01. Lisa Hale: teacher at Sakai middle school. “We love and appreciate each and everyone at Hazel Creek. From the moment we arrive every day, we are wrapped in your loving, joyous, caring, calming, wise and guiding arms. We could not ask for a better second family to help raise and teach my children with me.”
02. Dinah Manoff Mortell: “When I first saw Hazel Creek Montessori, I thought I was dreaming. I mean they had to be kidding right? Horse riding? Swimming? Gardening? Art? Cooking? Spanish? For pre-school? I was ready to enroll not only my three year old twin boys, but myself as well. What I found there was a great deal more than great activities for my children. I found an experienced staff of caring teachers, (Jamy, Colin, and the amazing Sharon) whom not only nurtured my children, but gave me a great deal of support as well. Every day that I dropped them off, the schools owner and director, Janice Pedersen (often riding atop her tractor) welcomed us, smiling her warm, indefatigable smile. A smile that I thought couldn’t possibly sustain through a day with my children, not to mention all those others. But three years after enrolling them in Hazel Creek, Janice was still smiling, and my sons Desi and Oliver entered Kindergarten well prepared socially and with a strong educational foundation. And though it is not required in Kindergarten, they swim and horseback ride as well.”
03. Kerry Lavigne: Our son, age 4, recently began attending HCM and already loves it…as did his older sister. We were so pleased with the care there for my daughter, now age 6. She received loving, nurturing care when she was young and that continued through the years. She learned to swim, horseback ride and to appreciate the outdoors, hiking birds, etc. When I signed my daughter up for swim lessons at the public pool, I found out how much she had learned at HCM, she jumped ahead a class beyond others her age. We trust Sharon and Janice completely with the safety in the pool and with the horse lessons, they are both very experienced. In addition, there were culturally inclusive academic and musical activities ranging from learning and singing about Japan, Mexico, China and other countries and traditions. They perform a heart warming performance by the kids that include winter celebrations of various ethnic and religious groups, for the annual Christmas in the Country hosted at HCM. They learned about planets and rain forests when they were still 3-4 years of age and had exposure to many wonderful art projects related to all of the studies. I think it is a very unique place that offers outdoor opportunities no other place on the island can. And the academics was amazing…my parents are both former educators and were always pleased and impressed by what my daughter was learning and exposed to at school.”
04. Roz Lassoff: City Hall, Bainbridge. “Hazel Creek is a special place where my daughter Morgan has spent more than half her life, growing, learning and experiencing what this world has to offer, love, understanding and compassion. The educational enrichment is the best. I only wish I was young again.”
05. Dr. Andrea Chymiy, MD: “Noelle has grown from a toddler to a school aged child with her friends at Hazel Creek. We really just think of the staff as family. It makes us feel so good that the wonderful people at Hazel Creek know our daughter so well and love her almost as much as we do. Noelle is way ahead in swimming lessons because of all the swimming she does at HC.”
06. Barbara Kessler: American Marine Bank: “Cody has been attending Hazel Creek during summers for several years. He is now 11 years old and his first choice is always Hazel Creek! Everyone is caring, loving and fun.”
07. John & Pauline Fiore: “The girls have a great time swimming and horseback riding in the summer. We love all of the staff. You are the best. It is great to have someone who really cares about our children.”
08. C.J. & Jason Callahan: “Jaden and Chase love the horses and swimming and Colin and Kate and Sharon and Chris and Diane and..and…and…
09. Angie & Mark Emerson: “All of my three kids ABSOLUTELY LOVED everything this summer.”
10. Frank Renna: “ Silvio loved the dancing, the swimming and the riding, we look forward to next summer.”
11. Katja & Scott Weaver: “Our Emily spent her summer in paradise! Truly! She has loved every second of it and has grown and blossomed and learned so much. The best part is the genuine concern and unconditional love. We are deeply blessed and grateful to be part of Hazel Creeks’ Community and Family.”
12. Stacy Lewars: “Skyla has blossomed at Hazel Creek, both during the academic year and summer camp. Thank you for providing such a loving and enthusiastic environment.”
13. Patrick & Susan Murray: Pat is the head of Boys and Girls Club on BI: “Ellie loves all of her teachers and friends. If we take a vacation, she can’t wait to get back to Hazel Creek.”
14. Angela and Don Mclean: “Every day Isabelle comes home having learned something new in the toddler class. She has built upon her language and social skills at Hazel Creek.”
15. Rebecca “Becky” & Scott Schade: “Both girls just LOVE being here at Hazel Creek. “Best day of my life!”
16. Mark & Dawn Dombroski: City Hall “Jack never wants to go home when it’s pick up time. He always tells me to come back in 1 or 2 hours.”
17. Sam Brody: Cymbeline says your camp is “the Best.”
18. Hannah Weaver: alumni, age 11yr. “My favorite part was riding the horses. Thank you for introducing me to it. It is something I love and always will.” (Hannah has received some of the highest awards possible in the equestrian world here locally.)
