Our school community at work

The calendar year is winding down; and yet, this time of the year at school we really start to see the community joining together.  The newest little ones in the primary classroom know the routine of our day and have established their work rhythms.  The older children are progressing along “bigger” lessons. They are exploring the room with greater confidence and demonstrate more leadership as they help younger children settle into work. 

In recent weeks, we have also had children from other class rooms join us, which makes for an even more expanded sense of community.  For example, this past week our class was working on a Christmas project for their families.  When we think of a project for the primary child to do, it may often take some time to figure out what will be the best way to facilitate this activity. We try to find the balance between allowing the children be involved in the special project, while also having the classroom continue to function as usual.  After our assistant and I had put a lot of thought into what we would do, it turned out that we were taking on a little more than expected. We realized we needed some extra help and turned to the upper elementary teacher. The children in her classroom were thrilled to volunteer! I had forgotten how much joy they take in helping the younger children. They had already demonstrated their capabilities earlier in the year by coming into the nap room and helping the young children fall asleep by gently stroking their backs; and they had helped with some heavy work to clear old plantings in the primary garden boxes. So, we had three upper elementary children at a time join us throughout the week and assist with this Christmas project.  They transported plates, bowls, and glue.  They re-directed children back to their work or helped them choose new work.  Others were assisting in the atrium, walking little ones back and forth or reading scripture booklets to them.  In the afternoon, some of them volunteered and came back to help with nap and playground activities.  It was quite a joyous spectacle to behold!

This last week before Christmas, the upper elementary children became host for all younger children in the school by organizing a cookie decorating feast in their classroom. For three days, they mixed batches of dough (from scratch!), cut out and baked large cookies in various Christmas shapes, purchased sprinkles and other sugary glitters, prepared icing in many colors, and planned the step-by-step process and set-up for bringing in a few children at a time and giving them – Montessori fashion – choices to select and decorate their own cookie to take home. From helping them put on small aprons, wiping sticky fingers, to wrapping and labeling each cookie and even tying loose shoelaces on the way out, these kids took care of everything.

The primary children look up to the older ones and are so excited when they see them. They are encouraged by their presence and tend to take out work with more excitement. They trust the older ones and develop a genuine affection for them where the age difference does not seem to matter. At the same time, the older children’s practice of patience, caring, and self-less service solidifies their developing sense of maturity and task in their life.  As one of the volunteers marveled upon leaving the playground, “They just don’t want me to leave!”  

As a whole, the CFMS community is a joy to be a part of, and the children can feel this joy and love as well.  I can see it in their eyes when they are welcomed to go for a movement break with an older child or are being tucked into their bed by a five-year old peer; when they are read a scripture booklet by a catechist; when they sit in a small group to sing a song; or when they go to the lower elementary classroom to get crickets for their classroom toads.  The children of CFMS, young and old, share a love for each other that is amazing to watch and is one of the many reasons I love to work here.  As the winter break approaches (I will be honest) I’m excited to have a break; but I know that after a couple of weeks I will be just as excited to return to CFMS and see the sweet faces of this lovely community. 

Enjoy the holidays, and I hope that 2015 brings peace to all.

Lindy Rivera