Dear Springhouse community,
It’s dawn as I unlock the door and enter Springhouse. I take in the quietness, the clean, orderly rooms which will soon be filled with the noise and bustle- the excitement of a new day, as parents and children arrive. I make my way up the stairs to collect the van key. In a few moments, I’ll be heading out on my route to shuttle young learners to school. That is my contribution to Springhouse.
Although I play a small part in the overall experience, I am pleasantly showered with greetings, smiles, and hugs from the children, staff, and parents each day. These small rewards convey the warmth of this caring community.
My limited role offers a removed perch from which I observe the day-to-day activities. Transitions from home to school can be challenging for some. They are greeted with compassion and the opportunity to transition to a meaningful day. I marvel at the teaching staff’s ability to remain centered during difficult moments, offering respect and expecting respect in return. There is a clear message here that self-respect and respect for others are unswerving values that are foundational to creating a safe and loving learning environment. Spontaneity, self-expression, and integrity are modeled and encouraged within this life-learning community.
My heart is lifted knowing how much time is spent learning outdoors; a multitude of gifts on offer– nature education, the nourishing elements, embodying the dictates of each season, moving freely or sitting quietly…breathing deeply, recalibrating…rejuvenating.
I leave learners and teachers to plumb an uncharted day – the day planned and yet flexible. I feel the freshness and excitement of a new day as I walk out.
On my return, I hear voices from the community room where the high schoolers have gathered to sing. The younger learners are gathered around the oval table in the front room, finishing art projects that they are eager to complete before their departures. They are engaged; some need to be coaxed to take their leave.
We gather in the van at the start and end of the day, and share family life, our love for our pets, and the day’s highlights; we count in English, Spanish, and French. We tell stories, we sing. And each one of us is enriched by our time together. A natural intimacy develops based on trust.
Soon, the children will rejoin their families. As the evening unfolds, the day’s events will make their way into conversation. The lessons learned, the challenges faced, and the wisdom imparted will trickle into family life, inviting curiosity, perhaps a new way of seeing, at times initiating action, and possibly leading to change.
~ Monique Theoret
