Winter Education
G U I D E Brought to you by the Chester County Press • January 13, 2016
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Adult Student “Back-to-School” Night
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DCCC Back to school nig ht jan. 1st
Thursday, January 21 | 6 p.m. | Exton Center It’s time you do something for yourself. Pursue the degree or certificate you’ve always wanted with help from Delaware County Community College.
Q Academic programs geared towards today’s workforce needs Q Resources and support adult students need to be successful Q Day, evening and online classes available
Attend this session to learn what college is like as an adult student. Hear from students who overcame the anxieties and challenges of going back to school. Attendees will also learn about financial aid opportunities, support services and participate in a Q&A session.
REGISTER: Seating is limited. Please register in advance. | dccc.edu/back-to-school-night | 610-723-4000 | admiss@dccc.edu
EVENT LOCATION Delaware County Community College Exton Center, Whiteland Business Park 912 Springdale Drive, Exton, PA 19341 Serving Delaware and Chester Counties Delaware County Community College is an equal opportunity institution.
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DCCC
Don’t miss Delaware County Community College’s adult student back-to-school night
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Have you been thinking about going back to school but aren’t sure where to start or are nervous about being in a classroom with students young enough to be your children? Or maybe you’re afraid that you are not technologically savvy enough or are unsure how you’ll balance work, family and school? Relax and attend Delaware County Community College’s Adult Student Back-to-School Night at the Exton Center (912 Springdale Drive,
Exton, PA) on Thursday, January 21 at 6 p.m. to learn everything you need to know about returning to college. The Exton Center is located just off Lincoln Highway/US-30-BR in the Whiteland Business Park. This highly informative session will provide you with all the information you need to know about what college is like as an adult student. Hear from students and alumni like you who faced similar fears and challenges as they
prepared to continue their education. Attendees will also learn about financial aid opportunities, support services and participate in a question-and-answer session. Delaware County Community College offers a variety of support services and resources to support adult students, including career and transfer degrees, professional certificates, noncredit computer training, computer labs, a laptop loan program and more. The
College also offers free tutoring and career counseling to students as well as scholarship opportunities. Seating for the event is limited. Please register in advance at www.dccc.edu/ back-to-school-night.
Serving Delaware and Chester Counties
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TCHS
Chester County Technical College High School – Don’t forget the College! For years, career and technical high schools have been painted as an alternative to the college track, so it may come as a surprise to some that as much as 80 percent of students at a Chester County Technical College High School (TCHS) go on to some form of postsecondary education, be it a two- or four-year college or a careerspecific institution like nursing school. Hayley Flores is a senior in the TCHS Allied Health program at the Pennock’s Bridge Campus. She was recently accepted to Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and now plans to study biological/ The Allied Health program at TCHS biomedical engineering or brain and confirmed Flores’s desire to pursue a career in medicine. She plans to cognitive sciences there in the fall. major in biological/biomedical engiFor many students, like Flores, the neering or brain and cognitive sciexperiences they have in their chosen TCHS ences at MIT in the fall. programs confirm their career aspirations. Others may find that the field they planned to enter is not well suited to them or that they enjoy something else they did not expect. By having these discoveries now while still attending a public high school, they save themselves time and thousands of dollars in college tuition. Students can also save tuition money by starting their college careers while still in high school at TCHS, earning credits at a significantly lower cost or even for free. Interested students and families are invited to learn more by attending one of the open houses being held on the following dates: January 21: Open House, TCHS Pennock’s Bridge Campus 280 Pennock’s Bridge Road, West Grove, PA 19390 • 6 to 8 p.m. January 26: Take Out Night, TCHS Pickering Campus 1580 Charlestown Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460 • 5 to 7 p.m. January 27:Town Hall, TCHS Brandywine Campus 443 Boot Road, Downingtown, PA 19335 • 6 to 8 p.m. TCHS Brandywine serves students from Coatesville Area, Downingtown Area and West Chester Area school districts, and Bishop Shanahan High School; TCHS Pennock’s Bridge serves students in Avon Grove, Kennett Consolidated, Octorara Area, Oxford Area, and Unionville-Chadds Ford school districts; and TCHS Pickering serves students from Great Valley, Owen J. Roberts, Phoenixville Area, Tredyffrin/Easttown and West Chester Area school districts. Applications are currently being accepted for all TCHS campuses. To apply, visit www.technicalcollegehighschool.org.
