Philosophy

TODAY’S CHILDREN

Children today are being raised in an increasingly fast paced, technological world. Their educational needs are significantly expanding with the unprecedented worldwide availability of information in the digital age. Children are facing a vastly more complex world than their parents did more than two decades ago.

At Glenburnie School, we believe that students are capable of adapting rapidly to 21st Century challenges, if provided with broadly based and relevant educational opportunities. Our students display intelligence, intuitiveness, and wisdom beyond their years and like to have input into decisions that affect them. Students appreciate being given opportunities to make their own choices; however, they still need guidance and structure in their lives. They have a strong sense of confidence and entitlement, demonstrating high energy and often a fiery determination do things in a better way. Students respond well to nurturing role models who act with integrity, treating all with dignity and respect. Students seek truth and effective tools to prepare them to become leaders in tomorrow’s world.

THE GLENBURNIE PHILOSOPHY

Glenburnie School’s active, child-centred education connects theory and practice in ways that are relevant and meaningful to students.

The end objectives of a Glenburnie Education are:

a) to provide students with an exceptional, broad-based educational programme in academic studies, economics, technology, sports and competition, and The Arts (instrumental/vocal/choral music, drama, and visual arts) and French instruction

b) to help students discover and celebrate their unique talents and abilities

c) to provide students with experiential opportunities to develop 21st Century skills and strategies necessary to effectively meet the challenges they will face in their lives, and in their future workplace

d) to guide students to recognize and understand their own core values and how these values come into play in their reasoning, reality, and relationships

e) to guide students to find their place as happy, confident, and productive members of society

The Glenburnie Student

* Glenburnie students function from average, to high average, to gifted levels of achievement.

* Students are regarded as individuals with unique talents and abilities which are encouraged and enhanced.

* Students are expected to be partners in their education.

Our Approach to Students

* The Glenburnie education encompasses the whole child; meeting the needs of each child, physically, intellectually, and emotionally.

* Our heart-based educational approach emphasizes the importance of a positive sense of self-esteem and personal confidence in each student.

* All students are treated with dignity and respect, and each individual’s unique talents and abilities are recognized and celebrated.

* While students are treated as young adults, they also benefit from guidelines and parameters to ensure their safety and supported entry through each developmental stage.

The Glenburnie Learning Environment

* Glenburnie provides a supportive, nurturing environment where risk-taking, exploration, and discovery are celebrated.

* Student efforts are encouraged and acknowledged, resulting in increased confidence and a stronger sense of self-worth.

* We believe that the process of educating the young mind is developmental in nature; therefore, the introduction of curriculum concepts and skills is paced to match the specific learning needs of each student.

* Academic excellence is encouraged and celebrated, and students are expected to achieve to the best of their ability.

* Lessons incorporate the visual, auditory, and/or tactile learning style of each student whenever possible.

* Academic concepts and skills are taught in an integrated, cross-curricular manner, enabling students to gain knowledge from different subject perspectives.

* Academic activities include analytical and creative problem solving experiences, as well as the Higher Order of Thinking Skills - analysis, application synthesis, and evaluation.

* New discoveries in mathematics, science, geography, and history are changing the way we understand our world. Students work with curriculum content, utilizing their 21st Century skills and core values identification. In this way, they are able to analyze the scientific tools and values of people and cultures from previous eras compared with today, and to examine potential future applications.

Communication, Accountability, and Partnership

* Effective and open communication is fundamental. There are many vehicles for communication including email, telephone contact, interviews, monthly class and school newsletters, daily planners, community/classroom website information, and contact at day’s end/pick-up time.

* Accountability is highly valued. Teacher and student accountability is ongoing through Parent/Teacher goal setting meetings, skills checklists and rubrics, student goal setting and contracts, mark books and assessments, three formal written reporting sessions combined with Parent/Teacher interviews, and year-end standardized testing for students in Grades 3 to 8.

* We believe that an effective education is based on a strong partnership between the school, the teacher, and the home.