Stepping into a new class at the beginning of a new academic year if often challenging for both the teacher and student. For the student, a new grade brings a new teacher with new rules and new expectations. For our Grade 8 students at Rowntree Montessori Schools, the new academic year is the final step before high school. Every September, each student in the Grade 8 class at the RMS Academy campus is greeted with a gift bag, which we call “The Bag of Love.” Each item in this bag has a significant meaning, and is put in the bag to help the students adjust to the expectations of being in a leadership role at a top private school. For example, this year the bag included a water bottle for students to lead by example, drinking water throughout the day to stay hydrated. It also included an eraser, so that students could remember that it is ok to make mistakes, as long as they learn from them and move on to make improvements. It also included a piece of string, to remind students that at RMS they are tied together in friendship, and that they should support each other. A star was included in the bag to remind students to shoot for the stars and set goals on their academic journey and in life.

Many other items were included in the bag this year, each with a purpose of bettering the experience of our Grade 8 students as they complete their final year with us. The students were excited to receive the Bags of Love, appreciated the kind gesture and made a commitment to work together to be leaders in the school and in the community. With this simple gesture, we see that classroom rules are followed easily as students transition from Grade 7 to 8. Building a student’s character is a fundamental goal of staff at RMS, as we not only want our students to be academically prepared for their futures, but also good citizens of the world.

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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