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What to consider when trying to find

the right educational fit for your child P6

ENROLMENT INNOVATION More parents are turning to private Why smaller learning institutions Private academies as safety concerns over are well equipped to navigate Schools virus arise at public schools P4 the COVID-19 crisis P2

FRIDAY,SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 | GLOBEANDMAIL.COM Usg in technology to enrich the online learning experience

MARJO JOHNE

ing’s College School stu- dents who returned to the Kclassroom this fall found an unfamiliar cylindrical object with owl-like eyes sitting atop their teacher’s desk. “It’s a ‘Meeting Owl’ video-con- ferencing device with a 360-de- gree camera for a panoramic view of the entire classroom, and with asmartboard that displays imag- es of the kids at home,” says Sand- ra Donovan, director of admis- sions at King’s College in Caledon, Ont., northwest of . “This way everyone can feel connected, wherever they are.” Like many other educators in the country, King’s College turn- ed to technology when COVID-19 forced students to stay home af- ter March break. As they looked at various video-conferencing op- tions, the administrators and teachers at King’s wondered how they could continue to deliver on the school’s promise of enriched, immersive learning. It was a challenge faced by Sacred Heart School of Halifax teacher Meredith Wilson, centre, stands with the school’s head boy, Jaden Lawen, and head girl Amelia many other private schools, Wallworth. The two students gave a speech on the first day of school, to set the tone for a year focused on anti-racism and social justice. which typically teach in settings DARREN CALABRESE/THE GLOBE AND MAIL that provide richer experiences. Some schools, for instance, boast classrooms on farms or in a forest. One school, Class Afloat in Lu- nenburg, N.S., teaches students Staff, students lead the charge aboard a tall ship that sails to about 20 ports in four continents over two semesters. How can even the most sophis- addressing social-justice issues ticated technology match these rich, unique learning environ- ments? Schools aim to improve how they are teaching, discussing anti-racism It can’t, says Tom Lupton, di- rector of teaching and learning at Shawnigan Lake School on Van- couver Island, B.C. That’s why LINDSAY JONES ing on building a more anti-racist commu- school in Maple Ridge, B.C. Grade 11 and 12 educators need to find ways to nity at Sacred Heart School of Halifax – business and management teacher Dan make their technology-enabled part of the societal movement happening Tao initiated a Zoom discussion about di- programs engaging for students t was early June when fury over the po- across the country and in many schools as versity this past spring after seeing hatred who already spend much of their lice killings of George Floyd and people are becoming increasingly more against Asian Canadians and Americans free time in front of a computer Breonna Taylor in the United States aware of systemic racism after the killings related to the novel coronavirus pandem- screen. Iand Chantel Moore in un- of Mr. Floyd, Ms. Taylor and Ms. Moore. ic. Students talked about incidents in the “We got very creative,” says Mr. leashed a wave of vigils and demonstra- Ms. Wilson spearheaded a new anti-rac- community, such as the racist graffiti Lupton, whose tions in cities across North America. ism committee at school, meeting over scrawled on the side of Vancouver’s Chi- houses students from Grade 8 to In Halifax – a city with the oldest Black Zoom throughout the summer to create a nese Cultural Centre and how to handle 12. population in Canada – hundreds gath- new anti-racist policy, a reading and re- and de-escalate racism. Without the immediate, per- ered in a downtown square for a Black source list for teachers, a new victim- After the killing of Mr. Floyd, Grade 12 sonal connections afforded by in- Lives Matter protest on June 5. centred approach to resolving racial con- student Oliver Gao, who joined the Zoom person classes, teachers held Meredith Wilson, a teacher from Sacred flict, and updated its dress code to allow for discussion, realized a regular social justice their students’ interest by work- Heart School of Halifax, an independent more culturally specific clothing such as club was needed so students could discuss ing new content into their cours- school, was there. As she marched toward do-rags. Black Lives Matter and how to create a es. Mr. Lupton used Google Maps’ the steps of the Halifax Regional Police The committee also decided on an anti- more anti-racist society. “Over the years, street view function to lead a vir- Headquarters, listening to the powerful racist theme for the 2020-21 school year: the general trend has been to not talk tual tour of Venice, Italy, during words of local Black youth activist Kate building an anti-racist culture through di- about [racism] and hope that it goes away, European history class, while MacDonald, something changed in her. versity, equity and inclusion. but through our discussion groups we’ve physical-education teachers set “[MacDonald] said ‘White people can “We’re looking at our own internal bias- realized that that’s the opposite of what we up webcams for exercise and come out here and chant our slogans, take es and doing work around that,” says Ms. should be doing,” he says. “By not doing dance classes. pictures for your Facebook page, but you Wilson, who teaches English as an addi- that we’re not letting vulnerable voices The school also offered extra don’t get to go home and sit on your sofa tional language for Grades 3 through 12. speak up.” activities through a program after this is done,’”Ms. Wilson says. “That “We all have them. It’s uncomfortable … In light of systemic racism in the news called SOUL – short for Shawni- really spoke to me. I was like ‘Oh my gosh, I but it’s just part of what has to be done.” and police killings of Black and Indigenous gan Online Unique Learning. One really need to use my privilege to do some- Discussion about racism and world people, some schools have also already teacher played host to French thing.’” events has also had an impact at Meadow- made changes to the curriculum. cooking classes through Zoom. Since that day, Ms. Wilson began work- ridge School, a not-for-profit independent SOCIAL JUSTICE, P5 TECHNOLOGY, P5

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P2 PRIVATE SCHOOLS G THE GLOBE AND MAIL | FRIDAY,SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

