THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION? Liz Hobbs
In the ever-evolving landscape of education with the changing needs of families, parents are increasingly seeking alternative options that provide their children with a more personalized and engaging learning experience.
Jenn Manuel Close-Knit Community Parents are valued as important educational partners in collaborative, supportive environments.
Homeschooling co-ops, learning pods, and microschools – are small-scale, community-oriented learning environments that offer a host of benefits. If you’re considering alternatives to traditional schooling, here’s why these options might be a good fit for your child.
This not only enhances social-emotional development but also cultivates a sense of belonging and accountability, leading to greater overall well-being and academic success.
Personalized Attention
For many parents, the safety and well-being of their children are top priorities. A safe and nurturing environment where students feel supported, valued, and respected allows students to thrive both academically and emotionally.
Class sizes are intentionally kept small. This means that teachers can devote more time and attention to each individual child, tailoring their instruction to meet their unique learning styles, interests, and pace of learning. With personalized attention, students are more likely to thrive academically and develop a deeper understanding of the material. Flexible Curriculum Flexibility to design curriculum around the needs and interests of their students allows students to explore their interests in-depth and develop a love for learning.
WELCOME THE SEASON OF APPLE BLOSSOMS WITH FOODARTNATURE
Safe and Nurturing Environment
Learn about our Community Montessori Connect NS is a learning pod for Annapolis Valley families with children aged 5 -12. To learn more please visit www. montessoriconnectns.com or call/text 680-2293. Liz Hobbs is a resident of Port Williams & the Facilitator for Montessori Connect NS.
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Offering a curated collection of experiences, FoodArtNature invites locals and travellers to embark on a journey of exploration, connection, and learning, perfectly suited for enjoying the season of spring in the Annapolis Valley. Throughout May, five distinct events await: On May 10th, explore A Sacred Ecology of Plants and Place with Michelle Wolf at Herbal Hill Farm, celebrating the Acadian forest and agricultural heritage of the Annapolis Valley. During this 4-hour workshop, discover native wild plants, explore a biodiverse ecosystem, tour their 68 raised garden beds, and indulge in a multi-sensory tea tasting. Join Wil Brunner of Soft Pine Wellness on May 11th or May 25th for a Nature Immersion in the Acadian Forest near the beautiful McMaster Mill Historic Park, near Greenwood. Connect with nature through meditation and mindfulness practices, aided by a unique Closer to Nature kit and freshly brewed forest tea. Sitting mats and blankets are available to ensure comfort during the 3-hour timeframe. On May 12th and May 26th, Wil offers his 4-hour Annapolis Valley Forest Bathing experience which isn’t exactly as it sounds! Contrary to its name, forest bathing isn’t
BOOKS BY LOCALS – STUDENTS, YOUR STORIES & YOUR ART MATTERS Wendy Elliott
about getting wet; rather it’s about immersing oneself in the therapeutic atmosphere of the forest. It’s a practice rooted in mindfulness and intentionality, encouraging participants to slow down, breathe deeply, and attune themselves to the rhythms of the natural world. Enjoy a light meal and Wil’s Closer to Nature kit as part of this interactive workshop. On May 15th and May 25th, join local herbalist Andrée-Anne Bédard for her 2-hour Herbal Medicine of the North Mountain Workshop. Discover the wonders of local plants and their broader roles in the local ecosystem. This event includes a guided coastal walk and harvesting of seasonal herbs to craft your very own herbal remedy to take home. Snacks and beverages are included! Finally, on May 26th, tune into “Fundy Forest Songs” with musicians Kim Barlow and Freya Milliken. Embark on a forest sound-walk, craft an original song, and enjoy locally baked treats and wild-crafted teas. This 4-hour session includes access to instruments - or you can bring your own but no musical experience required! Experience May in a new way by booking your next adventure through foodartnature. ca.
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Windows & Mirrors book. Project mentors Kathy-Ann Johnson, Lawrence Parker, Damini Awoyiga, and Hissa Simpson-Barrows provided guidance as needed throughout the creation process and during a series of workshops hosted at VANSDA. “Going to VANSDA was really fun because I could write some of my ideas down,” said Grade 6 student Amani Mutuku. Amani credited the mentors with helping her take her ideas further. She appreciated the warm reception the published authors received when they walked the red carpet at the book launch. “I felt really proud,” she said. Grade 6 student Santeano Barrows hosted the book launch ceremony, shared some of his published work at the podium, and participated in interviews. “The whole red-carpet thing was pretty cool,” Santeano shared during a break from autographing books.
