Montessori Matters
December 10, 2021
Updates
Photo orders may still be turned in this week, but photos will not be ready until after we return from winter break.
We look forward to sharing a little holiday cheer with you on the MSA campus Monday and Tuesday as our students sing songs of the holiday season. Primary and Upper Elementary students will be featured on Monday and Lower Elementary and Middle School students will be featured on Tuesday. More information will be provided by your child’s teacher.
Please continue to help us decorate our “Share the Warmth” tree in the main office. There is a great need for gloves, hats, and scarves this time of year. Gently used jackets and shoes are also accepted. All items will be going to AIM to meet the needs of struggling individuals and families during these colder winter months.
If you are planning to make any end-of-year charitable gifts in 2021, please consider donating to the MSA Annual Fund. Recently, an individual made a donation of $3000 to upgrade the flooring in primary and toddler classrooms. As a 501(c)3 non-profit educational institution, all donations to MSA are tax-deductible and even a small gift can have double the impact if your employer offers a donation match. Is there a special project that you would like to support while also getting a tax deduction for your contribution? Your generous gift benefits you and, most importantly, our students!
Looking forward to sharing some holiday cheer this week,
Dr. Hill
Dates to Remember
December 13-14 - MSA Holiday Program -- see below for details
December 17 - Early Dismissal before Winter Break
December 20-31 - Winter Break - All Programs Closed - see next two lines
December 20-22 - Extended Care Available IT-PR
December 23 - Extended Care Available IT-PR 7:30-2:30
January 3 - Students return from Winter Break
January 14 - Professional Development Day, early dismissal -- no extended care
Winter 2021 Holiday Program
MSA will host our Holiday Program on campus this year the nights of Monday, December 13 and Tuesday, December 14. Primary Riser through Middle School students should be dropped off at 5:45 PM on the night of their program, and the celebrations will be from 6:00 - 6:30 PM each night. The schedule for the program is:
December 13 - Primary Riser and Upper Elementary program 6:00 - 6:30 PM
December 14 - Lower Elementary and Middle School program 6:00 - 6:30 PM
High School students will be greeting visitors and spreading cheer across campus both nights. We look forward to seeing you there!
Nurse's Notes
Greetings! It's been a busy week for our staff and faculty on campus. Our entire MSA Staff/Faculty participated in a campus wide recertification of CPR-Adult/Child/Infant, AED, First Aid and Stop the Bleed course, as part of our ongoing commitment to health and safety. I'd like to thank the Anderson County Emergency Services for their role in supporting our efforts to be prepared for emergency scenarios on and off campus.
Operation: Share the Warmth Tree:
The Share the Warmth tree has been placed in the MSA Administrative Building. It only has a ribbon on the top and lights. Our students, families, and MSA classrooms are asked to provide the decorations consisting of new mittens, gloves, socks, and scarves. Gently used jackets, coats, and shoes will also gladly be accepted. The tree will remain on campus until Friday, December 17 when the school closes for the Winter Holiday. The items will then be donated to Anderson Interfaith Ministries (AIM), a local charity organization. Covid-19 has created a greater need for local families who have been impacted by the pandemic. This 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.
Community Blood Drive
The Blood Connection has an immediate need for blood donations. The Anderson Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the blood drive and the BloodMobile will be downtown at 129 N Main Street on Wednesday, December 17 from 12-5 pm. All donors will receive a $20 gift card. Because of Covid-19, the usual flow of donors has been disrupted and the need for life saving blood donations is great. If you are able to donate, please mention that you are part of the Montessori School of Anderson family!!! Your donation can make a significant impact and save up to 3 lives!
Criteria for donors: The Blood Connection is a non-profit organization. Blood can be donated every 56 days. Donors must be 16 years or older and over 110 lbs. to donate. Sixteen year olds are required to have written consent to donate blood. Before you donate blood, make sure that you drink plenty of water and eat a healthy meal. TBC Donor ID Card (preferred) or photo ID required to donate. Gift cards and other incentives are non-transferable.
I appreciate your help with both of these service projects benefiting AIM and the Blood Connection.
Thank you and wishing you continued good health,
Susanna Merriman, RN
Primary Rotations
During Primary related arts rotations this week the students had fun playing Elf Express which involves collecting "presents" (plastic play balls/tennis balls), collecting them in their "sleighs" (hula hoops), and getting them down the "chimney" (the basketball hoop) in Mrs. Patch's PE class and crafting bookmarks in Mrs. Ponder's Fiber Arts class.
Horticulture Peace Garden Clean Up
Students in Mrs. Patch's horticulture classes have been pruning, raking, and cleaning up the bushes in the Peace Garden this week.
Lower Elementary Observations
Mrs. Holt has been observing classrooms across campus and spent time in Lower Elementary this week. She has a special eye for Montessori moments and captured the ones below and those in
this gallery during her time in the classroom.
Montessori School of Anderson
Our mission is to nurture the whole child, physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually, preparing students for academic excellence, lifelong learning and responsible, caring lives.
