{"id":4279,"date":"2017-01-27T22:20:11","date_gmt":"2017-01-27T22:20:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hxi.lbn.mybluehost.me\/home\/?page_id=4279"},"modified":"2025-10-06T06:45:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T10:45:10","slug":"welcome-from-head-of-school","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wsmsnyc.org\/home\/welcome-from-head-of-school\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcome from Head of School"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id='full_slider_1'  class='avia-fullwidth-slider main_color avia-shadow   avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_section  avia-builder-el-first   container_wrap fullsize'  >\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-pw8mbb-db9d731b8fa43bfaa20702505a172f99\">\n#top #wrap_all .avia-slideshow .av-slideshow-caption.av-pw8mbb-db9d731b8fa43bfaa20702505a172f99__0 .avia-caption-title{\nfont-size:60px;\n}\n\n@media only screen and (min-width: 990px){ \n#top #wrap_all .avia-slideshow .av-slideshow-caption.av-pw8mbb-db9d731b8fa43bfaa20702505a172f99__0 .avia-caption-title{\nfont-size:60px;\n}\n}\n\n@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 989px){ \n#top #wrap_all .avia-slideshow .av-slideshow-caption.av-pw8mbb-db9d731b8fa43bfaa20702505a172f99__0 .avia-caption-title{\nfont-size:40px;\n}\n}\n\n@media only screen and (min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px){ \n#top #wrap_all .avia-slideshow .av-slideshow-caption.av-pw8mbb-db9d731b8fa43bfaa20702505a172f99__0 .avia-caption-title{\nfont-size:28px;\n}\n}\n\n@media only screen and (max-width: 479px){ \n#top #wrap_all .avia-slideshow .av-slideshow-caption.av-pw8mbb-db9d731b8fa43bfaa20702505a172f99__0 .avia-caption-title{\nfont-size:24px;\n}\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-slideshow av-pw8mbb-db9d731b8fa43bfaa20702505a172f99 avia-slideshow-no scaling av_slideshow_full avia-slide-slider av-slideshow-ui av-control-default av-slideshow-manual av-loop-once av-loop-manual-endless av-default-height-applied  image_no_stretch avia-slideshow-1' data-slideshow-options=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:false,&quot;loop_autoplay&quot;:&quot;once&quot;,&quot;interval&quot;:5,&quot;loop_manual&quot;:&quot;manual-endless&quot;,&quot;autoplay_stopper&quot;:false,&quot;noNavigation&quot;:false,&quot;bg_slider&quot;:false,&quot;keep_padding&quot;:false,&quot;hoverpause&quot;:false,&quot;show_slide_delay&quot;:0}\"  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><ul class='avia-slideshow-inner ' style='padding-bottom: 20.625%;'><li  class='avia-slideshow-slide av-pw8mbb-db9d731b8fa43bfaa20702505a172f99__0  av-single-slide slide-1 slide-odd'><div data-rel='slideshow-1' class='avia-slide-wrap '   ><div class='av-slideshow-caption av-pw8mbb-db9d731b8fa43bfaa20702505a172f99__0 caption_fullwidth caption_center'><div class=\"container caption_container\"><div class=\"slideshow_caption\"><div class=\"slideshow_inner_caption\"><div class=\"slideshow_align_caption\"><h2 class='avia-caption-title '  itemprop=\"name\" >WELCOME<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><img decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"wp-image-4296 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-4296\"  src=\"https:\/\/wsmsnyc.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/about_header.jpg\" width=\"1600\" height=\"330\" title='about_header' alt=''  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wsmsnyc.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/about_header.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/wsmsnyc.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/about_header-300x62.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wsmsnyc.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/about_header-768x158.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wsmsnyc.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/about_header-1030x212.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/wsmsnyc.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/about_header-1500x309.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/wsmsnyc.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/about_header-705x145.jpg 705w, https:\/\/wsmsnyc.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/about_header-450x93.