This month ~

Student, Staff, and Alumni News, pp. 2-3

Honk Jr., pp. 4-5

Thank You, All Our Caring Volunteers! p. 6

Montessori Everywhere! p.6

The Spring Gala, p. 7

Irish Dancers, p. 7

11th Annual Cultural Festival 2013, pp. 8-9

Silent Journey, p. 10

Weaving Program, p. 10

Fill the Chair, p. 11

The NEW and Improved Great Room! p. 11

Spring 2013

A window

on our

world

Observation & Montessori Observation is a tool used by our teachers to follow the child. For you, it’s a window into your child’s experience in the classroom. Our teachers’ goal is to be scientifically objective, observing your child to assess his abilities and readiness for materials—to see her develop the skills to name, classify, store, order, and understand the compo-nents of her environment. In your case, observation is an opportunity to see your child “in action.” It helps you experience the classroom environment first-hand, see how the children communicate and socialize, and observe how they complete their work cycle, use the materials, and gain independence.

When you observe, it is best to be silent and motionless—conscious immobility. In our fast-paced world, this is something we rarely do, so we may be missing out on cues from our children. As the adults in our children’s lives, we must remind ourselves to allow them to direct themselves and make independent choices. When we step back and slow down, we can see their world with fresh eyes. Some things you may look for as you observe: Is your child choosing work independently? How does he make his se-lections? Does she move with purpose? How long does she concentrate? Does he demonstrate care for the environment? Observe the other students. Are they working alone or in teams? Watch the teachers giving lessons. Children go through stages of development in their work—from learning to use the material to using it with focus and understanding—and on to mastery. Your child’s teach-ers observe him every day. We welcome you to come in some morning and do the same!

Right: Aaron Kaufman (Birch) uses this bead rack to learn about quantity-numeral cor-respondence. As an observer, you’ll be able to see your child’s focus and con-centration in the class-room.

Jeffrey Owens (’09 ), a sophomore at ESM immersed in AP and honors classes, is also enrolled in Albany University, which con-fers college credit for some courses. Jeff is president of the Junior Spartan Honor Soci-ety and a member of the Foreign Language Honor Society and the Athletic Fitness Club. He works for a community service organization that supports programs in Sudan. Jeff is interested in chemistry and neuroscience, with a view toward medical school. Sister Anabella Owens (’12), at-tending middle school at ESM, is taking all honors classes. As a member of the Pine Grove Rock Stars, a group of students rec-ognized for academic excellence, Bella par-ticipated in the Pine Grove spelling bee. She is a member of the Pine Grove Drama Club and the Girls’ Music Chorus, and performed in their fall production. Bella continues to

be passionate about all aspects of the performing arts (singing, dancing, acting) and clearly sees herself sharing her gifts with the world.

Below: Anabella and Jeffrey Owens

making multiple trips to deliver the donated goods to thirteen local agencies.

T h e v o l u n t e e r s (clockwise from top): Mychal Emmanuel (Willow), Marielle Em-manuel (Birch), Hazel Pratts (Birch), and friend.

Three MSS primary and elementary students vol-unteered to sort and transport food and used clothing for the annual Martin Luther King Day of Service organized by the Greater Syracuse La-bor Council and United Way of Central New York. The students joined 70 volunteers

Jeffrey and Anabella Excel at ESM

All Ages Helped on MLK Day!

Honor Roll Alum and Performing Arts Star Katie Spensieri (’08), pictured at left, is a junior at Baldwinsville High School. This year she has been working hard on her courses and earned a place on the Honor Roll. Katie is proud of her new drivers’ license. Happy driving!

Page 2

“Jeff and

Anabella

have been

busy, but

they are

both doing

well and

continue to

benefit every

day from the

excellent

foundation

of their

Montessori

education.”

~ Nuriyah

Owens

Willow student Jason Cavanagh performed in the Talent Showcase of the Christian School of Per-forming Arts. His chorus sang Look to the Rainbow and Down to the River to Pray. He played the part of Linus in a baseball skit and sang and danced to Super-califragilisticexpialidocious and Mary Did You Know.

More than 200 students from 40 school districts competed locally in the Scripps Spelling Bee, in-cluding MSS alumnae Ma-ja Cannavo (’11) and Grace Getman (’12). Af-ter nineteen rounds of com-petition, Maja won first place with the word “synusia.” Grace placed seventh in the seventh round. Both girls attended MSS for their primary and elementary years. Grace now attends CBA and Ma-ja goes to MPH.

