Peace Pole Celebration
	(click the photos for a larger image)
	100 years ago on January 6, 1907, Maria Montessori opened her first Montessori school. She has a vision that children would live in a peaceful world. She persistently worked and spoke out on peace, which is linked to the Montessori approach to education today. We at the Montessori School of Westfield are committed to continuing her vision of peace by modeling peace with each other, the children, parents and community through our own behavior. By being nurturing adults, as well as advocates for kindness, this may very well be the greatest influence in the development of kindness in our students, and our own children. We at the Montessori School of Westfield work to emphasize interdependence and a sense of community, which allows real learners to have real responsibilities in caring for, and helping each other. Through our various charity projects, we learn how to work with others and how people depend on one another in the community. On this platform of peace, we need to raise our energy of love among us by imagining a scene where everyone is living in peace. This special kind of peace lives inside all of us. This “inside peace” is something that lives, grows, spreads and needs to be looked after. To have this “inside peace”, you must know yourself and learn how to solve problems peacefully, because peace beings with you and me. Let are lives be filled with peace! Thank you for celebrating Maria Montessori’s vision of peace with us today. Mary Lyman, Directress Montessori School of Westfield 800 E. Sycamore St. Westfield, IN 46074

Montessori School of Westfield Sponsors
Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund

Elementary II Class Trip to St. Louis - April 24, 2006
(click for larger Image)

On Friday, September 23rd, students from Pre-K to Grade 8 participated in the school’s one day event to collect money for Hurricane Katrina victims. The day started with pajamas! Student’s paid to wear pajamas to school. Then we had a pizza lunch day, which many children purchased! We ended the school day with a movie matinee from 3:30 to 6:30 pm. The students and faculty had a great time and also collected over $800! All proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross.

BEN & ARI’S Family Fun Event
We had a good turn out for our Ben & Ari’s Family Fun Night on September 11th. Parents and children were enjoying miniature golf, arcade games, and duck pin bowling. Children turned in their tickets for various prizes before leaving. Everyone had a great time! This was a terrific fundraiser for the school.

Last spring, the children hopped their way to collecting big money for the MDA. Montessori School of Westfield raised $2,389.00 for MDA. The children and their families were all very generous for this very worthy cause.

Garry Sumski, Elementary 2 Lead Teacher, and his son Dylan, will be presenting our check at the MDA telethon to air on FOX 59 on Labor Day, September 5th at 10:40 a.m. Be sure to tune in to the telethon and show your support for MDA!

The Lemonade Social held on Sunday, August 7th was a great time! We have many new families joining us at Montessori this year. It was a delight to meet the parents and children that have become a part of our Montessori family. As you can see from the photos, everyone was having fun!

The teachers were able to meet their new students for the first time. This really made our first day of school go very smoothly. The children felt very comfortable and glad to be back at school! We love to know that they love school!! That is what it is all about.

We are looking forward to our next family event on September 11th for Family Fun Night at Ben & Ari’s! We are hoping for another great turn out!