jpeg "First Box of Color Tablets | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/first-box-of-color-tablets-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4945/)First Box of Color Tablets $3219[![Brown Stair](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Brown-Stair-Large-300x208.jpeg "Brown Stair | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/the-brown-stair-clear-lacquer-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/5116/)Brown Stair $17758[![Puzzle Map: Parts of the World](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Puzzle-Map-Globe-Large-300x233.jpeg "Puzzle Map: Parts of the World | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/puzzle-map-world-parts-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/5018/)Puzzle Map Parts of the World $13260[![Puzzle Map: South America](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Puzzle-Map-South-America-Large-300x208.jpeg "Puzzle Map: South America | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/puzzle-map-south-america-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4717/)Puzzle Map South America $12709[![Blunt Scissors](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blunt-Scissors-300x222.jpeg "Blunt Scissors | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/blunt-scissors-10-cm-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4457/)Blunt Scissors $629[![Logical Adverb Exercise](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Logical-Adverb-Exercise-300x208.jpeg "Logical Adverb Exercise | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/logical-adverb-exercise-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4917/)Logical Adverb Exercise $3765[![Stand For Cylinder Blocks](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Stand-for-Cylinder-Blocks-300x224.jpeg "Stand For Cylinder Blocks | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/stand-for-cylinder-blocks-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/5112/)Stand For Cylinder Blocks $18252[![Rubber Desk Top Pad](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Rubber-Desktop-Pad-300x221.jpeg "Rubber Desk Top Pad | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/rubber-desk-top-pad-14-x-14-cm-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/5126/)Rubber Desk Top Pad $759[![Small Blackboard Eraser](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Small-Blackboard-Eraser-300x223.jpeg "Small Blackboard Eraser | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/small-blackboard-eraser-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/4526/)Small Blackboard Eraser $432[![Logical Adjective Exercise](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Logical-Adjective-Exercise-300x228.jpeg "Logical Adjective Exercise | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/logical-adjective-exercise-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/5605/)Logical Adjective Exercise $3765[![Dust Brush](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Dust-Brush-300x247.jpeg "Dust Brush | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/dust-brush-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/6366/)Dust Brush $2855[![Enamel Bucket](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Enamel-Bucket-300x233.jpeg "Enamel Bucket | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.nienhuis.com/us/en/enamel-bucket-nienhuis-montessori-usa/product/6768/)Enamel Bucket $2299 **Categories:** Life at HCH, Needs --- ### [Back Door Work](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/back-door-work/) **Published:** August 11, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** ![back room](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Back-room-floor-work-e1534020047134-225x300.jpg "Back room floor work | Hilltop Montessori School")The previous owners of our building had done something odd to the floor in the back room of our building. It wasn’t odd in itself—they just added a layer of subfloor, some vinyl tile, and then a carpet remnant over that. What was odd was that with that buildup of material, the back door simply could not open. Not a safe situation. I couldn’t believe it when I discovered it. So today I pulled up the carpet, removed the vinyl tile, and ripped out enough of that plywood subfloor. And now the door opens! ![Back porch](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Back-Porch-8-11-18-300x225.jpg "Back Porch 8-11-18 | Hilltop Montessori School")The back porch also has been a bit of a mess. A fairly well-established maple tree that clearly was cut back more than once over the years had roared back to engulf the porch. I haven’t taken the necessary steps to kill that tree just yet, but I did cut it back again. Now the back door opens, and the stoop (which will need to be replaced, possibly this fall) is useable once again! I’ll be looking for volunteers to help with these and other projects, like landscaping, in the not-so-distant future. A more complete renovation will happen next summer after we get this [first year of programs](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/programs/) under our belts. **Categories:** News, Renovations --- ### [Trick or Treat and Open House](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/trick-or-treat-and-open-house/) **Published:** October 17, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Come say hi! during Trick or Treat and at an Open House! - ### Warm Cider for your Trick-or-Treat! **Halloween, Wednesday, October 31, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.** Stop by the Hilltop Children’s House at [1300 Maryland Avenue](https://goo.gl/maps/gKmiEb6eLN62) (three doors down from the Tower of Power Church) while trick-or-treating on Halloween for a cup of warm cider to warm up and say hi! - ### **Open House** **Wednesday, November 7, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.** Montessori is better shown than described. We have a small version of what the full setup will look like, so come by and bring your children to see what it’s all about. - ### Registrations Open! Our classes have begun, but there’s room for a few more students ages 3 and 4! [Learn more about the programs and get the registration form »](/programs/) **Categories:** Events, News --- ### [A New Logo!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/a-new-logo/) **Published:** October 24, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** ![](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/HCH-Logo-V3-1024x858.png "HCH Logo V3 | Hilltop Montessori School") Wow, this is great! Our friend Amy is a really great graphic designer and offered her services. She asked if we were open to a new logo and we said certainly! The little mashup of “HCH” I threw together in a pinch served well as a startup logo, but certainly left some to be desired. Amy thoughtfully gave us a logo which emphasizes children both in including an equal number of boys and girls—in multiple colors, of course—as well as making sure the “C” of “HCH” remained larger. And the hilltop and leafy tree really make it seem like our home in the Labelle neighborhood of Steubenville. Amy also says that since the leaves are individual items in the design they could be swapped out in the fall for fall-colored leaves, in Christmas season for ornaments, or other seasonal inclusions. We’ll have to give that some thought. Anyhow, now that we have a logo we’ll be working on making a sign for the building, more print publications and mailings, and other “next step” items. This logo retains a sophisticated look, while being accessible and eye-catching to kids. We’re excited about where we can go with this inspiring new logo! **Categories:** News --- ### [Our First Day](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/our-first-day/) **Published:** October 15, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Our first day was today, with our first students, and we’re excited! The kids were given materials to work with and shown how to work with them in a designated space. ### Still Time to Join Us! We are still accepting registrations because Montessori doesn’t require everyone to start at the same time. Anyone interested can [learn more about the programs here](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/programs/) and [download the form here](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/HCH-Registration-2018-19.pdf) and drop it off at the building, 1300 Maryland. If no one is there just slide it through the mail slot. ![First Children in Their Space](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/IMG_3221-1024x768.jpg "First Children in Their Space | Hilltop Montessori School") **Categories:** News --- ### [Wishlists and Needed Things](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wishlists-and-needed-things/) **Published:** October 24, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** So blessed. We posted the other day about a wishlist of needed things on Amazon, and a few generous people have already come through for about half the items originally on that list! As we build up the Montessori and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd programs for the children we’re in need of a number of other items to take the next steps with this fall’s presentations and work. Hhere are some items of an urgent need. **Three Dressing Frames ($15 each)** - [Toddler Snapping Frame »](https://www.alisonsmontessori.com/Toddler_Snapping_Frame_p/i35.htm) - [Toddler Button Dressing Frame »](https://www.alisonsmontessori.com/Toddler_Button_Dressing_Frame_p/i36.htm) - [Toddler Velcro Dressing Frame »](https://www.alisonsmontessori.com/Toddler_Velcro_Dressing_Frame_p/i34.htm) **Miniature Mass Kit ($127)** - [Available as a set at Our Father’s House »](http://www.ourfathershouse.biz/shopsite_sc/store/html/page29.html) ### [You can see the full lists here »](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wishlists/) **Categories:** News --- ### [It's a Small Start, But It's a Start](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/its-a-small-start-but-its-a-start/) **Published:** October 1, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** It was a really great day at the Hilltop Children’s House, we got so much done! Tomorrow, October 1, will be our start—a small start, but a start nonetheless. Off to the side of the large main space that will eventually house the full Montessori program is a smaller room. This space is just right for a smaller setup as we get started. With huge help from Misha and Jonathan McGovern we were able to get a starter room set up. **WE ARE STILL TAKING REGISTRATIONS!** Montessori is not the sort of thing that must begin with the full class on day one. Children can join the House as the year goes along, so if you’re interested in having one or more kids join us, you’re in luck! [**Download the registration form**](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/HCH-Registration-2018-19.pdf) and drop it off at the building—1300 Maryland Avenue—and we will be in touch! **Or you can start by [going here to learn more about what our programs are at Hilltop Children’s House »](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/programs/)** This is exciting for us and there are still many challenges ahead, so please keep us in your prayers. Also, we could not have gotten this far without the generous support of our donors. Thank you for partnering with us! We still have lots of needs—**monthly utility bills**, a dehumidifier for the cellar, a small bookshelf for the reading corner, a security light for the back door, help removing a stump and other landscaping issues—so if you’re able and willing [please consider making a donation or becoming a Hilltop Children’s Champion!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/) **Categories:** News --- ### [Interviewed on SonRise Morning Show!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/interviewed-on-sonrise-morning-show/) **Published:** November 10, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** If you missed it, Noëlle was interviewed by Anna Mitchell on the SonRise morning show! SonRise is a morning drive radio program out of Cincinnati, Ohio, affiliated with EWTN. EWTN liked the segment so much they aired it again the next morning! Noëlle, in a very short time, really did a stellar job explaining why Montessori is so valuable and how we plan to go about it here in Steubenville. Give a listen! **Categories:** Media Coverage, News --- ### [Learning. Not "Through Play."](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/learning-not-through-play/) **Published:** August 14, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Montessori is its all about “learn through play,” right? Not so. [The article I mentioned a few days ago by Pascal Emmanuel Gobry](https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2018/06/29/montessori-schools-are-exceptionally-successful-so-why-arent-there-more) has a good passage on this topic: > Everybody loves the idea of children “learning through play,” and Montessori is sometimes described as encouraging this, but serious Montessorians react to such a formulation with horror. > > The activities, it is emphasized, are work. Children have play time, of course, but classroom work is work. “Learning through play” is seen as an admission of defeat, an implicit statement that learning is intrinsically unpleasant and can only be made pleasant artificially. The Method is designed for the opposite goal, to teach that work is intrinsically rewarding; therefore it must protect children from external influences that might replace internal motivation for work. Learning, for children, shouldn’t be made an unpleasant chore to be done because they HAVE to, nor because it’ll merit them a gold star from teacher. Learning, for children, should be the thing done because accomplishment and possessing new knowledge or a new skill is its own reward. [I wrote the other day,](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/learning-according-to-development/) also based on Gobry’s article, about Maria Montessori’s observation that children expend a remarkable amount of effort learning to walk and talk without being conscious of it being “hard” like grownups use that word. Over time children focus on learning to manipulate buttons, screw caps, clasps, buckles, and the like. If you’ve ever watched as they tackle these new skills you know the wonder and determined concentration on their face and in their eyes as they work on coordinating the parts of the body with the ideas and observations in their heads. It’s a wonder to behold. And they don’t realize that what they are doing is difficult, nor do they consider it praiseworthy, because it’s just the most natural thing to do at that time. This, according to Montessori, is how learning ought to remain. The activities through which children learn are work, but children don’t know “work” to be unpleasant and to be avoided until they’re either taught to think that way or they’re forced to learn and to work in ways that are unpleasant. So Montessori doesn’t force children along a prescribed and predetermined formula of learning, but rather puts kids in an environment where everything is engineered to open up the next lessons and skills which they are, by their own development, prone to working to learn. **Categories:** Motivations --- ### [Learning According to Development](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/learning-according-to-development/) **Published:** August 5, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** 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: > Then there is Dr. Montessori’s theory of the child. She pointed out that all infants learn how to walk and learn a language, but because it happens to all of us, we forget how incredibly difficult it is to do. Children expend tremendous effort to do it, with amazing stubbornness, trying over and over until they get it right, eagerly, and they do so of their own accord. This natural drive to learn goes on—unless it is snuffed out. Once a child is taught that she must learn only because of the threat of punishment or, as is more popular these days, the prospect of reward and encouragement, her most powerful engine of motivation is essentially wiped out, as if a new program overwrote another in a computer. > > Once a child is ready to walk, she will expend tremendous effort to do so, but only when it is the right time in her development. So it is with other skills. Trying to teach, say, writing, on a rigid schedule will only convince a child that she is unable to do so, sapping not only that endeavor but her self-confidence and willingness to learn more generally. We can all attest from our personal experience that we easily become frustrated and despondent whenever we have to do things that are either far too easy or far too hard; but when our work is right at the edge of our comfort zone, challenging but doable, not only are we better at tasks, but we often find them positively thrilling. We love to learn new things as we grow, we don’t even consciously think about how much effort we are putting into the learning. Education should encourage that in-born desire to learn and develop. Montessori respects this. [Read the whole article. It’s a tad long, but so worth is.](https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2018/06/29/montessori-schools-are-exceptionally-successful-so-why-arent-there-more) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Mother Teresa and Montessori](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mother-teresa-and-montessori/) **Published:** September 4, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Tomorrow is the memorial of St. Teresa of Calcutta, more commonly known as just Mother Teresa. This is an important day for us at Hilltop Children’s House because we have entrusted our work to the intercession of St. Teresa for two reasons: 1. Mother Teresa worked among the underserved, underprivileged, and forgotten people of Calcutta, India. Our situation in Labelle and Pleasant Heights isn’t quite as destitute as Calcutta, but there certainly are children who could benefit from Montessori. 2. Since 2008 the Missionaries of Charity have incorporated Catechesis of the Good Shepherd into the formation of their sisters and into their programs for children. We will offer all three levels of CGS. The latter point began in 2008. Sofia Cavaletti, a Hebrew and Scripture scholar, worked with a student of Maria Montessori, Gianna Gobbi, to develop a “version” of the Montessori method specifically to teach Christianity. Just as Montessori isn’t just reviewing tables and facts and listening to the teacher give lessons, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd isn’t just learning the words in the Bible. CGS includes looking at dioramas of important places—the Holy Land, the ancient city of Jerusalem, Mary’s house where Jesus grew up, etc.