Category Archives: Elementary Education

02.28.25
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Together We Can: TNCS’s Black History Month Celebration 2025!

At The New Century School, “creating an inclusive environment is at the heart of everything we do.” So said Head of School Ann Marie Simonetti to open last night’s Black History Month Celebration. It will be lost on exactly no one just how poignant those few simple words were at this . . . beleaguered moment in U.S. history.

Commitment to Inclusion in Challenging Times

Last night, however, was all about the hope, joy, and community that TNCS represents. And what a way to close out Black History Month! As she continued her opening remarks, Ms. Simonetti set the tone for the evening by reaffirming TNCS’s unwavering dedication to fostering an inclusive environment:

Our core values and portrait of a graduate reflect our dedication to honoring the diverse identities, experiences, and backgrounds of our students, families, and staff. As a school community, we strive to prepare students to thrive in the increasingly diverse world. Understanding history, embracing different perspectives, and standing for equity and inclusion are not just ideals, but necessities. In times when efforts to diminish equity and the truth of history are making headlines, it’s more important than ever that we remain committed to recognizing and preserving the contributions of individuals from all backgrounds and ensuring that every story is valued, and every voice is heard. Dr. Maria Montessori called on us to provide conditions that will allow our children to give us a true picture of the society of the future. Tonight’s celebration is one way that we do just that.

She then asked the audience to stand, as TNCS students raised their voices in song, and TNCS’s auditorium rang for the next hour with powerful voices, moving poetry, call-and-response, and joyous songs commemorating Black History Month.

Celebration Through Expression

Parents and staff watched with pride as TNCS students demonstrated not just their artistic talents, but their growing understanding of equity, justice, and the importance of amplifying diverse voices. We cannot overstate how much team effort went into making this event a resounding success, from the student-made art festooning the walls, to TNCS Music Director Martellies Warren’s rousing—and beautiful—choral selections, to all of the behind-the-scenes-but-no-less-appreciated support from teachers and other staff.

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The Show Must Go On. . . 

When TNCS K–8 students took to the stage (in high style), the enthusiastic response from audience members confirmed that our community treasures these opportunities to come together in celebration of our shared humanity and diverse heritage.

Lift Every Voice and Sing

First up, the “Black National Anthem”!

Something Inside So Strong

Wade in the Water

Some Very Special Extras 

But that wasn’t all. TNCS students read excerpts from Amanda Gorman’s “The Hill We Climb” and spoke on themes central to Black History Month, like the importance of the Divine Nine.

The grandmother of a TNCS preschooler even came up to read Amanda Gorman’s Change Sings, backed by slides showing the beautiful illustrations by Loren Long.

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And TNCS favorite LaTriese Sussman led the audience in a Call and Response adapted from Rebecca Parker’s poem “Choose to Bless the World.” Ms. Simonetti confessed that she knew this moving celebration was going to bring her to tears at some point, and this beautiful, whole-community participation piece did the trick.

Reflections . . . and Looking Forward

In a time when difficult conversations about race and history are sometimes avoided, TNCS embraces them as essential to developing compassionate, informed citizens who will shape a better world. This Black History Month celebration wasn’t just about looking back—it was about moving forward together with greater understanding and purpose.

This commitment feels particularly significant today. While some governmental policies appear to be rolling back progress on diversity initiatives and historical accuracy in education, TNCS stands firm in its belief that understanding our complete history and embracing multiple perspectives are essential for preparing students to navigate our diverse world. The light of understanding that shone so brightly during our celebration continues to guide us forward—illuminating not just where we’ve been, but the more inclusive, equitable world we’re working to create.

Together, we can.

11.08.24
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Teaching the Art of Possibility: Adriana Boucher Joins TNCS As K–8 Art Instructor!

Art education has always been an integral part of The New Century School‘s approach to educating “the whole child.” For the 2024–2025 school year, TNCS welcomes Adriana Boucher, whose path to becoming an art teacher began in Jamaica, where she was born and raised. In 2015, at age 20, she made the pivotal decision to move to New York. Though her initial plan was simply to complete her college education while helping her mother out with her new baby brother and return home, life had other plans for her.

