Welcome to Mapleside, and the start of the 2026 – 2027 school year.  The return to school in September is always an exciting milestone in the lives of our students. They return from their summer break taller, wiser, and more resilient, ready for academic challenges and a fresh social dynamic as new children join our learning community.  Our school is intentionally small, encouraging deeper connections between fewer students, fostering collaboration between children of different ages, and forging meaningful relationships between guides, students, and their families.

Through the months of September and October, the children will receive the classic Great Lessons that are shared with Montessori students around the world at the start of each school year.  Using dramatic story-telling, beautiful illustrations, and scientific demonstrations, we open the curriculum areas of geography, biology, and history, enticing the students toward personalized strands of study.  From the Big Bang, to the formation of life, and the emergence of humans, there are a thousand seeds of interest for the children to light upon and germinate.  With wonder and awe, the guides entice elementary students to draw upon their powers of imagination, and consider the enormity and complexity of our cosmos. As students return to these Great Lessons each year, they progress through a spiral of study, returning to the material in greater detail and depth. We invite parents to join us toward the end of September to experience the power of a spiral curriculum at our first parent workshop of the year.

Upcoming Events

Sunday, September 20 – Terry Fox Run and Back-to-School Picnic

We invite Mapleside families to join us for our first outreach project of the year in support of the Hamilton Terry Fox Run on Sunday, September 20, at Gage Park in Hamilton, followed by a back-to-school picnic near the playground.  The run is a self-paced 1.5 km loop beginning at the flag pole in Gage Park, with the option to do as many laps as you like.  Teams may begin at anytime during the event, with the Mapleside team planning to meet at the registration table at 9:45 a.m. before starting the route.  Participants can walk, run, or even cycle.

At the conclusion of the Terry Fox event, Mapleside families can gather at our reserved picnic space near the playground to snack and play.  Families are welcome to bring nut-free and kiwi-free items to share with the community if they wish, in addition to their own picnic fare.  You can join or sponsor the Mapleside team by visiting  https://run.terryfox.ca/team/mapleside, and help us reach our goal of raising $500 for the Terry Fox Foundation and cancer research.  When you “join” our team, you can set up a personal fundraising page to help your child set their personal goal and track their progress.

Tuesday, September 29 – Parent Workshop: A Spiral Curriculum

Parents are encouraged to join the classroom guides for a workshop on the process and benefits of using a spiral curriculum to deepen student learning.  Guests are welcome to arrive at 3:45, with the workshop running from 4:00 – 4:45.  Students who are not typically registered for extended care may join the program during parent events at no charge. RSVP by email to admin@maplesidemontessori.ca by Friday, September 25 to confirm whether or not we can expect you this time, and if your child will be staying as well.

Wednesday, September 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Students will be learning about some of the Indigenous groups whose land we share under the Between the Lakes Treaty.  Staff and students may choose to wear something orange in recognition of the conditions endured by Indigenous children at residential schools, and to affirm our belief that every child matters.