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Wilmington Friends School
Quaker matters. Come see why. Wilmington Friends School is a community. We offer an unsurpassed academic program, and just as important, Friends is a great place to grow up. What often brings families to Quaker education (95 percent of the families who choose Friends are not Quaker) is the appeal of an academic program with depth—one that asks students to question, to collaborate, to be creative, to take risks—within a caring community that balances focus on the individual with responsibility to the common good.
Highlights of our program include: • Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool • Lower School STEM Lab, computer programming, Singapore Math and Spanish instruction • “1-to-1” student laptop program, recognized as an Apple Distinguished Program, beginning in 5th grade • IB Diploma Programme (first in Delaware) • School Year Abroad member (first in Delaware) • Malone Scholars School (first and only one in Delaware) • 860-panel solar PV system • New Middle and Upper School Design Labs; and net-zero Global Learning Center • New theater, gym, turf field and track • Spanish beginning in pre-kindergarten; Spanish, Chinese and French offered in 6th through 12th grade. Visit www.wilmingtonfriends.org or call 302-576-2930 to customize your tour or to register for an Open House.
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Wilmington Friends School
The Music School of Delaware’s Open House and Summer Camp Preview Interested in music, but not sure where to start? Join us! Visit The Music School of Delaware’s Open House and Summer Camp Preview on Mon., Jan. 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Wilmington Branch. As the only statewide, accredited, community music school in the nation, we serve students from Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland. The Music School offers your infant or young child, your teen musician, and you, your parent, aunt or uncle, grandparent or greatgrandparent a chance to explore classical, jazz, rock and folk. Try one of 30 different instruments or participate in an ensemble—all with a faculty of more than 90 experts. At the Music School, everyone is welcomed and nurtured, so bring the entire family! Meet faculty and ask questions. Take a tour, try an instrument or sample an early-childhood class. Learn about the benefits of music therapy, listen to live music and enjoy free refreshments! Sign up on the spot for programs and lessons or take home material to read more.
The Music School’s Open House is free and all are welcome! Stop by and visit us Mon., Jan. 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. at our Wilmington Branch, 4101 Washington Street, Wilmington, DE 19802. (The snow date is Feb. 22.) You can RSVP by calling 302-762-1132 or visit our website at musicschoolofdelaware. org/open-house. Expand Your Musical Horizons!
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A Proud Tradition - A Bright Future
OXFORD AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
DISTRITO ESCOLAR DE OXFORD
Jordan Bank Elementary School
Escuela Elemental Jordan Bank
2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
EL AÑO ESCOLAR 2016-2017 REGISTRACÍON PARA KINDERGARTEN
Kindergarten and new First Grade student registration for the 2016-2017 school year will be held during the week of April 11-April 15, 2016. Registration will be held at the Jordan Bank Elementary School, located at 536 Hodgson Street, Oxford, PA. The District Kindergarten Program is a full day program. Registration packets are available on-line at www.oxford.k12.pa.us.
El distrito escolar de Oxford Area mantendrá todas las registraciones del año escolar 2016-2017 de los estudiantes de Kindergarten y los estudiantes nuevos de primer grado durante de las fechas el 11 de abril (lunes) hasta el 15 de abril (viernes) in el edificio Jordan Bank, 536 Hodgson Street, Oxford. El programa de Kindergarten del distrito es un programa de todo el día. Los paquetes con las formas (o los formatos) de información requerida están disponibles en el website www.oxford.k12.pa.us.
