Top News Archives - Rowntree Montessori Schools

2019/01/22 by R.M.S.

Apply for Kindergarten Today!

Now accepting NEW student applications for Pre-Kindergarten Montessori and Kindergarten Montessori (JK) for the 2019-2020 Academic Year starting in September 2019!

If you have a child who was born in 2016 or 2015 and would like to submit an application to Rowntree Montessori Schools for the 2019-2020 academic year (starting in September 2019), please do not wait until it is too late! We are now officially reviewing applications for acceptance to Pre-Kindergarten Montessori and Kindergarten Montessori (JK).

Students in Kindergarten Montessori at Rowntree Montessori Schools

Students in Kindergarten Montessori (JK) at Rowntree Montessori Schools

Click on the Apply Now button below to quickly and easily submit your application, and someone from our Admissions Office will be in touch with you shortly. If you would like to talk with someone from our Admissions Office, please click here to review the contact information for each campus.

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools’ admission process, click here.

If you have not done so already, we also encourage you to visit one of our campuses. Discover the opportunity and possibilities for your child to love learning and excel.

We will gladly take the time with you and your family to:

Tour the facilities (typically takes 15-20 minutes)
Provide you the opportunity to meet teachers and administrators
Outline our enriched educational programmes – Pre-Kindergarten (2.8 yrs) to Grade 8
Discuss registration options

…and of course, children are most welcome.

Private school students in Kindergarten working on Montessori materials at RMS

Students in Kindergarten Montessori (JK) learning to count

We look forward to seeing you and sharing with you the private school community of which we are so proud!

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

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2019/01/22 by R.M.S.

Register Online for Summer Learning Camp

Register online today for our Summer Learning Camps for this upcoming Tuesday July 2nd to Friday August 23rd, 2019! We offer Kindergarten Montessori Readiness (children turning 4 in 2019), Prep-One Readiness (children turning 5 in 2019), Grade 1 Readiness (children turning 6 years old in 2019), a Grade 2-8 Math and English Enrichment and Remedial Educational Programmes. Our summer programmes are specially designed to allow students to continue school throughout the summer months and to get a head start for the upcoming year, while enjoying fun and exciting activities and outings. Dedicated, caring, and qualified teachers and instructors will conduct a wide variety of activities that will complement and enhance your child’s academic needs and address their extracurricular preferences. Camps are offered in safe environments with morning academics and afternoon fun theme-based activities, water play, outdoor games, sports, workshops and field trips to splash pads, water parks, the movies, trampoline parks and more, depending on the weeks that the child is registered. All activities will coincide with a planned weekly theme. Parents will be given a calendar outlining the weekly events scheduled throughout the summer.

To learn more about our summer learning camps and weekly themes/fun afternoon activities and outings, click here.

To directly register online for summer learning camp, click here.

For answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding our Summer Learning Camp, click here.

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

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2019/01/16 by R.M.S.

Learning about the Environment

At RMS, we recognize the value of teaching students about ecology and the environment. According to the NDF (2013), “teaching young children about ecology and the environment will offer them lessons that will last them a lifetime. If children learn to respect and care for the world they live in and the organisms within it from a young age, they will help to preserve it for the next generation. The goal is that they will become advocates for protecting nature.”

Recently Grade 3 students at the Academy Campus learned how to germinate kidney bean seeds as part of an application task of a Plant’s Life cycle. Students soaked bean seeds and placed them in clear plastic bags containing wet paper towels. The bags were all hung on the classroom window which brings in a lot of bright sunlight. After two weeks of patient waiting, watering and nurturing their seeds, the students finally had a chance to take a first look at their seeds. Seen here in the video are a very delighted class of students unwrapping their seed surprises and placing them in soil.

A few weeks later, the Grade 3 students were absolutely ecstatic to find their bean plants bearing fruit! The weather might be cold outside, but Grade 3 is keeping warm and nurturing their kidney bean plants to perfection! Click here for more ideas on how to engage your child and them him or her about the environment. Some of the ideas include creating a wildlife area, sponsoring an animal, playing games and reading books that teach about wildlife and the environment, or encouraging your child to write about their favourite animal or plant.

Source: Children Learning about Ecology and the Environment

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

2019/01/16 by R.M.S.

Elementary Programme Information Sessions

The most meaningful investment you can make is in your child’s education!

To learn more about why you should consider our highly desired programmes for your child, we encourage you to attend one of our upcoming Elementary Programme Information Sessions.

