Kindergarten students of the Wyoming Valley Montessori School recently helped kick off the school’s 47th year. Started on September 22, 1970, by a few forward thinking educators led by directress Jackie Lekstrom, the school introduced the Montessori Method to Northeastern Pennsylvania. From a small primary classroom in the Memorial Presbyterian Church, West North Street, Wilkes-Barre, the school relocated to Kingston, now houses toddlers through sixth grade. It is fully accredited by the American Montessori Society and the Middle States Association. Pictured are this year’s kindergarten class: first row – Natalie Mantush, Hanover Township, Eric Phillips, Jenkins Township, Sam Gomelko, Kingston, Harper Acornley, Larksville, Artsiom Yachmianeu, Kingston, Lilly Travis, Wilkes-Barre, Louis Hoang, Dallas, Avery Nat, Shavertown, Nathaniel Belanger, Mountain Top, Aleena Choudhry, Mountain Top, Mark Naescu, Dallas, Jo Jo Tomasino, Shavertown; back row – Colette Corbin, Dallas, and Cara Murphy, Shavertown. Absent from the picture are Kenley Berryman and Apu Kantheti.
