APPLE, Montessori orientations planned

Parents who are preparing to enroll their child in either Spokane Public Schools’ Montessori or APPLE (Alternative Parent Participation Learning Experience) programs must attend an orientation meeting for the program they are interested in.

Montessori programs, for children in grades one through six, view the life of a child as a developmental continuum, according to a news release from Spokane Public Schools. The procedures, materials and curriculum focus on a child’s life experience.

APPLE, also open to first- through sixth-graders, is for families who want to be more involved in their child’s education. It allows for a consistent presence of parents in the classroom, and “provides children with opportunities to build confidence and positive relationships with adults.” The Spokane Public Schools news release states that multi-age groupings warrant more individuality and encourage learning among children of different ages.

A Montessori meeting will be held at Jefferson Elementary, 3612 S. Grand Blvd., on Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. APPLE meetings will be on Tuesday and March 10 at 7 p.m. at the Spokane Public Schools administrative office, in the first floor boardrooms, at 200 N. Bernard St.

For more information call 354-7365.

Coffee with board

The Spokane Public Schools Board of Directors will hold a “coffee and conversation” question-and-answer session in the Ferris High School Library, 3020 E. 37th Ave., on Wednesday, from 6 to 6:50 p.m., just before the scheduled board meeting at 7 p.m.