This week is the 104th anniversary of Montessori Education.

“Take my hand. We will walk. We will only walk …. “

Words taken from a poem by Thich Nhat Hahn, a Vietnamese monk, became a part of our acknowledgement of Montessori Education Week. First grade through high school gathered out around the flag pole on a dry, sunny Tuesday. After our usual Pledge, two high school seniors read the complete poem of Hahn’s while two students at a time walked quietly, slowly, mindfully hand in hand inside their circle of peers. If Maria Montessori were alive today and standing or walking in our circle, most likely she would appreciate this special quiet moment in the middle of the day and in the middle of the school week. She and Thich Nhat Hahn would agree how important cultivating a sense of peace in our children truly is: “Establishing lasting peace is the work of education; all politics can do is keep us out of war.”

March 8, 8-9 AM- Chats with the Admin Council

March 10- Spring Benefit

March 25- Open House

March 30- Snow Make-Up Day

April 6- Garden Club Plant Sale

April 13- Garden Club Plant Sale

April 18- Garden Club Plant Sale

April 19- Garden Club Plant Sale

Lower Elementary students enjoyed a special community service field trip last week. They visited Clean Start and the Soup Kitchen, two agencies that serve the homeless and hungry in our town. These agencies have been the recipients of our Thanksgiving "blessings" of toiletries and food for many years. They are most appreciative of our support and were happy to share their stories with us!

Preparations for this field trip began months ago, as Lower El students collected supplies and prepared bags of items (socks, snacks, and toiletries) for the clients at Clean Start. When we arrived at Clean Start, our excited students had a tour and learned the story of this hygiene center that serves many homeless clients. Then, students were invited to give out their bags to the clients present in the facility. Though a bit nervous, our students greeted the clients with grace, courtesy and respect! They felt good about meeting the clients directly and sharing a bag with them. They loved seeing the big smiles on the faces of the clients.

At the Soup Kitchen, students had a tour of the pantry and dining room, where at least 60 people are served a hot meal each weekday. Our students were interested and engaged. They met some selfless volunteers who give freely of their time to help others. These volunteers expressed much gratitude for our school's continued support of their work.

Parents who accompanied us on this field trip offered positive reactions. They appreciated seeing where our Thanksgiving donations are going and who they are helping. They felt that the direct contact with clients made a powerful impression on their children. They were inspired by the amazing volunteers we met.

This was an eye-opening and inspirational trip for all. We look forward to more opportunities to instill compassion for others and to be of service to our community!

Louise Knisley

Community Service Coordinator

Flu and other winter related illnesses continue to be health issues Anderson County and South Carolina. When trying to make a decision on whether a student should return to school following an illness, please refer to MSA’s policy regarding illness.

Illnesses

MSA students are prohibited from attending classes while ill. If your child is absent, please notify the school office. MSA is proactive in monitoring all illnesses and makes every to prevent illnesses from spreading. When you have verification that your child has a communicable disease, please notify the office immediately. It is preferable to bring your child in late or keep him/her out for another day in order to completely recuperate rather than risk exposing the student body to a potentially communicable illness. All students must be fever-, vomiting-, and diarrhea-free for 24 hours (without the aid of medications) before returning to school. Absences; excused or unexcused are recorded for all students. For any student experiencing a fever greater than 100.5, vomiting, having diarrhea or simply feeling too poorly to focus or concentrate on class work, the parent will be called and the student will be

dismissed early.

If your child has missed school due to an illness, he/she may not participate in any other school-related activity on that day or evening.

For a parent's flu guide from the CDC, please refer to link below:

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/updated/fluguideforparents.pdf

With healthy regards,

Susanna Merriman, RN