St. Dominic Catholic Elementary School
Parent Resource Book
Developed for you by the St. Dominic Parent Advisory Council
September 2010
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 1
Contents
Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 4
Handy School Information.................................................................................................... 4
Reporting Absenteeism........................................................................................................ 4
Our Parent Reference Resource Centre .............................................................................. 4
School History ...................................................................................................................... 7
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board ....................................................................... 8
Parish Info ............................................................................................................................ 9
School Councils ................................................................................................................. 10
How Can Parents Get Involved at St. Dominic? ................................................................ 11
School Closure Due to Weather ........................................................................................ 12
Our School Board Trustee ................................................................................................. 13
Student Transportation – Frequently Asked Questions (from the Board Office) ................ 14
Parent Tip Sheet – Riding the Bus ................................................................................. 16
New Homework Policy (eff Nov. 2008) .............................................................................. 19
Homework Help .............................................................................................................. 22
Tips for Parents – Homework – People for Education ................................................... 22
Parent Tip Sheets from the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board: ........................ 26
Literacy Tips ................................................................................................................... 26
Being Environmentally Aware ........................................................................................ 28
Growing Up Healthy ....................................................................................................... 29
Parent Tip Sheets from People for Education .................................................................... 30
Starting School ............................................................................................................... 30
Parent Teacher Interviews ............................................................................................. 32
Special Education........................................................................................................... 33
What is EQAO? .................................................................................................................. 34
Frequently asked questions by parents about EQAO: ................................................... 36
Parent Tip Sheet from People for Education – EQAO ................................................... 37
Community Resources Available to You ............................................................................ 39
Healthy Food & Recipe Suggestions from Peel Public Health ........................................... 41
Banana Berry Wake-Up Shake ...................................................................................... 41
Yummy in the Tummy Banana Muffins .......................................................................... 42
Trail Mix & Match ............................................................................................................ 43
Cheesy Macaroni and Cheese ....................................................................................... 44
Veggie Fries ................................................................................................................... 45
Mamma’s Chili ................................................................................................................ 46
Easy Fajitas .................................................................................................................... 47
Awesome Apple Crisp .................................................................................................... 48
Chicken Pizza................................................................................................................. 49
Physical Fitness - How much activity do children need? ................................................... 50
Parent Tip Sheet from People for Education – Health & Physical Education / Daily
Physical Activity .............................................................................................................. 52
Ministry of Education Parent Tip Sheets on Learning Strategies ....................................... 53
10 Tips to help your child with reading ........................................................................... 54
10 Tips to help your child with math ............................................................................... 56
10 Tips to help your child with writing ............................................................................. 58
10 Tips to help your child with homework ...................................................................... 60
10 tips to get your child ready for school ........................................................................ 61
10 tips to help your son with reading .............................................................................. 62
10 tips to help you when talking to the teacher .............................................................. 63
10 tips that use arts and crafts to develop math and literacy skills ................................ 64
5 tips to help choose books for your child ...................................................................... 65
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 2
5 Tips for sharing family stories ...................................................................................... 66
Safe Schools ...................................................................................................................... 67
Exerpt from Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board Safe Schools Guide.............. 68
Parent Tip Sheet - Internet Safety .................................................................................. 76
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 3
Introduction
Welcome to St. Dominic School. We hope this booklet provides you
and your family with valuable information which will help with your
child’s educational experience.
Handy School Information
School Address:
515 Hartsdale Avenue, Mississauga L5G 2G7
Telephone: 905.278.9821
Start Time
First Recess
Lunch
Second Recess
School Finishes
8:30 am
10:30 am
11:30 am – 12:30 pm
2:00 pm
3:00 pm
Reporting Absenteeism
If your child is ill, you’ll need to call the school at 905.278.9821 and leave a
message on the answering machine to inform the school. If your child is away
and no message is left, the school will call you to inform you of an absence. This
is a safety check.
Our Parent Reference Resource Centre
We encourage you to visit our newly created Parent Resource Centre which
houses excellent reference books that deal with many issues related to parenting.
This reference centre is located in the office. The resource centre was established
through a grant from the Ministry of Education in 2010.
