January Banyan Newsletter

Happy New Year Banyan Parents and Students!

May this New Year bring us all a healthy and prosperous life. Together we will make positive changes in our kids’ lives. Ms. Niki and I are thankful for all the holiday gratitude and wishes. We are grateful for your kindness.

Banyans are welcoming two new friends, Kai and Kaitlin, to our Banyan family.

“Our care of the children should be governed not by the desire to ‘make them learn things’, but by the endeavor always to keep burning within them the light which is called intelligence.” – Dr. Maria Montessori
Dr. Montessori believes that the Montessori education should work for all types of children and families because Dr. Montessori created the Montessori method for all different cultures based on her scientific study about child development. But in order for a child to succeed and benefit from the Montessori education method, we should all learn, build, and follow specific factors that help us all bloom in the Montessori garden.

1.Parents understand the Montessori Philosophy: Most important is that the parents should understand the Montessori Philosophy. It is hard to believe something without getting it all in. If we as parents are doubtful about what we are offering to our child, then there will be a gap between what we believe and what our child follows.

2.Prepared Environment: Children at this age will look for order and complete lessons that they can independently choose and be successful working with to fulfill their needs. Our daily observation proves every day that a Montessori classroom can function smoothly when it is well-prepared. When there are incomplete lessons on the shelves or the environment doesn’t meet their needs, the children get frustrated and grow disengaged.

3.Prepared and consistent adults in the environment: Adults in the classroom should be prepared for the day both physically and mentally. It is true that the mood of the adults in the environment will affect the classroom flow. Likewise, the children in the Montessori classroom become comfortable with the same adults in the environment every day.

4. Prepared Teacher: The Teacher should understand, believe and follow the Montessori philosophy. The teacher should be a role model and be present all the time when she is with the children.

5. School Administration: School administration should understand, develop, support and execute the Montessori Education at the school.

January Events
12th- PJ Party 5:30-9pm
17th- Primary Parent Education Night 5:30-6: 30 pm
18th & 19th- Kapok Bake Sale
20th – Annual Gala – Dinner, Music, and Comedy @ 6:30 pm Childcare available at
Key West Sports Academy.
23rd- Toddler Parent Education Night 5:30-6: 30 pm
25th- Corporation Meeting 6:00 pm
31st- Elementary Parent Education Night 5:30-6:30pm

Our Annual Gala Auction Basket: “SHOP LOCALLY”
Every classroom is creating a themed basket to auction off at the Gala night on January 20th to raise money for our scholarship fund. This year’s theme for the Banyans basket is “Shop Locally.” I am personally excited about our theme. I will send the sign-up link in a separate email to sign up for the items for our classroom basket.

We are going to continue learning our December unit studies in January as we did not get much time to explore our studies in December.

Gratefully,

Ms. Karthi and Ms. Nikki