How smaller schools set the stage for innovation

Fresh ideas can find their footing in intimate and progressive classrooms

JULIETTE BAXTER academic growth.” By empowering students to choose what and how they learn, t Unisus, an independent strategies such as responsive school in British Colum- scheduling, which is implement- Abia’s Okanagan Valley, Dr. edatUnisus,canbeexplored.Ital- Tosca Killoran is navigating the lows students to self-direct time ripple effect of the COVID-19 cri- in their schedule to engage in sis. Before the pandemic, the their own passion project, con- school was guided by a philoso- tent or curriculum. phy that includes multigrade and In this context, the teacher’s cross-curriculum teamwork and role fundamentally shifts from access to cutting-edge technolo- being a lecturer to a guide who en- giesincludingaugmentedandvir- courages the student to ask ques- tual realities. tions and discover their personal Today, health and safety proto- interests. cols have forced the senior princi- “Having small classrooms of 14 pal to rework the school’s path to- students is amazing. In that way, ward progress. teachers can track and look at ev- With 126 students from Kinder- ery child’s learning develop- garten to Grade 11, the school, ment,” Dr. Killoran says. which opened its doors in 2018, Summit Micro School person- has swiftly made changes for the alizes education with project- new school year. It put rolling based learning (PBL), a popular casters on tables with plexiglass approach that requires students dividers so students can move to solve a challenge within a real- around a classroom and collabo- world scenario and provides rate. Every grade is encouraged to room for individual growth. The come together and brainstorm George Lucas Educational Foun- outside in a safe and physically dation reports that PBL improves distant manner on the school’s the long-term retention of con- picturesque grounds. tent, helps students perform bet- Within its hands-on entrepre- ter on tests and boosts problem- neurship program, students are Amanda Dervaitis, founder and principal of Summit Micro School, helps students with the editing of their haiku solving, collaboration skills and creating products and services poetry in the school’s outdoor classroom setting in Toronto on Sept. 14. GLENN LOWSON/THE GLOBE AND MAIL attitudes toward learning. that solve community challenges For Ms. Dervaitis, however, per- presented by the pandemic. Dur- based on their skill development. ly and responsively. “We have the sense of agency,” says Ms. Dervai- sonalization and innovation goes ing lockdown, students were It’s a bold strategy that didn’t get agency and autonomy to be really tis. beyond the curriculum of her tasked with a design challenge of approval by stakeholders last nimble. We learn what works and In light of the COVID-19 crisis, one-room school. Summit’s small their own making. The results in- year, however Unisus’s ability to what doesn’t and then develop teaching a sense of leadership and student body means having the cluded masks made with input explore the option is key. our programs from there,” she balance in an uncertain world is capacity to meet the different from local medical and design ex- “We have wiggle room within says. vital. “We have to prioritize well needs of every child and their par- perts, and health and safety vid- regulations to play with ideas and As a result, she can bring fresh being in this whole scenario,” says ents’ hectic lives, whether its facil- eos that were scripted and record- get feedback. Together with our concepts such as futurism into Dr. Joanne Foster, an education itating communication that ac- ed from scratch. student, parent and teacher bod- the curriculum, which Summit is consultant and author of ABCs of commodates a parent’s busy “As Unisus is a small and inde- ies, we can innovate report cards pioneering in an elementary Raising Smarter Kids. “We ulti- schedule or nurturing a commu- pendent school, we have the abil- so that they eventually become school environment. She is col- mately need to focus on resil- nity spirit that she observes many ity to be agile in our school design right for each constituency within laborating with Teach the Future, ience, courage and optimism.” families lack and actively seek. process,” Dr. Killoran says. “From our community,” Dr. Killoran aglobal non-profit organization Asmall student body is also “We’re able to respond to physical space to curriculum, we says. that develops creative and criti- ideal for personalized learning, a what’s going on at a societal and can rapidly prototype solutions Amanda Dervaitis, founder cal-thinking skills to help stu- teaching method supported by personal level. It’s impossible not and be responsive to our commu- and principal of Summit Micro dents shape and envision their fu- the Bill & Melinda Gates Founda- to connect on a personal level. nity’s needs.” School in Toronto, which teaches ture. tion and Chan Zuckerberg Initia- When you connect with a micro For example, the school is cur- Kindergarten through Grade 8, “With all the doom and gloom tive. About the approach, Bill school community, you can al- rently re-examining its report- explains her school’s small pop- and negative messages from Gates writes: “At its best, person- ways find ways to make [our rela- card format. The goal is to place ulation of 25 students allows for media, futurist thinking is prov- alizedlearningdoesn’tjustletstu- tionship] work,” she says. less emphasis on grades and rely new ideas and innovations to be ing to help [young people] devel- dents work at their own pace. It on a student’s self-assessment implemented quickly, responsib- op a more positive outlook and puts them in charge of their own Special to The Globe and Mail

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Lessons learned from the forced experiment in online education

As9 COVID-1 shut schools, they had to pivot in record time to an unfamiliar way of teaching children. Here’s what they learned

CHRISTINA VARGA Lakefield moved from eight courses at a time to three.

