Weather changes on cue for Mt. Lebanon Montessori’s fall festival
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Keira Mayle decorates a pumpkin in one of the activities offered for children at Mt. Lebanon Montessori School’s Fall Harvest Festival.
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Eva Kantor has some new friends.
Right on cue, a temperature drop greeted the autumnal equinox in Western Pennsylvania.
The last full day of summer featured the typical summertime weather of heat and humidity. Then as soon as fall began, everyone seemed to be scrambling for sweatshirts and jackets that had been sitting idle for months.
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Nicole Elias is ready to help youngsters make seasonal wreaths.
The seasonal change also was right on cue for Mt. Lebanon Montessori School, which hosted its first-ever Fall Harvest Festival on Sept. 23 to help ring in the start of the academic year, as well.
“We wanted to try something new, and it’s an opportunity for our families to come together and meet each other,” school director Megan Steen said amid a parking lot full of folks gathered for an afternoon of fun.
Youngsters had the opportunity to play games, have their faces painted and henna tattoos applied, eat ice cream and pizza, and greet some friendly critters brought to Mt. Lebanon by Barnyard Petting Zoo of Somerset Township, Washington County.
For something crafty, the talented Nicole Elias guided a “make a fall wreath” activity using seasonal plants, and pumpkins donated by Jim Jenkins Lawn & Garden Center in Scott Township abounded to remind everyone of the approach of Halloween.
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Gabriel Petrie does look sharp with his face painted for the fall festival occasion, as his father, Matt, would agree.
Stirring quite a bit of excitement, members of the Mt. Lebanon Fire Department visited with a fully equipped vehicle, allowing kids to climb aboard and learn more about how they’re kept safe and sound.
Children from age 2 to sixth grade are enrolled at the school, and during the festival, older students in the elementary program set up a booth to raise money for an educational trip to Gettysburg, scheduled for May.
“They have to earn money to cover the cost of their trip, and they have to plan it,” Steen explained. “They’ve been making phone calls to bus companies and arranging for the tours, and they came up with a budget. So now they have to earn the money.”
They should have plenty of time, but remember: It’s only six months until the vernal equinox.
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Isabella Molina has a new friend.