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2 Red Deer Express Learning Connections
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
SCHOOL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION
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BUSINESS INDUSTRY COMMUNITY CUSTOMIZED TRAINING Look for the Fall 2015 Course Guide in the Red Deer Advocate or browse online to explore all your opportunities.
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Learning Connections Red Deer Express 3
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
City offers a variety of activities for all ages BY ERIN FAWCETT Red Deer Express Families looking to get involved in various activities can turn to the City of Red Deer for help. There are a number of different programs available at the Collicutt Centre, the Dawe Centre and the Red Deer Recreation Centre. To help make choosing activities easier, the City has a ‘Look n Book’ guide to help residents. The ‘Look n Book’ is tied to the Community Services Activity and Program Guide that is distributed three times a year. The Fall 2015 Community Services Activity and Program Guide is available for viewing on the City’s web site. It will be delivered to homes in Red Deer County on Aug. 13th, and to homes in Red Deer on Aug. 14th. Copies may also be picked up on or after Aug. 14th at City Hall, Collicutt Centre, Culture Services Centre, G.H. Dawe Community Centre and the Recreation Centre. There are a number of programs that are offered at the G.H. Dawe Centre and the Recreation Centre including Red Cross AquaQuest swimming lessons, water workouts, adult swimming lessons, diving lessons, SCUBA diving lessons, snorkeling lessons and Lifesaving Society programs. Skating, karate and golf lessons are also available as well as a number of sport camps. There are also yoga classes, nutrition and cooking classes and business and financial courses. There are also a variety of clubs Central Albertans
can join come the fall including the Golden Circle Ho-Downers, the Exelta Gymnastics Club and the Kvitka Red Deer Canadian Ukrainian Dance Club, to name a few. Some community program providers also utilize the ‘Look n Book’ as well. It doesn’t only include City of Red Deer programs, but it also offers community programs as well. “We offer a variety of programs in the visual and performing arts,” said Teresa Neuman, the City’s community and program facilitator for the performing arts. “We have programs for all ages – from infants to seniors.” On the performing arts side, there are a variety of new programs available including the Kindermusik Village with Seniors’ program. The program will see children aged zero to 12 months take part in a music program at seniors’ lodges. This fall, children will interact with seniors at Piper Creek Lodge. As well, adults can sign up for the Mosaic Reliquary Project. Participants will work –with broken tiles, china or bits of jewelry or found objects to create a special project. Adults who are 55 years or older can join a tone chime choir. “Tone chimes are like hand bells. “They have a metal rod with hammer attached and it creates beautiful notes. The activity is great for people with limited mobility. “They can easily flick their wrists and make the sounds,” said Neuman. Central Albertans can get involved in music,
dance, theatre as well as visual arts programming such as drawing, painting and clay, among many others. “Throughout the year, one of our most popular programs are the adult and child art programs,” said Neuman. “There are new programs added seasonally by all of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Departments. We respond to the need of the community and try and include programming that there is an interest for.” Neuman added when putting together the activity guides, it is important for City staff to include a wide range of activities for those young and old. “We want everyone in Red Deer to have access to ways to interact with each other, to be active and healthy and experience the diversity of culture that is here in Red Deer. “One thing we really keep in mind is what community providers are already doing. We try to fill in the gaps.” Registration for all City programs in the guide begins at 8 a.m. on Aug. 18th. Registration may be done in any of three ways including online at the looknbook page at www.reddeer. ca/looknbook; by phone at 403-309-8411 or in person at Collicutt Centre, G.H. Dawe Community Centre or the Recreation Centre. Customers wishing to register for programs using looknbook or by telephone require an individual client number, family PIN, program codes (found in the Activity Guide and on looknbook) and a Visa or MasterCard number and expiry date. First time telephone reg-
istration and looknbook users are encouraged to set up their client and family PINs ahead of time to ensure they have all the nec-
essary information before registration begins. Step-by-step instructions, as well as a features guide, are available at www.
