Students Raise $1,850 to Support Cornerstone Montessori in Minnesota

On behalf of the children of Arbor's Elementary Program, I want to thank the entire community for your support of our call to action in support of Cornerstone Montessori in Minnesota. Through your generous donations and support of our bake sale, we raised $1,850 dollars. I reached out to the administration team at Cornerstone to share that the funds were on their way, and they expressed their gratitude—and shared that these funds will be immediately distributed to their community as a means of support.

“Do we believe and constantly insist that cooperation among the peoples of the world is necessary in order to bring about peace?  If so, what is needed first of all is collaboration with children.... All our efforts will come to nothing until we remedy the great injustice done the child, and remedy it by cooperating with him.  If we are among the men of good will who yearn for peace, we must lay the foundation for peace ourselves, by working for the social world of the child.” — Maria Montessori, International Montessori Congress, 1937

The last several weeks have been difficult ones. The news out of Minnesota has been heartbreaking, but we have found hope in people organizing strikes, marches, and protests. We deeply believe in the power of people to bring about change through peaceful protest; history has shown us time and time again that this is how we make a difference. Our work supporting children in growing up to be radically empathetic adults with critical thinking skills is an act of resistance in our current climate. Whatever part we can play in supporting your children in this endeavor is an honor and a privilege that we don't take lightly.

Not all children are aware of what is happening, and we aim to preserve that innocence whenever possible. Some children may have questions and may also express a desire to support peers who are feeling vulnerable.

Children from Anna's and Becca's classes put together a bake sale to benefit Cornerstone Montessori in Minnesota. Their community has been directly impacted by ICE, with staff supporting families who are afraid to leave their houses by bringing meals and shepherding children to and from school. 

Dr. Montessori said, "The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind." By looking to the children and leaning on each other, we can remember that we are stronger together.