Above: Maja Cannavo and her dad, Peter, share a hug at the Scripps Spelling Bee, where she came in first.

William (’12) and Kathryn (’10) Kovarik were selected to play violin in the Junior High All–County Festival held at the end of January 2013. The event, sponsored by the Onondaga County Mu-sic Educators Association, honors the best instrumental-ists and vocalists of the coun-ty. William and Kathryn cur-rently attend MPH. Mom Hei-di Kovarik teaches Suzuki Violin at MSS.

Below: William Kovarik plays at the MSS Recital in 2012.

Assata Bey (Willow), singing in the Syracuse Community Youth Chorus, recently performed at the Plymouth Congregational Church in Syracuse. Malachi Emmanuel (’11) acted and sang in the CBA production of God-spell. Malachi was recently ap-pointed to the CBA School Sen-ate. Jared Dunn (’12) played Arne in I Remember Mama, with former MSS student Aggie

Woodbury playing Dorothy. Ryan Dunn and Cassie Mur-phy (both of Willow) acted in the Cazenovia College produc-tion of Oliver! Tyler Gabriel (’11), now attending JD Middle School, competed in his first Science Olympiad, participating in three events. In what some called the most difficult event, “The Sounds of Music,” Tyler built his own four-string guitar

Spelling Bee Winner & All County Violinists

Acting, Singing & Building Instruments?!

94 FLOORS! Isabelle Enslin (Willow) raised money for lung dis-ease by racing in the Hustle Up the Hancock event in Chicago—94 floors! Her Mom and Grandpa finished right behind her. Isy raced for her friend Ars, who has asthma, and her Poppop, who has pulmonary fibro-sis. Left: Laura Enslin and Isy after the climb!

“Our graduates excel in so many different areas, academically, in the visual and performing arts, and in service to our broader com-munity. And as amazing athletes, too! It’s not that long ago that they were in their cottages, learn-ing to read!” ~MSS Parent Above: Birch stu-dent Lilianna Ipo-litti practices working with scis-sors.

and, joining a teammate playing another instrument, performed their special arrangement of Stairway to Heaven! Jared Dunn also posted strong results in his first Science Olympiad, placing 2nd in the “Experimental Design” event. Jared’s team (2nd overall) and Tyler’s team (4th overall) both qualified for the state-level competition in April.

Page 4

This year’s musical workshop, Honk Jr., was an amazing success. The stage was set with colorful props and backdrops and the children were bedecked in terrific costumes, all made by the students in Kathy Barry’s art class. Honk Jr. is a musical based on Hans Christian Andersen’s story, The Ugly Duckling. The workshop is a great opportunity for inte-grating the curriculum every year. The visual and performing arts are easy to combine, and the students learn about stage management, choreography, backdrop building, creating a character, costume design and construction, voice pro-jection, and so many other aspects in both disciplines. The students in art class designed and painted the beautiful scen-ery. The sixth-grade students had starring roles, and the fourths and fifths all had a number of roles as geese, chickens, swans, a turkey, frogs, and other creatures. The athleticism and agility of the students was remarkable, and the choreog-raphy was terrific! “This year’s class was a joy to work with!” enthused Mrs. Getz. “It was an absolute pleasure work-ing with this talented, enthusiastic cast!” Kindergarteners and Lower Elementary students attending the workshop really enjoyed seeing the older students perform. They were able to speak with the players afterwards, asking questions about

the costumes, roles, and acting. The actors were delighted to see the many MSS alumni who attended this year’s performance. They remember watching the older kids in earlier years, and now they are the stars!

Honk Jr.

Clockwise from above left: Aviators Ryan Dunn and Mackenzie Moore portrayed flying geese; Ireland Fer-nandez-Cosgrove starred as Ugly, who turned into a swan; Annie Gale and Natalie Stopyra were Ugly’s

parents. The swans were Quin Kenny, Haley Barnes, Jessica Abrams, and Amira Carroll; the sixth-grade cast members were: (second row) Angelina Shenandoah, Quin Kenny, Annie Gale, Ireland Fernandez-Cosgrove, Sara Vertino, Haley Barnes, (first row) Assata Bey, Na-talie Stopyra, Morgan Barnes, Marcea Bond, and Cassie Murphy. Jason Cavanagh was a big frog among little frogs: Dylan Halbritter, Ellie Pedone, Lesia Wojtowycz, Olivia Davis, and Ava Burrows. The chicken family members were: (top row) Natalie Stopyra, Ireland Fernan-dez-Cosgrove, Annie Gale, (middle row) Sara Vertino, Isabel Zuber, Mychal Emmanuel, (first row) Azriel Czerniak Linder, Peri Cannavo, Peter Hatton, and Xavier Plourde.