—seeing and working with the implements used in liturgy, and other physical learning aids. Mother Teresa knew that Christ wanted her to work with children. By adopting CGS the Missionaries of Charity have fulfilled this desire and directive. We believe the work of the Hilltop Children’s House—the Montessori programs as well as the CGS—can be a light on the hilltops of Steubenville. Mother Teresa, pray for us! **Categories:** Motivations --- ### [Specific Needs: Knobbed Cylinders and Brown Stairs](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/specific-needs-knobbed-cylinders-and-brown-stairs/) **Published:** November 10, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** UPDATE: We received a used Brown Stair (along with a Pink Tower and some other great items) as a donation from the [Western Pennsylvania Montessori School](http://wpms.edu/)! Big thanks to them! We’re still looking for the knobbed cylinders, however… ![](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/56390804505__1A3A38E3-1CA6-448E-B92D-2939C35102F8-1024x768.jpg "56390804505__1A3A38E3-1CA6-448E-B92D-2939C35102F8 | Hilltop Montessori School")\_\_\_ We have two very specific needs right now: **knobbed cylinders** and **brown stairs**. The kids are moving through the materials we have at present and the first phases of practical life are well in hand in this first year. What we need now are more materials for sensorial learning. The knobbed cylinders ($162) and brown stairs ($84) are some of the more compelling sensorial materials. **The knobbed cylinders** come in a set of four racks. Each rack helps the child to learn to distinguish a different type of change. Take a look at the photo. - In the first rack, the cylinders change in height, but not diameter. - In the second, they change in diameter, but not height. - In the third, they increase in diameter while decreasing in height. - And in the fourth, they increase in both height and diameter. ![Knobbed Cylinders - Alison Montessori](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Screen-Shot-2018-11-10-at-10.19.54-PM.png "Knobbed Cylinders - Alison Montessori | Hilltop Montessori School") Children begin to understand concepts of mathematics, and manipulating the cylinders will help with writing. **The other item is the brown stairs.** This isn’t something to help them learn to walk more steadily. The brown stairs is a set of ten gradually-larger blocks that help children understand size relations, as well as weight and balance. The blocks are all 20 centimeters wide, the smallest is one centimeter tall and one centimeter deep. Each subsequent block gets larger by one centimeter in both height and depth. Take a look at the photo: ![Brown Stair - Alison Montessori](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Brown-Stair-Alison-Montessori.png "Brown Stair - Alison Montessori | Hilltop Montessori School") Anyone willing to make these possible for the kids can do one of two things: 1. Make a contribution for the amount of the item: $162 for the knobbed cylinders, $84 for the brown stairs (these prices include shipping and handling), and earmark the purpose. **[You can make a contribution here »](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/renovation-and-furnishing-fund/)** 2. Purchase the item or items yourself and have them shipped to us. - **[Go here for the knobbed cylinders »](https://www.alisonsmontessori.com/Knobbed_Cylinder_Blocks_Made_in_Thailand_p/s03.htm)** - **[Go here for the brown staircase »](https://www.alisonsmontessori.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=S02)Our shipping address is:** Hilltop Children’s House 117 S. Hollywood Blvd. Box 133 Steubenville, Ohio 43952 In either case, since we are a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, we will send you the proper documentation for your tax purposes. We’ll also send up prayers of thanksgiving for you. **Categories:** Needs --- ### [A Balance Beam and More Materials!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/a-balance-beam-and-more-materials/) **Published:** November 5, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** We’ve been so blessed by so many people lately. More materials arrived from [one of our wishlists](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wishlists-and-needed-things/), and monetary contributions enabled me to make an articulated balance beam! These materials came together from Mark and Mary Ingram (thank you so much!) who found them on our Amazon wishlist. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/New-Materials-11218-1024x768.jpg "New Materials 11:2:18 | Hilltop Montessori School") And Noëlle is demonstrating the articulated balance beam made with 2×6’s. To increase the challenge the beam can be set with turns in it. Also, while I was at it I made a second one out of 2×4’s, the pieces of it are leaning on the wall. ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Balance-Beams-HCH-768x1024.jpg "Balance Beams HCH | Hilltop Montessori School") We still have space for one or two more children aged 3 or 4, [fill out the application](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/HCH-Registration-2018-19.pdf) and get it to us today! **Categories:** News --- ### [Halloween on the Hilltop](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/halloween-on-the-hilltop/) **Published:** November 1, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** It was a great Halloween at Hilltop Children’s House! Lots of people stopped by during their trick-or-treating for some hot apple cider, hot coffee (graciously provided by our friends at [St. Ambrose Coffee Roasting](https://www.facebook.com/ambrosecoffeeroasting/)), and candy! We’re looking forward to our Open House next Wednesday, stop by! ![](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Halloween-at-HCH-1024x716.jpg "Halloween at HCH | Hilltop Montessori School") **Categories:** News --- ### [Amazon Smile and our Wishlist](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/amazon-smile-and-our-wishlist/) **Published:** October 15, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Two things on Amazon: the Amazon Smile fundraising opportunity, and a Wishlist of materials and supplies we’ve assembled. ## Amazon Smile Do you shop on Amazon? If you do you can help raise money for Hilltop Children’s House just by shopping. It will not cost you anymore money and can add up to a decent amount for us. Here’s all you have to do: Go to [smile.amazon.com](https://smile.amazon.com) and search for “Hilltop Children’s House” in the search bar where it says, “Or pick your own charitable organization.” On the list that comes up we should be at the top. Set that as your charity, and every purchase you make on Amazon (provided you go to smile.amazon.com and not www.amazon.com) will net us a percentage of the amount spent. We are not a large organization so every little bit helps! ## Amazon Wishlist We’ve had some questions about how people can help out. Well, we have a list of supplies and materials that we need as we move forward. We have the materials we need for the works being done at present, but in order to move into other works—and especially as the present children get older and we add in more children—we will need additional supplies and materials. [**Check our Wishlist on Amazon!** ](https://smile.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1WGQR57MW46V8) So that means that if you buy these through Amazon Smile with HCH as your preferred charity, we’ll both get the needed material AND get a small percentage of the purchase as a contribution! ## Earmark A Donation If you’d like to make a tax-deductible donation and earmark it for any of the items in that list we will use your donation specifically for it. [You can make a donation through our Support page.](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/) **Categories:** News --- ### [Lots To Be Done...](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/lots-to-be-done/) **Published:** September 5, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** There lots of things that we need help with at the Hilltop Children’s House! We’re working hard toward opening this fall with a few kids already signed up for the program, but to do so we need some things to be done fairly soon. 1. The back door needs to be rehung so that it swings outward. 2. The floor in the back room needs to be redone completely. 3. The carpet in the main room needs to be cleaned. 4. The back porch needs to be demolished and rebuilt. 5. Landscaping works is needed out front and some in the back. 6. A busted up concrete staircase needs to be removed. 7. Windows need to be sealed and covered over with plastic for the winter. You can see more in the pictures below. If you’re able and interested in helping out with labor, materials, or please drop us a line: hilltopchildrenshouse@gmail.com or contact Tom directly at 703-517-8735. [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%20432'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1920/h:1079/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/HCH-Building-Front-Spring-1.jpg "HCH Building Front Spring") [![Landscaping](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%20576'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:825/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Landscaping.jpg "Landscaping") [![Landscaping other side](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%20576'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:825/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Landscaping-other-side.jpg "Landscaping other side") [![Main space, from door](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%20576'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1067/h:800/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_2024.jpg "Main-space-from-door") [![Window](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%201024'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Window.jpg "Window") [![Back Room Floor](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%201024'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Back-Room-Floor.jpg "Back Room Floor") [![Rear Door](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%201024'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Rear-Door.jpg "Rear Door") [![Back porch](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%20576'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Back-Porch-8-11-18.jpg "Back Porch 8-11-18") [![AC](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%20576'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:825/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/AC.jpg "AC") [![Stump](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%20576'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:825/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Stump.jpg "Stump") [![Rear Steps](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%201024'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Rear-Steps.jpg "Rear Steps") [![Downspout](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%201024'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:810/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Downspout.jpg "Downspout") **Categories:** Renovations --- ### [Herald Star Coverage](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/herald-star-coverage/) **Published:** August 19, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Paul Giannamore of the Steubenville *Herald Star* stopped by to talk with us on Wednesday and his article ran in the paper today, Sunday, August 19. > The Montessori method builds on itself as a community of children learning together, with older children helping the younger children. The Hilltop Children’s House is hoping to start with younger children this year and recruiting a new class of younger children each year so that there will be three levels of learning, with one group finishing and a new one starting each year. > > The idea is to learn as a shared experience. > > Renovations to the small building are continuing, with long-term plans to remove walls, replace windows and add more windows, pull drop ceilings and more. In the meantime, the Crowes are working toward having a main learning room ready, with small book cabinets being made by Crowe’s father and brother in their cabinet company, and cleaning and other renovation work under way. The hope is for a more complete renovation by the start of the 2019 school year. ### [Read the whole article here »](http://www.heraldstaronline.com/news/local-news/2018/08/a-montessori-school-is-recruiting-for-students/) **Categories:** Media Coverage, News --- ### [Opening Programs and Tuition](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/opening-programs-and-tuition/) **Published:** August 9, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** We have published our exact plans for opening with [our inaugural programs](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/programs/) and our [first-year tuition special](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/tuition-and-financial-assistance/)! **Montessori Day Sessions** Our first year of Montessori will be only 10 kids, ages three and four, Monday through Friday, half-day (8:30 – 11:30 a.m.). The way a Montessori program typically runs, all of the kids of all ages in the same room. The older kids learn their skills and lessons, and they help the younger kids learn theirs. So, to get the whole program built up we will start with the first class, then next year add ten more 3 and 4 year-olds, and then ten more the following year. So after three years the full complement of thirty 3 to 6 year-olds is in! On tuition, to encourage our first class we will offer the first year for just $500! Full tuition for our eventual full-day program will be $2,200 (which is a fraction of the [$7,300 national average for such programs](http://www.montessori-namta.org/FAQ/Montessori-Education/How-much-does-Montessori-cost)!), with the half-day coming in at $1,400 (which, again, is a fraction of the [national average for 3- or 4-hour programs](http://www.montessori-namta.org/FAQ/Montessori-Education/How-much-does-Montessori-cost)). **Catechesis of the Good Shepherd** Like the Montessori program the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program will build up over time, with just a few kids in the first year and more as the years progress. In year one we will offer Level 1 on Tuesday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., with levels 2 and 3 added in subsequent years on Wednesday and Thursday. The fee for CGS sessions will be $200 per year. **Join us!** Our first day of sessions will be Monday, October 1. [**Apply today for Montessori or Catechesis of the Good Shepherd!**](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/HCH-Registration-2018-19.pdf) **Categories:** News --- ## Pages ### [Hilltop Montessori School | Catholic Montessori in Steubenville](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/) **Published:** April 26, 2016 **Author:** Tom **Content:** # Welcome to Hilltop Montessori School Providing life-changing Montessori programs for the youth of Steubenville. [![Two women in a backyard garden near a white house with a blue door and a Hilltop Montessori sign.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%20512'%2F%3E "Lucy Apron 1")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/with-deep-gratitude-to-lucy/) ### [With Deep Gratitude to Lucy](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/with-deep-gratitude-to-lucy/ "With Deep Gratitude to Lucy") [August 14, 2026](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/2026/08/14/ "7:00 am") [Read more](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/with-deep-gratitude-to-lucy/) [![Bright summer camp poster with kids drawing and playing outside, featuring bold 'One Amazing Summer' headline and Hilltop Montessori logo in the corner.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%20512'%2F%3E "Summer Camps 2026")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/summer-camps-2026/) ### [Summer Camps 2026!