Peel board offers parents tips to help children prepare for start of school

The first day of school is fast approaching. And for many parents, especially those who have children entering kindergarten, it is both an exciting and challenging time.

"The transition back to school doesn't have to be hard," said Chuck Waterman, superintendent of curriculum and instruction support services. "Parents need to become involved in their children's learning early. Learning the skills for success takes place at home as well as at school."

Good health, loving relationships, parental guidance and praise, and many opportunities to learn, all help children do well in school. Nancy Vail, elementary coordinator for the Peel district school board, offers a few simple parent tips to help elementary students prepare for the start of school:

 Encourage your child to discuss his thoughts and feelings about the year ahead.

 Discuss what your child is looking forward to: renewing friendships, meeting new friends and teachers, and learning new skills.

 Begin to get back on a school bedtime schedule so that getting up and getting to school on time will not be difficult.

 Establish routines and talk through a typical day: school start time, bus routines, recess, lunch time and end of day expectations. For young children, make sure they, and the school, know who will be meeting the bus or picking them up at the end of the school day.

 Attend any preschool opening events with your child. Kindergarten teachers often have welcoming events so that children will feel more comfortable on their first day.

 If your child is new to the school and feeling particularly anxious, contact your school principal to arrange a tour during the week before school starts.

 Talk with your child about the importance of proper nutrition for learning. Create a week's worth of lunch menus together. If your child has input and includes favourite foods, the chances of lunch being thrown away will be minimized.

 Establish a regular homework time and place as an expectation. Set the rules for what your child will do with this time (e.g. read independently or with a family member, write in a journal, review work) when no homework is assigned.

 Make a list together of new school supplies and go shopping for items before school begins.

 Plan ahead so that your child arrives at school a few minutes early on the first day in order to visit with friends and find the new teacher and classroom.

"Making a smooth transition back to school requires that teachers and parents work together to help students get off to a successful start," Vail said. "Becoming involved and interested in your children's education is key to helping them be successful in school."

The Peel board is also offering parents tips to help teens prepare for a productive and successful school year. The following are suggestions for parents of secondary students:

 Talk with your teen before school starts to set the tone for a positive year ahead. Let your teen know that you want him to do well and that you know that he can achieve success.

 Discuss your expectations for homework time.

 Talk with your teen about seeing her teachers and counsellor as resources.

 Make sure that your teen has a good place to work and study. The work area should have adequate space and lighting.

 Set aside some money for new school supplies, but do not purchase any specialized equipment until the student has heard from his teachers about what will be required for each course.

 Encourage your teen to get involved in an extracurricular activity.

 Discuss lunch plans with your teen and encourage healthy eating choices.

 If your teen has been staying up late and sleeping in over the summer, begin to adjust her schedule the week before school starts.

 If your teen has had attendance problems in the past, lay out your expectations for attendance and the consequences for skipping class. If your teen is under 18, the school attendance office can provide a printout of his attendance upon your request.

Additional parent tip sheets are available on the Peel board Web site at www.peelschools.org under "Parents Boost Learning."

These tip sheets provide practical suggestions to help parents get involved in their children's education. Topics include:

 Helping your child be successful in school

 Keeping your teen interested in school

 Helping your child prepare for the transition to kindergarten

The "Parents Boost Learning" section of the Web site also features learning activities for preschool children and elementary, middle and secondary school students. Parents can take advantage of the board's free electronic subscription service to automatically receive a list of activities by e-mail on a monthly basis.

Hospice Caledon presents 'Afternoon of Affirmation'

The Afternoon of Affirmation is a fun-filled, relaxing afternoon geared toward women.

With the school year back in swing it will be a wonderful opportunity for women to do something for themselves and enjoy a special close to the summer of 2006.

The afternoon will feature personal services including a variety of massage options, manicures, pedicures, makeovers, Reiki, angel card readings and tarot card readings. It will also feature a number of group services including inspirational seminars, cooking classes, health seminars, Feng Shui consultations, scrap booking, yoga and meditation classes. Judy Croon, comedian and former Mix 99.9 morning show host, will be the guest speaker for the afternoon.

The prize lineup is fabulous including ski passescompliments of Cedar Highlands, and a free fourhour organizing room makeover, compliments of Nancy Drolet of Clearly Organized and Lindy Lovering of Organized Matters (valued at $400). Please bring a photo of your "desperate room" or just write a letter to Nancy and Lindy and bring it to the event.

This spectacular event will take place Saturday, Sept. 9 at the Albion Bolton Community Centre from 1-5 p.m. (doors open at noon for registration - please come early to register for your preferred treatment). Day care is available for children 36, contact Hospice at 905-9513534 if required as day care space is limited.

Tickets are $75 and are available by contacting fundraiser@hospicecaledon. ca or you may contact the Hospice office at 18 King Street East Bolton 905951-3534. Please note there are a limited number of tickets available. All proceeds benefit Hospice Caledon to help continue to service the needs of our community.