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| February 2009 |
Vol 1, Issue 6 |
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Montessori Matters
Newsletter of the Vincent S Mastro Montessori Academy |
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WELCOME |
 Hello, friends, families, and alumni of the Vincent S. Mastro Montessori Academy,
February. It's short, sweet, and snowy. Like this greeting (except for the snowy part!) Please enjoy the newsletter ~ and stay warm.
For easy access to the articles that interest you, try clicking on the links in the "In This Issue" box.
As always, anyone who receives this newsletter is also welcome to contribute to it. Please direct comments, questions, photos or news items to Kristin in the school office (732-842-5816) or send to
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YOUTH OPERA POSTPONED |
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It seems our venture into the world of opera and our collaboration with Youth Opera International will have to wait a while longer. "The Burning Rice Fields" youth opera originally scheduled for March 6, 2009 has been postponed. We look forward to bringing our students and their families this exceptional educational and cultural experience some time next year.
~ The Board of Trustees of the Vincent S. Mastro Montessori Academy |
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MONTESSORI PRIMARY PRESENTATION: FEBRUARY 10 |
On Tuesday, February 10 at 7 pm, Mrs. Sandra Flanagan, who directs the upstairs primary class at Vincent S. Mastro Montessori Academy, will present "Whatis Montessori Pre-school? - An Introduction to the Montessori Primary Classroom." The program, which takes place at the school, is intended for prospective Montessori parents but open to anyone interested in learning more about Montessori. It will:
- Describe the Montessori approach to pre-school;
- Demonstrate Montessori materials for young children;
- Discuss the history and benefits of Montessori education.
Following the main presentation, participants are invited to stay for refreshments and a question and answer session with Mrs. Flanagan, school director and primary class directress Mrs. Bradbury, and other school staff.
For additonal information or to let us know you'll attend, please contact Kristin: info@vsmma.org or 732-842-5816.
~ If you know someone who is considering a Montessori education for their children and who might like to attend this program, please share the above information with them. |
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QUICK LINK |
| Parent Guide News: Once you get past its too busy home page, this website offers an archive of informative articles on a wide array of topics related to parenting and children. Their Calendar, organized by county includes events and activities that are a little out of the ordinary. | |
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| MARK YOUR CALENDAR |
Tuesday,
February 10
7 pm:
WHAT IS MONTESSORI PRE-SCHOOL? presented by Mrs. Flanagan.
Friday, February 13 and Monday, Febrarury 16
PRESIDENT'S DAY WEEKEND - School Closed
Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at the school . |
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VALENTINE'S DAY: ABOUT THOSE CARDS |
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Although we love the sweetness and sentiment behind Valentine's Day, we'd prefer that primary class children not bring in Valentine's to exchange during school hours. This practice is allowed in the elementary class.
~Thank You! |
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A child is a discoverer. He is an amorphous, splendid being in search of his own proper form.
~Dr. Maria Montessori
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STAFF PROFILE: Sasha Cherniavsky |
You know that Sasha Cherniavsky directs the elementary classroom at Vincent S. Mastro Montessori Academy. You've seen the joy and exuberance she brings to her work. Now, you can catch a glimpse of her history and her life outside 36 Birch Avenue.
The third of six children, Sasha was raised in Milford, Connecticut and went to grammar and high school there. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Immaculata College, outside Philadelphia, where she studied English literature with a minor in education.
Sasha had graduated and was working as a substitute teacher when she encountered Dr. Maria Montessori's book: Secret of Childhood. She found the book "astounding," and reading it, life changing. "I knew immediately - I wanted to teach that way," she says.
There just happened to be a Montessori training center in the area. It was run by Mother Isobel-who had known Dr Montessori and been inspired by her. Sasha trained there for a year; received her primary directress certification; and got her first directress job--with a Montessori Head Start program. The disadvantaged, urban youngsters served by the program (until it lost its funding) mirrored Dr. Montessori's original students.
After working on the east coast for a number of years, Sasha moved to northern California where some of her family had moved before her. As a primary class directress at the Oakland Children's House, she encountered "a wonderful community of children from different income levels and ethnic backgrounds." The school's administrator convinced Sasha to go for her elementary directress certification, and she did, training over two summers at the Washington Montessori Institute.