19. Mariah Sebastian: “I am so grateful that this school is here and that we found it. The staff is very loving and all of the activities are so fun. Even on the weekends Atticus asks if he can go to school today.”
20. Jackie & Rick Wood: “It’s been an amazing experience for Fiver here. He never wants to miss school!! He has learned so much.”
21. Dianah Cheung: Foreign Language teacher “Claire has learned to be a whole person here. She has emotional intelligence, smarts, athleticism and fun from her teachers and Janice!”
22. Jon and Kavita Converse: Optometrists “We love the ‘ life lessons’ that Shalin and Daven have learned to respect here with Janice and her wonderful staff.”
23. Chris Hall: “Taylor and Hunter have thrived at Hazel Creek. They have learned so much about themselves, about sharing and caring for others, and about the world. Their confidence with swimming and riding is amazing. Thank you all so much!”
24. Janell & Nathan Eckhardt: “Our children love Hazel Creek, it’s like CLUB MED in the summer, horses, swimming, art, and cooking…”
25. Jane Pearson: Attorney: “This is Astolfo’s 9th year at Hazel Creek and it is as great as ever. No where else can he swim, ride horses, play golf and enjoy such a beautiful setting. Thank you again Janice.”
26. Amber Lawson: Buisness Owner “Denae & Iyreland look forward to for summer camp all year long. The girls feel at home here as do I! They learned so much when they attended pre-school here. Thank you to all the staff for taking such good care of my girls.”
27. Karen Sherwood: “This was Samantha’s 1st summer. She looked forward to swimming and riding “Big Bob.” The staff & Janice are wonderful. A blessing to have on the Island.”
28. Karen and Stephan Hall: Vulcan Inc.“We can’t imagine life without Hazel Creek- summer and winter and all year long!! For our girls it truly is a home away from home.”
29. Andrea & David Barnes: Landscape architect: “Every day is packed with fun activities. My kids come home happy and tired every day. Kyra tells me about all the projects she has done, which horse she rode and how far she swam.
30. Tom and Sabina Hammel: Hollywood movie producer: “My kids love summer camp. They love all the acivities and their teachers. They are having a great time. Thank you so much for taking such good care of them.”
31. Jill : Buisness owner of Island Green Clean: “Both my daughters attended Hazel Creek Montessori and Daycare. They are now 9 & 12, yet still remember how they learned to swim and ride horses. The environment there is every kid’s dream! Swimming & riding and teachers who are very nurturing. I would definitely recommend anyone to bring their small children there.”
32. Alaina Simcoe: Staff member and mother of a student: “ I have worked at Hazel Creek at two very different times in my life, once as a mother to be and once as a mother whose son was having his first day care experience. Both times I felt as if I had gained a family. A wonderful group of co-workers, teachers and parents who were supportive. All of them have taught my son and me the best lessons in life. I love all of you! Thank you!”
33. Kelsey: staff member, left to teach abroad: “You and Ollie have been huge blessings to me over the last few years. I can think of numerous times where you have supported me through my life’s ups and downs, and you do it without hesitation or complaint. It has meant the world to me to have a boss that I can count on to be there as a friend, something not many people can say about their boss. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
34. Jennifer Exom, teacher: “Janice, you are the most incredible teacher I have ever worked with. Every child adores you. All of the experiences and memories I have from Hazel Creek are priceless and I will have them forever.”
35. Maura Brueger and Bob Deweese: “One of the great opportunities afforded us because we live on Bainbridge was to enroll our son in Hazel Creek when he was 28 months old. As parents of a very active little boy, we were grateful for the outdoor play, horseback riding and swimming that provided a diverse and engaging physical environment for him to develop. We also relied heavily on the experience and patience of Janice and her dedicated staff as he worked through the sometimes challenging stages of growing from a toddler into a child. Every day, we see the wonderful impact that Hazel Creek had on our son and he looks forward to returning to summer camp each year.”
36. Ann Lesperance: “My daughter started at Hazel Creek Montessori 4 years ago and it quickly became her home away from home. The nurturing environment, creative activities, swimming and horseback riding keep my daughter now coming back for their summer camps now that she is in elementary school. In fact, when my daughter is in school she makes me promise that she will be able to return to Hazel Creek for the summer camps. Janice and Uncle Ollie and the staff make me confident that she is being exposed to new challenges, having fun, being creative and making long term friends. The beautiful and expansive setting, add to the charm, learning environment and the fun my daughter experiences. We feel very lucky she has been a part of the Hazel Creek family.”