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/summer-camps-2026/ "Summer Camps 2026!") [May 17, 2026](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/2026/05/17/ "4:14 pm") [Read more](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/summer-camps-2026/) [![Multiplication with the LBF](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%20512'%2F%3E "Multiplication with the LBF")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/the-tax-credit-donation-will-help-us-more-than-others/) ### [The Tax Credit Donation Will Help Us More Than Others](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/the-tax-credit-donation-will-help-us-more-than-others/ "The Tax Credit Donation Will Help Us More Than Others") [February 27, 2026](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/2026/02/27/ "5:07 pm") [Read more](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/the-tax-credit-donation-will-help-us-more-than-others/) [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%20512'%2F%3E "Herald Star January 25 Labor of Love Article – landscape")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/great-coverage-in-the-steubenville-herald-star/) ### [Great Coverage in the Steubenville Herald Star](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/great-coverage-in-the-steubenville-herald-star/ "Great Coverage in the Steubenville Herald Star") [January 24, 2026](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/2026/01/24/ "10:53 pm") [Read more](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/great-coverage-in-the-steubenville-herald-star/) [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20688%20458'%2F%3E "Screenshot")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/end-of-year-2025-updates/) ### [End of Year 2025 Updates](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/end-of-year-2025-updates/ "End of Year 2025 Updates") [January 24, 2026](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/2026/01/24/ "10:34 pm") [Read more](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/end-of-year-2025-updates/) [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%20512'%2F%3E "Planting Trees")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/part-time-montessori-adolescent-option-for-homeschool-families/) ### [Part-Time Montessori Adolescent Option for Homeschool Families](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/part-time-montessori-adolescent-option-for-homeschool-families/ "Part-Time Montessori Adolescent Option for Homeschool Families") [August 16, 2025](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/2025/08/16/ "2:12 pm") [Read more](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/part-time-montessori-adolescent-option-for-homeschool-families/) [See More News & Updates ](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/news-updates/) ## Montessori Education Can Eliminate the Income Achievement Gap Children ages 3-6 see great education benefits when they go to a good Montessori school in Steubenville, Ohio or anywhere. [According to a 2017 study by the University of Virginia](/to-eliminate-the-achievement-gap/), a good Montessori program is the only educational method shown to eliminate the achievement gap due to income among peers. Throughout their later education, children from lower-income families more routinely achieve at the same high rate as their peers from higher-income families if they went to a Montessori primary program. A Montessori program at that young age gives children confidence, the ability to take ownership of their own learning, and other intangibles that don’t come with a conventional education. Don’t miss out on a great [Montessori school in Steubenville](/programs/)! ### ABOUT US Our Mission, Vision, and more about Hilltop Montessori School. [More Information](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/about-us/) ### PROGRAMS A series of programs based on the Montessori method establish a firm foundation for children to build upon. [More on Programs](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/programs/) ### DONATE Seeking to provide need-based financial assistance, our programs are only possible with your support. [Give Today](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/) HMS on Social Media [Instagram](https://instagram.com/hilltopchildrenshouse "Instagram")[](https://facebook.com/hilltopchildrenshouse) [ ![](https://165.227.177.190/wp-content/uploads/sb-instagram-feed-images/hilltopmontessoristeub.webp) ### hilltopmontessoristeub 441 Bringing life-changing Montessori programs to the hilltop neighborhoods of Steubenville, OH 🪴Now conducting tours for 2024. ](https://www.instagram.com/hilltopmontessoristeub/ "@hilltopmontessoristeub") Today we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Maria Montessori, whose vision continues to shape the lives of children around the world. We are so grateful for the work she did to observe children, understand their needs, and develop an approach to education that respects their dignity, independence, curiosity, and capacity to learn. What she discovered through her work so many years ago is something we have the privilege of witnessing every day. Every time we prepare an environment, give a child the freedom to choose meaningful work, watch concentration unfold, or see a child proudly accomplish something they once thought they couldn’t do, we are reminded of the gift Maria Montessori left to us. Today, we celebrate her birthday with gratitude—not only for the work she did, but for the opportunity to carry that work forward with the children in our care every day. ❤️ Happy Birthday, Dr. Montessori! 🎂 2 0 [ Open post by hilltopmontessoristeub with ID 17946217422274540 ](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/790968844_18366066205245327_5620305704395560467_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMiJ9&_nc_ohc=RbSP-VFeQu0Q7kNvwHM5mPJ&_nc_oc=AdrIV0ZUJclJLwHMlXuj3HAdnrL-Tn1qChO9Vk_mLgwlQK70KGVHJDeFgC1pK7FPLsBHv5CpjMuY2jVVFtODIC28&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=AM6HXa8EAAAA&_nc_gid=b08THcbRdmkzp9Y440MVGA&oh=00_AQLs4rjaaNOAogqAMjVb6a_se5xk8-LIo4DyfTm3YORBFg&oe=6AA0E9B9) [ ![Today we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Maria Montessori, whose vision continues to shape the lives of children around the world. We are so grateful for the work she did to observe children, understand their needs, and develop an approach to education that respects their dignity, independence, curiosity, and capacity to learn. What she discovered through her work so many years ago is something we have the privilege of witnessing every day. Every time we prepare an environment, give a child the freedom to choose meaningful work, watch concentration unfold, or see a child proudly accomplish something they once thought they couldn’t do, we are reminded of the gift Maria Montessori left to us. Today, we celebrate her birthday with gratitude—not only for the work she did, but for the opportunity to carry that work forward with the children in our care every day. ❤️ Happy Birthday, Dr. Montessori! 🎂](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dct8sD_OZw1/) A couple more donor spaces have been filled! THANK YOU to everyone who has donated to our scholarship fund thus far. Just 18 MORE DAYS to donate and make a difference for children on our hilltops and surrounding areas! \#hilltopmontessorischool #scholarshipdonations #taxcredit 3 0 [ Open post by hilltopmontessoristeub with ID 18353166025239639 ](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/657404158_18342928618245327_3547935550260347716_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMiJ9&_nc_ohc=CLuFryU5w-MQ7kNvwH6Qg5Q&_nc_oc=AdpA_H0X-H6iDkWz8j4cxRRZWe5l9vct9yNDfSkLJ5MbW0O-QU1Qlyf2jpRfSWSMPUebtQlMlzysz2Kp4NohvNpp&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=AM6HXa8EAAAA&_nc_gid=b08THcbRdmkzp9Y440MVGA&oh=00_AQKC7e_hf6CcWDDYWG_KxB1YabXD-Fo2NoFV8KCx4zFCUA&oe=6AA0CBD5) [ ![A couple more donor spaces have been filled! THANK YOU to everyone who has donated to our scholarship fund thus far. Just 18 MORE DAYS to donate and make a difference for children on our hilltops and surrounding areas! #hilltopmontessorischool #scholarshipdonations #taxcredit](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWcQY-_j34v/) Now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year. Limited spaces available for our Toddler, Primary, and Adolescent programs. \#hilltopmontessorischool #montessori #openenrollment 1 0 [ Open post by hilltopmontessoristeub with ID 18067300241659065 ](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/658799464_18342786757245327_2838742578181766912_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMiJ9&_nc_ohc=MYxQB_1bV-MQ7kNvwHvufh9&_nc_oc=AdoRUx32qBLP3qTVp_F0sIHj3N-_jykm2I1f3Q4Sq2OyqDzTcvQzcDaw64FmczXkv6D8K6BGwUkPjDr4sS_IYkwp&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=AM6HXa8EAAAA&_nc_gid=b08THcbRdmkzp9Y440MVGA&oh=00_AQJmAxgmm2xDGV3YpWSvAjQSXdVJji7sEAEcQ6LbCGJfBg&oe=6AA0C951) [ ![Now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year. Limited spaces available for our Toddler, Primary, and Adolescent programs. #hilltopmontessorischool #montessori #openenrollment](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWZZQwQjUJx/) How blessed we are to be in a neighborhood on a hilltop in a city along a great river valley. \#montessorischool #montessorieducation #steubenville #hilltopchildrenshouse #steubenvilleohio #montessori #montessoriinsteubenville #elementarymontessori #rivervalley #panorama #sketching 5 0 [ Open post by hilltopmontessoristeub with ID 17974070150851103 ](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/656857661_985639410454941_5357069891032045866_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMiJ9&_nc_ohc=bCTeEl1qPOEQ7kNvwH1mPRL&_nc_oc=AdrETXkvsQiWlTpkqJyy6ig33q13V6QNBtVzTHb-r2_M50goTYDf7KpiffFn6o1xNoqwWemumHI8LkAlXMT7KFgu&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=AM6HXa8EAAAA&_nc_gid=b08THcbRdmkzp9Y440MVGA&oh=00_AQKPxG6NiC-5QDgSj38XzlWplbfY_fFK44aaQbv9AO2eew&oe=6AA0C65A) [ ![How blessed we are to be in a neighborhood on a hilltop in a city along a great river valley. #montessorischool #montessorieducation #steubenville #hilltopchildrenshouse #steubenvilleohio #montessori #montessoriinsteubenville #elementarymontessori #rivervalley #panorama #sketching](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWUTAGfIJGo/) It’s more than a donation—it’s an investment in a child’s future. Donate here: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing 0 0 [ Open post by hilltopmontessoristeub with ID 17940198999168829 ](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/641583012_962467336105482_3025601593257148496_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMiJ9&_nc_ohc=gCQGn-fcDoAQ7kNvwGiJApa&_nc_oc=AdoF_3UkjoCqGMrCApjOLpGsVf0pToe0JyjmZzDHAupYaW5fDbBkW5nt6r1DqO_eRRNjjPVi8PRRyRL-6OgU-qK4&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=AM6HXa8EAAAA&_nc_gid=b08THcbRdmkzp9Y440MVGA&oh=00_AQKrp5GqHjn-TP_QSe87x56aGKIoOwLm4E8vtyWx7IC2Pg&oe=6AA0C884) [ ![It’s more than a donation—it’s an investment in a child’s future. Donate here: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWPp6aZkgnn/) Transform your tax dollars into something meaningful: access to education. Donate here: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing 0 0 [ Open post by hilltopmontessoristeub with ID 17952641199096426 ](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/641628367_962463586105857_485296880627824798_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMiJ9&_nc_ohc=CyKeqVgDHYEQ7kNvwHQhGLG&_nc_oc=AdrNlCZVlluog5OdCHP_2w1ZM7d78Q3HUAv11Uy6j9Zu2fTUYnu9SMQo4mDSAEqw3QxGrRfdf3aHQF6uN13AFx98&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=AM6HXa8EAAAA&_nc_gid=b08THcbRdmkzp9Y440MVGA&oh=00_AQKSUWozuUVg9abQZTirWAjQw1ECje132L39VqAeoUjrLQ&oe=6AA0E471) [ ![Transform your tax dollars into something meaningful: access to education. Donate here: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWG9zzhiOcG/) You can help a child attend Hilltop—and receive a tax credit in return. Donate here: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing 0 0 [ Open post by hilltopmontessoristeub with ID 18055038584468468 ](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/641586858_962461869439362_4452286370148580411_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMiJ9&_nc_ohc=qrcQA4ginZIQ7kNvwFQ9K7P&_nc_oc=AdpdLEuHTD3TkdF110iWy2_RqCpC6hIDzyEDmUjCAX85J6-JfKvNsEYpf7KxOU4RR8CeKSApuy6HY9EdBylrdGyY&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=AM6HXa8EAAAA&_nc_gid=b08THcbRdmkzp9Y440MVGA&oh=00_AQImcuwlvNw5DG97_ML-bAUgWUI2CVqtdE7DfUASmrWJSA&oe=6AA0E0F0) [ ![You can help a child attend Hilltop—and receive a tax credit in return. Donate here: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWCrEBQgUjC/) This is your chance to make a direct impact on a child’s education—at no extra cost to you. Give at: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing #hilltopmontessorischool #scholarships #support #Montessori 0 0 [ Open post by hilltopmontessoristeub with ID 18071976914536209 ](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/641581148_962459159439633_3638092002554824926_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMiJ9&_nc_ohc=6hykaYFFz58Q7kNvwEDvy4D&_nc_oc=Adq1cF97PZcTkSKLuYibU3b6J34uYi36RsfuyjwbJMnsIyPtj9qAUupIjqHYGkytfCz7vPJc4oIKJx39jDpE87p-&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=AM6HXa8EAAAA&_nc_gid=b08THcbRdmkzp9Y440MVGA&oh=00_AQKtdd9TIcXiVt1gydv3tX_EQBL8UL7K4YgdQuIIg6u_uA&oe=6AA0CC11) [ ![This is your chance to make a direct impact on a child’s education—at no extra cost to you. Give at: https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing #hilltopmontessorischool #scholarships #support #Montessori](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DV08L0wDXbZ/) Load More [ Follow on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/hilltopmontessoristeub/) --- ### [Ohio Tax Credit Donation](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/ohio-tax-credit-donation/) **Published:** January 27, 2025 **Author:** Tom **Content:** ## Don’t Send Your Tax Dollars to Columbus ### Give them to Hilltop Montessori instead! An Ohio law allows taxpayers to receive up to $750 ($1500 for couples filing jointly) as a credit against their 2025 tax liability if they make a donation to a Scholarship Granting Organization **before April 15, 2026**. ### You can support HMS, at no cost to you. #### No, really: it’s that easy. These are the tax dollars the State of Ohio says you owe them, but they let you give it to our scholarship fund, instead. You will get back every dollar you give to our SGO, up to $750 per taxpayer, or the amount of your tax liability (whichever is lower). Then, that money is available for our families to apply for scholarships. If we get enough donations into our SGO, we could, quite seriously, provide a full-ride scholarship to every student. ## Here’s How To Do It ### It’s a Tax Credit The State of Ohio gives a tax credit to taxpayers who make a donation to a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO). The credit is up to $750 per taxpayer, $1500 per couple filing jointly. A donation made before April 15 can apply to the previous year’s tax filing. ### Step One **Find Your Tax Liability** If you’re doing your own taxes, look at line 13 on your Ohio IT 1040. If you are working with TurboTax, H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, or your favorite tax preparation official, find out from them how much your Ohio tax liability is *before they finalize your filing*. ### Step Two **Make the Qualifying Donation Before April 15** [Go to our donations landing page at Ohio Christian Education Network, which is the SGO we work with »](https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing "Hilltop Montessori School on the Ohio Christian Education Network") You can donate as much as you like, but the credit tops out at $750 per tax payer, or the amount of your tax liability, whichever is lower. **Be sure to choose HILLTOP MONTESSORI SCHOOL – STEUBENVILLE in the “Select Schools” dropdown.** ### Step Three **Include This Donation In your Tax Filing** As you are filling out your Ohio IT 1040, include your donation on line 15 of the Schedule of Credits. NOTE: Your donation is actually to OCEN SGO, not to Hilltop Montessori School. OCEN’s EIN or Tax ID number is 31-1787824. [Consult this page](https://ohiocen.org/sgo "OCEN Information Page") (or share it with your tax preparer) if you have more questions. ### Step Four **Get your money back** If you are getting a refund, the qualifying amount of your donation will be added to your refund. If you owed a tax payment, the amount of your donation will reduce the amount you owe, and anything beyond your amount owed will come back to you in a refund. [Make a Donation to OCEN for Hilltop Here](https://app.ocen.org/schools/14926/landing "Make a Donation to Hilltop on OCEN") ## Thank You! Your generous support means more children who otherwise would not be able to come to Hilltop due to poverty will be able to afford this life-changing education. --- ### [](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/4303-2/) **Published:** February 17, 2026 **Author:** Tom **Content:** ![Mardi Gras Valentine's Day 2026](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:722/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Mardi-Gras-Valentine-2026-Image-Large.jpeg "Mardi Gras Valentine's Day 2026 | Hilltop Montessori School") Mardi Gras 2026: Choose a Number Our Mardi Gras was a great success this year with 105 attendees and more than $14,000 raised for the school — so far! You can help it to be an absolutely smashing success by participating in our numbers board. Supporters were invited to choose a number between 1 and 150 and then to put *at least* that amount of money in an envelope to support Hilltop Montessori School. Many numbers were taken that night, but plenty remain. ## Please Choose An Available Number Email us at to let us know which number you’ve selected. You can make the donation via Zelle, using hilltopchildrenshouse@gmail.com, or mail us a check at 117 S. Hollywood Blvd., #133 Steubenville, Ohio 43952 ![](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:791/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Upper-and-Lowercase-Letter-Recognition-Fill-in-Worksheets.png "Upper and Lowercase Letter Recognition Fill in Worksheets | Hilltop Montessori School") --- ### [MARDI GRAS 2026: A Valentine Spectacular](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardigras/) **Published:** January 22, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Content:** ![Mardi Gras Valentine's Day 2026](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1280/h:722/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Mardi-Gras-Valentine-2026-Image-Large.jpeg "Mardi Gras Valentine's Day 2026 | Hilltop Montessori School") Mardi Gras 2026: A Valentine Spectacular ### Live Jazz • New Orleans Food • Open Bar • Prizes • Games • Auctions • More! #### **Saturday, February 14, 2026 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. St. Francis Center** 805 Lee Rd., Follansbee, West Virginia ***Don’t miss this Valentine’s Day evening of Mardi Gras fun!*** This stylish evening includes New Orleans-style jazz, music for dancing, great food, open bar (beer and wine), trivia game door prize, and lots of opportunities for winning raffes, auctions, and taking home treasures. [Become a Sponsor](#sponsorships "See Sponsorships") [Get Individual Tickets](#tickets "Get Tickets") Join the 50-50 Raffle! Winner need not be present. We will include all tickets sold before the event in the drawing that night. Get your chance to win without even being there! [One 50-50 Ticket: $5](https://checkout.square.site/merchant/Y0X8WTBG4PW09/checkout/GB2PANIKAMK5GP3MXEUKQIIM "One 50-50 Ticket") [Five 50-50 Tickets: $20](https://checkout.square.site/merchant/Y0X8WTBG4PW09/checkout/32UAFF4UP7Z7KUBQQF3TNW6M "Five 50-50 Tickets") Tickets & Sponsorships Rex Parade Level Sponsorship **The REX PARADE sponsorship is $1,000 and includes:** - 8 tickets and a reserved table - Full page ad in the event program - Beads and Hats Fit for a King, for all of your guests - Six mentions of your sponsorship, with tagging and linking, in social media posts. - Your name on signage at the event [Secure a Rex](https://checkout.square.site/merchant/Y0X8WTBG4PW09/checkout/5BHHEA233UKCPCHSSHSPULO4 "Secure Your Rex Sponsorship") Proteus Parade Level Sponsorship **The PROTEUS PARADE sponsorship is $500 and includes:** - 4 tickets and reserved seating - Half page ad in the event program - Beads and Hats Fit for a Queen, for all of your guests - Four mentions of your sponsorship, with tagging and linking, in social media posts. - Your name on signage at the event [Secure a Proteus](https://checkout.square.site/merchant/Y0X8WTBG4PW09/checkout/BN3H7KNRHSS2XTUFTBTBLE6M "Secure Your Proteus") Zulu Parade Level Sponsorship **The ZULU PARADE sponsorship is $250 and includes:** - 2 tickets and reserved seating - Your or your business’s name in the program - Beads and Hats Fit for a Jester, for all of your guests - Four mentions of your sponsorship, with tagging and linking, in social media posts. - Your name on signage at the event [Secure a Zulu](https://checkout.square.site/merchant/Y0X8WTBG4PW09/checkout/FCGBCW6VK2AN3P7R7W2JX2HW "Secure Your Zulu") Orpheus Parade Level Sponsorship **The ORPHEUS PARADE sponsorship is $150 and includes:** - Your or your business’s name in the program - Four mentions of your sponsorship, with tagging and linking, in social media posts. - Your name on signage at the event [Secure an Orpheus](https://square.link/u/q0cBi27E "Secure Your Orpheus") Special Sponsorship Opportunities **We have special naming sponsorship opportunities. Contact us at to sponsor any of these!