Bishop Hamilton Montessori School “THE May Community, Learning, Excellence, Faith, Commitment BUZZ”2010 from the desk of Mark Mrs Sasouni Your Dear Parents and Friends, Calendar May 13 his school was founded 27 years ago by an Volunteer Recognition exceptional visionary, Elaine Hopkins. She Continental Breakfast envisioned a learning environment “Where May 20 Mind and Spirit Go Hand in Hand”. She Grandparents’ Tea built a unique school in the pursuit for ex- Tcellence in Montessori education, Christian studies May 21 and for an enriched experience in the arts. PD Day No school – daycare only Under the leadership of Alison Goss, the school con- tinued its pursuit for excellence by strengthening May 24 Fundraising Gala Event 2010 the Montessori component through the school’s suc- Victoria Day attendees, from left to right, cessful CCMA accreditation and the introduction (School Closed) present School Director Renette Sa- of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. souni, former Principal Alison Goss May 25-28 These initiatives were aimed at ensuring quality and and past Principal and BHMS founder, Auction Week consistency in the delivery of our Montessori pro- Elaine Hopkins. In support of grams across all spectrums of the school. ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ As incoming director, I am tasked with leading our school into a new stage of its con- and the Capital Fund tinued growth and development. I have had the opportunity to observe the school as a parent and for the past month as director; although we have much to accomplish in our May 27 continued pursuit of excellence, we are blessed with a seasoned and committed group Toddler Pot Luck of teachers. The depth and breadth of our intellectual capital is something this school 4.30 pm and its community should be applauding. May 28 Sr. Elementary (3rd yr) As my first communication with the community it is only fitting that I share my short Montreal Trip term priorities with you. Since my arrival I have scheduled one on one meetings with all faculty and non faculty members of the team. This is a long yet very worthwhile May 28 process; getting to know the team and gaining their unique perspective on our school has Alumni BBQ provided me with a wealth of information and insight. My meetings are also enabling me to identify operational, communication, and marketing systems and strategies we June 7 - June 11 must consider as we head into the 2010-2011 school year. Junior High Bike Trip

One of my short term priorities has been to commence dialogue with our parent com- June 2 New Parents (Casa/Toddler) munity. This will take place in the form of enhanced communication with our class par- 5.00-6.00 pm ent committees including increased visibility on my part. We are also in the process Meet your new teacher of developing a parent survey that is aimed at obtaining parent feedback regarding and other families who are our facilities, programs, the school community, including overall parent experience. new to the classroom Obtaining parent perspective with respect to our school strengths and areas requiring development is very important feedback for us to capture and I am hoping that you will June 9 invest 15 minutes of your valuable time to provide us with your input. Our objective is New Parents (Elementary) to release the survey before the end of the school year. Meet your new teacher and other families who are new to the classroom I would like to extend my sincere thanks to BHMS students, colleagues, and parents who have extended a very warm welcome to me over the past month. I see a wealth of po- June 9 tential and this excites me to no end. Staff Recognition of Service Luncheon Renette Sasouni, School Director

©Bishop Hamilton Montessori School - 2199 Regency Terrace - - K2C 1H2 - 613-596-4013 - fax: 613 596-4971 - bhms.ca Junior High in Einsteinium by Rupa R., Science Director, Junior High class (ages 12 to 14 years)

Bishop Hamilton Montessori School lead with medals in all areas at “The Ottawa Regional Science Fair” at Hillcrest High School on Saturday, April 10, 2010. Students in grades 7 to 12 research, develop, and present projects in the fields of science and engineering. Students from both public and private schools in the Region are invited to enter projects. BHMS entered 6 teams in the Junior (grades 7 and 8) divisions. “Every single team we sent won a medal this year”. Results are posted below. Congratulations BHMS Science Medal Winners !

Did you miss us on Rogers TV? Please visit the link below for a short and worthwhile segment of our BHMS Scientists on Rogers TV. We are very proud of our BHMS students and program.

http://www.rogerstv.com/option.asp?lid=93&rid=4&pag=2&sid=68&mid=3&arid=4&oth=39

The video is posted under Cooking and In Studio Fun and see the link to Bishop Hamilton Montessori School. The segment also aired as part of a ‘best of show’ on April 28th.

Take a look at the this!