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4 Red Deer Express Learning Connections
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Kinship Camp hosted by Learning Disabilities Association of Alberta BY MARK WEBER Red Deer Express There are many ways for local students to enhance their learning skills this summer, including via Kinship Camp 2015 hosted by the Learning Disabilities Association of Alberta.
“THE GOAL OF OUR KINSHIP CAMP IS TO FOSTER IN OUR STUDENTS THE SKILLS REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN SOCIAL SITUATIONS. JEANETTE DAVIS Program Director Jeanette Davis said the goal of Kinship Camp is to foster in students the skills to achieve success in social situations. In addition, students are immersed in learning through handson activities, games and role play that help them fit into some of the social situations they deal with and nurture their self-esteem to feel confident as well, according to the Association’s web site. “The goal of our Kinship Camp is to foster in our students the skills required to achieve success in social situations. This program is specifically designed for children with learning disabilities and ADD/ADHD who have internalizing and externalizing social skills difficulties.” But ultimately, these are skills any young person can benefit from that’s having problems socially, said Davis. Topics to be covered during this half-day camp include whole body listening, expected/unexpected
behaviours, physical and mental boundaries, selfawareness and self-monitoring, communication skills, being flexible, cooperation, understanding the feelings of others, dealing with emotions and teasing and bullying. Part of the idea is to help campers understand behaviours that aren’t appropriate and show them how
they should act in a given situation, she said. The camp, which is for 10- to 12-year-olds, runs from Aug. 17th–21st with sessions running from 1 to 4 p.m. each day. The cost is $140. Sessions will be held at the Oriole Park Community Centre, located at 5 Ogden Ave. Davis said that parents, teachers and the kids them-
selves often provide positive feedback about the impacts of the camp. “We’ve had kids that were shy before and now they are quite involved in things. Parents will say, ‘I’ve noticed such a change in my child, thank you so much – things have gotten a lot better than they were before.’ “One parent last year had both her kids in it, and
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she said (the results) were just wonderful.” Looking further into the year, staff are also organizing the Think Social Program which is set to run in October. “That will be for seven- to nine-year-olds, and (another group for) 10to 12-year-olds. “It touches on the same sorts of things that Kinship Camp does. With Kinship Camp, they get to play more active games outside whereas in October and November, we might be hibernating,” she adds with a laugh. Other than the camps, there are also other learning opportunities including specialized tutoring which is offered through the year as well. Other ways the LDAA can help is through offering assessments to determine areas of focus, homework and school assignment help, creating programs tailored to your child’s individual needs all within a multidisciplinary approach. Meanwhile, Davis thoroughly enjoys her work at the LDAA. “I like knowing
that you can really make a difference in a child’s life,” she said. She organizes individual lessons, trains and works with tutors, and oversees tutoring, as well as creating several programs throughout the year. According to the LDAA, learning disabilities are a life-long condition that affect up to one in 10 Canadians. This means approximately 30,000 individuals in Central Alberta and 10,000 in the Red Deer region need assistance. “Research estimates that 80% of learning disabilities, such as various forms of dyslexia, affect literacy. But with correct intervention, support, education and programs such as tutoring or social skills programs, persons with learning disabilities can achieve and excel.” To register or for more information, call 403-3403885 or visit www.LDRedDeer.ca. You can also email programs@ldreddeer.ca. editor@reddeerexpress.com
Learning Connections Red Deer Express 5
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Computer courses for seniors offered at Golden Circle BY JENNA SWAN Red Deer Express With technology advancing at a rapid rate and the world’s gradual shift into an online interconnected world, today’s seniors may find themselves lost in a sea of uncertainty when placed in front of a computer. For those over the age of 65 who have never worked with a computer before, it can be a challenging learning curve. Thankfully courses such as the computer classes offered through Red Deer’s Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre allow seniors to gain the necessary skills needed to navigate a computer efficiently. The Golden Circle offers four levels of courses to introduce seniors to computers, beginning with a Level 1 introductory course – a basic introductory course designed to give basic computer knowledge. Level 2 allows seniors to gain knowledge of typing letters and documents using the Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel programs. Level 3 delves into the online world that is the Internet, allowing seniors to gain the skills needed to be able to navigate the web, including Internet Explorer, email and general web surfing. Level 4 sees seniors learning how to integrate their digital cameras with their computer use. Instructors inform the class how to take photos off of their cameras, light editing techniques, as well as how to store their photos once they are off of the camera. With a maximum class size of five individuals, plenty of one-on-one time is provided for individuals in the course, with classes starting up again in September.