** - King Cakes from New Orleans: $350 - Photo Booth: $400 - Bar: $650 - Band: $850 Your sponsorship will be recognized with signage at the event, and in an announcement of thanks during the event. Single and Couples Tickets [Single Ticket: $75](https://checkout.square.site/merchant/Y0X8WTBG4PW09/checkout/XTOPHAJCMZ5XAJ2INX7AWBWJ "Single Ticket: $75") [Couples Ticket: $140](https://checkout.square.site/merchant/Y0X8WTBG4PW09/checkout/6VAHZNFDARCFROKRFWQX3OUT "Couple Ticket: $75") 2026 Sponsors ### Rex Parade Sponsors ![Trinity Health System](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:490/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Trinity-Logo-two-line.jpg "Trinity Health System | Hilltop Montessori School") ![](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1000/h:1000/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Visitation-Sessions-Logo.jpg "Visitation Sessions Logo | Hilltop Montessori School") ## Paul and Roberta Crowe ## John and Erika Tuttle ![](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:479/h:480/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/SPC-Logo-Crest480.png "SPC-Logo-Crest480 | Hilltop Montessori School") ![](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Whittaker-Flyer-Concept-The-Benedict-Project.jpeg "Flyer Concept - The Benedict Project - 2 | Hilltop Montessori School") ### Proteus Parade Sponsors ![](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1002/h:1024/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/FSM-Ad.jpg "FSM Ad | Hilltop Montessori School") ![](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:667/h:229/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/FUS-logo-color-horiz.jpg "FUS logo color horiz | Hilltop Montessori School") ### Zulu Parade Sponsors ### The American Catholic History Podcast ### Axio Fitness – Poland ### Better Movement Therapy ### The Apostolate for Family Consecration ### Ohio Valley Youth Network – Sycamore Center ### Hancock County Savings Bank ### Orpheus Parade Sponsors ### Luke Leonard and Gwen Theriot --- ### [Contact](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/contact/) **Published:** May 2, 2016 **Author:** Tom **Content:** ### Email ### Phone 724-400-3233 ### Address **Mailing and Business Address:**117 S. Hollywood Blvd. #133 Steubenville, Ohio 43952 **Location of Our Programs:** 1300 Maryland Ave. Steubenville, Ohio 43952 Loading… --- ### [Make a Donation](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/card/) **Published:** April 22, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** *Hilltop Children’s House is 501c3. All donations are tax-deductible.* ## Two Ways to Give Online ### Credit or Debit Card (fees apply) Please make your one-time or repeating donation via Continue to Give. [**Go To Continue to Give »**](https://www.continuetogive.com/4898507/donation_prompt) ### Bank Transfer through Zelle (no fees) Zelle facilitates direct bank transfers. Zelle would be used through your bank, typically available through mobile banking options. [Check here](https://www.zellepay.com/get-started) to see if your financial institution uses Zelle. If so, once you’ve connected it to your account you can give through Zelle using our email address: **hilltopchildrenshouse@gmail.com** ## Donate by Check You can avoid all fees by mailing a check any time to: > Hilltop Children’s House > 117 S. Hollywood Blvd. #133 > Steubenville, Ohio 43952 --- ### [Support](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/) **Published:** December 18, 2017 **Author:** Tom **Content:** # Support Hilltop Montessori School ## Your Support Helps Children to Flourish Every contribution helps, no matter the size. Hilltop Montessori School is operated by Hilltop Children’s House, a Ohio 501c3 non-profit corporation. All donations are tax-deductible. Ways to Give ## One-Time Donations #### Every donation helps. Materials, furniture, renovations, and more. Your support help makes the big things possible. [One-time Donation Information](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/make-a-donation/ "Make a Donation") ## The 240 Club #### Membership has Perks A delicious dinner with great people, plus 35 chances to win cash, all for $25! Membership has its perks. [Secure Your Membership](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/the-240-club/ "Secure Your Membership") ## Hilltop Montessori Champions #### Become a Monthly Donor Automatic monthly donations make planning for the future so much more reliable. Monthly donors are the real champions. [Become a Champion](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/champions/ "Hilltop Montessori Champions") ## Avoid All Fees: Mail In Your Donation. Make sure 100% of your donation goes to our operations and not to a financing company: mail a check to: **Hilltop Montessori School** **117 S. Hollywood Blvd.** **Box 133** **Steubenville, Ohio 43952** --- ### [Our Team](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/our-team/) **Published:** January 4, 2022 **Author:** Tom **Content:** ## Co-Founders ### Tom Crowe ##### Co-Founder, Secretary of the Board, Elementary Guide [![](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1514/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Tom-Showing-Multiplication-on-the-Large-Bead-Frame-e1717690921959.png "Tom Showing Multiplication on the Large Bead Frame | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1514/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Tom-Showing-Multiplication-on-the-Large-Bead-Frame-e1717690921959.png) Tom Crowe has lived in the Labelle neighborhood of Steubenville since May 2008. He has been involved in non-profit, mission-oriented organizations dedicated to helping people improve their lives his entire professional life. After he and Noëlle were married in 2017 he learned more about the Montessori method and its underlying philosophy and recognized that it had significant potential to aid what ails the society around him. He and Noëlle founded Hilltop Children’s House in 2017, with the Primary Program opening in fall 2018. Since the founding, Tom has served as a member of the Board and in various executive roles and other capacities, including maintenance, fundraising, digital communications, and as assistant to the guide in the Primary Program. Since fall 2022 he has been the Elementary Guide. Tom holds an AMI Elementary Diploma from the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies. He also has completed the AMI Primary Certificate, also from SIMS. ### Noëlle Crowe ##### Co-Founder, School Director, Member of the Board (Ex-Officio), Primary Guide [![](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:800/h:572/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Noelle-Number-Boards.jpeg "Noelle Number Boards | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:800/h:572/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Noelle-Number-Boards.jpeg) Noëlle Crowe earned her bachelor’s degree from Franciscan University in 1995 and then lived in the Labelle neighborhood of Steubenville for two years while she was earning her MBA, also at FUS. She then left Steubenville to work in education and as a director of catechesis, including at the diocesan level. She moved back in 2016 ahead of her marriage to Tom Crowe. She is trained in all three levels of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, which is the Montessori method applied to religious education. From that foundation she sought other opportunities to bring the Montessori method to others who could benefit from it. After she and Tom were married in 2017 this manifested in establishing Hilltop Montessori School to bring a Montessori program to the families of the Labelle neighborhood, where many families are struggling. Since Hilltop Montessori School opened in, 2018 Noëlle has served as the guide in the Primary Program, as director of the school, and in administrative roles including bookkeeping, HR, fundraising, marketing and more. Noëlle holds an AMI Primary diploma from the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies. ## Members of the Board of Trustees ### Paul Crowe #### Vice Chair of the Board Paul Crowe is the founder and former president of Crowe’s Cabinets, Inc. He is a past member of Rotary Club of Hubbard, Ohio, and has extensive experience as a volunteer on community projects and with organizations in which he is involved. ### Robert Corzine #### Treasurer Robert Corzine lived in the Labelle neighborhood of Steubenville from 2003 to 2021, and still works in education in Steubenville. He is a charter member of the Board of Hilltop Children’s House, and served as chairman of the Board between our founding in 2017 and 2023. ### John Tuttle #### Chair of the Board John Tuttle, an attorney who lives in Michigan, has a keen interest in the education of children and provides insights from his legal training and experience. ### Christopher Chapman #### Ex-Officio as President of HSA Christopher Chapman has been an educator for 30 years, spending the last 6 years working in Pittsburgh Catholic Schools as a teacher in the classroom and the previous 12 as an administrator responsible for Catholic Identity in the Pittsburgh diocesan schools. Prior to that he was a religion teacher in Central PA and in Greenville, SC. He and his wife, Emily, have three children at Hilltop Montessori School. “I love the Montessori method of education. I love the formation of the child in a setting of friendship and freedom. We specifically love the absolute dedication exhibited by Tom, Noelle, Lucy, Rebecca, Jack, and Brook. It is a loving and challenging little world at Hilltop and we are deeply grateful that our children are part of it.” --- ### [Calendar](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/calendar/) **Published:** August 6, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** # Program Calendar ### Weather Delays and Cancellations Policy Hilltop Montessori School closes when the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office declares a **Level 2 Snow Emergency.** We will post in the General channel of Slack if this is activated. ## 2025-26 Our **first day** of Classes is **Monday, August 11, 2025** Our **final** **day** of classes is **Friday, June 12, 2026** ### The following days are days off. One day is a morning session only, with noon dismissal, as noted: - Solemnity of the Assumption, August 15, 2025 - August 28, begin Mother Teresa Novena for our school year - September 1-2: Labor Day Break, No school - October 6-17: Fall Break, No school - October 20: Classes Resume - November 6-7: Professional Development Days, No school - November 26-28: Thanksgiving, No School - December 8: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, No school - December 19: Christmas break begins, half day, noon pickup for all students - December 22-January 9: Christmas Break, No school - January 12: Classes Resume - January 19: Martin Luther King Day, No school - February 16: President’s Day, No school - March 5-6: Professional Development Days, No school - March 9-20: Spring Break, No school - March 23: Classes Resume - April 2-7: Sacred Triduum and Easter Break, No school - May 25-26: Memorial Day Break, No school --- ### [Programs, Costs, and Admissions](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/programs/) **Published:** August 6, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** ## Our Current Programs ### Toddler Program — New closer location in 2025! The Toddler program is for children 12 months to 3 years old. In this program children experience communal and individual activities aimed to strengthen their gross and fine motor skills, spoken and receptive language, life skills and self care. Children must be confidently walking and acceptance is based on an interview with the Director of Programs and Toddler Guide. The class meets from 8:45-10:45am M-Th each week. ### Primary Program Primary is for children 2 1/2 to 6 years old. Children must be potty trained before coming, and acceptance is based on an interview with the Director of Programs and Primary Guide. We offer both half-day and full-day\* (by invitation only) Primary programs, both are Monday through Friday.\*\* - Half-day: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Full-day:\* 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mon-Thur; 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Friday ### Elementary Elementary is Monday through Friday,\*\* 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for children ages 6 to 12. Children generally enter Elementary after spending time in the Primary, and after consultation about the child’s readiness with the Director of Programs and Elementary Guide. For students new to Hilltop, previous Montessori experience, whether at HCH or elsewhere, is preferred but not required for entry into Elementary. An admissions decision would follow a meeting with the Director of Programs and Elementary Guide. ## Tuition & Aid Tuition for our Toddler Program is $2500 per year. For Primary and Elementary, we have always kept our tuition below the national average for programs like ours. For these programs we offer tuition reduction programs to help those families who need assistance. This education is too important to let finances get in the way. Contact us to find out what your tuition for Primary and Elementary would be, and how we can work together to make an exceptional Montessori education a reality for your children. ## Payment Options We offer 3 payment options: 1. 100% upfront by August 1. 2. 50% due August 1 and 50% due February 1 3. 10 equal payments due August 1 through May 1 ### Payment Methods Payment can be made via check, credit card (via Quickbooks invoices), or bank transfer (via Zelle or PopMoney.com). We will work with you to determine the method that works best. ## Admission Process Submit the below inquiry form to begin the admissions process. We will then contact you to set up a Parent/Guardian tour of the school. **The initial tour is for the parents/guardians only.** It’s a time for you to ask questions about our school, learn about our program, and see the classroom. A meeting between the guide and the child in the classroom will be set up later. If you are inquring for multiple children, you must fill out this form for each child. [Admissions Inquiry Form](https://form.jotform.com/232343561642048 "Admissions Inquiry Form") \_\_\_\_ \* Full-day requires at least one full year in the half-day program, and a consultation with the lead guide about the child’s readiness for the full-day program. \*\* Given the nature of Montessori programming, partial attendance (i.e., only coming two or three days each week) is not an option we offer. Such an approach undercuts the communal aspect that is essential to the proper working of a Montessori program. --- ### [Mardi Gras Sponsorships](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardigrassponsorships/) **Published:** November 18, 2024 **Author:** Tom **Content:** ![Mardi Gras Masks Header 2023](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:383/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Mardi-Gras-Masks-Header-2023.jpg "Mardi Gras Masks Header 2023 | Hilltop Montessori School") Mardi Gras Gala 2025 Presented by Toni Moreland State Farm Sponsorships Rex Parade Sponsorship **The REX PARADE sponsorship is $1,000 and includes:** - 8 tickets and a reserved table - Full page ad in the event program - Beads and Hats Fit for a King, for all of your guests - Six mentions of your sponsorship, with tagging and linking, in social media posts. - Your name on signage at the event [Secure a Rex](https://checkout.square.site/merchant/Y0X8WTBG4PW09/checkout/5BHHEA233UKCPCHSSHSPULO4 "Secure Your Rex Sponsorship") Proteus Parade Sponsorship **The PROTEUS PARADE sponsorship is $500 and includes:** - 4 tickets to the Gala - Half page ad in the event program - Beads and Hats Fit for a Queen, for all of your guests - Four mentions of your sponsorship, with tagging and linking, in social media posts. - Your name on signage at the event [Secure a Proteus](https://checkout.square.site/merchant/Y0X8WTBG4PW09/checkout/BN3H7KNRHSS2XTUFTBTBLE6M "Secure Your Proteus Sponsorship") Zulu Parade Sponsorship **The ZULU PARADE sponsorship is $250 and includes:** - 2 tickets to the Gala - Your or your business’s name in the program - Beads and Hats Fit for a Jester, for you and your guest - Four mentions of your sponsorship, with tagging and linking, in social media posts. - Your name on signage at the event [Secure a Zulu](https://checkout.square.site/merchant/Y0X8WTBG4PW09/checkout/FCGBCW6VK2AN3P7R7W2JX2HW "Secure Your Zulu Sponsorship") Orpheus Parade Sponsorship **The ORPHEUS PARADE sponsorship is $150 and includes:** - Your or your business’s name in the program - Four mentions of your sponsorship, with tagging and linking, in social media posts. - Your name on signage at the event [Secure an Orpheus](https://square.link/u/q0cBi27E "Secure Your Orpheus Sponsorship") 2025 Sponsors ### Title Sponsor [![Toni Moreland, State Farm Agent](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:870/h:524/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Toni-Moreland-part-for-website.jpg "Purple Modern Mardi Gras Party Flyer - 1 | Hilltop Montessori School")](https://www.bluemantlemedia.com/) --- ### [The 240 Club](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/the-240-club/) **Published:** July 17, 2022 **Author:** Tom **Content:** [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20706%20353'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:707/h:398/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Instructor-and-student-with-moveable-alphabet.jpeg "Instructor-and-student-with-moveable-alphabet") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201200%20600'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:675/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/stamp-game.jpeg "stamp-game") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201200%20600'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:675/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/fractions-material.jpeg "fractions material") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20800%20400'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:800/h:572/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Noelle-Number-Boards.jpeg "Noelle Number Boards") [![the Tens Board](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201100%20550'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:786/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/760FF0C1-10F8-4BE7-BA26-2A9104DA011B.jpeg "the Tens Board") 240 Club: Dinner and 35 chances to win cash prizes! #### Why Should You Become a Member Hilltop Montessori is for the Steubenville community. Our purpose is to help Steubenville families by helping their children get the best possible education: an AMI Montessori education. And inability to pay much will never be a barrier, because we reduce tuition for those families with need. This means we need to cover our budget through fundraising. The 240 Club is about these two things: community, and fundraising. #### How it works - There are 240 memberships available (hence the name). - Each membership is $25. - The Club runs in six-month cycles, so there are two cycles each year. - Each cycle culminates in a dinner to which all Club members are invited.