HOS Letter 2/13/2026

From Mr. David’s Desk

Think about the number of centuries that passed without a broad expectation of literacy. A kid that could read? Highly unusual. For millenia! It’s no wonder that the first time our child reads “cat,” or “dog,” or “cow,” we get that blissed out parent look on our faces. Our child can read!

As letter recognition increases and word recognition skills blossom, we slowly begin to realize that this is what neurotypical kids can do. They can figure out symbols (“A/a, B/b, etc.”) and associate sounds with them. Montessori teachers use a variety of materials to help this process along (sandpaper letters, the moveable alphabet, etc.) The kids amaze us! They begin to sound out words, building more than CVC words (consonant-vowel-consonant, like “c-a-t”) and develop oral and written vocabularies. The explosion of language acquisition in young children is truly astounding, both receptive (listening) and expressive (speaking).

As momentum builds, we might wonder how much sophistication they can handle. Can they read and recite Frost’s “Stopping by Woods?” Melville’s Moby Dick? (Spoiler alert: young kids can read poetry or Moby Dick. They just probably won’t understand them. That’s why as adults we can reread those old school texts and appreciate them!)

A few February break suggestions, then: Read books with your child over the break, My daughter still smiles when I refer to Mo Willems books like Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Or Knuffle Bunny or Nannette’s Baguette. (I also recommend Betty's Burgled Bakery by Travis Nichols.) Three books a day together is a good goal.

Also, kids’ brains are sponges, and they can memorize like crazy! So truth be told, I had my daughter memorize “Stopping By Woods” when she was maybe 4 years old. At 11 she can still recite it. 

When we return from break, let me know what you read! And have your child recite a poem to us. We’re eager to hear them.

David Liebmann

Head of School

HOS Letter 2/6/2026

From Mr. David’s Desk

At Torit, we are a diverse group united by love of and hope for children, educationally, personally, and otherwise. No matter the languages we speak, the professions we pursue, the beliefs we might hold, or the teams we root for (Go Pats!), we share a common focus. Educating our children comes in many forms and at many different moments.

So it is with the annual International Potluck Dinner. An event that showcases heritage, tradition, and fellowship, this year’s potluck was a huge success! More than 100 parents, children, and teachers enjoyed time together sampling dishes and telling stories. Thank you to everyone who shared their culinary heritage with the community. These countries were represented by dishes we shared: Argentina, China, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Poland, and the USA.

The potluck was perfectly timed to lead into the 2026 Winter Olympics. I remember watching the 1976 Olympics as a young school kid. It made a big impact as I learned about different sports and countries. I encourage you to watch some of the competition as a family. Pull out a world map so your child can show you where to find Norway, the USA, Germany, or Austria. (The cumulative winter medal leaders.) Can they point out the smallest countries to medal in a winter Olympics, Liechtenstein and New Zealand? I still love the “thrill of victory and the agony of defeat,” and I hope you’ll start a tradition with your family of enjoying this global event. (And a Torit Olympic trivia question: what past Torit mom competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio? See the bottom of this newsletter for the answer!

Go Patriots! Go USA!

David Liebmann

Head of School

HOS Letter 1/30/2026

From Mr. David’s Desk

The biggest Torit family event of the year is less than a week away! Torit’s International Potluck Dinner is next Thursday, February 5 from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. The event’s success depends on your participation, so sign up here to bring a dish if you haven’t already. There will be food from all corners of the world, a chance to socialize with other families, and room for the kids to play. We hope to see you there!

A reminder that if we have a Snow Day, you will receive an email and see Torit listed on Boston 25, WBZ, and WCVB. If school is in session, there will be no email or notification. Our norm is having school open.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Stay warm!

Kind regards,

David Liebmann

Head of School

HOS Letter 1/23/2026

From Mr. David’s Desk

Two topics this week: re-enrollment and winter weather.

Re-enrollment for current families closes January 29. Here is the contract link for Summer 2026 and the 2026-2027 School Year.  Please be sure to select 2026 from the drop down menu. User names and passwords are the same as for the Torit database where you complete all of your forms.

