A fundamental aspect of North Star Montessori's program focuses on showing students the interconnectedness between all things in the universe and teaching respect and compassion for all living things.
As part of this, North Star has endeavoured to create a zero-waste program at the school, encouraging parents to pack lunches and snacks in reusable containers.
Additionally, the children are actively involved in a composting program where the older children take responsibility for collecting the compost daily from each classroom. Soil generated from the compost is used in the spring for planting.
Children also learn to care for plants inside each classroom beginning in preschool, and have the opportunity to plant seeds outdoors and to care for and observe their plants as they grow. Each spring the children participate in a neighbourhood cleanup of the local area, collecting trash and recycling and completing projects on how to help care for the Earth.
Many lessons and activities occur outside throughout the year so students can gain an understanding and appreciation of the lifecycles of local flora and fauna.
The students at North Star are fortunate to have a beautiful park nearby to spend time at each day hiking, exploring, observing, creating, and inventing in nature. This direct connection to nature, in conjunction with being given ample opportunities to learn about and have positive experiences in the natural world, will support North Star's students to care about the future of our planet. By becoming active participants in their environment now, they have a greater chance of becoming inspired global caretakers in the future.
This piece was originally published in the North Shore News print edition as part of a special Private Schools advertising feature. The content was written and submitted by North Shore private schools.
