Introducing our New Staff
Mrs. Carolyn Parker Elementary Science Teacher
Mrs. Parker has a bachelor degree in science (Trent University) and experience teaching in the USA and homeschooling. She is the creator and author of Wa yside’s unique elementary science curriculum. Carolyn also played a major role in the recent review and compilation of our curriculum document.
Let me share with you one typical month in our elementary science program. Six Grade 1 & 2 students happily march out the back doors of this humble school, and on into the vegetable gardens. We proceed to dig up a spadeful of soil; we all lie on our stomachs in the sunshine, discuss and draw what we see – rich earth, ivory coloured roots, a few ants, a tiny snail, many earthworm tunnels and, yes, a few earthworms! We collect six worms, and traipse back to the classroom (not forgetting to genuflect as we pass by the chapel). Inside, the students encircle a round table, each with their own juicy earthworm on a pie pan, their nature journal, a pencil and a hand lens. We then
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proceed to talk about what we see and feel. There are many expressive outbursts! Even the outbursts verging on disgust are easily turned into “scientific observation” with a little gentle nudging. It is then time to “record” what has been observed into their nature journals. The next day we read a few whimsical stories which “trick” the children into learning about the life of an earthworm. Later, we read a poem or two about the earthworm, and we watch as they tunnel through soil in Mason jars. We share many questions and thoughts about these lowly farmers God has given us. How, some of you may ask, can this pass as “science”? If one stops to consider what “real” science is all about, in a nut shell it consists primarily of asking, observing, recording, classifying, and experimenting. And, in an age appropriate way, our scientists are subtly learning how to do all these things by ‘messing about’ with God’s creatures - without text books, movies, or smart boards, without fancy equipment, without dull homework or tears – just some dirt, a worm, a hand lens and a few quality pieces of literature…and six (I mean seven) curious minds! If we do not nurture our children's natural curiosity, wonder and excitement towards God's creation, how can we expect them to become excellent scientists? And all this to His glory.
Academic Successes We celebrate the academic successes of two members of our school. Mr. Will Pemberton, who taught the high school arts at Wayside for many years and now serves on Wayside’s Board of Directors, was recently awarded the most prestigious award for graduating honours students at Trent University: the Symons Medal. Mr. Pemberton has catapulted his academic career into
the renowned Medieval Doctorate program at the University of Toronto. Heather Mason, the first high school graduate from Wayside Academy in 2007, has advanced upon her bachelor degree at Trent University by beginning graduate studies at the prestigious University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
Why Wayside really went
You may have recently seen Wayside Academy in a Many of our interviewers were stunned by our variety of national, regional and local media reports as approach towards minimizing (but not eliminating) the we were noted as being the “second school in Ontario exposure of our students to the virtual world. As we to go WiFi-free.” look to ourselves Regardless, t he and the world real stor y with around us, we can “we focus our pursuits on things that are real: Wayside Academy see how easy it is personal contact, engaging in the natural is not that we to misuse the virtual world and delving into excellent literature” decided to world and how this eliminate WiFi from misuse leads to a our school solely disconnection – because of the potential health risks, rather our school instead of a connection – with the world and our does not allow students to use any electronic device purpose in it. And as we gaze, day after day, at the during school hours. Instead, we focus our pursuits on joyful faces of the children in the halls of Wayside things that are real: personal contact, engaging in the Academy, we can see that our approach is not leaving natural world and delving into excellent literature. them ‘the worse for wear’!
24 hour Adoration for Mrs. Kaczmarek On September 28th, due to the worsening condition of Anna Kaczmarek, mother of three Wayside students, the staff and students with the support of Fr. Pilon and other priests decided to undertake a 24 hour Adoration on behalf of the severely ill Mrs. Kaczmarek. High school students and devoted teachers remained at the school and kept vigil through the entire night and into the morning. Parents, friends and volunteers also participated throughout the night. Principal Adam Parker, who was with the Kaczmarek family at the hospital said that when the Adoration began a strong spiritual presence could be felt in the ICU hospital room and that Anna began to warm and regain colour. Prior to this, the doctors had been preparing the family for Anna’s death. During their time at the school for the vigil, the students were joyful to take part in Adoration and went well
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beyond their duty as young Catholics to pray. This is another testimony to the spiritual formation young men and women receive at Wayside Academy. Mrs. Kaczmarek continues to battle in the Palliative Care ward of the Peterborough Regional Hospital with a cancer that the doctors refer to as ‘terminal’. Five weeks ago, the doctors predicted that Anna had only days, not weeks, to live. Please join us in prayer for Mrs. Kaczmarek and her most faithful family.
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