Parents are encouraged to pre-register online at www.oxford.k12.pa.us prior to their scheduled registration day. Registration will be held as follows: Date If your child’s last name begins with letters Monday, April 11, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. A-C Tuesday, April 12, 12 - 3 p.m. and 4 - 7 p.m. D-I Wednesday, April 13, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. J-M Thursday, April 14, 12 - 3 p.m. and 4 - 7 p.m. N-S Friday, April 15, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. T-Z To complete the registration process you will need: • Original or certified copy of the student’s birth certificate • Proof of Residency - two different documents are needed. Acceptable documents: settlement papers, lease agreement or a current utility bill (electric, gas or water — only one utility bill may be used to establish proof of address), parent driver’s license or other photo identification with home address, current local tax bill indicating the address of the taxpayer. • Parent/Guardian driver’s license or other photo identification • Immunization record: The state requires certain vaccinations in order to attend kindergarten: four (4) diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (#4 should be after the student’s 4th birthday), three (3) polio, three (3) hepatitis B, two (2) measles, mumps and rubella (first dose to be given after 1st birthday) and 2 varicella (chicken pox) vaccines or documentation that your child has previously had chicken pox.
Se alienta a los padres a pre-inscribirse en línea en www.oxford.k12.pa.us antes de día de la inscripción. Registro se realizará de la siguiente manera:
Fecha Los apellidos que empiezan con A-C Lunes, 11 de abril, 9 a.m. hasta 3 p.m. D-I Martes, 12 de abril, 12 p.m. hasta 3 p.m. y 4 p.m. hasta 7 p.m. J-M Miércoles, 13 de abril, 9 a.m. hasta 3 p.m. N-S Jueves, 14 de abril, 12 p.m. hasta 3 p.m. y 4 p.m. hasta 7 p.m. T-Z Viernes, 15 de abril, 9 a.m. hasta 3 p.m. Para completar el proceso de la matriculacíon se necesita: • El certificado de nacimiento o una copia certificado • Prueba de la implantación — Documentos aceptables necesarios: los papeles del establecimiento, el acuerdo de arriendo o la cuenta para uso general actual (eléctrica, gas o agua — solamente una cuenta para uso general se puede utilizar para establecer la prueba de la dirección), la licencia de conductor del padre o la otra identificación de la foto con la dirección casera, recibo de la contribución local de la corriente que indica la dirección del contribuyente • Licencia de conducir o otro tipo de identificacíon con foto. • Registro de inmunización. Se requiere que el niño, antes de entrar en el kindergarten, tenga estas inmunizaciones: Cuatro (4) difteria, tetanos, Pertusis (la #4 tiene que ser después de los cuatro años), tres (3) polio, tres (3) Hepatitis B, dos (2) sarampión, dos (2) rubeola, dos (2) paperas, y dos (2) varicela (o notificacíon del doctor que el niño ya ha tenido la varicela).
Please bring the new kindergarten student with you to registration. Teachers will be conducting a screening to assist the school in the placement of your child. New first grade students will be tested at a later date and do not need to be present during the week of registration.
Al momento de la registración, los padres necesitarán traer a su hijo porque su hijo tomará un pequeño examen dado por un maestro de la escuela Jordan Bank. Los estudiantes que van a matricular para primer grado no necesitan tomar un examen durante de esta semana. Ellos tomarán un examen en otro día.
