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Special Subjects
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In reality, our special subjects, although very special, are not separate from
our core curriculum and program. They are an integral part of who we are
at Windsor Academy and what we believe in. We educate the whole
child. We value each child's abilities and our goal is to help our
students develop and maintain a love for the arts. Our goal is to have
each child respect their individual abilities and those of their peers.
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Art
Our decision to dedicate a room to our Art Program was an easy one. The
deep sinks, large tables, potter's wheel, and supply cabinets allow all our
students to experience the creative process without fear of "making a
mess". The students are exposed to a variety of media and
processes. Their work is mounted and hung throughout the buildings.
Each walk down our halls, feels like we're in the middle of an art
gallery. The message is simple - each child is valued and appreciated and
celebrated - creativity and imagination are important aspects of every person's
life.
Our art teacher is an artist in residence as well as a teacher and provides the
children with life long lessons including appropriate risk taking, appreciation
of each other’s differences and the celebration of individuality through
art. Pride in the process as well as the product are integral parts of
the program
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Music
Our music program takes place for all the children in a dedicated room as
well. Here, they have the opportunity to explore the use of different
rhythm instruments and music, and by kindergarten are learning to play the
recorder. As the grades continue, our upper elementary students are
exploring a variety of more intricate classical pieces and recorders. The
children create their own words and music. They sing, they move, they
listen. Performances are held within the school setting every six weeks
and on stage during the year as well. Our children are able to maintain
that comfort level and joy of music that we often only see in the very
young. It is as natural to them as breathing.
Our music teacher is a musician and performer as well as a teacher and has been
with Windsor Academy for over ten years. She helps our students
“keep music in their hearts.”
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Broadway Dance Arts
Our dance program is an optional ballet, tap, jazz and hip-hop opportunity
offered to our students as young as two and a half years old. The
dedicated room, complete with ballet bar and wall of mirrors, affords our
students the chance to experience instructional activities under the direction
of Michelle Bruckner, a performer and teacher for many years. Their
recitals are on a real stage with real costumes and a real audience. It
is a gentle program that celebrates movement, music, and children. The program
continues to develop self-confidence, the ability to follow directions and the
joy of creativity as part of a group experience
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Physical Education
Our five outdoor play areas and a variety of parachutes, balls, scooters and
other appropriate commercial playground equipment, enable all of our students
to experience more formal physical education activities. In addition, our
elementary and pre-kindergarten students spend weekly time involved in a
professional program that involves Yoga in our newly refurbished fitness
room. Aquatics, movement and music, basketball, soccer, hockey,
nutrition, as well the National Presidential Physical Fitness Challenge, the
St. Jude’s Research Hospital Trike-a-thon and the American Heart Association
Hopathon are part of the annual curriculum. In addition, we utilize our
outdoor playgrounds throughout the winter months with "snow" activities,
complemented by our summer water programs and visits to a neighboring swimming
pool. We have added an indoor play area this year, which will enable the
children to be more active even during inclement weather. The children
need to be moving and enjoying physical activity on a daily basis. We
ensure that they do.
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Technology
Many of our classrooms have computers and developmentally appropriate
programs. In addition, our computer lab consists of networked and
protected equipment that allows our specialized computer technology teacher to
provide the opportunity for individual and class instruction beginning in
preschool to all our students. She works with the classroom teachers, as
well as teaches technology to our older students, including internet research
skills. The realities of the 21st century demand that all of our students
are comfortable and prepared to integrate computer technology into their daily
lives.
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Spanish
Informal Spanish exposure begins early in our preschool classes during circle
time and center activities. The children absorb information and music as
fast as we can teach it to them. Beginning in our pre-kindergarten
program, all students begin a formal Spanish program under the direction of a
separate Spanish instructor. During the year, they have the opportunity
to perform and share their Spanish music and dance with an audience. They
use a series of books and tapes and have the opportunity to add to their
abilities in language as part of a well-rounded education.
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Cooking
Our well-stocked and easily accessible kitchen offers the opportunity for
cooking activities, not only as part of the daily curriculum for all of our
students but in an Organic and Healthy Cooking program supervised by a prior
CIA instructor and internationally recognized pastry chef. Here the
students, wearing their chef’s aprons are taught to read and follow directions,
accurately measure, cooperate and collaborate on a project and produce a
product that they can share with others and enjoy themselves. Of course,
they are part of the clean-up process as well.
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Library
Each classroom maintains an age appropriate library. The school also
provides an extensive staff library for borrowing and use in the
classrooms. We offer parent resource information and are able to access
specific books for specific needs at any time. In addition, all of our
elementary students are required to have a public library card and travel in
class groups to the Newburgh Free Library on a regular basis. Projects
are assigned, research is taught, books are borrowed. In a world of easy
access to information via the computer, it is essential that our children
continue to experience the joy of entering a library and being surrounded by
books. Families are able to add to their own personal collections through
our monthly Scholastic Book Order program as well as our Book Fairs that are
held twice a year at the school.
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