Junior 2010 Divisional Award Winners

School Gold Silver Bronze Hon. BRONZE MEDAL: Michael Men. Hayman ‘H.A.L.’

Bishop Hamilton Montessori 2 2 2 - Collège Catholique Samuel-Genest 2 1 - - 1 2 2 1 Immaculata High School 1 1 1 - École secondaire publique De La Salle 1 - 3 - Joan of Arc Academy 1 - 1 2 Macdonald-Cartier Academy - 2 1 1 Queen Elizabeth Public School - 1 2 2 Hawthorne Public School - 1 0 1 GOLD MEDAL: Tristan Hume - - 1 - ‘Brainwaves’ Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School - - 1 2 École secondaire catholique Franco-Cité - - - 2 Summit Alternative School - - - 2 Venta Preparatory School - - - 2 Cedarview - - - 1 - - - 1 - - - 1 Hillel Academy - - - 1 W.O. Mitchell Elementary School - - - 1 SILVER MEDAL & Fisher Park Public School - - - 1 SPECIAL COMPUTING SCIENCE AWARD: Bryan Cheng & Adam Jackson ‘Sudoku Solver’

BRONZE MEDAL: Lubina Nayak & Aashna Uppal ‘R3: Reduce, Reuse, Recyle’ GOLD MEDAL: Sonia Siddiqui SILVER MEDAL: Kanika ‘Bye Bye Bacteria’ Dewan ‘Whiten the World’

©Bishop Hamilton Montessori School - 2199 Regency Terrace - Ottawa - K2C 1H2 - 613-596-4013 - fax: 613 596-4971 - bhms.ca Self confidence, self esteem and the physical body by Janis A., Director, Toddler Community (ages 18 months to 3 years old) Scribbles I have told parents in BHMS was part of a collective the Toddler Community advertising campaign insert in that “self esteem starts the Globe and Mail, organized with being able to take by CCMA and posted in the care of your own little BHMS lobby. body.” The children From the BHMS and their bodies have Hamilt op on h s Parent Handbook: i many needs and urges. B onte M ssori Scho Staff are not since 1983 ol When a child learns Parent Handbook permitted to 2009-2010

to walk, he is capable “Where Mind and Spirit administer any Go Hand in Hand” of participating in over the counter Family Work, known medication to students that is as Practical Life in not specifically prescribed by a Montessori schools. physician. Allowing the child to participate in the life he sees going on around him is an act of great respect for, and confidence Free trees from the City of in the child. This includes care of the self. It helps him to feel important to Ottawa. http://www.ottawa. ca/residents/healthy_lawns/ himself and to those around him. His participation is needed in the care of forestry/tree_program/plant/ his body. index_en.html Don’t need it? Please contact Self care activities the office if you would con- include undressing sider donating it to BHMS! and dressing, washing, We’re having another AUCTION wiping nose and tears, May 25-29 in support of the rubbing lotion on skin, BHMS Capital Fund. preparing food and feeding self, brushing The LOST & FOUND box is hair and teeth, putting located between the two doors a kiss on a bruise. What at the end of the hall on the first floor of the building. else can you include in self care? This newsletter is printed by Harvest House Printing The child’s reasons Services. for, and methods of working are different than ours. We adults will usually do a task in the most Please re-cycle this newsletter. efficient and quickest way. A child is working to explore the materials, master To contact the editor or to the activity, and to perfect his abilities. Concentrating on a task is one of the unsubscribe: most calming activities. [email protected]

There are many physical, emotional and mental values in caring for your physical self. We learn to eat when we are hungry, dress for comfort, keep ourselves clean, give healthy care to one’s own body, to comfort and care for one’s emotional self. What better lifetime gift could we give our children and our fellow humans? I am certain that as children learn to care for their own bodies and self, they are naturally drawn to care for others.

©Bishop Hamilton Montessori School - 2199 Regency Terrace - Ottawa - K2C 1H2 - 613-596-4013 - fax: 613 596-4971 - bhms.ca Casa Biology - “freedom with responsibility” by Anna W, Casa Director, Wild Rose class (ages 3 to 6 years)

With the return of the good weather we also have the return of many forms of life. We delight in the chirp- ing of birds, the singing of frogs and the emergence of creatures that have been hibernating over the winter. We try to bring the re-birth of life in the spring to the attention of the children in the CASA programme. The biodiversity of this planet, which we depend upon in so many ways, is also our responsibility to protect.

