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| Volume 48, Issue 14 | December 6, 2012 |
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"Education is a natural process carried out by the child and is not acquired
by listening to words but by experiences in the environment ."
~Maria Montessori
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Friday, December 7th - 5:30 to 9:00pm Parents Night Out
Saturday, December 8th - Hanukkah begins at nightfall
Friday, December 14th - 2:15pm Elementary Nativity presentation
Thursday, December 20th - Tuesday, January 1st - Christmas Recess; School will be closed with the following exceptions:
Thursday, December 20th - Friday, December 21st - School Closed; ADM/ECP in session
Wednesday, December 26th - Friday December 28th - School Closed; ADM/ECP in session
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Happy Hanukkah!
Hanukkah begins at nightfall
Saturday, December 8th.
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Welcome Ms. Yvonne to ADM!
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Yvonne to our ADM staff. Over the past year, Ms. Alma has been plagued by increasing back problems caused by an automobile accident and she is at this time unable to continue her work in the classroom. Fortunately, we have found a wonderful replacement in Ms. Yvonne. A native Spanish speaker, she comes to us with much enthusiasm, energy and experience. Prior to joining our staff, Ms. Yvonne worked in different child care establishments and taught Spanish to children and adults. Ms. Yvonne has spent some time in class meeting and observing the children. She is excited to be a part of ADM, and we are certain you will be just as impressed with her as we are.
We are certain you join us in wishing Ms. Alma a speedy recovery and look forward to the possibility of her return. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please call the office at (856) 461-2121.
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 Visit Café le MANJ Friday, December 7th
7:45 to 8:45am
Click here for the menu. This week featuring Pear Muffins, Pancake Bread, Vegan Chocolate Chip Bran Muffins.
The students will also be selling freshly harvested organic lettuce and spinach from our garden. The combination will make a great winter mix salad! The
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Saint Nick Visits MANJ!
It has become a favorite annual tradition here at MANJ for St. Nicholas, (aka Mr. Jim Fox), to visit the elementary class in his full Bishop's regalia. The students enjoy meeting St. Nick up close and personal. Through question and answer, they learn of his background and upbringing as well as his special significance in history that has lead to many of the customs and traditions still celebrated today.
We extend a very warm thank you to Mr. Fox for spending time with our students and we wish him a very Merry Feast Day on Thursday, December 6th.
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The Giving Tree
The Giving Tree is a tradition at Montessori Academy which was started at the request of teachers, staff and Mrs. Fox. Rather than personal gifts, we prefer items for the classroom. Note: no parent should feel obligated, as participation in the Giving Tree is voluntary.
The Giving Tree, located at the entrance to our parking lot, is decorated with "wish list" ornaments. While there are few "wishes" left for some teachers, other classes still have many items left.
Monday, December 3rd was the deadline for guaranteed Christmas delivery from the Small Hands catalog. However, if you are still planning to order for your own gift giving now or throughout the coming year, please remember the school when ordering. Montessori Services (Small Hands catalog) which gives 10% of all orders over $25 back to the school in the form of a credit for merchandise. If the item you choose is from the Montessori Services catalog (Small Hands catalog), be sure to tell the customer service representative that the item is for the "Montessori Academy of New Jersey Giving Tree". If ordering online, enter the school's customer number, 114733, at the end of the online ordering process.
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Labyrinth area clean-up continues . . . with your help!
 Additional help is needed for digging roots and clearing the land of the debris that remains. Clearing of the land stands between where we are now and the next phase of the labyrinth construction. Our hope is that with the areas cleared, (seen here in the photos), by the end of Dec ember, the landscape architect will be able to begin the work on three of the four elemental structures.
If you and your family are able to lend a hand, please contact the office at manjoffice@manj.org.
 There is much work to do, but families can work at their own pace and when they have time to do so before the winter weather sets in. Thank you in advance for your continued support of this project.
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Community Service Hour - Having Fun and Helping Others!
 On Wednesday, December 5th, it was our first Community Service Hour where the child
ren had the opportunity to assemble gift bags and make bookmarks for the residents of Riverview Estates in Riverton, NJ. We are proud to share the success of the event and that 38 of our Primary and ADM children volunteered their time to make the goody bags to spread cheer to those who may need a holiday "pick me up"! The children prepared 80 bags! They had a great time putting together the items in the bags and making such colorful bookmarks, all the while learning about the importance of helping others. The children's hard work will definitely bring joy to Riverview Estates as it bought joy to them as they participated in the activities!
