HEAD OF SCHOOL REPORT
Each year after the first six weeks of school, I set a few benchmarks for myself relative to my annual agenda.  This year, of course, is unique in quality due to our 50th anniversary celebration, but there are some annual goals that remain the same.
By this time I hope to have learned every new child’s name, maybe not all of the parents yet, but in due time.  I also visit each class several times to introduce myself and participate in the lovely ritual of  having each child greet me in the gathering place with a handshake, eye contact and, “Good morning. My name is…” During those times, children invariably approach me with precious anecdotes that I would like to share with you to draw some connections as to their “work” of development in this early stage of the year. 

“School is fun!”
From a 4 year old student. What else is there to say? My response –it is for me, too!

“I’m off to do my spelling.”
Having the ability to choose, self regulate and understand time management at an early age is one of the special attributes of Montessori.

“I can do cursive letters on the chalkboard.”
Having large chalkboards in the Children’s House classrooms allows young children to practice  their letters in big form. This is an early step toward using pencil and paper.

“Aren’t you glad we are in a safe school?”
The rain; was coming down, wind blowing and this child said these words to his friend. It made me quite emotional, but also filled me with gratitude that we have a place where children know they are secure.   

“Look, Gordon. I found a small insect, and I am going to set her free outside.”
Children in Montessori develop a keen sensory awareness for little, more subtle things and noticing a tiny animal on the floor and then instinctively setting it free speaks of their respect for life and the environment.

“I finished this whole page, now I am on page 8.”
The child was busy writing a “novel” in one of our Lower Elementary classes.  Having language so integrated into curriculum allows children to freely explore their developing talents.            

“I’m researching the Cradle of Civilization.”
The cultural curriculum in Montessori takes students on the journey of life, and our Upper Elementary students study early humans and their growth toward civilization. With this format, the  level of appreciation is heightened for human contribution and responsibility.

“If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.”
A 3 year old came up to me with that, so what was I to do? I clapped!

These are just a few of the reasons why you hear me say what a privilege it is to be part of this learning community.

Dangerous Dismissal
A concerned parent took the time to email me this last week. She is very worried that a serious accident will occur if these practices continue.  Please read the Family Handbook ( page 16) and note the drop-off and pick-up procedures. 

“I feel like it’s going to be time soon for your annual message about discourteous and/or dangerous driving during drop off and pick up.  In the last couple of weeks, I've had something happen almost every day:

People parking their car in the drop-off lane during the height of congestion and going into the building, thus clogging traffic.

People driving very fast and not paying attention.

 People on their cell phones and not paying attention.   The latest studies show that driving while on a cell phone is as dangerous and impairs your driving ability to the same level as a 0.8 blood alcohol level.  Most Ruffing parents would not dream of driving while under the influence.  It’s equally not okay to be driving through the pick-up and drop-off lines while on the cell phone.  There are 300 children, many of them very small, who are being put at risk.
On Tuesday, I arrived for pick-up early because my son had a dentist appointment.   While waiting on Fairmount Boulevard in the right lane to turn into the school, a parent (who was talking on the cell phone) pulled up in the left lane and turned in front of me across traffic into the school almost causing a collision.  When I honked, she attempted to flag me down (while still talking on the cell phone) to explain that she was in a hurry because she had to take her daughter somewhere after school.  

This is an ongoing issue every year and I know the school can only issue gentle reminders but it feels like it is getting worse.  The cell phone use in particular has gotten bad.   Thank you for listening.”

I agree with her observations and am adding a reminder of my own. Please, please be cautious when exiting the school. There are pedestrians and students from Beaumont’s track team who regularly use the sidewalk. You really must stop at the exit and look both ways, even though you are turning right.  Thank you for helping to make this a safe place, all the time.

Gordon L. Maas, Head of School

A very “Special Event”
On Wednesday, November 11 at 7 pm, Ruffing , for the first time, will put the spotlight on our Specialist offerings, and you are cordially invited to spend this evening learning about Ruffing’s specials.  Similar to The Journey format, you will travel through our Art, Music, Spanish, Physical Education and Technology classes to learn and appreciate the importance of these programs as they integrate with and relate to the Montessori Curriculum.
Childcare will be available on a space-available basis. Please mark your calendars now.  I look forward to seeing you.

