School’s Back In Session For Another Year. . . What Are The Hot Button Issues?
As thousands of kids in Windsor Essex head back to school in September, parents and educators continue to navigate a constantly changing pedagogical landscape.
Times certainly have changed over the past few decades and today’s children have to deal with so many different issues than their parents and grandparents did. So, for this month’s edition of The Parenting Biz, we decided to take a look at a few of the top subjects that you may or may not have a strong opinion about, such as virtual learning, religion in the schools, sex-ed classes, the use of cell phones, bullying, the importance of being bilingual and more.
For part one of our investigative series, we interview two private schools and the French Catholic school board, to get their views on how they handle the matters in question.
Lakeview Montessori School
Located at 13797 Riverside Drive East in Tecumseh, the not-for-profit Lakeview Montessori School promotes a hands-on, child-directed approach to learning (as opposed to seat work) from infants up to grade eight.
Students interact with others of different ages in an environment where younger students can learn from the older children, and older children have an opportunity to lead.
“The Montessori experience begins with a deep respect for children as unique individuals, and an accredited internationally developed curriculum that includes five main pillars: practical life, sensorial, math, language, and cultural learning,” says Kristin Barone, Director of Community Development at Lakeview Montessori School. “We promote self-paced, collaborative learning to ignite the passion and curiosity of our students. Our students, along with the inspiration of their guides (teachers), maximize their strengths and focus on developing their areas of growth through the Montessori materials.”
Opened in 1978, this holistic learning environment provides students with opportunities to tailor their own goals in order to find their own individual purpose in their tasks and individualized work plans.
“For more than 45 years, Lakeview Montessori School has built a tradition of serving children by implementing the educational philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and pioneer in child development,” Barone explains. “She observed that children have an innate aptitude and desire for acquiring knowledge about their world and Montessori’s approach of ‘following the child’ is at the root of our philosophy.”
According to Barone, a private education at Lakeview Montessori has several advantages, including smaller class sizes, specialized individual learning plans, parental involvement, extracurricular opportunities, value and character education, and networking opportunities.
“While these benefits can make private education appealing, it’s important to consider the specific needs of the student, which can be a significant factor for many families,” Barone adds. “Additionally, the quality of public education varies widely, and in some areas, public schools may offer comparable or even superior education depending on the local resources and community involvement.”
Lakeview Montessori’s approach to education focuses on hands-on, experiential learning rather than traditional teaching methods. While toys from home are discouraged, Montessori Materials (specially designed tools that help children learn concepts in an interactive way) are used so children can learn while having fun!
“The materials are meant to capture children’s interest and motivate them to explore, experiment, and discover new concepts on their own,” Barone says. “Overall, Lakeview’s approach is about creating a focused, stimulating environment where children can learn actively through purposeful play with educational tools.”
At Lakeview Montessori, students wear uniforms. According to Barone, this is to promote equality, enhance focus on education (rather than on fashion), encourage professionalism, build school identity and pride, and improve safety.
Like most schools, Lakeview Montessori School values in-person learning over virtual learning.
“Lakeview Montessori does not offer online learning for its students at this time,” Barone tells Biz X. “While online learning offers flexibility and access to a wide range of resources, it also poses challenges such as reduced social interaction and the potential for distraction. Young students may struggle with self-discipline and miss out on the benefits of face-to-face communication with teachers and peers, which are crucial for developing social skills and emotional intelligence.”
Lakeview Montessori School understands the importance of proper nutrition for learning.
“With an onsite chef preparing all meals, every snack and lunch is crafted using fresh ingredients to promote healthy growth and support the overall well-being of each student,” Barone explains. “By prioritizing high-quality, wholesome food, Lakeview fosters an environment that encourages students to develop healthy eating habits that will benefit them throughout their lives. In the elementary years, students learn about the importance of healthy food choices to promote healthier eating habits, as junk food is often high in sugar, unhealthy fats, and empty calories, which can negatively impact their concentration, energy levels, and overall well-being.”
It is important to note that Lakeview Montessori School is the only Montessori school in Windsor and Essex County to be fully accredited by the Canadian Accreditation of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Canadian Council for Montessori Administration (CCMA).
Students can register in February for the following academic year on the school’s website.
THE PARENTING BIZ STORY CONTINUES IN THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE STARTING ON PAGE 34.