Re-enrollment is guaranteed for SCHOOL DAY ONLY for contracts received through January 29. Summer 2026 and Extended Day spots for 2026-2027 are first-come, first-enrolled due to limited capacity compared to school day spots. If you need a summer or fall extended day spot, complete your enrollment today. Questions can be directed to admissions@toritschool.org

On to weather…. In New England, winter weather is part of life. In that spirit, Torit endeavors to remain open whenever possible. If school is open, I will not send an email or otherwise share that message. Being open is Torit’s norm. We understand your need for child care, especially for two working parent families.

If a major storm is forecast, I do not close school based on other schools’ decisions (though I do text to consult the other downtown independent school heads). Storms notoriously defy predictions, at least to a certain point. As I monitor forecasts, I take numerous factors into consideration when deciding whether or not to have school, including the ability of sufficient faculty to safely get to school to supervise the children. 

In the event that a decision is made to close school, I will typically notify families no later than 8:00 PM the night before. I will send an email and list Torit on WCVB, Boston 25, and WBZ. (Who doesn’t love the anticipation of seeing their school’s name on TV?!?)

Ultimately, we want everyone to be safe. If you feel more comfortable keeping your child home, we simply ask you inform your child’s teachers.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Stay warm!

Kind regards,

David Liebmann

Head of School

HOS Letter 1/16/2026

From Mr. David’s Desk

Barney Sellers, Memphis Commercial Appeal, Via World Picture Network

On April 3, 1968, Martin Luther King was in Memphis, Tennessee along with Ralph David Abernathy, Andrew Young, and a tieless, bespectacled James Orange, among others. This photo captures the moment when authorities tried to stop a planned march. Tragically, Dr. King was assassinated the next day.

Growing up in Atlanta, I was aware of this history, because these were real people to me. Abernathy’s son was a high school classmate. Young was the mayor of the city, later to be UN Ambassador. Orange’s daughter, Jamida, became my dear friend after we met in college. 

Jamida went by “OJ,” and OJ and I quickly bonded over being displaced Southerners in the hinterlands of Vermont. At breaks, we would fly home to Atlanta. OJ would go to the south side of the city, the predominantly Black part of town. I would go to Buckhead to the north. All white. But over the years, OJ became a guide to my own hometown. She hosted me at Sunday services at Antioch Baptist Church. She took me to the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, where she introduced me to “Aunt Coretta.” OJ invited me to sit in on a meeting facilitated by her father at a random apartment complex. The meeting, it turned out, was with warring factions of the Crips and Bloods, LA street gangs that had flown into Atlanta to talk. I started to get an education that gave me glimpses into different worlds. Most powerfully, I learned what it felt like to stand out in an otherwise homogeneous group. That’s given me perspective, empathy, and appreciation for difference. It makes me see how far we’ve come, and how far we still need to go.

As we pause to consider King’s legacy on Monday, I’m pleased that at Torit, we endeavor to inspire children to treat others with grace and  courtesy. Respect, kindness, and goodwill are part of the school’s core values as well. 

My hope is that this school, with its diverse students, families, and staff, can be a “beloved community,” a place where everyone is cared for and valued. The concept is not an historical artifact or a phrase from another time period, but an aspiration. I hope that as a school, we can embrace community across differences and find what unites us. We inhabit different worlds and, at the same time, a shared world. I continue to find hope in the world we build at Torit.

An addendum: following her father’s death in 2008, my friend OJ died unexpectedly in 2022. Ambassador Andrew Young eulogized her, as did Grammy Award winner “Killer Mike” Santiago Render, and Bernice King, MLK’s daughter. If you’ve driven into Atlanta on I-85 from the airport, you’ve passed the Jamida Orange Memorial Interchange. OJ was the executive director of the MLK March Committee in Atlanta, King’s hometown and resting place. The annual march continues to “celebrate the legacy of Dr. King, foster a sense of community, and promote the values of unity, equality, and justice.” 

(A version of this article appeared in The Torit Times, January 13, 2024)

Kind regards,

David Liebmann

Head of School

HOS Letter 1/9/2026

From Mr. David’s Desk

Getting back into the groove of school after the December break takes a minute, but as an educator, I’m always excited for the long stretch of time from January through April, a largely unbroken period of learning and growth. The next four months represent the time when students can develop the most. They know the routines of their classrooms, understand the expectations of their teachers, and can put in the kind of energy and effort that will allow them to reach the next stage of their maturity. Infants and Ones will speak words, then sentences; toddlers will confidently walk into the classroom and pick up books; preprimary students will begin to seek and embrace autonomy; and elementary students will extensively read, write, and calculate as they become masters of words and numbers. Give me winter in a school anytime!

