It takes a village to raise a child, the saying goes, and a new educational institution wants to help raise children holistically by encouraging more interaction with nature and older adults.
During its July 25 regular meeting, city council unanimously approved a discretionary use application from non-profit organization The Roots School for a private school and daycare centre at 303 Coteau Street West.
The pre-kindergarten to Grade 8 centre can proceed as long as the maximum combined enrolment is 27 students; it complies with the National Building Code; and covers any extra costs for new traffic signs.
The school and daycare would be on the main level, while six professional offices — for a psychologist, naturopath, massage therapist, Reiki, herbalist, and others — are proposed for the second floor.
The school will launch this September and follow the Saskatchewan education curriculum but will educate students through hands-on projects, learning in nature, and immersion in project-based learning.
Background
The property is zoned C1B mixed-used neighbourhood commercial district and meets the zoning bylaw’s review criteria, a council report said.
Enrolment above 27 students would require the school to create extra on-site parking spaces, although the proposed site plan does not accommodate this, the report continued. If additional off-site parking can be found within 230 metres, then an agreement between the municipality and business owners could be signed and registered on the property titles.
There are speed reduction traffic signs for streets adjacent to the site because it is near a park. City administration could review the situation later to determine if additional traffic safety features are necessary, added the report.
Presentation
Amy Cojocar, founder and director of The Roots School, told council the goal is to call the building “The Village.” It would help enhance build community, develop relationships and bring together people. It would also offer quality holistic practitioners and mental health services while enriching families’ lives.
The non-profit group modelled The Village after the Flow Health Centre and Willow Tree Integrated Wellness Centre in Regina and Saskatoon, respectively.
The main floor is wide open and is perfect to house the school and early learning centre/daycare since there are high ceilings, large windows, and plenty of room for plants, Cojocar said. Meanwhile, separate entrances for the school/daycare and offices would ensure the kids’ privacy and safety.
Cojocar created The Roots School in response to changing social and global dynamics and the rise in mental health struggles. She showed council a slide featuring data about the rise in mental illness and suicides among young people between 2009 and 2019.
“You may remember this slide I previously shared (during the June 13 meeting) about how Roots School will be widely focused on holistic health and mental health and focusing just as much on developing the whole child as math,” she said. “Both are equally as important.”
Since The Roots School will be within The Village, it will allow for more intergenerational learning, she added. Children would be immersed in community with their parents and local experts and interact with different age groups, resulting in a greater sense of self, confidence and well-being.
The school will start with 20 students and three teachers, with a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 10:1 so students are intimately known and can thrive, Cojocar said.
“We want to start small to be successful … ,” she remarked, adding there are similar schools in Regina and Costa Rica whose models Roots is following.
Cojocar showed council a site plan for the second floor that would feature six office spaces and a community/co-working space. She also noted that the fire inspector has approved the school and the Ministry of Education has given the green light, while they are waiting on approval from public health.
The ministry will follow the school closely for the next two years, she added. Once it proves its students are learning and meeting outcomes, the province will provide funding up to 80 per cent.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Aug. 8.
