Village Squire, 1978-12, Page 14Elizabeth Schott, teacher at the Perth County Community School in Stratford says she likes the
challenge of thio alternative school. --Photo by Elaine Townshend.
A schooi
with
a difference
12 Village Squire. December 1978
BY ELAINE TOWNSHEND
Community schools: that is, schools with more parent
involvement, a smaller student/teacher ratio and more use of
community resources; are operating around the country. They
are not all located in large cities. Now one has opened in
South-western Ontario -the Perth County Community School in
Stratford.
last summer a group of Perth County parents decided to
establish their own school. They wanted their children to have
individual instruction from a teacher, and they felt emphasis
should be placed on creativity, physical well-being,
environmental studies and languages as well as on the basics of
mathematics, reading and writing.
The Ministry of Education was very co-operative. The parents
needed a minimum enrollment of six children between the ages
of six and 16. Other requirements were a qualified teacher and a
location for classrooms that met building and health regulations.
The use of two rooms -one for a classroom, the other for a
gymnasium -was obtained in the Stratford Youth Hostel. The
parents equipped the classroom with desks, work tables and
chairs, a blackboard, a rest area, creative toys for the younger
children, paints, plants and even a hamster. Some books were
purchased; others were donated, but more are needed. The
children visit the library at least once a week.