Bilingual Montessori School Director Rebekah Seitz, left, and Assistant Director Anna Kaiser. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

The foyer of the Bilingual Montessori School in Los Alamos, which is celebration its first year in operation. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com

The immediate impression the Bilingual Montessori School at 3500 Trinity Drive in Los Alamos gives is one of bright, welcoming spaces for both staff and students. The University of California, one of the Triad parent companies provided $2 million for the remodeling and furnishings of the buildings in the complex, which can now serve some 150 children. Financial support for the operations of BMS has been pledged by the Triad Board of Directors. priority is given to Lab employees, applications are open to everyone.

The Los Alamos Reporter sat down with Director Rebekah Seitz and Assistant Director Anna Kaiser to discuss how the school is doing after a year in operation. Seitz has been working for BMS for several years and spent two years as an educational assistant for kindergarten at Aspen Elementary School.

“Tuesday is the one-year anniversary of the school being open,” Seitz said. Our infant building opened a year and the remainder of the complex buildings have opened in phases. About three months ago we opened the last of our four buildings.”

Seitz said without a doubt staffing has been the hardest part of getting the school up and running.

“We have lots more kids and families coming here but we need to find more staff. The staff we have are very good because we are very picky. We have about 20 employees but when it’s all said and done, we need at least 10 more for the number of kids we’re going to have here. We need good staff that has experience and loves kids,” she said,

Staff are allowed to bring their children to BMS with them. There are currently 16 infants with five adults in the room. with spaces for al least 10 more. The older class is more structured with Montessori lessons.

“If you walk in, they’re all doing some kind of activity. They like the structure and the routine. If they haven’t had it prior to coming here, sometimes it takes them a while to figure it out, but then they know what to expect and what’s going to happen, and they enjoy it,” Seitz said. “Being able to do things alone is a big Montessori thing.”

Currently there between 60 and 70 kids enrolled. That number will rise because the school is holding a Summer Camp for 4-7 year-olds, so kids who are already in public school, whose parents don’t want to send them out to a big summer camp, can be in a group of 20. About half of the spots have already been filled. (See separate posting)

Kaiser said her Assistant Director position was challenging to begin with because she is not a teacher. She went to school for Management, however she has fit right in because she can do a little bit of everything.

“I like that it’s a small business so I’m involved in advertising, marketing, digital design – all the creative stuff along with dealing with conflict among teachers and making change,” Kaiser said.

Seitz praised Kaiser for her organizational skills as well as the protocols she has developed and put in place.

For more information on BMS, call (505) 551-8051. Email bmslam.kids.@gmail.com Check https://www.bilingualmontessorischool.com/

The campus has multiple spots that are welcoming to parents and kids, and make it a pleasant location for staff. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

It’s not hard to spot the buildings at Bilingual Montessori School on Trinity Drive in Los Alamos. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Another view of the Bilingual Montessori School on Trinity Drive in Los Alamos. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

One of multiple play areas at Bilingual Montessori School. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

View of the parking lot at Bilingual Montessori School in Los Alamos. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Another playground on campus. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

The Los Alamos Reporter could not help being amused at the configuration of this bathroom at Bilingual Montessori School. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com