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Longfellow Humanities Elementary set to build upon its foundation while establishing "A Classical Beginning"
Saint Paul, Minn.- Longfellow Humanities Elementary School is taking steps to revitalizeits Humanities curriculum with a Classical Instructional approach.Classical Instruction, which is enjoying a resurgence in popularity, isdesigned around three stages: Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric. Both theHumanities focus and Classical Instruction value the past, inpreparation for the future.
"At Longfellow, we have identified agrowing interest and demand for the kinds of challenges andopportunities offered by Classical Instructional," said LongfellowPrincipal Mark Vandersteen. "This approach is a good fit with ourHumanities Magnet and we're excited about the possibilities that itprovides for our students and our school."
Longfellow will addthis new chapter to its story beginning with the 2009-2010 school year.In the initial phase, students in kindergarten and first grade will betaught from the Core Knowledge curriculum facts in history, geography,art, and science. Students will also be introduced to Latin, whichprovides the keys to opening the doors to learning today's modernromance languages and the language of high paying careers in medicine,science, research, law, mathematics and politics.
Born in ancientGreece and Rome, the Classical Model has been used throughout theWestern World for centuries. It is the way many of our great foundingleaders were taught and many of our most prestigious universities arebased around. The focus of Longfellow's elementary program will be theacquisition of skills and knowledge expected for the "Grammar" stage.
"Iam excited about this approach coming to Longfellow," said EmilySchmall, a parent of a kindergarten Longfellow student. "Thischallenging, well-rounded curriculum is the type of education that Iwant and expect for my daughter. The Classical education approach,along with the current Humanities focus taught by a dedicated staffmakes Longfellow Magnet a great school for our family."
About Longfellow Humanities Elementary
Atthe corner of Prior and Iglehart Avenue in the Merriam Parkneighborhood, Longfellow Humanities Elementary school has proudlyserved the students of St. Paul since 1883. In 1970, Longfellowembraced a Humanities Magnet focus. Today, Longfellow providesinstruction to students in PreK through 6th grade. Features include: AMand PM Pre-K classes; all-day Kindergarten; Science, Spanish & ArtSpecialists; gifted and talented services; interactive SMARTboardtechnology, extensive classroom and school libraries; musicalinstruction in band and strings; up-to-date computer labs; dailyphysical education; school uniforms, and citywide bussing.
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NOTETO EDITORS: Longfellow Humanities Elementary Principal Mark Vandersteenis available for questions or for interviews and can be reached bycalling (651) 293-8725. More information about the school is availableat www.longfellow.spps.org
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