fter had to close, like everyone else, be- INDIVIDUALIZATION cause of the pandemic, they came “The technology has permitted … the op- Dean Van Doleweerd, right, assistant head of learning at Lakefield College School, speaks to Aup with the idea of offering virtual portunity to greater individualize the ex- a student during orientation week. Mr. Van Doleweerd says schools need to prepare for French cooking classes and other topics for perience for each student,” Mr. Van Dole- another pandemic-related shutdown or even students having to stay home because of the larger community. weerd says. illness or quarantine. SIMON SPIVEY/LAKEFIELD COLLEGE Surprisingly, they found that their own At French school, slots were students signed up in droves, which made built into the timetable for teachers to “making sure kids had enough personal Calgary, conducted research in May and them realize something: Students were in- have advisory calls with students one on interactions with teachers but were also re- June in two public-school jurisdictions as terested in learning; they were not tired of one, where they discussed issues such as quired to be off-screen each day.” part of a four-year study involving public, Zoom, they just needed some variety, says time management and social-emotional Parents may hear debates about how Catholic and private schools. These two ju- Dean Van Doleweerd, assistant head of management. much synchronous teaching, or live class- risdictions took only a couple of weeks to learning. es, is appropriate compared with asyn- start providing engaging online education With about 40 international students chronous, or recorded, lessons. when schools were closed, compared with CO NSISTENCY unable to start the year in person, the At Calgary French school, teachers are others. The key, she says, is that the school school, near Peterborough, Ont., is still Schools need to be consistent with how recording short demonstration videos of districts provided teachers and students functioning partly in remote mode. they post work and they need to be clear about 10 to 15 minutes, whether for stu- with the technology they required, offered “The private schools pivoted fantastical- with students about their responsibilities, dents staying home because of illness, or teachers extra professional development, ly” to move students online, says educa- Mr. Van Doleweerd says. These are details for review purposes. and while principals supported the teach- tional consultant Elaine Danson, who that get relayed verbally in a face-to-face ers, the school district supported the prin- works with families with children in the class but need to be explicit in an online cipals. public and the private school systems. environment. ASSESSMENT Nicola Camirand, assistant head of Aca- Assessing student progress is a skill the demics at the Calgary French and Interna- staff are still working on, Mr. Van Dole- LESSONS TO TAKE INTO THE FUTURE CO NNECTION tional School, says because the school is weerd says. The school is experimenting Schools need to prepare for another pan- part of international networks, it allowed One of the challenges with remote learn- with different software and consulting demic-related shutdown or even students them to get insights from schools in coun- ing is how to foster connection with others. with other schools. For tests, students are having to stay home because of illness or tries that were further into the pandemic. “We insisted community and co-curricular on Zoom, but “it doesn’t take a genius to quarantine. “We have a parallel remote Here are some key ideas schools learned events continue online,” Mr. Van Dole- figure out there are ways around that.” The schedule that current teachers can default about remote learning. weerd says. school has found more teacher interaction to” if needed, Mr. Van Doleweerd says. This included activities such as soccer with students online gives them a better Longer term, though, “we are all a little skills clinics through Zoom and cooking sense of how students are progressing. Zoomed out … people don’t want to just LESS IS MORE challenges. It also meant students contin- lose some of the good ideas.” Students cannot spend the same amount ued meeting with their advisors online For instance, virtual meetings can allow of time on screens as they can in face-to- and the school also continued assemblies INVEST IN EVERYONE staff, as well as teachers and students, to face classes. Although it varies by age, “40 through webinar software. Sometimes the What many educators echo is the fact that meet when there is less time or space to do minutes of instruction,” is about what stu- solution is as simple as giving students for online learning to work, it is not just the it in person, he says. And the school will dents can handle, Mr. Van Doleweerd says. some free time before a Zoom class starts students who need support. “Teachers continue recording instructions for stu- Then, they need a break. This can be group for “being goofy, having fun, time to giggle need support, parents need support,” Ms. dents to review on their own. work, individual work or one-on-one with each other,” Ms. Camirand says. Danson says. As time has passed, students have be- meetings with teachers. In fact, a recent study in indi- come more sophisticated in their ability to One change the Calgary French school cates that is the case, regardless of the sys- conduct themselves in a remote-learning LIVE CLASSES VERSUS RECORDED LESSONS made was to have more teachers and pro- tem, either public or private. environment. “Now, there is so much more jects overlap, so that students are learning Balancing live classes over video with re- Sharon Friesen, a professor in the learn- possible,” Mr. Van Doleweerd adds. about different subject areas on one pro- corded lessons that students review on ing sciences department at the Werklund ject. their own, Mr. Van Doleweerd says, means School of Education at the of Special to The Globe and Mail

Individuals

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BILINGUAL ·IBWORLD SCHOOL ·CO-ED ·AGE 2TOGRADE12 JOIN US FORAVIRTUAL ADMISSIONS EVENT Product: TGAM PubDate: 09-25-2020 Zone: GTA Edition: 1 Page: SPReport_3500624 User: DODonnell Time: 09-18-2020 15:22 Color: CMYK

P4 PRIVATE SCHOOLS G THE GLOBE AND MAIL | FRIDAY,SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

More parents choosing private school for their kids during the pandemic

Institutions that have financial resources and smaller class sizes are in high demand as they can more easily provide physical distancing and other COVID-19 public-health measures

DAINA LAWRENCE “There was a Hebrew School in that space that wasn’t currently being used so there are five class- ven after school started for rooms, a gymnasium that we’ll many students across the use as a multipurpose space, a Ecountry in the first week of mini kitchen and lots of space for September, Stephen Clarke’s our students,” Mr. Clarke says. phone was still ringing with re- Private and independent quests from parents wondering if schools around the country say his school, Armbrae Academy, they have access to these kinds of Ste phen Clarke, head of Armbrae Academy, sits in the new Coburg campus in Halifax on Sept. 15. Mr. Clarke had room. options – such as leasing more says he’s been receiving calls from parents who took their children to public school, but were uncomfortable “We had one call after parents space, providing the latest tech- with what they saw in regards to physical-distancing practices. TED PRITCHARD/THE GLOBE AND MAIL took their kids to public school nology for online learning and and were uncomfortable about funds for extra staff – because of other spaces and socially dis- couver, in-class learning began in in place at Athol Murray College what they experienced [regard- their deeper pockets, compared tance a bit more easily,” Mr. Clar- early September as well, but Jen- of Notre Dame in Wilcox, Sask. ing physical distancing] and with their public-school counter- ke says. nifer Gunasekera, the school’s en- “We have [fewer] students in called to see if we had space,” Mr. parts. Private schools are also not rolment manager, says they had the rooms, we’ve assigned sinks Clarke says. “We [had] only been As well, many of these schools bound by the same board recom- their students involved with on- and showers to these rooms, in school for a day and a half and already had small class sizes, mendations and regulations as line learning only two weeks after there are no buffet lines at meal we had quite a few people inquir- which were well within the pub- the public system, which, in the country’s students were or- times … and all of this has been ing about the programming lic-health guidelines, so they had many provinces, didn’t release dered to stay home. vetted through public health,” here.” an easier time implementing their plans for reopening until a “Resources were easily put on- explains Robert Palmarin, the After schools were ordered to safety protocols for in-class learn- few weeks before schools were line… we set up families and school’s president and director of stay closed indefinitely last ing and physical distancing. All of scheduled to reopen. teachers with the technology education. spring to avoid the spread of the which is attractive to parents who “We did have a lot of interest they needed and by April 1 we But “inquiries are still strong,” COVID-19 virus, Mr. Clarke, head want to see their children back in over the summer because we were able to be fully online,” she says Mr. Palmarin, especially for of school at Armbrae Academy, the classroom but are concerned committed to being open,” ex- explains. the school’s hockey programs. an in Hali- about the continuing pandemic. plains Mr. Clarke. “We didn’t wait Being one of the few schools in Notre Dame has 11 hockey teams fax, came up with a way to keep “I think public schools are in a for the public systems to have our Canada that offer an Internation- and attracts students from all his students far apart when the tough situation as they can’t real- reopening plans, we’ve had them al Baccalaureate program from over the world, but for some, as is school was allowed to reopen. ly grow beyond their spaces, so I up on our website for a couple of Kindergarten to Grade 12, Strat- the case for the school’s Russian Armbrae leased 8,000 square feet think people are looking at inde- months, so I think that drew ford Hall fields many queries students, “they’re having difficul- from a Synagogue down the pendent schools because we have some interest.” from interested families every ty getting out of the country so street. more freedom to expand and find At Stratford Hall School in Van- year and the pandemic hasn’t we’re having to do remote learn- changed that, says Ms. Gunasek- ing with those students until they era. But what has changed in the can get here,” he adds. last six months, “are the ques- All schools are having to adapt tions that we’re being asked by in some way to ensure the health families.” and safety of students, staff and “They want to know about our the general public, but the robust It All safety protocols, distancing and budget of private schools is show- what our online programming ing itself to be a game changer for looks like,” she explains. “And some families. again, having the resources to Back at Armbrae Academy, Mr. Starts physically distance, installing Clarke isn’t sure if his phone will Plexiglass immediately, having continue to ring with calls from all the necessary PPE [personal parents who are looking to make protective equipment] available the jump from public to private Rigt h to staff and students, just allows school, but right now the shift is us to deliver a program that is sat- tangible. isfactory to families.” “There’s no question, we are Some independent and private definitely being approached by Here. schools offer a boarding-school people who, otherwise, wouldn’t option, which adds an extra layer have considered us,” he says. of required physical-distancing Forthe things theylovethe most. measures, such as the protocols Special to The Globe and Mail Andthe things theywant to discover. Forthe things theywant to do. Forthe places theywant to go. Forall thattheywant to become, there’s one placethatwillstart themout on the right foot, and set themoffonalifelongquestoflearning. Andthatplace is right here. It allstarts at St. Clement’s. Come visit us, virtually.

