Aristotle, the father of science, stated that all knowledge begins in the senses. This is obvious, when you think about it, but what it means for education is sometimes overlooked. In education, it is crucial that we offer our children sense experience that is focused on real things (rather than artificial ones or mere images of things); it is crucial that they are taught the patience and internal stillness necessary to contemplate reality; and it is important that the students’ experiences of culture fill their senses with lofty, beautiful, and meaningful things, rather than crass and flashy entertainment.
Going a step further, we can consider that, as Catholics, we have a sacramental vision of reality. That is, we see the world, and especially the human person, as a physical thing transcended by supernatural grace. The sensitive and emotional experiences of the world that we have are profoundly important in this light, and good education means fostering this sacramental way of seeing the world. Each encounter with a physical reality is both a sense experience and a spiritual encounter with a thing intentionally created and directly intended for us by an omnipresent Father, who speaks of his love through His created world.
With all of this in mind, here are some of the ways Saint Ann Catholic School seeks to foster a Catholic way of seeing among its students.
Less Screen Time
Beginning this year, if a screen is not absolutely needed (for certain standard tests, etc.) it won’t be used. It is not that screen time is inherently bad (though some uses, like social media, are showing themselves to be), it is that, if we have the option to make the students’ experience real, we will. The actual must precede and predominate the virtual.
The Outdoor Classroom
Our science classes will be primarily focused on fostering keen observation of real things and how they live and function–fewer textbooks, more bugs, plants, dirt, and animals. We will sow seeds, tend sprouts, and harvest vegetables and flowers in our garden. We will walk to the rhythm of the seasons as we read deep from the book of nature. We will learn to be still and truly see.
Beauty for the Senses
We will continue to sing beautiful songs and will add some instruments. We will, definitely, do a concert this coming year. We will learn more poetry and declaim it. We will bring more beautiful art to the walls of the school and foster the students’ vision, as artists. We will fill them to the brimming with lovely things.
Physical Education is Back
This means more time outside. Organized games and sports mean virtue training and sportsmanship. Improved fitness is an excellent way to increase mental focus. We will learn grace and decorum through traditional forms of dance. Throughout we will find more ways to live among the sunshine, the grass, the wind and the trees.
Catholic education is simply different, at its roots, from any other form of education. Give your children the gift of sacramental vision—give them an education at Saint Ann Catholic School!