On the next page is a list of the parent books available for sign out:
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 4
Kids are Worth It! Raising Reslient, Responsible, Compassionate Kids. Barbara
Coloroso
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk. Adele Faber & Elaine
Mazlish
Dealing With Disappointment: Helping Kids Cope When Things Don’t Go Their
Way. Elizabeth Crary
The Incredible Years: A Trouble-Shooting Guide for Parents of Children Aged 2-8
years. Carolyn Webster-Stratton
Siblings Without Rivalry: How to Help Your Children Live Together So You Can
Live Too. Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
How to Get Your Child to Eat…But not Too Much: From Birth to Adolescence.
Ellyn Satter
Keys to Helping Children Deal With Death and Grief. Joy Johnson
Teen Brain Teen Mind: What Parents Need to Know to Survive the Adolescent
Years. Dr. Ron Clavier
Get Out of My Life, But First Could You Drive Me and Cheryl to the Mall? : A
Parent’s Guide to the New Teenager. Anthony E. Wolf
“I’m, Like, So Fat!”: Helping Your Teen Make Healthy Choices About Eating and
Exercise in a Weight-Obsessed World. Dianne Neumark-Sztainer
Overcoming School Anxiety: How to Help Your Child Deal with Separation, Tests,
Homework, Bullies, Math Phobia, and other Worries. Diane Peters Mayer
The Bully, The Bullied, and the Bystander: From Pre-school to High School-How
Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle of Violence. Barbara Coloroso
How Can My Kid Succeed in School? What Parents and Teachers Can Do to
Conquer Learning Problems. Craig Pohlman
The Gift of ADHD: How to Transform Your Child’s Problems into Strengths. Lara
Honos-Webb
Reading Magic: Why reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives
Forever. Mem Fox
Helping Your Child to Read. Dee Reid and Diana Bentley
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 5
“Positive Discipline for Single Parents: Nurturing Cooperation, Respect, and Joy in
Your Single-Parent Family. Jane Nelsen et al
Mom’s House, Dad’s House: Making Two Homes for Your Child. A Complete
Guide for Parents Who Are Separated, Divorced, or Remarried. Isolina Ricci
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 6
School History
The founding of St. Dominic's predates our addition to the Dufferin Peel Separate
School Board. Separate School Section #7 of the Township of Toronto (Lakeview)
originally purchased our land from Bonek Houses Ltd. and Rotman Building
Company Ltd. The St. Dominic site was purchased for $19,000 in 1954 and was
built for $89,000. St. Dominic opened its doors in September 1955 with Rita
Depuis as principal.
St. Dominic was originally named Queen of Heaven after our Blessed Mother but
was changed to St. Dominic with the building of St. Dominic Church.
In fact, the first St. Dominic parish Mass was celebrated in our very library in 1955
by our founding Dominican Pastor Father Charbonneau along with Fr. Robert and
Fr. Drouin. St. Dominic School was the site for parish masses until the first
celebration at St. Dominic Roman Catholic Church on Christmas 1957.
The Lakeview area experienced tremendous growth during this early time period
and construction for a second school, Queen of Heaven commenced in early
1960. By September 1960 the two schools had a combined staff of fifteen
teachers. Over the next several years, additional construction occurred, expanding
St. Dominic.
In 1966, St. Dominic school board joined the Dufferin Peel family of schools. In
2009, St. Dominic School welcomed students from St. James Elementary School
as they merged to become one school at the St. Dominic site.
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
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John Kostoff
Director of Education
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
Our Community of Schools
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is one of the largest and most
diverse school districts in Ontario, with 1,050,926 residents, over 2,670 square
kilometers. As of September 2009, the board operates 145 Catholic schools (120
elementary and 25 secondary) throughout Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon and
Orangeville, with a student enrolment of approximately 86,951 (52,747 elementary
and 34,204 secondary students). In addition, over 30,000 students enrol in the
board’s Adult and Continuing Education Programs each year.
To stay informed, we hope you take the time to visit the Board’s website at
www.dpcdsb.org to access the Director’s Annual Report and other valuable
information.