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Te chnology: ‘After COVID, online learning will continue to be part of our offering’

FROM P1

Another SOUL activity, which fo- cused on outdoor pursuits, spurred one student to build a bike trail in the woods. At Neuchatel Junior College, the challenge of virtual learning was complicated by the school’s mandate of getting students to “step outside” by spending their final year of high school in Neu- chatel, Switzerland, where they live with Swiss families and trav- el throughout Europe as part of the curriculum and during inde- pendent-travel weekends. “Experiential learning and building an international per- spective are key cornerstones of our school,” says Deborah Kim- merly, Neuchatel’s managing di- rector of operations. “How do you do that when you’re sudden- ly forced to move your program completely online?” Recognizing the historic sig- nificance of COVID-19, Neuchatel teachers reworked lessons to draw connections between the virtual classroom and the real world. In business and econom- ics class, students learned how COVID-19 was affecting global supply chains. They also learned about Neuchatel alumni at the forefront of COVID-19 research, such as infectious disease expert To m Lupton, director of teaching and learning at Shawnigan Lake School on Vancouver Island, has utilized new tools to keep students engaged, Dr. Allison McGeer at Mount Si- including Google Maps’ street view function to lead a virtual tour of Venice for a European history class. JEN OSBORNE /THE GLOBE AND MAIL nai Hospital in Toronto. Antonio Herrera Despradel, ally good job.” ance, not the technology, that novan at King’s College describes Scotia, whereas prior to COVID, who graduated this past June Mr. Despradel’s praise extends gave this virtual graduation a the past school year. It was a year our families have usually come from Neuchatel, says having dis- to how the school took gradua- true sense of ceremony, Ms. Kim- that saw a King’s art teacher use from within an hour’s drive tinguished guest speakers made tion online. Instead of the tradi- merly says. acamera-equipped drone to give away,” says Ms. Donovan. “We re- virtual classes even more inter- tionally elaborate affair that “Our special guests included students at home an up-close alized that, even after COVID, esting. ends with a reception held on TV host Ron MacLean, Serge Iba- view of his painting technique. It online learning will continue to “We got to talk to Tim Hor- the grounds of a historic man- ca from the Toronto Raptors, Ca- was also when, for the first time, be part of our offering, whether tons’s CEO, a representative of sion, Neuchatel set up a video- van Biggio from the Toronto King’s decided it would start of- it’s to serve families looking for a the TSX Ventures Exchange in conferencing platform that could Blue Jays and Mirande de Pen- fering distance learning as an op- top-notch academic program but Brazil, and someone from the host 400 guests and support cier, an alumna who is now a tion this fall – with the help of can’t find it in their area, or to [United Nations] World Food multimedia and several break- successful director and pro- the Meeting Owl technology – ensure we can provide continui- Programme,” says Mr. Despradel, out rooms where students, fam- ducer,” she recalls. “This year’s alongside its in-class programs. ty for our students in the event who now studies economics at ilies and faculty could mingle graduation was definitely differ- “We now have students from of another pandemic.” Western University in London, virtually. ent – in a positive way.” Bracebridge, North Bay, London Ont. “I think the school did a re- It was the people in attend- Different is also how Ms. Do- [Ont.], and even Nova Special to The Globe and Mail