Honk Jr.

Page 6

Did you know that the Montessori method of teaching was developed in the early 20th century by Dr. Maria Montesso-ri, the first female doctor of medicine in Italy? Her back-ground as a physician provided the foundation for a scientific approach to education. Her designs for schools and materials evolved through the years, following her observations of the children she served, and her method is now backed by cur-rent research in neuroscience. Her method caught on in countries all over the world, beginning in Italy and India. Montessori schools now exist in Asia, Australia, Africa, Eu-rope, New Zealand, and the Americas. Our staff members observe in other Montessori schools throughout the year, and though our visits are usually limited to the east coast (Rochester, Boston, Ithaca, and Rochester), many of us have visited schools all over the United States and internationally. This year Cedar Classroom teacher Raymie Vallelonga and her husband traveled to Italy, where they saw the home of the first Montessori School, the Casa dei Bambini, in Rome. Our staff members have observed in Montessori schools in Guatemala, Mexico, England, France, Germany, Brazil, Chi-na, Japan, and Korea.

Did you know?

The  Two‐Hour‐Power  Volunteer  Pledge  Program  at  MSS, 

which  emphasizes  that  all  help—any  help—makes  a  huge 

difference,  con nues  to be a  success  for our greater  school 

community.  Families  have  been  involved  in many  different 

ways throughout the school year, accommoda ng their own 

schedules  and  interests  to our needs. Sixty‐six MSS  families 

commi ed to volunteering just two hours each to help out at various  mes during the school year, and nearly 

all have fulfilled their pledge!  Look at what MSS families have done this school year : 

Assisted classrooms with computer work 

Coordinated baking lessons in Willow Classroom 

Assisted classrooms with laundry, prepped materials, and cared for classroom pets (many classroom pets!) 

Served as parent drivers for weekly trips to the Land Lab and other field trips 

Volunteered at the Annual Harvest Fes val, Parent BBQ Par‐Tay, and Cultural Fes val (in many capaci es) 

Organized the 2013 MSS Spring Gala 

Stained the  mber frame entryway of our school  

Conducted classroom presenta ons on various cultures, art projects, and other topics 

Landscaped the new co age and part of the bus turn‐around 

Shoveled snow (lots of snow!) 

Held seminars for parents, staff, and the greater community (personal safety, outdoor educa on, and fire safety)  

Stacked chairs and tables,  mopped floors,  and cleaned up a er classroom socials 

Coordinated  a teacher and staff apprecia on luncheon...andmuch,muchmore!

Window is published by the Montessori School of Syracuse five times per year unless otherwise noted. Special photo contributors this month are Nuriyah Owens, Luara Enslin, and Kathy Spensieri. Regular contributors are Madge Brower, René Gabriel, and Mary Lawyer O’Connor. Editing is provided by Kathleen Parrish and Susan French-Lawyer. Comments, questions, and submissions are welcomed by Mary Lawyer O’Connor at msshead@gmail.com

This spring our primary students attended a spe-cial performance by the Francis School of Irish Dance. The multi-aged group of exceptional dancers were brought to us by Kira Reed, moth-er of Declan Reed (Pine Cottage), a beginning member of the group. He and his fellow prima-ry students were attentive to the very engaging show.

Special guests throughout the year visit our classrooms and cottages, sharing their cultural heritage, interests, food, travel experiences, and celebrations. If you have something special you would like to share with your child’s classroom, get in touch with your teachers!

The 2013 MSS Annual  Spring Gala, held on May 4th, was  a huge  success,  raising  over  $31,000  for  our  school.   Parents and community members donated items to the live and silent Auc ons,  and  helping  us  to  raise  unprecedented  dol‐lars.   Addi onal  support  through underwri ng of  tables, ad‐ver sing in the Gala Program, and a ending the event all con‐tributed to the success of this year's Gala.  Almost  150  MSS  parents,  friends,  teachers,  and  alumni 

a ended the Gala at the Gordon Student Center at OCC.   A highlight of this year's Gala was an effort to raise $10,000 to build an athle c field on the footprint of the old Garden Court.  An anonymous donor had pledged a match  up  to  $10,000  for  funds  raised  toward  this  project  at  the Gala.   We  are  excited  to  report  that Gala a endees pledged $10,000 toward the Field of Dreams project, and these funds will be fully matched.  The Gala would not be possible without  the many generous gi s given by members of our school communi‐ty.   Parents work on the Gala Commi ee to plan the event, create beau ful decora ons, design the Gala Pro‐gram, assemble the auc on items and boards, do all the mailings, and staff the event.  Add to this the generosity of people who donated  items, teachers who contributed their  me for special events  like "Tea with Jane and Raymie," and all those who took a beau ful Saturday evening to visit with old friends and make new ones, and it is clear that it takes a village to make a successful Gala.       

