Among the graduation certificates and scholastic awards presented to the students of the St. Albert Montessori School, there were also some accessories of similar significance.
Bracelets representing an African aid organization were also handed out, the end result of a social awareness project that the students themselves initiated.
The 64 boys and girls from three to six years of age all helped to raise money for the Invisible Children, a multipronged approach that highlights the plight of child soldiers in Uganda, working to give them their freedom and stop the recruitment of new ones.
For months, these young people have been talking about how they could help people who need it. Now they have a visual reminder that they can wear to tell others about it.
This all makes Mark Komlenic pleased. The father of two girls in the program says he and his wife Susan take altruism seriously. In fact, he’s proud that daughters Isabella, 6, and Ava, 4, are not shy about opening up their piggy banks for charity.
“They do all the time,” he began, saying that they even donate their toys. “We want to make sure that we’re very grateful for the life that we have and we want our children to understand that. And they do.
“They always look for how they can help people. We’re very proud.”
He believes that kids can’t be too young to start learning about giving back to the community. He sees his daughters grow up with that belief system as it is reinforced through the school. He has another daughter who will be going to Montessori when she’s old enough.
“It’s amazing to watch and see how they’re developing as human beings.”
As for the school’s perspective, part of the Montessori philosophy is how education plays a crucial role in building world peace.
“They’re very in tune with charities,” said Kim Bouchard, head of the school. She mentioned the students also raised $1,100 for Haiti earthquake relief, helped with Salvation Army projects and put together shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.
“They have worked so hard on these things. People should know what these little ones are capable of. They’re very aware of things.”
Teacher Linda King elaborated on how wholeheartedly her students give of themselves to these efforts. A previous class sparked a discussion on global warming so they focused on helping with a World Wildlife Fund project.
“They decided they wanted to adopt a polar bear,” she said. “They did recycling to raise money. They ended up raising so much money that they didn’t just adopt a polar bear. They ended up adopting 12 different animals.”
She said her students have “an incredible empathy and compassion.”
“They relate to it and they get it … instantly. They just instantly want to do something to help.”
The curriculum has always had a mind towards the world perspective, she added. This is exactly what Komlenic thinks makes his children’s early school years so positive and rewarding.
“This school is so amazing. They really teach the children what it means to give back to the community. I’m really, really impressed with how quickly our children became a part of this community. They’re so passionate about giving.”
If you are interested in the organization, please visit www2.invisiblechildren.com to learn more.