In addition to making the gift bags, the elementary students also cut over 100 bell shaped labels for the Giving Tree that will be displayed at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia. The labels that they so wonderfully created will go to numerous social service agencies throughout the city for needed items to be written and placed on the branches for the community.
Special thanks to the following parents for all their help and support: Kristen McIlwraith (Rosemary - Ms. Assunta), Shaun Snethen (Nicholas- Ms. Assunta), Jaclyn Olah (R.J. - Ms. Assunta), Darnela Kenton-Frattaroli (Julien, Ms. Assunta), Mrs. Jayakody (Amaya - Ms. Assunta), Stacey HozdeVila (Sebastian - Ms. Assunta; Isabella - Mr. Matt), Clarissa DiFronzo (Rocco - Ms. Merike) - it was so very much appreciated! Thank you to Ms. Bev and Ms. Doris for all their assistance and dedication!! Very BIG thank you to Kelly Moore (Alden - ADM), for donating game puzzles to include in the gift bags. We are so grateful and thank all those who generously donated to the collection bin! What a great way to start a holiday season and the children should all feel pride in their accomplishments!
~Renita Brady (Keaton - Ms. Assunta)
& Julie Rajan (Meena - Ms. Ratna/Kartik - ADM)
PS. Look for details on the next Community Service Hour planned for February 2013.
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NJSO performs "Something for Everyone"
On Tuesday, December 4th, four members of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) enthralled the primary and elementary students in the great room with renditions of various types of music including Renaissance, traditional Irish "Jigs", familiar Hanukkah and Christmas songs and so much more. In between the two assemblies, the musicians visited with the toddlers in their classroom much to the toddlers' delight. 
Click here for more information on the NJSO and to learn about their "Families and Kids" series.
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Looking for an affordable, family musical experience closer to home?
Here are a few options that may work for parents and families:
Philadelphia Orchestra:
For ages 3-5: Sound All Around; tickets are $8.50 each; concerts are on Saturday mornings (Jan. 5, Mar. 9, Apr. 6, May 4)
For ages 6-12: Family Concerts; ticket prices starting as low at $10; concerts are on Saturdays at 11:30 (Feb. 16, Mar. 23, Apr. 20)
Curtis Institute of Music:
Curtis Institute educates and trains exceptionally gifted young musicians for careers as performing artists on the highest professional level.
For ages 5-12: Wells Fargo Family Concerts; tickets are $5 per adult, FREE for children; Sunday, February 17th at 3:00pm and Sunday, March 3rd at 2:00pm and 4:00pm.
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 Yoga students send their special wishes to the wind
Last week, the Primary and Elementary Yoga students wrote their special wishes and prayers on colorful Tibetan Prayer Flags which they hung outside yesterday during a special "outdoor" yoga class celebrating the unusually warm weather.
Tibetan Buddhists for centuries have planted these flags outside their homes and places of spiritual practice for the wind to carry the beneficent vibrations across the countryside. Prayer flags are said to bring happiness, long life and prosperity to the flag planter and those in the vicinity, are inscribed with auspicious symbols, invocations, prayers, and mantras.
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Unscramble Spelling Parent Education - Postponed
At the last PA Meeting, the Unscramble Spelling video Conference was discussed. Upon further review, it was determined that it was geared for teacher attendance/participation. Ms. Metaxia will be reviewing the information and presenting her findings to the parents after the New Year. Stay tuned and look for more information soon. Your interest and support is appreciated.
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delves into the issue of high praise and self-esteem not being all they are cracked up to! Click on the link above to read his column and determine for yourself if you would rather raise a child with high self regard or a child who is humble, gracious and possesses great courage.
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 Thank you for your support!
The Yankee Candle® orders were delivered Tuesday, December 4th. We extend a huge thank you to everyone who took part in this sale which raised $537 toward the MMUN costs for Spring 2013, and especially to Jaclyn Olah (RJ/Assunta) who organized the entire sale.
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SOTA Spirit of the Artist
Annual Montessori Fundraiser Holiday Event
Frank Burkhauser (Augie/Ms. Metaxia's) once again invites you to visit SOTA Spirit of the Artist for gift shopping from now until December 31st and 20% of all proceeds from your purchases will be donated to the Montessori Academy of New Jersey. Located at 1022 Pine Street, Philadelphia, Pa, SOTA offers a wide assortment of 100% American Handmade Gifts made by over 430 American Crafters. Click here for more information.
