Welcome to Rising Star Montessori

Welcome from Ann Rose Gavey, Co-Founder & Owner

Dear Rising Star Families,

On behalf of the teachers and office staff we want to welcome you to the 2020-2021 school year.  We are excited and happy to be returning and seeing your wonderful children.  I am Ann Rose Gavey, the founder and owner of Rising Star Montessori School which has been in Alameda since 1982. I have been in the background for the past several years, supporting our staff. At this time, I will step in as the Interim Educational Director. In addition to being the founder and owner I have been a Montessori Consultant and Staff Trainer for the past 25 years. I hold a Master’s Degree in Education from Notre Dame de Namur University and Montessori certifications in Infant Toddler, Early Childhood, and Elementary levels.  I have consulted at schools in southern California, Alabama, and Taiwan as well as schools in the Bay Area. I have observed a variety of schools that have adapted and grown to meet the current needs of families and I will bring my experience and insights back to our team.

As we face the challenges of the new school year, we are focused on the health and safety of our children, staff, and families.  We have spent the summer preparing, researching, and planning the policies and protocols for the fall.  Our team has worked closely with the Alameda County Public Health Department and the Community Care Licensing Division to establish our procedures for a safe re-opening.  We completed a successful three week “Summer Camp” with three groups of children at High Street.  Parents were pleased with the steps we took for safety and now we will expand the routine to accommodate five classes at High Street and two classes at the Cottage Campus.

Each member of the office team has a unique role.  Ms. Sharon is the Admissions Director and Licensing Liaison.  She works closely with our analyst for updates and new requirements.  She maintains close contact with parents regularly to ensure you are kept informed. Ms. Sima is our Financial and Human Resource Director. She oversees the financial and personnel aspects of the school. Ms. Cassie is the Administrative Assistant; she supports the directors and teachers in facilitating the smooth running of the school. Together they have implemented many details needed to get us ready for the fall.

My purpose this year will be to support and guide the teachers so they can elevate your children’s academic, social, and emotional growth. Our aim is to return to the “normalcy” of our school however this must wait and until we can, our goal is to ensure the health and safety of everyone and to make sure the children thrive in this challenging time.  I sincerely appreciate the support and confidence our parents have shown us, and we are grateful to our staff who express their dedication every day to your children.  Together we will continue to adapt and fulfill the mission of the school!

Best regards,

Ann Rose Gavey M. Ed

Founder, Owner, and Interim Educational Director