Preschool is extremely beneficial for the emotional, academic, and social development of young children. Children who attend pre-k are typically more prepared for school than those who do not. Toledo is the only major city in Ohio that does not have universal access to pre-k, leaving around 80% of our children unprepared when going to kindergarten. Now, the City of Toledo and ProMedica, along with TPS, Washington Local Schools, Toledo Community Foundation and the United Way of Greater Toledo, are working together to determine how Toledo can provide universal pre-k. As of now the pre-k program will focus on four-year-olds in Toledo, which will provide education to close to 4,000 children. An expected implementation date is set for September 2020.
West Side Mother and Head of School Illuminates a Unique Educational Environment
Jenn Schoepf, West Side Montessori (WSM) Head of School, always knew she wanted to be a teacher. Twenty-five years ago, with a newly acquired Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Schoepf walked into WSM seeking her first teaching job. Finding that the Montessori method embodied her passion for education, Schoepf went on to earn her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education with Montessori emphasis.
Working as the director and teacher at the Perrysburg Campus for 19 years and as the Director of Elementary and Middle School Education for five, Schoepf and husband, Derek, who have been married for 21 years, saw their two children flourish at WSM. “Both my children started at West Side when they were 13 months old,” Schoepf shared. Now-high school sophomore Alec graduated from the school in 2018 and sixth grader Aida currently attends West Side’s Upper Elementary program.
Learning By Doing
Schoepf describes the Montessori method simply as “peaceful productivity.” She explains, “Children learn best when they are engaged in hands-on, real-world learning experiences. They learn by doing.” This educational philosophy extends throughout the school and gives students a sense of ownership and self-possession.
As Head of School, Schoepf sees herself as the curator of a great collaboration between herself, teachers, students and parents. “I collaborate and coordinate with all the members of the West Side community to foster an environment where students and staff can reach their full potential.” The school community is intrinsically connected, and mutual respect for every member is the foundation of the entire structure.
Schoepf relates that, “The Montessori learning environment is like no other. Children are nurtured to reach their full potential in an environment fostering mutual respect, social responsibility, and a love of learning.”
Each classroom at WSM is equipped with “manipulatives” or materials for learning in a concrete manner through physical interaction with representative objects. These tools allow students to be self-directed as independent learners, teachers are therefore in a position to observe the students work to their own potential. Schoepf describes the teachers as “collaborative, compassionate and demonstrat[ing a] mutual respect and positive energy.”
Looking Ahead
With 37 acres of land full of trails, playgrounds, and various natural elements, Schoepf has her eyes set on the next big opportunity for West Side Montessori. Through consultation with classroom teachers, she foresees a highly developed curriculum covering ecology, botany, and prairie development and aspires to facilitate a love of learning that inspires WSM students to become true “stewards of the earth.”
Q & A With Jenn Schoepf
What is your favorite activity to do with your family? Spending time at our family cottage on the weekends.
What is your favorite book to read to your children? My children loved Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Best memory around town from your childhood? Visiting the lights at the Toledo Zoo created unforgettable family moments.
What is your go-to activity when you have a few minutes to yourself? Running with my dog.
Describe your life in five words or less: Joyful, active, fulfilling, caring, family-focused.
Describe Toledo in a sentence: Toledo has big-city excitement with a small-town charm which makes the Glass City the perfect place to raise a family.
March 2020 Giveaway—Flower Garden Build & Spin
Young engineers can get their garden in gear with Flower Garden Build & Spin (ages 2+) from Learning Resources! Hands-on construction and colorful garden pals provide a fun way to build fine motor skills. Big, chunky play pieces fit easily onto large gears, providing endless play and allowing children to explore cause and effect. learningresources.com/flower-garden-build-spin
Sophia Center Moves Offices to Silica Drive in Sylvania
Sophia Center, a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis, which offers comprehensive testing services for all ages, will now provide services at the Canticle Center Building, 5335 Silica Drive. Psychoeducational and psychosocial testing is available to understand diagnoses and create strategies related to concerns about learning disabilities, attention issues, behavioral issues, processing issues, Dyslexia, Autism Spectrum Disorder and neurological dysfunction.
The Great Outdoor Classroom
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The idea emerged in Denmark in the 1950s: why not take preschool students out of the classroom and into a natural environment? This outdoor education would help children grasp social skills and learn new concepts in a hands-on way, allowing them to grow as they play. The concept, given the simple moniker “Forest School,” soon became a staple curriculum in its native country.
Maumee Valley Country Day School (MVCDS) embraced the idea as part of its Early Learning Center’s new curriculum. Students in Junior Kindergarten begin each day with a lengthy session in their “outdoor classroom.”
Michelle Thomas, director of the Early Learning Center, explains, “[It’s] letting kids explore and learn in nature at their own pace and based on their own interests so we have a balanced approach between teacher-led curriculum and children-led learning.”
A revamped curriculum
This new approach to educating Junior Kindergarten students came about as the school worked to revamp its
curriculum last year.
“While we were outside, we were beginning to explore the 75-acre campus with our students and thinking: ‘we need to utilize more of our campus’…it’s right here,” said Lindsay Tassos, MVCDS Junior Kindergarten teacher.
The program began in August, with students spending two-and-a-half hours outside every day. If there’s lightning, they’ll come back indoors, but otherwise— rain, snow or shine— they dress for conditions and hold class outside.
“Forest School is a new kind of concept, but outdoor learning is nothing new for Maumee Valley. It reaffirms our Country Day School roots,” Thomas said.