To that end, Midyear Progress Reports will be sent on or about February 13, 2026 rather than in January. This will give teachers a few extra weeks to observe student growth. Likewise, our World Language Curriculum Presentation has been reschedule for March 3. 

Kind regards,

David Liebmann

Head of School

From Mr. David’s desk 4/4/25

Torit Elementary students were doubly treated this week. On Monday, author and Torit parent Roshani Chokshi spoke to students about the writing process. Roshani Chokshi is the author of the New York Times best-selling books in the Pandava series, Aru Shah and the End of Time, and its sequel, Aru Shah and the Song of Death. She also wrote the New York Times best-selling YA books The Star-Touched Queen and The Gilded Wolves.

Ms. Judy said, “She was magical!” The students were immediately drawn into Roshani’s storytelling and descriptions of Hindu and Filipino heroes and monsters who inhabited her childhood and continue to fill her novels. Students asked more questions than I have heard them pose with any guest, and I was so pleased they met an author whom they may see every day in Torit’s hallways.

Roshani’s daughter Aarya is in Young Toddler. About Torit, Roshani says, “We are recent transplants to the Boston area and this was our daughter's first experience with school. We could not have been more impressed or thrilled with Torit. Torit's academic environment is in a class of its own kind. With a focus on self-driven inquiry and abundant exposure to language, we've had the immense pleasure of watching our daughter bloom into a confident, curious person. We've been so impressed with the activities our daughter participates in each day and the inclusive environment of the school. The school administration is warm, attentive and goes above and beyond to ensure thoughtful communication with parents.”

You can read more about Roshani here: https://roshanichokshi.com

Today, Torit’s Upper Elementary students, led by Ms. Masiah and Mandarin teacher Ms. Sunny, were welcomed to the Museum of Fine Arts by Christina Yu Yu, another Torit parent. Dr. Yu Yu is the MFA’s Chief of Curatorial Affairs and Conservation and the Matsutaro Shoriki Chair, Art of Asia. Christina’s daughter, Calista, is in Preprimary and also joined the group.

Students took a private tour of he Asian Arts exhibit, Greek statues, mummies, Greek coins, and portrait paintings. Christina shared her knowledge and insights about different works throughout the exhibits while also providing excellent storytelling! Students were able to identity Chinese characters in the artwork, find humor in some of the mini sculptors, and were also in awe at the scale of some of the art pieces. The group was able to enjoy lunch outside the museum on a beautiful Boston Spring day after our tour. Thank you for having us Christina!

From Mr. David's desk 3/21/25

Small schools like Torit rely on a partnership with parents. Your very strong participation in the Family Satisfaction Survey demonstrated that. I invite you to join me on a Zoom next Wednesday, March 26 at noon to discuss the many intriguing findings of the survey. Parent Alex Brown will help us understand the feedback, and I’ll talk about possible next steps. We will record the session for those who can’t attend via Zoom. This will be the first of several meetings to gather your input moving forward. Please join us!

As you know, today was a Professional Day, and teachers spent the morning visiting schools in the area to get a sense of our peers and ways we might improve the Torit experience. Thanks to our hosts at Advent, Beacon Hill Nursery School, Boston Children’s School, Guidepost Montessori, and Wellan Montessori. Teachers returned to Torit to share their impressions and findings before working in teams on the curriculum for the afternoon. We appreciate your understanding and support for these important days for faculty and staff.

This is the time of year when we learn about Next School acceptances for our students. Torit students once again knocked it out of the park, with acceptances to the following Next Schools:

Belmont Day School

Boston College High School

British International School of Boston

Buckingham, Browne & Nichols School

French International School of Boston

Newman School

Park School

Pike School

Shady Hill School

Thayer Academy

Woodward School

From Mr. David's desk 2/28/25

Elementary students shared their interest in and knowledge of the world around us at the annual science fair. From “acids and bases” and “simple machines” to “the effects of salt on the freezing point of water” and “volcanos,” Torit students learned a great deal about their topics. I especially was proud of them for practicing their presentation skills. This Torit tradition is a step toward embracing science as a way to understand the world and highlights the value of STEM topics from programming and robotics to basic chemistry and physics.

