Hello Friends,
We have an exciting weekend ahead of us. The Cincinnati Bengals will be playing in the Super Bowl after a 34-year hiatus. It is an exciting time for the city and even if you’re not a fan, you can rejoice in the positive energy and enthusiasm around this event. It has been loads of fun trying to explain, “Who Dey?” to my kids as they hear it adopted as a greeting or read it on a billboard. The playfulness of language is something they can really appreciate!
As we all know, the game will go later than most bedtimes (even for us adults
). We encourage families to make decisions that are right for them. We will be open and operating within our normal hours. If you are planning to be absent or coming in late, please inform the office sooner rather than later so teachers can determine lessons. Letting us know today would be ideal, however, I understand that may not be possible.
As we all know, the game will go later than most bedtimes (even for us adults
). We encourage families to make decisions that are right for them. We will be open and operating within our normal hours. If you are planning to be absent or coming in late, please inform the office sooner rather than later so teachers can determine lessons. Letting us know today would be ideal, however, I understand that may not be possible.
The New School children have been loving the snow, building igloos, snow figures, or just rejoicing in the crunch of their steps. I was SO impressed with some of our (9-12) year olds who volunteered to help shovel icy patches during recess. It was an impressive display of character. Even last night, during Pre Primary Ex-Day, young students picked up shovels and began clearing the paved surface of the (3-6) playground. This spontaneous and impressive display was just another example of Maria Montessori’s belief that children (like adults) crave doing work they find meaningful. Marge Piercy has a poem called “To Be of Use“ that ends:
“The pitcher cries for water to carry
and a person for work that is real.”
and a person for work that is real.”
Again and again, in the classroom and outside, we see students demonstrating their internal motivation “to be of use”. Dr. Montessori encourages adults to be cautious of robbing our children’s desire in this sphere. Our eagerness to “help” or do something quickly can interfere with a child’s natural tendency to do something that has purpose.
In Ex-Day, as some of our (3-6) year olds shoveled away ice and snow, one of them said, “this is hard, but I like it. Look what we’ve done!”
Who dey think gonna beat that?
Go Bengals!
Jeff Groh