37. Brian Wells, Professor: “Hazel Creek School provided exactly the type of learning environment I was seeking for my child; a balance of the respect and nurturing that is appropriate of developing young minds, coupled with eclectic academic inquiry that I feel directly contributed to my child’s outstanding academic performance to date. One day my Kindergartner came home from HCM and told me the geographic difference between an isthmus and a straight! A+”
38. Elsa & Mike Trail, Spanish teacher: “We love Hazel Creek Montessori! The facilities are excellent, the curriculum is enriching and, most important, the teachers are outstanding. Our girls had a fantastic time and enjoyed all the activities: hiking, swimming, horseback riding, etc. We truly appreciate the wonderful pre-school experience that Janice and her staff provided for our daughters. We feel that they have been prepared for their next steps in life and their future educational experiences.”
39. Claes & Jenny Hagstromer: “Words are not enough for the welcome we have felt since Sophia started at HCM when she was only 18 months old. What a marvelous job you have done with teaching our daughter to become a responsible, independent, humorous, as well as a playful and intellectual little person that is full of life and ready to face the challenges in life. And all this is such a beautiful country setting with horses, swimming, all of which we are truly grateful.”
40. Brittany Lowe, former student: “I have been going to Hazel Creek since I was the ripe old age of a year. I went through their toddler, preschool, kindergarten, big kids and summer camp program. I spent everyday during the summer there. I was the queen of the roost and made quite a few friends. A select few have been just as close to me now as they were then. The friends forged on the playground and in the class were some bonds which will hold my heart forever. My love to all who put in their time and effort, you will be remembered by each and every child.”
41. Basia Eaton: “At Hazel Creek Montessori, the safety and happiness of children is the #1 priority. I really appreciate the sense of security I feel when I leave our son (Adam) at Hazel Creek. What I like best is the nurturing the kids receive from the staff. They are greetd with smiles and hugs. I credit them with teaching our son social skills and preparing him for school. We find a perfect \balance of educational and physical activities for Adam at Hazel Crek. The exposure to nature (the location and amount of space Hazel Creek has is unusual) and teaching him at this early age about gardening and recycling is great! We hope that it will help our son grow into a young, respectful citizen. Thanks Janice and all of the HCM staff.”
42. Dede Shorett: “My very first memory of Hazel Creek were the dried flowers hanging upside down in the cute “Hansel and Gretel” cottage and a great art mural, the little creek and thing this is where I want my kids to go. Great decision. The “horseyness” sealed the dea and then there was Janice and all her talent…..When I worked there I loved the two year old room, the naptime, snacks and all the rituals. Sharon was so fun to work with, that was a hoot. I loved going to the wetlands for hikes and really loved the plays and performances that only Janice could pull off. We loved the dogs on the playground and Eva and the ponies. But mostly we appreciate what a great learning experience they got and lasting friendships. The math concepts especially sent them off with a head start in life. Carl is 21 at “Fordham” in the Bronx and Brooke is at “Duke” in North Carolina. They are lucky, happy kids that still like to learn.”
43. Erin and Reid Ericksen: “Our years at Hazel Creek are the foundation of the family we have become. My well mannered, smart girls learned how to learn at Hazel Creek Montessori. Hazel Creek holds a very special place in our hearts!”
44. Rob and Traci Dunn: “Our move to Bainbridge and having our son attend Hazel Creek was one of the best moves we made. Riley was only 3 when he started and was swimming, riding horses and learning more than we could imagine. He just turned 10 and still has his same friendships with the kids he met at Hazel Creek. As parents, we have also remained close. Thank you Ollie, Janice, Sharon, Jami, Alison, Kate, and everyone else who has played a part in developing Riley as a great and Bright Boy!”
45. John and Karen Brubeck: “The most amazing thing about Hazel Creek is that Hannah is still friends with the children she met there! And some of our best family friends are families that we met at Hazel Creek…we are still friends years later.”
46. Robbie and John Wright: “Leigh made lifetime friends @ Hazel Creek! It is wonderful to still see all of them still experiencing life together.”
47. Dwight and Edie Sutton, former Mayor of Bainbridge: “Of course, we hold fond feelings for HCM!! Claira, our grand-daughter thrived under the programs you offer. She looked forward to the school days, eagerly talking about all the “games,” all the friends, and the special teachers. Even now, when Claira visits us, she’ll suggest that we drive by HCM so she can look. That provokes some reminiscing about when she sent to school at Hazel Creek. As you can see, you and your staff made a lasting impression!! Thanks for maintaining a special school.”
48. Marietta Szubski, commuting mom: “I live in the country and I want to raise a kid in the country….but I need to work in Seattle. That’s why I’m so very grateful to have my daughter enrolled at Hazel Creek. The abundance of nature, a multi-aged peer group, opportunities to swim, ride and just explore being a kid are the experiences I had growing up and I’m so happy that my daughter will have the benefit of them as well. Above and beyond the amenities of Hazel Creek, we feel LOVED HERE. When I drop off my kid each morning, I feel like I am entrusting her to a wonderful team of aunties, and big cousins who will mentor her, keep her in check and foster her sense of self along with her sense of compassion for animals, nature and fellow humans. Thank you Janice and Hazel Creek staff for being such great parenting partners.”