Weekly Update March 29 - April 5
March 29th, 2024
The Discovery of the Child, p. 73
Happening this week:
Friday, March 29th:
Friday Coffee Hour:
Join us after drop-off every Friday morning!
Monday, April 1st:
Spring Club: Construction Creation
Register
Return your 2024-2025 enrollment contracts.
Friday, April 5th:
Upper Elementary Bake Sale
& Family Game night.
5 PM - 7 PM
Join us this coming Friday evening, April 5th for a special Family Game Night!
There will be board game raffles and baked goods for sale.
LMS parent, Mathew Seavey, will be hosting a group, D&D-like, role-playing game. Bring your favorite board game to share with others.
Tickets cost $6 per person and include pizza. All proceeds go to the 6th Year trip to Boston this May. We hope to see you there!
Saturday, April 6th:
Upper Elementary Bake Sale
6th Year families and students are hosting a bake sale at LitchfieldStop and Shop from 11am-2pm.
To show your support you may donate a baked good brought to school on Friday, April 5th.
All proceeds will go to the 6th Year Boston trip. Save your grocery shopping trip for Saturday and see us there!
Things to know...
Spring Clubs:
Begin Monday, April 1st
Registration now open!
Construction Creation - (ages 3yr-6yr) Directed by Amanda McGrew, Monday's
Beginner Biking - (ages 4yr+) Directed by Sam Cochrane, Tuesday's
Intermediate Biking -(ages 7+) Directed by Sam Cochrane, Wednesday's
Advanced Biking - (ages 8+) Directed by Sam Cochrane, Thursday's
Summer Programs:
Begin Monday, June 10th
Registration now open!
Young People's Community - Directed by Susan Patrick, 3 weekly options
Children's House - Directed by Kelsey Ferguson & Danielle Snydar,3 weekly options
Elementary - Directed by Amanda McGrew & Monika Geerling, 3 weekly options
Please note - there are no programs offered during July this summer.
Hearing & Vision Screening:
Tuesday, April 23rd & Wednesday, April 24th
Hearing and Vision Screening for Extended Day (aged 5 years by September 2022), 1st-, 3rd-, 4th-, and 5th-year students (excluding 2nd- and 6th-years). Please complete the permission slip to allow the Litchfield Public School Registered Nurse to conduct the testing for your child.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Friday, April 26th
Save the date! Sign-up's available with next week's update.
Looking ahead...
- Nov25 Thanksgiving Break (School Closed) See Details
- Dec6 3:30 PM - First Friday *After School Playdate* See Details
- Dec6 5:00 PM - First Friday *Game Night* See Details
- Dec11 5:30 PM Community Circle See Details
- Dec19 2:00 PM Season of Lights See Details
- Dec20 11:00 AM Children's House Winter Gathering See Details
Montessori Moment:
Grace and Courtesy in Montessori
January 6, 2024 By Gabrielle Kotkov
Grace and Courtesy is a fundamental aspect of the Montessori curriculum. It is an essential part of Montessori philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of respect, empathy, and kindness. Grace and Courtesy lessons teach young children how to interact with others in a polite, respectful, and considerate manner.
Practical Applications of Grace and Courtesy
Everyday Life Skills
Children can use the skills of empathy, respect, and control of movement developed through Grace and Courtesy lessons beyond the Montessori environment, in their everyday lives. Children learn how to greet people, introduce themselves, and say please and thank you. They also learn how to serve food, set the table, and clean up after themselves. These skills help children become more independent and confident in their abilities.
Conflict Resolution and Problem-Solving
Conflict resolution and problem-solving are important skills that children learn through Grace and Courtesy. They learn how to communicate effectively, listen to others, and find solutions to problems. Children also learn how to express their feelings and needs in a respectful manner. These skills help children develop healthy relationships and resolve conflicts peacefully, in the classroom and beyond.
Grace and Courtesy at Home
Parents play a crucial role in reinforcing and modeling grace and courtesy skills at home. Simple gestures like saying “please” and “thank you,” showing appreciation, and being respectful in communication can help children learn these skills. Parents can also involve children in household tasks, which teach them responsibility and consideration for others. Consistency between the home and school environments provides support for children’s developing skills.
