Message from the Head of School
Establishing lasting peace is the work of education; all politics can do is keep us out of war.
~Maria Montessori
Dear Parents,
We move closer and closer to the joyous season of Christmas, the birth of the Prince of Peace, announced by the host of Angels "Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will.".
The quote above is an auspicious claim on the behalf of “education”, far grander a claim than the mere acquisition of academic know-how. And yet it is very true; “good will” is the prerequisite to peace, and “education” in the broadest sense, is how we learn to develop and form our will.
May we all grow closer to Christ during the season of Advent, and be prepared to welcome Him at Christmas.
God bless,
Sean P. Garvey
Head of School
Renaissance Montessori School
Messages from the Environments
Message from the Young Children's Community
As parents, we notice how toddlers love to help out! It is slower, requires more supervision and a lower expectations, but once they have mastered the basic skills they can do more and more independently. Each day I am seeing increased awareness and purposeful choice in the practical life area and children are beginning to notice that all important last step...clean up! They are carefully searching for crumbs to sweep or drips to wipe during clean up (at the same time they are still fascinated with the initial flood of water dumped out of a pitcher or basin!)
We are also seeing lots of success in toileting. If you are not already participating in this at home and curious how to set up, please go towww.aidtolife.orgor order Sarah Moudry's book Toilet Awareness.
Message from the Children's House
In the Children’s House, we have been enjoying the beginning of advent, especially the prophecies for each week. Through the prophecies, and the associated works and songs, the children have been thinking about the journey of Mary and Joseph and who this Child is that all are waiting for. One thing that has especially caught the attention of the children is the word “Light”, and they have been contemplating this as these winter days contain more darkness.
Message from Elementary
This week and next in Elementary, we are doing math assessments. We use these tests for a few reasons: for information gathering purposes, to offer a more formalized test-taking scenario for experience, and to direct future presentations. We will be using the same test to re-evaluate students’ progress in the spring.
Message from the Erdkinder
Last Saturday, the Erdkinder led RMS in the Nokesville Christmas Parade 2018. RMS students and families followed the Erdkinder’s “Living Nativity “ scene built on our farm truck and decorated with lights. We sang Silent Night” and “Angels We Have Heard on High” beautifully. Our very own Solomon Terza and Gianna Dow played Joseph and Mary. We even had a live goat, Natia, provided by Kate Wolf, who also drove the truck. Thanks so much to Mrs. Sweeney and Mrs. O'Keefe for the speakers and amp, antlers, hot chocolate, candy canes and overall coordination. A great time was had by ALL!
Freedom and Discipline Resources
Thanks again to all the families who were able to attend our Parent Afternoon. We enjoyed the collaborative discussion! As promised, here are some resources for further study on this expansive topic, as well as some key phrases we use here at the school.
Resources
Freedom Discipline Podcast
Obedience Podcast
Self-Discipline Poscast
Quotes for Reflection
Aid to Life Website
If Gentle Discipline Isn't Working, This Might Be the Reason Podcast
Examples of Language We Use
It seems like you are not in control; you can borrow some of my self-control until you find yours again.
I think you might have forgotten, ____ (Ex. we carry a pitcher with 2 hand)
I can see that you are not ready to ____ (carry a pitcher) right now. When you are ready, you can try again.
You can move your body or I can move your body for you.
You may not know this, but ___ is rude (or disruptive, etc.)
We can ____ once ____ is done.
I'll know your ready to ____, when I see you ____.
Saying the feeling out loud but not offering a solution. You seem really frustrated. That must be really hard.
Elementary Presents "A Charlie Brown Christmas"
On Wednesday, December 19 at 2 p.m., students in the Elementary class will be presenting “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Nicholas Miller and Luke Wood are the directors of this production, which should run about half an hour. Parents, grandparents, and extended family are welcome! (If your child has a part in the play, costumes are due Monday, December 17.)
Montessori Monday Cancelled on the 17th
Because of a schedule change, we have to cancel the Montessori Monday scheduled for December 17th. We’ll resume the normal 1st and 3rd Mondays schedule in January. So sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
Pizza Date Correction
The date for the last Pizza Day in December is listed incorrectly on the order form. Our last day of school in December is the 20th soPizza Day will be the 20th, not the 19th as listed.
Children's Holy Hour Today
Looking for ways to help your children prepare spiritually for Christmas? There is an Advent Holy Hour for Children today, Thursday, December 13th from 4-5 p.m. at All Saints Church. Fr. Noah Morey has graciously agreed to preside as he did last year. Gather outside the library at All Saints and draw/write letters to Jesus from 4-4:20 p.m. After that, process into the main sanctuary led by Fr. Noah who will expose Jesus in the monstrance for adoration. The balance of the hour will include saying a decade of the rosary, listening to an Advent reflection by Fr. Noah, presenting letters and drawings to Jesus on the altar, and concluding with benediction. The format lends itself very well to children ranging from toddlers through school age really uniting in some beautiful prayer time.
Important Research Participants Needed
Dr. Angeline Lillard is looking for participants for an important study she is conducting on Montessori education. Dr. Lillard’s research work is very highly regarded and we want to be of assistance in any way that supports that work.Please click here to see the attached flierand take the survey if you can, so that we can realize the dream of adding to the body of desperately needed Montessori research.
Upcoming Events
12/19/18 - Elementary presents "A Charlie Brown Christmas" 2:00
12/20/18 - Last day of school in 2018
12/20/18 - Elementary Movie Night Fundraiser
Reminders
House for Sale Near RMS
One of our community members has a house listed for sale in the RMS vacitinity if anyone is looking to more closer. Details can be found here:
https://www.homesnap.com/VA/Catlett/3306-Daffan-Drive?a=67858600
Un-Trim a Tree
This year we are beginning a new tradition of Un-Trim a Tree to provide families with an opportunity to help enrich their child's environment. Here's how it works:
Choose a tag from the tree outside the Parent Lounge any time between now and Christmas break.
Purchase the item for the environment listed.
Wrap and label the gift and return it to under the tree.
The gifts will be opened by the children in the environments after Epiphany.
SCRIP for Gift Giving
Find gifts for everyone on your list while earning down your $300 SCRIP minimum with the holiday gift guide. Shop gift cards from over 750 top brands and restaurants, including Panera, Chipotle, Starbucks, Best Buy, Amazon, Nordstrom, The Home Depot, Gap, Lands End and more. Whether you buy the gift cards to give as presents to family and friends, or to use them to buy your gifts—RMS earns with every gift card purchased. It’s simple, it’s thoughtful and it’s truly the gift that keeps on giving.
Shop the gift guide atShopWithScrip.com/GiftGuide
New Montessori Association to be Housed at RMS
We are very excited to begin a partnership with the newly created Cultural and Catechetical Montessori Association. The mission of CCMA is to empower cultural renewal by promoting the work of Maria Montessori and Sofia Cavaletti in revealing the truth about the human person. CCMA will be opening a Cultural and Catechetical Center in the annex space here at RMS (where Elementary was the last two years).
We will be working closely with CCMA both in furthering its mission and also opening the center here on our campus. You may have noticed that we have begun to pull the gate between the spaces to get the children used to remaining on this side of the building. CCMA will have its own entrance on that side of the building.
Stay tuned for all the exciting details on programming offered by CCMA!