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Sussex Montessori SchoolAttachment 15 - Evidence of SupportBOARD OFDIRECTORSDave MillerPresidentMichele Marinucci1st Vice PresidentErnie Lopez2nd Vice PresidentDecember 21, 2016Delaware Department of EducationThe Townsend Building401 Federal Street, Suite 2Dover, DE 19901-3639Dear Department of Education:Beth FreehTreasurerDarrell MeadeImmediate PastPresidentDavid CrimminsRobin AndrusRon BreedingChris CouchPastor Israel FigueroaVal HarrisBarbara HendricksDavid MarvelPatti CunninghamPeggy GeislerExecutive DirectorCheryl DoucetteMidline EstimableWorking together tomake Sussex Countyfamilies theHealthiest in theNationAddress:310 Virginia Ave.Seaford DE 19973Phone:302-262-9459I would like to express my support for Montessori Works Delaware which is filing anapplication to the Delaware Department of Education for Sussex Montessori School asa state-authorized charter school in Delaware.Sussex County is experiencing and will continue to experience high rates ofpopulation growth over the next decade. While the eastern portion of Sussex isgrowing due to retirees, many families are finding more affordable properties in thewestern areas of the state. Sussex County needs educational choices for parents asfamilies grow. These choices will also attract new community members to a growingregional economy.More importantly, the availability of a Montessori educational model is much neededin this area. Montessori is a personalized learning approach providing an environmentdesigned to support children’s developing brains, allowing them the freedom to workon areas of interest, and the structure to be innovative, creative, and to collaboratewith peers. This approach builds independent learners who are primed to becontributing members of the greater community whether it be their future school,community, or business. This approach is particularly effective with a diverse rangeof students, including English Language Learners, students with special needs, giftedlearners, and the economically disadvantaged.We are supportive of the work of Montessori Works Delaware in developing thisschool. It is our plan that once the school is authorized and start-up begins, we willparticipate in supporting this school with what it needs to succeed. We would greatlyappreciate your willingness to give Sussex Montessori a chance to provide theeducational opportunities this community deserves.Thank ussex .orgPeggy GeislerExecutive DirectorSussex County Health Coalition15 Attachment 15

Sussex Montessori SchoolAttachment 15 - Evidence of SupportNovember 15th, 2017Dear Department of Education:I would like to express my support for Montessori Works Incorporated which is filing anapplication to the Delaware Department of Education for Sussex Montessori School as a stateauthorized charter school in Delaware.Sussex County is experiencing and will continue to experience high rates of population growthover the next decade. While the eastern portion of Sussex is growing due to retirees, manyfamilies are finding more affordable properties in the western areas of the state. Sussex Countyneeds educational choices for parents as families grow. These choices will also attract newcommunity members to a growing regional economy.More importantly, the availability of a Montessori educational model is much needed in thisarea. Montessori is a personalized learning approach providing an environment designed tosupport children’s developing brains, allowing them the freedom to work on areas of interest,and the structure to be innovative, creative, and to collaborate with peers. This approach buildsindependent learners who are primed to be contributing members of the greater communitywhether it be their future school, community, or business. This approach is particularlyeffective with a diverse range of students, including English Language Learners, students withspecial needs, gifted learners, and the economically disadvantaged.I am supportive of the work of Montessori Works Incorporated in developing a school in SussexCounty. It is my intention that once the school is authorized and start-up begins, we willparticipate in supporting this school with what it needs to succeed. I am hopeful for yourdepartment’s willingness to give Sussex Montessori a chance to provide the educationalopportunities Sussex County deserves.Thank you.Sincerely,Tom ThunstromOwner, Sand Dollar Nonprofit Solutions16 Attachment 15

Sussex Montessori SchoolAttachment 15 - Evidence of SupportDecember 28, 2016Delaware Department of EducationThe Townsend Building401 Federal Street, Suite 2Dover, DE 19901-3639Dear Delaware Department of Education:I am pleased to write this letter of support for Montessori Works Delaware for its applicationfor Sussex Montessori School as a state-authorized charter school in Delaware.Sussex County is experiencing and will continue to experience high rates of populationgrowth over the next decade. While the eastern portion of Sussex is growing due to retirees,many families are finding more affordable properties in the western areas of the state.Sussex County needs educational choices for parents as families grow. These choices willalso attract new community members to a growing regional economy. More importantly, theavailability of a Montessori educational model is much needed in this area.Montessori is a personalized learning approach providing an environment designed tosupport children’s developing brains, allowing them the freedom to work on areas ofinterest, and the structure to be innovative, creative, and to collaborate with peers. Thisapproach builds independent learners who are primed to be contributing members of thegreater community whether it be their future school, community, or business. This approachis particularly effective with a diverse range of students, including English LanguageLearners, students with special needs, gifted learners, and the economically disadvantaged.I am supportive of the work of Montessori Works Delaware in developing this school. Inaddition, it is my plan that once the school is authorized and start-up begins, I willparticipate in supporting this school with what it needs to succeed. I would greatlyappreciate your willingness to give Sussex Montessori a chance to provide the educationalopportunities this community deserves.Thank you.Sincerely,Claudia Peña Porretti, J.D., CFREExecutive Vice President17 Attachment 15

