 A Letter from the Head of School
Dear Montessori Parents, International Night was a smashing success! Thanks to all the people who lent a hand to setup and cleanup. The families certainly outdid themselves with the wonderful food they provided. The parade was exciting! If you have photos of the event please share them with us. One of the parents (Megan Fahy) is putting together a scrapbook. Thank you for participating in the Parent Conferences. We have now opened the schedule for observations. Please sign up in the office for the day you would like to visit your child's classroom. We will provide you with some guidelines for the expectations of your observation experience. One element that you will experience in a Montessori classroom is the amount of freedom of the right kind. People have the idea that Montessori schools are the schools where children, "do as they like." Now this is true- in a sense - but it gives the wrong impression, because what the children like to do in a Montessori school are not at all the sort of things that people imagine they would do when they are allowed to do what they like! Montessori saw "real freedom" as encompassing help from the environment, and help from the adult in order to achieve freedom and happiness. To give this help is not an easy matter, it needs careful study and preparation. The child must be free to develop. He must be free to meet his responsibilities to himself and others. Freedom should not be misunderstood as the right to do as the person likes. It requires skill and knowledge to meet needs. The child develops skill and competence and therefore earns freedom. The adult has to see what is needed, make provision, and provide the necessary leadership and guidance for the help that is necessary. By granting the opportunity, the child is free to develop and to do right. The test of true freedom is the amount of self discipline, on one hand, balanced with joy of life on the other. The child can achieve both discipline and freedom, but not without discipline. When this happens the child and the adult have begun to live on a higher plane. Many thanks, Peggy Higgins | 