Social justice: Halifax Grammar School provides reading list with Adaptive Leaders titles by Black, Indigenous writers FROM P1 Caring At Halifax Grammar School, an the first day of school, to set the independent day school, teachers tone for a year focused on anti- Citizens have gone through implicit bias racism and social justice. training with a social justice pro- Jaden Lawen spoke about try- fessor from Saint Mary’s Universi- ing to help others during bleak ty in Halifax and changed the cur- times and told students about the JK —6 riculum to meet the needs of stu- fundraiser he set up for the Red dents in these changing times, Cross after the deadly explosion says Teresa Woodford, the head of in Beirut this summer. “I was Original the middle school. shocked and I didn’t know what “Weknow they’re going to have to do and so I tried to make the questions and we know that it’s best of it by raising money for Thinkers difficult for them to understand those affected,” says Jaden, who all the issues Black Lives Matter usuallyspendshissummersinLe- and reconciliation are bringing banon, the home country of his forward,” she says. grandparents, if not for the pan- Over the summer, Halifax demic. His fundraiser To Beirut Grammar School provided stu- with Love has raised more than dents a reading list with titles by $90,000 for the Red Cross. Black and Indigenous authors Head girl, Amelia Wallworth, and is incorporating more books spoke about how the pandemic TheMabin School by authors of colour into the cur- and the death of Mr. Floyd has mabin.com riculum, including the novel An- brought forth a year of change. naka by Black Nova Scotian au- The first step, she says, is educa- thor Andre Fenton in Grade 8. tion, and so she is working with Grade 6 history and social stud- teachers and the student council ies classes are also now more in- to look at ways to introduce dis- clusive, focused equally on Mi’k- cussions about racism and in- RSGC. Here, Iam. maq and African Nova Scotian equalities into the classroom. history along with traditional set- “It’s a year where we might not tler perspectives. “We’re not wait- focus as much on the small things ing for someone else to make pol- happening in our lives,” she says. icy for us,” Ms. Woodford says. “We “Instead, [we’re] really focusing do have the freedom to recognize on what’s happening in the world what is going on in the world and and how we can find our place in make changes.” the world and see where we can BackattheSacredHeartSchool make a difference. of Halifax, the head boy and head girl made a speech to students on Special to The Globe and Mail

sporty, helpful,adventurous, co-operative, kind,clever. We asked each boy to describe himself in just six words.

The answers were as diverse and as individual as the school itself; aplace where each boy is challenged and inspired to become the best version of himself.

. Call 416.533.9481 Jaden Lawen, head boy of Sacred Heart School of Halifax, set up a www.rsgc.on.ca fundraiser, To Beirut with Love, to raise money after the deadly explosion in Beirut this summer. Jaden, whose grandparents are from Lebanon, has raised more than $90,000 for the Red Cross. DARREN CALABRESE/THE GLOBE AND MAIL Product: TGAM PubDate: 09-25-2020 Zone: GTA Edition: 1 Page: SPReport_3500626 User: DODonnell Time: 09-18-2020 15:18 Color: CMYK