The biology portion of the CASA programme is very rich. First year children work with puzzles about the five groups of vertebrates and plants. They will be revisiting this in second year. Second year children will be practicing their fine motor skills by colouring ‘within a limited space’ as they identify the various ‘parts of’ vertebrates and plants. They will be prac- ticing their handwriting skills as they write the names of these parts. This spiral learning continues when in and stepping on them the children are encouraged to third year the extended day children learn in greater understand them. Extended day children are learning depth about the classification of vertebrates: mam- about the value of bees, the metamorphosis of but- mals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians and the clas- terflies, ants and whatever other insect they choose sification of plants. With their additional reading and to learn about from the variety of books that we have writing skills, extended day children are able to take in the class. This is the freedom that Montessori talks responsibility for their own learning by doing mini about; freedom to make choices - “freedom with re- projects regarding the various animals they are learn- sponsibility”. ing about. With knowledge comes understanding of the interde- Recently, extended day has also been learning about pendence of life and hopefully a willingness to have invertebrates; in particular, insects. These creatures the foresight to protect it. We wish not to just edu- will soon be all around us. Rather than fearing them cate but also to instill a sense of responsibility.

Le français by Elysee A., Junior High French Director, (ages 12 to 14 years)

It is that time of the year again. Our kids are excited and looking forward to the upcoming trip to Quebec. Our destination this year is Quebec City which has much to offer our students. From rich, cultural and historical sites, to stunning natural vistas it is an all around favourite of our Junior High students.

What has changed this year is that Mrs. A. and I have personally arranged all stages of the trip resulting in substantial savings by eliminating agent’s fees and commissions. By my early estimates, I believe we have raised approximately 50% of the cost of the trip by fundraising.

Practicing for the french play.

©Bishop Hamilton Montessori School - 2199 Regency Terrace - Ottawa - K2C 1H2 - 613-596-4013 - fax: 613 596-4971 - bhms.ca cation and contributions to BHMS as a parent, Director, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream & Principal. Great tributes were presented by Casa Directors Karen S. and Linda B., and by BHMS parent Joanne S. Farewell Tribute to our now former It was a fitting sight to see all three past and present Principals Principal Alison Goss of the school together: Elaine Hopkins, Alison Goss, and Ren- by Vivenne B., BHMS parent and Fundraising Event Chair ette Sousoni.

Over 110 parents, For the 2010 fundraising drive, we raised over $18,000 from families, staff, the net ticket sale, si- board of directors, lent and live auctions, and even a former and cash donations - a student came out big thank you! Remem- and supported the ber, it is not too late to school’s effort in bring in your cash do- having an evening of nation to support the good food and fun, cause and stay tuned and supporting the for one more silent Capital Fund drive auction! with a quick-pace and enjoyable live I would like to person- auction. Fun was ally thank Helen and Lisa for their enor- had by all. By all ac- mous support and hard work and to Alison count, the evening G., Renette S., Linda R., and Joanne S. was a success! for providing support, behind the scenes work in bringing this event to fruition. The Gala also pro- vided the BHMS As my final year at the school, I and community with a my family have had many wonderful formal opportunity memories and this recent event adds to acknowledge and to them. I hope and pray for God’s stead- thank Alison Goss for fast blessing on BHMS and will look forward to hear about over 17-years dedi- many more fundraising galas. Pets in the Classroom by Natalie G.. Senior Elementary Director, Jack Pine class (ages 9 to 12 years) You may have often won- see the wild birds animal). Children grow dered why every elemen- in the woods in a to love their animals and tary class has an animal different eye; more often argue about who living in it. Well, besides than just a nui- gets to take them home. the fact that the children sance or part of the For parents this may seem love it, it teaches them scenery. like a chore at times, but many skills that they could think about this: it is a only pick up from car- Some children will temporary, short-term pet ing for a pet. Part of our never be able to that you get to send back Practical Life curriculum experience the joy to school after the long is care of the environment of owning and car- weekend. and pets are just that. We ing for an animal, learn to care for them; as not all family Animals add richness to how to feed them, how to situations or sched- our lives. They provide an clean up after them, how ules allow it. Hav- unmatched intelligence to give them the love and ing an animal in the that can only be found affection they need and classroom shows in the animal world. As I their temperaments. the best of both write this article, our pet worlds. Of course, budgie Sammy is walk- and see them as a simple Having a pet in the class- having an animal in ing across the keyboard, nuisance. But when there room, teaches the children the class requires a lot of nibbling on the keys and is a bird in their classroom responsibility as well and responsibility. We need watching me work. He is it becomes a part of their love for the world around to make sure it has enough a lovely addition to our lives, and it shows them them. For instance, some food, water, cleanliness, class and the children love the intelligence that birds children may never come and of course affection him dearly. are capable of. They will into contact with birds (well, depending on the