\* - In each of the weeks leading up to the dinner, a number is pulled and the Club member with that number wins $25.\*\* - Club members’ winning numbers are returned to the pool, so members can win more than once. - At the dinner, more $25 prizes are pulled, along with three larger prizes: $50, $150, $300. - During the dinner, Club members have the opportunity to re-up their membership for the ensuing six-month cycle, which begins one week after the dinner. - In all, members of the 240 Club have 35 chances to win cash prizes during each 6-month run of the Club. ### Secure your memberships through Stripe Pay for as many memberships as you’d like through Stripe and then email us at contact@hilltopchildrenshouse.org with the names of any memberships additional to yourself that you may have purchased. **NOTE:** An additional $1 is charged per membership to cover processing fees. ### Avoid Fees by Paying Through Zelle Pay for as many memberships as you’d like through Zelle, using **hilltopchildrenshouse@gmail.com,** and then email us at [**contact@hilltopchildrenshouse.org**](mailto:contact@hilltopchildrenshouse.org) with the names and email addresses for all members you’re paying for. \*Only members of the 240 Club are invited to the dinner: no spouses, children, or “plus ones” who are not also members. No additional tickets to the dinner are sold separately. No “takeout order only” — this is a Club-members-only, and community-building event! \*\*The weekly winning number is pulled on Monday. On Tuesday an email will be sent to all Club members with the name of that week’s winner. The winner has one week to write back and claim their winnings. Winnings not claimed within one week will automatically be applied to renewing that Club member’s membership for the following six-month session. If a Club member who has already been renewed for the following session wins again, and they once again do not claim their winnings within one week, the second (or third, fourth, etc.) winnings will be regarded as a donation to Hilltop Children’s House — thank you for your support! Similarly, for the three larger prizes pulled the night of the dinner, the first $25 of the prize will be applied to renewal of the member’s membership if they do not claim their winnings within one week, and all additional winnings considered a donation. If they are already renewed for the following session, all of their winnings will be considered a donation. --- ### [24 at $20 in 2024](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/22at20in2022/) **Published:** October 26, 2020 **Author:** Tom **Content:** [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201000%20500'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1000/h:750/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Vegetable-Matching.jpg "Vegetable Matching") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201000%20500'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1000/h:750/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Matching-Sharks.jpg "Matching Sharks") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201000%20500'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1000/h:750/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Spirographs.jpg "Spirographs") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201000%20500'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1000/h:750/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Sewing.jpg "Sewing") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201000%20500'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1000/h:750/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Hammering.jpg "Hammering") We're looking for 24 new Hilltop Children's Champions at $20 in 2024 **The Need:** - Payroll - Gas - Electricity - Water/sewer/trash - Various consumables The total works out to about $20,000 each month. Our tuition structure has never been about making sure all expenses are covered, it’s about **making sure the children get the positive effects of the programs.** All families are expected to pay what they are able, but we reduce tuition according to need, and give the families opportunities to further reduce their tuition by participating in fundraising events. But all of this means **we still rely on the generosity of people like you!** We have a handful of monthly donors — those wonderful people who sustain us in this work. We call them **Hilltop Children’s Champions.** They are champions because their regular gifts enable us to plan for larger improvements to our building, secure that the monthly expenses are accounted for. We have set a goal of 24 new $20/month donors before the end of 2024. *Can you become a new donor at $20/month?* Naturally we wouldn’t object to a monthly pledge of MORE than $20 — maybe $50, $100, or even $500 — but $20 is a good number to start with. **Payment Methods** There are a number of ways you can make this pledge. Some are through services that will take a small fee, others pass 100% of the amount on to Hilltop Children’s House. ### Fee-free options - **Direct Bank Transfer:** A scheduled monthly transfer can be set up from your bank through Zelle. Our Zelle account is connected to hilltopchildrenshouse@gmail.com. [Contact Us for more details if you’re not sure how to set this up](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/contact/). ### Options With a Small Fee - **PopMoney:** They charge a small fee, but it is a direct bank transfer with no Paypal or other middle man. [**Go to PopMoney.com**](https://www.popmoney.com), set up your account, and then use **hilltopchildrenshouse@gmail.com** to set up your monthly donation. - **Square:** Square is most convenient for many, and it takes a small fee — Hilltop Children’s House receives all but about 15¢ of every $20. [**Set up your recurring donation through Square, here!**](https://checkout.square.site/merchant/Y0X8WTBG4PW09/checkout/O63FMT3LVBV2O4EIXZ5RSIMT "Set up your monthly donation through Stripe.") - **Continue to Give:** Continue to Give also takes a small fee. [**You can set up your recurring donation through the main donation form here.**](https://www.continuetogive.com/4898507/donation_prompt "Set up your recurring donation through Continue to Give here.") Whichever way you’re inclined to give is the best way we can think of. And we are always happy to answer questions. [Contact us anytime!](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/contact/ "Contact") Thank you for your support! --- ### [Summer Camps](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/summer-camps/) **Published:** May 7, 2022 **Author:** Tom **Content:** ## Summer Camps 2024 ### Science of Baking! Slime! Create-a-Town! Rube Goldberg Contraptions! Math! Reading! We have a great slate of summer camps this year at Hilltop Montessori School. We’re offering four camps this summer, during the month of July. The benefits of the materials and methods in the Montessori educational approach make these camps unlike anything children see in conventional schooling, and even in many homeschool environments. **Times:** All camps run 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. **Snack:** Snack is included each day. **Ages:** The Math and Reading camp is for children 6 to 12. All others are for children ages 4 to 12. **Limited Class Size:** The Math and Reading camp is limited to 6 children. All others are limited to 12 children. **Cost:** $175 (Except Math & Reading camp, which is $400) ### Science of Baking **June 17-21** **$175** Join us for a week of delicious experiments and culinary adventures as we explore the fascinating science behind baking. From understanding the chemistry of ingredients to mastering techniques, this camp is perfect for budding bakers and curious minds alike. Just 12 spots available, so sign up today and let’s whip up some fun together! ### Slime Camp **June 24-28** **$175** Dive into the ooey-gooey world of slime and discover the science behind this squishy sensation. From basic slime recipes to more interesting concoctions, our campers will have a blast creating their own custom oozes. Plus, we’ll explore the fascinating properties of slime and some real-world applications. Space is limited to 12 campers, so reserve your spot today! ### Canceled – Create-a-Town Camp **July 8-12** **$175** Dreaming of building your own town? Join us for our Build a Town Summer Camp! Campers will unleash their creativity as they design and construct their very own miniature town, complete with houses, roads, parks, and more. Through hands-on activities and teamwork, participants will learn about urban planning, architecture, and community development. Let your imagination run wild and build experiences that you’ll remember forever. Space is limited to 12 campers, so sign up now! *We didn’t quite get enough interest in this camp this summer, so it is canceled for 2024. But look for it next summer, and we look forward to seeing you there!* ### Rube Goldberg & Simple Machines **July 15-19 $175** Step into the whimsical, unexpected world of Rube Goldberg! Get ready to engineer the most elaborate chain reactions and wacky contraptions imaginable. From dominoes to pulleys, campers will explore the principles of cause and effect while designing their own mind-boggling machines. Join us for a summer of creativity, innovation, and endless fun! Spaces are limited to 12, so secure your spot today and let the Rube Goldberg madness begin! ### Math and Reading Camp **July 22 – August 2 $400** Dive into a Montessori world of learning and discovery at our Math and Reading Summer Camp! Our camp offers a hands-on approach to math and reading using time-tested Montessori materials and methods. From interactive math exercises to engaging reading activities, campers will experience math and reading in a new way — one that unlocks their own natural potential. Join us for a summer of exploration and growth in math and reading skills! Just 6 spots available, so enroll now and watch your child thrive! ## Application [Summer Camp Application](https://form.jotform.com/hilltopmontessori/summer-2024-camps "2024 Summer Camps Application") --- ### [The Five Ways](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/our-vision/) **Published:** December 18, 2017 **Author:** Tom **Content:** ## A Devotion to Growth and Flourishing Based in how the Montessori method helps children, here are the five primary ways our programs will help children of the Hilltops to flourish. ![null](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:64/h:64/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/dpr:2/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/005-interface.png) ### Curiosity A sense of wonder and awe at the real things of the world just being as they are—ducks swimming in a pond, the rain falling, dust floating through sunlight—enliven a child’s mind. ![null](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:64/h:64/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/dpr:2/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/009-art.png) ### Order Order, the fundamental need, is essential to establishing independence and to experience beauty, and it contributes to improved cognitive outcomes for young children. ![null](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:64/h:64/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/dpr:2/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/002-gardenia.png) ### Beauty Is the environment beautiful? The child’s mind absorbs everything around them. We provide a beautiful environment so that the child becomes acquainted with beauty at a deep level. ![null](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:64/h:64/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/dpr:2/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/001-book.png) ### Concentration When children are given the opportunity to take possession of their work they will pour themselves into it, and concentrate. A diligent quietness is a hallmark of a Montessori program. ![null](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:64/h:64/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/dpr:2/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/003-people.png) ### Growth in Society Giving young children an environment where their movements and decisions are ordered to a purpose, and undertaken in relation to others, so they can learn to live in harmony with one another. These five parts are encouraged, nurtured, brought to fruition, through the Montessori method, which puts children in an environment where their natural desire to **do for themselves** is enabled and guided. Rather than having tasks defined for them, or operating just to check boxes and earn rewards, children discover the value of accomplishing tasks, learning new things, taking care of their environment, making choices and learning through mistakes, and doing things for themselves. It’s no accident that Montessori is the only educational program that [has proven to eliminate the income gap in achievement](https://news.virginia.edu/content/study-montessori-education-erases-income-achievement-gap)—all children, regardless of their parents’ situation have the capacity to achieve through a Montessori formation. **[Support the children of Steubenville by supporting the Hilltop Montessori School »](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/support/)** --- ### [About Us](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/about-us/) **Published:** December 18, 2017 **Author:** Tom **Content:** ## Our Mission and Vision **Our Mission** Motivated by our Catholic faith and following the principles of the Montessori method, Hilltop Montessori School provides children with an environment where their natural curiosity, desire for order, longing for beauty, ability to concentrate, and capacity for growth within a society can flourish, so that they might more fully realize their potential as children of God. Situated in and intended primarily for the children of the hilltops neighborhoods of Steubenville, Ohio, Hilltop Montessori School endeavors to make the life-changing Montessori and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd formation experience available to all regardless of means. **Our Vision** To become a catalyst for growth and flourishing for children in Steubenville, especially among the children of the hilltop neighborhoods. ## Our Story and What We're Doing Hilltop Children’s House, a non-profit 501c3 corporation, was founded by Noëlle and Thomas Crowe in late 2017. Noëlle moved to the LaBelle neighborhood of Steubenville in 2017 after she and Thomas got married in July 2017. Noëlle has ten years experience working in Montessori environments, primarily through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, which is a Catholic religious education program based on the Montessori method. Upon moving to Steubenville, Noëlle immediately began seeking ways to put her skills and training to use in helping to improve the lives of the children, and thereby the families, of Steubenville. Thomas has lived in the LaBelle neighborhood of Steubenville since 2008 and has long sought a way to have a more significant impact on the city. When he and Noëlle got married in 2017, the opportunity to help her establish a program for the youth of the hilltop neighborhoods became obvious. The [board of trustees of Hilltop Montessori School](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/our-team/) includes eight other members, many of whom live in the hilltop neighborhoods of Steubenville, and all of whom have a passion for education and seeking ways to improve the lives of those around them. **Our Montessori Programs** Montessori programs put children in an environment where their natural abilities are nurtured. According to [a study](https://news.virginia.edu/content/study-montessori-education-erases-income-achievement-gap) by the University of Virginia released in November 2017, Montessori is the only educational method shown to eliminate the income achievement gap. Maria Montessori, an Italian medical doctor in the first half of the 20th century, developed her theories on childhood education through many years of working with children of all different backgrounds, all around the world. She opened her first children’s house in the slums of Rome, Italy, in 1903, to serve the children living there while their mothers went to work. [Learn more about Maria Montessori »](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Montessori) **Friendly Pricing Structure** The average cost of a Montessori program in the state of Ohio is about $8,000. Our programs will cost less than that, with a sliding scale to reduce this number further, based on family income. [Learn about our current programs and costs here.](/programs/) To make this possible will require support from many people. [Support Hilltop Montessori School »](/support/) --- ### [Hilltop Montessori Champions](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/champions/) **Published:** April 22, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** ![](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:289/h:300/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/HMS-CHAMPIONS-Logo-Color-SMALLER-scaled.jpg "HMS CHAMPIONS Logo Color SMALLER | Hilltop Montessori School") ## Monthly Donors Make Hilltop Montessori School Possible **Hilltop Montessori Champions** are those who give regular monthly donations of as little as $20. We provide life-changing AMI Montessori programs to kids in a depressed region. Our tuition is modest in comparison to what schools normally charge for such programs, but even our low tuition is too high for many families who come to us. So we reduce tuition according to a sliding scale for families according to their ability to pay. But this doesn’t mean our bills are reduced. Your monthly support helps to cover our monthly expenses, meaning we can focus on raising support for other needs. ## Three ways to become a Hilltop Montessori Champion ### Direct Deposit A regular direct transfer using a service like PopMoney or Zelle avoids all fees. Some banks allow this to be set up to be a recurring monthly payment, so check with your institution. [Go To PopMoney](https://www.popmoney.com/when-to-use.html "Go To PopMoney") [Go To Zelle](https://www.zellepay.com/ "Go To Zelle") ### Continue To Give Continue to Give is a newer donations platform that doesn’t have the baggage of PayPal. It charges a nominal fee, but the form has an option for your donation to include a little extra to cover that fee. Such help will aid our budget and make sure your full intended amount goes to support our programs. Again, be sure to indicate that you’d like this to be a recurring donation. [Go To Continue to Give](https://www.continuetogive.com/4898507/donation_prompt "Go to Continue to Give") --- ### [Application for Admission](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/admission-process/) **Published:** March 26, 2023 **Author:** Tom **Content:** # Steps for Admission The admissions process has a few steps, but it is simple. 