Her academic journey started at Kingsborough Community College, where she began working as a camp counselor and aftercare counselor. Coming from a family of teachers, education was in her blood, although she initially resisted following that path. Instead, she chose to pursue art, believing that mastering various mediums would make her a more versatile instructor. “I want to be able to teach my students everything, not just what the school says, such as you have to stick with drawing, or you have to stick with painting,” she explains. This led her to Brooklyn College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in art, graduating during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

After graduation, Ms. Boucher began teaching at Success Academy in New York, where she started developing her unique teaching philosophy. She discovered that creating museum-style displays of student work not only showcased their achievements but also built their confidence. “When you’re working on something, like in life, when you’re so close to something and so focused on having something done, you don’t realize how much progress you’ve made until it’s finished and you’ve stepped back from it,” she reflects.

Now teaching at TNCS, Ms. Boucher works with students from kindergarten through 8th grade. Her classes meet twice weekly, where she implements a structured yet nurturing approach to art education. She begins with fundamental concepts—her first quarter focuses on the basics of line and shading before progressing to more complex projects like portraiture.

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She conducts “art walks” during which students present and discuss their work, fostering an environment of constructive criticism and peer feedback. She’s particularly mindful of students who start her class feeling intimidated: “I know art can be intimidating… there are kids who on the first day told me ‘I don’t like art, I don’t want to be in here,’ and I said, ‘Well, since we have to be in here, like I was with physics—I hated it but I had to do it—we’re going to do our best.'” She made the conscious decision to use the same art materials as her students, believing this demonstrates fairness and shows that success comes from skill and effort, not superior supplies.

Despite a challenging 1-hour commute each way from Westminster, Ms. Boucher finds fulfillment in her role. “Someone sent me an article about loving what you do—it doesn’t matter how far you have to go or how much you get paid to do it, you will do it, and you will love it,” she shares. Family members have questioned her commitment to the commute, but Adriana’s response was simple: “I do it because I love it.”

She continues her professional development through required certifications and maintains her passion for art education. Her teaching methodology emphasizes process over product, helping students build confidence while learning time management skills. “I try to encourage them to not focus on how the final product will look while they’re doing it, just focus on the parts of it that they are working on,” she says. She maintains a clear grading system that focuses on effort and participation, believing that every student can succeed in art with the right encouragement and instruction: “It does not need to be perfect. I just need to know if you follow the instructions, I see you put effort in it, and your work is nice and clean and presentable.”

What started as a temporary move to New York has transformed into a meaningful career in art education. As she reflects on her journey, Ms. Boucher notes with amazement, “I cannot believe that from being a camp counselor in 2015, I am still in the schools… and I have no thought of leaving, of not teaching, of not being here. I love seeing kids just be surprised at what they can do.” Through her journey from Jamaica to New York and finally to Maryland, Ms. Boucher has developed a teaching style that combines rigorous instruction with compassionate understanding. Her story demonstrates how following one’s passion—even when it takes unexpected turns—can lead to a fulfilling professional life that positively impacts future generations.

11.01.24
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TNCS’S Annual Character Dress-Up Parade!

One of The New Century School‘s longest standing traditions, the Annual Character Dress-Up Parade around the Fell’s Point neighborhood never fails to delight. But this year, TNCS Head of School Ann Marie Simonetti put her own special spin on it. On Thursday, October 31st, TNCS older students took TNCS younger students literally by the hand and led them lovingly along the parade route. Ms. Simonetti said, “Pairing middle schoolers with preschoolers in this year’s ‘Parade of Characters’ provided a safe, supportive experience for our youngest students and a valuable leadership opportunity for our older ones—building connection and community across all ages.”

As in years past, faculty and staff joined in the fun, showing their own creative sides! If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, anyone?

Without further ado, all hail, ye Maleficents, Harry Potters, Very Hungry Caterpillars, and Thomas the Trains! Go forth and conquer, ye firefighters, princesses, witches, fairies, and superheroes! Bag your treats, ye Jack Skellingtons, Beetlejuices, Minions, Monarch Butterflies, and Mutant Ninja Turtles!

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We can just imagine, as TNCS students headed home after school, possibly to more trick-or-treating, minds brimming with the excitement of the day, how they recounted their favorite moments to parents and siblings, maybe even as they recited lines from the books and movies they adore. During Halloween at TNCS, every costume tells a story and every child is a hero in their own tale.

09.13.24
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Ann Marie Simonetti is TNCS’s Head of School!

Heading into its 15th year, The New Century School made some “strategic” changes. A big one is Ann Marie Simonetti’s new role as Head of School and Director of Strategic Initiatives. Ms. Simonetti is not new to TNCS, however, having served as TNCS Admissions Director since 2021.

With her extensive background in nonprofit education, she brings a strategic approach to her role, emphasizing the importance of planning in various aspects of school management, including enrollment, marketing, family engagement, and financial sustainability.