Grade 2 student, Drucilla Medicra rests the bright green permanent marker she picked for signing autographs between her index and middle fingers. She looks to the fellow published authors seated beside her at the crowded book signing table, sits up straight and makes her availability known. “Anyone? Anyone else? Any more books?” she calls out. Within seconds, a new book flipped open to the page featuring her vibrant artwork is in front of her and she leaves her mark once more. Fifteen young Kings County authors of African descent were celebrated at the Windows & Mirrors Book Launch hosted in Council Chambers at the Municipality of the County of Kings on April 11th. The event was a red-carpet affair featuring poetry readings, remarks, photo opportunities and the popular book signing. Grade
6 student Alexi-Jade Smith captivated the crowd with a spoken word performance of her poem, “My Beautiful Skin.” “My skin is black and beautiful,” she began. “It’s the skin I walk in, talk in, and rock in.” “It’s the skin that makes me confident, unique and the skin that makes me special.” Britany Traynor, Manager of Community Development for the Municipality of the County of Kings, commended the young authors for rising to the challenge of coming together to create a book of stories, art and poetry made by and for People of Colour. “We asked you to share your hopes and dreams, your love and heartache, your struggles and your joys, your courage and your fears, your prose and your poetry. We asked you to pour your hearts and minds into your work,” said Traynor, providing remarks as a Board Member of the Valley African Nova
Scotian Development Association (VANSDA). The Windows & Mirrors project was funded by the Association of Black Social Workers Youth Development Initiative Grant, and supported by community partners Eaglespeaker Publishing, VANSDA and the Municipality of the County of Kings. For all the times each of you faced unnecessary hardship, I am sorry. It shouldn’t be that way for you. Racism and discrimination, social exclusion and marginalization have no place here - or anywhere,” said Traynor, addressing the young authors at the book launch. “I want to affirm to you that you are loved by not only your families but by a community of people who see you and value you and who are working hard to make things beter for you. Representation does matter. Your thoughts mater. Your words matter. Your stories and your art matters.” Authors from Grades 2-10 contributed to the
“One of the things I really liked about the project was the fact that we could become a published author, but also the fact that most of the time we were basically allowed to do whatever we wanted to express ourselves.” Santeano plans to continue writing in the future and doesn’t skip a beat when asked where a published author in Grade 6 goes from here. “Well, there’s only one way,” he says, proudly pointing his index finger to the sky. “Up.” Copies of Windows and Mirrors are available for purchase at the Municipality of the County of Kings (181 Coldbrook Village Park Drive) for $19.99 plus tax.
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Photo contributed by Wendy Elliott. Participants in the launch of Windows and Mirrors posed for a celebratory photo with Kings County Mayor Peter Muttart.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? BEES MAKE A DIFFERENCE John Lelievre
It’s spring and bees are beginning to appear; some are native, and some are not. Do they differ? The European settlers that brought honey bees to North America four hundred years ago must have needed them badly because in those days it would have been quite a task. Indeed, they were needed for honey and wax. A supply of honey also meant a supply of mead, the wine-like beverage known as the nectar of the gods. The settlers would not have brought bees to pollinate crops because at that time the role of bees in pollination was
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not understood. There are plenty of native bees in North America so why did the settlers need honey bees? The reason is that native bees don’t store large amounts of honey to survive the winter. So, there is no honey for us to raid. Most native species live alone. Others, such as bumble bees, form small colonies with a maximum of about 1,000 bees at their peak. Many species survive winter as cocoons, in other cases newly mated queens hibernate underground. Either way, none feed in winter.
In contrast, honey bees develop large colonies with around 50,000 bees at their peak. The worker bees collect nectar and pollen. With the approach of winter, the males are pushed out of the hive to die. Then the females form a huddle to stay warm and survive. It takes quite a number of bees to form a huddle large enough to resist the cold and it takes quite a store of honey to feed the huddle. With too few bees, and too little honey, the colony perishes. Although native bees don’t provide honey, they play an indispensable role in the
pollination of native flora. Less native flora would mean less diversity and our environment would become a less favorable place in which to live. The food supply would be threatened. Unfortunately, nearly all, if not all, the native bees of Nova Scotia are in decline. To reverse that decline, everybody can do their bit, nobody needs to do a lot. So, for example, put the spring yard clean up on hold till the temperature has reached 10° C for a week, create, and protect pollinator habitat, and avoid pesticides like the plague. There are libraries and internet sites to find more information if needed. Or maybe chat with a naturalist. But just do it!
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