Dexter’s Tornado Victims Get Help from Daycroft Montessori School of Ann Arbor

For families affected by the tornado that hit nearby Dexter last week, Daycroft Montessori School (www.daycroft.org) of Ann Arbor is providing the help it can – in the forms of emotional support and essential supplies.

Daycroft’s Relief Drive for Dexter Families is collecting donations until Wednesday, March 28.  Members of the Daycroft community, and all others, are urged to contribute items of particular need for families with school-age children.  These can include children’s clothing, school supplies, healthy foods (especially in individual serving sizes for school lunchboxes), diapers, gas cards, and more.

Drop-off of donations are at both Daycroft campuses: the Preprimary Campus at 100 Oakbrook Drive, near Briarwood Mall, and the Elementary Campus at 1095 N. Zeeb Road, north of Jackson Road, next to the Fire and Sheriff Station. 

Community members can get more information, including a list of the most urgently needed items, by calling Daycroft at (734) 662-3335.

Daycroft is also helping affected families and children cope with the difficult feelings stirred up by the damage from the storm.  The school has provided links to websites with guidance for talking to children about tornadoes and other natural disasters.  Another excellent resource is a newsletter from Mill Creek Counseling with articles about understanding the grief process and helping children with grief and loss. 

Community members may obtain these website links and a PDF copy of the newsletter by emailing kathrynw@daycroft.org.

About Daycroft Montessori School

Daycroft Montessori School blends the distinctive student-centered teaching methods of Maria Montessori with traditional and progressive education.  This helps Daycroft accomplish its mission: to provide a personalized learning environment that appreciates individual differences, nurtures the whole child, and enables students to develop at their own pace and achieve to their potential.

Daycroft is one of Washtenaw County’s leading private schools.  It began as a preschool program in 1968.  Daycroft has since grown to include a full-day kindergarten program, an elementary school program through 6th grade, before-school and after-school care, summer camp programs, and enrichment classes.

Daycroft has earned accreditation from the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS; www.isacs.org).  It is a member of the Association of Independent Michigan Schools (AIMS; www.aims-mi.org), the American Montessori Society (AMS; www.amshq.org), and the North American Montessori Teachers’ Association (NAMTA; www.montessori-namta.org).

Daycroft Preprimary School (preschool and kindergarten) is at 100 E. Oakbrook Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.  Phone: (734) 930-0333.

Daycroft Elementary School (grades K through 6) and Daycroft’s administrative offices are at 1095 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103.  Phone: (734) 662-3335.