Montessori Matters
January 25, 2019
Cosmic Clarity
“Cosmic clarity is universal. It requires the life-long dedication of each to all mankind . . . It lifts the hearts of all men and helps civilization rise to a higher level as it ensures the existence of all. The depths of this goodness and dedication are thus boundless . . . If we educate children to see this, they will be ready themselves to feel gratitude toward all mankind. This is an effective aspect of our cosmic education . . . The aim of such an education indicates the desire to contribute to the good of all, to share in this cosmic goodness and to offer God the obedient service that unites us with Him in this work of creation.”
- Maria Montessori, 1946
Junior Abby Keenan captured this example of cosmic clarity this past weekend during the super blood wolf moon lunar eclipse:

Dates to Remember
January 27 - Community Open House 1-4 PM
January 29 - Observation Day for parents
January 29 - Parent information meeting -- see times below
January 30 - Winter shirt orders due
February 1 - 2019/2020 Enrollment opens for MSA families
February 11-15 - Middle School Play Week
February 15 - 2019/2020 Enrollment opens to new families
February 18 - Presidents Day - All Programs Closed, Extended Day Available
Parent Information Night times (see below for additional information):
- 5:30 - Primary, Upper Elementary
- 6:00 - Lower Elementary
- 6:30 - Middle School, High School

Open House, Classroom Visits, Parent Information Night, Oh My!!
Next week brings us to some important dates at MSA and we want to be certain everyone knows what opportunities are available. Every year at this time we open our doors to the community and our current families to further explore all of the great learning experiences we have to offer. Please call us at 864-226-5344 if you have any questions.
Community Open House
When: Sunday, January 27, 1-4 PM
Who: Any member of the local community, friends or family of our current MSA community
Why: We offer this opportunity for others to visit and see what we do at Montessori School of Anderson
Classroom Visits
When: Tuesday, January 29, 9-11 AM
Who: Any member of our MSA family who wants to know more about their current level or explore other levels that will be in their future. We also invite anyone who attended our Community Open House to see more of what we do with the students in the classroom.
Why: Any time there is an opportunity to see a student at work within our classrooms, a family can truly see the magic of what happens at each level.
Parent Information Night
When: Tuesday, January 29 (Primary and Upper Elementary 5:30-6:30 PM, Lower Elementary 6:00-7:00 PM, Middle School and High School 6:30-7:30 PM)
Who: Any member of our MSA family who wants to know more about their current level or explore other levels that will be in their future. We also invite anyone who attended our Community Open House the opportunity to talk to the teachers at different levels.
Why: This is a more intimate opportunity to talk to our faculty and staff about all we have to offer and what makes each level unique.
We hope to see you around campus next week and be sure to spread the word about our Community Open House. Share the magic of MSA!
Spring Benefit, March 30


New Office Art

Nap Mats and Tapping Practice


Toddlers at Work and Play


SCISA Math Competition

Mock Trial

Isn't it Ionic?
Peace Project

Peace Sign Peace is a central tenet in Montessori education as Maria Montessori believed that education played a key role in the development of world peace. This peace sign in the high school serves as a reminder of the goal of our students' educations. | Stress Relieving Art While discussing potential high school peace project ideas, the students remembered using the conference room whiteboard as an artistic release during the stress of exam week at the end of the previous semester. | Middle School Peace Table The Middle School peace table provides worry stones and calming art for students to reflect upon while they calm down during stressful situations. |
Peace Sign
Stress Relieving Art
Virtual Environments

Water Colors

Biology Plays and Climate Change Stories




Personal World

Happy

Nurse's Notes
Brrrrrrrrr, winter weather is unpredictable in South Carolina. This is just a reminder that with the fluctuation of temperatures, please remember to send appropriate winter weather clothing with your student to school. Montessori must follow strict guidelines on outdoor play during the winter months, and it is crucial if your child is to participate in outdoor play that he/she has the needed hat, gloves, mittens, coat and closed-toed shoes to make it a safe outdoor experience.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
With healthy regards,
Susanna Merriman, RN
Winter Weather Health and Safety Outdoors and Indoors
Winter weather can lead to health and safety challenges both outdoors and indoors.
Outdoor cold weather related health and safety problems include frostbite, hypothermia, and icy walkways and roads.
Indoor health and safety issues include fires and carbon monoxide poisoning from space heaters and fireplaces.
But you can take actions to protect yourself during winter weather. Being prepared can help reduce fear, stress, and losses.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are things you can do to help protect your health and safety both outdoors and indoors. Above all, the CDC advises staying indoors during extremely cold weather and to keep outside trips as brief as possible.
CDC tips for protecting your health and safety outdoors and indoors include the following.
Outdoors
Dress warmly and stay dry. Adults and children should wear a several layers of loose clothing, a hat, a water-resistant coat and boots, and mittens (they are warmer than gloves).
If you have to do heavy outdoor chores, work slowly. Cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, follow your doctor’s advice about shoveling snow or performing other hard work in the cold.
Avoid walking on ice. Walking on ice is extremely dangerous. Many cold-weather injuries result from falls on ice-covered sidewalks, steps, driveways, and porches. Keep your steps and walkways as free of ice as possible by using rock salt or another chemical de-icing compound. Sand can also be used on walkways to reduce the risk of slipping.
Indoors
Be careful when using wood stoves, fireplaces, or space heaters to heat your home. Use fireplaces, wood stoves, or other combustion heaters only if they are properly vented to the outside and do not leak flue gas into the indoor air space. Do not burn paper in a fireplace. Do not place a space heater within 3 feet of anything that may catch on fire, such as drapes, furniture, or bedding. Protect yourself from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning by installing a battery-operated CO detector.
Monitor body temperature for infants and older adults. Infants less than one year old should never sleep in a cold room because they lose body heat more easily than adults. Dress infants in warmer clothing such as footed pajamas, one-piece wearable blankets, or sleep sacks.Older adults often make less body heat because of a slower metabolism and less physical activity. Check on elderly friends and neighbors often to make sure their homes are warm enough.
Eat well-balanced meals to stay warm. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Eating well-balanced meals will help you stay warmer. Do not drink alcoholic or caffeinated beverages because they cause your body to lose heat more rapidly. Instead, drink warm, sweet beverages or broth to help maintain your body temperature.
Stay warm, healthy, and safe. If you have any winter related health concerns, especially heart disease or high blood pressure, talk to your doctor.