Mt. Lebanon Montessori School celebrates 40 years
Kiley Price, 5, has her face painted by Carol Hackett during M. Lebanon Montessori School and Academy’s 40th birthday party.
A 1970s-era photo of the school’s early days hangs in a frame near the entrance.
At just 20 months, Gabriel Irani already looks like a soccer enthusiast.
Gabrielle Justice, 2, plays on a giant checkerboard that was set up for the party.
Roshan George Airuvelil looks as if he wants to exchange his small plastic ball for a larger one.
Piper Stewart, 3, plays an outdoor version of Twister.
Anay Patel, 4, gives the fish pond a try.
Mila Yevstifeyeva, 11 months, gives the fish pond a try.
Patton Manion, 3, has his face painted.
Bhakiya Iatshimi works on giving a youngster a henna tattoo.
Sam the Magic Man, not to be confused with blues great Magic Sam, entertains by looking as if he turns a $1 bill into a $10. Unfortunately, the second part of the illusion has him turning it back into a $1.
Sam the Magic Man performs a trick with rubber bands – or “gumbands,” in Pittsburghese – with the help of a young Steelers fan.
Mt. Lebanon Montessori School and Academy staff members take a break from the festivities.
Director Megan Steen greets visitors during the 40th birthday party.
When you plan a primarily outdoor event for the last weekend in September, you tend to keep your fingers crossed.
That apparently worked for Megan Steen and the folks at Mt. Lebanon Montessori School and Academy, as the weather cooperated fully for Sunday’s 40th birthday party for the education center.
“We started out as one 3-to-6 classroom,” Steen, the school’s director, said about the ages of the children who first attended back in 1976. “Now we have five classes of 3 to 6, three classes of toddler and three elementary classrooms.”
That adds up to about 150 students, and they celebrated with their brothers, sisters, moms and dads by playing games and singing songs, having their faces painted and hands henna-tattooed, and enjoying snacks and cold drinks during a sunny, mild afternoon.
Along with the enrollment, the school’s educational offerings have grown over the years, including partnerships with organizations that are new for 2016.
“We figure, we’re not specialists at everything, so we want to get the professionals in here, and it adds a whole new level to the expertise,” Steen explained.
One partner is Kathy’s Music, which has a Mt. Lebanon studio. Director Kathy Morrison was in attendance at Sunday’s event, leading children in song and dance.
The school is participating in Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens’ “Let’s Move, Pittsburgh!” program, modeled after Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” national campaign. The goal is to raise awareness about the benefits of healthy foods, increased exercise and decreased screen time for children.
Also along fitness lines, the school is taking part in the Pittsburgh Marathon’s Kids of STEEL, an exercise and nutrition program designed to motivate children to pursue quality nutrition and an active lifestyle by incorporating exercise and healthy eating habits into their daily routine.
Plus the school has its own nutrition program.
“The kids are learning to cook, set the table, learn grace and courtesy at the table, eating healthier. For snacks, they’re eating healthy fruits and vegetables,” Steen said. “We really want to have healthy kids.”
For more information, visit http://mtlebanonmontessori.org/.