Author: Coordinator
Community Forums
Our Renfrew Lanark Local Immigration Partnership Committee is hosting a series of Community Forums across the two counties. The purpose of the forums is to have a one hour brainstorming session, and figure out how we can make our communities welcome to all. Community engagement in action!
| September 3 | September 4 | September 5 |
| September 8 | September 10 | September 17 |
| September 18 | September 19 | September 24 |
| September 25 | October 1 | October 2 |
Nature for Life
a press release from the experts at The Healthy Communities Partnership
Nature can make us happier, smarter and feel better? Really, it’s that simple? Yes, there is a strong connection between spending time in nature and overall health and well-being. Children who spend time in nature are more likely to have healthier social behaviour, improved self-esteem, resilience, ability to learn and concentrate, as well as environmental awareness and stewardship ethics. Time in nature decreases stress and anxiety, depression, diabetes, hypertension and many other health problems. We are fortunate to have many opportunities to enjoy nature in our communities – trails, outdoor classrooms, parks, gardens, lakes, rivers, horses, dogs, cats – the list is endless.
The Healthy Communities Partnership: Lanark, Leeds & Grenville is pleased to offer two exciting events to highlight the importance of nature for children and families and to identify what we can do together to build nature into all aspects of our lives.
Everyone is invited to one or both of the events – come and bring your family and friends!
- Nature for Life Public Presentation: Dr. Cheryl Charles
When: Monday September 29th 6:30 pm – 8 pm
Where: Gallipeau Centre (was Rideau Regional Centre) at 361 Queen St., Smiths Falls
Cost: Free, no need to register
Child care: Available, please request child care here https://natureforlife.eventbrite.com
- Nature for Life Workshop – Making it Happen in our Community with Dr. Cheryl Charles and Dr. Michael Cheng
When: Tuesday September 30th 08:30 am – 3:30pm.
Where: Gallipeau Centre (was Rideau Regional Centre) at 361 Queen St., Smiths Falls
Cost: $20 fee (if able)
Registration Required: https://natureforlife2.eventbrite.com
Dr. Cheryl Charles, PH.D., is co-founder and President of the Children & Nature Network http://www.childrenandnature.org/ . The Children and Nature Network’s vision is ‘Together we can create a world where every child can play, learn and grow in nature.’ Cheryl is an innovator, entrepreneur, author, and educator who is among those instrumental in developing the worldwide movement to reconnect children and nature.
Dr. Michael Cheng, a child and family psychiatrist at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), is an author, passionate speaker and advocate of attachment to people and nature. http://www.drcheng.ca/
Contact: Lois Dewey, Healthy Communities Partnership Coordinator at 613-283-2740 or lois.dewey@healthunit.org for details.
Get Involved! How to Actively Contribute to Your Child’s Success in School
Get Involved! How to Actively Contribute to Your Child’s Success in School
Back to school means a fresh start and the perfect opportunity for new ‘school year’ resolutions – not just for your child, but for you as a parent. Regardless of last year’s successes (or challenges), every new school year is an opportunity to begin again.
The education experts at The Learning Partnership know just how important it is for parents to actively participate in their child’s education. Numerous research studies involving K-12 students found that parental involvement is consistently associated with higher student achievement outcomes across grades, standardized test scores, and overall educational outcomes.1 An engaged parent can make all the difference between a child who simply attends school because they’re required to, versus one who is motivated to be the best they can be – not just in school but in life.
So you want to get involved but don’t know where to start? Whether they’re in kindergarten or Grade 12, here are four ways parents can help their children succeed in school.
- Help your child get organized.
- Repetition and structure help children feel safe. It also teaches them responsibility and independence. Identify a routine that works best for your family – and stick to it.
- Think about different sections of the day (e.g. morning, after-school, bedtime) and establish a routine within those timeframes with consistent start/end times (e.g. waking up and going to bed at the same time every day).
- Have a family calendar in the kitchen and write down important school events such as parents’ night, when report cards come out, when your child’s soccer games will occur, etc.
- Provide a quiet space at home where your child can study without distractions.
- Help your child make lists and charts that will help him remember what he has to do. Give him a checkmark or star when each job is finished.
- Get in the know.
- Stay in contact with your child’s teachers to monitor progress throughout the year.
- Follow your child’s school timetable; know when tests are coming up or when projects are due.
- Understand how your child’s school communicates regularly with parents. Is it a monthly newsletter? Does the school rely on hard-copy communications or email and website/social media updates? Make sure you sign up or follow accordingly.
- Attend school meetings and special events to get to know other educators and parents.