Sasha stayed in California for eight years, until all of the family members she had followed there were back on the east coast raising children. Wanting to be part of her nieces and nephews' young lives, Sasha moved back too. The year she returned - 1992 - was the very year that Vincent S. Mastro Montessori Academy decided to begin offering an elementary program, Sasha was hired as its directress: a position she continues to hold - and love.
Her favorite parts of the job are: "working directly with the children; seeing them "get" a concept-especially that "aha!" moment when, after many attempts, they find success. Also, when they go out of their way to do the extraordinary; to do great work they've chosen on their own. Their excitement is contagious." Sasha also enjoys having lunch with the children. "It allows me to be part of their conversations and hear more about who they are," she says.
Today, Sasha lives in Ocean Grove with her "housemate" Sparkle, a 13-year-old cat who greets her at the door each evening. It's an easy six-block walk to the beach: a real plus for someone who enjoys summer activities as much as Sasha does. When school's out and the weather's warm, you're likely to find her swimming, boating, sailing, boogie boarding, or walking on the boardwalk.
Reading is Sasha's favorite pastime during any season. A lifelong learner, she enjoys taking classes on topics that interest her, math in particular, and art. Right now, she's enrolled in computer courses at the Neptune library.
Sasha remains close to her large family, even though they have spread out geographically, with one sister living in France, one brother in New Mexico, another brother in Alexandria, VA, and her mom, dad and two sisters still in Connecticut. Fortunately, she loves to travel.
It might surprise you to learn that Sasha has driven cross country, taking the southern route from California to New Jersey, and taking her time. With no deadline to meet or itinerary to follow, she spent 15 unplanned days on the road, making spontaneous side trips to a blues festival in Memphis, a cowboy museum, a water park with rock music concerts at night, and more.
But, you won't be surprised to hear that Sasha doesn't plan to retire any time soon. "I'm nowhere near ready," she declares. "I want to thank the school's parents for entrusting their children to me. What a pleasure they are. I'm so grateful to be able to do this work. I plan to continue doing it. I hope to be at it for another 20 years at least." |
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40th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AND SCHOLARSHIP CAMPAIGN UPDATE |
 Like the board of trustees and staff of Vincent S Mastro Montessori Academy, members of the steering committee for the school's 40th Anniversary Celebration and Scholarship Campaign are sad to see the Burning Rice Fields youth opera production postponed. However, they have not allowed this "bump in the road" to slow their progress.
The school is still committed to marking its 40th anniversary in a meaningful way and to making the Mary Mastro Guarriello Scholarship program a reality, notes development consultant, Jennifer Anderson. "We want everyone to know that we are still working to reach those goals. We also want to thank all of the parents, alumni and friends of the school who have supported our efforts and made donations so far."
The steering committee is already looking into fund raising activities to fill the gap left by the gala reception and prize auction that would have followed the Youth Opera performance. Their hope is to hold a fun, inclusive, celebration and fund raiser later this spring.
In the meantime, the school continues to encourage-and appreciate--contributions to the scholarship fund. The $22,500 raised to date is a great, great start. And it's not too late to get involved. Donations through the "Building Blocks of The Future" mail campaign are still being accepted. If you have not received a campaign brochure (or would like to receive a replacement), please contact Kristin at info@vsmma.org or 732-842-5816. Jennifer Anderson (732-842-5816) is also available to provide information about the scholarship campaign. Pictured: The steering committee.
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CALLING ALL ALUMNI |
Are you a Vincent S. Mastro Montessori Academy graduate or the parent of a graduate? Do you know of other graduates who may have lost touch with us since they moved on to schools, universities, jobs, parenthood and other life adventures? How about their parents?
Whether they are 14 or 45, live nearby or far away, we want to reach out to alumni and their families during this special anniversary year and encourage them to re-establish their ties to our Montessori community. Beginning with various 40th anniversary festivities and continuing through occasional get-togethers, electronic newsletters and the alumni page on our new website (coming soon!), anyone once associated with Vincent S. Mastro Montessori Academy will be able to recall their experiences at the school and reconnect with us and each other.
If you are able to share contact information for alumni (or their families), especially those who attended the academy before 1998, please send that information to Kristin at info@vsmma.org. And please allow us to thank you in advance. |
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Q & A: MONTESSORI ELEMENTARY |
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While interviewing Ms. Cherniavsky for her staff profile, we asked her to tell us a little bit about Montessori elementary education. Her answers to a handful, of randomly chosen questions follow.
