Post on 20-Apr-2018
February 2017
Inside this issue:
Independence Rally 1
Celebrating 38 Years 2
Character Quality 3
Mural
4
District Science Quiz
From the Classroom
5
Healthy Living for Kids 6
Upcoming Events /
Announcements
7
DASH
Independence Colour Run
8
9
Poetry / Birthdays 1
0
The Montessori
Centre,
Rodney Heights,
Gros-Islet
PARENT CONNECTION
“A Nation’s Journey
Moving Forward“
38 years of Independence
INDEPENDENCE RALLY
Thirty-Eight years ago, on February 22nd, 1979, Saint Lucia broke free
from British rule to become an independent nation state.
This year, as we have done since our inception, The Montessori Centre will
pay tribute to St. Lucia’s Independence. As we celebrate 38 years, a rally
will be held at the school’s grounds on TUESDAY 21ST February
2017 , from 9:30 a.m., under the theme
“A Nation’s Journey Moving Forward”.
We promise a display of patriotism through songs, cultural dance and
modeling. Our rally will be followed immediately with a fair, during which
classes will host fun games and will engage in the vending of various food
items. We do hope you can join us.
For our Independence Rally we would like as much as possible for
students to dress in the colours of the flag: Blue, Yellow, White
and Black. A combination of the colours would also be appropriate.
Page 2
St Lucia Celebrating 38 years
When is the Independence Day of Saint Lucia Celebrated?
Saint Lucia became an independent nation on February 22, 1979.
On this date it became an independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations with the British
queen as the head of the state. The Independence Day of Saint Lucia is celebrated as a public holiday.
How did Saint Lucia gain its independence?
The history of Saint Lucia goes back a long way. It was initially discovered by the great explorer
Christopher Columbus on December 13, 1502. In 1643, the French set up the first permanent European
settlement on this island. Following the defeat of the French at the hands of the British in the Seven
Years’ War, control of Saint Lucia passed on to the British. The French and British continued to fight
over Saint Lucia till 1814 when the British secured its control over the island. Britain continued to rule
Saint Lucia till 1967, when they handed over internal self-government to the Saint Lucian people.
Finally on February 22, 1979, Saint Lucia became an independent sovereign nation.
What does the national flag of Saint Lucia represent?
The national flag of Saint Lucia was designed by Dunstan St Omer, an artist. The flag was officially
adopted as the national flag of Saint Lucia on March 1, 1967. Since then, the design of the flag was
changed once in 1979. In 2002, the background color was changed. The present national flag of Saint
Lucia has a sky blue background which symbolizes the sky, the ocean that surrounds this beautiful
island, and fidelity. There is a golden isosceles triangle in the middle, symbolizing sunshine and
prosperity. On top of the triangle, there is a black and white arrowhead, with black being the dominant
color. This symbolizes the racial harmony between the people of the two races, although the
dominance of black symbolizes greater influence of black culture than European. The triangle also
represents the Piton peaks, which are the largest peaks of Saint Lucia.
Who composed the national anthem of Saint Lucia?
“Sons and Daughters of Saint Lucia” is the national anthem of the country. When Saint Lucia gained
self-government in 1967, this song was adopted for the first time. Following their independence in
1979, “Sons and Daughters of Saint Lucia” became the national anthem of Saint Lucia. Charles Jesse
wrote the lyrics while Leton Felix Thomas composed the music.
Page 3
Character Quality
For February
Loyalty vs. Unfaithfulness
Using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to those I serve
Loyalty in the home includes:
Surprising each other with fun outings even during difficult times.
Parents staying involved in their children’s activities even in a crisis
Loyalty vs. Unfaithfulness
“True patriotism is
not manifested in
short, frenzied
burst of emotion.
It is the tranquil,
steady dedication of
a lifetime
Adlai Stevenson
I will ….. Serve my family and teachers.
Encourage others in hard times.
Not mock authorities.
Point out the good in others.
When two male geese show interest in
the same female goose the two will
engage in a contest of strength. The
watching female does not always
accept the winner, but whichever one
she does accept becomes her mate for
life. A goose couple is loyal , literally in
“sickness or in health …… till death do
them part.”
Rewards of Loyalty
Bonding
Families who stick together in hard
times experience a deep bonding
that makes their relationship
stronger than it was before the
crisis.
Trust
Being committed to family through
traumas, financial struggles, and
personality conflicts builds trust
among family members that is not
easily broken.