THE STUDENT MUST TURN 5 ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2016
LOS NIÑOS DEBEN TENER 5 AÑOS DE EDAD EN O ANTES DEL 1 DE SEPTIEMBRE DEL 2016
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St. Mary's Early Education Program
Open House January 24, 10am - 12noon Registration deadline February 12. Visit our website www.stmaryseep.org
Preschool Plus Before and After Care Preschool programs for 2-Year-olds, 3-Year-olds and Pre-K students Before Care: 8-9 for all ages After Care: 12-2 for 3’s and Pre-K students
OPEN HOUSE January 24, 10am-12noon Registration deadline: February 12
Lancaster Pike, Hockessin For information call: (302) 239-7100 Ext. 34 email: eep@stmaryoftheassumption.com • www.stmaryseep.org
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Cecil College
Frostburg State offers engineering degree at Cecil College Frostburg State University has partnered with Cecil College to offer a collaborative 2+2 Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, materials engineering concentration, on Cecil’s North East campus. Students complete the first 65 credits of the program at Cecil College and other nearby two-year colleges. FSU then offers the remaining 55 credits at Cecil and through distance learning. Classes at Cecil are held in the new Engineering and Math Building, a LEED Gold facility that was designed
to facilitate technologically enhanced learning methods. A workforce training initiative report initiated by Harford County in 2009 determined that many businesses and government agencies in Cecil College’s service area, which includes Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, have faced difficulty recruiting qualified materials engineers for their workforces. This program provides graduates with the professional skills in mathematics, science and
engineering needed to fulfill the demand for materials engineers. Graduates of the program will be able to utilize the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary to practice engineering and understand the impact of their engineering solutions in global and societal contexts. They can also expect to earn above-average wages. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensed materials engineers in the United States earn a median salary of approximately $85,000 per year as of 2012. Your future begins at Cecil College. Conveniently located in North East and Elkton, Cecil’s small classes provide individual attention and academic excellence at an affordable cost. Many
courses are offered online or in condensed and accelerated formats. Cecil also has advising and career planning services as well as job placement assistance. Programs include degrees in business administration, business and commerce technology, computer science, criminal justice, education, equine studies, general studies, horticulture science, visual communications, social work, biology, engineering, mathematics and physics. Students can also enroll in one of Cecil’s certificate programs to prepare for a new career such as government contracting. In addition, Cecil has continuing education classes to help students stretch their minds and bodies. For more information, visit www.cecil. edu or call 410-287-1000.
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Centreville Layton School
A rigorous educational and cultural experience for students who learn differently Centreville Layton School, the result of a merger between Centreville School and Layton Preparatory School, serves students who learn differently from prekindergarten through 12th grade. It is the first school of its kind in the state, and is proud to be on the cutting edge of education. Centreville Layton School offers a rigorous educational and cultural experience for students who learn differently. The program identifies academic and social needs of the individual and provides a curriculum that focuses on problem-solving and critical-thinking. Through intervention and strengthening learning strategies, the school empowers each student to reach his or her potential. Centreville Layton School offers small class sizes and Photo By Jennifer Burns targeted areas of support for each Centreville Layton School offers a beautiful sprawling student. For more information campus, including a natural on curriculum and services, habitat, for students to learn. visit CentrevilleLayton.org.
Photo By Jennifer Burns
Centreville Layton School offers a languagerich pre-K program for students as young as three. Left: Centreville Layton School offers small class sizes to build skills and help students reach his or her full potential.
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Assumption
Academic excellence rooted in Catholic tradition Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary School fosters a community of faith by promoting Jesus’ teachings, celebrating individual student strengths and supporting individual student needs while providing students with the skills necessary to make responsible and respectful choices based on their Catholic faith. During Catholic Schools Week, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary School invites the community to see the value of this hidden gem at our Open House and Registration on Sunday, Jan. 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Located at 290 State Road in West Grove,
busing is available from Avon Grove, Unionville, Oxford, Octorara and Kennett school districts. Assumption BVM School is Middle States Accredited, having just completed its re-accreditation through 2021.
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Assumption BVM School offers: • Strong Catholic Education from Pre-Kindergarten (age 4) through Eighth Grade • Certified, degreed teachers • Spanish classes • Honors Math classes • Science enrichment classes • Resource room with special education services • Full-day kindergarten program • PreK program with extended Enrichment program available • Average class size of 22 students • Five specials including technology, art, music, physical education, and library • Extracurricular opportunities such as Cantor Club, student government, science and art clubs • Smart Boards in every classroom • Before- and after-care program • Tuition assistance for qualifying families
Tours are also available by appointment. For enrollment information or campus tours, please contact Kristen Sullivan at 610-869-9576 or email development@assumptionbvmwestgrove.org.
