Students Helping Students: MSW Outreach to Texas Disaster Victims

Your Help is Neededby Friday, September 15th

Dear MSW Families,

The city of Houston has endured a weather event of historical proportions. The needs of the families in communities of Houston seems insurmountable but, with help from people all over the world, these families will be able to recover. There are many Montessori communities in the Houston area that are displaced from their homes and schools. The American Montessori Society has been in touch with its members to share ways in which schools like ours can help.

The most urgent need right now is for Care Kits to help children and adults. We are asking our families to please consider filling one, two, three, or more care kits with the supplies listed below. Once you have completed the Care Kit, please send it into school. MSW will mail the kits to Dr. Betsy Coe, Montessori teacher educator and researcher, at the Houston Montessori Center. Middle and high school Montessori students at the School of the Woods will deliver these kits where they are needed.

At MSW, our students and staff will be writing notes of encouragement to place inside each of the preschool and school-age Care Kits that we receive from MSW families for shipment to Texas. We ask you to write notes for the adults and include them in your assembled kit(s) before sending them in to MSW. Together, we can offer our support to a community that is suffering a tremendous loss.

Helping your child respond to a disaster is a great way to connect and help him/her grow through what can be a scary, confusing, overwhelming experience. Here are some tips for talking with your child as you prepare the kits together.

  • Listen. Kids likely already know about the disaster. Before you talk, ask questions. Find out what they know and clear up misperceptions, being honest, while not overwhelming them with the tragedy.
  • Remind your child that they are safe and secure. There are many people whose job it is to keep them safe. Talk through plans and procedures that your family has in case of emergencies.
  • Ask them how it makes them feel to hear or think about the tragedy. Don’t be afraid to share your feelings with them. Talk together about ways they can cope with their feelings…physical exercise, meditation and breathing, coloring, journaling, creating art, listening to or playing music.
  • Take action. Making kits together is one way for your family to help. There are many others. Discuss what your child would like to do to help.

On behalf of MSW, I want to thank you for supporting the flood-stricken communities of Houston.

Jodi Lupco

Head of School

Montessori School of Westminster

Care Kits Needed

Preschool Age Children:

All contents go in a gallon-size plastic bag with the label “2-, 3-, or 4-year-old” and, if gender specific, for example,“2-year old girl.”

  • Children’s toothbrush, toothbrush cover, toothpaste
  • Bar of soap or body wash
  • Pocket pack of Kleenex
  • 2-1 shampoo/conditioner
  • Lotion
  • New washcloth
  • Personal item – small stuffed animal, book, game, cards

School Age Children:

There are two areas of need for this age group. I have labeled them A and B. Put items from list A in a gallon-size plastic bag labeled “School Age.” Put items from list B in a backpack. You do not need to fill both.

LIST ALIST B

  • Toothbrush, toothbrush cover, & toothpaste
  • Bar of soap or body wash
  • Pocket pack of Kleenex
  • 2-1 shampoo/conditioner
  • Lotion
  • New washcloth
  • Personal item – book, cards, game
  • Pencils
  • Crayons
  • Markers
  • Eraser
  • Lined notebook paper
  • Folders

Adults:

All contents go in a gallon-size plastic bag labeled “Adult.” Please specify gender.

  • Toothbrush, toothbrush cover, & toothpaste
  • Dental Floss
  • Disposable razor/Shaving cream
  • Bar of soap or body wash
  • Pocket pack of Kleenex
  • 2-1 shampoo/conditioner
  • Deodorant
  • Chap stick
  • Lotion
  • New washcloth
  • Note of encouragement
  • Female – Feminine hygiene products

There will be a box in the MSW vestibule to collect assembled Care Kits. Please have the kits here by Friday, September 15th as we will be shipping them the following Tuesday.

Thank you for your help!!!