AVID USER – Brenda Price, member of the Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre says she uses computers to play games such as scrabble and mahjong, adding Jenna Swan/Red Deer Express that computers are a great source of entertainment for her. Golden Circle Executive Director Monica Morrison explained the courses are extremely popular with seniors usually taking all four levels of the programming. “Everything is moving towards technology,” said Morrison. “Everything from banking, to ordering and even grocery shopping is encouraged to be done online. “The government especially wants things like taxes and submission forms all to be done online - for the seniors over the age of 65 with no computer experience it can be a real issue.” Morrison, who has been with the Golden Circle for
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four years now added she has watched as an increasing number of their 1,735 members gain access to the online world and as of 2015 nearly 1,400 of their members receive their weekly Golden Circle newsletters via email. “A big piece of learning to use a computer for most seniors is the chance to stay in touch with family who don’t live nearby facebook and Skyping are huge for that. “It gives them a chance to see their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and stay in touch with their families.”
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She added teaching seniors to use computers opens vast possibilities of opportunity for that person they never would have had otherwise and to learn how to maneuver the online world hosts immense benefits. “For people over the age of 65 the Internet is a chance they never would’ve had otherwise to find someone later in life - it’s not at
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all uncommon to see seniors using our computers to access dating sites, to the point where we’ve actually seen people moving away to be with the people they’ve met online.” However Morrison warns that with the Internet there comes increased risk for seniors to fall victim to scams and frauds and a large part of their computer courses focuses
on learning how to avoid these situations and protect personal information. “We hear about all kinds of new online schemes that are coming in everyday - so it’s important for seniors to know what to watch out for.” For class descriptions, times, fees and registration, contact the Golden Circle Senior Resources Centre at 403-343-6074. jswan@reddeerexpress.com
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6 Red Deer Express Learning Connections
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Exploring the Central Alberta Photographic Society BY KALISHA MENDONSA Red Deer Express Not all learning is done traditionally in schools much is done through experience and exposure to new things. These are the teaching methods implemented in the Central Alberta Photographic Society – learning through experience. The Club is filled with a variety of skills, styles and opportunities that await Central Alberta photographers. “We’re a group that’s dedicated to promoting the enjoyment of photography as an art form. We have a whole variety of expertise levels in the group. Many people will come to us when they’ve bought their first digital camera and they want to know how to use it. Others have been in the hobby for many years and have developed expertise in it,” said Club President Leo de Groot. “The key thing for people is to keep finding new things that they’re interested in. “Some people will do a single kind of photography
for a long time and will feel like they’re getting stale. The exposure that they’d have through other members of the Club and presentations can help people find something new they’d like to try.” The group meets twice a month at the Golden Circle in Red Deer to discuss projects, share information and sometimes to take part in group activities such as a photo session in a particular part of town. The group runs from September through until April and there is a $50 annual cost. Presenters and speakers are brought into the group meetings to help people gain access to knowledge on a variety of photographic topics from actual picture taking to software and editing tools. “We try to make it interesting by having presentations at our meetings. We have Club members talk about specific topics. That could be trips that they’ve made and we’d look at the different types of photography that can take place at different locations or they could share about technical
skills.,” de Groot said. “We’ve had the good fortune of having some funding from the City of Red
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Deer’s Fee for Service Program. We use that funding in part to bring in professional photographers to talk about topics that have been indicated as being of interest by members. “ The group meets together at the Golden Circle but also travels around the area for photos. For example, Ellis Bird Farm recently opened their doors after hours to allow the group some time to photograph the wildlife. There are no pre-requisite expectations for members of the Club. Some people are simply hobbyists starting out exploring their first digital camera, where others have been taking photos for a long time. de Groot said the group is mainly concerned with
looking for ways to improve their photography and to have fun.