It’s All About the Strategy!

As part of her Director of Strategic Initiatives, er, strategy, Ms. Simonetti is focused on aligning TNCS’s initiatives with its Core Values and Portrait of a Graduate.

She aims to create a shared understanding of the school’s objectives among leadership, faculty, staff, and the newly formed steering team. This approach ensures that everyone is working toward common goals, both short-term and long-term. “I think everyone must be tired of hearing me say the ‘S’ word—strategic,” she joked. “But, in all seriousness, the purpose of strategic initiatives is to serve our families’ needs as they evolve and ebb and flow.”

Organizational Approach

The school has recently adopted a more collaborative leadership model, moving away from a traditional hierarchical structure to a flatter, more circular organizational approach. This shift aligns with the agile philosophy, which emphasizes transparency, flexibility, and shared responsibility. To implement this approach, Ms. Simonetti uses a Kanban board—a visual management tool that helps track tasks, their progress, and who’s responsible for each item.

The newly formed steering team is another initiative aimed at increasing stakeholder engagement. This team, composed of families, faculty, and staff (with potential for student ambassadors in the future), provides a platform for sharing ideas, discussing successes, and addressing areas for improvement. It serves as a continuous feedback loop between the school community and leadership. Ms. Simonetti describes it as “giving families and faculty and staff, depending on what we might be working on or toward in a given season, a venue to bring ideas to the group, share successes, and what areas might need improvement.”

The 3 Cs” Communication, Community, and Connection

Communication is a crucial aspect of Ms. Simonetti’s strategy. The school has implemented a structured communication system, including daily reports for preschoolers, weekly newsletters for different grade levels, and a monthly “Third Thursday” update. Ms. Simonetti also writes a Head of School newsletter, which she sees as an opportunity to connect with families and share important information and reflections. “I see it as another way to connect with the community and do that in a really purposeful way,” she explained.

Ms. Simonetti emphasizes the importance of community and connection in her leadership approach. This was exemplified in a recent staff development activity in which the team walked the school’s labyrinth as a mindfulness exercise and sang together, setting an intention for the upcoming school year: “The way we come together as a group reflects the way that we’ll be able to bring students together in our school community.”

Customer Centricity

More Cs! Ms. Simonetti has also introduced a customer-centric model to TNCS, drawing inspiration from the Ritz-Carlton’s renowned customer service approach. During a staff development week, she used Ritz-Carlton training materials to help the team understand how to create positive experiences for students, families, and the broader community.

This approach ties into the Montessori philosophy, which emphasizes sensory experiences and mindful interactions.

Through these various initiatives, Ms. Simonetti aims to foster a connected, engaged, and purposeful school community at TNCS, where everyone understands their role in contributing to the school’s mission and success. “I start with the mission statement every time,” she said, “even if it’s for a group of people familiar with it because it’s the why. It’s why we are here in the first place.”

Ann Marie Simonetti—here’s to a great year with you helping steer the ship!

05.03.24
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TNCS Spring Festival 2024 Gets Wild!

Nothing matters more at The New Century School than its community of students, teachers, staff, and families. That’s why TNCS Director of Student Support Alexis Watson has done it again: pulled off another wildly successful Spring Festival that brought everyone together for a day of fun! Her inaugural event last year was what everyone thought would be an unparalleled success, that is, until she surpassed even that triumph this year!

On Tuesday, April 30th, TNCS primary students followed by elementary and middle school students once again took to the parking lot for games, activities, fun food, and even some wildlife! They even had perfect weather, with temps feeling more like summer than spring, which added even more to the general holiday feeling.

Many vendors and stalls returned, back by popular demand, such as the bouncy house, a Kona Ice truck, a photo booth, a hot dog and snacks table, and Mary’s Go-Round Petting Zoo, plus all the games and activities students could want. But wait! we said surpassed right? New this year were a dunk tank (thanks, dads, for volunteering to get soaked!) for the big kids and pony rides for the little ones! And, once again, Sistahs’ Sweets food truck put the icing on the cupcake.

Primary Festival

Watch with caution: excessive smiling may cause facial pain in susceptible individuals.

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Elementary and Middle School

As one parent wrote in by email, “Ms. Watson: Once again you’ve created unforgettable memories for our kids.  It was a fantastic event and thank you for everything you do for them.”

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And with that, another crazy good year at TNCS is nearing completion. Llamaste, TNCS community! (Okay, okay, it’s an alpaca.)