“Do not tell them how to do it. Show them how to do it and do not say a word. If you tell them, they will watch your lips move. If you show them, they will want to do it themselves.” ~ Dr. Maria Montessori

Dear Parents,

Curriculum Night is an evening set aside to support our Fraser Woods Montessori families’ understanding of the curriculum and skills their child is learning.

Traditionally our teachers host this evening informally within their classrooms. This year Curriculum Night will be a Virtual Curriculum Night. Although you won’t be able to see the beautiful materials and works in your child’s classroom in person, we hope to showcase many of the lessons and materials your child will experience each day in school.  Our hope is that parents leave Curriculum Night with the feeling that everyone (teachers and parents as partners) shares the goals of helping each child learn and feel successful, and that the children are in a safe, happy, and caring environment! We are planning to host you virtually the week of September 21.

More information coming soon!

Warm Regards,

Gina Tryforos

Interim Head of School

WHAT IS THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE?

“The International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”) is observed around the world each year on 21 September. Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace.” ~ internationaldayofpeace.org

What is Sing Peace around the World?

• Traditionally on the International Day of Peace, our students and their teachers gather on the soccer field and sing along with thousands of Montessori schools around the world for the United Nations celebration of peace. Each school that participated registered for a time slot so that the song would be sung throughout the entire day by children all over the world.

• The song is Light a Candle for Peace by Shelly Murley. Shelly Murley is a Montessori teacher and musician who has written many songs for her Montessori classroom in addition to Light a Candle for Peace.

This year Sing Peace around the World is not open for registration – their message is:

“It’s up to all of us to slow the spread of COVID-19. Everyone, including young and healthy people, should avoid large gatherings during this time.”

Since we are unable to gather and sing as a community, we ask that you and your child/ren honor the International Day of Peace from the safety of your own home.

For Maria Montessori, peace was at the forefront of her mind when she created her model of education. Montessori said, “Establishing lasting peace is the work of education.”

In a Montessori classroom peace reveals itself in many ways at every level. Our youngest students play the Silence Game and learn to experience silence or to enjoy the quieter sounds like birds singing outside the window. They learn to quiet their body, which helps them feel peaceful.

Elementary and Middle School students celebrate peace education in many of the activities and lessons planned by their teachers. You may see individual peace doves decorated with a child’s wish for peace or children participating in morning meditation. Our older students are involved in community building activities and lessons that spark conversations about how to be a good community member and spread kindness toward others. Our 8th year students have begun reading Putting Peace First: 7 Commitments to Change the World by Eric David Dawson as a guide to being leaders and change-makers in their school community.

Please talk to your child about what Peace looks like in their classrooms every day and spend some time at home with your family and sing for peace on Monday, September 21, 2020

Here is the link to the YouTube video of the song Light a Candle for Peace.

Thanks to our 8th years (our leadership class), FWM has found a way for the children to recognize and celebrate the International Day of Peace without gathering to sing. We invite all students and staff to wear something BLUE on Monday. Blue is the universal color of peace. Thank you 8th years for your creativity and resourcefulness.

Dear Parents,

As we close out the month of September, it gives us an opportunity to reflect, regroup, and rejuvenate.  The love and support we have felt from our community has been encouraging and uplifting. We are grateful to all our parents and caregivers for their patience and understanding as well.

Due to the rapidly changing response to the federal/state updates, we need to pivot on short notice and update what we do.The health and safety of students and staff remains paramount to all decisions we make. The FWM Reopening Campus Plan continues to evolve as the State of Connecticut revises its health and safety guidelines for schools. As it states on the homepage of the plan,  FWM will be guided by applicable law, Executive Orders, and state and federal public health guidelines for the reopening of schools consistent with applicable components of those established for the State of Connecticut public K-12 schools and Early Childhood. The plan is a living document so please continue to review the plan periodically for updates.

Parents, thank you for your attendance at our Virtual Curriculum Nights.  We hope you enjoyed a peek into your child’s day. It is always a pleasure for me to attend and listen as teachers celebrate their enthusiasm for their craft, offer inspiration as they share their knowledge of their programs, and share their genuine love for the children they work with everyday.

Warm regards,

Gina
Interim Head of School

The beginning of school is a time of excitement! With that excitement comes a little apprehension for many children. Planning, patience, and nurturing ensures that each child starts the year feeling loved, respected, and safe. Respect and courtesy in our Montessori school is the foundation for everything we do and each child has already begun to learn the following important skills:

• how to put their work away where they found it
• how to tidy up after themselves
• the importance of helping a friend in need
• the importance of respecting the materials, the teachers, and each other
• how to tuck in their chair when they leave the table
• how to walk in the classroom
• how to be self directed and find their own ‘work’
• (and most importantly) how to be independent

         ( NAMC, 2010)

We are thrilled to be starting the new school year with your children and look forward to nurturing their independence, respect, and courtesy.

Let the Montessori journey begin!

Cindy & Sharlene

On February 12^th  we will be celebrating Valentine’s Day in our classroom. Giving and receiving valentines is a special part of a child’s school experience and one they truly enjoy!  There are 25 students in our class. Please have your child sign (alone or with your help) the back of each valentine. Leave the envelope blank (with no specific name on it). This enables your child to distribute their valentines without having to read each classmate’s name. If your child is able to read the names of their classmates then they may choose to write names on the outside of the envelopes. Please allow ample time for the name writing process. This is a great vehicle for them to practice writing their name so remember to use upper case only for the first letter of their name. We will be passing out valentines on the 12^th but please feel free to send in completed valentines before then. Have fun!

On Wednesday, February 19th the kindergarten students will be celebrating the 100th day of school.    From the very first day of school, the kindergarten children have been learning to count by 1’s, 5’s and 10’s to 100. That afternoon is filled with fun activities and special snack. Each kindergartner will be asked to bring in 100 small objects to share with the class.  These objects will be returned.  A letter and plastic bag for the objects will be coming home soon.

If  you have not yet signed up for a time to meet on our Parent/Teacher conference day please take time to do so.  We look forward to seeing everyone on February 13th!

Enjoy the week!

Cindy & Sharlene

 

So in the child, besides the vital impulse to create himself, and to become perfect, there must yet another purpose, a duty to fulfill in harmony, something he has to do in the service of a united whole. ~ Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind

 

Maria Montessori believed that children are the key to peace and empathy among humanity. This important belief is a foundation in our Montessori classrooms beginning with practical life lessons and continuing throughout childhood and beyond. I’d like to share how a “simple” lesson can provide the mechanism from which children in the classroom learn, practice and express their empathy and love for their community.

Flower arranging work has a more important indirect aim than simply admiring nature’s work of art.  It is an opportunity for little hands to contribute to the beautification of the environment.  It is a tender moment when a young heart lays down a symbol of friendship, love and peace on a table for someone else to enjoy. It is a brief yet integral step outside of oneself and one’s own needs. -The CHILD centered Blog

Flower arranging is only one of many classrooms works and activities sewing the seeds of compassion and empathy in your children.  Please remember compassion in your homes help your children do the same.

Have a peaceful week,

Cindy & Sharleen