For me, understanding the world also means valuing and seeking to understand the opinions of others. I think of myself as a good listener, so I ask to hear your voice. Be on the lookout for a Family Satisfaction Survey coming to you via email. This is an opportunity to share your thoughts and observations about how Torit is doing. I encourage everyone to complete and submit it as I look for ways to improve the Torit experience for the children.

Several parents have encouraged me to find ways to engage them–and you–in helping further the mission of the school. Our leadership team is small; there are just three of us. For Torit to move forward, we need your energy and enthusiasm, too. In years past, Torit benefitted from the time and talents of parents, and I hope that will continue and grow. The survey is an initial step in making that happen.

The next Monthly Parent Coffee is Tuesday, March 4 at drop off. Swing by for a cup of coffee and some informal conversation with me. I hope to see you there!

Finally, March 14 is the Spring Social benefitting the scholarship fund of the Torit Foundation. I hope you will join me and the Torit Foundation Board (Chair Alex Senchek, Jem Varghese Andrewes, Mark Dantos, Shelli Pavone, and Event Co-Chairs Nardeen Billan and Heena Patel) to have a fun, much-anticipated spring with a silent auction and flowers galore. Childcare is included in the price of a ticket ($95 per person), including a parent juggler, pizza, and a movie. A QR code appears below to purchase tickets and/or make a tax-deductible donation.

From Mr. David's desk 2/14/25

Happy Valentine’s Day! Along with flowers and chocolates, I think of birds today. Birds?

We still have five weeks before the vernal equinox, the first day of spring, but everyone is feeling the need for warmer days and sunshine. Soon, Torit students will be back out on the playgrounds, walking to the Boston Common, and strolling along the Esplanade, and soon the first migratory birds will appear.

Indeed, birds and the celebration of love owe a debt to Geoffrey Chaucer, 14th-century writer of Middle English classics. Besides the Canterbury Tales, Chaucer penned a work called the Parlement of Foules, one of the first instances where love was connected to St. Valentine. In the poem, Nature, personified in a dream, convenes a gathering of the birds to encourage them to choose their mates. The birds debate, and a song is offered to the coming of spring.

Torit singers will have new opportunities to share their joyful noise when we are joined by our new music teacher, Shivaraj Natraj. A graduate of the Berklee School of Music with expertise in Indian drumming and piano, among other instruments, Shivaraj will be a great addition to our music program as we strengthen and diversify student opportunities in music. We’re excited to see how he’ll prepare the Elementary students for the spring arts performance.

Enjoy Valentine’s Day!

David Liebmann

Head of School

From Mr. David's desk 2/7/25

Thank you to each and every family who chose Torit for the coming school year! We had a robust response, and I am pleased to share that we are broadly full for children ages 15 months to 5 years with waiting lists for most ages and classrooms. Likewise, we are confident that we will fill the few available infant and young toddler spaces, as they are always in demand. We have just a handful of spaces available in Lower Elementary (ages 6-7) and Upper Elementary (ages 7-9) and will be working over the coming weeks to complete the school’s complement.

I’m very excited that the interest in Torit is so strong. I met Wednesday with the heads of the downtown independent schools, and they were amazed that Torit students take Arabic, Mandarin, and Spanish from infancy forward. Most of the other 7 schools don’t even offer a language, and the 2 that do offer just Spanish.

Chef Lisa’s tasty lunches are another distinction. Most of our peer schools don’t offer food service; parents have to pack a lunch and snack every day. And few other schools offer drop off as early as 7:30 AM, essential for many Torit families, especially physicians and surgeons nearby.

A referral discount of $1,000 is available to current families who refer new students who enroll for September 2025. Advance thanks for helping to bring new children to the Torit community!

From Mr. David's Desk 1/31/25

Thanks to those who joined me for the second annual State of the School. You can watch a recording of the talk here or read the text of the talk here.

