27 · Wednesday, February 29, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Expanding the Montessori education experience If a dream school was built, what would it look like? How would the children spend each day? Take a moment to think about what that dream school looks like. Clanmore Montessori School has asked that very question. In response, Clanmore is opening the doors of a new, innovative building and adolescence program in the Fall of 2013. Despite what some may think, Montessori education isn't just for toddlers. The mission of Clanmore is to provide the finest quality authentic Montessori prepared environments for children ages 18 months to 15 years. These environments respond to and inspire each individual child academically, intellectually, socially and emotionally and offer optimal preparation of the child for life. Math, language, physical education and other lessons considered essential in mainstream education are all part of the Clanmore experience. The traditional rows of desks facing a teacher are replaced with prepared environments better suited for creative thought and personal exploring. In these changing times, it is more important than ever to foster creativity. The enormous expansion offers additional classrooms, office space, a gym, and a space for musical or dramatic presentations. It is designed with every child in mind: room to play and grow and explore and share and above all... learn. Clanmore is building a new tomorrow for its children. Every day the dedicated staff is working to provide the best in Montessori education to the Oakville community and beyond. With years of experience and boundless amounts of passion, the sky is the limit at Clanmore. It's every child's dream school. Advertorial Keep the kids busy during March Break (NC) Are you looking forward to March Break? Chances are your child will say a definitive "yes!" especially if they're off to a sunny destination. But if you're a parent stuck in town with no plans and a limited budget, figuring out how to entertain the little ones for a week or two can be exhausting. Here are some ideas to kick-start your March Break plans: Go on a mini road trip. Visit a town that you're not familiar with and spend time walking around, taking in the sights, dining at local eateries, and meeting the people. It will be a refreshing change of pace and scenery for your family. Let it snow. If snow has blanketed your neighbourhood, make the most of it. Don the kids in their winter gear and help them make a snowman for the front lawn or bring them to a park so they can toboggan or make snow angels and forts. Visit your library. Your local library is a great resource for free family entertainment. Pick up a book to learn some arts and crafts, research fun recipes, borrow kid-friendly DVDs, or check if the library is running any special March Break programs. Kid swap. If your friend's kids are also stuck in town, arrange to watch them along with your own kids and then swap the next day. That way, you can get some much needed rest and relaxation. It's called March Break for a reason. Board games. Remember what those are? Playing a board game is a great way to spend time together as a family and have face time. If your collection doesn't intrigue your kids, purchase a new game that everyone agrees on. Give to a good cause. Serve others at a local food bank, soup kitchen, or seniors home. You can also donate to an organization like Christian Children's Fund of Canada (www.ccfcanada.ca), and help provide children in developing countries with nutritious food, clean water, and medicine. Before you know it, March Break will be over and you'll have some happy kids to show for it. (NC)--An old adage is that wherever you are going on vacation, take twice the money and half the luggage. While it may not be a bad starting point, there's a whole lot more to good vaca- Travel tips for a smooth March Break tion planning. Preparation is the key to a having an enjoyable spring vacation. Whether novice or seasoned, most travellers know to pack the right attire, cancel the newspa- per and set the house alarm before they leave. However, in the busy planning process, the same travellers will often Contnued on page 29 www.smls.on.ca/camps.php MARCH BREAK For Girls--JK to Grade 6 Winter Explorer OPEN HOUSE Every Tuesday 9:30 - 11:30am Clanmore, Nuturing a life-long love of learning March 12-16, 2012 Warm up your mind exploring new ways of doing things, including: Robin van der Laan Soccer School clinic Day trip to Bronte Creek Provincial Park's Maple Syrup Festival SMLS FIRST Robotics Team LEGO day Little Pretzel Yoga PLAY-cation Beach Party Traditional camp format. Exceptional facilities at premier Oakville school. Qualified teaching professionals leading programs. Snacks and lunch provided. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. with Before/After care available. Space limited and registration required in advance. It's a Girls World March 19-23, 2012 2463 Lakeshore Rd East (905) 337-8283 info@clanmore.ca We're celebrating with a world full of girl-rrific fun! Pint-sized Pilates Balletomane dance class led by Kate Kernaghan Crock a Doodle Pottery Day of drama acting The Tiara Tea w w w. c l a n m o r e . c a Ford Drive Lakeshore Rd. East Armiger g Lane Winston Churchill Blvd. For information about all SMiLeS Camps visit www.smls.on.ca/camps. (Preschool to Grade 6) also available. CO-ED Summer Camp St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School, 1080 Linbrook Road, Oakville, ON L6J 2L1 905-845-2386