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West Nottinham Academy
Treasure of a school in nearby Rising Sun, Maryland West Nottingham Academy (WNA) the oldest boarding school in America, is close to Chester County’s south-western border. Founded in 1744 by Reverend Samuel Finley, who went on to become president of what is now Princeton University, WNA numbers among its distinguished alumni signers of the Declaration of Independence, the co-founder of the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, renowned contemporary artist Eric Fischl, and numerous other notable individuals. Offering both boarding and day opportunities, WNA is located about five miles past the MD-PA border off Route 1 in Colora, Maryland. Day students from the Oxford Area School District and Solanco are, by law, eligible for free bus transportation to and from the Academy. WNA is also readily accessible from many points in the Avon Grove, Octorara, and Kennett school districts as well as from Newark, De. Today, WNA enrolls approximately 130 students in grades 9-12, Forty percent of the student body is from countries outside the United States. For families considering a boarding school for their child, WNA offers a unique choice within close driving distance to northern Chester, Montgomery, and Berks Counties, as well as the Philadelphia area. WNA offers a good value compared to comparable independent schools on the Main Line and in Wilmington, DE. Students receive a quality college preparatory curriculum in a nurturing environment, as well as two unique programs. The WNA skating program is available for students with a serious interest in figure skating. The program includes special scheduling of classes and transportation is provided each afternoon to Rust Arena. The Chesapeake Learning Center (CLC), now in its 31st year, provides services for a small percentage of students with learning differences in a true college-prep independent school environment. For students who have not had academic success commensurate with their abilities in the traditional school setting, the CLC offers daily academic support, access to honors and AP courses, strong arts and athletics programming, and robust college transition planning. Boarding students experience a version of college life with the support provided by residential staff. Day students in the program also experience a taste of college-campus lifestyle in the closely-knit, diverse community of West Nottingham Academy. For information on WNA please refer to www.wna.org.
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Tome School
The Tome School’s tradition of academic excellence dates back to 1889
“What is better for children . . . a large school or a small school?” Fifty years ago, researchers asked this same question (Barker & Gump, 1964) and discovered that small schools share certain characteristics: a sense of pride, and an attitude and sense of personal possession and involvement on the part of students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community. These findings do not surprise us at The Tome School. Tome is proud of its long tradition of academic excellence dating back to 1889, when Jacob Tome founded the school in Port Deposit, Md. Today, the school enrolls over 470 students from kindergarten through twelfth grade at the HostetterHogue Campus in North East, Md. Its rigorous academic program boasts results that are undeniable – an average SAT score of 1886, nine National Merit Scholars in the Class of 2015, and merit scholarships totaling over 5.5 million dollars. Our faculty, staff, and families share in the responsibility of educating our future leaders. We stress personal responsibility and self-discipline in the classroom, the athletic field and the community at large. We offer a safe and secure learning environment where students are permitted to take risks and stretch their latent talents. We are a community known as the Tome Family. Come see for yourself the benefits of a small school and become part of the Tome family.
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University of DE
Dealing with test anxiety Sweaty palms, knots in the stomach, a cloud of doom descending…. Most people will recognize these symptoms of test anxiety. “High-stakes” tests like the SAT, ACT, GRE or LSAT can compound the problem. Approximately one-third of students experience severe anxiety during testing situations, but there are clear steps that can decrease test anxiety’s negative effects. Here are some brief tips. Visit pcs.udel.edu/testprep/resources/testanxiety/ for full details. 1. Relaxation techniques A good first response to anxiety is to focus on breathing, taking long, deep breaths while attending to the sounds and sensations of the air slowly moving in and out. With practice this will reduce the unpleasant sensations associated with anxiety and result in a calmer state
that puts you back in control. In addition, spend some time practicing quiet attentiveness. Focus on your breathing to the exclusion of everything else. Once you have slowed your thoughts, “scan” the body, beginning with the top of your head, and slowly moving down the body, trying to notice each sensation occurring there. These relaxation techniques not only help to reduce pre-test anxiety, but also provide with valuable tools when anxiety strikes during the test itself. 2. Accentuate the positive Try the “half-empty/half-full” game. For one week, list all the negative thoughts you have about the test like, “I know I’ll never finish.” At the end of the week, next to each negative thought write a true, positive thought, like, “Answering two-thirds of questions will
usually end in a good result.” From then on, whenever one of the destructive negative thoughts from your list creeps into your head, focus on the helpful thought. With practice you can automatically chase away your negative thoughts. 3. Perform Reducing anxiety is not enough to guarantee success on test day; you must also be well-prepared. Students with test anxiety probably benefit more than the average student from taking many practice tests, and under circumstances as much like the actual test as possible. The familiarity that results from repeated exposure to the testing situation not only
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serves to reduce anxiety itself, but it also helps to routinize your test taking so that anxiety is less likely to interfere with your test taking if it does occur. University of Delaware Professional and Continuing Studies offers test preparation courses for SAT, ACT, GRE and LSAT. Please visit pcs. udel.edu/testprep for details or call 302-831-7600.
