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