AIMS

Association of Illinois Montessori Schools

                  AIMS was established in 1998, as an independent organization of Montessori schools statewide, represented by the head/administrator of each member school.

The Purpose of AIMS

The purpose of the Association of Illinois Montessori Schools (AIMS) is to provide a professional organizational structure for Member Montessori Schools to:

• Establish and promote standards of excellence and ethical business practices.

• Monitor and disseminate pertinent educational legislation information.

• Conduct a consolidated public relations program.

• Act as a catalyst for harmonious interaction between members and other educational organizations.

• Foster appropriate prepared environments for all students

2009-2010 A.I.M.S. OFFICERS

President:     Lisa Kambich,     Deerfield / Riverwoods / Glenview Montessori Schools

First Vice President:     Rick Murgas,     Old School Montessori

Second Vice President:     Jan Novotny,     Joliet Montessori School

Recording Secretary:     Shawna Watkins,     Peaceful Pathways Montessori

Corresponding Secretary:     Judith Tyson,    Tiny Tots Villa Montessori

Treasurer:     Carolyn Martorano,     Alexander Graham Bell Montessori School

Committees/Contacts

Representative to ICNS:     Tony Kambich,     Deerfield Montessori Schools

Legislation/Universal Pre-K:     Anna Perry,     Seton Montessori School

New School start-up:     Carolyn Kambich,     Deerfield Montessori Schools,

and

Molood Naghibzadeh,     Montessori School of North Hoffman

Video Lending Library Chairwoman:     Pam Zirko,     Crystal Lake Montessori School

AIMS members listserv sign up:     Anna Perry,     Seton Montessori Institute

AIMS President Lisa Kambich presents a certificate of
recognition to Jacqueline Bergen, past President of AIMS and
former executive director of Near North Montessori School
 for her contribution to Montessori education in Illinois.

WHY JOIN AIMS?

Networking, and guest speakers addressing AIMS members.

WHY JOIN AIMS?

AIMS is an exciting way for your Montessori school to network with other schools. Benefits include:

• A school listing in our school membership directory which is available to the public, other schools and teachers.

• Opportunities to liaison with other professional groups.

• Participation in AIMS display ads.

• Establishing a network with other heads of schools to call on for support and advice.

• Opportunities to visit area Montessori Schools.

• Linking your school's website to the AIMS website.

• Workshops/Discussions of issues relevant to your school-personnel, benefits, enrollment, board, legal, administration and legislation.

• A school AIMS Membership Certificate to display.

• Access to the AIMS video collection.

• Access to AIMS members listserv.

RECENT INITIATIVES

Making a Difference in Our World

• AIMS and its member schools are represented on the Illinois Coalition of Non-Public Schools (ICNS) which provides advocate visibility to the Illinois State Legislature and Governors Office.
   
• AIMS organized a three day Statewide Montessori conference for teachers, parents and administrators.
   

• Over a three year period AIMS helped create Montessori awareness by providing Montessori books and videos to the libraries of one hundred one Illinois public and private  colleges and universities.
   

• AIMS provided monetary support and volunteer help for the American Montessori Society’s national convention held in Chicago.
   

• AIMS collaborated with the organization Bookfriends International, NFP, to collect and ship books to public and private schools in need in Uganda, Africa.
   

• AIMS provided monetary support to Victoria Montessori School  in Entebbe, Uganda, which offers schooling and housing for orphans from war torn Northern Uganda, Africa.
   

• AIMS and member schools contributed Montessori materials for the two new Montessori classrooms at Chicago’s Kennedy King College.
   

• AIMS provided monetary support to purchase Montessori materials for a new school starting in Bangladesh.
   

• Funds were allocated by AIMS for the advocacy of "universal pre-K".
   

• Following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, AIMS provided emergency monetary support to Haitian Montessori schools and the Peter Hesse Foundation.
   

Victoria Montessori School students

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION & FEES

Member fees are based on the total enrollment of your school(s).

Please include this fee with your application.

Please add $10.00 for each additional site certificates requested.

Applications are sent to schools by the beginning of each school year.

For membership questions or application form, contact the Second Vice-President of AIMS.
 

AIMS Meetings/Lunch for 2009/2010

Time: 12:30p.m. - 3:00p.m.

R.S.V.P. to host school for lunch

October 27, 2009

Riverwoods Montessori School
3140 Riverwoods Road
Riverwoods, Illinois  60015
847-945-7582

Topic: Communicating and connecting with families in our schools

November 19, 2009

Near North Montessori School
1434 West Division Street
Chicago, Illinois 60642
773-384-1434

Topic: Helping children (and their families and your teachers)
with needs beyond the norm.

February 18, 2010

Seton Montessori School
5728 Virginia Avenue
Clarendon Hills, Illinois  60514
630-655-1066

Topic: A road map for legislative action - Montessori Public
and Private schools working together for the benefit of children.

April 20, 2010

Ronald Knox Montessori School
2031 Elmwood Avenue
Wilmette, Illinois 60091
847-256-2922

Topic: Montessori experiences for children in both
the private and public sectors.

MEMBERSHIP RESOURCES

AIMS MEMBERS LISTSERV

To sign up to network with colleagues, contact Anna Perry at (630) 654-0151 or email: anna@montessorieca.org

VIDEO LIBRARY

AIMS members may check out resources from the AIMS MEMBERS LENDING LIBRARY by contacting the chairwoman: Pamela Zirko, Crystal Lake Montessori School. phone (815) 338-0013, clms13@clms.org

LINKS

American Montessori Society

Association Montessori Internationale

Illinois Coalition of Non-Public Schools