“WE’RE A GROUP THAT’S DEDICATED TO PROMOTING THE ENJOYMENT OF PHOTOGRAPHY AS AN ART FORM.” LEO DE GROOT “Something we really try to offer people is exposure to the different fields of photography and we want to show them options. Sometimes people make a switch in genre and begin to photograph entirely new things.” A major component of the group is their contri-
butions to local non-profit societies. “We do volunteer photography for non-profit societies. In 2014, we had 24 people in the Club who donated their time to do photography for non-profit organizations. “An important part of our Club is supporting organizations in Red Deer who normally would not have the opportunity to have some quality photography done for them. That’s something that we’re very proud of and something that we want to continue to do.” To find out more about the Central Alberta Photographic Society, head to their web site and contact the group. kmendonsa@reddeerexpress.com
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Ages 9 years & under: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. each day Ages 10 years & Over: 5:15 – 6:15 p.m. each day
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Learning Connections Red Deer Express 7
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
3D printers changing the way today’s students learn BY JENNA SWAN Red Deer Express When Red Deer College first purchased a 3D printer for the Applied Research and Innovation design and fabrication labs, the technology was cutting edge. Seven years later the technology has begun to integrate itself into the community through partnerships with local businesses, entrepreneurs and students. RDC’s 3D printers have become an important tool in assisting local businesses to quickly and efficiently prototype news ideas. Heidi Mayer, design and fabrication lab technician with Applied Research and Innovation, works closely with local business owners to turn their ideas into prototypes through a combination of 3D modeling programs (CAD software) and the 3D printers to make clients’ ideas a reality. Mayer stated they have created a variety of products from oilfield applications to medical prototypes all the way to working alongside visual artists. “There are multifaceted benefits for industry, aside from being able to prototype very, very quickly, it is also a big risk mitigation tool – instead of investing on expensive manufacturing techniques you can test it relatively inexpensively first beforehand in case there are any mistakes in your design. “It helps you rapidly move through the design process, I think prior to this technology it was a slower process – it’s pretty incredible to sit down at your computer and design something then watch it manifest itself in front of you hours later and pull it out of the machine.”
ar M r u o Y Make
Recently Mayer also worked alongside a team of three RDC students working to use the 3D printers to create custom 3D printed robotics building kits for high school students. Red Deer College mechanical engineering student Tyler Drozdowski was among the team working with the printers to create the kits used to teach teens how to program and have fun with robotics. “Anything you can do to get a kid excited about making this and about robotics is incredible,” said Drozdowski who since creating the robotics kits has since begun working alongside Mayer as a member of the Applied Research and Innovation team. “As a mechanical engineering student it’s nice to be able to take what we learn in the classroom and make something physical out of it in a relatively quick way. “The more exposure people have to it, the more probable it is people will then relate the notion they now have the ability to make their ideas a reality what 3D printing does is allow anyone to make a product in a quick, cost effective manner.” With local students gaining increasing exposure to the technology of 3D printing Drozdowski and Mayer agree they hope to see it become commonplace in all fields of industry as well as education. “It’s still a very new technology that people haven’t integrated into curriculum as it could be,” said Mayer. “But I think the generations coming up will have an expectation that it will be in their schools and that there will be a space for them to make their ideas into something.
k
PUSHING BOUNDARIES – 3D printing is hitting Red Deer by storm, with endless learning opportunities rising out of Red Deer College’s Applied Research and Innovation Centre. RDC Mechanical Engineering student Tyler Drozdowski and design and fabricaJenna Swan/Red Deer Express tion lab technician Heidi Mayer are among those using the printers to create innovative products. “The generation of kids who are currently in the school system are going to graduate with entirely different skill sets - they are going to be enabled and empowered to be designers, engineers, innovators.” As for post-secondary learning applications, Mayer dreams of a perfect world where 3D printing is somehow integrated in every program. “For instance an anthropology student coming in and saying I want to download this artifact from the Smithsonian and print it so that I can study it and write a paper about it. “We could see kinesiology students creating custom braces - visual arts students and engineering students building things is
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a likely fit for the 3D printers and it’s already happening, but once we see those less obvious applications
happen then it will be very exciting.” For more on Red Deer College’s 3D printing, visit
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www. rdc.ab.ca/about/research-innovation/appliedresearch-innovation. jswan@reddeerexpress.com
RED DEER
ROYALS www.reddeerroyals.com
Central Alberta’s Premier Show Band has openings in brass, woodwind, percussion and color guard sections. If you are interested in meeting new musical challenges and enjoy travelling, you are invited to audition for the “Royals Experience.”