Wednesday January 16^th6:00pm @ our Rowntree Montessori Schools Downtown Campus or Central Park Campus

Thursday January 17^th6:00pm @ our Rowntree Montessori Schools Academy Campus

This is a great opportunity to meet with the Principal and teaching staff, and to learn more about our award-winning Elementary programmes (Grades 1 and above) and to visit some of our Elementary classrooms. You can come and learn about our balanced programme that focuses on both traditional learning and new technologies, all delivered within a warm and nurturing environment. Plus you will have the chance to take a guided tour and get more information about our registration process for September 2019!

Both current RMS parents and prospective parents who are considering enrolling their child(ren) in our Grade Level programmes for either September 2019 or in future years are invited and encouraged to attend one of our upcoming information sessions to learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools’ Grade Level Curriculum, programmes and opportunities.

Who should attend:
-Parents who have a child entering Grade 1 in September 2019 or in future years
-Parents who have a child entering other Elementary Grade levels in September 2019
-Parents who have questions about our award-winning programme, who may apply for 2019

Get Informed To Make An Educated Decision Regarding Your Child’s Education:

Presentation on our enriched Grade Level Curriculum & Educational Programmes
Take a Guided School Tour
Meet our Principals and teaching staff
Learn about the results at RMS versus public school
French at RMS versus public school French Immersion
Learn about our registration process, schedule and options

NOTE: Supervision is available for your child(ren) while you attend. The presentation is approximately two hours long and the guided school tour takes approximately 20 minutes.

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

2018/12/14 by R.M.S.

Celebrating the Holiday Concert

Every year students from Rowntree Montessori Schools participate in an annual year end holiday concert where they showcase their talent and enthusiasm for entertaining family and friends. Students from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 8 at each of the campuses did an exceptional job singing, dancing and showcasing their festive spirit! It is events such as these concerts that make RMS so special and a much sought after private school.

Students performing at Rowntree Montessori Schools private school Christmas Concert 2018

Students from the Rowntree Montessori Schools Academy Campus performing

Central to our curriculum is not only English, Math and Science, but also character and global and local citizenship and being part of a community. Many of those skills are emphasized at our annual holiday concert. The RMS community is truly rich in its diversity, and while not all of us celebrate Christmas, we certainly can all embrace a celebration like the holiday concert. Our holiday concerts offer students of all ages the chance to sing, dance, act and showcase their talent, and are a perfect opportunity for children to build their self-confidence. Watch some of our youngest students at the Mayfield Campus doing a lovely job performing on stage in the video below.

Happy holidays from everyone at Rowntree Montessori Schools!

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

2018/12/06 by R.M.S.

Stepping into Media Literacy

At Rowntree Montessori Schools Academy Campus, the students learn about Media Literacy as part of the English Programme. The year begins with an introduction to Digital Citizenship, which is a necessary lesson for students to gain digital privileges within the school community. The students are expected to learn the following seven Digital Citizenship Rules (www.topdogteaching.com):

I am building my digital footprint every day
I will make safe and appropriate choices while on my device
I will keep my private information private
I will be respectful of myself and others while on my device
I will never share my passwords
I will report all bullying I see while on my device
I will always give credit to sources I use

Students in Grade 6 at Brampton Private School learning about media literacy

Students in Grade 6 showcasing their digital footprints

After learning about Digital Citizenship and passing the required test, the Grade 6 class this year began to explore their digital footprints. The students were asked: “What would we find if we looked at your digital footprint?” This question prompted the students to look at the search history on their school Chromebooks and other devices that they had at home to have a better understanding of their digital life. The students began to write down the patterns they noticed like websites and apps that they regularly visited. Next came the fun part, the students drew pictures and words on an actual footprint to represent themselves. A few of the most common additions were pictures of apps like Snapchat, Instagram, and Google apps (docs, slides, etc.). The students coloured them brightly, and together we cut them out and posted them on the classroom ceiling. They now act as a daily reminder to the students that they are always leaving a digital trail behind them.

Participating in this activity has helped encourage the Grade 6 students to act responsibly in their digital lives. As the school year progresses, the students often return to these conversations of digital citizenship when scenarios arise, and they use the tools they learned to navigate through various situations. We cannot wait to watch these students become digital leaders!

“Social media is changing the way we communicate and the way we are perceived, both positively and negatively. Every time you post a photo or update your status, you are contributing to your digital footprint and personal brand.” – Amy Jo Martin

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

2018/12/03 by R.M.S.