Irish Dancers Strut Their Stuff for Primary Students

MSS Gala Reaps Funds to  Build Field of Dreams 

Page 8

Our annual Cultural Festival was an-other colorful and exuberant explora-tion of world cultures and this year’s focus: Asia! Our students contributed to and toured our interactive cultural museum—seeing the beautiful and engaging exhibits, playing world in-struments, explaining their science projects, and trying on international dress and hats. They were able to en-gage in the many interactive compo-nents of the museum, making Shi-bouri dyed materials and peace flags, creating a sand mandala, and weaving on table looms. It is truly a joy to see

them having such a terrific time learning about the world! Our Friday performances included traditional peace greetings from around the world; songs by the primary students, including Asian-themed and French songs; a performance by Savannah Juvanis, our African drumming group; t’ai chi demonstrations; contra and circle dancing; poetry readings; a Taiwanese song; a visit from a Chinese dragon; and a performance by Syracuse University’s Orange Bhangra Indian Dance group.

Some special events this year included a performance for our primary students by the Francis School of Irish Dance (see page 7), and a special t’ai chi unit in Fitness class. Steve Hohm, a member of the Taoist Tai Chi Society, taught the first form of 17 t’ai chi movements to students in the 6-9 and 9-12 Fitness classes. The elementary children were treated to a demonstration by karate black belt and MSS librarian, Nancy Finch, and her teacher, Rande Lawrence, of World Class Karate. Thanks to these and all the other special visitors who have shared so much with our students this year!

CULTURAL FESTIVAL

Scenes from the Cultural Festival. Clockwise from immediate right: Danny George (Pine), Elena Chiodi (Evergreen), and Parisa Ahmed (Evergreen) try out a Japanese Shi-bouri dye technique in the Cultural Museum. Annie Gale, Marcea Bond, Morgan Barnes, Sara Vertino, and Ryan Dunn (all of Willow) study the Pine Cottage display. Madame Ca-palupa leads French songs at the Primary Festival, and guest dancers from Orange Bhangra perform an Indian dance at the Elementary Fes-tival.

The elementary students learned t’ai chi this semester. Amira Carroll, Olivia Davis, Marcea Bond, Annie Gale, Mychal Em-manuel, Jason Cavanagh, Ellie Pedone, and Peri Cannavo (Willow) are shown demonstrating their technique. Cedar Class learned a Taiwanese Stick Dance with their music teacher, Alina Plourde. Shown dancing are Lili Czerniak Linder, Evan Scheu, and George Knapick, while Cedar teacher Jane Phillips and Ava Halbritter manipulate the sticks. Above left: Birch Cottage students dress in inter-national clothing and pose for a group photo: Aaron Kaufman, Jacob Temes, Mira Gordon, Stella Urbanski, and Coralee Donnelly-Heg.

Page 10

The Silent Journey... the AHA moments!

Weaving ~

A Tradition at MSS

The Silent  Journey  is a hands‐on event designed  to help 

adults  experience  the  Montessori  classroom  from  the 

child’s perspec ve. This year, parents and grandparents of 

children  at  all  levels  shared  the  experience.  Par cipants 

first  toured  the  3‐6,  6‐9,  and  9‐12  classrooms  during  a 

“silent” period, then returned to work in each room a er 

a brief reflec on. Parents who have traveled on the Silent 

Journey experience  have referred to it as “life changing.” 

Those who  a ended  really enriched  their understanding 

of Montessori and gained greater insight into their child’s 

experience at MSS.  

Cedar and Evergreen students are weaving small rugs in the Bedouin style of Iran, Turkey,

and Afghanistan this year, as part of their cultural study of Asia. Hand weaving is a tradition

at MSS, where our youngest primary students learn the sheep-to-wool process and try simple

weaving and carding wool. Visiting Artist, SU Professor Sarah Saulson, teaches weaving to

the 6-9’s each spring, spending time in the classrooms and working with each student on table

looms. Art teacher Kathy Barry also offers the students opportunities to weave on a tapestry

loom and with small looms of different kinds. Students learn to sew and weave, making their

own unique creations. Hand weaving is a perfect fit for MSS. It is a completely hands-on

creative activity that involves focus and concentration to complete all the steps of the process.