Mission
The Mion of the
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, in partnership with the
family and church, is to provide, in a responsible manner, a Catholic
education which develops spiritual, intellectual, aesthetic, emotional,
social, and physical capabilities of each individual to live fully
today and to meet the challenges of the future, thus enriching the
community.
Celebrating 40 years of Success
1969 - 2009
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 8
Parish Info
Email: admin@stdominicschurch.ca
Website www.stdominicschurch.ca
A Catholic faith community is rooted in a set of common beliefs which are inspired
by the life, mission and teaching of Jesus. We grow together as disciplines of
Jesus in a Catholic educational community by continuously articulating and
celebrating those common beliefs.
As a Catholic community, we are called to learn and to grow and to become more
like Jesus in the way we see and treat others. Our Catholic faith plays an important
role in helping us shape schools that are safe caring and inclusive.
Catholic school education provides us the opportunity to integrate virtues formation
into all areas of our school life within the context of our faith. We celebrate the
virtues at St. Dominic through assemblies, recognizing students who have
exemplified these virtues and through various other activities initiatiated through
our STARR committee.
STARR stands for Safe, Tolerant, Acceptance, Respect and Responsible. This
committee of dedicated individuals work with Peel Public Heath on a range of
successful projects such as PALS, anti-bullying presentations, the Wellness Group
and various other community projects. The staff and students at St. Dominic do
their utmost to uphold the principles and persue the actions which help sustain St.
Dominic Catholic School as a Culture of Peace, a place of compassion, tolerance
and respect.
Facts About Catholic Education in Ontario
Catholic population in Ontario: 3,611,688 (approx. 33%)
Number of Catholic District School Boards: 29
Number of Catholic School Authorities: 5
Number of Catholic trustees: 245
Number of Catholic schools: Approximately 1,500
Enrolment in Catholic schools: Over 600,000
Source: OCSTA
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 9
School Councils
Catholic School Councils: Making a Difference
School councils play a vital role in the education system in Ontario. They provide a
forum through which parents and other members of school communities can
contribute to improving student achievement and school performance.
In 2000-2001, the Ontario government took significant steps to ensure that
parents, through their school councils, would have greater influence in their
children’s education. Regulations were created that confirm the advisory role of
school councils and clearly state that their purpose is to improve student
achievement and enhance the accountability of the education system to parents.
School councils are now able to make recommendations to their principals and
school boards on any matter. Principals and school boards, in turn, must consult
with school councils on a variety of matters that affect student learning. They must
also consider recommendations made by school councils and report back to the
councils on how they plan to act.
St. Dominic Parent Advisory Council
A partnership between parents, schools and the Church is really important and one
way to get involved is to join the St. Dominic Parent Council.
Purpose:
The purpose of a Catholic School Council is, through active participation of
parents, to improve pupil achievement and to enhance accountability of the
education system to parents. A Catholic School Council’s primary means of
achieving its purpose is by making recommendations, in accordance with the
policy and regulation, to the principal of the school and to the Dufferin-Peel
Catholic District School Board. 1
At St. Dominic School, elections are held by the last day of September. Any parent
can join council. It’s a great opportunity for you to get to know other parents and
make a difference in the school. There are a few roles which are elected positions
and they are: Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. Also on Council is a Parish
Representative. All Council meetings are attended by the Principal and a teacher
representative. At St. Dominic School, we typically meet 6 times in the school
1
Reference: A Handbook for Catholic School Councils – May 2009
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 10
year (between September and June). Everyone is invited to attend a parent
council meeting, however, only members of council are permitted to vote.
A formal agenda is issued prior to the meeting and quorum is determined at the
start of every term. Formal minutes are issued after each meeting. Meetings are
held in the evening, usually at 7 pm in the Library and conclude at 8:30 pm. Parent
Council are very involved in two major fundraisers per year and funds raised are
allocated in partnership between the teaching staff and council, and are based on
the priority needs of the students and school.
When you join Parent Council, you role is to represent the parents of the school.
“Anyone can do so little,
together we can do so much.”
Helen Keller
How Can Parents Get Involved at St. Dominic?