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Photos Make Great Holiday Gifts!
Remember to check the Photo Galleries on our MANJ Shutterfly site often. Each week new photos of the students at work and play are uploaded. Photos and merchandise make great holiday gifts! Click the Shutterfly logo above to view our site now. This site is password protected. If you have lost the password, contact Ms. Beverly at dirofdev@manj.org to receive the password via email.
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An activity sure to get your name on the "Nice" list this Christmas . . .
This Christmas season, Grace Roscoe
(Mr. Matt's/Elementary), invites you to join the Moorestown Service Unit of the Salvation Army® to assist in their annual "Red Kettle Campaign". This is a wonderful opportunity for children of all ages to lend their support in helping those less fortunate. This may especially be of interest for primary students to do after 12 noon pick-up as a small group of friends with one or two adults to supervise. At least 90% of the donations will go toward the assistance of persons in the Moorestown, Mount Laurel, Maple Shade and Cinnaminson areas.
 Help is needed at both the Moorestown Mall and the Acme, Kings Highway, Maple Shade on the following days/times:
Moorestown Mall:
Dec. 7th (3-5pm)
Dec. 14th (3-5pm)
Dec. 20th (3-5pm, 5-7pm, 7-9pm)
Acme, Kings Highway, Maple Shade:
Dec. 7th (1-3pm, 3-5pm)
Dec. 8th (5-7pm)
Dec. 14th (9-11am, 11am-1pm, 1-3pm, 3-5pm, 5-7pm, 7-9pm)
Dec. 15th (1-3pm)
Dec. 21st (9-11am, 11am-1pm, 1-3pm, 3-5pm)
Dec. 22nd (11am-1pm, 1-3pm, 3-5pm, 5-7pm)
Contact the Zollers at 856-667-5307 to reserve a time or call Stephanie (Grace's mom) at 856-324-4469 if you have any questions.
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Now through December 31st
9:00am to 6:00pm
Stellwag's Hidden Acres Farm, Inc.
116 Hartford Road, Delran, NJ
Visit Stellwag's Hidden Acres Farm, Inc. for a fun and festive sleigh ride through the barnyard every day from 9:00am to 6:00pm. Late afternoon and evening rides are especially nice as the barnyard and exhibits are lit with many colorful, twinkling lights! Santa works in his train workshop every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Children of all ages will love seeing the many model train displays! While you're there you can shop for the perfect cut Christmas tree, fresh wreath, gifts and holiday decor. Click here for more details.
Santa & Me Celebration
Saturday, December 8th
11am to 2pm
Trilutions Real Estate Group
1960 Route 70 East, Cherry Hill, NJ
Michele & John Gorman, (Max & Katie/Mr. Matt, Alexa/Ms. Metaxia) will be hosting the annual "Santa & Me Celebration" on Saturday, December 8th from 11am-2pm, featuring complimentary photos with Santa, Christmas Crafts, and delicious treats. All are welcome!
RSVP number of children and adults to Wendy Amato (Matthew/ADM, Zan/Mr. Matt) wamato@TrilutionsREGroup.com or click here for the Punchbowl invite. Please call Wendy Amato at 856-296-8197 if you have any questions.
Sunday, December 16th
3-5pm
Moorestown Community House
16 East Main Street, Moorestown, NJ
Join us for all new activities and performances at this year's Winter's Tea! Including a performance by Bridge Players Theatre Company from The Christmas Express, and special guest Sara O'Brien of Studio Lulu! Also featuring delicious treats and fun activities for the whole family! Tickets are $35 per person, free admission for those ages 2 and under. Friday, December 21st
9:30am to 3:30pm
Burlington County WIC Program
15 Pioneer Blvd., Westampton, NJ
Licensed dentists, dental referrals provided, "Report Card" to take home. For more information, please call 609-267-7004.
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Know of an event planned in your home town? Feel free to share it with the MANJ community. Send an email or forward a link to Ms. Beverly at dirofdev@manj.org by Wednesday morning for publication in the Thursday Weekly Bulletin.
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"In spite of the six thousand manuals on child raising in the bookstores,
child raising is still a dark continent and no one really knows anything.
You just need a lot of love and luck - and, of course, courage."
~ Bill Cosby
Don't forget to check out our "Parenting Tips" on the website: manj.org/links
MANJ Tax ID #: 22-1774-347
Target ID #: 27762
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Contact Info
Director of Development
Beverly Russell
856-461-2121 |
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