Black Fridays, Small Business Saturdays, Cyber Mondays – what’s a parent to do? The rush is on, and when does it stop? Not until you drop... the day after Christmas when all the boxes and wrapping paper have been thrown away, the toys that had missing pieces have been trashed, and the stuffed animal that accidentally got chewed up by the pet dog got swallowed.

However, it is hard to break the expectation. Our children (mine did too) expect there to be a lot under the tree when they rush into the room on Christmas morning. How can we make a transition to a more ecologically, mentally, and spiritually sound holiday season when the hype seems to get worse every year?

Here are two favorite material suggestions for both boys and girls that do keep giving year after year:

1. Wooden blocks – all shapes and sizes that can grow in complexity year after year (which also can be preserved to hand down to your children. Imagine your grandchildren still playing with the same set of blocks as their parents once did -- talk about a gift that keeps on giving!)
   
2. Legos – Today, there are seemingly endless sets available.
   

The key for toys with many pieces is to do what Montessori teachers do in the classroom: find containers to house them and control the chaos.

While on the topic, in every Montessori home of young children there should be two or three bookshelves where toys can be rotated on and off to maintain interest and order. However, avoid toy boxes at all costs! It’s easy to simply toss toys into a box come pick-up time but this creates inherent disorder and a disregard for things in general.

December 4- Elementary Parent Education Night

December 6 - Middle and High School Parent Education Night

December 6, 7 - Make-up Pictures and Reshoots

December 7 - Photo order forms due -- see note below for more information

December 18 - Winter Holiday Program

December 19 - Early Dismissal

December 20 - January 2 - Winter Break

Brrrrrrrrr, winter weather is officially here. This is just a reminder that with the change of seasons, 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 and coat and closed toe shoes to make it a safe outdoor experience.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Wishing you and your family a healthy and blessed holiday season!

Susanna Merriman, RN

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 last year, all decked out in warm clothing finery!!!

The tree will remain on campus until the December 19th when the school closes for the Winter Holiday. The items will then be donated 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