Donation bags were sent home for a variety of donation drives that MSA participates in each year. Please fill the bags with some "blessings" for the Anderson community and return them to school by Tuesday, November 26.

We need canned foods (especially super-large cans), rice, pasta, pasta sauces, peanut butter, jelly, and dried beans for the emergency soup kitchen.

We need "lunch foods" -- single-serve soups with pop tops, small boxes of raisins, fruit cups, drink boxes, and crackers (Nabs) -- for Meals on Wheels emergency (inclement weather) lunches.

We need personal toiletry items -- individual-size shampoos, soaps, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpastes, and detergent and bleach for Clean Start.

And don't forget Pennies for People!

Thank you for your generosity! Together we can help many!

Our first MSA Family Night is scheduled for this coming Monday, Nov. 18 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at Carson’s Steak Warehouse. It is located at 150 W Beltline Blvd, Anderson, SC 29625. Carson’s has graciously agreed to donate 10% of the sales that night back to MSA. Just mention that you are with MSA when you come in. We will have a room to ourselves!

As the holiday season approaches, we look to the spirit of giving and service to others. Once again this year, MSA will be sponsoring the “Operation: Share the Warmth” Tree.

Here’s how the service project works. I will be placing a Christmas tree in the front office of the Montessori Administrative building during the Thanksgiving break. The Christmas tree will only have a ribbon on the top of tree and lights. Our students, families, MSA classrooms and clubs are asked to provide the decorations.

The decorations should consist of new mittens, gloves, socks and scarves. If you have gently used jackets, coats and shoes they will gladly be accepted. Some of you may remember how beautiful the tree looked in past years, all decked out in warm clothing finery!!!

The tree will remain on campus until the December 20th when the school closes for the Winter Holiday. The items will then be donated to a local charity organization, Anderson Interfaith Ministries. This project allows our Montessori students and families to provide the basic need of warmth to those who may not have the ability to stay warm during the cold winter months.

Thank you in advance for your generosity!!!

Susanna Merriman, RN

MSA will be participating in the Reindeer Run elementary school competition for a chance to win $500 or possibly even $1,000. A few years ago we were the champions for FIVE years in a row with the highest percent participation (staff and K5-5th grade students). We won last year and would like to start another multi-year streak! Please stop by the office to get a registration form and return it with your entry fee ($25 for the 1 Mile or the 5K race with multi-event discount available, made out to Anderson Area YMCA) to the school office by Friday, November 22nd.

Note: If the forms are not turned in at MSA, we will not be able to get credit for those runners.

This year, MSA is starting its Mini Maestros program, the goal of which is to encourage young people in our community to take an interest in classical music. I am so excited for the chance to introduce my Montessori family to my Anderson Symphony family. I have been a member of ASO for eight years, and playing music with this fantastic group of amateur and student musicians has been one of the highlights of my life. I hope all of our Montessori Mini Maestros will come out for the concert celebrating Beethoven’s 250th birthday on November 24 at 3:00 pm. The orchestra, renowned pianist Howard Kim, and Anderson University vocal faculty will perform a few of Beethoven’s greatest works, including his most famous Fifth Symphony! MSA will provide an interactive sheet of drawing and activities to help keep younger students interested and busy while they absorb the brilliance of Beethoven. The concert only lasts about an hour, so it isn’t too long for little ones, and it is informal. Also, children’s tickets are free! Obviously, I am biased, but I think an appreciation of classical music is a beautiful gift to give our children. We are so lucky to live in a community, both at this school and the greater Anderson area, that supports the arts!

- Jenny Presgraves

Email: charvey@msasc.org

About Me:

I was born and raised in Columbia, SC. I have lived all over South Carolina from Charleston to Greer. I am married to Jason Harvey who is from Walhalla, SC. We were married in 2006 and we have two children, Sophia and Sullivan, who also attend MSA. We moved from Knoxville, TN to Anderson in 2016. I started volunteering in the Lower Elementary class that fall and have been a part of the MSA faculty since the fall of 2017.

My Education/Experience:

• Irmo High School
• Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education - Clemson University
• Taught first grade in Lowcountry for 10 years
• Master’s in Elementary Education (2002) - Charleston Southern University
• Elementary 1 (6-9) Montessori Certification (2018) - Lander University
• MSA Lower El Assistant (2017-2019)
• MSA Lower El Lead (2019/2020)

My Favorite Things:

• Book/Movie - any writings by Pat Conroy or Maria Montessori. I really enjoy all classic movies!
• Color - any shade of blue
• Food/Snack - I.love gourmet burgers, Italian, and really.good Mexican!
• Sport/Team - I am a life-long fan of the Atlanta Braves. I also love the Clemson Tigers and football!
• Activity/Hobby - I enjoy live music! Dave Matthews and bluegrass are among my favorites. I enjoy time outside with my family - hiking, little league games, and walking in the rivers of NC.
• Vacation spot - My family and I vacation at the beach and upstate VA. The mountains are our favorite destination.
• Favorite thing about teaching at MSA - I love teaching at MSA because of the community of faculty, students, and parents. Being able to guide children through the discoveries of their lives is a blessing and I am grateful for the opportunity. I feel like a trusted member of the community and I am thankful for the warm welcome I have received at MSA.