Our new STEM partner, Einstein’s Workshop, is awesome! Dr. Aaron and Ms. Allanna have wowed our students with their skills and gotten them reenergized about trying robotics, programming, and 3D printing. Check this out from today’s class:

Glynette Scott, who marched as a child when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. rallied supporters in Boston, joined classes this week to remind us that it is individuals, real people, who make history. Mrs. Scott read from her book, The Day I Marched with Martin, answered children’s questions, and led classes in singing “We Shall Overcome.”

Our own Sunny Lin, Mandarin teacher and former electrical engineer, led students in the work of decorating for and celebrating the Lunar New Year. Ms. Sunny is a language teacher, but she also enjoys sharing her background as an engineer with Elementary students on Tuesdays with her afterschool activity. Ms. Sunny also practices various styles of Chinese art, an activity she leads for older students on Fridays.

A new part-time Extended Day staff member, Neissa Charles, has joined us. Neissa is EEC certified and an experienced early childhood educator. She holds a bachelor's degree in health studies from Massasoit Community College and ran her own home-based childcare. Please welcome her!

From Mr. David's Desk 1/24/2025

It was a busy week throughout the school, but especially so in Elementary, grades 1-6 for students ages 6-12. Did you know that our 26 Elementary students take skating lessons at the Frog Pond on Boston Common every week? On Thursday, they braved the cold in true New England fashion. Part of the Torit difference means taking advantage of the resources of the city. We offer best-in-class enrichment opportunities, like our partnership with the Boston Skating Academy. Torit students get out on the ice with certified instructors each Thursday, where they learn to take on new challenges, develop new skills, and support one another no matter if they’re new to the ice or have been on skates for years.

In addition to physical education, Elementary students began Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) classes this week with Einstein’s Workshop. Our instructor Aaron Ashih holds a PhD in mathematics from Duke and an undergraduate degree from MIT. Aaron visited last week, getting our LEGO Robotics kits in order and remarked, “I live for teaching STEM and robotics.” We’re excited for students to learn with such a dedicated educator. Scratch coding and 3D Design for Elementary students also will be offered during and after school for Elementary learners.

Einstein’s Workshop offers a premier partner for us. They are deeply experienced STEM educators. With them, our students will investigate motorized LEGO models and learn about gears, belts, and motors as well as basaic robotics coding. After building models, students will solve challenges that exercise their creativity and problem-solving skills in addition to improving their understanding of how machines work. Students learning 3D Design will use Torit’s pair of 3D printers, now on the third floor. With proximity to a new art area, STEM will become STEAM. We’re excited to see what students create!

This morning, Elementary students also took part in an Indian Drumming class with Berklee artist Shivaraj Natraj. They learned basic drumming skills and practiced rhythm skills together. We expect to reopen a piano studio in the next week or so. All this will allow Torit elementary students a chance to build music into their studies as they begin to prepare their history play.

Overall, it was an exciting week for all Torit students. From athletics to STEM to music, Torit provides exceptional experiences and rich academic challenges to children. If you would like more information about the Elementary program, please contact us. And spread the word to friends and neighbors.

From Mr. David's Desk 1/17/25

As we pause on Monday to remember the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and inaugurate a president, the currents of American history are swirling. In times like these, school should offer an eddy for students and adults, a calm place. The work we do together transcends any one moment or event.

At Torit that work includes inspiring children to treat others with grace and courtesy. Respect, kindness, and goodwill are part of our school’s core values as well. Vital to raising good people, it’s slow, steady work. Young children have to learn to treat each other as they would like to be treated. The Golden Rule, simple as it sounds, is important to follow.

This school, with its diverse students and staff, can be a “beloved community,” a place where everyone is cared for and valued. The concept is not a historical artifact or a phrase from another time, but an aspiration. As a school, we can embrace community across differences and find what unites us. We inhabit different worlds and, at the same time, a shared world. Let’s continue to find hope in the world we build together at Torit.

I keep the photo below next to my desk as a reminder that despite difficult, sometimes even tragic moments, we all can do the work of loving kindness. May the coming days remind us that we build the world from words and actions, ones we must choose with care.

2:48 p.m. Wednesday April 3, 1968 - Outside the Lorraine Motel, U.S. Marshal Cato Ellis served Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a temporary restraining order from a federal judge, barring them from leading another march in Memphis without court approval. Also present were top King aides Rev. Ralph Abernathy, Andrew Young, James Orange and Bernard Lee. (Barney Sellers/The Commercial Appeal)

David Liebmann

Head of School

From Mr. David's Desk 1/10/2025

Re-enrollment has opened for 2025-2026 school year, and the deadline is no later than January 31, 2025 at 4:00 PM. Details for all currently enrolled students have been emailed to you. We hope you will rejoin the Torit community in the coming year.

