Noam Chomsky
A language is not just words. It’s a culture, a tradition, a unification of a community, a whole history that creates what a community is. It’s all embodied in a language.
The words we speak to each other are very powerful. Even recent history shows us that words can damage and tear people apart. But we also know that words can build us up, can empower, can encourage, can repair past damages, and heal. We want to let our words always be gracious and upbuilding.
The Montessori philosophy is based on respect for oneself, respect for others, and respect for the environment. We choose our words to reflect this. Communication is a vital part of a community. It connects us. And we all want to belong to a kind and caring community. As educators, we strive to create this loving and mutually supportive environment where students feel inspired and supported by their classmates and teachers. And as members of the global community, we strive to always model respect, grace, courtesy, loving kindness, and a commitment to a safe and positive environment that unifies us.
Regardless of what language we speak, we can create this kind and caring community by choosing our words carefully, by putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes before we speak, and trying to remember that we are all in this together.
Be well,
Sandra Bosnar-Dale & Isabelle Kunicki
Co-Founders & Directors of The Clover School
WATCH
February is Black History Month, when the contributions Black communities and cultures have made to the world are celebrated. While we do want to recognize this month along with the rest of the world, we also want to work to cultivate kindness, compassion, respect, empathy, and equity daily, not just in February.
Many of the events that would bring people together to celebrate Black history are having to move online this year, which may provide more people with more opportunities to participate. The Toronto Black Film Festival – created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation and celebrating its 9th impactful edition – amplifies more Black voices and promises to inspire through strong, diverse, and bold programming. This year’s program highlights important topics such as human rights, systemic racism, the environment, music, and Black Lives Matter, through a record number of 154 films from 25 countries and various special events, all available entirely online across Canada and around the world. It runs from February 10 to 21, 2021.
9th TORONTO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL
PLAY
Travel restrictions and stay-at-home advisories leave many of us craving an international cultural experience. Thanks to Google Arts & Culture‘s wonderfully curated website, you and your family can visit a world famous museum like London’s Tate, the Musée D’Orsay Paris, or NYC’s MoMA; examine a masterpiece in detail without queueing for hours; or play culturally-influenced games with your family. You will be able to explore well-known museums and works of art, as well as lesser known ones that are equally as beautiful and fascinating. You can also bring culture to life with augmented reality and interactive experiences. This website is truly a visual delight for the whole family!
GOOGLE ARTS & CULTURE | TAKE A CULTURAL TRIP AROUND THE WORLD
GIVE
Who doesn’t need more good juju in their life? Lisa and Alex, the Canadian founders of Hello Good Juju, believe that making small changes in our daily routine can collectively add up to making big changes in the world. Their all-natural, plastic-free hair care products and laundry detergent strips are good for you and show respect for our planet. One Hello Good Juju shampoo bar lasts for 50–75 washes, and replaces three plastic bottles of shampoo!
We can all do our part for the planet, and support a Canadian women-founded and run business at the same time with Hello Good Juju. Their leave no trace philosophy guides them every step of the way. From formulation and manufacturing, to packaging and shipping, they seek out and apply the methods and materials that will have the least impact on the environment. As Lisa and Alex put it, “we don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”
HELLO GOOD JUJU | ALL-NATURAL, PLASTIC-FREE BODY CARE PRODUCTS
WEDNESDAY WEBINAR
Montessori is a timeless approach to education with a powerful legacy of proven success. For over a century, the Montessori model has equipped children around the world with a distinct academic advantage that lasts a lifetime. We are pleased to share the opportunity to take part in a Montessori Parenting Series, offered through Montessori Thrive.
This series, designed to educate and inspire parents to carry the knowledge of Montessori into their homes, will take place every Wednesday, from January 20th to February 17th, from 8 to 9 PM EST.
Each Wednesday evening will feature guest speakers who are experts in applying Montessori principles to parenting. They will be sharing with you their knowledge and experience in Montessori education, child development, and parenting, and will also answer parent questions live on Zoom. Everyone is welcome to attend this exciting parenting series at no cost, as the aim of the series is to spread the wisdom of Montessori philosophy to anyone who wants to learn about it.
Tonight’s event is The Elementary Years with Tricia Moseley Bak. We look forward to seeing you there, and to sharing our passion for Montessori with you!
MONTESSORI THRIVE | THE ELEMENTARY YEARS
If your day-to-day routine seems to be falling into a rut and you feel like you’re running on autopilot, these easy-to-incorporate suggestions can help you and your family get back into a more focused mindset. From taking ten minutes every day to really focus on what we are doing at that given moment to choosing our words carefully, these mindfulness tips that we can incorporate into our morning routine can be just what we need to refocus and centre ourselves.
LEARN TO SLOW DOWN WITH THESE EASY MORNING HABITS