New Member Auditions:
TUESDAY, September 1, 7:00 p.m. at Westerner Park Rehearsals held Wednesdays, 6:30-9:30 p.m. For further information and to book your audition please call Michael Mann at 403-346-3911
Join an Adult Band The bands of the Red Deer Community Band Society invite instrumentalists who play woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments to participate in the performance ensembles at a variety of levels. The emphasis is upon making great music in a relaxed, enjoyable, non-threatening atmosphere. 11-01972.indd 1
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8 Red Deer Express Learning Connections
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Exploring the many benefits of dance While we might not all be able to play hockey or volleyball, everyone can dance. Whether it is a simple bob the head, a swivel of the hips, or an all-out boogie, dance is in us all somewhere deep down (or not so deep down!) As it turns out, it is more than just fun to take part in. Dance provides us with a wide range of social, emotional, and physical benefits that benefit us whether we are nine or 99.
ANGELA
HALL Here are just a few reasons why we should all find the time to ‘cut a rug’ now and again. Dance alleviates stress and reduced the incidence of depression. Research shows that people who grow up dancing are generally happier and experience less stress. One such example of this comes from a Swedish study of 112 female teenagers. Each of the girls was dealing with back and neck pain, anxiety, depression or stress. Half of the studied teenagers were involved in dance classes each week, while the other half of the girls did not attend classes. The results were very positive for the teens who incorporated dancing into their weekly routines. Mental health was improved for these girls, and it was also reported they experienced a mood boost. Dancing boosts your memory. According to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine, dancing may boost your memory and prevent you from developing dementia as you get older. Science reveals that aerobic exercise can reverse volume loss in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls memory. The hippocampus naturally shrinks during late adulthood, which often leads to impaired memory and sometimes dementia. Dancing helps you make friends and
stay social. A dance class is the perfect setting to make new friends and branch out socially. Maintaining positive relationships may just rank up there with healthy eating and exercise. Being socially engaged leads to increased happiness, reduced stress, and a stronger immune system. Plus, it’s always a good idea to expand your social circle from work and/or school. Dance increases your strength and flexibility. Who doesn’t want to be able to lean over and tie their shoes without having to sit on the floor? While we might not all care about being able to do the splits, strength and flexibility are the cornerstones of keeping our joints and spines aligned and healthy. The stronger and more flexible we are means the closer we are to moving in the way that our bodies are meant to move and so we can anticipate less kinks in our necks, twists in our knees and expensive visits to the chiropractor. Dance inspires creativity and imagination. While these five benefits appear in no particular order, I must say I think I saved the best for last. Dancing keeps our imaginations rich and vibrant. It gives us the opportunity to play. In my own experiences, I have been a tap dancing basketball player intent on beating the opposing team with my beats. I have been a rascally cat hiding out in a dark alley way searching for food scraps. I have been a young, fashionable flapper strutting my way through the streets of 1920. I have even been a girl-crazy man, chasing after the cutest girls on stage. To simply go through the motions is not only no fun for the audience, but also is no fun for the dancer. When you let go of your inhibitions and truly let the stage and yourself transform - is when you become a performer, not just a dancer. It seems that we reach a certain age and suddenly, it becomes unacceptable to just ‘play’. Dance, however, gives us license to go back to that playful place, let go and have fun! Angela Hall is a dance instructor with Dance Magic Studio in Red Deer.