Sussex Montessori SchoolAttachment 15 - Evidence of SupportDecember 23, 2016Dear Department of Education:I would like to express my support for Montessori Works Incorporated which is filing an application to theDelaware Department of Education for a Sussex Montessori School as a state-authorized charter school inDelaware.Sussex County is experiencing and will continue to experience high rates of population growth over the nextdecade. While the eastern portion of Sussex is growing due to retirees, many families are finding moreaffordable properties in the western areas of the state.Having experienced the value of a Montessori education for my children, and watching the extreme success ofpublic access to Montessori in New Castle County, I am a strong supporter of the expansion of this methodwherever possible. Montessori is a personalized learning approach providing an environment designed tosupport children’s developing brains, allowing them the freedom to work on areas of interest, and the structureto be innovative, creative, and to collaborate with peers. This approach builds socially adaptive, aware, andindependent learners who are primed to be contributing members of the greater community whether it be theirfuture school, community, or business. The approach is particularly effective with a diverse range of students,including English Language Learners, students with special needs, gifted learners, and the economicallydisadvantaged.I am supportive of the work of Montessori Works Incorporated and would appreciate your willingness to giveSussex Montessori a chance to provide access and choice to a wholly different model of educationalopportunity.Sincerely,Laurisa SchuttExecutive DirectorTeach For America- Delaware18 Attachment 15

Sussex Montessori SchooldachAttachment 15 - Evidence of SupportLINGOREALTORDecember 21, 2016Delaware Department of EducationThe Townsend Building401 Federal Street, Suite 2Dover, DE 19901-3639Dear Department of Education.I would like to express my support for Montessori Works Delaware which is filing an application to theDelaware Department of Education for Sussex Montessori School as a state-authorized charter school inDelaware.Sussex County is experiencing and will continue to experience high rates of population growth over thenext decade. While the eastern portion of Sussex is growing due to retirees, many families are findingmore affordable properties in the western areas of the state. Sussex County needs educational choicesfor parents as families grow. These choices will also attract new community members to a growingregional economy.More importantly, the availability of a Montessori educational model is much needed in this area.Montessori is a personalized learning approach providing an environment designed to support children'sdeveloping brains, allowing them the freedom to work on areas of interest, and the structure to beinnovative, creative, and to collaborate with peers. This approach builds independent learners who areprimed to be contributing members of the greater community whether it be their future school, community,or business. This approach is particularly effective with a diverse range of students, including EnglishLanguage Learners, students with special needs, gifted learners, and the economically disadvantaged.We are supportive of the work of Montessori Works Delaware in developing this school. It is our plan thatonce the school is authorized and start-up begins, we will participate in supporting this school with what itneeds to succeed. We would greatly appreciate your willingness to give Sussex Montessori a chance toprovide the educational opportunities this community deserves.Thank you.Jessica Crampton-BradleyRealtor, Jack Lingo Inc., REALTORRehoboth Beach246 Rehoboth AvenueRehoboth Beach, DE 19971ph 302-227-3883 / 800-345-3469fax 302-227-4686Lewes1240 Kings HighwayLewes, DE 19958ph 302-645-2207 / 800-331-4241fax 302-645-526119 Attachment 15 QJackLingo.comMillsboro28442 DuPont BoulevardMillsboro, DE 19966ph 302-934-3970 / 888-934-3970fax 302-934-3974

Sussex Montessori SchoolDear Secretary Godowsky and Department of Education Leaders,Attachment 15 - Evidence of SupportDecember 27, 2016I am writing to express my support for Montessori Works Delaware, which is filing an application to theDelaware Department of Education for Sussex Montessori School as a state-authorized charter school inDelaware.As a homeowner in the Counties of New Castle and Sussex, I have witnessed tremendous growth in thepopulation of Sussex County over the past years 10 years. Unfortunately, as the population has significantlygrown, the number of high quality educational options for families has not. As an educator and a mother, Ihave spent much time with colleagues and other parents discussing the limited educational choices for SussexCounty families, as compared to the choices available to New Castle County families. Clearly, Sussex Countyneeds additional educational options in order to meet the needs of children and their families and to attractnew community members to a growing regional economy.Montessori Works Delaware has the ability to support the implementation of Montessori programming toaddress unmet educational needs in Sussex County. Decades of research has proven the Montessori approachto be highly effective with a diverse range of students, including English Language Learners, students withspecial needs, gifted learners, and the economically disadvantaged.I support the work of Montessori Works Delaware in developing high quality Montessori programming inSussex County, and I ask that the Delaware Department of Education to authorize the charter for the SussexMontessori School.Sincerely,Dawn E. AlexanderPreschool Expansion CoordinatorColonial School District20 Attachment 15

