Students at Northside Montessori School, located at 1224 E. 52nd Street, are participating in "Project Linus," an organization that gives blankets to hospitals, shelters and social service agencies who distribute them to children in need.

The project began about a month and a half ago. Students have completed two blankets in purple and chartreuse colors while a light blue one is nearly finished. They plan to continue making these blankets due to increased demand.

"We've had families donate fleece that we've been utilizing and families donating coupons to local fabric stores so that we can buy more fleece. It's a whole school effort. The blankets can be made of various fabrics. The requirement is that they want it to be a homemade blanket because they feel that when it's given to a child, it's that love is given as well. We've had a volunteer come in every Wednesday afternoon who has helped the children. Even the three year olds here have learned how to tie the strips of cloth together to connect the blankets. Project Linus has designated drop off locations and we will drop it off at a local quilting store where it will get dropped off to a local representative," explained Montessori teacher Tara Slagel.

She mentioned her involvement with Project Linus and her teaching background. "Montessori puts great emphasis on teaching children about the community and we were looking for an opportunity to show that to them, how they can help the community around them. I think it is so important for people to see how children are working together to make a positive impact on our local community."

Her career was a calling that she answered during a special moment. "I knew that I always wanted to be in education and graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Child Development. I observed at a Montessori School and absolutely fell in love with it. Within 10 minutes, it was so clear that the classroom was set up for the children to be independent and the classroom was set up to foster a love of learning and that it was a happy place to be. The classroom lends itself to all kinds of senses and its set up for children to learn in that way," Ms. Slagel noted.

Members of the local community have also been involved. "It amazes you how fast they pick up and grasp on to the learning concept. Some want to take a blanket home to their family to a loved one who is sick. It really touches their hearts. I get enthused to see their joy of learning. They're always right there ready to learn and eager," said Jeannie Brammeier.

The standard size blanket made at the Montessori School is 36"x 36", though other chapters may vary with sizes based on their individual needs. Additional Indiana chapters of Project Linus are in Edinburgh, Fort Wayne, Terre Haute/Vigo County and Wayne County.

According to their website, www.projectlinus.org, is "a non-profit organization, dedicated to 'Providing Security Through Blankets,' for ill or traumatized children and teens. Inspired by a picture of a three-year-old cancer patient holding her security blanket, Project Linus was begun in 1995 by Karen Loucks. Nationally, Project Linus has donated more than five million handmade blankets to help comfort children in need in hospitals, shelters and hospices. There are 368 chapters in the United States and were named after the adorable security blanket toting character from the Peanuts comic strip." Those wishing to make donation can access the link, www.projectlinus.org/donations.

On-site owners Judy Edwards and Patricia Young opened Northside Montessori in 1986, which is a tuition-funded school for children in preschool through sixth grade. The Montessori philosophy is dedicated to providing a nurturing environment that allows for educating the whole child.

Maria Montessori was born on August 31, 1870 in Chiaravalle, Italy, located on the eastern side of the country. At age 13, she studied Italian, algebra, geometry, accounting, history, geography and science at the technical school Regia Scuola Tecnica Michelangelo Buonarroti. She continued her studies at Regio Istituto Tecnico Leonardo da Vinci, where she graduated in 1890 at age 20 with a certificate in physics and mathematics. Ms. Montessori later became one of the first women to graduate from the University of Rome with a medical degree in 1896. After studying children at the University's clinic and reading works of 19th century physicians Jean Marc Gaspard Itard and Edouard Seguin, she developed her teaching methods that are now used around the world.

More information about Montessori programs is available by calling the school at 251-2979 or visiting their website: www.facebook.com/northsidemontessorischoolindy.

Tara Slagel, the Montessori School staff and their volunteers are teaching students lessons that extend beyond their Northside classroom. The fabric of their instruction is making a brighter day in the lives of those they touch with Project Linus.