December 14, 2020
Dear Southlake Montessori Community,
As we approach the end of 2020, notably, one of the most challenging years society has faced within modern history, I am pausing to reflect on the fortitude, dedication, support, and compassion which are all at the core of our school community. Each of us has come together and made a collective commitment to work together for the benefit of the students of Southlake Montessori. This action is commendable in the best of times, to know that our community of similarly minded adults has not once wavered from our focus of nurturing the children in our care, while also facing potential, personal hardships, goes straight to the heart of this special organization. The Faculty, Staff, and Board of Directors thank you for your ongoing presence and care.
In early September, when we first introduced our Community Forward campaign, our small, yet mighty, community rose to the occasion and supported our efforts. It’s at this time, I come to you again asking for your help in the form of a year-end financial donation to assist us in reducing the gap in 2020 revenue due to the COVID-19 Global Pandemic.
With the end of 2020 quickly approaching, we'd like to remind our friends and families that as a 501(c)(3), donations are deductible to the full extent that the law allows should you or your business like to make a cash or stock donation. Donations like these are always critical to our not-for-profit program, and, even more so this year while we continue to face the effects of COVID-19.
There are three easy ways to contribute:
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As always, cash donations are greatly appreciated. Checks may be made payable to Southlake Montessori.
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You may give online through the BetterUnite website. The link is included here: https://www.betterunite.com/SouthlakeMontessori-southlakemontessoricommunityforward
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You may also give your gift online by utilizing the PayPal link located on our website. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=UG2W3AYCQDR26
While we have faced challenges due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, undeniably, it has also been an incredibly exciting year for Southlake Montessori! Long-awaited dreams have been actualized, and the children are reaping the full benefits of being in their beautiful new classroom environments, customized specifically for their needs and development. As we also shared in September, our highly anticipated move coinciding with the arrival of COVID-19 impacted our 2020-2021 budget in ways no one could have predicted.
As you may know, private schools across the country are continuing to experience significant decreases in enrollment due to the pandemic. In October, the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) reported that 49% of private schools reported a decrease in enrollment. Non-profits have been hit particularly hard with the inability to hold annual auctions and other in-person fundraisers. While Southlake Montessori can be counted in that 49%, we are growing strong and have more than doubled since the beginning of the school year. Despite that growth, we are still falling short of the enrollment necessary to meet our budget.
GREAT things are happening for our school community as we plant new roots and continue the tradition of excellence upon which Southlake Montessori has been built. As we look to the future, we must also navigate our current path just a while longer.
We are sincerely grateful for the opportunity to be surrounded by your children every day and for the opportunity to give to them the Montessori principles we hold so near and dear. Montessori education has stood the test of time. We know that our Southlake Montessori families greatly value Montessori alongside us. As we hope our recent “Why Montessori?” daily updates have conveyed, while educating children the Montessori way provides children with a solid foundation, the essence of Montessori flows far beyond any four walls of a classroom and is an aid to human development which allows children to reach their fullest, human potential. The gift of Montessori lasts a lifetime, and we have no doubt that the students of Southlake Montessori will lead us into a better society and more perfect world.
We thank you for your consideration.
With deepest gratitude for your children, support, and being part of Southlake Montessori,
Jennifer
Jennifer T. McLaughlin, Head of School
Daily Update - December 13th
We have enjoyed sharing our "Why Montessori" daily updates with you the last couple of weeks, and we hope that you have found the information included informative, worthwhile, and perhaps even motivating and inspiring. It is always a joy to make such content accessible to our families as this allows us to work together more fully in support of your children.
We have two more parent video testimonials to share with you, and we trust you will appreciate them both!
Thank you to all who have given of your time so that together, we may reach other families, and more children will benefit from the gift of an authentic Montessori education!
Please click on the two links below to access videos.
Daily Update - December 10th
In today's "Why Montessori?" update, Montessori teacher and author, Simone Davies, walks you through an easy 5-step approach to set up for your home for Montessori children. While the information conveyed is targeted for younger children, the same principles can be applied across age spans.
