| Camas Montessori School, formerly known as Aquinas Montessori School, was created in 2004. Although the name has changed, the school has remained the same since 1988, it is still run and directed by Donna Hargrave. Aquinas Montessori School was started at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Camas at the request of then pastor, Fr. Ronald Belisle. There was one classroom of 12 children to begin with and it quickly grew. The beginning staff at that time was Donna Hargrave (director/teacher), Arlene Nething (assistant) and Kathy Kahler (aftercare). After Kathy left, Barbara Williamson took over the aftercare position and eventually became Ms. Hargrave's assistant when the school added a second classroom. The staff in the newly added classroom was Mindy Gimarelli (teacher) and Arlene Nething (assistant) and replacing Barbara Williamson in the aftercare position was Sharon Sharp. During this time Aquinas Montessori School was considered a parish program, therefore, we developed an optional religious program called the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. This optional program was headed by Carolyn Pleny. (Camas Montessori School has opted to continue to offer this program because it fits in so well with the Montessori philosophy and the Friend's Church Godly Play Program). As time went on our waiting list grew, in order to accommodate more people we added a third and then a fourth primary classroom. Susan Clark (teacher), Lorraine Steele (assistant), Sarah Armstrong (teacher) and Corinne Forney (assistant) were hired to run these classrooms. When the school added an elementary classroom, Kim Kuhle (teacher) and Mary Holden (assistant) joined the staff. Through the years the school has had the pleasure of working with many fine teachers, assistants and help staff: Janelle Stanton, Pamela Cripe, Kimmie Greer, Cece Bockenstadt, Monica Sorensen, Rita Carroll, Lindsy Clark, Kate Linde, Virginia Perry, Mary Robbins, and Mike Donnelly have all served us in some capacity over the years. In 2002, St. Thomas Catholic Church underwent major changes, including a new priest, and it was decided that they needed to make room for a more Catholic learning environment, offering Pacific Crest Academy a new home. Ms. Hargrave then became a business owner, renamed the school Camas Montessori School, opting to choose a name that represented the community that so generously supported it over the years, and moved the school to its current location ~ Camas Friends Church. In 2004 CMS found a new location at Camas Friends Church and during the remodeling year from 2004-2005, hosted classes at the not-yet-refurbished Liberty Middle School. 2005-2006 was the first school year in the remodeled location. CMS is grateful to the Camas Friends Church pastor, Caryl Menhkus, for so graciously offering a 10 year lease allowing the school to be in one place until at least 2014. Today Camas Montessori School consists of two primary classrooms with Nina Draper (teacher) & Jessica Huynh (assistant) in the butterfly classroom, and Donna Hargrave (teacher/administrator) & Barbara Williamson (assistant) in the bumblebee classroom. Our afternoon assistant is Kate Teehee. Teachers who have worked for us: Tami O'Kinsella Baker, Cindy Shay and Arlene Nething. Camas Montessori School Association has a Parent Advisory Board (PAB) that consists of at least six current and past parents. Members serve for at least two years to advise, fundraise and help the Administrator carry out her duties. |
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Camas Montessori School