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P.O. Box 150 • Kelton, PA 19346
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West Fallowfield Christian
West Fallowfield Christian School schedules open houses West Fallowfield Christian School has scheduled open houses for Thursday, Jan. 28 and Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The evening begins with an information session at 6:30 p.m. followed by guided tours, meet the teachers and an overview of curriculum. Childcare is provided. West Fallowfield offers classes for students in preschool (three- and fouryear olds) through the eighth grades. Little Falcons Preschool offers two-, three- and five-day programs for threeand four-year-olds. The classes meet from 9 to 11:45 a.m. The hands-on curriculum incorporates reading readiness, math skills, language arts, pre-handwriting, science, art, music, drama, physical education, Devotions,
Bible and library. Students will learn through center time, discovery play, and hands-on activities, as well as fine and gross motor skill development. Kindergarten at WFCS is a full-day program. It is currently offered as four- or fiveday programs. The kindergarten core curriculum (M-Th) includes reading readiness, mathematics, language arts, handwriting, writers’ workshop, computer, library, art, music, physical education, chapel, Devotions, and the Bible. The five-day students will benefit from
additional curriculum including science, social studies, specials, reading and math enrichment, literacy centers and kindergarten cafe. Recesses and a rest period are part of each day for the kindergarteners. Local busing is provided for kindergarten students in the Avon Grove, Coatesville, Octorara, Oxford, Pequea Valley, Solanco and Unionville-Chadds Ford school districts. Interscholastic opportunities for middle school students are available in the fine arts and athletics. Girls’ athletics include volleyball, soccer, basketball and track & field. Boys’ athletics include soccer, basketball, and track & field. In addition to the core subjects, middle school students choose from a variety of elective subjects to broaden their interests and learning. All students participate in music and art programs. West Fallowfield Christian School has a full comprehensive resource room to offer academic and learning support. The Chester County Intermediate Unit provides additional reading and speech therapy support. Small class sizes also give students the opportunity to receive individualized attention.
For seventy-four years, West Fallowfield Christian School has been providing quality, Christian education for families and students in the surrounding communities. The school is enriched by its diverse student body, which attends more than 30 churches in the Chester and Lancaster County areas. Bus transportation is supplied for K-8 students residing in the Avon Grove, Coatesville, Octorara, Oxford, Pequea, Solanco, and Unionville-Chadds Ford Districts. West Fallowfield Christian School admits students of any race, nationality, or ethnic origin to all the programs, rights, privileges, and activities generally afforded to students. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, or gender in the administration of educational policies, admission policies, scholarship programs, athletics, or other schooladministered programs. Financial grants are available. The school is located at 795 Fallowfield Road in Atglen, Pa. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the school at 610-593-5011 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Readers may visit the school’s website at www. wfcs.org and Facebook. Please check the website for alternate dates in case of inclement weather on the scheduled open house dates.