A personal reflection on the life of President Jimmy Carter. I was in 2nd grade when Carter, then governor of my home state, announced his run for the presidency. We were thrilled, mostly because he was a fellow Georgian and a neighbor. The Governor’s Mansion was just a mile from my school, up West Paces Ferry Road in Atlanta. Okay, the green and white campaign buttons and stickers were a big draw, too. Somewhere, I think I still have the button.

I was young then, but I remember previously the Watergate hearings, Nixon’s demise, and Ford’s brief time in the Oval Office. Carter seemed so appealing, with his big smile and Southern charm. Kids remember stuff! I remember the energy crisis and the hostage crisis. Every night on the news, the anchor would begin the broadcast with, “It’s Day X in Tehran for the Americans held there.” Yellow ribbons were wrapped around trees.

Carter was our hometown guy. I didn’t understand the pros and cons of his policies, but I remember his earnestness, sincerity, and directness. When his term came to an end, we felt disappointment. Later, as the Carter Center came into being and the president undertook efforts to monitor elections and address poverty and health issues, I recognized the depth of his character and commitment and the lived experience of his faith. Though different from mine, I knew he always was motivated by moral values.

I’ll forever remember President Carter’s work and life. He was at his core a great good man.

David Liebmann

Head of School

From Mr. Davids Desk 12/6/24

On Monday this week, faculty met for a professional day. We have just a few times when we can gather without responsibilities for children, so these days allow us to focused together on curriculum, planning, and community building. Teachers worked on materials and lessons for the winter, and we also spent time in dialogue with partners around the school mission, why we teach, and how we can best spread the word about Torit.

Personally, I finished my semester helping to teach Harvard’s course, Independent Schools: Leadership, Opportunities, Challenges. The 30 graduate students represented rising educators from around the world. One, who is the parent of a three year old, unexpectedly arrived in class with her child. I didn’t know what would happen, but the child settled down immediately and silently worked on her own for an hour. When the child was about to leave, someone remarked on her self discipline. “She’s a Montessori kid,” the mom replied. I should have known!

Thanks to the parents who have donated to the Teacher Holiday Gift Fund and to Melanie Brennan, mom of Torin in PP2, who is chairing the effort. QR codes are posted outside classroom doors and have also been emailed by committee members so you can make a contribution if you so choose. Teachers are appreciative of your generosity!

Likewise, thanks to those who have donated to the Torit Foundation, which has raised $7,400 so far this academic year. You can make a tax-deductible donation here. The Torit Foundation Spring Social will be held Friday, March 14. Mark your calendars now.

I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event. See below.

David Liebmann

Head of School

From Mr. David's Desk 11/22/24

Elementary students and teachers visited the Plimoth Patuxet Museums this week. We learned from Wampanoag educators about their traditional winter quarters, how fire is used to hollow out logs to make canoes, and the use of skins and furs as blankets. This last topic generated some of the greatest interest as the students asked about the ways the furs on display were collected. They learned about the Wampanoag’s use of all parts of an animal. I’ll spare you the details here, but ask an elementary student about the production of paint. It’s an example of wasting nothing and honoring the resources around us.

While we were reminded that the Wampanoag have been here for centuries and continue to live modern lives in the region, we also toured the living history village that portrays the first Thanksgiving in 1621. The English settlers showed us their homes, shared their stories, and even enlisted Mr. Dan and Ms. Masiah as militia in a military drill to protect the village. If you’ve never experienced a living history museum, I recommend this one. The reenactors stay in character and know their history well. It’s a great way to immerse oneself in the American story, and a very Torit approach to teaching and learning.

As we start the Thanksgiving holiday on Tuesday afternoon, I wish everyone a restful and meaningful holiday. Let’s all give thanks for the children here at school and their teachers. Thank you for choosing Torit. We are grateful for your ongoing support and confidence in our school, this community we create together.