P6 PRIVATE SCHOOLS G THE GLOBE AND MAIL | FRIDAY,SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

How to choose the best private school for your child

Keep the search student-focused to make a decision TEN QUESTIONS EXPERTS RECOMMEND PARENTS the whole family can ASK THEMSELVES, THE SCHOOLS AND OTHERS live with, experts say While the unique circumstances Progressive of this year may add a couple of There are many diverse ap- questions to parents’ list of proaches, but they often focus MARLENE HABIB things they want to know before on experiential and inquiry- selecting a private or independ- based learning, self-exploration ent school, there are many other and creativity. Examples, espe- inding the most suitable pri- factors to consider. cially in the early years, include vate school for your child is a Here are some key questions Montessori and Waldorf schools. Flot like house hunting – sort- to ask, with advice from Patti If your child is comfortable ing through mounds of listings to MacDonald, executive director of with traditional test-taking and find the best all-round choice. Canadian Accredited Independ- taking the lead from the teacher With more than 1,700 private ent Schools (CAIS), a national in a structured environment, schools in Canada of various accrediting body for independ- especially if they excel in aca- types and sizes, where do you be- ent schools, and Elaine Danson, demics, you may want to con- gin your search? Educational ex- an educational consultant. sider a traditional school, espe- perts say the first rule of thumb is cially one that offers AP or IB to focus on finding the best fit for Af ter growing tired of attending the same school since prekindergarten 1. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A programs. your child. in San Francisco, Grade 12 student Amelia Nugent, right, visited three SCHOOL TO DO FOR YOU? If your child prefers to learn For Doug Nugent and his wife different B.C. schools, eventually relocating to Victoria’s St. Michaels about their own interests, rather Becky Mortimer, Canadians University School. CHAD HIPOLITO/THE GLOBE AND MAIL If you are unhappy with your than follow what classmates are who’ve been living in California child’s current school, ask your- doing or a set curriculum, you for two decades, their months- school is the right fit for the child, single-gender school because re- self why. may want to consider a progres- long search for a new private says Teo Salgado, of VerveSmith search indicates some children Some may be looking for a sive school. school for their only child began Independent Educational Con- learn better in that type of envi- more academically rigorous after Amelia told them she was sultants in Toronto. ronment. school or to nurture an area of 7. IS THE SCHOOL AND ARE TEACHERS ready for a change near the end of Because of the COVID-19 pan- “If a child fits well in a lot of interest or a talent their child ACCREDITED? Grade 10. She had been attending demic, visits are more commonly places, it doesn’t matter if it’s sin- has, such as athletics, STEM, arts the same San Francisco inde- taking place virtually, although gle sex or co-ed,” Ms. Lastman or others. Independent schools have a pendent school since prekinder- schools are also carefully arrang- says. Some parents want their child board overseeing the mission garten. ing individual on-site tours. Determining a good school fit to focus on their social and and sustainability of the school, While reading a newsletter Mr. Salgado says parents also often comes down to what’s dis- emotional development and while private schools may not. from her father’s boarding-school should consider how their child covered in the application proc- grow into a well-rounded per- Accreditation adds another layer alma mater in , she got ex- learns, including if they have spe- ess, which tends to be rigorous at son, Ms. MacDonald says. of oversight, Ms. Danson says. If cited by the idea of completing cial needs that can range from be- private schools. aschool is not accredited, ask high school abroad, says Mr. Nu- ing gifted, to having learning, At St. Michaels University 2. HOW LONG SHOULD I SPEND why not and ask where to turn if gent, a technology business and physical or emotional challenges. School, for instance, applicants RESEARCHING BEFORE APPLYING? you have an issue to resolve. management consultant. “Sometimes families thinking submit report cards, references Ask whether the school meets “My wife and I both grew up in about whether to go with a public and an opinion essay. They also Ms. MacDonald recommends the curriculum standards of your the Toronto area, and we thought or private school have a child complete math and other tests, families start, at the latest, by home province. maybe Amelia should go to a with a specific need and feel they and parents and their children at- early in the fall before the school As for teachers, generally you school in Ontario, but that’s so far can’t get the level of support they tend interviews both together year they are targeting. want core subjects taught by away [from San Francisco]. So, we need within the public-school and separately, says Kevin Men- Some families choose to build teachers accredited by the started to look at the West Coast system.” nie, the school’s admissions asso- in extra time to prepare the province, Ms. Danson says. [of Canada],” Mr. Nugent recalls He encourages families to ciate. child, for instance with tutoring, in a phone interview. write down their priorities such “When we accept the student, practice entrance tests or practis- 8. WHAT WILL CLASS SIZES BE LIKE? After spending time at three as location, cost, school environ- we accept the parents, too,” Mr. ing for interviews. schools in , ment, religion, teaching style or Mennie says. Because of pandemic precau- Aside from class size, there may Amelia enrolled last year in Grade specific academic or athletic pro- Amelia Nugent, who’s consid- tions, families should be pre- be differences in staffing. For 11 at St. Michaels University gram, and then rate them to avoid ering a career in non-profit work pared for virtual tours and online instance, one school may have School, an urban day and board- swaying from what’s important. for an international organization, interviews, Ms. Danson says. average classes of 20 with staff ing school in Victoria with 1,000 To narrow down the options, has thrived at St. Michaels be- aiding the teacher, whereas students from junior kindergar- weed out what doesn’t suit a cause “it’s really oriented in help- 3. CAN WE AFFORD THIS? another may offer a class of 16 ten through high school. Now 17, child, suggests Janyce Lastman, ing kids be the best they can be, with one teacher, Ms. Mac- she’s in her final year at the co-ed an educational consultant who whoever they are, and develop The average day-school tuition Donald says. independent school. Formed founded the Tutor Group in their own individual strengths,” across Canada in 2018-19 was Ask about student-to-teacher when two schools combined in Toronto in 1979. her dad says. “If I ask her what she about $21,000, according to ratios, as well as other staff 1971, it counts basketball great There are a few points to con- loves the most, she says … every- CAIS, with regional and individu- available to students. Steve Nash and Alberta Premier sider if you’re looking at a co-ed body there is supported and if al differences. (Boarding schools among its alumni. or single-gender private school. you screw up, it’s a learning average: $52,000.) Average 9. BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, WHAT IS “At the end of the day, Amelia For instance, if your daughter opportunity.” mandatory fees are about $800, THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT LIKE? felt everyone at St. Michaels were doesn’t navigate social scenes Ms. Lastman says once you’ve CAIS says. her kind of people. … She has to- well, she may have trouble in a decided on a school, “if you made Ask prospective schools To find out whether your child tally blossomed, she is extremely girls-only school, while boys who agood choice balancing all the whether the following are in- will feel at home at the school, engaged … and has developed a don’t like to draw attention to factors, the best thing you can do cluded in fees: application fees; ask what their ideal student is lot of critical thinking [skills],” themselves may not fit well in a is prepare for the transition. Don’t registration fees; after-school like. Mr. Nugent says. single-gender setting, Ms. Last- look back, look ahead.” tutoring, child care or extracur- Ask not only the school but Getting a feel for campus cul- man says. ricular activities; books; tech- other parents what strategies are ture is a big piece to knowing if a Parents may also choose a Special to The Globe and Mail nology; supplies for art, music, used to promote a school com- sports or science; uniforms; munity. trips; busing or meals. There Find out what facilities and may be financial aid available, resources are available, such as a so inquire at the school. gym, library, sports field, play- ground, music room or art 4. HOW MANY SCHOOLS SHOULD I studio, as well as learning and LOOK AT AND APPLY TO? social and emotional supports. Ask what the homework Do not apply to only one school, policy is. as your child may not get in. Ask about co-curriculars: what But four is the upper end, Ms. is offered, including lunch and Danson suggests. The process of after-school programs, clubs, applying can be hard on your community service opportuni- child and can cost more than ties, and how often they take $200 for each application. place and whether they cost extra. 5. SHOULD I CHOOSE A SINGLE-SEX Ask how the school deals with OR A CO-ED SCHOOL? social and behaviour problems, such as bullying. Ask, as well, There is no right answer, as how they deal with a child who research has shown mixed is not meeting academic expec- results in favour of one or the tations. other. Here are some of the main 10. WHEN SHOULD I CONSIDER arguments for each. BOARDING SCHOOL?

Single-sex: Ask yourself and your child Boys and girls tend to learn about his or her capacity to live differently, many studies show, independently, Ms. MacDonald so teaching can be tailored to says. “Anyone who is … won- each; dering about their child’s ability Le ss pressure to conform to to handle homesickness should gender stereotypes inside and wait until Grade 11 or 12” to out of the classroom. send them to a boarding school, Ms. Danson says. Co-ed: Ask what the school’s 24/7 Better reflects the real world; program looks like, Ms. Mac- Diversity allows students to Donald says. What are both learn from each other and academic and social-emotional stretch themselves. supports like? What about study hall? What does supervision of 6. SHOULD I CHOOSE A TRADITIONAL the students look like once class OR A PROGRESSIVE SCHOOL? is over and who is doing it? During the pandemic, ask There are many different types what protocols the school has to of schools, from specialty to protect students. faith-based to those meeting How does the school plan to special needs. function during the pandemic? Aside from that, there are Finally, as the future of the more traditional/academic or pandemic is uncertain, ask the alternative/progressive ap- school about their strategies for proaches. continuity of learning, Ms. MacDonald suggests: Can they Traditional move between face to face and These are generally focused on virtual learning easily? What is traditional methods of delivering the school’s plan if a student or rigorous academic preparation staff member tests positive for for university studies. Some may COVID-19? offer Advanced Placement (AP) The effort you put in up-front or International Baccalaureate will pay off dividends in choos- (IB) diplomas, which adhere to ing a school that is the best fit international standards and can for your child. earn your child postsecondary CHRISTINA VARGA, HOLY NAMEOFMARYCOLLEGE SCHOOL credits. SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL inspireyourdaughter.com|[email protected] |905.891.1890|2241Mississauga Road,,ON FRIDAY,SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 | THE GLOBE AND MAIL G PRIVATE SCHOOLS P7