Ms. Cherniavsky will cover the topic more thoroughly during her presentation at the school on Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 7 p.m. She is also available to meet with and field questions from individual parents (by appointment).
Other sources for additional information about Montessori elementary education include:
· What is Montessori Elementary?, a booklet developed by NAMTA (the North American Montessori Teacher's Association). Copies are available at the school (ask Kristin for one!)
· Joyful Scholars: Montessori for the Elementary Years, an article by Dr. Tom Seldin of the Montessori Foundation
What are the origins of Montessori elementary? Did Dr. Montessori develop it?
It was initiated by parents. Dr. Montessori didn't intend to develop an elementary program. Parents, who were dissatisfied with traditional schools where their kids were way ahead of the other children, asked her for an elementary program, and she and her son Mario developed it.
Why is Montessori education a good choice for children?
It allows them to continue learning and making decisions from their inner being; rather than to please an authority figure or meet a predetermined timetable. In a Montessori environment, the child constructs himself. The children are able to meet curriculum requirements and pursue their own interests. They learn how to organize activities, make commitments, and make connections; to appreciate "what came before" and what their contributions can be. There's a lot of social interaction and teamwork.
How does it most dramatically differ from elementary education in a "traditional" classroom?
The Montessori child is wired for cooperation, but in a traditional elementary classroom, children are not encouraged to work together. Occasionally, I'll hear a story about one of our former students getting in trouble for trying to "help" a classmate answer a test question.
In Montessori elementary, children set up their own days. In a traditional school, they have to follow the teacher's schedule.
Also, in a traditional classroom, teachers and students are held to the text book. They must do this and then that and then this in a fixed amount of time. When time's up-everyone moves on, whether they get it or not; whether they're interested in delving deeper or not, whether the next lesson connects to the previous one or not. With Montessori, each skill or idea is built on what came before.
Are there other uniquely Montessori elements?
The "Great Lessons"-related to gifts given to civilization by people the children do not know and will not meet. Studying the Great Lessons inspires children and fills them with wonder. They come to appreciate different cultures and that all people have gifts to offer.
Social work: children go out into the community, giving their time and service--helping serve lunches and stock the food pantry at Lunch Break, for example.
Going out, in general: this is different than the traditional field trip s planned by the teacher for everyone to go on regardless of their interest. The child just shows up and possibly writes a brief report about it afterwards. In Montessori elementary, going out is completely child-directed. Children choose the place and purpose. They prepare, do the ground work, arrange transportation, and bring their own questions.
What is your response to parents who worry that their child isn't learning what he's "supposed to" at his grade level?
I reassure them that all children will have completed grade level work by the time they transition into "regular" school. Each child receives a list of requirements taken from the state curriculum guide and they come up with a plan for working on the requirements. They determine how they're doing by conferencing each week with the elementary directress.
When the time comes for children to make the transition to a traditional classroom, how difficult is it?
Parents sometimes have a harder time with the transition than their children do. They're more fearful Children are usually fine.
To prepare for transition, we go over expectations that are likely to be different in their new classroom. We'll have days or times when kids are asked to follow traditional rules (like raising their hands). One thing we hear a lot is that children (and parents) didn't realize how much testing there is in traditional schools. So we give tests, starting with weekly spelling tests. Also, from the third year of elementary onward, children take the Iowa Basic Skills standardized test.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Piano & Vocal Recital, January 30th |
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On the eveneing of Friday, January 30th, music filled the downstairs primary classroom at Vincent S. Mastro Montessori Academy where an audience of present and former students, their families and other friends gathered for a recital featuring pianist John Christian Liang and Soprano, Nicolette Mavroleon.
John Christian Liang, a Vincent S. Mastro Montessori Academy alumnus, is currently a 5th grade student at Forrestdale School in Rumson where he is the youngest member of the Jazz ensemble. He studies piano with Mrs. Lucy Milonas.
Nicolette Mavroleon is a sophomore at Howell High School's Center for the Performing Arts. She has appeared in numerous productions, most recently as Cinderella in Into the Woods. She studies voice with Kira Baklanova and Igor Chichagov. She is also a member of the Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church youth chorus under the direction of Mrs. Lucy Milonas.
The audience, including a proud Mrs. Milonas.
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Accredited by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI)
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Affiliated with North American Montessori Teachers' Association (NAMTA)
The Vincent S. Mastro Montessori Academy is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, nonsectarian school admitting students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its admission policies, educational policies, or school- administered programs.
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