Bedford

LEAP School Bedford opened in 2007 and is located at 376 Concord Road (Route 62 near the Concord Border). It was the first LEAP school designed and built from the ground up. The school has spacious, well-equipped classrooms and a library filled with children’s literature and parent resources. There is a large gross motor room which is used for visiting specialist teachers (yoga, music, drama, and science), gym activities during our New England winters, and a place for all school meetings, seminars, and presentations for parents. The large fenced playground includes an outdoor classroom, climbing and riding equipment, water features, gardens, sand and water play areas, and a separate play area and climbing structures for young toddlers.

At the back of the property is a bike path that connects the school to conservation land and nature trails for guided exploration. Parent seminars, professional development activities, and social gatherings have been held at the Bedford LEAP School, which, like all LEAP locations, provides a safe and stimulating facility that offers outstanding educational opportunities for young children.

Groupings	September 2018 Ages	2018-2019 Fall/Spring Schedule Options:	Pick Up Time Options
Young Toddler	15-23 months	M-F, MWF, T/Th	12:15, 3:00, 4:15
Toddler	2-3 years	M-F, MWF, T/Th	12:30, 3:00, 4:30, 5:00
Lower Preschool (3’s)	3-4 years	M-F, MWF	12:45, 3:15, 4:30, 5:00
Upper Preschool (4’s)	4-5 years	M-F, M-Th	1:00, 3:30, 4:30, 5:00
K-2 After School	Kindergarten - 2nd Grade	M-F, MWF, T/Th	5:00

^{*Please contact the Admissions Office to inquire about available schedule options}_{Drop off Time is anywhere between 8-9am. We do offer an Early Drop Off time between 7:30-8:00am}

Melissa Burlingame

All School Program Director
B.S. Lesley University

Where I was born: Winchester, Massachusetts

What I love to do!: Spending time with family and friends, running, golf, and going to the beach!

Since beginning at LEAP in 2003, the community aspect of LEAP’s philosophy continues to be what inspires me as a Program Director of our Bedford LEAP school. Working together with our teaching staff, we become facilitators and an active part of children’s and their family’s first school experience. I am grateful for having the ability to participate in and watch each child grow and develop, working together with families as they support their children, and the connections and friendships that are formed; these are all parts of my job that I cherish. Although the length of time we have with the families in our program may be short, the impact of their experience during their time at LEAP, relationships and development remain a part of who they are as they move on in their educational career.

Wendy Hamilton

Upper School Program Director
B.S. Gordon College

Where I was born: Newton, Massachusetts

What I love to do!: Recreational walks, attending sporting events, reading, and spending time with family and friends

It has been an honor and privilege to work at the LEAP School for over 30 years! I started working at LEAP immediately after graduating from Gordon College in 1985. Throughout the years I have enjoyed my experiences as a classroom teacher, Curriculum Director and Upper Preschool Director. I value my interactions and relationships with children, parents and teachers. Throughout my childhood I had many wonderful teachers who inspired me to be a teacher. They were dedicated to their profession and demonstrated a genuine love for learning as well as respect and compassion for others. Some of my favorite children’s books focus on these themes such as Big Al by Andrew Clements Yoshi, Dandelion by Don Freeman, A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon and The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn . As an adult, one of my favorite books is Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom.

Colinda Samarjian

Curriculum Director
B.A. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Where I was born: Massachusetts

What I love to do!: Spending time with family and friends, taking pictures, and jogging, working in the garden, and going to the beach.

I have been an Early Childhood Educator for 27 years working with a range of ages, from infants to 5-year-olds. The last 14 years have been here at The LEAP School. I have had the opportunity to teach in the classrooms, cover a Director’s maternity leave and I now continue to be a Curriculum Director. I am able to observe the amazing growth that occurs in children at each age. I love being able to support individual children to use their strengths to challenge themselves and build self-confidence. I believe that children should have the opportunities to explore and make discoveries that enhance their social/emotional and cognitive skills in a place they feel comfortable. I love that I am part of a community that supports children in this way. My two daughters are LEAP graduates and are now in Elementary and Middle School. I continue to see first-hand how the LEAP experience has given them the confidence to continue to grow and learn.

Mary Aufiero

Upper School Lead Teacher
B.S. Boston College
M. Ed. Salem State University

Where I was Born: Massachusetts

What I love to do!: Knitting, choral singing, reading, running, spending time with my two boys, and gardening

What I love most about being a teacher is being able to watch discovery in action. There’s no greater thrill for me than watching a child master a skill they have worked so hard to achieve or to see their face light up when they make a discovery on their own. My greatest inspirations are my two boys. Having the opportunity to watch them grow every day is such a blessing and makes me strive to be a better teacher, mom and person. My favorite childhood book is Corduroy by Don Freeman. It is such a simple book about a bear looking for a home and finding it with a young girl who loves him in spite of his imperfections.

Terri Connelly

Director of Admissions and Human Resources
B.F.A Syracuse Univeristy
M.A. Lesley University

Where I was born: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

What I love to do!: Gardening, playing volleyball, cooking with a new recipe, spending time with family and friends & watching sporting events of my kids/nieces/nephews and all Boston & New England sports teams!

I am member of the Administrative Team at LEAP but also have a background in the arts and teaching young children. As a teacher I love the spontaneous and uninhibited questions that a child asks and their joy in discovering something new, no matter how simple. In my role as an Admissions and Human Resource Director I am eager to be a helpful resource to all parents as they are exploring preschool options for their child(ren) and to teachers that are seeking a career in Early Childhood Education. Harold and the Purple Crayon has always been my favorite children’s book as Harold is constantly on a new and exciting adventure. As I am entering my 34nd year at the LEAP School I continue to enjoy learning something new every day!

Jaclyn Olson

Director of Admissions and Adiministration
B.S. Endicott College

Where I am From: Gloucester, Massachusetts

What I love to do!: Cooking and trying new recipes, reading, being outside (whether just laying by the pool, at the beach or doing something active!), playing with my dog, Logan, and enjoying quality time with close friends and family!

In my role as Director of Admissions and Administration, I have the pleasure of introducing LEAP to inquiring families! I love having the opportunity to share with families all about the wonderful educational experience LEAP has to offer. I have a great love for organization, so I fully enjoy helping families through the enrollment process. When I first learned of the LEAP School, I was deeply impressed with the balance of support that is given to children, teachers, and families. My goal every day is to be a resourceful part of that support system.

Robin Shapiro

Executive Director
B.A. University of Vermont
M.A. Lesley University

From the time I was a young child, I was always drawn to children— their creativity, natural love, and innate wonder about the world around them. Coming from a loving family, I realized the impact that caring relationships had on children’s growth. I became the neighborhood babysitter throughout my middle school and high school years and loved every minute of my time with the kids. In my sophomore year, I very reluctantly went from my public high school to an all girls’ independent school, but it turned out be an incredibly enlightening experience for me. The independent school was very strong in the creative arts, small class sizes, offered amazingly inspirational teachers, and had hands-on learning. It was this experience that helped me to realize that someday I wanted to be an educator and have a school of my own. I knew then that education was the pathway to change and growth, and I have loved creating that experience for children and being part of LEAP since it began in 1985. No one is more proud of my directors and teachers than I am; their positive impact on children, parents, and each other is an inspiration for me! My favorite childhood book is Ms. Rumphius, by Barbara Cooney. It takes place on the coast of Maine, a special place for my family to go each year. The context of the book is to make the world a better place, which is what we do at the LEAP School every day!

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