Pri vate schools pitch in to help parents pay for tuition

Bursaries can help cover ed a second bursary program to ble for the medical expense tax support families financially af- credit if the student is attending costs, but there are also fected by the pandemic. the school because of a mental or tax credits that can While some families have physical impairment. offset some expenses, been forced to take their children Mr. Heath says in order to out of school, at least for the qualify for a medical expense, financial experts say 2020-21 school year, Ms. Dorrance parents may need some form of says her school has more new ad- documentation, such as a letter missions this year than in the from a physician, to certify how BRENDA BOUW previous five years, maintaining the facilities or staff are needed its annual average of about 780 because of the child’s impair- students. ment. aying for private school can The school has also deferred There are also income-split- be a stretch for many fam- large capital projects, including a ting-style tax strategies that Pilies, especially over several new parking lot and playing some families can use to help pay years, but the economic chal- field, to free up funds to support for private-school costs, says Ro- lenges brought on by the CO- The Calgary French & International School has deferred capital projects students, including adding addi- na Birenbaum, founder and certi- VID-19 pandemic have made it to free up funds for student support, including additional resources to tional resources to make the fied financial planner at Caring particularly hard this year. make the school safer, above. DAVE CHIDLEY/THE GLOBE AND MAIL school safer during the pandem- for Clients, a fee-for-service fi- Some cash-strapped parents ic. nancial-planning firm in Toron- are being forced to dip into retire- nimble they were in keeping chil- per cent is zero-interest loans Ms. Dorrance says the choice to. ment accounts and sacrifice fam- dren learning from home when paid back upon graduation. The between “keeping our families Families can set up a trust to ily plans and events to keep their COVID-19 hit. average bursary ranges between and supporting them through help cover the expenses, “mak- children in private school amid “The success of our schools … $15,000 to $18,000 and loans av- COVID or having the capital pro- ing the after-tax cost of the the crisis. Private schools are also in the spring has brought many erage between $2,500 to $5,000. ject move ahead,” was easy. “I school dramatically lower,” she pitching in to keep kids in the [new] families to our schools in The school’s goal is to increase was very much in favour of sup- says. classroom this year, including de- the fall,” she says. its financial aid to reach 25 per porting our families.” However, Ms. Birenbaum says ferring tuition payments and cent of the student body, Mr. the trust should be about $1-mil- providing more bursaries for O’Connor says, to make the lion or more for the strategy to be families in financial need. school more accessible. “We FINANCIAL ADVICE effective. FOR PARENTS LOOKING Merit-based scholarships for [Schools] are trying think it’s important that our stu- She discourages parents from high grades or athletic abilities dent body reflect the diversity TO FUND PRIVATE SCHOOL borrowing money to fund their are also an option to help cover to work with families from a cultural and socio-eco- child’s private-school education the cost of elementary and sec- individually to say, nomic perspective,” he says. Pa rents who either want or need long term. The compounding in- ondary private school tuition, ‘What do you need “The broader the mix of kids to send their child to private terest could really eat into a fam- which averages about $21,000 and how can we support we have here, the better it is for school must understand the ily’s finances, even at today’s low annually for day schools and all kids,” Appleby’s principal In- long-term costs involved includ- rates. about $52,000 for boarding you in the coming year?’ nes van Nostrand adds. ing tuition, as well as other ex- “It’s just not where we go,” Ms. schools in Canada, according to PATTI MACDONALD The school has added another penses such as uniforms and ex- Birenbaum says. Canadian Accredited Independ- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CANADIAN $500,000 to $750,000 to the fi- tracurricular activities, says Jason She also recommends that ent Schools (CAIS), an organiza- ACCREDITED INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS nancial assistance program this Heath, an advice- and fee-only parents paying for private school tion representing 95 independ- year but hasn’t used up the funds certified financial planner at Ob- have disability and life insurance ent schools across Canada. in Oakville, so far. jective Financial Partners Inc. in to help cover the costs if they “[Schools] are trying to work Ont., has seen a “significant Mr. O’Connor says many par- Markham, Ont. should become disabled or pass with families individually to say, amount of interest,” in the num- ents didn’t tap into financial as- “It’s a really big commitment away. ‘What do you need and how can ber of day students this year, es- sistance options because of the for families,” he says. “It’s not the “If you’re making this commit- we support you in the coming pecially in grades 7 and 8, says its effect of the pandemic and in- annual cost, but the cumulative ment to your child and you had a year?’ ” says Patti MacDonald, the chief marketing and enrolment stead asked to change their pay- cost.” period of disability – or pass executive director of CAIS. officer Michael O’Connor. ment schedule or defer pay- Parents may be eligible for away – you don’t want it to force About 15.6 per cent of students Appleby, an independent ments. some tax deductions and credits your child out of school,” if the at its member schools received fi- school for students in grades 7 to The Calgary French & Interna- when sending kids to private ele- costs can no longer be covered, nancial assistance in the 2018-19 12, has about 800 students this tional School, for preschoolers to mentary and high schools. For in- she says. school year, or an average of just year, up from an annual average Grade 12 students, has been of- stance, a portion of the tuition The COVID-19 crisis has been a less than $11,000 for each family, of about 770. Its day-school tui- fering “bridging bursaries” since fees may qualify as child-care reminder to families of how frag- says Ms. MacDonald, who ex- tion ranges from $38,850 to 2016 for parents who need help costs and be eligible for the child- ile life and work can be. “We need pects the number to be higher $47,170 and from $63,180 to covering their child’s tuition care expenses deduction. Tuition to be aware always of how finan- this academic year. $77,540 for boarding school. costs, which range from about paid to schools that provide a re- cially resilient we are and build In the meantime, some private Mr. O’Connor says about 20 $13,640 to $16,000 annually, says ligious education, with a charit- that into our everyday thinking,” schools are seeing an increase in per cent of the student body re- Margaret Dorrance, the head of able status, may also qualify for a she says. new students this year, which Ms. ceives financial aid, about 90 per the school. charitable donations tax credit. MacDonald attributes to how cent of which is bursaries and 10 This summer, the school add- Tuition fees may also be eligi- Special to The Globe and Mail

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Take avirtual tour and exploreHavergalCollegeathavergal.on.ca/futureproof P8 PRIVATE SCHOOLS G THE GLOBE AND MAIL | FRIDAY,SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

