Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Opening Remarks (Preschool)

6^th Moving Up Day

Kiddie Toes Montessori School

March 2013

By:       Divine May Flor Mercado- David

School Directress

“Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away”

These are first line from a famous doctor. Can you guess who he is? He is that famous doctor with a striped red and white hat.

Yes, you are right. He is Dr Seuss or Theodore Seuss Geisel is an American poet and cartoonist known for his children’s picture books.

Do you want to hear some more?

This poem, dear learners, parents, guardians and friends, embodies what we want to tell these kids today. Let me formally welcome you to the 6^th Kiddie Toes Montessori School Moving Up Day! We are glad that you can make it.

More than 6 years ago, when we were conceptualizing and brainstorming on how we can deliver quality, holistic and elevated learning to the children of Santiago City, we thought of a school which is non-traditional, treats children with respect, enables intrinsic motivation instead of external rewards, a school with a heart, a haven for children to feel safe even to commit their own mistakes and learn from them. And most importantly, to learn while having fun.

These are all embodied in the stories and poems that Dr Seuss wrote. He advocated for equality, respect, perseverance, love for the environment, and most of all, love for life and all the fun it has to offer.

That is why today, after 6 years of our beloved school’s existence, we want to honor Dr Seuss, and the things and virtues he embodies.

But why is KTMS similar to Dr Seuss’ world?

Because we at KTMS believe in love for the environment. Just like Dr Seuss’ book, the “The Lorax”, when he says, “When you are entrusted with something, take care of it.”

Because we believe in equality and individuality. Just like Dr Seuss’ “Horton Hears a Who”, when he said, “A person’s a person, no matter how small.”

Because we believe in acceptance and openness to things around us. Just like Dr Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham”, which says that we “should not judge a book, or an egg, or a man, by it’s color.”

Because we believe in love for non-material things. Just like Dr Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”, which emphasizes the intangible joys of things and events, like Christmas.

And lastly, because like Montessori, Dr. Seuss’ books not only made reading fun for kids, but also elevated the act of learning itself.

But like what we teach in a Montessori classroom, Dr Seuss also talks about making mistakes, and how this is perfectly fine. He says:

“On and on you will hike
and I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.”

We always tell our learners that mistakes are not bad, and are perfectly normal. That is why our Montessori materials are self-correcting, so that learners will know their mistakes, and most importantly, will find ways on how to correct them.

This is the right attitude, because no matter how big our problems are, we will prevail! As Dr Seuss would say:

“Because kids, you’ll move mountains!
You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!”

Without much ado, dear parents, guardians and friends, I would like to end my short speech by thanking you, for being part of the KMTS family. We are humbled and grateful. Salamat!

So let’s begin the celebration, and witness the 6^th KTMS Moving Up Day. And let’s always remember, learners, and for your children of all ages…

Be a good citizen. Be a good friend. Be a good child. And most of all, be a good person.

Thank you!