Please click on the link below to access video.
Daily Update - December 9th
In today's "Why Montessori?" update, Debby Riordan, Southlake Montessori Lead Elementary Guide, Founding Board Member & Pedagogical Advisor, discusses what Montessori has meant to her life personally, as well as professionally.
Southlake Montessori remains forever grateful to Mrs. Riordan for her dedication, vision, and the countless hours given to help create such a thriving school community.
Please click on the link below to access video.
Daily Update - December 8th
What is AMI?
Source: Educateurs sans Frontières (AMI) website 
The mission of Association Montessori Internationale is to support the natural development of the human being from birth to maturity, enabling children to become the transforming elements of society, leading to a harmonious and peaceful world.
AMI education provides an environment that supports natural development, enabling children to develop the fundamental skills they need to become happy and fulfilled adults who contribute to society. Montessori schools promote hands on, self-paced, collaborative, joyful learning.
AMI education implements Montessori as it was originally established by Maria Montessori in 1929 and improved upon by over 90 years of innovation informed by practice.
Rigorous teacher training and credentialing make sure that AMI Montessori works in every setting and for every child. AMI's fidelity to the highest standards of Montessori ensures that teaching is tied to a fundamental understanding of child development and that each child's distinct personality and independence are nurtured throughout their educational journey.
Children in Montessori schools follow their interests, wherever that passion leads, giving them strong academics, leadership, self-discipline, responsibility, independence, initiative and a lifelong love of learning.
Montessori for Dementia and Ageing
We understand that often times, there is a misnomer within society that Montessori education is only for the early childhood years. Within our own immediate school community, we are so fortunate to have our incredible Southlake Montessori Elementary program so that we may be able to continue to serve our students across multiple spans of their development. And, while we eagerly await the day we have our very own Toddler program, and perhaps even an adolescent program (we love to dream big!), Montessori as an aid to human development can be implemented at any point across the human lifespan.
The Association Montessori Internationale's initiative, Montessori for Dementia and Ageing, perfectly encapsulates how Montessori principles may be applied to older adults.
To learn more about how Montessori is supporting those with dementia and/or ageing, we invite you to watch the video below. Having a tissue on hand might not be a bad idea!
Please click on the link below to access video.
Source: Association Montessori Internationale website
Montessori for Dementia and Ageing is an innovative approach to dementia care that can be adopted for individuals or groups as a philosophy of care. The goal of the Montessori program is to support older adults and people living with dementia by creating a prepared environment, filled with cues and memory supports, that enables individuals to care for themselves, others, and their community. We strive to develop communities that treat individuals with respect and dignity and honor their choices so that they may live as independently as possible. In 2014, AMI invited Montessori and Dementia experts from across the globe to form the first Montessori Advisory Group for Dementia and Ageing (MAGDA). MAGDA is the main advisory board to AMI on all matters concerning the application of the Montessori approach for older people and persons living with dementia. To date, the Group has created a charter, standards, and quality indicators for aged care communities, developed a workshop curriculum and has established specific guidelines for obtaining an AMI Practitioner's Certificate in Montessori for Dementia and Ageing.
Daily Update - December 7th
Today we're in for a treat as fellow Southlake Montessori parent, Kristina Fratus, shares what their family appreciates about Montessori education and our school community!
Please click on the link below to access video.
Why do Montessori schools start with cursive?
During school tours, prospective Southlake Montessori parents are often surprised to learn that we begin with cursive writing as opposed to print. To learn more about what makes cursive developmentally optimal for children, we invite you to read the articles attached below.
Click here to read Cursive in Montessori
Click here to read Don't Write Off Cursive
Click here to read Why Cursive Handwriting is Good for Your Brain
Click here to read Biological and Psychology Benefits of Learning Cursive
Daily Update - December 4th
Montessori...Homework???