Co llaboration, innovation mark schools’ reopening plans

Spray paint, patience pening – and learn from them. The result is a highly flexible and diverse curriculum model for the high school that delivery among tools allows shifting between five WHAT PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE DOING for pandemic learning modes, ranging from full lock- TO KEEP STUDENTS SAFE FROM COVID-19 down to normal operation, ac- cording to the parameters of in- Private schools follow provincial and up to 30 at the elementary DIANE JERMYN fection rates. guidelines and public-health level, physically distancing “From day one we’ve talked measures but typically go be- students is close to impossible in about three concepts: patience, yond what’s required. That may public-school classrooms. Dis- efore students returned to flexibility and compassion,” says include signage, Plexiglass tancing is easier with the smaller Calgary’s Rundle College on Mr. van Nostrand. “Patience be- barriers in classrooms and dining class sizes of most private BSept. 1, Jason Rogers, head cause we’re all dealing with an halls, improved air flow in build- schools. of school, sat down with his ol- imperfect way of operating and ings, extra staff for cleaning plus Additionally, there may not be dest son at the dinner table and trying different things, but I’ve hiring school nurses and addi- the budget to update old ventila- drew up a plan using Grade 9 ge- been impressed with the degree tional counsellors to help with tion systems in public schools or ometry to create outdoor learn- of goodwill in our community.” the social and emotional chal- provide state-of-the-art tech- ing spaces. Spray-painted marks St udents at Calgary’s Rundle Collaboration with other inde- lenges of the pandemic. nology to enable students who on the ground allow students to College interact with one another pendent schools was also key for Besides having hand sanitizers are learning remotely to stay maintain two metres of physical while maintaining distance. St. Margaret’s, a kindergarten to on site, Rundle College switched connected to their home-school distancing, so they can safely Grade 12 all-girls school in Victo- all of its taps to touchless taps. teachers or classmates. take off their masks and interact was required, and how they ria. Sharon Klein, head of school, Elite schools such as Appleby It’s also easier if everyone is with each other. would continue to connect indi- says that as a single school, being College have invested in higher- on the same side. Decisions can “With any constraint comes vidually with students.” able to call on the CAIS (Cana- end technology, including big- be quickly acted on and the the opportunity for creativity At Appleby College in Oak- dian Accredited Independent screen TVs with cameras and resources made available. and innovation,” Mr. Rogers says. ville, Ont., principal Innes van Schools) network and their re- microphones in classrooms so At Appleby, Mr. van Nostrand “We hadn’t realized how easy it Nostrand describes different sources was invaluable, especial- that remote students can interact reports immense goodwill in is to use outdoor spaces as an phases of response to the pan- ly at the start of the outbreak in real time. their community, with families, effective low-cost way for teach- demic, the first being getting when people were creating staff, students and alumni and its ing, learning and socializing.” their students on overseas trips things as needed on the fly. board supporting what the THE SPEND When the COVID-19 outbreak home safely and then after “You had the support of all school is doing regarding health hit Canada in March, private March break, bringing the faculty the members across the coun- Appleby College has invested and safety. schools such as Rundle College back for training to shift to the try,” Ms. Klein says. “This fall, about $6-million so far, borrow- That’s not necessarily the case responded by quickly adapting remote mode. The upside was people have less anxiety because ing from the bank, but principal in the public system. to new ways of teaching and the school was technologically they’ve seen it run a little bit Innes van Nostrand says the final Amanda Cooper, associate learning. For many that included empowered, with all children when we went back in B.C. for tab depends on how long the professor of educational policy refocusing on values, emphasiz- working on online platforms, three weeks in June.” pandemic goes on. and leadership at Queen’s ing kindness, patience and well- even on a face-to-face teaching As a small, close-knit commu- He points out that about University in Kingston, is con- ness in a time that was psycho- model, and equipped with nity on a nine-hectare (22-acre) $3.5-million of that includes cerned about the growing gap logically challenging for stu- school-issued tablets or laptops. campus, Ms. Klein feels privi- capital expenditures and tech- between the government re- dents, parents and staff. At Run- “The course material was al- leged to be able to fit all the stu- nology of about $1.2-million. sponse to COVID-19 for public dle, “staying connected, staying ready on platforms available on- dents into classrooms, compared That includes 12 portable class- schools and that of private positive and staying learning” line, so it was a pretty easy shift,” with public schools that may rooms brought on-site, improved schools. were central. Mr. van Nostrand says. have to do half days because ventilation systems and addition- “Ontario public schools al- The school’s planning started “The bigger challenge for us there are so many students. Hav- al accommodations. ready have innovative and back in mid-February as Mr. Rog- was managing our co-curricular ing taught in the public system Jason Rogers, head of school, collaborative leaders and teach- ers recognized the need to shift programs and enhancing that previously, she says the biggest calculates the spend at Rundle ers,” she says. to learning-at-home practices sense of community and belong- difference is how quickly she can College to be between 2 to 4 per “The issue is that the govern- and digital technology. With ing, which is as important as aca- make decisions and make them cent of their overall annual ment has not consulted them to classes from kindergarten to demic delivery. How do we find happen very quickly. spending. drive the innovative solutions to Grade 12, including students with the right way to reach out to kids Another is having the re- Head of school Sharon Klein education during a pandemic. learning disabilities, the first who may be struggling in the re- sources to be able to remain fully says the biggest cost at St. The government failing to pro- challenge was how to personal- mote mode? So, part of it was connected with students and Margaret’s has been for more vide a safe start to school has ize learning from afar. building community with a lot parents, such as being able to frequent cleaning during the day, catalyzed a myriad of private “What we did was allow for more online events.” loan out laptops in the spring. which requires additional help. school solutions where risk that diversity to be acknowl- By early April, Appleby was “Our school theme for the mitigations strategies have been edged in the delivery of curricu- planning for what they might year was unity,” Ms. Klein says. maximized. As a result, equity WHAT’S DIFFERENT FROM gaps are increasing.” lum,” Mr. Rogers says. “We put face in the fall. One advantage “That theme took off throughout PUBLIC SCHOOLS? our teachers in the driver’s seat was being able to confer with the year and the students just DIANE JERMYN and let them determine how peers from outside Canada – oth- embraced it.” With an average of 22.5 students SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND much synchronous and asyn- er heads of school around the in Ontario secondary classes, MAIL chronous [live online] learning world at different stages of reo- Special to The Globe and Mail

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