Dear BCMCS Families,
March definitely did not go out like a lamb with last night’s storms, but the new month should be more ‘lamb-esque' as April’s weeks unfold. Again, our theme for each month’s message is to better comprehend Montessori philosophy, whereas the subjects [7 total] were first presented. To complete our understanding, I will now discuss Montessori Shared Values [6 in all] to further elicit and expand on the Montessori pedagogy.
Montessori’s ultimate goal is to promote life-long learning, where our students act independently, think analytically, and resolve conflicts peacefully, all the while recognizing their responsibility to others and to our world. Two shared values assist in this endeavor, the first is focusing on a Student-Centered Curriculum. Montessori education believes that each child learns and grows at different rates. As such, Montessori offers children the freedom to select, within a set choice plan, their own academic ‘works.’ As well, each child is given prearranged lessons at his/her own developmentally appropriate level while employing uninterrupted work cycles intended to allow for these unique student paces. Each child's individual needs are carefully calculated with daily expectations orchestrated by the teacher, as classroom demands are even further adjusted for children with learning differences.
In order to adhere to this task requires the second shared value, that being the utilization of a specialized Montessori Trained Staff. A specialized teacher is required to make certain appropriate Montessori pedagogy and corresponding ideology are being followed. Accredited AMS/MACTE Montessori teachers [for which BCMCS requires] are the only ones equipped to handle this unique responsibility. Montessori teachers are trained to observe, through individualized interpretation, unique strengths in students as a basis for further achievements. A Montessori school, with this teaching set up in place, should function as a learning community, with the entire staff committed to high achievement fostering children to embellish a love for learning.
On this note, our staff was recently ‘valued’ with many new ideas and lessons during their recent attendance at the AMS Montessori Conference in Denver. The conference's theme revolved around ‘Celebrating 65 Years,’ focusing on the past, present, and future of Montessori education. Our staff, as committed Montessorians, was able to be a part of this exciting event, further reaffirming our unity of purpose. Our attendance at this event further allows our values to remain true to the Montessori pedagogy, reaffirming our continued united stand not only in our commitment of understanding Montessori, but also to adapting it to a changing world and society.
As always, please be sure to check the school's Web-Calendar for all pertinent dates, activities and information, paying close attention to the many days off [Student Led Conferences, holidays, etc.] and PSSA and TerraNova testing dates. We ask that you ensure, especially for the upcoming testing session days, your children come to school stress-free, well-fed and well-rested.
On a side note, many parents have been congregating after school in the side area with students after after school dismissal. We ask that, when doing so, you please return all borrowed school items [balls, etc.] to its proper place, as we have been finding items left in the area and woods. Thank you, in advance, for doing you part helping us best care for our school equipment.
That's all for now … Take care and until next month ... ~Mr. Brian Long
