Connections Pines Montessori School
2026-2027
Global Citizenship Program
What is Global Citizenship? Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN) is an international program that allows students to develop their research, public speaking, and collaborative skills. Students (Delegates) are required to write a research paper on an assigned global issue from the perspective of a country they are representing.
Since 2012 Pines Middle School has offered students the opportunity to participate in MMUN. This has always been an outside of the classroom program with extra registration and travel fees. This year, we are working to create a companion program for 6th graders that will allow them to practice and learn all of these skills on campus, better preparing them for the real MMUN. If they choose to participate but this will aid them in the skills of researching and presenting.
Ms. Peyton Who is leading this and why? I first participated in MMUN, beginning in 2016 when I was a student here at Pines, in our Middle School. I continued to participate with MMUN in a leadership position through high school, college, and am still currently involved. Throughout my thirteen years with MMUN, I’ve witnessed students flourish into wellspoken and more confident people. Personally, MMUN has allowed me to evolve as a person through my experiences in and outside the conference. Now as a faculty member at Pines I’m starting this program because I want to empower students in the way I was.
That is me, in the red scarf, speaking in the General Assembly at the United Nations.
Middle School Testimonies
Alihna C. MMUN conference ‘26 “Some benefits of going to MMUN were meeting new smart people and getting to have an amazing experience. By that I mean I loved getting to participate in conversations and discussions, and knowing other ideas from countries I don’t know much about, even countries I didn’t know existed. It was great to have people listen to me and have similar knowledge about the same topics. I learned what it can be like to be important, to be present, to be heard as someone representing another country. It was an awesome experience to learn so much about a topic, and get to not only have discussions about it, but to use it. MMUN is an experience that everyone should participate in; it’s so fun, impactful, and so much better than I thought it would be, and I would attend so many more times than I can.”
Middle School Testimonies
Sophia G. MMUN conference ‘25 “The many benefits of going to MMUN consist of making friends from across the world, having a say in the ways that we can help the world grow better, and preparing for adulthood in many different ways such as being able to say speeches in front of others, having to bring your own money and find a smart way to use and spend it, having to keep your rooms clean, and having good daily hygiene. I had to find a way to earn some of the money that we used to pay for the trip, and instead of having my parents just give the money for spending and food, I had to earn it too. I learned better communication skills, and I also learned the way others think about the world, and it was interesting. The reason that I attended MMUN was that I thought it would be fun and a great experience. It was both of those, but something I didn’t expect was being able to make closer friendships with my classmates. I really enjoyed the experience, and I would love to go again next year.”
Year Long Program
Meeting times:
Wednesday from 3:10-4:30 Students in Studios will be returned to their enviroment at 4:30. Carline students will be dismmissed by Ms. Peyton from the front drive.
Program fee:
$225 Includes: all materials needed throughout the program and snacks at each meeting.
A special meal provided for delgates and light refreshments for guests during Presentation Day.
Registration closes
September 9th at noon Click HERE to Register
In order for this program to be meaningful for everyone it requires a minimum of 6 students to register.
Click HERE to Register
Year Long Program Wednesday September 16th, 23rd, 30th. Scope: The United Nations and its functions, Committee Background, General Country research
Wednesday October 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th. Scope: Topic selection and discussion, How to research for position papers, Topic specific research
Wednesday November 4th, 11th, 18th. Scope: How to write position papers, Paper writing begins, Introduction to citations and bibliographies
No Meetings in December Wednesday January 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th. Scope: Finalize papers, Peer editing, Begin speech writing
Wednesday February 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th Scope: Speech practice, Country Board creation
Wednesday March 3rd, 10th, 24th
Scope: Committee Preparation and role play
Presentation Day March 25th, 2027
Although this is a school day, these student/delegates will spend the entire school day as they would at MMUN.
During this very special day students will participate in a mock Committee session where they will: Present their speeches Discuss their position papers Work collaboratively to create a resolution Parents and all Upper Elementary students will be invited to observe the Closing Ceremony at the end of Presentation day.