Date: 3.30.2023 | Time: 3:30 PM

Dear City Garden Community,

March 24th marked one year since the heavenly transition of our beloved student, Tyre Sampson. Over the past twelve months, our community has grieved this loss and we have cherished and honored his memory. 
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We gathered for balloon releases, we marched down Blaine Avenue, we dedicated a bench and garden to Tyre’s memory, we proudly feature his jersey on the wall of our lobby, and we will always remember him as the 100th alumni of City Garden Montessori School.

Tyre embodied City Garden’s values – showing love and kindness to younger students, leading by example, and demonstrating "radical hospitality" to visitors. Students like Tyre make an indelible mark on their peers, friends, and loved ones – and for that reason, he will never be forgotten.
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When we celebrate Tyre, we celebrate his legacy of wisdom, talent, compassion, and love that continues in the students at City Garden. I invite you to read below to learn more about the wonderful things our students are up to, and the incredible community that I, and many others, call home. 
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I wish you well, and may Tyre's memory be a blessing.

In partnership,

Christie

Christie Huck
CEO/Executive Director

Throughout the month of February, our students studied and celebrated Black history, Black brilliance, Black joy, Black power and Black culture.
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We wanted to share a recap of the incredible curriculum, instruction, performances, and programs that took place across our school community.
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Check out the buttons and videos below to learn how our students, from preschool to eighth grade, participate in the legacy of Black History Month.

Dr. Tabitha Harrell and long time partner  EyeSeeMe Book Store collaborated to bring a pop up Book Fair to City Garden this month! 

Students of all ages go to visit the book fair, and marveled in the many and varied options of books for purchase. Please consider visiting EyeSeeMe Book Store for your literary needs! 

Day of Giving is a 24-hour fundraiser for City Garden Montessori School that runs from noon on Wednesday, April 19th to noon on Thursday, April 20th. We use an online system through charidy.com to facilitate the fundraiser, and this year’s goal is $320,000! All contributions the day of the event will be matched 4 to 1 – which means a gift of $25 will turn into $100, and a gift of $100 will turn into $400! 

We invite you to consider supporting Day of Giving through one of the following opportunities!  

‍Become a Team Leader – set a fundraising goal for yourself and invite friends, family members, and others to make donations to help meet your goal!
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‍Become a Sponsor – check out our new and innovative approach to sponsorship offering opportunities for exposure and engagement with the City Garden community across the entire year.

‍Volunteer on the Day of Giving – help make the Day of Giving a huge success by volunteering between 3:30-7:30pm on the Day of Giving! Check out our volunteer opportunities below:

PreK & Kindergarten Day of Giving Volunteer Sign Up
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PreK & Kindergarten Day of Giving Food Donation Sign Up
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1st-8th Grade Day of Giving Volunteer Sign Up
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1st-8th Grade Day of Giving Food Donation Sign Up

Many folks know Susie Shelton-Dodge as a beloved and invaluable member of the City Garden Montessori School Board of Directors. However, she and her husband David have a long history of advancing Montessori education in the United Stated, and for their contributions they were honored this month at the American Montessori Society's Conference as the 2023 Living Legacies.  

Susie and David Shelton-Dodge have been on the forefront of the Montessori Movement since the 1970s, supporting countless students, teacher educators, and other community members with generosity, grace, and determination to continue the provision of equitable, authentic Montessori practice. Currently, Susie is the director emeriti and Early Childhood practicum coordinator, and David is the Infant/Toddler practicum director and conference coordinator at Hope Montessori Educational Institute in St. Louis, MO. 

Please join me in congratulating Susie and David on their recent recognition, and thanking them for their decades of service to Montessori education and access across the country and throughout the world. 

I have included some photos from the conference below – please peruse and enjoy.

Join us at City Garden Montessori's Elementary and Adolescent Education Center on Saturday, May 6th from 1:00 to 4:00 PM for the third annual Block Party! 

 Come for the bounce houses and bubble bus, and stay for the live music and food! Registration is free, but required – register here.

Putting on a Block Party will take a village, and we need your help! Please consider signing up for one of our open volunteer slots. For questions, please contact Layla Dominguez, City Garden's Volunteer Coordinator at layla.dominguez@citygardenschool.org.

Thank you for being part of the City Garden community, and for all you do to support our mission. We wish you well!

In partnership,

Christie Huck
CEO/Executive Director