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What Is Bodhi!?!
Since 2006, Tree School and the Bodhi Education Project have been providing unique learning opportunities to families in southern Maine. From storytelling, to art, to food, to music and movement, our programs give everyone opportunities to explore new cultures from around the world.
Our mission...
is to create educational programming that expands our awareness of the human experience. Our initiatives promote understanding of other cultures, allowing us to connect with our world and in turn, share responsibility in taking care of it. We are teaching tomorrow’s leaders in art, science, music, medicine, theatre, politics, and education to act with compassion and to take an active role in protecting all living things.
Where We Are Headed...
We were so excited in 2010 to grow into an official nonprofit and hope that this will allow us to expand our work and reach out to more families in more places.
Eventually, our goal is to have Bodhi outgrow the walls of the classroom and become a model for programs in other communities...one leaf, one branch at a time!
We are already beginning to develop tiny sprouts across the ocean in Hawaii! And expansion of our online services continues so that families can access Tree School learning activities at home.
bodhi education project
education~awareness~understanding~compassion~peace
once upon a time...
Bodhi started in June, 2006 as a tiny classroom in a big New England barn. Our program was called Tree School and our first year was exciting and filled with adventure! Through storytelling, music, food, art, language and our imaginations, we "traveled" around the world exploring the beauty of our planet. We grooved to the rhythms of Kenya, learned about the yaks of Mongolia, cracked coconuts in Tonga and Samoa, learned to weave in Guatemala, practiced our Spanish in Argentina, and discovered the legends of Turkey.
In Fall 2007, we added our preschool program for children ages 3 through 5 years. In addition, we continued our free afternoon groups for families in Southern Maine.
In the Spring of 2008 we had more fabulous Tree adventures in a new home on Portland's West End. Our space at 131 Spring Street allowed us to greatly expand our programming and reach out to many families that had not previously been able to access our classes. We were also able to nurture the beginning of a brand new school called La Petite Ecole, a beautiful Art in French preschool and kindergarten program led by Marie-Gaelle Casset-Ford. For more information about what's happening at LPE, check out...
www.lapetiteecole.org
Thanks to everyone who has come to classes to
share these amazing experiences. And thanks to all of the parents for your support and to those who have volunteered their time and expertise to make BEP's Tree School a better place to learn!
Finally, thank you
to all of the incredible kids who have
participated. You teach me something new and inspire me every single
day.
peace, Lindy Shapiro, Founder/Director