Fiftieth Anniversary Trivia Contest
Last month’s trivia question (identifying three Ruffing alumni from the 1990s who earned a living as professional athletes) proved a little too challenging, so there’s a somewhat easier question for October. First here are the three athletes: STEVE CARGILE (class of 1996), who starred in football at Chanel High School and at Columbia University, has played for the Denver Broncos and (currently) for the Tampa Bay Bucs as a defensive back and on special teams. RUSS (“RUSTY”) LINDBERG, class of 1993, signed with baseball’s Florida Marlins and played a season for their minor league affiliate in the rookie league following a stellar career at Bucknell University. TUCKER KAIN, class of 1994, led Williams College to a championship in 2000 and to a spot in the finals in 2001 in the NCAA Division III men’s basketball tournament. He later played professionally overseas for the Shefield Arrows of the English Basketball Association.

October’s question (first person to send the correct answers to Cary Seidman at CaryS@ruffingmontesori.net will receive a free 50th anniversary Ruffing dinosaur t-shirt)):
 Match each Ruffing teacher with the undergraduate university from which they received a bachelor’s degree (answer is accessible on the school’s web site):  

1. William Losacano
2. Susan Gray
3. Kathie Freer
4. Lili Rose
5. Francine Barnett 

1. Bowling Green
2. Ohio State
3. Southern Connecticut
4. Jacksonville
5. Texas

Ruffing Honored for Environmental Initiative in Education
Ruffing’s unique green curriculum was recognized in the 2009 Environmental Awards program sponsored by the Biodiversity Alliance and Dominion.  The members of the Biodiversity Alliance are the Executive Directors of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, The Cleveland Zoological Society, Cleveland Botanical Garden, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and The Holden Arboretum.   In the area of Primary and Secondary Education, Ruffing received an Honorable Mention for “ using the Montessori-established method and incorporating the building’s green features into the curriculum as a working lab.”  Judges commented on the comprehensive coordination of content across all age levels and the clear commitment to sustainability.

The honor included a cash award, as well as a framed herbarium print plaque which has been hung in the hallway outside the conference room.

Thank you to the Green Curriculum Committee, the faculty and Marilyn Doerr and Bob Kloos for support of this recognition.

Carol Provan, Director of Development

It is only mid-October…
and the Lost and Found bin is close to overflowing with various articles of clothing and lunch boxes.   Please check the bin under the gym for any missing items. Any unmarked or unclaimed items will be donated during winter break.  

Parent Association News
I love autumn in Cleveland.  Brown and orange surround me, not just as worn by hopeful and loyal football fans, but also in the foliage making its annual colorful farewell and in the Halloween decorations cropping up everywhere I go.  And speaking of Halloween, what better way to celebrate than at the Great Pumpkin Party at Ruffing on Sunday, October 25 from 11 am – 3 pm!  Throughout the school will be plenty of events for the youngsters to enjoy - the Cake Walk (a variation of musical chairs where the winner of each round wins a cake), the Ugly Parlor, Dr. Gross's  Lab, a Bat Cave, "Green" Arts & Crafts, Cookie Decorating, and much more.  Get an energy boost with some cotton candy and donuts. Win some great prizes in the Raffle. Food from Grovewood Tavern can be purchased in the House of Bones (a.k.a. the Middle School), where you can take a break from the action and enjoy the musical stylings of the Nan O'Malley Band and, during breaks at the Open Mic performances of Ruffing students.  Come in costume, or, if you don't have one, stop by the Save the Costumes sale (similar to the Save the Shoes sale from earlier this year).

But all this is in the flyer that you received last week (well, all except the Save the Costumes Sale, and the location - sorry about that!).  I mention this because to put this all together, to orchestrate this festive, family-friendly event, we will need your help:

Save the Costumes: Have your littlest ones outgrown their costumes?  Are you finished wearing the same Wizard costume year after year?  Drop off your gently-used costumes in the main office now, and then shop the selection at the Pumpkin Party.  Buy a "new for you" costume for $5 each.  Clear some clutter, save some dough.  And if you'd like to help coordinate the sale, or have a coat rack you could loan us for the event, please contact us.

Haunted House:  To bring back the Haunted House this year, we need a few adults to take charge.  The Middle School children are bursting with ideas and enthusiasm, and with your guidance, can run the show.  Three to four volunteers will need to meet with the Middle Schoolers, and work with them to put the event together.  Also, the volunteers will need to set up, as the Middle School students will be on their annual Washington D.C. trip the week preceding the Pumpkin Party.

