Background For 26 years, The Cibolo Nature Center and Farm has dedicated itself to providing educational experiences for students who are seeking useful knowledge and a deeper connection with the natural world. Since its inception, school children from throughout the region have attended our award winning Outdoor Classroom program, learning about the natural world and the benefits of healthy ecosystems. Adults have also benefited from our stewardship workshops, learning about sustainable living, agriculture and land management strategies. 2016 marks the start of a new chapter in our mission with the founding of the Cibolo Nature School, a nature-based school catering to children ages 3 through 5. Nurturing Young Minds in Nature Direct experience in nature is critical to meet the social, physical, emotional and cognitive needs of children. Therefore, the Cibolo Nature School utilizes nature as the foundation for its curriculum. The curriculum is based on best practices and progressive education techniques, including Montessori, Waldorf and Reggio Emilia as well as inquiry-based and student-driven approaches that foster each child’s personal interests, encourage creative thought, critical reasoning, collaboration and the development of skills in a natural learning environment. While discovering, learning through play and practicing stewardship amidst the wonder, complexity and beauty of the natural world, children develop skills in the following areas:
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Math Science Language development Music Art Dramatic play Large and fine motor skills
Education is of primary importance as is ensuring that the children are “Kindergarten Ready” when they leave the Cibolo Nature School. Supportive Learning Environment Teachers provide an environment that encourages discovery, experimentation and the opportunity to see the influence of one’s actions. They build on each student’s ideas and understandings. The uniqueness of each child and family is recognized, appreciated, and nurtured in an environment that celebrates diversity and provides appropriate activities to best accommodate learning for each child. Students are assisted in their interactions with each other and offered opportunities for cooperative learning. Children are encouraged to engage in imaginative exploratory play with each other and the environment.
Parents and grandparents are encouraged to be involved with their child/grandchild’s preschool experience through classroom events, teacher conferences, nature center events, and volunteer opportunities in the classroom or for the nature center. A Day at the Cibolo Nature School The Cibolo Nature School day begins at 9am and ends at 2pm. During this time, children will spend the majority of their day in a natural setting engaged in experiential learning, including outdoor play and group exploration. This will include hiking the nature center’s woodland, tall-grass prairie, Cibolo Creek, and wetland, as well as building forts, dramatic play, digging, gardening, and other hands-on experiences with the natural world in which they live. Activities will also take place on the nature center’s porches and in the auditorium where students will be provided with materials that will enrich their intellect while nourishing their connection with the natural world. This includes building blocks, books, a recycled art center, puzzles, math activities, literacy activities, games and other resources that assist in exploration and self-discovery. Each day will be planned in accordance with a custom-designed curriculum that incorporates teachable moments centered around student-directed learning experiences. Ratio and Class Composition During 2016 spring semester, two adults will oversee a maximum of 12 students. The class will be composed of mixed age groups ranging from ages 3 to 5 years. This enables students to spend more time with one teacher, allowing for a deeper understanding of the student’s strengths and needs, enhancing the teacher’s ability to support each student. The students also develop a sense of connectedness with their classmates, essentially becoming a “tribe of learners” who support and care for one another. Additionally, older children have the opportunity to serve as mentors to the younger children and learn leadership roles. Lead Educator Linda Charlton brings years of experience teaching children, designing school curriculums, and assessing the success of educational programs. Linda has been an early childhood instructor and program coordinator at the San Antonio Zoo’s nature-based preschool program since 2013. Previously, she served as an artist teacher at the Southwest School of Arts as well as the Curriculum Coordinator at San Antonio OASIS. She spent 5 years as the Director of Children’s programming at Madison Square Presbyterian Church as well as nine years as a teacher at Discovery School in San Antonio, Texas.
Choose What’s Best for Your Child The Cibolo Nature School is intended for children whose families are looking for discovery-based learning and a hands-on approach to education by being outdoors in all seasons. Children will: • be better prepared for the learning environment and abilities required in kindergarten, including social skills, confidence and motivation to explore, learn and grow • see themselves as young naturalists • feel strong, confident and comfortable in nature and connected to the land • ask questions and know how to investigate answers • be creative and intellectually curious • respect all living things and seek to disturb as little as possible in the natural world • get along with peers, show compassion, have a sense of humor and exhibit a desire to share ideas and objects with others. Enrollment Your child must be 3 years old and potty trained in order to enroll them in Nature School. The cost per student is $200 per month. Classes will run from January 5 through May 31 and take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week from 9am until 2pm. The school’s holiday calendar will mirror the Boerne School District Calendar. To enroll your child in Nature School you will need to complete a registration form and submit it with a $25 non-refundable registration fee per child. Once your child has been accepted, you will receive an email confirmation letter. At that time, a $90 deposit will be due within 10 working days to hold your child’s place. This deposit can be paid online via the link provided in the email confirmation or by calling Cibolo Nature Center & Farm at 830-249-4616. A complete list of needed paperwork and documentation will be sent to you. Some of the documentation required before each child’s first day of attendance includes: • Proof of immunization (or a signed waiver) • Health appraisal (physical) signed by a licensed physician We ask that you complete paperwork as soon as possible and return it prior to Parent Orientation. Scholarship We have limited scholarship funds available for select applicants. We welcome those who are in need to apply. For additional information on registration, please contact Linda Charlton at 830-249-4616 or
[email protected]