©Bishop Hamilton Montessori School - 2199 Regency Terrace - Ottawa - K2C 1H2 - 613-596-4013 - fax: 613 596-4971 - bhms.ca How Not To Be Your Child’s ATM Our Friends in by Linda W., Junior Elementary Director, Sequoia class The choices we make with our money can help change (ages 6 to 9 years) the world. ~Nathan Dungan, President and Founder of Share, Save, The children in Elementary are beginning to write Spend new penpal letters to our friends in Lesotho. They are also planning many fundraising activities Nathan Dungan, a longtime financial advisor, founder of before the end of the year. Please keep your eyes the organization Share, Save and Spend, and author of and ears open for these events. the book, Prodigal Sons and Materials Girls: How Not to

Be Your Child’s’ ATM, suggests that we need to see money Here is a letter that a Sequoia student has written as more than a way of making financial transactions. We to her penpal. need to see money as a way to interact with others to express our values and culture, both as an individual and as a multi-generational family.

We can share our values through stories and modeling in a way that Dungan calls Share, Save, Spend. These three basic actions are where we need to focus when using our money and our time. When we begin to shift our think- ing from money as only a transaction and begin to view our relationship with money as an interaction, the share, save, and spend approach acts as a roadmap on how to live our lives.

What do you find easiest to do with your money--share, save, or spend? Be aware of how you spend your money. We must be intentional about our values regarding money. Intentionality will help us develop healthy money habits, which will bring us financial success. Financial success in this meaning is not necessarily about getting rich. It is about being successful in reaching personal goals.

The habit of sharing helps us consider the needs of oth- ers and instills in us a sense of gratitude. The habit of saving creates patience and inner discipline. The habit of spending can help us discern between a need and a want. Habits that will serve us well in reaching personal goals.

Dungan gives five steps to healthy money habits:

1. Understand your personal money values, and make a plan. 2. Be a share-save-spend money mentor. 3. Understand that money mistakes are okay. It’s part of the learning process. 4. Engage in experiential philanthropy, which is a combination of giving time and money. 5. Initiate a process and system for success.

Share. Save. Spend. Because the choices we make with our money can change the world, our families and our- selves, for the better.

Visit www.sharesavespend.com for more information.

©Bishop Hamilton Montessori School - 2199 Regency Terrace - Ottawa - K2C 1H2 - 613-596-4013 - fax: 613 596-4971 - bhms.ca Montessori Matters submitted by Linda Boucher, Head Director, East Campus TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE RELEVANCE OF MONTESSORI’S IDEAS TODAY Many Montessori teachers and Growing numbers of children parents are still trying to distill and appear to lack the ability to understand Montessori’s lessons concentrate, persevere and and apply them today across all sometimes even follow simple continents. As Montessori found, directions. Adults should observe it’s much easier with poor children these signs as important indications than middle class children, whose that these children’s fundamental attention spans become easily needs are not being met in their diverted by the over stimulation home and school environments. prevalent in their environments, Montessori stressed repeatedly sometimes combined with their need that behaviours labelled “deviant” for instant gratification encouraged began to disappear when children in modern society. were placed in environments that met their fundamental needs. 2