Encouraging Girls in STEM

It goes without saying that females are underrepresented in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields. As we progress further into the 21st Century, this presents a real problem that educators and employers need to address. A lot has been said in the past decade about pay gaps and gender inequality in the workplace and making meaningful changes in STEM-related work environments can help bridge this gap. In neighbouring New York state, there are over 34,000 job openings in Computer Science, that is 4.7 times the state average demand rate. Here in Canada, data shows that 70 percent of bachelor’s degree graduates in Engineering and Computer Information Science found employment in related industries. This is good news for individuals who are naturally STEM-minded, but is the system flawed? How can we make sure to pay close attention to girls in STEM?

Girls using robotics at Rowntree Montessori Schools in Brampton

Female students showing interest in robotics at Rowntree Montessori Schools

Globally, female participation in STEM-related careers are drastically lower than that of males, despite more women graduating from universities worldwide. The World Economic Forum maintains the following: “The reasons for this systematic underrepresentation are multiple and complex, but three things seem to matter most:

1) Aspirations that are molded by social norms and parental expectations

2) Information failures that affect the decision to enter and stay in a STEM field

3) Institutional factors that constrain women’s ability to enter a STEM job.”

Educators have the most control over numbers two and three, but can also help influence social norms and parental expectations as they relate to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. That being said, elevating girls in STEM education should not result in diminishing boys interest in the same topics.

FIRST, the parent organizations of the FLL (First Lego League), has launched the Elevating Girls and Young Women in STEM initiative. Rowntree Montessori Schools is proud to participate in the FLL yearly and recently won the FIRST Core Values Award at the 2017 Provincial Qualifier. FIRST maintains that the, “initiative focuses on the advancement of girls and women in STEM, but it is not exclusionary of the contributions of boys,[o]r men..” What is unique about this program is that it focuses on the inclusion that is so vitally needed in STEM education, helping to drive more diverse thought, innovation and creativity across STEM fields.

Girls using computers at Brampton Private School

Female students using computers

In the last five years, we have seen technology absolutely explode in K-12 education. Not only do students have more access to technology than they ever did before, but they are learning how to use it in ways that were previously reserved for the college-level computer lab. Additionally, a number of companies are jumping on the EdTech bandwagon and introducing new and exciting high-tech, low-tech, and no-tech ways for young people to learn code. RMS’s Motto: Nurturing Tomorrow’s Achievers, recognizes that successful students of the future include all the boys and girls currently doing great things at our four campuses. We want to ensure that all students have a fair and equal shot at doing great things with STEM. As an organization, we recognize that this can only be achieved if we work together to create an environment where science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is genuinely intertwined with what we do every single day. Rowntree Montessori Schools is excited about striving to be the best 21st Century learning institution that it can be, and has introduced a number of new initiatives this year to ensure that STEM is at the forefront of its students’ everyday experience, regardless of gender.

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

2018/11/28 by R.M.S.

Anti-Bullying Week at RMS

According to the Ontario government, teaching students about bullying, is the best way to prevent it from happening. At Rowntree Montessori Schools, bullying of any kind is not accepted. This year we decided to put together an anti-bullying committee to showcase the traits of cooperation, tolerance and positive role-modeling. Last week this committee lead our students in celebrating Anti-Bullying week. It was a fun-filled week of learning about how to prevent bullying, that educated out students about what bullying is, and how to stop it. The week kicked off with an assembly at the Academy Campus where students were encouraged to come together and sing a song called “The WITS Song”. WITS is an acronym that helps children to remember some very important steps to resolving a conflict. W = walk away, I = ignore, T = talk it out, S = seek help. Everyone loved the song, and the experience of learning it together was truly memorable. Watch the video below of students together singing “The WITS Song.”

Day 2 consisted of students making posters with a positive message, that were formed into a collage. Students were also asked to create positivity cards, with messages and images that described themselves, that could be traded with other students to promote their positive self-image. On day 3, students shared their lunch-time and made a new friend from a different class. The Grade 8 class really took some initiative and paired themselves with students from the Pre-Kindergarten classes. At lunch time, teachers encouraged students to eat with someone that they had not previously socialized with, in order to show students how easy it can be to make new friends. Students were given a list of questions to help them start a conversation, and used it to ask their peers questions like “What is your favourite thing to do” and “What is the funniest thing you saw today.”

Students made a pink anti-bullying shirt

Students made pink anti-bullying shirts

On day 4 of Anti-Bullying week, students were asked to make a card that they could give to a friend, to help them learn about the importance of inclusion. Then on day 5, students and staff dressed in pink, and were asked to show random acts of kindness throughout the day. Teachers encouraged students to find opportunities to give compliments to each other, their teachers and the staff throughout the day. Students were also asked to write down what they appreciated about each member of their family, team or class. All positive comment cards were then collected, organized and shared with each student. This way every student received some positive comments from their peers.