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Congratulations
‘Kvitka’ on another spectacular year! Red Deer Canadian Ukrainian Dance Club will be starting Wednesday, September 2nd, 2015. Registration at 6pm at Festival Hall. EVERYONE IS WELCOME - Not necessary to be Ukrainian or have any dance experience. Adults do not need to be couples to join. www.KvitkaRD.ca
For more info, call Irene 403-346-5712, Andrea 403-749-3252 kvitkardukrdance@yahoo.ca
Learning Connections Red Deer Express 9
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Providing families with support for special needs children Aspire Special Needs Resource Centre in community for over 30 years BY JENNA SWAN Red Deer Express When it comes to a child with special needs, nothing is more valuable than the knowledge of how to care for your child and how to best meet their needs. For over 30 years, one local organization has been a valuable tool in helping Central Alberta parents learn more about their special needs children while giving them tools to parent as best they can. Executive Director of Aspire Special Needs Resource Centre Michelle Sluchinski, explained it could be confusing for a parent when a child has difficulty learning or displays challenging behavior adding that being the parent of a child with special needs can feel helpless and uncertain with Aspire’s role being to help and provide hope. “Parents are either coming to us saying, ‘I know something is wrong but I don’t know what’,” said Sluchinski. “Or parents don’t know where to go after their initial diagnosis is received from their pediatrician. “It can be hard for them to find their way through the system and help navigate the world so at Aspire, we try to make it as easy for them as possible.” Aspire Special Needs Resource Centre offers programming for special needs children ages 18 months and up and will guide you on your journey as best they can. When families walk through the door of Aspire for the first time, parents and their child will meet with JoAnne Hayden, intake coordinator for Aspire. She explains it’s here she gets to meet with families and get to know their children before deciding which program is the best fit. “For families whose child is more complicated and has more going on, then we would recommend a trans-disciplinary assessment,” explains Hayden on Aspire Trans-disciplinary Assessment and Consultation (TAC) program. She adds TAC includes the child seeing a psychologist, behaviour specialist, occupational therapist, and a speech-language pathologist over the course of six weeks in a program run similarly to a preschool with both the child and a parent attending the program every morning. “They will all communicate and interact as a team to see what is happening with the child - they don’t just look at their own individual information gathered, together they take each one of their pieces of the puzzle and put it together with everyone else’s to gain that full understanding,” she said. “So often parents are left bouncing around between these professionals left to try to put those pieces of the puzzle together themselves, but Aspire helps to bridge those gaps for parents. “Our specialty is looking at children and seeing the bigger picture of what’s going on for them.” In this time not only is an assessment of the child’s needs being completed, parents are also undergoing training at the same time. “Parents are pulled out and we teach them that no matter what is going on for your child you are still struggling and that’s why you’re here, and we hope to give
FUN IN THE PARK – Michelle LaBuc, child development facilitator hosts story time as part of Aspire Special Needs Resource Centre’s Park IT Jenna Swan/Red Deer Express program which sees families of children with special needs meeting bi-weekly at different City parks. them different strategies to put in their toolbox so that they know how best to help their child.” Sluchinski added so often parents of children with special needs are juggling other children, raising their family as a whole, perhaps working around that and it’s important for parents to learn tools to help them to do it in a way that is beneficial to their special needs child. Aside from the TAC Program, Aspire also offers an Early Access To Supportive Education (EASE) program in which children ages two and a half and up who already have a diagnosis attend Aspire from September to June, Monday to Friday in the morning or the afternoon. Hayden explained for parents of special needs children it can often be hard to think about sending your preschooler to school when he or she has development delays or disabilities. The EASE preschool is based on the understanding each child is unique and thus creates individualized programming to best support each family, with students usually attending from the earliest age possible until their Kindergarten year. “Our school’s team of therapists provides ongoing support alongside child development coordinators helping to prepare them for that transition into Kindergarten,” explained Hayden. “We help give them that early intervention and building the necessary skills needed instead of waiting for when the issues come up as they enter the school systems later in life.” For more on summer programming offered through Aspire or more information on individual counseling and therapy offered, visit www.aspirespecialneeds.ca. jswan@reddeerexpress.com
2015/2016 Indoor Soccer For children born 1998 to 2012. Register on-line August 1 - September 26 at: www.rdcsa.com Division
Year of Birth
Adapted Soccer (for children with developmental disabilities)
Born 2001 to 2011
U4 U6 U8 U10 U12 U14 U16 U18
2012 20010 02010 & 2011 2008 & 2009 2006 & 2007 2004 & 2005 2002 & 2003 2000 & 2001 1998 & 1999
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Calling all sports and recreation organizations interested in renting indoor field field time this winter at the Westerner. For more information: Phone 403403-346-4259 346-4259
Register on-line or in-person at: 6905 Edgar Industrial Drive, 10am-5pm, Monday-Friday.
