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20 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday February 17, 2007 Montessori schools celebrate 100 years With Montessori schools around the world now celebrating one hundred years of tradition as a global movement in education, it bears note that one of Canada's longest serving Montessori programs is right here in Oakville. Founded in 1968, Dearcroft Montessori is Oakville's original Montessori school. Now under a second generation of family ownership, Dearcroft continues to serve as a benchmark program, having garnered national recognition and the widespread respect of Canada's Montessori community. Located on a two-acre estate campus in historic East Oakville, Dearcroft has helped play a pioneering role in Oakville's educational community for four decades. In the forty years encompassing Dearcroft's existence, Oakville has grown from a population of approximately 15,000 to a much larger centre of nearly 150,000 people. Amidst such change Dearcroft and our town continues to enjoy the preservation of many fine traditions. The Dearcroft campus lies in the shadows of Morrison Road's Lawson Park and is a short stroll from the beautiful lakeside grounds of Gairloch Gardens. Both settings are wonderful examples of historic properties, which were bequeathed to the Town and offer a beautiful environment to visit and explore. In fact, the Dearcroft campus and other historic local area homes were once part of a working farm, which included the existing barn, now a local landmark within Lawson Park. Known to area families and several generations of children, the Lawson Park barn, like historic Ballymena and other Lakeshore estates, helps to remind us of Oakville's interesting history. Although the orchards and expansive manicured grounds of some of our town's larger historic properties may be shrinking and disappearing, our scenic AUTOMOBILE HOME · MARINE COMMERCIAL harbour, the picturesque streets of our original village and Oakville's well defined Heritage Trails system continue to underscore our town's natural beauty. A central feature to the Dearcroft Montessori campus is an historic century home which has graced the centre of the property since before automobiles frequented Lakeshore Rd. Surrounding it and the school building are massive oaks, locust trees and soaring pines and tamaracks under which countless children have played since shortly after Canada's Centennial year. Over the years, in a setting as natural and inviting as their classroom environments, Dearcroft students have come to appreciate the natural features of their surroundings and history through exposure to Oakville's living heritage. Locally our students visit museums, With elements of our campus mirroring the age of Montessori education itself, we are proud to offer unforgettable learning outcomes in an historic and inviting setting. As we honour Oakville's 150th anniversary and celebrate the Montessori Century, we invite you to visit our website and learn more the beauty and tradition of Dearcroft Montessori. Forty years later, we continue to serve the families of Oakville as one of our community's most unique and inspiring schools in one of our country's most beautiful and historic towns. Information about Dearcroft Montessori School can be found at www.dearcroft.com or www.westwindms.com. OAKVILLE PARENT-CHILD CENTRE An Ontario Early Years Centre SAVING LIVES at work, home and play Celebrating 26 Years in Oakville A place in the community for parents and their young children. A Century of Independant Service AFFILIATED INSURANCE MANAGEMENT INC. ONTARIO EARLY YEARS CENTRE PROGRAMS · · · · Resource Library New Parent Programs Early Learning Activities Parenting Programs Celebrating 101 years in business 344 Lakeshore Rd. E., Suite A, Oakville OAKVILLE PARENT-CHILD CENTRE PROGRAMS · Toy Library · Nursery School · Parenting Support · Daisy's Duds Gently Used Children's Clothing & Toy Store Specialists in First Aid Training, Kits Supplies & Services for 50 years Celebrating 50 Years in Oakville A United Way Agency (905) 845-4201 www.affiliatedinsurance.ca Early Years 905-849-6366 www.op-cc.ca Construction Proudly Servicing Oakville for 41 Years Quality Design and Workmanship (FUZZY) FROST (905) 338-6523 Celebrating 255 Collective Years of Service! SPRIGGS INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED Proud to service Oakville for 37 years. Mississauga (416)798-7527 Burlington (905)681-4035 159 Church Street Oakville, ON L6J 1N1 Oakville (905)844-9232 Fax (905)845-1634 e-mail: info@spriggs.ca HOPEDALE MALL S H O P R I G H T. ur community for 47 years! In yo ave You Seen us Lately? H IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.