David Liebmann

Head of School

From Mr. Davids Desk 11/8/24

No matter who you supported in the presidential race, it feels breathless to cross the finish line, especially when you realize it's a starting line on a different, even longer course.

With that said, I want to share my thoughts and observations about our community and our path forward. When we drafted our new mission statement, the administrative team wrestled over the wording. Our mission notes that "Torit fosters curiosity, independence, and an appreciation for knowledge along with the humility and awareness to value the ideas, support, and friendship of others."

Though our students are mostly too young to fully understand those words, the words are important in our work as adults. As teachers, we want to get your students excited about learning with intrinsic motivation, with an inner drive to grow their knowledge. Our faculty is great at "following the child" and knowing who their students are and what they need.

I want also to focus on the last part of the mission concerning humility and the ideas of others. It's important at Torit to keep our minds open and to recognize that our perspectives on the world are enriched by both similarities and differences. That's why we work to enhance the community in each classroom, and also why we study Arabic, Mandarin, and Spanish, or make art or music together, or play together. We may have different beliefs or ideas, but we work together with the growth of children as our North Star.

At our core, Torit values connection and understanding. The social and emotional work of our teaching is incredibly important. The sense of belonging teachers create in their rooms makes the children feel safe and supported here. Torit is a happy place for each child because the teachers make it so.

I hope we do a great job of making Torit a place where everyone is treated fairly and everyone is included. Equity and inclusion are hallmarks of high-quality schools. From recognizing holidays to taking individual needs into account, we can work together to build a moral community where honesty, kindness, friendliness, and grace and courtesy prevail.

As we move forward together, I hope we can lean on each other to make our lives and the school we sustain as meaningful as they can be.

Onward,

David Liebmann

Head of School

From Mr. David's Desk 10/25/24

On Thursday, I walked to the New England Aquarium with the students of Lower Elementary. Instead of going inside, we boarded the water taxi to the Navy Yard. As the ferry pulled away from the dock and backed into the sunlit harbor, the students and I watched as the buildings of Downtown, the North End, Beacon Hill, and the Seaport came into view. That’s how Boston should be seen. After all, it was first view four centuries ago of what would become our city on a hill.

It’s easy to overlook all the American history around us, but  the USS Constitution was moored before us as we disembarked after our morning passage across Boston Harbor. The oldest commissioned ship in the US Navy, the students would go aboard to learn about “Old Ironsides” and the document that the ship is named after. I’m a fan of “a more perfect Union,” “Justice,” “domestic Tranquility,” and “the Blessings of Liberty,” not to mention “the general Welfare.” As students learn about the constitution, both the ship and the document, it was good to be reminded of the fresh eyes they bring to their studies, and our hopes as embodied in the next generation.

The next few weeks for adults will be an exercise in practicing our civic duty. At Torit, we want teachers to model “curiosity, independence, and an appreciation for knowledge along with the humility and awareness to value the ideas, support, and friendship of others.” That’s our mission. As we work toward that mission, we’ll keep ourselves focused on embodying civility and peace, timeless values for Montessori students everywhere.

Onward,

David Liebmann

Head of School

From Mr. Davids Desk 10/18/24

You may wonder, “Why did students have a half day last Friday?” As grandfriends departed Torit with their families, the faculty shifted gears and spent the afternoon in meetings that reinforced our commitment to the strongest possible programs for infants through 6th graders. Teachers reviewed and discussed parent communication, planned upcoming curricula, and described to colleagues what makes their classrooms distinct and how the scope and sequence of the Montessori method supports child growth and development. We also hosted our licensor for the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, who renewed our license and complimented to school on its processes and systems. She also spoke highly of Chef Lisa’s work in the dining room!

Thank you to a preprimary parent who recommended a recent article in The Atlantic entitled “Lighthouse Parents Have More Confident Kids.” You can read it here.

The author admonishes us to avoid being “helicopter” or “snowplow” parents and instead be steady, reliable beacons for our children as they learn to chart their own course. He acknowledges risk and course corrections are part of the process, noting that we learn through success and failure.

At Torit, teachers are excellent beacons. They illuminate both safe passages and hazards, and they encourage the children to commit to a course. Whether that’s navigating friendships or struggling with an new concept, Torit teachers know how to stand firm while encouraging awareness so that children can become captains of their own ships.

Onward,

David Liebmann

Head of School