In the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, the Woodinville Montessori School community — with campuses in Bothell and Woodinville — found itself once again in a position of helping children come to terms with terrible world events while protecting their emotional well-being and developing their sense of caring and empathy.

The approach varied dramatically depending on the age of the children — from extensive discussion about the earthquake and a visual review of Haiti through the eyes of its own artists and photographers, to learning a little geography, history, discussing ways to help and reviewing earthquake safety.

This wasn’t quite enough for fourth-grade students Livia Haynes and Madeline Battalio. They met with Head of School Mary Schneider and proposed that upper elementary students organize fund collections for CARE and AmeriCares. They had already researched the mission and charity ratings for these two organizations and were prepared to put their plans into action. The collection period began immediately.

The following day, baked goods began to pour in as the upper elementary students initiated a bake sale to raise funds for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. The bake sale ran for five days, during lunch and after school, and raised an astonishing $879.20.

As Montessori educators, fusing love and knowledge with action and confidence, in order to contribute to a better, more peaceful planet, is a goal we have for every student we come in contact with.

Ellen Wastell

Director of Communications

Woodinville Montessori School