Raffle Committee:  Do you have a knack for soliciting donations?  Do you have something you'd like to donate, be it goods or a service?  We're looking for items to raffle off, and our Raffle Committee would like your help.  If you are interested in helping out, or have something to donate, contact Phillis Campbell at pac330@sbcglobal.net or Casey Maicki at (216) 932-6843.

Open Mic:  Send the word out to the students, coordinate the acts (work with the band to schedule breaks, and with the performers to make sure they know when to be on stage), and MC the event.

Setup: Come in on the 24th to help transform Ruffing for the Great Pumpkin Party.

Event Help: We could definitely use your help during the event.  Pitch in for a half hour or an hour (or more, if you are so inclined) to help with the various events.  Contact Doug Fleck to let him know where you'd like to help, be it at the Sign-in table, in the gym, selling raffle tickets, or working the kitchen at the House of Bones.  Or touch base with your class parent to volunteer for your class activity.

Cleanup: Stay after the event to help clean up.

Doug Fleck is the one to contact if you're interested in helping out.  Please email him at doug.fleck@gmail.com and let him know what you'd like to do.

Now, I realize that the Great Pumpkin Party isn't all that's going on around here:

Parenting Toolbox Lecture Series
The Social Networking talk with Lisa Damour, PhD, on September 30 was a success. Approximately 35 parents and teachers participated in an insightful and interactive discussion. Key advice from Dr. Damour on how to handle digital media includes: (1) teaching  your children that all digital content is public and permanent; (2) actively monitoring  your children’s digital activity as it is public information; (3) understanding that the medium is the problem and not necessarily the behavior; and (4) actively seeking  out opportunities for your children to enjoy real privacy. For more details, check out the podcast and session summary notes at http://pa.ruffingmontessori.net/Toolbox.cfm.

Thanks to parent volunteers Derek Navracruz for podcast support, Gretchen Witt for session summary notes, Karen Sullivan, Deb Smith and Gretchen Witt for hospitality support, and Ramesh Belli for web support. The PTLS Committee is beginning planning for the 2010-2011 school year. To get involved, please contact Clare Ditchman at cmditchman@me.com.

Heinen’s Donation Program
Did you know that Heinen's ABC School Donation Program helps us?  Up to 1% of your purchases at any Heinen's grocery store can be donated to Ruffing Montessori School.

Please follow these steps to participate:

1.         Go to www.heinensrewards.com
2.         If you are already a member of Heinen's Tasteful Rewards Program, simply log into your account and select "My Profile" in the upper right hand corner.
3.         Select city and school from the pull-down list then click "Save Changes"
4.         If you are not a member of Heinen's Tasteful Rewards program you can enroll through the web address listed above.  If you would prefer to do it over the phone, you can call Heinen's directly at 216-475-2300 ext. 2337.

Thanks!

At your service,
Nivi Engineer
PA President
(216) 320-2317 (h)
(216) 299-2178 (c)
niviengineer@gmail.com

CCIS Parent Group September 2009 NEWS
Cleveland Council of Independent Schools, a nonprofit tax exempt 501 (c) (3) organization, was founded in 1967.  CCIS consists of over 4,500 students with thirteen unique schools committed to the ideal of an independent education as a valuable and viable choice for learning today.  The schools include:  Andrews Osborne Academy, Birchwood School, Gilmour Academy, Grand River Academy, Hathaway Brown School, Lake Ridge Academy, Laurel School, Lawrence School, The Lillian and Betty Ratner School, Ruffing Montessori School, University School and Western Reserve Academy.

The primary focus of CCIS is faculty and staff professional development through affinity groups, speakers, special events, web listings, dissemination of information; community connections to increase awareness of CCIS schools and support Northeast Ohio; adherence to best practices in hiring, admissions and marketing; seeking opportunities where economic; professional development  or product benefits may be derived through the consortium.

CCIS Parent Group, (PRG), one of the aforementioned affinity groups, conducts meetings with representatives from all the schools to identify common issues, tap community resources and plan joint projects.  Past projects have included a school-wide food drive in 2008 and a collaborative effort among Middle Schools and Interfaith Hospitality Network to host homeless families for one week in January and again in May, 2009. Embarking on a school-wide Wellness Initiative this year, the group has identified four “Wellness Villages”:   Farmers and Gardeners Village, Therapy Village, Fitness Village and Environment and Society Village.