How we see CGS (Children's Garden School)
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How CGS (Children's Garden School) sees itself
"CGS has been the neighbourhood, co-educational private school of choice in Leaside for 37 years. Academically stimulating and personalized curriculum, delivered in a child-centred environment. The CGS phonics program addresses the unique learning styles of all students, leading to high levels of early literacy for students. Highlights include public speaking, character education, mindfulness, outdoor education, and daily arts. CGS has kept the heart in education. Extended care available."
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JK in the playground.
Cross Country training at Leaside Fields.
Music and theatre come together for the Holiday Concert.
Our annual musical takes to the stage in May.
Displaying work at the Art Fair.
Happy parents on the first day of school.
The view from our front lawn.
Morning arrival.
Time for Math in Grade 1.
Counting the days in the month during Circle Time in Early Start (preschool).
Phonics in SK.
Parents and students enjoy the annual Science Fair.
Science is fun! Chamelea visits SK.
Can I create power from water? Grade 2 Science Fair project.
SK students in the Computer Lab working on their keyboarding skills with Dance Mat Typing.
JK butterflies released in the garden.
SMART Board phonics in JK.
Lunchtime for Early Start (preschool) in the gym.
Dance Party Friday always spills into the hallway.
Our library is well-loved by students.
How people from the school’s community see CGS (Children's Garden School)
Top-down influence on the school’s direction and tone
Marie Bates, Principal and Co-Founder
Thank you for your interest in our school. CGS has been a home away from home for so many children, and their families, since it was founded in 1986. We pride ourselves on getting to know each child, to the fullest extent possible, while they are with us. Our young students, from Preschool to Grade 3 are protected, cherished, motivated and inspired during the first, and all important, years of their formal education. When you truly know your students it is easy to do what is best for them.
We are committed to our small class sizes and balanced curriculum. We believe that children can learn as much in Music class as they can in Math class. Along with our strong core curriculum, students are given the opportunity to immerse themselves in the arts and physical activity. Our goal is to provide an education that is rich and diverse by placing importance on all aspects of a wide and varied curriculum.
As founding Principal, I have been honoured to work with, and support, a staff that is known for their dedication and commitment to the CGS philosophy. Each and every student is celebrated for who they are. Our teachers deliver an exceptional program while keeping the heart in education. Please visit our website and see what makes CGS the special place it is.
If you’re considering a small school for your extroverted child, make sure it offers plenty of social opportunities, including the ability to seek out and interact with different peer groups. Since smaller schools have smaller and less diverse student populations than big schools, it can sometimes be more challenging for your child to find a like-minded group of friends—friends with similar interests, values, etc.
“It’s important to look at the social makeup of the school,” says Ruth Rumack of Ruth Rumack's Learning Space. "Is there enough variety that your child will have a group that they feel connected with? Because you want to have friends that are like-minded and you want to be in a social situation where you feel honoured and respected. Variety can also be found in extracurriculars, leadership programs, and sports activities, which tend to have kids with a wide range of personalities.”
Also, make sure a school’s teaching and learning approach is suitable for your social child. “For instance, a school focusing on individual learning instead of group learning may not play into your child’s strengths,” say Ann and Karen Wolff, Toronto-based education consultants at Wolff Educational Services. “You want to make sure the social, emotional, and academic realities of the classroom are a match for your child’s personality.”
Through extensive group work, projects, and activities, Reggio Emilia schools provide the kind of social and collaborative learning environment many extroverts crave. Since it’s believed children learn well through social interaction, they’re given plenty of time to interact, listen to each other, ask and answer questions, and work on their communication skills. This can nurture their curiosity and imagination, improve their social skills, and enable them to form close and fulfilling friendships. While most Reggio Emilia schools also give kids quite a bit of unstructured social time, make sure you ask about this.
Smaller schools often have small classrooms and tight-knit communities, which can make it easier for your introverted child to come out of their shell, make friends, and feel like they belong. Since they’re less socially overwhelming, your child should find it easier to navigate their social environment. And since they’re conducive to group work, small classes often have plenty of interaction, which can help your child develop critical interpersonal skills.
Of course, small schools normally have a less diverse student population than big schools, which can sometimes make it more challenging to find a group of like-minded peers—peers with similar personalities, interests, values, etc. This makes it especially important to ask a school about its extracurricular programs, which can help your introverted child establish an intimate social circle.
In Reggio Emilia schools, teachers consider each child’s relationship to one another and aim to promote positive connections between them, a blessing for introverted kids (as it is for extroverted kids). The warm, community feel of the Reggio classroom—which is set up to promote lots of interaction—can enable your child to feel at home, connect with classmates, and overcome their shyness. Given the social and dynamic environment of the Reggio classroom, make sure your child will get enough time on their own, in and out of class, to replenish their energy and psychological resources.
THE OUR KIDS REPORT: CGS (Children's Garden School)
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