- Use this information to be specific when you ask about their day at school. Instead of “How was your day,” ask questions like “How did your test go? What was the best/worst part of today?”
- Partner with your child’s school
- Volunteer. If you can’t be in school during the day, offer to make class phone calls for the teacher, help make costumes for the school play or make nutritious snacks for a class outing.
- Try to attend sports games, concerts, plays, or other activities at school.
- Get to know your child’s teachers and help them to get to know your child. Remember to thank them and to show your appreciation throughout the year.
- Support your child.
- Display school work on the refrigerator or family bulletin board. Let your child know you’re proud of him.
- Read to your young children and encourage older kids to read every day.
- Discuss current events, politics, and topics she may be studying at school.
- Have high expectations. Tell him again and again he can do well and be successful in school.
Top Tips for building effective relationships with your child’s teacher
(From The Learning Partnership’s program staff of retired teachers and principals)
- Write a letter to your child’s teacher to help them better understand your child. Tell them about their interests, strengths, challenges and your own hopes – as a parent – for your child. Follow up with a ‘face to face’ meeting.
- Advise the teacher about anything special/different happening at home (birth of new sibling, death of grandparent, serious illness of student or family member) that may impact the student’s ability to concentrate or focus on the learning.
- Don’t just get in touch with teachers only when there is a problem. Try sending positive feedback in written form 3 to 4 times a year (e.g. thanking him/her for an interesting lesson that your child commented on, or a special trip planned for the class). Positive notes are treasured by teachers – they don’t need expensive gifts.
- If you’re concerned about something in the classroom, give the teacher the courtesy of discussing it with him/her first before going to the principal or superintendent.
- Don’t disengage when your child starts high school. Be proactive – go to school open houses, get a school calendar and know when events are happening. Find out about volunteer opportunities such as coaching, mentoring, and chaperoning. Be involved in a way that keeps you informed and still allows your student their independence.
These tips are provided by education experts at The Learning Partnership – a national, charitable organization dedicated to advancing publicly funded education, in part, through through innovative curriculum-based student programs.
1Jeynes, W. (2005). “Parental Involvement and Student Achievement: A Meta-Analysis”. Harvard Family Research Project
For additional information, contact:
Bernadette Celis
Media and Communications Specialist
Phone: (416) 440-5124
Email: bcelis@thelearningpartnership.ca
I Have Something to Say
Today, the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth is launching our I Have Something to Say website , a first step in our effort to elevate the voices of children and youth with special needs.
In partnership with our Youth Advisory Committee, we have created a website that will allow children and youth to tell us their story. We want to hear:
• What the world would look like if all children with special needs were supported to realize their full potential?
• How would the world be different than it is right now, if that happened?
• What would you like Irwin Elman, the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, to know about how to make the lives of children and youth with special needs living in Ontario better?
Children and youth who are able, are encouraged to share their stories directly with us using our I Have Something to Say website.
We also are encouraging children and youth who might like or need to communicate with us in ways other than writing. We are looking for a piece of art, videos, songs, e-books — whatever works best for them and inspires them to express themselves.
We know that many children and youth will need help to raise their voices. We are counting on you to support them.
Connect with us through the I Have Something to Say website to explore any ideas you have on how to elevate the voice of a child or a group of young people you know. If you need support from us to do so we are there for you.
The I Have Something to Say website is not only for children and youth. We want to hear about your lived experience working with, caring for, and loving children with special needs.
The I Have Something to Say website is one way for young people to express themselves. In the coming weeks and months you will learn about other pieces of our strategy. We have set the deadline for submissions for December 3rd, 2014.
We will work for change to allow decision makers to listen to the lived experience of children and youth with special needs.
This process will move mountains.
There are a number of ways to get involved and support the project:
• Help us spread the word to children and youth and any others in your network you think might like to contribute to the discussion and make a submission
• Share the I Have Something to Say website on social media or let us know what you need from us to help spread the word
• Tell us how you would like to elevate the voices of children and youth with special needs
• Invite our team to speak at an event or youth meeting
• Stay in touch with us on social media. Like the Provincial Advocate’s Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @OntarioAdvocate
If you have any questions about the submission process or to tell us how you would like to be involved, please contact me.
Kind Regards,
Nikie
Nikie Tentoglou
Project Lead, I Have Something to Say!
Advocate for Children & Youth
Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth
401 Bay Street, Suite 2200
Toronto, ON M7A 0A6
Tel: 416-325-5674
Fax: 416-325-5681
TTY: 416-325-2648
Email: nikie.tentoglou@provincialadvocate.on.ca