We are pleased to share that the SCISA External Review Team (ERT) will be recommending the Montessori School of Anderson for SCISA Montessori Accreditation! Dr. Oglan, Dr. Goodman, and Ms. Day stated that we have much to celebrate about our school and community. Indeed, we do!

The ERT commended MSA for:

• Positive rapport between students and teachers

• Authentic educational partnerships between students and teachers

• Seeking to meet the needs of each individual student

• Beautiful, appealing learning environments

• Excellent collaborative learning

• Providing opportunities for the development of the whole child

• Providing a safe, in-person learning environment

Our faculty and staff are an integral part of these powerful practices noted by the team. So in honor of teacher appreciation in May, please join us in celebrating the standard of excellence our Montessori program has achieved thanks to our teachers and staff joyfully serving our students and their families. National Teacher’s Appreciation Day is Tuesday, May 4, but at MSA we feel that our teachers deserve a whole month of recognition!!! (Stay tuned for more information.)

As of July 1, 2021, MSA will have the official report from yesterday’s visit and will hold full approval status from the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA). MSA elected to pursue SCISA Montessori Accreditation as part of our “Passion for Excellence” and commitment to continuous improvement. The two-year self-study and extensive process of reflection provided validation of MSA’s mission as well as direction for the future of our school. Engagement from our entire community - students, parents, faculty, staff, administration, and board of trustees - will be vital as we create the strategic road map leading us to our 50th anniversary (2023) and beyond!

#MSACelebratesAndAppreciatesTogether

Dr. Dana Hill

Mask Policy:

Recently, much conversation has been in the media and specifically, on the topic regarding mask mandates. MSA continues to follow CDC and SCDHEC guidelines regarding mask usage. The data changes rapidly and MSA continues to monitor the students, teachers and staff's health, follow new 2020-2021 policy, procedures and protocols and make the best decisions for our MSA community.

At this time, MSA will not be altering the school's policy for mask usage in the classroom. Moving forward, MSA will make adjustments with policy as the science and health officials' guidance warrants. We will keep you informed of any changes to our current policies.

COVID Notification:

Should your student(s) or anyone in your household have a diagnosis of Covid positive or a Direct or Indirect contact to a person diagnosed with Covid, please notify MSA immediately so we can take the proper course of action to reduce the rate of transmission on the MSA campus. Please send all communication to schoolnurse@msasc.org.

MSA Infectious Disease Policy:

Children are expected to be in good health when in school. All students must be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school (without taking fever-reducing medication). Absences, excused or unexcused, will be recorded for all students. Any student experiencing a fever greater than 100.4°F, vomiting, experiencing diarrhea, or simply feeling too poorly to focus or concentrate on classwork, will be removed from the classroom. His/her parents/caregiver will be called to pick up the child. The child should be isolated until the parent arrives. No student will be allowed to leave campus without the direct consent of the parent/guardian.

COVID Change: Any student (or faculty/staff) who is diagnosed as COVID-19 positive will be reported to SC DHEC and MSA will follow their guidelines for when the student may return to school and whether others must be isolated/quarantined.

Wishing you continued good health,

Susanna Merriman, RN