It has been a wonderful start to another new year at Dublin Montessori. As the pages of the calendar quickly pass through September, October and into November, we find the children and their families acclimating to the routine of school.
Each classroom is working toward the needs of the student in Practical Life, Sensorial, Math and Language. The works are quickly coming off the shelves. Geography lessons are some of our favorites. The children are exploring what properties make our Earth, what is a continent, and they love reproducing the maps of the world.
On September 21, we celebrated International Day of Peace with a "Pinwheels for Peace" project. Leading up to this day was much discussion on Peace and what that means to each of us. The children made pinwheels and planted them around the parking lot of the school. They then joined hands while singing "Light a Candle for Peace" by Shelley Murley. It was a very simple, beautiful way for our children to express Peace.
On October 28, the school was filled with ghosts and goblins, princesses and super heroes, and many other creatures all shapes and sizes! Our annual Halloween celebration was graced with good weather while the children paraded in costumes, sang their well rehearsed songs and then hosted they parents and families with donuts and cider. It was, as always, a fun day for all!
The last day of October and the first of November finds us meeting with our parents for parent-teacher conferences. We value the opportunity to learn from our parents, and we hope they in turn enjoy hearing from us regarding the progress their children are making in school.
The children's garden has been under the gentle and wise care of Classroom IV. The cherry tomatoes were abundant and shared with our families. The melons and pumpkins ripened early, and the flowers kept their beauty until the hard frost. Sunflowers of all sizes grew scattered around the school. The birds enjoyed the feast! Preparations to close the garden for the winter will start soon, and plans and ideas are already in the works for the spring planting. The fruits of the children's labors are being enjoyed and as always, in Montessori, we learn through exploration!
For the third year our children are assisting in the Empty Bowl Fundraiser for the Mid-Ohio Food Bank to help feed those in need this winter. The Columbus Recreations and Parks Department organizes this event locally, which benefits the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. Bowls made by people all over central Ohio will be placed at various lunch sites during the month of November.
Through the efforts of Marcy Freed (Marcy's Clayground) the children painted ceramic bowls that will be distributed to one of the lunch sites. Individuals who attend the luncheons will purchase the bowls for $10. If a parent would like to purchase their own child's bowl, please go to Marcy's studio between November 2nd and November 4th to obtain your child's bowl. Directions and hours of operation may be found at www.marcysclayground.com.
Looking to teach your children how to give back? Interested in adding some kindness in the world? It's as easy as donating children's clothing that your own little ones have outgrown. There are SO many mothers out there that struggle to provide even the basics for their children. You and your children can make a difference in their lives! Pass It On, Baby! seeks to give a "hand-up" to parents who need some help in clothing their kiddos. We send gently loved clothing directly to those parents in need via the US Mail- Parcel Post- all while protecting your identity. It's a minimal cost for an unbelievable feeling. Please check us out at: www.passitonbaby.blogspot.com or contact Elizabeth Grzelak at 740-881-3955.
Once again our families have opened up their hearts to the needs of the community. It was not easy maneuvering through the foyer with the abundance of canned food goods and gently used coats spilling out into the hallway! With the help of the generous donation of canned goods, St. Stephen's Christmas Care Program was able to fill a multitude of food baskets that were distributed to needy families on December 20. Through these efforts, our children learn the true meaning of caring and the power of giving.
