Spring has sprung; the trees are blooming, the weather is heating up and the calendar is suddenly as full as it was in the spring of 2019. What a treat! Core to our values at Athena Montessori Academy is the practice of fostering a deep appreciation for all the beautiful differences that make us who we are. Sometimes, though, beautiful differences are turned into marginalized identities. We live in a society where certain ways of being are exalted. We call this ‘being in the center’ or ‘being centered’. Lives that fall outside the center are marginalized or ‘othered’. We are aware that systems in our country are built to exclude certain groups from what we know as basic human rights: housing, health care, education, nutritious foods, and the agency to build a life.
Yesterday, Thursday, March 31, was a celebration of marginalized identities very near and dear to our hearts here at Athena. It was a two-fold day of joy being both International Day of Trans Visibility and César Chávez / Dolores Huerta Day.
César Chávez and Dolores Huerta Day
“When the man who feeds the world by toiling in the fields is himself deprived of the basic rights of feeding, sheltering, and caring for his own family, the whole community of man is sick.” -César Chávez
“Giving kids clothes and food is one thing, but it’s much more important to teach them that other people besides themselves are important and that the best thing they can do with their lives is to use them in the service of other people.”
-Dolores Huerta
Click HERE to learn more about César Chavez
Click HERE to learn more about Dolores Huerta
Transgender Visibility Day
What does it mean to be visible? What does it mean to be seen for who we are? What does it mean to feel safe and comfortable, to be accepted? Are these questions ones we have to ponder as we move about the world? If not, then we have the agency to step up to the plate and go to bat for those who must hide, who cannot be seen for who they truly are for fear of repercussion.
Austin-based Presbyterian minister Reverend Remington Johnson was an inspiration to us all when she spoke in front of the Texas State Legislature in 2021. “Trans children are a blessing. Trans children are sacred.” We agree, Reverend Johnson. We agree.
Rally for Transgender Rights – Saturday, April 2nd – Noon on the Capitol Steps in downtown Austin
Gather with equity-minded folks on the steps of the Texas State Capitol at high noon this Saturday to let your voice be heard on behalf of transgendered people who are facing anti-trans legislation in many states, including Texas.
April is the month of Ramadan 2022
Athena Montessori acknowledges that being Muslim in America is fraught. Depending on where people of the Muslim faith live in this country, being open about one’s faith and religious identity can mean to be othered and discriminated against.
Even in more liberal cities such as Austin, or more diverse cities like Houston, being openly Muslim can invite biases and misconceptions to surface and cause harm. We stand with our Muslim community members and their right to practice their faith unhindered. We wish you a fruitful month of peace, prayer and family. Ramadan Mubarak, y’all!
P6 Team Spotlight
1. What is your favorite aspect of the Three to Six Plane of Development?
Alex: Their joy in the simple things: a blooming flower, leaf or funny cloud. Things adults often move too fast to see.
2. What is a sweet moment you have already experienced this school year?
Jazmin: Watching One of the kids go from needing lots of redirecting to needing little help and doing what needs to be done on the first message
3. Name something that people generally think very young children cannot do, but you have seen them do.
Jennifer: Prepare their own food and clean up afterwards.
4. If you could own only one book on early childhood, which book would you pick?
Discovery of the Child by Maria Montessori
Follow the link below to read the full Primary 6 Spotlight:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wd1AOZ4jWKaugoK3rENkcy0UpIELxfQ6iQ4iV9OO5I4/edit