Sussex Montessori SchoolAttachment 15 - Evidence of SupportKelly Dakin101 Troy AveWilmington, DE 19804484-883-4227December 28, 2016Dear Department of Education:I would like to express my support for Montessori Works Delaware which is filing an applicationto the Delaware Department of Education for Sussex Montessori School as a state-authorizedcharter school in Delaware.Sussex County is experiencing and will continue to experience high rates of population growthover the next decade. While the eastern portion of Sussex is growing due to retirees, manyfamilies are finding more affordable properties in the western areas of the state. Sussex Countyneeds educational choices for parents as families grow. These choices will also attract newcommunity members to a growing regional economy.More importantly, the availability of a Montessori educational model is much needed in this area.Montessori is a personalized learning approach providing an environment designed to supportchildren’s developing brains, allowing them the freedom to work on areas of interest, and thestructure to be innovative, creative, and to collaborate with peers. This approach buildsindependent learners who are primed to be contributing members of the greater communitywhether it be their future school, community, or business. This approach is particularly effectivewith a diverse range of students, including English Language Learners, students with specialneeds, gifted learners, and the economically disadvantaged.We are supportive of the work of Montessori Works Delaware in developing this school. We arenot located in the immediate area but know and understand the importance of Montessorieducation. We anticipate moving in the next few years and will search out Montessori educationfor our children. We would greatly appreciate your willingness to give Sussex Montessori achance to provide the educational opportunities this community deserves.Thank you.Sincerely,Kelly Dakin21 Attachment 15

Sussex Montessori School22 Attachment 15Attachment 15 - Evidence of Support

Sussex Montessori SchoolJack L. Ay4100 Arkansas Ave NWWashington, DC20011Attachment 15 - Evidence of te- linicsandworkshopsinthemid- m- lityanditwouldbeanassettothearea.Sincerely,Jack L, ntConsultant23 Attachment 15

Sussex Montessori SchoolAttachment 15 - Evidence of rSussexMontessoriSchoolsasastate- ,responsibility,andproblem- highqualityeducationtheydeserve.Respectfully,James KrebsbachJamesKrebsbach24 Attachment 15

Sussex Montessori SchoolAttachment 15 - Evidence of SupportJoseph and Melinda Kempista106 Cobblers LnLincoln University, PA 19352December 26, 2016Dear Department of Education:I would like to express my support for Montessori Works Delaware which is filing an applicationto the Delaware Department of Education for Sussex Montessori School as a state-authorizedcharter school in Delaware.As a family who has seen the benefits of a Montessori setting, we full-heartily support the endeavor to offer this experience to as many families as possible. Our children have grown andthrived throughout their school years and we believe it is in part due to the independent andopen-minded learning environment of a Montessori setting.When a child is placed in a Montessori classroom, a personalized learning approach providesan environment designed to support their developing brains; allowing them the freedom to workon areas of interest, and the structure to be innovative, creative, and to collaborate with peers.Our children began their schooling in this setting and we have seen them excel as they havecontinued to use these learning approaches even now in a traditional high school classroom.We are supportive of the work of Montessori Works Delaware in developing this school. Wewould greatly appreciate your willingness to give Sussex Montessori a chance to provide theeducational opportunities this community deserves.Thank you.Sincerely,Joseph and Melinda Kempista25 Attachment 15

Sussex Montessori SchoolAttachment 15 - Evidence of SupportPARENT EDUCATION CONSULTING SERVICES5702 Highland CourtWilmington, DE 19802302.762.0563December 21, 2016Dear Department of Education,Upon hearing that Montessori Works Delaware was filing an application to the Department ofEducation for a Sussex Montessori School as a state-authorized charter school in Delaware I becamevery excited.I have been involved with Montessori schools for over 40 years, training teachers in classroommanagement and teaching parenting skills to caregivers. I have also had grandchildren who havebenefit

disadvantaged. Montessori Works has engaged in conversations with the Sussex County community, businesses, education leaders, and families and has garnered support for Sussex Montessori School. To-date, the Longwood Foundation has invested 150,000. The Foundation is committed to this project