Finally, teachers reviewed the the RMS policy on appropriate internet usage with students, to make sure that students fully understand what cyber-bullying is, and how to make sure it is never something they participate in. We are very proud of our students for making an effort all week to learn about bullying prevention, and for providing their commitment to never become a bully. For more information on how to prevent bullying with your children, take a look at the resources available from the Ontario government, by clicking here.

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

2018/11/28 by R.M.S.

Solving Problems with STEM!

At Rowntree Montessori Schools, we believe that as 21st century educators, it is our responsibility to equip our students with the knowledge and skill set that will prepare them for a fulfilling future and give them tools for solving problems when they arise. We do this by presenting students with a monthly STEM-Challenge box, that within it contains a real-life situation or problem that they need to solve. Students are instructed to complete a task, for example design a cleanup mechanism to solve the problem of water pollution, using basic materials such as duct tape, popsicle sticks, paper clips or other.

Each student is expected to collaborate with his or her peers to devise a creative solution to the problem, that will be judged each month by a panel of teachers. Our goal with these challenges, is to offer our students opportunities to develop their critical thinking skills, make decisions independently and collaborate with one another to find solutions to real-world problems. These challenges are a good first step to foster an interdisciplinary way of thinking about global issues. STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) as a multidisciplinary approach to problem solving, and as a component of what we teach, is taking our students’ level of learning and preparation for life, to the next level.

In October, students were asked to design a structure that could transport people from Downtown Toronto to the Toronto Islands. One of the criteria was that the structure needed to be strong and stable enough to support a class novel (with the novel representing one family of people). Each class found a different, and at least somewhat effective, solution, and all projects were displayed in the hallway at the end of the month. The image below shows students in the research and design stage of their challenge, as they engineer a structure for people to travel across Lake Ontario.

Students collaborating on solving a real-world problem using science, technology, engineering and math

Students collaborating on the October STEM-Challenge

Utilizing a STEM approach to learning develops much more than a student’s problem solving, decision making and critical thinking skills. It shapes our students into persevering, committed and patient people who will embrace tomorrow’s challenges with flexible and open minds. Our students are currently working on a very timely and important problem: create a mechanism that can be used to extinguish large forest fires without causing significant damage to the environment. We encourage all students to keep thinking creatively to solve this problem, and we look forward to seeing the solutions you present!

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

2018/11/26 by R.M.S.

Learning to Read in Kindergarten

At Rowntree Montessori Schools, our Kindergarten students have been hard at work learning to read! When you come visit our classroom, you can see the students using many different methods to help them in their reading journey. During our language time, we have been focusing on our beginning phonetic sounds. Phonics in our classrooms, is the practice of teaching children the sounds made by individual letter or letter groups (for example, the letter “c” makes a k sound), and teaching Kindergarten students how to merge separate sounds together to make one word (for example, blending the sounds c, a, t makes CAT).

Kindergarten Montessori schools learning about letter sounds at Rowntree Montessori Schools private school in Brampton

Kindergarten Montessori students learning about letter sounds while reading small words

We use many different methods to teach phonics, as we find the Kindergarten students learn the best when shown visually, with a manipulative and written resource. In order for a child to learn how to spell any word correctly, he or she must be able to recognize the sounds of the letters used in forming the words. At RMS, our teachers want to make sure all of our Kindergarten students feel confident and are well on their way to learning to read by the end of the school year. This is why learning to read is a daily focus that is utilized in all subject areas, not just language time!

Kindergarten student learning to read using worksheets

Student using workbook independently

When a Kindergarten student is taught phonics, the child will be able to recognize sounds in words, and will be able to spell the words correctly. We always start our language time with a circle that introduces the letter and phonetic sound. We use our Montessori moveable letters to build small words with the specific phonetic sound. We also look through text to find words that have the same beginning letters, which also helps increase a child’s fluency in reading. The students enjoy making a visual list of words that have the same beginning sound when they are learning to read. We then go over the proper way to print both the upper and lower case letters using the whiteboard. To cement any new reading concepts in the minds of our Kindergarten students, we finish with working in our workbooks on pages that connect with what was taught during circle time. It is amazing to see our students working so hard, and some of them are already reading small three letter words! Learning phonics is very important at Rowntree Montessori Schools in helping children to learn how to spell words.

Kindergarten students learning to read by using worksheets at private school in Brampton

Kindergarten students practising reading skills

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .