Welcome to Hammer Montessori!
Both schools on our campus are named after great men who worked for justice for all people:
- Hammer Montessori is named after Henry Hammer (1922 – 1963) also an advocate for labor, housing, and equal education for all.
- Galarza Elementary is named after Ernesto Galarza (1905-1984) a labor organizer, historian, professor, and community activist.
On March 8, our school communities cam together to celebrate our third annual Henry Hammer Day. The goal of the day’s program is to help our students learn more about Henry’s life and legacy through classroom readings and a school assembly.
Members of the Hammer family joined parents for classroom readings, and then we gathered in the cafeteria for a sing-a-long of one of Henry’s favorite songs - “We Shall Not Be Moved.”
Thank you to Kyra Kazantzis and family for sharing this amazing video!
This year’s classroom readings were of the book Side by Side/Lado A Lado, which tells the story of Cesar Chavez & Dolores Huerta working for farmworkers’ rights. The lesson plan paralleled the concept of Side by Side with Henry Hammer and Ernesto Galarza, and wove in connections to Henry’s life and legacy.
This was a special opportunity to share Henry’s story with several classes at Galarza as well, since Henry Hammer and Ernesto Galarza held so many common commitments and passions. Students also traced their hand to help create an amazing mural on display in the lobby of the school.
Parent Survey
Please look for the SJUSD annual Parent Survey in your child’s Thursday Envelope. We welcome your response because your perspective is very important. Please complete a separate survey for each of your students, based on your experiences with a specific school, class and teacher.
Pennies for Patients Fundraiser
We are again participating in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s “Pennies for Patients” program. This event raises money to help cure blood cancers and improve the lives of patients and their families. A letter and coin box will go home with your child. Student Council thanks you for your support!
Spring Break - No School April 8 - 12th
Mark your calendar for our next vacation! School will be closed April 8 through April 12 for Spring Break. Classes resume on Monday, April15. We hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday!
Willow Glen Middle School 6th Grade Welcoming Events
Upcoming Events
View the Hammer Google Calendar!
February 2013
6 - School Clean Up Day (3:15 pm - Meet in fron of the school office)
7 - SCHOOL TOUR (9:30 - 10:30 am Please call 408-535-6671 to RSVP)
9 - HMF Winter Benefit (7-10:30 pm at Kaleid Gallery)
12 - Valentine’s Dance (sponsored by Hammer/Galarza PTA)
14 - HMF Board Meeting (3:30 - 5 pm at School Library)
14 - SJUSD Board of Education Meeting (6 - 7:30 pm at District Office)
18 - 22 - NO SCHOOL
28 - SJUSD Parent Brown Bag (12 - 1:30 p.m. at District Office)
28 - SCHOOL TOUR (9:30 - 10:30 am Please call 408-535-6671 to RSVP)
March 2013
7 - 15 - Scholastic Book Fair (Sponsored by the PTA)
20 - PTA Dining for Dollars - Willow Street Pizza
Click on the image above to visit the Hammer Montessori Foundation Facebook page. While their like the HMF to receive the latest updates on Hammer Montessori Foundation activities and enrichment programs.
Parent Education
Check out Hammer Montessori’s nine part series of Montessori Parent Education Newsletters. Authored and/or adapted by Lynn Belmonte, principal, Hammer Montessori, these newsletters are designed to offer incoming Kindergarten and First Grade parents insight into the Montessori Method and their child’s classroom.
Music Program
See more Hammer Montessori videos on our YouTube Channel!
Public Montessori Education Within San Jose Unified!
Call 408-535-6671 to schedule a school tour.
Hammer Montessori is a Public Montessori Magnet School within the San Jose Unified School District. At Hammer Montessori, instruction is conducted with each individual child in mind. As a child centered/directed approach to education, the Montessori classroom is developed under the philosophy that All children are able to learn, and perhaps more importantly, all children Want to learn.
To facilitate this desire, the Hammer Montessori classroom is a prepared and ordered environment. Each classroom contains age appropriate, child sized manipulative materials to reinforce each students developing skills. Montessori Materials cover all curricular areas and all grade levels.
Under the careful guidance of our trained staff, each classroom is organized into several fundamental curricular areas. These areas include: Language Arts (literature, creative writing, grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and hand-writing); mathematics; and cultural subjects, such as geography, history, science, art, music and movement.
Students work individually and in small groups. All students are encouraged and guided to becoming self directed, self-motivated learners. Children are given the opportunity to work together, thus allowing the opportunity to learn from each other and enhancing each student’s grasp of the curriculum.
The Hammer staff focuses on positive reinforcement of behavior. District and school policies are included in the Family Handbook. A copy is provided to each family at the start of the school year.