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><div class='av-section-color-overlay' style='opacity: 0.5; background-color: #000000; '><\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n<div id='adwidget'  class='avia-section av-lzwjbb-c9ab932bbeca54bfd6cfbf8a5c8c345d main_color avia-section-default avia-no-shadow  avia-builder-el-1  el_after_av_slideshow_full  avia-builder-el-last  avia-bg-style-fixed container_wrap fullsize'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-4279'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-fdr5c7-7be0497e476d81df6d9765809695e729\">\n.flex_column.av-fdr5c7-7be0497e476d81df6d9765809695e729{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:20px 20px 20px 20px;\nbackground-color:#eeeeee;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-fdr5c7-7be0497e476d81df6d9765809695e729 av_one_full  avia-builder-el-2  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  first flex_column_div  '     ><p><section  class='av_textblock_section av-dr20t3-020707cc2927264beb28f4446b616cdd '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-315 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/wsmsnyc.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/loren-denicola-portrait.png\" alt=\"Loren deNicola\" width=\"287\" \/>Thank you for visiting our website. I\u2019m so happy you\u2019re here.<br \/>\nAs I step into the role of Head of School for the 2025-2026 school year, it feels like a new beginning and a heartfelt homecoming. Returning to West Side Montessori School, where my passion for early education first took root, is profoundly meaningful. I am honored to join hands with families, teachers, and administrators in this warm, special, and historic community.<br \/>\nAt West Side Montessori School, we deeply understand the transformative power of early education. A child\u2019s earliest experiences shape how they connect with others, grow intellectually and emotionally, and view the world as learners and individuals. Every moment is a milestone in its own way, so we lead with heart, purpose, and over sixty years of Montessori expertise. Serving children from 3 months to 6 years old, WSMS is a place where children are respected, inspired, and seen. Our program blends the principles of Montessori education with thoughtful, modern approaches to early childhood development. We\u2019re committed to embracing each child, meeting them not only where they are, but for who they truly are.<br \/>\nFamilies are collaborative partners in their child\u2019s learning experience at WSMS. The Parents Association bolsters connections and celebrates the binding energy of school spirit. We share a vision with our administrators and Board of Trustees that ensures our mission endures, evolves, and uplifts with intention. WSMS educators bring exceptional experience, curiosity, and creativity to every classroom.<br \/>\nCentral to our mission is promoting a palpable sense of belonging, and we are proud to offer tuition assistance to support many of our families. Every child deserves to begin their educational journey in a place where they feel valued, encouraged, and empowered to discover themselves. It is the WSMS community that sets us apart.<br \/>\nI invite you to get to know us better. We are proud of what we have built together at WSMS and even more excited about the future.<br \/>\nIn partnership,<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3733\" src=\"https:\/\/wsmsnyc.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/loren-denicola-signature.png\" alt=\"Loren Signature\" width=\"170\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Loren DeNicola<br \/>\nHead of School<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<div  class='avia-video av-mgf08aj4-33e090a88ce1b3065e5ba31bb6894708 avia-video-16-9 av-no-preview-image avia-video-load-always av-lazyload-immediate av-lazyload-video-embed'  itemprop=\"video\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/VideoObject\"  data-original_url='https:\/\/vimeo.com\/1119776651\/fc9197bf36'><script type='text\/html' class='av-video-tmpl'><div class='avia-iframe-wrap'><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Head of School Welcome\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1119776651?h=fc9197bf36&amp;dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963&autoplay=0&loop=0&controls=1&muted=0\" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/script><div class='av-click-to-play-overlay'><div class=\"avia_playpause_icon\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<div  class='avia-button-wrap av-k573vddn-d4c550ebfe662216e925d88763d48190-wrap avia-button-right  avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_video  avia-builder-el-last '><a href='https:\/\/wsmsnyc.org\/home\/at-a-glance\/'  class='avia-button av-k573vddn-d4c550ebfe662216e925d88763d48190 av-link-btn avia-icon_select-yes-right-icon avia-size-small avia-position-right avia-color-theme-color'  ><span class='avia_iconbox_title' >WSMS at a Glance<\/span><span class='avia_button_icon avia_button_icon_right' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue88d' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This is a Page excerpt. 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