4—-V/ednesday, March 27, 1996 — North Shore News School offers learning option AT NORTH Vancouver's Mulgrave School, the school and rarents play an important role in the learning process. By lan Noble News Reporter But the — independent school's focus, said Mulgrave headmistress Linda Hamer, is on the children. And with a maximum class size of 20, parents of the well- behaved, hand-picked — stu- dents know their children receive the required attention. Parent Nancy Spooner, who also sits on the nine-par- ent school board, points to the small class size as a selling point for the school. She added the scope of the curriculum — a mixture of arts, traditional and athletic opportunities —- and the intrinsic discipline fostered at the school, prompted her to sign up her daughter. The girl had been unhappy in her pub- lic school. “It offers all things that are important to me and have become important to my chil- dren — a sense of community. being part of a place they enjoy coming to in the morn- ing and all the children sup- port and help each other," she said. Headmistress Hamer said the school follows a “triadic” view of education. The child is the pinnacle of the triangle and at either edge of the bases sits the home and the school. “T absolutely believe that educators and parents and children need to be interwo- ven ona daily basis so that we can work together,’ said Hamer. “I believe that parents are the child’s first educators and that if they are collabora- tive with the schoo! and the child then we can achieve the best for the children.” FREE POOL SCHOOL Monday, April] at 7:30 pm, a pool and spa supply store in North Van is offering a free seminar on how to properly open your poo! for the season. The free seminar, “Splash into Sumner", is a popular program each year at this time, "We've planned an interesting one and a half hour seminar that we know pool owners will enjoy," says Pierre Dove, manager of Bright Pools. "Last year, an average of 40 people attended each of our spring seminars. We were able tw answer individual questions, and the group) was small enough for people ta Hews on SEA In the school’s home- learning approach, students are given 10 minutes of home- work in Grade 1, with each successive grade receiving 10 more minutes of homework each night. The homework, — said Hamer, starts a pattern of behavior, but more important- ly involves the child and par- ents in education. Each student possesses a homework book that allows teachers and parents to com- municate with written com- ments. The system creates a part- nership in learning that focus- es on the child. said Hamer. Such cooperation and col- taboration also prevents disci- pline problems. Children, said Hamer, realize a discipline that extends from within. The well-turned-out, uniformed students are expected to give their best. “Children are taught that what they do is for themselves in every respect.” Hamer added. To illustrate the point, she said she challenged Grade 3 and Grade 4 students to hand- write essays for a contest dur- ing the Christmas holiday. All of the children turned in 600- word essays upon their rem. “It's a real indication of intrin- sic discipline,” she said. The kindergarten to Grade 4 school plans to expand to Grade 5 next year. Eventually, the school will expand to offer Grade 12. Currently, the school has 86 students and a waiting list. Students at Mulgrave take advantage of their North Shore Winter Club location. They skate and are offered kung fu and skiing. SCIENCE A TEACHER Mark Fischer teach- es Grade 3 stu- dents about gases, liquids and solids at Mulgrave School where the emphasis rests on the students. His career spans... A candidate for the BC Liberal nomination for North Vancouver-Lonsdale * President, United Way of the Lower Maintand Executive Vice- President, VSE President, institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia Partner, leading international accounting and consulting firm Fellew, The Chartered Institute of Business Valuators Owner, smail business Tatk to Clayton about your concerns at 220-9565 (Cel) FACTORY | REBATE ON A SELECT LAUNDRY PAIR $40 REBATE ON SELECT WASKERS learn from each other ton.” The April 1 session will cover the essential steps pool owners should follow to prime their pools for summertime use including inspecting pump and filters, treating fur algae, securing the pool area and testing the water. SELECT MODEL |, . Stronghoxn™ DRYERS + Commercially Proven WASHERS + Lasts Longer Thar “asd 08 band pretence Any Other Brand sreymiteus & cata Bright Pools is a BioGuard Authorized Poot Care Centre and offers free computerized water analysis tests daily. To reserve your spor at this popular free seminar, call 980- 3838. Bright Pools is located at 1225 Welch Street in North Van and carries a complete line of pool and spa maintenance and specialty products. - . (ADVERTISEMENT)