Sunshine Montessori School: Fostering a Spirit of Service
Posted: 23 April 2019
IDEALS
- Leadership
- Service
Discoveries
- Problem solving
- Sense of responsibility
- Commitment to Sustainability
- Compassion
Age range
Primary
About
In 2017, three Sunshine Montessori School (SMS) students had the opportunity to attend a regional Round Square conference for 12-14 year olds at Colegio Los Nogales. Our students were able to engage in hands-on service activities which had a huge impact on them. In a desire to further develop a deeper sense of empathy in all our students and using the Spirit of Service as a foundation for us to follow, we are seeking opportunities to encourage service within our school and community.
Planning
This school year, we have assigned two staff members to find service possibilities in our community.
The first opportunity found was right across the road and has proven to be a delight for both students and staff. The elementary school across the street run a breakfast programme for their students who otherwise would not have breakfast before school. Once a week, our students and staff help prepare the breakfasts and engage in early morning games and activities with the students prior to school beginning. The volunteer sign-up sheet for this has been full since it was posted and we are seeking way to develop this relationship further.
Activity
Toasty Toes
In November, through a student-run initiative, 575 pairs of socks were collected in our school community. These socks were distributed to people who live on the streets through a local organization. A graduate of our school started this programme while she was a student here and it has been carried on by a current Grade 8 student. Moving forward, students in the school will continue to run the programme.
The Eastwood Holiday Hampers Program
SMS has a tradition of partnering with the staff of Eastwood Collegiate Institute (ECI) to help local families in need. The Eastwood Holiday Hampers Program is a non-profit program in which Eastwood staff collect, assemble, and deliver Holiday Hampers filled with food, toiletries, and a grocery gift card to families and students within our neighbourhood.
In order to fill each Holiday Hamper to the brim, ECI has appealed to the staff and students of Sunshine Montessori School (SMS) for donations of toiletries: deodorant, soap, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and toothbrushes. Although these items are essential to daily life, they can be costly to families with a limited income.
In addition to donating items, SMS students sorted the items for easier distribution and Grade 3 students helped to carry and deliver boxes to ECI.
Senior Choir
Our senior choir performed at a local seniors’ residence during the Christmas holiday season. The students sang pieces that they had been preparing for their Holiday Follies Concert and also had a sing along with the seniors. The Junior Choir will be holding a similar event in the Spring.
Tibetan Pray Flags
In art class, Tibetan prayer flags are being created to display at the school. This idea is a way for the entire school to illustrate the students wishes and hopes for the world. We look forward to flying the flags as the weather warms.
Challenges
Our greatest challenge is finding appropriate and accessible opportunities for our younger age range of students. In terms of logistics and for insurance purposes, many agencies won’t allow children aged 11 – 12 to volunteer and are concerned that activities for volunteers are not appropriate for students of this age. We also need to ensure that the learning outcomes of each opportunity are accessible for this age range.
One way we have encouraged our younger students is through intellectual activism. For example, after researching endangered animals, three students (age 7/8) wrote a rap about Endangered Animals.
Other students within our school, held an environmental presentation assembly and have an individual environmental class challenge.
Impact
The impact of increasing our community outreach and travelling on Round Square trips has been two-fold as these activities have benefited not only the students and staff who went on trips and who engage in specific service, but our entire school community.
By stepping out of their comfort zone and becoming engaged with their wider community, students are more aware of the world around them. They feel empowered as change makers and are continuing to develop a greater sense of leadership and responsibility. Younger students learn from the enthusiasm and outward perspective of the older students.
This initiative has also helped bring the school closer to its community. Regular engagement with our local elementary school and seniors’ home have helped to raise the school’s profile within the neighbourhood and to develop an understanding of the diversity of need and support available within our community.
The future
As we apply for Round Square Global Membership, we are continuing to build more opportunities for our students. We have been encouraged to reach out to other Round Square schools to garner ideas for future expansion of our service activities.
Advice
We have found that to be truly intentional and forward moving in embracing Round Square, it is important to have dedicated staff members to spearhead initiatives. To that end, we have two staff members who are looking for service opportunities in our community and are engaging staff to embed Round Square experiences into their classrooms. Our intention is to learn more about the Discovery Framework and incorporate aspects of it in our programme.
In anticipation of our February trip to the Galapagos with Palmer Trinity School and Park City Day school, our 4 and 5 yearold students are learning about the wildlife in the Galapagos. The entire school is learning about George the Pinto turtle that died in 2012. A sculpture of George has been created in art class and displayed in the school lobby.
All students are supporting our Round Square travels and we will support their learning by sharing our experiences when we return.
Author: Nancy Joyce, Round Square Rep, Sunshine Montessori