chestercounty.com ONLINE ALL THE TIME NEWS • SCHOOLS • ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS • SPORTS • HOME & GARDEN
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Hockessin Montessori
The Joy of By Victoria A. Elasic, Ed.D. Curriculum Coordinator Extended Care and Summer Adventures Camp Director I absolutely loved school. My teachers were masters at planning projects for us that brought to life the concepts we studied. I still remember taking time at home to brainstorm how I would complete certain assignments or how I might present my projects to the class. Thankfully, my teachers provided opportunities for open-ended projects that incorporated creativity into each subject and shared stories from their personal experiences. Mrs. Goldstein’s slideshow of photographs of her trip to Egypt led to my “I’m going to be an Egyptologist” phase and her unit on Medieval Europe ignited a personal interest in my family’s heritage and our coat of arms. This love of learning inspired me to become a teacher, specifically a Montessori teacher. I found that the Montessori classroom allows teachers to create the engaging, impressionistic learning experiences I so cherished as a child. Neuroscience has supported time and again the importance of joyfulness in the classroom. As Dr. David Rock, co-founder of the NeuroLeadership Institute stated, “Engagement is a state of being willing to do difficult things, to take risks, to think deeply about issues and develop new solutions. …Interest, happiness, joy and desire are approach emotions. This state is one of increased dopamine levels, important for interest and learning.” According to Judy Willis’ article, “The Neuroscience of Joyful Education,” neuroimaging studies and metrics of brain chemical transmitters have shown that children’s level of comfort “can influence information transmission and storage in the brain.” When stress is minimalized and students are motivated and engaged in the learning process, cognition, connections and “light bulb moments” are increased. Researchers and theorists have proposed that when learning experiences are enjoyable and are connected to the lives and interests of students, enhanced learning results. Evidence from clinical studies supports the notion that retention increases when learning is associated with positive emotions and conversely, that negative emotions such as stress and boredom interfere with learning. Willis shared that educators should keep the acronym RAD in mind when planning instruction: Reticular Activating System: Novelty promotes information transmission through this system. Amygdala: Stress-free classrooms propel data through the Amygdala’s affective filter. Dopamine: Amount released is increased by pleasurable associations linked with learning. (Willis, 2007) Schools can increase joy in the classroom by implementing practices that increase personal connections in the lives of children with the concepts they are learning and by creating an environment in which they feel they belong. Displaying student work, making time for community building, providing children with breaks and creating a positive, safe environment
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Learning are practices teachers can employ to increase their students’ happiness. These practices come naturally to the Montessori classroom, one of the reasons I refer to the Montessori learning environment as “school utopia.” The Montessori philosophy puts great emphasis on the environment created by the teacher. Classrooms are intended to be decorated to create a feeling of “home.” Lamps and rugs are found in the classroom, beautiful shelves and interesting objects are available for children to explore. Soft music is often heard playing in the background as children are abuzz, learning through exploration. Even through to the eighth grade, a love of learning is fostered by the positive environment created by Montessori teachers. Connections are continuously made between each individual and the lessons at hand and learning activities are planned to excite interest and ignite imaginations. Children are encouraged to take risks and “try it out” to see what happens. It’s no wonder Montessori schools have fostered the innovative minds of entrepreneurs such as Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and Katharine Graham, Pulitzer prize-winning author and former owner and editor of the Washington Post. When you visit a Montessori school the joy is felt as soon as you walk into the classroom. As a mother, I knew this was the environment I wanted our daughter to grow-up in so that she would have the same love of learning as me. The thought of her innate curiosity being diminished by the stress of standardized tests is heartbreaking. As a teacher, I have witnessed the power of happy learning in my fourth through sixth grade classroom. If you are curious, you are welcome to visit The Hockessin Montessori School to see our joyful classrooms and the light in our students’ eyes! References: How Are Happiness and Learning Connected? (2013). Retrieved December 7, 2015, from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/happiness-learning-connectionrebecca-alber The Neuroscience of Joyful Education. (2007). Retrieved December 7, 2015, from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/summer07/ vol64/num09/The-Neuroscience-of-Joyful-Education.aspx
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