Info: 403-346-4259 Email: office@rdcsa.com
Red Deer Renegades For information nformat f on on co coaching oaching ach ng registration and try-outs, phone
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10 Red Deer Express Learning Connections
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Handy tips for beating back-to-school stress Heading back to school can mean mixed emotions for children and parents alike. Many kids are ready to meet new friends and teachers, but at the same time they are reluctant to give up the freedom and frivolity of summer. Meanwhile, parents have also adjusted to the easygoing schedule that comes with school vacation so preparation for the busyness of fall is often quite daunting. This year, with a little guidance, you can remove the stress for the entire family by transitioning back into the school year seamlessly, as follows: Establish a routine - after a summer with a relaxed schedule and little structure, the return to the classroom can be a shock to your kids’ systems. Ease them back by gradually integrating more structure into their days. Meals and bedtime are a great way
to start—begin to get your children back into a routine about two weeks before school starts to make the transition easy. Get organized - before the hustle and bustle of school really kicks in, take some time to get ahead of the game. Put together a master calendar that everyone can use for the year, including important school dates, vacations, sporting events and practices, and parent teacher conferences to keep you on schedule. Make sure you’ve prepared all of the paperwork, school supplies, and permission slips you and your kids need. If your child needs any medications or the school requires doctor’s notes, be sure to book necessary appointments. Organize a carpool - if there are other families in your neighborhood heading to the same school, carpooling is a great way to
save gas and time. Create a rotating schedule for drivers and make sure it’s kept up to date. “Be sure to also check your insurance policy before the first day,” said Shirley Parchoma with Western Financial Group. “If you’re receiving any money for gas, your normal liability coverage may not be enough. Talk to your insurance broker and make sure you’re covered before you get behind the wheel with a group.” Start a fun tradition - one way to make back-to-school more fun is to create a tradition that your family can look forward to each year. This tradition could be a special back-to-school dinner, interviewing your child on video, or taking a picture of them in their first day outfit. Bonus - this can also be an easy way to create keepsakes—save each year’s photo in one
place and pull them out for the next big graduation or family event. The new school year is
an exciting time in a child’s life and taking a few steps to prepare will make sure you all enjoy the final days
of summer and start the new school year off on a positive note. www.newscanada.com
A budget helps students stretch dollars dining out with friends. “A great way to set and stick to a budget is by tracking your purchases so you can see where your money goes,” said Caroline Hubberstey, head of external affairs, Interac Association and Acxsys Corporation. “Using your debit card for purchases means you’re avoiding debt by spending your own money, plus you can check your online bank account to see
what you’ve spent throughout the month.” Hubberstey says it can also helps to plan out a budget that itemizes income, expenses and a reserve of savings, with ten per cent being a good guide. “Keeping track of your money can help to keep your spending in check. If you only have access to a budgeted amount each week it’s easier to avoid overspending.”