1. **Inquiry Form** [The first step is to fill out the Inquiry Form.](https://form.jotform.com/232343561642048) This form initiates the rest of the process. 2. **Parent/Guardian Tour** After the inquiry form is received, we will contact you to set up an interview and tour of the school. **This meeting is for the parents/guardians only.** It’s a time for you to ask questions about our school, learn about our program, and see the classroom. A meeting between the guide and the child in the classroom can be set up later. 3. **Fill Out the Application** After the tour, the parent/guardian will receive a link to the appropriate online application form (for enrollment or for the wait list). 4. **Sliding Scale Tuition Process** For those who cannot afford our full tuition, we offer a sliding scale based on your adjusted gross income from the previous year. We will provide more information about this process at the appropriate time. 5. **Meeting Between Child and Guide** This meeting is an opportunity for the child and the guide to meet and talk, and perhaps do a work together. 6. **Acceptance, Enrollment, and Deposit** If the child is accepted, the parent/guardian will receive a letter of acceptance, enrollment contract, and information about any sliding scale tuition adjustment. Your enrollment contract and initial deposit will be due within one week of receipt of the acceptance materials. --- ### [We'll Take What's Left Wednesday!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/givingtuesday/) **Published:** November 21, 2022 **Author:** Tom **Content:** [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201280'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/primary-writing-work-scaled.jpg "primary writing work") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201280'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/primary-childrens-house-scaled.jpg "primary children’s house") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201280'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/primary-five-square-chain-scaled.jpg "primary five square chain") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201280'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/elementary-division-and-fractions-scaled.jpg "elementary division and fractions") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201280'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/primary-knobbed-cylinders-blindfolded-scaled.jpg "primary knobbed cylinders blindfolded") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201280'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/primary-map-puzzle-scaled.jpg "primary map puzzle") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201280'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/primary-sound-game-scaled.jpg "primary sound game") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201200%20600'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/bead-frame-trinomial-cube.jpg "bead frame trinomial cube") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201280'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/backyard-with-leaves-scaled.jpg "backyard with leaves") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201200%20600'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:900/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/students-planting-strawberries.jpeg "students planting strawberries") [![Elementary Group Meeting](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201280'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_5624-scaled.jpg "Elementary Group Meeting") [![Elementary Decorating Work Bags](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201280'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_5602-scaled.jpg "Elementary Decorating Work Bags") [![Primary Lunch](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201280'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_5354-scaled.jpg "Primary Lunch") [![Primary Mid-Room](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%202560%201280'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1440/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_5356-scaled.jpg "Primary Mid-Room") Support Great Montessori in Steubenville Even After Giving Tuesday! **Giving Tuesday is done, but if you have any Giving left to give, We’ll take what’s left!** [**Make your best gift.**](#giving) Hilltop Children’s House is expanding. In our fifth year we have 18 children in our Primary (ages 3-6) and our brand new elementary is humming along with eight fantastic students. Our facilities and materials all need upgrades and renovations, and since we are donor-driven, your support means so much to our children! ### Primary Children’s House Our Primary classroom building — our original building since 2018 — is 100 years old. It has walls that we do not need, it needs plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work, and we need to install more windows where there aren’t any. **With these upgrades we will be able to welcome up to eight more students due to the increased useable space.** A generous grant from the J.C. Williams Foundation will cover about half of the total needed, but we need to raise the other half: $25,000 by next spring! ### Elementary Program and its Building Our new Elementary Program is operating well in the new building we secured at the end of May. This building, also 100 years old, needs a new high-efficiency furnace, plus central air. This building also needs some electrical upgrades, and we hope eventually to put a large deck on the back to facilitate outdoor activities. Further, the Elementary Program has launched with a skeleton complement of materials. We have the bare essentials, but to really make this education what it can be we need a lot more. [You can see a comprehensive list here.](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/elementary-materials-sponsorship-opportunities/) This is where you come in. **Whether your gift is large or small, we have needs of all sizes.** ### Your Gift Makes a Difference We keep our tuition number low to help families afford our programs. The average tuition in Ohio for what we offer is over $12,000. We offer it for less than half of that, and we have a sliding scale to reduce the burden even further for low-income families. Seven of our children receive tuition reduction scholarships totaling $19,728 this year. But this doesn’t mean our bills are lower, or that we have the money to purchase needed supplies, and to make needed improvements. Every dollar you give directly supports the programs that make such a difference in our children’s lives. This We’ll Take What’s Left Wednesday, we just ask for your best gift in your support of Hilltop Children’s House. ## Two Ways to Give Online ### Credit or Debit Card We now use Continue to Give as our main online donation processor. You can give one-time or recurring donations. [**Go To Continue to Give »**](https://www.continuetogive.com/4898507/donation_prompt) ### Bank Transfer These are initiated through your bank, using either Zelle or PopMoney. Bank transfers generally have lower fees and the money is available more readily. **PopMoney:** To use PopMoney, create an account at [PopMoney.com](https://www.popmoney.com/) and make your donation using our email address, **hilltopchildrenshouse@gmail.com** **Zelle:** [Check here](https://www.zellepay.com/get-started) to see if your financial institution uses Zelle. If so, once you’ve connected it to your account you can give through Zelle using our phone number, **703-517-8735** ![](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1640/h:924/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/This-Facebook-Cover-1.png "We'll Take What's Left Wednesday | Hilltop Montessori School") --- ### [Mail In Donations and Pledges - JC Williams Grant](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mail-in-your-donation/) **Published:** August 4, 2022 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Information on Mail-in Donations and Pledges To mail in a check for your donation, please fill out this form. You will then receive an email with the information. Print off that email and mail it in with your check. To make a pledge, please indicate your total amount pledged, check the pledge box, and indicate the number of installments. We will then send you pledge cards with postage-paid envelopes. Thank you for your support! [wpforms id=”3141″ title=”false” description=”false”] --- ### [Elementary Materials Sponsorship Opportunities](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/elementary-materials-sponsorship-opportunities/) **Published:** July 19, 2022 **Author:** Tom **Content:** [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20706%20353'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:707/h:398/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Instructor-and-student-with-moveable-alphabet.jpeg "Instructor-and-student-with-moveable-alphabet") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201200%20600'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:675/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/stamp-game.jpeg "stamp-game") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201200%20600'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1200/h:675/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/fractions-material.jpeg "fractions material") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20800%20400'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:800/h:572/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Noelle-Number-Boards.jpeg "Noelle Number Boards") [![the Tens Board](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201100%20550'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:786/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/760FF0C1-10F8-4BE7-BA26-2A9104DA011B.jpeg "the Tens Board") Sponsor a Piece of Excellent AMI Montessori Education #### The Case The AMI Montessori elementary program presents the world to the child who is beginning to ask the big questions. No longer content with just taking in data about the world around them and working individually, as in a primary program, the elementary child wants to get “under the hood” of life, the universe, and everything, and find out why? how? where did that come from? how does this relate to that? The materials in an elementary classroom give the learners the tools they need to explore. #### How it works Embedded below is the complete list of materials needed to get the elementary program off the ground. You can choose any of the items to sponsor. Some are very inexpensive, others much more so. Below the list is a form please indicate which item(s) you desire to sponsor. To make the donation, we prefer donations come through Zelle (use hilltopchildrenshouse@gmail.com) or via [the Paypal Giving Fund](https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/2732294 "Paypal Giving Fund"), which take no fees. Or you can mail a check to: > Hilltop Children’s House > Elementary Sponsorship > 117 S. Hollywood Blvd. #133 > Steubenville, Ohio 43952 Once we have your donation we will mark the item(s) you sponsored in gray, and we thank you most sincerely! [wpforms id=”3106″ title=”false” description=”false”] --- ### [Christmas 2021 Support](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/christmas2021support/) **Published:** December 21, 2021 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Christmas 2021 Support [![Binomial Cube](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201100%20550'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:777/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_3422.jpeg "Binomial Cube") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201100%20550'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:786/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_3446-2.jpeg "Building the Pink Tower") [![the brown stair](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201100%20550'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:786/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_3406.jpeg "the brown stair") [![the Buckle Frame](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201100%20550'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:786/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_3398.jpeg "the Buckle Frame") [![Wood Polishing](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201100%20550'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:813/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_3445-2.jpeg "Wood Polishing") [![Scissors Work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201100%20550'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:778/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_3442-2.jpeg "Scissors Work") [![Number Rods](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201100%20550'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:797/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_3420.jpeg "Number Rods") [![Color Box 2](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201100%20550'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:778/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_3407.jpeg "Color Box 2") [![The Continents Puzzle and Globe](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201100%20550'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:784/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_3400.jpeg "The Continents Puzzle and Globe") [![Map Puzzles](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201100%20550'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:786/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_3379.jpeg "Map Puzzles") Can You Help Us Fill a $4,000 Matching Gift? Warmest wishes for a blessed and Merry Christmas! We hope that you and your family are well as we welcome the Christ child! Because of Christmas, we live with a joy that Christ has indeed come into the world and with an expectation that he is also coming again! At Hilltop Children’s House we are overwhelmed with gratitude. God has done great things for us this year, and we are certain that he has great plans for 2022. We are so grateful for the support of our family and friends in this work. So may have helped to foster in local children a sense of awe and wonder in front of creation. The children learn to experience life as protagonists in a world which is vast, but accessible, and there to be explored. A generous donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has offered to match all gifts up to $4,000 dollars this Christmas season! To reach this goal in one time gifts and recurring monthly pledges, we are hoping to receive: - $1,000 – One Gift - $500 – Three Gifts - $250 – Six Gifts - $120 – Five Gifts - $25 – Sixteen Gifts We are a small organization and your gifts make a substantial impact. Would you please prayerfully consider making a gift, or pledging monthly support, to help us reach this goal? Thank you so much for your friendship, prayers, and financial support. ***We wish you a Merry Christmas, and a blessed, healthy, and prosperous 2022!*** Convenient Ways to Give ### Online Fee-free options - **Direct Bank Transfer:** [Contact Us for details](https://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/contact/) on initiating a direct bank transfer. - **Venmo:** Find Hilltop Children’s House on Venmo [@hchsteubenville](https://venmo.com/u/hchsteubenville) - **Facebook:** [Go to our Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/hilltopchildrenshouse) and click the “Donate” button. ### Online Options With a Small Fee - **PopMoney:** They charge a small fee, but it is a direct bank transfer. [**Go to PopMoney.com**](https://www.popmoney.com), set up your account, and then find us by searching with our email address: **hilltopchildrenshouse@gmail.com**. - **Square:** Square is most convenient for many, and it takes a small fee. Hilltop Children’s House receives all but about 15¢ of every $20. [**Make a donation through Stripe, here!