The video we released yesterday, Superwoman Was Already Here, touched on the topic of homework, so today seems like a perfect day to share some further thoughts on how homework is viewed within Montessori education. In recent years, topics such as the case against homework and advocating for a child's right to play have come under great scrutiny within the traditional education model. These two areas, in particular, have long been part of authentic Montessori programs, so we're always glad when current evidence backs up the overarching elements of Dr. Maria Montessori's work from over a hundred years ago.
At Southlake Montessori when our students leave at the end of the school day, we hope they will have time to relax and exercise, and extend their learning in ways that are both productive and personally meaningful.
For our families, we ask that daily opportunities are provided for:
- experiencing literature (e.g., reading or listening to others read - as the process should never be pressuring or beyond developmental readiness)
- physical exercise (e.g., running and playing, developing skills, dance class, children's yoga, participation on sports teams)
- space and time to support their pursuit of knowledge (e.g., time to explore and discover)
- independence (e.g., allowing them the opportunity to do things for themselves)
- participation in the daily life of the family, as well the greater community (e.g., chores, helping in the kitchen, volunteer work)
- time in nature
- unstructured play
When we re-shape our adult views/perceptions of what the truest meaning of home-work can be, it's easy to envision that this holistic approach to children's development is one which supports internal fulfillment, an ongoing quest for knowledge, and instills a love of learning which lasts a lifetime, all while taking into account the wider needs of the child's family unit.
In an effort to maximize the home-to-school connection for our students and families, we encourage parents to read more about the topic below.
For Montessori specific information from AMI/USA, please read:
Click here to read Montessori Homework - Allowing Students to Find their Own Motivation
For an outside point of view, Khon article:
Click here to read Homework - An unnecessary evil? Surprising Findings From New Research
Montessori Madness
Today's video, "Montessori Madness" was also created by the group of Montessori dads we referenced yesterday who were so inspired by their children's schooling, they took up multiple projects advocating for Montessori education in their efforts to reach other parents. The video included below highlights core contrasts between Montessori and conventional schools.
Please click on the link below to access video.
Daily Update - December 3rd
Montessori Alumni Webinar
We are so delighted to share with you that next Wednesday evening, December 9th, 7- 8 p.m. we are holding a very special event via Zoom that we hope each of you will be able to attend.
Please mark your calendar and plan to join us for our very first Montessori Alumni Webinar! In true Montessori fashion, these younger adult, former Montessori students have graciously offered to participate and give back so that others can benefit from their previous experiences growing up as "Montessori kids". Our alumni panelists will also discuss life after attending a Montessori school, and there will be an opportunity for parents to ask questions of these remarkable individuals.
Please watch your inbox tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 4, for the webinar Zoom link. Please note, we do ask that you please register for the event so that we can plan accordingly for the number of parents attending.
We hope to see you on Zoom for an evening not to be missed!
Superwoman Was Already Here!
The following video, "Superwoman Was Already Here" is one of the most parent-appreciated Montessori videos ever made! The video was created by a group of Montessori dads who grew to value their kids' education so much, they were inspired to share information with other parents. Give it a watch and let us know what you think!
Please click on the link below to access video.
Daily Update - December 2nd
Montessori Education video
The following video gives a brief overview of Montessori Education and highlights information specific to age & classroom levels from 0-12. Oh, how we can hardly wait to have our very own Toddler program someday!
Please click on the link below to access video.
Daily Update - December 1st
In today's "Why Montessori?" update, Ms. Elin Chang shares what she appreciates about her work with the Southlake Montessori Primary children and our school community.
Click on the video below to watch magnificent Ms. Elin!
Daily Update - November 30th
In the November 9th edition of the Scoop, we shared a recent Dallas Morning News article titled "Freedom to Choose Montessori" written by Dr. Angeline Lillard, a leading researcher in the field of Montessori education. Around that same time, Dr. Lillard also conducted an interview discussing the best advantages of Montessori for children. We enthusiastically recommend giving this a listen and trust the discussion will be well worth your time in discovering more answers to the question "Why Montessori?".
Click on the video below to watch the Science of Montessori.