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But even with the best budgeting intentions, many students find they need a little extra money from time to time, especially at the end of the month when bills are due. Hubberstey says that often means an appeal for emergency funds from parents, who want to be sure the money they send their children is deposited safely and quickly. In those cases, she
says Interac e-Transfer is one of the fastest and least expensive ways to transfer money securely. “All that’s required is an email address or mobile phone number and a bank account at a participating Canadian financial institution,” said Hubberstey. “Once the transfer is initiated through online banking, the recipient is notified by email or text message
and provided with a link to deposit funds directly into their online bank account.” She added e-Transfer is also useful for students sharing expenses with roommates – rather than exchanging cash or cheques to pay joint bills, money can be sent via Interac e-Transfer to one person who pays the bill on behalf of the group. www.newscanada.com
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Students preparing to head off to college or university need to make sure they have their financial affairs in order, including setting a realistic budget to ensure they have funds available for the entire school year. While the big items – like tuition and rent – may be easier to forecast monthly, don’t forget to budget for books, supplies and social expenses, like
Learning Connections Red Deer Express 11
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Local schools utilizing technology in cutting edge ways everyday BY KALISHA MENDONSA Red Deer Express A student’s toolbox has expanded far beyond pencils and notebooks – students are now utilizing tablets, laptops and more in everyday applications. Red Deer’s students are no exception. From elementary school through until high school teachers are utilizing technology to teach in a new way. Students are now often able to mesh technology and traditional learning so that they can make the most out of their classroom experience. “One of the things that we have focused on for a while now is differentiating our learning activities for the individual learners,” said Jeff Tuchscherer, viceprincipal at St. Patrick’s Community School. “That requires us to be using the technology in different ways with different students, even though they are learning the same content. They’re learning the same things but in different
ways based on the student’s needs and the resources that help with those specific needs.” Examples of this could be providing additional online content to supplement a project or concept or allowing a student to electronically submit a project. Smart-board technologies started to be utilized in schools a number of years ago, where teachers and students could actively draw on, link to and click items displayed on a screen in real time. These boards are now commonplace among most classrooms in Red Deer. Since these tools replaced traditional chalk and whiteboards, technology in schools has gone even more in depth. “We’ve moved up quite a bit since we started with smartboards. I think just about every classroom in our district has a smartboard to use. Now, we’ve moved onto using more personal devices in classes to compliment the learning,” said Tuchscherer.
“We’ve also started moving towards using different kinds of devices. We use iPads on a regular basis, as well as ChromeBooks and
ployers. Using devices like tablets and smart-screens allows students a chance to be exposed to various forms of communication
“WE BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN ENGAGEMENT WHEN THESE TYPES OF TOOLS ARE BEING UTILIZED ON AN ONGOING OR FREQUENT BASIS. STUDENTS CERTAINLY LIKE HANDLING THE TECHNOLOGY, AND THE CREATIVITY THAT THEY CAN EXPRESS.” JEFF TUCHSCHERER laptops as opposed to just desktop computers that we used to have a while ago. “Then you get into such things as Apple TVs and so on. We’ve really got a lot of mainstream technological devices that we try to employ so that kids’ learning is more authentic. They’re using tools that they will see and use and are developing skills with technology.” As the next generation of youth grows, technological skill is becoming more and more relevant to everyday tasks and to potential em-
and creative development. Tuchscherer says he believes the use of these devices has dramatically changed the way students engage in their education. “We believe that there is a significant difference in engagement when these types of tools are being utilized on an ongoing or frequent basis. Students certainly like handling the technology, and the creativity that
they can express,” he said. “There are a variety of projects and classroom activities that they can do with these tools. It really helps get the students engaged in their learning and it helps it gain meaning to them. “I would say that the teachers that are finding ways to make the technology meaningful for the kids are really benefitting the kids. I’d say those kids are highly engaged in their learning and in the activities teachers have going on in their classroom.” Many classrooms implement a ‘BYOD – Bring Your Own Device’ policy allowing students to bring laptops, tablets and other devices into the classroom. For students coming from homes where those items are not a financial possibility, the schools are able to provide some technological devices so that all students may partake in the new
methods of learning. “For teachers utilizing the BYOD policy, we certainly make sure that all of the students are able to access some form of technology. We make it equitable for the students no matter what their home situation is,” Tuchscherer said. He added although St. Patrick’s and many other schools have access to technologies, there is an evergrowing demand to keep up with. “People are craving having these resources at hand all the time. The teachers are changing the way they’re teaching – it really is transforming educational practice by having access to more and more technological resources, and the different kinds of expertise that people are able to share and collaborate on. “It’s impressive to be a part of.” kmendonsa@reddeerexpress.com
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12 Red Deer Express Learning Connections
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
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