**](https://checkout.square.site/merchant/Y0X8WTBG4PW09/checkout/O63FMT3LVBV2O4EIXZ5RSIMT "Set up your monthly donation through Stripe.") ### Or Mail Us A Check Mail your end-of-year donation to: > Hilltop Children’s House > 117 S. Hollywood Blvd. #133 > Steubenville, Ohio 43952 All donations received by December 31, 2021 will be counted toward the 2021 tax year. [![the Tens Board](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201100%20550'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:786/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/760FF0C1-10F8-4BE7-BA26-2A9104DA011B.jpeg "the Tens Board") [![Care of Plants](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201100%20550'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:786/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_7689.jpeg "Care of Plants") [![The Hundred Board](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201100%20550'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:786/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/410C8E7C-015F-4567-85CD-1F5EF7ABC231.jpeg "The Hundred Board") [![Mr. Tom Reads a Book](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%201100%20550'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1100/h:786/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/A2FCE3F0-78F6-481E-97D5-DE97A5B74416.jpeg "Mr. Tom Reads a Book") --- ### [Donor Dashboard](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/donor-dashboard-2/) **Published:** April 23, 2021 **Author:** Tom --- ### [Donor Dashboard](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/donor-dashboard/) **Published:** April 16, 2021 **Author:** Tom --- ### [Donation Confirmation](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/donation-confirmation-2/) **Published:** June 17, 2020 **Author:** Tom **Content:** \[give\_receipt\] --- ### [Donation Failed](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/donation-failed-2/) **Published:** June 17, 2020 **Author:** Tom **Content:** We're sorry, your donation failed to process. Please try again or contact site support. --- ### [Donation History](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/donation-history-2/) **Published:** June 17, 2020 **Author:** Tom **Content:** \[donation\_history\] --- ### [Donation Confirmation](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/donation-confirmation/) **Published:** June 17, 2020 **Author:** Tom **Content:** \[give\_receipt\] --- ### [Donation Failed](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/donation-failed/) **Published:** June 17, 2020 **Author:** Tom **Content:** We're sorry, your donation failed to process. Please try again or contact site support. --- ### [Donation History](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/donation-history/) **Published:** June 17, 2020 **Author:** Tom **Content:** \[donation\_history\] --- ### [Checkout-Result](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/stripe-checkout-result/) **Published:** June 17, 2020 **Author:** Tom **Content:** \[accept\_stripe\_payment\_checkout\] --- ### [Products](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/products/) **Published:** June 17, 2020 **Author:** Tom **Content:** \[asp\_show\_all\_products\] --- ### [Water Line Replacement Surprise](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/water-line-replacement-surprise/) **Published:** November 24, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Content:** [![Road Closed for Water Line Work](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20800%20400'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:800/h:600/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Road-Closed-for-Water-Line-Work.jpeg "Road Closed for Water Line Work") [![Water Department Truck](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20800%20400'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:800/h:600/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Water-Department-Truck.jpeg "Water Department Truck") [![Water Line Work in Street](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20800%20400'%2F%3E)](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:800/h:600/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Water-Line-Work-in-Street.jpeg "Water Line Work in Street") Emergency Water Line Replacement Work **The Need:** As our school year was beginning we were contacted by the City of Steubenville to alert us that we had to get our water line replaced. There were a few reasons for this: 1. our meter was the old style, and there was no valve to shut off the water before the meter to allow them to replace it; 2. the curb box was broken, so the City was incapable of shutting off the water in case of emergency; 3. they determined that our line is lead (don’t worry, *no one ever drank the water;* we have *always* brought in filtered water for drinking). This meant a full replacement from the water main under the center of Maryland Avenue all the way back to the meter in our basement. We protested that we were unable to absorb such an expense at such short notice, so the City of Steubenville graciously worked out a plan where the City contracted with the plumbing company for a very reasonable amount of $3,600, and will bill us in monthly installments in our regular utility bill over 18 months. We agreed to this arrangement. The work was carried out on October 30. Now we need to find the extra $200 per month for 18 months to finance this work. ***Can you donate $200 today, to help us pay for one month worth of this water line replacement bill?*** Sponsor One Month Today Give $200 today through the Donate button below to fund one month of this expense. We will update the counter below each time we receive a gift through this button. Paypal ![](https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif) Facebook #GivingTuesday [Give through Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/donate/582992779198283/ "Give through Facebook") Payments Still Needed 2.5 out of 18 Thank you for your support! --- ### [Dinner For Hilltop Friends](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/dinner-for-six-friends/) **Published:** August 15, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** # Dinner for Hilltop Friends ![](https://mlzi0eahpkzd.i.optimole.com/cb:Rki2.3ce/w:1024/h:768/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_4862.jpg "Dinner with Six Friends | Hilltop Montessori School") Join Noëlle and Tom Crowe and Rob Corzine for dinner to learn more about the Hilltop Children’s House! There is a lot going on with Hilltop Children’s House, from acquiring more materials for the programs, to ongoing renovations of the building and grounds. Through the help and partnership of many people we will be able to provide this “foundation for life” to many, many children on the hilltops and thereby help improve the future of our community. ### Three to Five Guests Welcome! We’re looking for groups of no fewer than three and no more than five guests to join us around our dining room table. ### Contact us for availability We are happy to arrange a dinner most any night of the week. **Please email us at , or call at 703-517-8735 to arrange a time.** --- ### [Thank You!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/thankyou/) **Published:** October 9, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Content:** # Thank You! Your monthly gift gives us the ability to plan ahead and know that our regular expenses are covered. - Assistant’s Wages - Utilities - Consumables ***Follow us to see your support at work!*** - **[Facebook (@hilltopchildrenshouse)](https://www.facebook.com/hilltopchildrenshouse/)** - **[Instagram (@hilltopchildrenshouse)](https://www.facebook.com/hilltopchildrenshouse/)** --- ### [Wishlists](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wishlists/) **Published:** October 24, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** ## Our Montessori and CGS Wishlists #### There are lots of items we need to furnish the Children’s House and the Atrium. ### Montessori Children's House Wishlists There are a few items still on our Amazon Wishlist and a whole lot more on the Montessori Services list. [Amazon Wishlist ](https://smile.amazon.com/hz/charitylist/ls/2MPV0A7X4673U/ref=smi_ext_lnk_lcl_cl) [Montessori Services Wishlist ](https://www.montessoriservices.com/wishlist/shared/index/code/5288c40280fcd55116c656b5cd1c0a53/) ### Atrium Items If you wish to purchase any of the below items for Hilltop Children’s House, you can either purchase it outright and have it shipped to us, or you can donate the money to us and earmark it for the items you’d like us to get. Our shipping address is: > Hilltop Children’s House > 117 S. Hollywood Blvd. > Box 133 > Steubenville, Ohio 43952 ##### We have listed the items according to priority for our programs (already in session). #### Mass Kit and Baptism Set At this site we only need the Mass kit ($127) and the Baptism set ($75) [Go There »](http://www.ourfathershouse.biz/shopsite_sc/store/html/page29.html) ### Striker Set For matches used to light the candles. ($18) [Go There »](https://www.cgsusa.org/products/striker-set/) ### Candle Snuffer For snuffing out candles, not blowing them out. ($9) [Go There »](https://www.cgsusa.org/products/candle-snuffer/) ### Small Carafe For pouring to fill cruets ($8) [Go There »](https://www.cgsusa.org/products/wine-carafe-small/) ### Small Funnel Perfect for filling cruets and flower vases. ($4) [Go There »](https://www.cgsusa.org/products/practical-life-funnel/) ### Paschal Nails Important for the Paschal candle ($5.95) [Go There »](https://www.cgsusa.org/products/paschal-nails/) ### Mini Chalice and Paten Just right for the mini altar. ($10) [Go There »](https://www.cgsusa.org/chalice-paten-mini-brass.aspx/) ### Pentecost Candle Holder For the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit ($44) [Go There »](https://www.cgsusa.org/products/candle-holder-pentecost-celebration/) ### Red Tapers Needed for the Pentecost celebration. ($14) [Go There »](https://www.cgsusa.org/products/candles-red-taper-12/) ### Mini Candle Holders Perfect for the cenacle and the eucharistic presence of the Good Shepherd. ($12) [Go There »](https://www.cgsusa.org/products/candle-holder-pair-mini-brass/) --- ### [News & Updates](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/news-updates/) **Published:** February 7, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** ## News & Updates [![Two women in a backyard garden near a white house with a blue door and a Hilltop Montessori sign.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%20512'%2F%3E "Lucy Apron 1")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/with-deep-gratitude-to-lucy/) ### [With Deep Gratitude to Lucy](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/with-deep-gratitude-to-lucy/ "With Deep Gratitude to Lucy") [Life at HCH](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/life-at-hch/)[By Tom](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/author/crowethm/ "View all posts by Tom")[August 14, 2026](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/2026/08/14/ "7:00 am") For the past four years, Lucy Bernetsky has served as assistant in the Children’s House, but her contribution has reached far beyond the classroom. She has painted walls, helped prepare new learning environments, cleaned, organized, moved furniture, welcomed families, and faithfully supported children and colleagues through seasons of tremendous growth. [Read more](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/with-deep-gratitude-to-lucy/) [![Bright summer camp poster with kids drawing and playing outside, featuring bold 'One Amazing Summer' headline and Hilltop Montessori logo in the corner.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%20512'%2F%3E "Summer Camps 2026")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/summer-camps-2026/) ### [Summer Camps 2026!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/summer-camps-2026/ "Summer Camps 2026!") [Events](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/events/), [Life at HCH](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/life-at-hch/)[By Tom](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/author/crowethm/ "View all posts by Tom")[May 17, 2026](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/2026/05/17/ "4:14 pm") Hilltop Montessori School will offer two summer camps this year. Bingo! Camp Join us for a week of creativity, games, movement, and summer fun at Bingo Camp. Each day will feature a new themed Bingo board filled with hands-on activities, outdoor games, art projects, challenges, scavenger hunts, water play, and more. Campers will choose activities… [Read more](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/summer-camps-2026/) [![Multiplication with the LBF](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%20512'%2F%3E "Multiplication with the LBF")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/the-tax-credit-donation-will-help-us-more-than-others/) ### [The Tax Credit Donation Will Help Us More Than Others](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/the-tax-credit-donation-will-help-us-more-than-others/ "The Tax Credit Donation Will Help Us More Than Others") [Life at HCH](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/life-at-hch/), [Needs](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/needs/)[By Tom](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/author/crowethm/ "View all posts by Tom")[February 27, 2026](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/2026/02/27/ "5:07 pm") The Ohio tax credit donation means more to Hilltop Montessori School than it does to other area private schools. One reason is very simple: while other area private schools receive money from EdChoice and other state programs, HMS does not qualify for these programs. Non-Public, Non-Chartered EdChoice requires a school like ours to be chartered.… [Read more](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/the-tax-credit-donation-will-help-us-more-than-others/) [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%20512'%2F%3E "Herald Star January 25 Labor of Love Article – landscape")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/great-coverage-in-the-steubenville-herald-star/) ### [Great Coverage in the Steubenville Herald Star](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/great-coverage-in-the-steubenville-herald-star/ "Great Coverage in the Steubenville Herald Star") [Life at HCH](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/life-at-hch/), [Media Coverage](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/media-coverage/), [News](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/news/)[By Tom](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/author/crowethm/ "View all posts by Tom")[January 24, 2026](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/2026/01/24/ "10:53 pm") The Herald Star published a long piece on Hilltop Montessori School. [Read more](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/great-coverage-in-the-steubenville-herald-star/) [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20688%20458'%2F%3E "Screenshot")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/end-of-year-2025-updates/) ### [End of Year 2025 Updates](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/end-of-year-2025-updates/ "End of Year 2025 Updates") [Events](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/events/), [Life at HCH](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/life-at-hch/), [News](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/news/), [Renovations](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/renovations/)[By Tom](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/author/crowethm/ "View all posts by Tom")[January 24, 2026](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/2026/01/24/ "10:34 pm") We shared program updates with our supporters at the end of 2025. [Read more](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/end-of-year-2025-updates/) [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%20512'%2F%3E "Planting Trees")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/part-time-montessori-adolescent-option-for-homeschool-families/) ### [Part-Time Montessori Adolescent Option for Homeschool Families](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/part-time-montessori-adolescent-option-for-homeschool-families/ "Part-Time Montessori Adolescent Option for Homeschool Families") [Life at HCH](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/life-at-hch/)[By Tom](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/author/crowethm/ "View all posts by Tom")[August 16, 2025](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/2025/08/16/ "2:12 pm") Hilltop Montessori School will offer a part-time Montessori Adolescent Program especially for homeschool families. Come and see about it [Read more](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/part-time-montessori-adolescent-option-for-homeschool-families/) [![Summer Camps Header](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%20512'%2F%3E "Summer Camps Header")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/summer-camps-2025/) ### [Summer Camps 2025](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/summer-camps-2025/ "Summer Camps 2025") [Events](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/events/), [Life at HCH](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/life-at-hch/), [News](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/news/)[By Tom](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/author/crowethm/ "View all posts by Tom")[June 18, 2025](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/2025/06/18/ "2:22 pm") Hilltop Montessori School will offer three summer camp sessions in 2025. Summer camps will be build a town, ice cream camp, and math and reading camp. [Read more](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/summer-camps-2025/) [![Primary Students Moving Up](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20640%20426'%2F%3E "Primary Students Moving Up")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/moving-up-ceremony-2025/) ### [Moving Up Ceremony 2025](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/moving-up-ceremony-2025/ "Moving Up Ceremony 2025") [Uncategorized](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/uncategorized/)[By Tom](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/author/crowethm/ "View all posts by Tom")[May 28, 2025](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/2025/05/28/ "10:24 am") Montessori education from Primary to Elementary and then to Adolescent follows the child as they develop, and as their main question shifts from what, to why, to who. [Read more](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/moving-up-ceremony-2025/) [![Suffixes and Root Words in a Dictionary](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20768%20512'%2F%3E "Suffixes and Root Words in a Dictionary")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/its-elementary-montessori-dear-parents/) ### [Dear Parents, It’s Elementary Montessori](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/its-elementary-montessori-dear-parents/ "Dear Parents, It’s Elementary Montessori") [Life at HCH](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/life-at-hch/)[By Tom](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/author/crowethm/ "View all posts by Tom")[May 27, 2025](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/2025/05/27/ "9:24 am") Elementary Montessori students meet and exceed the typical academic benchmarks, in addition to learning all of the intangibles that conventional school simply isn’t set up to teach. [Read more](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/its-elementary-montessori-dear-parents/) [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20640%20426'%2F%3E "Ferrante Wine and Pasta Basket")](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-auction-items-gathering/) ### [Mardi Gras Auction Items Gathering!