Outside learning
The outdoor education is not limited to Junior Kindergarten, either. This year’s preschool, pre-k and kindergarten students also began the school year with a two-week intensive session of Forest School-inspired learning. A second intensive session will follow at the end of the year, and teachers are experimenting with adding other types of outdoor education classes.
“They are going outside on a weekly basis. Kindergarten has Forest School Fridays, and preschool and pre-k, are
going outside every day as well,” Thomas said.
Thus far, both students and parents have greeted the program with enthusiasm. Parents note how kids are thrilled to talk about their day at school while expressing interest in going outside even more. The Early Learning Center is looking at ways to expand the program in future years, including connecting with the Metroparks and the Boy Scouts to supplement their work.
“The research is showing that even older children are benefitting from the fresh air and the unstructured time spent outside, making a connection with nature that is getting pretty lost with all the technology and extra-curricular activities,” said teacher Christine Marker.
Child Care & Preschool Guide 2020
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For parents of preschool-aged children, finding the perfect program for their child can be challenging. Preschool is fundamental for a child’s development and the start of their love for learning. To help ease the burden, Toledo Parent has compiled a list of stellar preschools and daycare centers in the Toledo area.
Children’s Discovery Center
Downtown Toledo: 338 N St Clair St. | 419-255-4890
West Toledo: 3839 Talmadge Rd. | 419-474-8303
Perrysburg: 11090 Avenue Rd. | 419-874-8203
childrensdiscoverycenters.com
Children’s Discovery Center (CDC) is focused on helping children learn through discovery. The idea came about from Reggio Emilia’s educational philosophy, an inquiry-based approach to student learning. Children are encouraged to investigate, create and collaborate with others in order to solve problems. The center has an experienced group of teachers who work with the children to design projects that will lead to intellectual, emotional, creative, and physical development. CDC has programs for children of all ages, from infancy to fourth grade. Transportation is provided to and from select schools for elementary students, and full-day care is provided when other schools are closed. There are six local centers in the Toledo area and hours for each center can be found online.
Sylvania Children’s Center
3421 Talmadge Road, Toledo | 419-537-1122
sylvaniachildren.com
Sylvania Children’s Center believes in letting kids be kids and ensures that the children in their care can grow and develop at their own pace. Sylvania Children’s Center is open from 7:30am-6pm from September to June with summer options as well. Children from as young as six weeks to six years old are welcome to attend. Unique to this center is the focus on classroom layout. Each classroom includes areas of interest for all children including writing, reading, science, math, dramatic arts and expressive arts. The emphasis on the classroom layout helps create an at-home feel for the children and allows them to comfortably explore and develop their own knowledge. Also unique to Sylvania Children’s Center are the top credentials that the Center has earned from the National Association for the Education of Young Children. All staff members are trained by the organization and all teachers regularly attend professional development sessions.
West Side Montessori
7115 W. Bancroft, Toledo | 419-866-1931
13587 Roachton Rd., Perrysburg | 419-874-9385
montessoritoledo.org
Montessori education is very unique as it revolves around cognitive learning through hands-on activities. Children’s lessons are determined based on their own individual learning styles, and students set their own learning pace. Additionally students choose work based on their own interests and abilities. Class sizes are often very small and students often have the same teacher for multiple years which really allows educators to have a more individual focus on their students. West Side Montessori offers classes for toddlers all the way up to eighth grade. At a young age students are introduced to foreign language studies, musical/performing arts, and technology courses. Extracurricular activities are also available for children of all ages, and for working parents the child care option is very appealing. Any enrolled student qualifies to participate in the before and after school child care which runs until 6pm at both the Toledo and Perrysburg locations.
Maumee Valley Country Day School
1715 South Reynolds Road, Toledo
419-381-1313 | mvcds.org
With a commitment to inclusion, Maumee Valley Country Day School ensures that all students feel accepted and safe. The school works hard to create a community with their students, teachers, and parents where learning is a top priority for everyone. Maumee Valley’s Early Learning Center provides schooling for children as young as 2 ½ through kindergarten. The preschool program is very hands-on and play-based where children can learn at their own pace in a classroom and outside of the classroom. As children continue through the grade levels, they have many opportunities to participate in fine arts programs and athletics. As students get closer to college, they experience college counseling which is an individualized program to help students create a four-year portfolio and prepare for college. 100% of graduates from Maumee Valley Country Day School go on to four-year institutions.
Sleek Academy
519 Ordway Avenue, Bowling Green
419-353-3898 | sleekacademy.us
Sleek Academy is a newer private school in the area that serves students from kindergarten to twelfth grade. Sleek Academy teaches using modern educational methods, namely project-based learning and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). Traditional subjects, like English and History, are taught using a hands-on approach to engage students, facilitate retention, and explore real-world situations at their own pace. While state testing is a major concern for public schools, Sleek Academy looks to assess students on projects that align with state standards, rather than testing. Another benefit to this school is the small class sizes that allow teachers the opportunity to work one-on-one with individual students.
Thrive Child Care
Oregon: 3530 Seaman Rd. | 419-691-6313
Perrysburg: 1134 Professional Dr. | 419-873-0870
thrivechildcare.org
Thrive Child Care provides quality, faith-based childcare and educational services to families in Oregon, Perrysburg and the surrounding communities. Thrive believes that all children are special and loved in God’s eyes and teach this to little ones through Bible stories, prayer and music. Children are encouraged to grow and learn at their own pace with a play-based curriculum. Consistent daily routines provide the emotional security necessary for children to feel comfortable to explore and learn in the classroom, allowing parents to raise a happy and healthy child. Childcare is provided for infants (6 weeks) to age five with the Perrysburg location offering kindergarten as well. Before and after school care is offered for school-age children.