Page 4
Work on the mural at The Montessori Centre continues with the recent addition of art work to the
project. The students and art teacher are continuing to work and aiming to finish before the end of the
current school term.
Mural at the Montessori Centre By Teacher Kadrian and Students
From the Classroom Grade 2
Salt and Chalk Craft Images
Page 5
Needed:
Some sand, shells, rocks (coral), sidewalk chalk (different colors), 2lbs of salt, empty water bottle (650 ml)
and white A4 paper.
As an activity to commence the Second Term at school, the Grade Two students were engaged in a craft
activity. First the students selected some small rocks or shells to put in their bottles. Then they carefully
poured some sand into the bottle. After students poured small portions of salt on an A4 paper. Next
students used one or more sidewalk chalk to colour the salt on their paper. Then the coloured salt was
gently poured into the bottle by using the paper as a funnel. This was done repeatedly until their bottles
were almost filled with coloured salt. Finally the students added some sand at the top of their bottles to
hold the salt in place. The finished product looked colourful and creative. Also the students had lots of fun
participating in this craft activity.
District One Science and Technology quiz
Theme: Science and Technology: The catalyst for a sustainable future.
On Wednesday, 28th January,2017, The Montessori Centre participated in the
District One Science and Technology quiz. Three students from grade 5 made the team, two
of which were participants and one substitute. Namely; Fouad Hadeed, Alannah Bousquet
and Krishna Mahtani (substitute).
The district quiz took place at the Gros Islet Secondary School’s auditorium.
Proceedings got off to a late start and began at approximately 11:00am. Seven primary
schools including The Montessori centre took part in the competition.
(Grand Riviere Primary, Dame Pearlette Louisy Primary, Bonne Terre Preparatory, Balata
Combined, Gros Islet Primary, Monchy Primary).
The competition took the form other schools. Not giving up hope, our team fought
on, answering all questions in the next of three rounds, four questions each. After round
one, TMC was at 10 points trailing behind five round correctly. This took us to 2nd place
along with three other schools.
After the final round, our team was able to secure second place with two other
schools. Therefore a tie breaker had to determine the second place winner. After two
challenging questions, our team members were victorious, taking home the second place
trophy for the District One Science and Technology quiz 2017 at the Primary level. Job
well done students and TMC!
District Science Quiz
Page 6 Newsletter Title
Healthy Living
For Kids
February 2017 Page 7
Upcoming Events February 2017
FEBRUARY 2017
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THUR
FRI
SAT
1111 222 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 1511
5
16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28
3rd - Science fair
6th - 9th Parents Classroom Observation
( Preprimary )
21st - Independence Celebration ( Rally & Fair)
1pm Dismissal
22nd - Independence Day ( No School )
23rd - 24th Mid Term Break
Announcements
We would like to say thanks to the Parents of Jake Kyle Grade 3/2 for
the donation of blocks to the Toddler Department.
Science fair will be held on the Friday 3rd February 2017
We would like to say thanks to the Parents of Pranam Mahtani Grade 2/2 and
Pranaya Mahtani Pre Primary 2 for the donation of books.
Page 8 Newsletter Title
For St. Lucia’s 38th Anniversary of Independence, men, women and chil-
dren alike will take to the streets in celebration.
The love of and for our country is key to uplifting society’s’ morale and fu-
ture outlook especially during challenging times.
The 2017 Dash Independence Colour Run, is set to promote
healthiness and happiness by bringing the community together to partici-
pate in the “Happiest Fun Run in St. Lucia” on Sunday 19th
Febru-
ary 2017.
“D-A-S-H ~ The Independence Colour Run” is an 8km, un-timed race in
which participants, or “Dashers”, are doused from head to toe in St. Lu-
cia’s national colours of White, Blue, Cerulean Blue and Light Chrome
Yellow. With only four rules for the participants, the idea is easy to follow:
Register for the fun run
February 2017 Page 9
The Montessori Centre,
Rodney Heights, Gros-Islet
P.O. Box 2631,RB,Gros-Islet, St. Lucia
Tel: 758-452-8114 or 758-450-1572
Fax: 758-452-9409
E-Mail:montessoricenter@candw.lc
New Year New
Things To come
School Motto: “We Strive to be the best
that we can be”
February 2017 Page 10
Love After Love - Poem by Derek Walcott
The time will come
when, with elation
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror
and each will smile at the other's welcome,
and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was
yourself.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to it, to the stranger who has loved you
all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,
the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.
Derek Walcott
To all Students ,Staff and Parents born in this month