James Russell Lowell School 51

Yesterday we paused as a school community to honor and say goodbye to faculty and staff members who will not be returning to James Russell Lowell 51, A Montessori School next year. 💚

In education, closure matters deeply. Children form strong attachments and meaningful relationships with the adults who guide them each day. In a Montessori environment especially, our classrooms are communities built on trust, consistency, grace, courtesy, and connection. These are not simply teachers and staff members to our students. They are safe places. Encouragers. Listeners. Guides. Cheerleaders.

It is imperative that schools create opportunities for children — and adults — to say goodbye well.

Today, we gathered together for a litany of gratitude and sending forth. Together we proclaimed:

“Read to… Grow!”

And that is exactly what these educators helped our children do. They planted seeds of curiosity, independence, confidence, and joy. They comforted children on hard days, celebrated milestones big and small, and helped prepare our students not just academically, but for life.

While change can bring sadness, Montessori reminds us that growth and transition are natural parts of the human experience. We honor the season that was, while blessing the journey ahead.

To our departing faculty and staff: Long term sub - Sanders, EC Instructional Assistant - Mrs. Turcios-Sanchez, Interventionist-Mrs. Anderson, Dean of Climate and Culture- Mr. Gibson, and Assistant Principal - Ms. Bollinger you for sharing your gifts with our children and with our carefully prepared environment. Your impact remains in these hallways, in these classrooms, and in the hearts of the students and families you loved so well.

Go forth with pride and with our gratitude. Once a part of School 51, always a part of School 51.
Indianapolis Public Schools

What a phenomenal Field Day at James Russell Lowell 51, A Montessori School!☀️💦

From bucket tag to octopus touch, four square to hula hoops, and everything in between, our students spent the day laughing, moving, cheering one another on, and simply being children together outdoors. The weather has been absolutely perfect, and although rain may come tonight, it held off all day long for us to enjoy every moment.

All 300 of our students were smiling with joy, building memories with classmates, and experiencing the beauty of community, movement, and play in the sunshine. Days like today remind us that childhood matters and that connection, laughter, and belonging are just as important as academics.

Thank you to our incredible staff and Community Partners, Big Ten Conference and Deeply Ingrained for making today so special for our students. 💙💛

Indianapolis Public Schools

Today our youngest learners released butterflies into the world after carefully observing, nurturing, and wondering alongside them. 🦋 In Montessori, moments like these remind us that growth takes patience, preparation, and trust in the process.

As the butterflies took flight, so did the hopes, curiosity, and confidence of our children. Watching them let go so gently was a beautiful reminder: when children are loved, prepared, and encouraged, they are ready to spread their wings.
Indianapolis Public Schools

Our youngest learners in Early Childhood have been quietly doing important work with their hands and hearts. 🌱💚

This week, our PK/K students carefully planted spider plants as Mother’s Day gifts for the special people who help them grow. In true Montessori fashion, the children practiced patience, independence, concentration, and care for living things as they prepared each plant.

There is something beautiful about watching little hands gently press soil around roots while talking about love, family, and gratitude. These moments remind us that meaningful work does not have to be big to be powerful.

We hope each family feels the love planted into every pot. Happy Mother’s Day from our smallest gardeners at James Russell Lowell Montessori School 51.

Indianapolis Public Schools

Teacher Appreciation Week at James Russell Lowell Montessori School 51 is all about caring for the whole person — mind, body, and spirit.

Today our staff enjoyed a little “self-care inside and out” bar filled with healthy snacks and hand care treats as a small reminder that the people who spend their days pouring love, patience, and wisdom into children also deserve care and kindness in return.

Our Montessori educators, assistants, office staff, custodians, cafeteria team, interventionists, related arts teachers, and support staff create a carefully prepared environment where children are known, valued, and encouraged to reach their full potential each day. We are deeply grateful for every member of our school family.

Thank you for helping our students grow academically, socially, and emotionally — and for doing exceptional work in the world.
Indianapolis Public Schools

Spring is truly here when the iris begin to bloom. Today we welcomed our first two blossoms outside our school. In Montessori, the natural world is one of our greatest teachers—inviting children to observe closely, wonder deeply, and care for the beauty around them. We are thankful for these small signs of a new season and new growth.
Indianapolis Public Schools
Big Ten Conference

Happy Earth Day from James Russell Lowell 51, A Montessori School! Today, Ms. Spradley’s Lower Elementary class honored our planet the Montessori way—through purposeful work, caring hands, and service to our community. Students picked up trash around our school, trimmed the suckers from the bottoms of trees, and soaked in the beautiful April sunshine.

Montessori teaches us that children are not just learning about the world—they are learning to care for it. Today was a joyful reminder that small hands can do mighty work.
Indianapolis Public Schools

Today we celebrate one of our quiet forces of strength at James Russell Lowell 51, A Montessori School, Assistant Principal Bollinger.

If you’ve ever been with us on Peace Day, you’ve likely felt the rhythm of her drums—steady, grounding, and joyful—just like her leadership. She shows up for our children, families and staff with consistency, care, and excellence every single day.

A proud veteran, she has served our country and now continues her service in a different, but equally powerful way—through her commitment to our school community.

She lives out the words of Jane Goodall: “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

At Lowell Montessori 51, Ms. Bollinger chooses to make a difference rooted in love, stability, and purpose. She impacts every hallway, every classroom, every child.

We are better because of her. We are stronger because of her.
And we are so grateful she is our assistant principal!
Indianapolis Public Schools

There is something powerful about children reading together!

Partner reading isn’t just practice—it’s confidence building, language growing, and joy sharing. When our students sit knee-to-knee, helping each other decode, reread, and make meaning, they are doing the real work of literacy.

At James Russell Lowell 51. A Montessori School, we believe reading is meant to be shared. Shared thinking. Shared laughter. Shared growth.

This is how readers are built—together. We love to Read To Grow!!

Indianapolis Public Schools