Peace
Before a child can be socially responsible, there must be peace within. Numerous activities are provided in the classroom that allow a child to get to know and understand his/her self. We believe fostering self-respect, security and creativity are important and lead to recognition of one’s innate potential and function in life. Fulfilling our potential is the way we contribute to life on this Earth.

Diversity
Once an individual has achieved the security of self-respect, he or she has the ability to accept and respect others. Opportunities for deep understanding and acceptance of others lead to respect and collaboration. These opportunities are provided daily through our diverse staff, the Montessori philosophy and our constant awareness of teachable moments.

Social Responsibility
Social Responsibility is an awareness and growing appreciation of our connectedness to and interdependence on each other. On the way to becoming an adult, the development of social responsibility can help children find out who they are, what they can do and where they fit in our complex world. We provide many opportunities for learning about our world and how to contribute to the greater good.

Social responsibility opportunities at Clay-Platte Montessori include, but are not limited to:

In-house projects – grace and courtesy lessons, daily living activities, caring for plants and animals, baking projects, gardening, older student mentoring, recycling

Community projects – Harvesters, mitten trees, adopt a family, collecting books for shelters, providing blankets for animal shelters, work with seniors, letters to soldiers, St. Jude’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald’s pop-top collection

Global projects – UNICEF, purchasing camels to provide milk for children in Africa, adoption of endangered wildlife, on-going sponsorship of a preschool in Samburu, Kenya; collecting clothes for international need