See Shaw Shine
Shaw Montessori Newsletter Week of October 25th, 2020
IN THIS ISSUE
- Message From Jennifer (Hawkins) Collier
- Message From Laura Hildwein
- Enrollment Paperwork
- Materials Pickup
- Save The Date - Book Fair
- ABSI Online Spanish Classes
- Important Update - Grab & Go Meals
- Message From Shaw PTA
- Newsletter / Yearbook Photos
- Shaw Calendar
- District Information
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Message From Jennifer (Hawkins) Collier
Greetings Shaw Community!
For parents on this journey of raising a Montessori child, one thing you realize along the way is the depth and breadth of our Montessori curriculum. Learning to understand the academic curriculum alone is challenging in and of itself. The Montessori pedagogy does not start and end with the academic curriculum, there is so much more to the development of the total human being that plays a critical role in fostering learners that are independent, critical thinkers, and have the ability to persevere through challenges.
The topic I am going to cover today is independence. Before you read further, take a moment to reflect for yourself, what does this word mean to you and what does it mean to help a child develop independence? I remember when I was in Montessori training, perhaps the single most exciting discovery for me was to learn how capable children really are. Up to that point, I had underestimated their ability to do and accomplish tasks on their own.
As adults, we are the bridge to the world of independence for our children. We first need to ask ourselves, are we doing something for our children that they can do for themselves? The next step is to figure out what exactly our children need help with. It could be that instead of helping to do the entire task for the child, they need to be shown how to do it in a way that is clear and slowed down so they can learn the steps. Or, perhaps they need help with just one step in the process. Let’s use the example of zipping up a jacket. Instead of putting on the jacket and zipping it up for the child, what steps can we do and what steps can the child do? Eventually, as your child develops the ability to complete each step of the task, they need our help less often.
As the child grows and gains more and more independent skills, a myriad of other skills are developed in the process: they learn to think critically about how to solve a problem, they develop the perseverance and the will to want to do it on their own, and they gain the skills to be able to help another.
Developing independence does not happen automatically. It requires a great deal of presence, patience, and determination. Here are a few tips to take steps to help your child be more independent:
- Create routines and procedures at home and follow through with those consistently.
- Give your child some space to try things on their own. This may mean physically walking away so you are not tempted to swoop in and rescue your child at their first sign of frustration. When we eliminate the struggle, we are taking away their opportunity to gain the practice they need to learn this new skill.
- Encourage your child. Instead of doing the task for the child, remind them that the more they practice, the easier it will get.
- Acknowledge new achievements and celebrate with the child when they discover new skills they didn’t know they could do on their own.
Here are some additional resources on the topic of independence:
https://montessoriguide.org/help-me-to-help-myself
https://amshq.org/Families/Montessori-and-Your-Child/Montessori-at-Home#the-montessori-parent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj_ixpI0ZfA&list=PLsTJl7O8YRIdEJ3S-8Naq8z7D_7rX72nA
The school administration and teachers are partners with you on this journey. Do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Sincere Regards,
Jennifer (Hawkins) Collier
IEIS, Shaw Montessori
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Message From Laura Hildwein
H - Hand sanitizer and hand washing
A - Allow 6 feet between your group and others
L - Look for activities that encourage safe social distancing
L - Lower your risk by attending events at less busy times
O - Only take your mask off to eat or drink
W - Wear a protective face mask even if you are wearing a costume mask
E - Encourage neighborhood fun (scavenger hunt, decoration contest)
E - Enjoy TV specials and decorations
N - Notice and respect other people’s boundaries
Halloween is coming and since we have all been cooped up the kids will want to celebrate!
This year we may have to make adjustments to our Halloween celebrations.
Here are a few suggestions:
- You can decorate your yard and have a neighborhood decorating contest.
- You could attend a drive through Halloween activity.
- Have a family Halloween movie night (nothing too scary for the young members of the group!)
- Make special treats.
- Have a Halloween scavenger hunt (walk or drive around and look for pumpkins, hay bales, scarecrows, Halloween colored lights, inflatable Halloween decorations, etc.).
- Trunk or Treat.
- Host a virtual costume party with games (how many candy corns in the jar, pumpkin carving/decorating contest, best costume, etc).
Have fun and stay safe!
602-397-3405
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Enrollment Paperwork
Notice from the office:
We still have 40 students without their required 20/21 enrollment paperwork. PLEASE turn in your students enrollment packets immediately. Paperwork can be dropped into our secured drop box, to the right of the office door M-F 6:30am-5:30pm. If you have lost your enrollment packet, we can print you another one by calling 602-257-3914.
Thank you,
Office Staff
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Materials Pickup
Families! Please come pick up your student materials on the tables outside of the office.
Tables are available M-F 7:30 to 5:30
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Book Fair
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Fall Enrichment / ABSI Online Spanish Classes
Online Spanish classes begin this week. For contact and more information visit:
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Please check with your teacher regarding classes/work that day. Thanks!
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Important Update - Grab & Go Meals
Due to holiday schedule - Grab & Go Meal distribution changes:
Meal distribution for November's Wednesday Veterans Holiday will instead take place the day before on Tuesday, November 10th.
There will no meal distribution the week of Thanksgiving. Instead, the distribution of meals on November 18th will include 2 weeks of meals.
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Message From Shaw PTA
The Shaw PTA is still looking for a Secretary for the 2020/2021 school year!
The position description is below. If interested contact Addie Weddington or Heather Vittori at:
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Newsletter / Yearbook Photos
This week's theme: International Day Of The Child
In honor of our missed International Day of the Child
would love to feature photos from the past. See how they've grown!
Send in a favorite photo from a previous year, let me know year and I will include!
Thanks in advance, Ms. Patti
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Shaw Calendar
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• District Updates phxschools.org/update
• Health & Safety Mitigation Plan phxschools.org/healthsafety
• Governing Board Agendas & Minutes go.boarddocs.com/az/pesd1#
• District Calendar phxschools.org/calendar
• Shaw Montessori Website phxschools.org/shaw
• Previous Issues of See Shaw Shine phxschools.org/shaw-newsletters
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Contact Us
Email: Susan.Engdall@Phxschools.org
Website: https://phxschools.org/shaw
Location: 123 North 13th Street, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Phone: 602-257-3914
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1614897512101327/?ref=group_header