HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-08-20, Page 19READY
OR NOT,
HERE
COMES
THE
SCHOOL
YEAR.
18
Times—Advocate
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Back to school checklist
(NC)—It's that time of year again for families and
students to get prepared to head back to class. To
ensure that students have everything they need for the
big day; a specialist back to school team has put
together the following checklist to take them to the
head of the class!
• If it's the first day of school for your little ones, take
a practice walk to school a week or so in advance to
make the transition easier. Familiarize your kids with
the route, the school and the playground to make the
first day as simple as possible.
• Help kids to develop their own list of back to school
supplies. Some of the basic items include: notebooks
or paper, pens, pencils, pencil crayons, ruler, eraser,
glue stick, pencil case, backpack and lunch bag.
• Once the kids have compiled their list, allow them
to select items on their own that reflect their interests
and individual preferences. Stylish accessories and
items branded with popular television characters are
sure to be a hit with kids this season.
• Allow kids to choose their own special snacks for
lunch and recess. There are many tasty and healthy
options available to choose from. As an alternative,
use the days leading up to the big day to do some
homemade baking with the kids.
• Make homework as comfortable as possible for
kids. Set up an area of the house with a large desk to
house the family computer - look for a desk with mul-
timedia options, such as desktop ports and power out-
lets for added convenience and to reduce the clutter of
tangled cords at your feet. Stocking up on all of the
office essentials like paper, glue and markers will help
to ensure that all of the tools necessary are on -hand
for last minute assignments
34 per cent of children start
school without essential supplies
(NC) - A new survey of teachers
shows that 34 per cent of Canadian
students will start school this year
without even the most basic school
supplies and teachers believe
Canadian businesses should step up
to help solve the problem.
"This is the first time we asked
teachers for their opinions and
what we found most interesting was
that teachers believe corporations
have a responsibility to help support
the education system," says
Alessandra Saccal, public relations
manager with Staples Business
Depot in Toronto. The business
retailer conducted the survey with
Angus Reid Strategies.
Increasing financial pressure on
Canadian school boards means the
onus is on families to spend any-
where from $25 to $100 on school
supplies every year. Some boards
do provide some supplies; however,
families end up paying for most of
the supplies. If money is short, the
requirements list goes unheeded.
Staples Business Depot found a
solution to the problem, says Saccal,
in the form of its back -to -school
supply drive. The drive returns
again this year after collecting and
distributing more than $300,000
worth of school supplies to more
than 200 schools and community
groups across Canada in previous
years. Between August 9 and
September 7, Staples Business
Depot locations across Canada will
collect supplies.
Each location selects a local chari-
ty, organization or school in need in
their community, and makes sure
they receive all donations collected.
"We are proud to say that all of
our donations stay within the local
community. We created a program
that ensures the community will see
results and benefit directly from
proceeds and donations," adds
Saccal.
During the drive, customers are
invited to donate by purchasing
basic school supplies and placing
them in the collection bins provided.
/,
Tpsfor the freshman student to start the year offright
(NC)—Starting university or college for the first time
can be a daunting experience for new students. To
help make the transition as easy as possible, the back
to school team at Canadian Tire has put together the
following tips to ensure students are prepared for the
best year possible.
I . Stay organized
Most post -secondary institutions give students a wel-
come package that often includes an agenda for the
year. Take advantage of this tool and use it to track
upcoming assignments, readings, exams and social
engagements. Tip: Keep a separate notebook or differ-
ent coloured binder for each subject. This will make
for easy reference and help to keep class notes sepa-
rate and organized.
2. Be a tech -savvy student
If you plan to purchase a computer, ensure that you
do the proper research first. Look for a computer that
has the programs and capabilities you require for your
program of study. A basic office package with a word
processing program is an essential for most students.
If you don't plan to purchase a computer, most schools
have computer centres that are centrally located on
campus and have convenient hours for evening and
weekend homework sessions. Tip: Always use a USB
key or Jump Drive to back up your work to avoid los-
ing valuable documents
3. Stay healthy
Staying healthy and physically fit will make you feel
great and will also give you an extra boost of energy
needed for studying and staying alert in class. Ensure
that you have lots of healthy snacks on -hand for late
night gatherings
and avoid the
'freshman 15' by
keeping appli-
ances like toast-
ers in your room
for cooking
healthy alterna-
tives to cafeteria
food (be sure to
Creating a home away from
home in your dorm room
(NC) As students across the coun-
try prepare for another school year,
the following tips will help the first
time students create a home away
from home in their dorm room to
make it a welcoming place to spend
time.
• Incorporate as many personal
touches from home into your space
as possible: For example, make a
picture collage of friends and family
and choose colourful, patterned
photo frames for display on your
desk space or bed side table.
• Design the most comfortable
space possible. Bring your favourite
things and use lots of colours to
make it your own. Bedding can add
personality to any space and
reversible comforters are a way of
changing up the decor.
• Dorm room lighting isn't always
optimal for studying, so ensure you
bring extra desk lamps and bulbs.
There are lamps available which
duplicate natural daylight indoors,
making late-night study sessions
easier with less strain on eyes.
• Adding small touches can create
a cozy 'at home' atmosphere. Area
and circle rugs are an inexpensive
way of making standard dorm
rooms more comfortable and invit-
ing.
• Check appliance regulations
prior to moving in and research
which small appliances such as
compact refrigerators, toaster ovens
and kettles will work best for your
needs. If appliances are not permit-
ted at your dorm, ensure that you
keep dry snacks, bottles of water
and fruit on -hand for energy when
studying or entertaining friends.
• Don't forget to pack your person-
al CD or MP3 player to play your
favourite music when relaxing after
class.
check your school's regulations on dorm room cooking
appliances.)
4. Get Active!
Join the school gym and make an effort to go during
the week. Student life can be busy, but working in just
30 minutes of physical activity a few times a week will
leave you energized and will help to relieve stress. If
working out in a gym is not your thing, check out the
campus calendar for intramural sports to get involved
in, or keep a Frisbee or basketball in your room.
Casual sports are a great way to meet new friends.
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