Our Lauremont School mission is to provide an inclusive educational experience which encourages every learner to become compassionate, curious and connected citizens in a complex and changing world. Our Elementary classrooms foster the intrinsic motivation children need to make a difference in the lives of others. 

By learning to be compassionate and socially aware, children explore their role in their community and develop a sense of responsibility toward others. Through activities and projects that promote compassion, empathy and service, our Elementary students build integral leadership skills that help them understand and appreciate the perspective of others.

Maria Montessori believed that freedom and responsibility go hand in hand, and as such Elementary students readily explore and take on tasks to support a vibrant and productive classroom community. They hold responsibility for the materials in the environment and maintain their own schedules to ensure they meet deadlines. The classroom model cultivates leadership as peers aim to help to support one another in the shared goal of individual and collaborative success. Having a service mindset fosters a sense of responsibility, accountability and care for others. Our learning goals encompass a social awareness of the impact service can have on others. Extending this lens to our community initiatives helps to leverage the classroom learning for the greater good.

Students develop a sense of duty towards their community and the natural environment through service. They are empowered to take initiative and make a positive impact. Some of our service projects include food drives, charity events and environmental projects, teaching students the value of giving back to the community. We began the year with a Thanksgiving food drive for 360Kids to support homelessness in York Region. The Elementary students also organized a Toy Drive to support the Salvation Army’s holiday programs for the Greater Toronto Area. As the winter term began, many of our Upper Elementary students participated in a cooking initiative where they made hot meals for those in need. 

This term we are holding a Book Sale for World Vision. This is a joint endeavour with our Upper School faculty as all remaining books from the Lower School book sale will be sent to a local public school to add to their library and classroom collections. I am grateful for the leadership of our Student Council, Friends of the Community and Social Justice members who have been integral in the facilitation of these inspirational endeavours.

The service mindset has a global lens as we see our Environment Club leaders taking on some essential initiatives to support sustainability across the school. They led a project to collect aluminum tabs from soda cans to support the March of Dimes as well as collecting used batteries to ensure their proper disposal. Tree planting and school wide clean up initiatives further support the idea of service as our students aim to create a better world from an environmental perspective.

The Elementary Montessori classroom at Lauremont School provides a nurturing environment where students can develop compassion, empathy and an ethos of service to others. By incorporating these values into the curriculum, students are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to become active, caring and responsible members of society. As the next generation of leaders, Lauremont School Elementary students are poised to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.