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-auction-items-gathering/ "Mardi Gras Auction Items Gathering!") [Events](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/events/), [Mardi Gras](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/mardi-gras/)[By Tom](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/author/crowethm/ "View all posts by Tom")[February 17, 2025](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/2025/02/17/ "4:56 pm") Our Mardi Gras Gala for Hilltop Montessori School features silent and Chinese auctions. Auction items are gathering. Join us March 1. [Read more](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-auction-items-gathering/) →[1](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-auction-items-gathering/)[2](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-auction-items-gathering/2/)[3](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-auction-items-gathering/3/)[4](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-auction-items-gathering/4/)[5](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-auction-items-gathering/5/)[…](javascript:void(0);)[6](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-auction-items-gathering/6/)[7](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-auction-items-gathering/7/)[8](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-auction-items-gathering/8/)[9](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-auction-items-gathering/9/)[10](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-auction-items-gathering/10/)[11](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-auction-items-gathering/11/)[12](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-auction-items-gathering/12/)[13](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-auction-items-gathering/13/)[14](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-auction-items-gathering/14/) [15](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-auction-items-gathering/15/)[→](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/mardi-gras-auction-items-gathering/2/) --- ### [Our People](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/people/) **Published:** December 12, 2017 **Author:** Tom **Content:** # Сardiology doctors Quisque nec quam convallis, scelerisque risus in, viverra ipsum. Mauris sed molestie magna. Nunc auctor aliquet tortor in venenatis. ### Margaret Sander Cardiologist ### John Ostin Cardiologist ### Cinthia Lamp Cardiologist ### James Back Cardiologist ### Tim Tinder Cardiologist ## Сardiovascular doctors Quisque nec quam convallis, scelerisque risus in, viverra ipsum. Mauris sed molestie magna. Nunc auctor aliquet tortor in venenatis. ### Diana Green Therapist ### John Doe Therapist ### Tiffany White Therapist ### James Back Therapist ### Alex Tinder Therapist ## Pediatrics doctors Quisque nec quam convallis, scelerisque risus in, viverra ipsum. Mauris sed molestie magna. Nunc auctor aliquet tortor in venenatis. ### Margaret Sander Pediatrician ### James Brown Pediatrician ### Diana Green Pediatrician ### James Back Pediatrician ### Tim Tinder Pediatrician --- ### [Sample Page](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/sample-page/) **Published:** November 22, 2017 **Author:** Tom **Content:** This is an example page. It’s different from a blog post because it will stay in one place and will show up in your site navigation (in most themes). Most people start with an About page that introduces them to potential site visitors. It might say something like this: > Hi there! I’m a bike messenger by day, aspiring actor by night, and this is my website. I live in Los Angeles, have a great dog named Jack, and I like piña coladas. (And gettin’ caught in the rain.) …or something like this: > The XYZ Doohickey Company was founded in 1971, and has been providing quality doohickeys to the public ever since. Located in Gotham City, XYZ employs over 2,000 people and does all kinds of awesome things for the Gotham community. As a new WordPress user, you should go to [your dashboard](http://hilltopchildrenshouse.org/wp-admin/) to delete this page and create new pages for your content. Have fun! --- ### [Service Page](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/programs-1/service-page/) **Published:** May 11, 2016 **Author:** Tom **Content:** ## About medical service Ut semper magna nec nulla tempor, at tempus nunc mollis. In pulvinar ullamcorper nisi. Donec non maximus neque. Nam ligula est, lacinia quis turpis sed, lobortis auctor turpis. Aliquam erat volutpat. Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctuas et ultrices posuere cubilia Curae Nulla pulvinar tempus eros at tincidunt. Integer est turpis, volutpat tempor ligula eu, interdum consequat odio. Nam non quam nec ipsum pretium efficitur placerat quis purus. Ut fringilla id massa vitae egestas. Nulla facilisi. Nam vel viverra massa. Pellentesque mollis libero turpis, eget tempus dui finibus id. In eu nulla at nulla sollicitudin hendrerit sed sit amet urna. Maecenas euismod nec dui eget posuere. - Etiam tincidunt - Lorem ipsum dolor - Glavrida for amet - Unicos amos - Dolor sit amet lorem - Etiam tincidunt - Lorem ipsum dolor - Glavrida for amet - Unicos amos - Dolor sit amet lorem ## Our prices Ut semper magna nec nulla tempor, at tempus nunc mollis. In pulvinar ullamcorper nisi. Donec non maximus neque aliquam eget enim eu purus cursus vestibulum eu non arcu lorem. ### Service ### Price Ut semper magna nec nulla tempor, at tempus nunc mollis ### $38 In pulvinar ullamcorper nisi. Donec non maximus neque. Nam ligula est. ### $15 Ut semper magna nec nulla tempor, at tempus nunc mollis ### $38 In pulvinar ullamcorper nisi. Donec non maximus neque. Nam ligula est. ### $260 Ut semper magna nec nulla tempor, at tempus nunc mollis ### $189 In pulvinar ullamcorper nisi. Donec non maximus neque. Nam ligula est. ### $38 ### More services ### Request an appointment Praesent eget tortor aliquam, laoreet dui gravida, varius erat. Aliquam eget enim eu purus cursus vestibulum eu non arcu lorem. Name \*E-mail \*Telephone Message[Send message](#) --- ### [News](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/news/) **Published:** May 2, 2016 **Author:** Tom --- ### [Departments](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/departments/) **Published:** April 28, 2016 **Author:** Tom **Content:** [](demo.com/demo/medical/departments/department-page/) ## Dermatology Department Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea. - Lorem ipsum dollor - Nulla glavrida - Amet lorem ipsum dolor - Etios amos ipsum lorem amet - Nulla amet eros amos glavrida [View Details](http://the7.io/medical/departments/department-page/) [](demo.com/demo/medical/departments/department-page/) [](demo.com/demo/medical/departments/department-page/) ## Cardiovascular Department Ut enim nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea. - Lorem ipsum dollor nulla malesuada - Nulla glavrida - Amet lorem ipsum dolor - Etios amos ipsum lorem amet - Nulla amet eros amos glavrida [View Details](http://the7.io/medical/departments/department-page/) [](demo.com/demo/medical/departments/department-page/) ## Surgery Department Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea. - Lorem ipsum dollor - Nulla glavrida - Amet lorem ipsum dolor - Etios amos ipsum lorem amet - Nulla amet eros amos glavrida [View Details](http://the7.io/medical/departments/department-page/) [](demo.com/demo/medical/departments/department-page/) [](demo.com/demo/medical/departments/department-page/) ## Pediatric Department Ut enim nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea. - Lorem ipsum dollor - Nulla glavrida - Amet lorem ipsum dolor - Etios amos ipsum lorem amet [View Details](http://the7.io/medical/departments/department-page/) --- ## Testimonials ### [Michael Trump](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/dt_testimonials/michael-trump/) **Published:** April 29, 2016 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Magnum sit amet magna nulla. Sed tempor varius fringilla. Fusce varius vitae elit vitae consequat. Ut imperdiet ex sed quam ultrices accumsan. Maecenas nec nulla dapibus, mollis nisi id, fringilla orci. --- ### [John Doe](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/dt_testimonials/john-doe/) **Published:** April 29, 2016 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam id libero quis metus tincidunt aliquet. In molestie nibh at ipsum maximus, tristique congue lacus ultrices. Pellentesque non risus urna. Curabitur hendrerit convallis euismod. Nam ultrices purus vel arcu finibus, et vestibulum sapien mollis. Morbi maximus orci non tempus placerat. Proin tincidunt venenatis massa, eget laoreet enim bibendum malesuada. --- ### [Jane Huston](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/dt_testimonials/jane-huston/) **Published:** April 29, 2016 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Donec sit amet magna nulla. Sed tempor varius fringilla. Fusce varius vitae elit vitae consequat. Ut imperdiet ex sed quam ultrices accumsan. Maecenas nec nulla dapibus, mollis nisi id, fringilla orci. --- ### [Mark Anderson](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/dt_testimonials/fifth-testimonial/) **Published:** April 29, 2016 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Donec sit amet magna nulla. Sed tempor varius fringilla. Fusce varius vitae elit vitae consequat. Ut imperdiet ex sed quam ultrices accumsan. Maecenas nec nulla dapibus, mollis nisi id, fringilla orci. --- ### [Matt Durton](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/dt_testimonials/matt/) **Published:** April 29, 2016 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinart tellus. --- ### [Mary Wood](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/dt_testimonials/robert/) **Published:** April 29, 2016 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam id libero quis metus tincidunt aliquet. In molestie nibh at ipsum maximus, tristique congue lacus ultrices. Pellentesque non risus urna. Curabitur hendrerit convallis euismod. Nam ultrices purus vel arcu finibus, et vestibulum sapien mollis. Morbi maximus orci non tempus placerat. Proin tincidunt venenatis massa, eget laoreet enim bibendum malesuada. --- ### [Miriam Lee](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/dt_testimonials/miriam-lee/) **Published:** April 4, 2016 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Nam id libero quis metus tincidunt aliquet. In molestie nibh at ipsum maximus, tristique congue lacus ultrices. Pellentesque non risus urna. Curabitur hendrerit convallis euismod. Nam ultrices purus vel arcu finibus, et vestibulum sapien mollis. Morbi maximus orci non tempus placerat. Proin tincidunt venenatis massa, eget laoreet enim bibendum malesuada. --- ### [Anna Bright](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/dt_testimonials/anna-bright/) **Published:** March 4, 2016 **Author:** Tom **Content:** Fusce varius vitae elit vitae consequat. Ut imperdiet ex sed quam ultrices accumsan. Maecenas nec nulla dapibus, mollis nisi id, fringilla orci. Proin tincidunt venenatis massa, eget laoreet enim bibendum malesuada. --- ## Photo Albums ### [Gallery of Our Children's House and Atrium, Year Two](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/gallery/gallery-of-our-childrens-house-and-atrium-year-two/) **Published:** October 8, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Album Categories:** Children's House Interior --- ### [Photos of Our First Year](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/gallery/photos-of-our-first-year/) **Published:** April 14, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Content:** This first year has been one of constant growth. More children joined as the year progressed, and through the generosity of so many supporters we have acquired many, many more materials. **Album Categories:** Life at Hilltop Children's House --- ### [Mardi Gras 2019: In Pictures](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/gallery/mardi-gras-2019-in-pictures/) **Published:** March 7, 2019 **Author:** Tom **Album Categories:** Mardi Gras 2019 --- ### [Help Needed!](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/gallery/help-needed/) **Published:** September 5, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** There lots of things that we need help with at the Hilltop Children’s House! We’re working hard toward opening this fall with a few kids in the program, but to do so we need some things to be done fairly soon. Here’s a list of pictures. If you, your group, or your organization is able and interested in helping out with labor, materials, or a donation to cover costs please drop us a line: hilltopchildrenshouse@gmail.com! **Album Categories:** Help Needed --- ### [Hilltop Children's House: The Before Pictures](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/gallery/hilltop-childrens-house-the-before-pictures/) **Published:** March 23, 2018 **Author:** Tom **Content:** 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.](https://www.paypal.com/uk/fundraiser/charity/2732294) We’ve estimated that it will cost somewhere between $50,000 and $75,000 to renovate and furnish, so any amount you can give will be helpful. If you’re able to give at a higher level and would like to speak with us, shoot us an email at and we will get back to you shortly. We are a 501c3 Ohio non-profit corporation, so all donations are fully tax-deductible. St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us! --- ### [Hospital](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/gallery/hospital/) **Published:** May 11, 2016 **Author:** Tom --- ## Categories ### [Uncategorized](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/uncategorized/) --- ### [News](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/news/) --- ### [Media Coverage](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/media-coverage/) --- ### [Motivations](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/motivations/) --- ### [Events](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/events/) --- ### [Renovations](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/renovations/) --- ### [Needs](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/needs/) --- ### [Testimonials](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/testimonials/) --- ### [Mardi Gras 2019](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/mardi-gras-2019/) --- ### [Life at HCH](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/life-at-hch/) --- ### [Mardi Gras](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/mardi-gras/) --- ### [240 Club](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/category/240-club/) --- ## Tags ### [Logo](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/tag/logo/) --- ### [Mardi Gras](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/tag/mardi-gras/) --- ### [Life at HCH](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/tag/life-at-hch/) --- ### [AMI Montessori](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/tag/ami-montessori/) --- ### [summer camps](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/tag/summer-camps/) --- ### [toddler](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/tag/toddler/) --- ### [summer camp](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/tag/summer-camp/) --- ### [fundraising](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/tag/fundraising/) --- ### [scholarships](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/tag/scholarships/) --- ### [mardi gras auction items](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/tag/mardi-gras-auction-items/) --- ### [silent auction](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/tag/silent-auction/) --- ### [chinese auction](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/tag/chinese-auction/) --- ### [elementary](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/tag/elementary/) --- ### [montessori elementary](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/tag/montessori-elementary/) --- ### [ice cream](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/tag/ice-cream/) --- ### [build a town](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/tag/build-a-town/) --- ### [math and reading](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/tag/math-and-reading/) --- ### [adolescent](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/tag/adolescent/) --- ### [montessori adolescent](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/tag/montessori-adolescent/) --- ### [Lucy Bernetsky](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/tag/lucy-bernetsky/) --- ## Album Categories ### [Help Needed](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/dt_gallery_category/help-needed/) --- ### [Mardi Gras 2019](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/dt_gallery_category/mardi-gras-2019/) --- ### [Life at Hilltop Children's House](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/dt_gallery_category/life-at-hilltop-childrens-house/) --- ### [Children's House Interior](https://www.hilltopchildrenshouse.org/dt_gallery_category/childrens-house-interior/) ---