Studies are beginning to link some children’s behaviour problems to nutritional habits, environmental are at fault, adult need to analyze impacts and even exposure whether the environments today’s to minute amounts of children are exposed to are helpful chemical exposure and or harmful to their fundamental nano-particles. According needs. Purposeful movement in to experts like Dr. Stanley real-life activities is also necessary Greenspan, these questions for children’s healthy, physical, have not been sufficiently as well as mental and social Many children never learn the virtue studied. Some children have been development. 1 of effort. When the effort is chosen allowed to become obsessed with by the child in an environment computer and video games that that “calls out to him” and is not develop fine motor movement imposed arbitrarily by the adult, without providing them access to a it helps develop character traits multi-sensorial environment found of patience, perseverance and in the real world, including nature concern for others. The “zapping and most importantly, silence. 3 generation” is a recent example of the phenomenon that seems to be From Montessori’s perspective, spreading to middle-class children the basic fact that children need everywhere. to use their intelligence through purposeful movement that enables them to develop self -mastery hasn’t been sufficiently understood, either 1 From Victoria Barres, Montessori’s within the school, the home or discoveries link children’s healthy development to constructing peaceful public places in society. Growing and healthy societies, Communications numbers of children who lack 2008/1 concentration and self 2 Jane Healy, Failure to Connect (Touchstone Books, 1999) control perhaps represents 3 Jane Healy, Endangered Minds: Why one indication of the crisis in Children Don’t Think and What We Can education worldwide today. Do About It, (Touchstone: Simon and Schuster, 1990) Rather than thinking the children

©Bishop Hamilton Montessori School - 2199 Regency Terrace - Ottawa - K2C 1H2 - 613-596-4013 - fax: 613 596-4971 - bhms.ca The Helicopter Parent by Annette Kulle, Montessori Teachers Institute for Professional Studies

The newspapers are full these days of the con- Then there is the case of the Long Island, New sequences to children of having “helicopter par- York principal who forced students last year to ents” parents who hover and cannot separate cancel a deal they had made to rent a $20,000 from their children. And, of even more concern, house in the Hamptons for an after-prom par- is the fact that these children do not seem to ty. The students cancelled the deal, got their mind. In fact, they want their parents involved. $10,000 back, and the prom went on as planned. However, some parents went ahead and rented On the surface, this sounds like not such a bad the Hampton house anyway. This year, the prin- thing. That teenagers and older children alike cipal has cancelled the prom. Many think it un- want their parents involved in their lives. But, fair and some parents are discussing whether to those who are studying this phenomenon, it to sponsor a prom by themselves. One of these is not what it seems. It seems these parents are fathers does not think it’s right for the school the Baby Boomers who questioned authority at to judge what goes on after the prom. A senior every turn. They did not want their parents’ at the school says the class will still have their opinion; they did not want input from their par- 4-day trip to Disney World where they fly to- ents on their own college experience. These gether, visit the park together and stay in the Baby Boomers seemed to know and understand same hotel. “It’s not like we’re totally losing that they needed to separate from their parents everything.” in order to become independent. Many, but not all of these parents, have little So what happened? Actually, nothing. These time to spend with their children and do these same Baby Boomers are still questioning au- things to assuage their guilt. Others spend lots thority. They are accompanying their children of time with their kids and do the same things to college orientations and dictating (to the out of love. But, it doesn’t matter. They are all universities and their children) which courses depriving their children of the opportunities they will take, which roommate they will have, to make decisions and live with the conse- and even, in some instances, attempting to reg- quences of those decisions; they give their ister for classes for their children and buying children no credit for being resourceful. And, their books. Because they have such confidence perhaps worst of all, provide a bad example in their judgment, they want to shield their for when these children become parents them- children from frustration and disappointment. selves. Many young adults have never done a These are the parents who argue with coaches, load of laundry; made an appointment at the referees, and each other at soccer and hockey dentist; cooked a meal from scratch; managed games; who get together to present trophies to their own money; paid a cell phone bill; learned everyone who played, so no child has to feel dis- how to budget. It’s a pity to learn these les- appointed. It is these same parents who blame sons when the consequences are so much more the teacher and/or the school when the child is serious than not getting a trophy for playing in trouble. hockey, for forgetting your lunch, for not do- ing your homework. Our job as parents is to put One need remember no further than the recent ourselves out of a job. And, that job begins very unfortunate episode at Glenbrook North High soon after our children are born. Don’t waste School with initiation activities. When students another minute. were suspended, parents came to the rescue by hiring attorneys. When students were pre- vented from attending their senior prom, these same parents planned and paid for an alternate prom.

©Bishop Hamilton Montessori School - 2199 Regency Terrace - Ottawa - K2C 1H2 - 613-596-4013 - fax: 613 596-4971 - bhms.ca