From the creative side, it includes the fun of working with color, pattern, and texture, making

something of beauty, and engaging the students’ curiosity about how the loom actually works

mechanically. It engages different parts of the brain and body—a multi-sensory experience.

Each year, Sarah and Kathy plan a new weaving project that is related to the school’s conti-

nent of focus for that year. We have made kente cloth (Ghana), Navajo rugs (Americas),

peace flags (Tibet), raffia weaving (Congo), huipils (Guatemala), and indigo dyeing (Asia).

The results of our many projects can be seen throughout the classrooms and the school and

are always displayed as part of the annual Cultural Festival.

Left: Antonio Fernandez-Cosgrove (Evergreen) creates a Bedouin-style rug.

Antonio and fellow third-level students have been weaving for three years.

“ (at the Silent Journey) I enjoyed gaining a great appreciation for what my child experiences daily and how he will progress academically. Unless a parent has attended a Montessori school, they don't have a true appreciation of the great classroom environment in action. (This event) exceeded my expectations...every parent of a Montessori student should attend!”~MSS Parent

Above: Jason Chao, Jaimie Chiodi, Roger Wil-liams, Carolyn Williams, and Jessica Hehl exclaim “aha!” as MSS 6-9 teacher Julia Gordon shares the checkerboard math material during the Si-lent Journey. Teachers at all levels gave lessons and explained the use of the materials during the event.

FILL THE CHAIR

Can you help us fill the chair? Fill the Chair is a cam-paign to grow our Montessori school and others by bring-ing more visitors into Montessori classrooms nationwide. Classroom observations are the single most successful way to share the Montessori experience. When visitors see the magic happening in the classroom, a lasting impression is made! Perhaps you remember your initial observation in one of our classrooms and the impression it made on you. Here’s how you can help: share our brochures and website with parents, relatives, neighbors, colleagues, politicians, business people, and other adults in your life who might be interested in learning more about the Montessori School of Syracuse. Getting visitors to campus, “filling the chair,” is the most effective way to get members of our community to recognize the many benefits of a Montessori education. Help us by sharing your experience and encouraging oth-ers to experience Montessori!

Our annual Spring Gala is more than an just an elegant so-cial event for our community. The “Fund A Wish” portion of the live auction raises money for many seemingly small but very valuable changes to our community. The beautiful sign you drive by every morning as you approach the school was paid for with Fund A Wish contributions, and last year’s donations to the Fund A Wish Great Room Project paid for changes to that room which, though barely noticea-ble, have had a huge impact. On the right, the workers are shown installing sound-absorption panels, which make all our school-wide celebrations and performances more pleas-ing to the ear. In addition, the window glass applications of translucent UV film have benefitted the Great Room expe-rience by blocking the late-afternoon sun, cutting the glare tremendously and making the temperature much more comfortable. Last year’s Fund A Wish also enabled MSS to acquire a laptop and projector, which have greatly enhanced presentations made in the Great Room and throughout the building. We hope these small but highly effective enhance-ments have made those of you who have spent years coming to events in the Great Room much happier. Thank you for attending the Spring Gala and making possible future pro-jects like these!

Fund A Wish

 

155 Waldorf Parkway 

Syracuse, NY 13224 

315‐449‐9033 

www.mssyr.org 

NON PROFIT ORG 

US POSTAGE 

PAID 

SYRACUSE NY 

PERMIT NO. 116 

Focus & Concentration

One aim of the 3-6 classroom is to nurture the natural ability of the child to focus on an activity for long periods of time. The Mon-tessori materials are designed with this in mind. They help the child build independ-ence, improve coordination, and follow steps in a sequence. The materials encourage focus and concentration, beginning with some ac-tivities requiring fifteen minutes or more to complete. We never interrupt a child who is “in flow,” in a state of intense concentration. Flow is the mental state of a person fully im-mersed in an activity, with a feeling of ener-gized focus—involved in and enjoying the activity. This complete absorption was de-scribed by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi in his book Flow and observed by Dr. Maria Mon-tessori in children in the early 1900s.

Below: In Oak Cottage, Gene Kitisin has a geome-try lesson with teacher Wenfang Zhao. Gene is to-tally engaged in the lesson, which Wen presents calmly and with focus and quiet energy.

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