NSM School Traditions
Friday Morning Gatherings
Families are invited and encouraged to join the NSM community for our longstanding tradition of Friday Morning Gatherings. Students, staff, and parents come together in the gym at 8:15am to say the pledge to the Earth and to the American flag as well as share announcements and sing favorite songs, in keeping with the Montessori tradition of education for peace. Classes occasionally share special performances to mark the seasons of the year. Students in our Middle School program take responsibility for planning, setting up, rehearsing, and leading each gathering. Different songs are selected every week and all students have the opportunity to sign up to learn and provide musical accompaniment; visitors are encouraged to sing along to the lyrics projected on the big screen courtesy of our Stage Crew. Some favorite songs include:
- “This Pretty Planet” by Tom Chapin Lyrics Album
- "This Land is Your Land" by Woody Guthrie Lyrics
- “Circle the Earth (with Peace)" by Joanne Hammil
- “Free to Be You and Me” by Marlo Thomas Lyrics Album
- "Dirt Made My Lunch" by Banana Slug String Band
- "Friends" by Greg & Steve
- "We All Sing With the Same Voice" by Sesame Street
- "All we need is Love" by John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Harold Arlen Lyrics
- "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music by Richard Rodgers
Annual Traditions
Throughout the year, North Shoreview Montessori (NSM) observes a number of special events to build community spirit and enhance our curriculum.
International Potluck
Join NSM families for an evening of socializing, eating, and dance entertainment. Because our school is rich in cultural diversity, the potluck has always had a delicious international flair. The evening is finished with an amazing night of international dance performances put on by NSM's own students, including American hip-hop, Brazilian samba, traditional Japanese dancing, Mexican folk dancing, and dances of the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands. It's a show not to be missed. We also encourage families to reduce, reuse and recycle by bring their own reusable dinnerware to the potluck.
Historical Timeline
The Historical Timeline is a longtime favorite NSM tradition and is held in October before the morning Halloween parade. It is an opportunity for students in the elementary grades to choose a historical figure, living or dead, research this person, and (optionally) come to school in costume as them. Students give presentations in their classrooms about the historical figure they elected to represent, and then line up in chronological order to see history come alive.
Lunar New Year
Kindergarten and first grade classes share songs and a dragon procession at a Friday Morning Gathering around the time of the Lunar New Year in January or February.
Variety Show
On the last day of the school year, all NSM students are given an opportunity to demonstrate their talents before the whole school. Past performances have included singing, dancing, hula hoop, piano, drums, flute, puppets, poems, dramatic readings, karate, gymnastics, baton twirling, mime, skits, and magic, among many other talents.
Calendar of Events
- Thursday, January 9
- Tuesday, January 14
- Wednesday, January 15
- Friday, January 17
Useful Links
North Shoreview Montessori - School District website
San Mateo Foster City School District
SMFC Education Foundation
SMFC PTA Council
California PTA
National PTA