One for the Books

Once again the Book Fair Blizzard blew into TMA’s Library for a three-day stay. It turned out to be a blizzard of books and activity. Students and parents alike stocked up on reading materials and gifts for the holidays. The profits from this fair and the spring fair are used to keep our library supplied with a fine selection of books from picture books to fiction, and nonfiction to biographies.

During the run of our December and May Book Fairs, a program by Scholastic Books is also in progress. It is called One for Books. Students, parents, faculty and staff can donate loose change, or any amount they wish, into a well-marked jar on the circulation desk. All proceeds collected are used to buy books for the Montessori Preschool Classroom at the South Bend Center for the Homeless. TMA’s Library gets credit for selling these books which adds to its profits. Scholastic Books, through a matching donation, gives books to national non-profit organizations dedicated to helping families in need. These organizations have included the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. and the National Center for Family Literacy. This is a win, win, win situation for everyone!

Shown below are just some of the books that have been given to the TMA Preschool Classroom at SBCH over the years. Your support of our book fairs and this program are greatly appreciated.

Submitted by: Linda Meyer- Librarian at The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes

Australian Blokes Visit TMA

Last week, the Oakhill Basketball Team from Sydney, Australia came to visit and play local basketball teams on their tour of the United States. The Australian basketball coaches saw Mr. Poole's name on a club basketball circuit and contacted him. They visited TMA to learn more about American school life and to play their basketball games in the TMA gymnasium.

On Tuesday, December 6th, the whole team, including the coaches, came to TMA and introduced themselved. We had the opportunity to learn about life in Australia and about their school history.

We would like to thank all of the families of TMA who hoded the Australian team and Mr. Poole for organizing the visit!

Benefiting Others

MISHAWAKA — The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes recently held its seventh annual Wrapping Up for the Holidays.

The school wrapped presents and packed boxes of food for three families (11 children and three adults) that the Montessori adopted through Salvation Army. Each family’s pantry was stocked with enough food for the duration of Christmas break. Each child received hat and gloves, an outfit and socks, and three presents to open.

Courtesy of: The South Bend Tribune December 11, 2011 Edition

Photograph Courtesy of: Ed Bosworth of Bozworthy Images

The Junior High Does it Again!

We received a wonderful letter from the Food Bank of Northern Indiana. Please enjoy the below thank you letter:

December 2, 2011

Dear TMA Community,

On behalf of the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, our heartfelt thanks to you for your generous support of our organization through your recent food drive. The Montessori Academy at Edison lakes collected 222 pounds non-perishables or the equivalent of 171 meals for those in need in the communities we serve- thank you! In addition, we enjoyed having the middle school students tour the Food Bank and sort the efforts of their drive. We are grateful for your support!

Hunger in our community is closer than you think. Just over 18% of the population in Northern Indiana is food insecure, which means that they do not always know where they will find their next meal. With your support, we are able to fulfill our mission to work in partnership with the community to feed the hungry, increase awareness of the effects of hunger and lead programs designed to alleviate hunger.

We welcome the opportunity to work with you again.

Together, we will nourish our community
Very Best,

Marijo C. Martinec
Director of the Community Impact
Food Bank of Northern Indiana

Poetry from the Junior High

Winter

The wind is blowing,

The snow is falling,

We will go out and play,

Then come in and wish it was winter every day

Submitted by: Gabriela- Junior High student from The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes

Poetry from the Junior High

Fall

All the leaves are gold and red,

Soon they will fall on my head,

I will brush them of onto the ground,

and make a tiny mound

Submitted by Gabriela- Junior High student from The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes