The JS Monster Project
By Ms. Kuchmak
At the final Junior School Assembly, art teacher Ms. Kuchmak shared the heartwarming journey of The Monster Project; a year-long initiative that united students from Junior Kindergarten all the way to Grade 9.
What started as a simple question, "How can we bring the brilliant imaginations of our youngest learners to life?"—blossomed into a massive, multi-divisional success story inspired by a video of a child's drawing being transformed into a plush toy.
What started as a simple question, "How can we bring the brilliant imaginations of our youngest learners to life?"—blossomed into a massive, multi-divisional success story inspired by a video of a child's drawing being transformed into a plush toy.
How the Monsters Came to Life:
The project moved through the school divisions in four distinct, imaginative phases:
- The Blueprint (JK & Grade 5): While learning about shapes, JK students were interviewed by their Grade 5 buddies about their dream monsters. The Grade 5 students then used these ideas to sculpt custom, one-of-a-kind ceramic pinch pot monsters.
- The Next Dimension (Grade 7): The interview insights then moved to the Middle School's Idea Lab. Grade 7 students used digital design tools to transform the concepts into 3D-printed figures.
- The Final Evolution (Grade 9): Senior School Grade 9 students took the reins next, reimagining each monster as a custom, Pokémon-style character, featuring unique names chosen by the JK creators themselves.
A Meaningful Grand Finale:
On the very last day of school, the JK students received a collection of custom keepsakes celebrating their imagination: a framed photo with their buddy, their 3D-printed monster, and their personalized Pokémon card. "This initiative was far more than an art assignment; it was a powerful demonstration of mentorship, creativity, and joyful community building across Primary, Junior, Middle, and Senior schools."
A True Team Effort:
According to Ms. Kuchmak, the project’s massive success was entirely due to a seamless, collaborative effort across the faculty. A huge thank you goes out to the four JK teachers and four Visual Arts department members who made this vision a reality: Ms. Graves, Ms. Martin, Mrs. Ahamed, Ms. Yong, Mrs. Castellan, Mrs. Barbanchon, Ms. Langston, and Ms. Kuchmak.
View Photo Gallery
View Photo Gallery
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
