The Days at Canajoharie
“One of the things that Shri Mataji tries to teach us always is that these children were born to you, but they're not really yours, and they need to go to the schools to help you ascend, to help the parents to ascend, but also that they can find their own spirit.”
Aunty Theresa, Principal of ISSC
Daily routine Monday - Friday
Mornings
6:30 am - Good Morning / Milk
Children wake up, brush their teeth, and prepare for the new day! They put their pyjamas away, make their beds, and come to the dining room for a glass of milk.
7:00 am - Morning Meditation
Students and staff come together and enjoy morning meditation, starting everyone's day on a balanced note..
7.30 am - Breakfast
Nutritious meals are prepared by a loving team of Aunties, and children are taught to eat independently, and finish the meal they are offered.
8:15 am - Morning Walk / group exercises
Children and Staff enjoy a morning walk around the large property, and/or do some stretching exercises during this time according to the weather.
Morning school
9:00 am - School Begins
Class begins with circle time, and then classes break into smaller groups, based on grade level. Each day in school, students spend time learning essential building blocks in Math, Reading (phonic-based) and Writing (focus on cursive), integrating Science and Art, as well as Study and Social Skills.
10:00 am - Morning Snack
10:30 am - School Continues
Lunch break
12:00 noon – Lunch
12:45 to 1:30pm – Free Play
Children enjoy free time in the house or outside, when weather permits!
Afternoon school & play
1:30 pm – School Continues
In the afternoon, all the children are taught together by the teaching team; during this time, the class focuses on Arts and Crafts, Science Experiments, cooking, and other hands-on activities which develop the students’ interests and broaden their fine motor skills and sense of aesthetics.
3:00 pm - Afternoon Snack
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm - Free Play
Evening routine
4:30 pm - Footsoak
Our salt water footsoak is usually indoors, but during the hot days, we lay on the grass, with feet in buckets, contemplating the blue sky and the songs of birds!
5:00 pm – Dinner
5:45pm to 7:00pm – Free Play
7:00 pm – Massage
All children receive head massages as a soothing evening routine.
8:00 pm - Meditation + Bed time
Evening meditations take place in the dorms, and are led by the children. This is a chance for each child to gain confidence and eloquence in guiding a peaceful meditation.
Weekend schedules vary as more time is allotted for free play, field trips, and other activities.
To see a PDF version of the Daily Routine, click here.
