MINTO – As students across the county, the province and the nation get set to return to traditional classrooms following a pandemic-interrupted school year, operators of an alternative school based here are responding to a surge in interest.
“The interest was already increasing before Covid but now, more than ever, we have an upswing of interest as well as enrolment,” said Carly Ogrzlo of Owl’s Nest Holistic Alternative School.
Offering smaller class sizes and personalized education guided by the Ontario curriculum and both play-based and traditional schooling, Ogrzlo said Owl’s Nest provides an environment of reduced anxiety, stress and learning challenges for students and “an increased enjoyment, sense of belonging and purpose.”
Ogrzlo moved from Niagara Falls to Minto in 2013, following a 10-year teaching career and out of a “desire for more natural spaces.”
An Ontario certified teacher with special education qualifications, she taught kindergarten to Grade 6 and was actively involved in participating and running professional development workshops and advocating for children who had difficulties learning and had challenging behaviours.
Ogrzlo started the Owl’s Nest Holistic Alternative School from her Palmerston home along the Whites Junction Trail in 2017 and ran it from that location until shutting down in March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Field trip – Owl’s Nest Holistic Alternative School operator Carly Ogrzlo leads students on a literal field trip during a recent summer camp session.
Photo by Jennifer Frayne
“Due to the government shutdown, we closed our doors, offering our students some home support but noticed the failed connections caused learning and engagement to drop off,” she notes.
This summer the school initiated programming based at a public forest in the Moorefield area and at Reroot Organic Farm near Harriston.
In the summer farm program children participated in farm chores and responsibilities, saw the growth of both animals and crops in real time and “became a part of the care and harvesting process,” said Ogrzlo.
The forest program taught students about environmentalism.
“We learned tree names though our playful interactions and fort buildings. We developed a deeper knowledge about our earth from the roots up,” Ogrzlo explained.
“Having both the wide open natural spaces and the community/children’s response to connections and social interactions after a period of loss, confirmed that going forward we needed to relocate and continue to expand our school.
“We are working diligently to open our doors at Reroot Farm in Harriston on Sept. 21, offering various programs including: Holistic Alternative School, Forest School and Parent and Tot Programs.”
As a parent, Ogrzlo said she desired a holistic and natural approach to her child’s education, which inspired her to start a local alternative school.
“Outdoor programs, Montessori Schools, Waldorf Schools, Reggio Inspired Schools were all around us but most were an hour away or more,” she said adding that conversations with local residents confirmed an interest in such programs here.
“I knew that my holistic alternative approach incorporated the best of all these programs into one space and knew it was time to share it with this community,” she stated.
Ogrzlo said the birth of her son seven years ago sparked a shift in her thinking on education.
“I knew that the public education system’s crowded classrooms, focus on behaviour control and academics and compartmentalized approach was not in line with how life was and what I wanted for myself and my children. I knew children deserved better; smaller class sizes, better connections with trusted adults and to the world around them,” she said.
Owl’s Nest primarily provides educational programs for students four to 12 years old with plans to expand to higher ages as the operation grows. The school also offers some under-four programming for parents and their children.
The staff of seven includes Ogrzlo and volunteers “that love our philosophy and want to be a part of what we are creating.
“Between Ontario certified teachers, early childhood educators, outdoors specialists, French language specialists, naturalists and highly skilled and nature-connected educators, we are a diverse team carefully selected to meet the needs of diverse learners,” she states.
The school currently has over 50 students enrolled in summer programs and Ogrzlo anticipates having two classes of 15 students (2:15 ratio of educator to students) set up for the fall programs.
“Most of our students come from Minto, Listowel, Moorefield, and Centre Wellington areas, but we are also so honoured to have students come from over an hour away to attend our unique programs,” she states.
The school is currently in the process to become recognized by the Ministry of Education as a private school, the same status as Christian, Montessori and Waldorf schools. It is also in the process of becoming a not-for-profit entity.
“Our long-term vision is to create a holistic learning environment where children may discover, hone, and freely use the skills they possess innately to pursue their interests; while focusing on providing each student with tools and opportunities to investigate those interests,” said Ogrzlo.
“The beauty of our school is that it incorporates all academic subjects. In any given moment an experience can bring about math, science, art, literature, physical education, etc. The learning outcomes are based on real-time explorations and authentic experiences, rather than predetermined curriculum, ideas, lesson plans, concepts in text books or on screens, done within the traditional four walls of a classroom.”
As the school grows, Ogrzlo said she is hoping to find support from the community.
“We have several families seeking tuition assistance and scholarship opportunities and we are on the path to creating pathways to make our programs accessible. We are always looking for businesses, people and corporations to collaborate and help support families and our programs,” she notes.
For information on the school or enrolment go to www.TheOwlsNestSchool.weebly.com or email theowlsnestedc@gmail.com.