There are many ways you can get involved, and the school is always looking for
volunteers. Here are some examples of things that you could volunteer for:
Reading to the primary grades as part of the literacy program (All Star)
Helping with open house and outreach projects
Helping on school trips, when additional parents are required
Being a part of parent council or attending the meetings
If you can volunteer any time at the school, please speak with the Principal. As a
volunteer working with students, you will need to undergo a criminal check, which
is for safety reasons, and is mandated by the Board.
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 11
School Closure Due to Weather
During the winter months, inclement weather and/or poor road conditions may
cause the disruption of bus transportation and regular school operations. In these
cases, parents/guardians should develop alternate care/transportation
arrangements.
A decision to cancel bus transportation and/or to close schools is made by 6:00
a.m. Decisions are based on several factors including precipitation, air temperature
and road conditions. A decision to cancel bus transportation may be system wide
(where all buses in Dufferin County and the Region of Peel are cancelled) or
municipality specific (where buses in one or more municipalities are cancelled).
If buses are cancelled in the morning, they will not operate in the afternoon.
Therefore students transported to school by parents require the same
transportation home.
Notification
Parents/guardians, students and school staff are asked to monitor the following
radio/television stations after 6:00 a.m. to receive bus cancellation/school closure
information.
Radio:
CKFM 99.9
CJCL 590
CHFI 98.1
CFTR 680
FOXY 88.5 FM
CFNY 102.1
93.1 FM
102.7 FM (Caledon)
Television:
CHUM 1050
CJBC (FR) 860 AM
CJEZ EZ ROCK 97.3
CFRB 1010
Z103.5
CHIN 100.7 FM / 1540 AM
CJMR/CHOW 1250
CFTO
Global
CP 24
CBC
The Weather Network
A bus cancellation and/or school closure message will also be available
online at www.dpcdsb.org or by calling 905-890-1221.
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 12
Our School Board Trustee
What is the role of a School Board Trustee?
The Board of Trustees is an elected municipal body that represents Catholic
ratepayers interests in overseeing the provisions of the Education Act and its
Regulations. Trustees make policy, approve the Board’s budget and direct staff in
the organization and operation of the system. Trustees act as advocates for their
constituents and welcome communication from parents/guardians, ratepayers and
other members of the community.
Our Trustee at St. Dominic School is Mario Pascucci. Below is a brief bio of Mario
and his contact details:
Mario Pascucci
Tel: (905) 624-3663
Fax: (905) 624-6823
mario.pascucci@dpcdsb.org
Mario Pascucci has served the Dufferin-Peel Catholic community as a trustee for
24 years, representing Mississauga Wards 1 & 3. He served as chair of the board
in 2009.
He has chaired a number of Board Committees including Administration and
Finance, Audit, Faith and Program, and Architect Review. Pascucci has also
chaired the Mississauga Library Board for over three years. He served as co-chair
for the John Cabot Secondary School Council. A graduate of York University and
a Mississauga resident for over 35 years, Mario Pascucci is founder and president
of a Marketing Corporation that specializes in representing food companies, and
importing and distributing of collectible fine gifts from Europe.
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 13
Below are some helpful Be's to support families in the homework
process:
Be positive
Communicate a positive attitude towards homework.
Be consistent
and space.
Develop a homework routine that includes a set time
Be available
assistance
Encourage independent work but be available for
Be attentive
school day.
Take a few minutes every day to chat about the
Be a role model
math.
Let your child see you reading, writing, and using
Be a cheerleader
Praise your child for the effort displayed.
Be observant
Note any signs of frustration.
Be involved
Participate in school functions.
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 21
Homework Help
Free real-time math tutoring now available
Grade 7 to 10 math students at Dufferin-Peel now have access to 20 hours a week
of free, online math tutoring to help them improve and succeed in math. Check out
Homework Help where certified Ontario teachers are available Sunday to
Thursday, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., for one-on-one confidential help. Dufferin-Peel is
one of 15 English-language boards taking part in this pilot project funded by the
Ministry of Education.
Registered students in Grades 7 through 10 math are able to:
• Access a collection of on-line math resources 24/7
• Access free personalized tutoring from a certified Ontario math teacher
Other important information about the service:
•
Chats take place Sunday to Thursday between the hours of 5:30 – 9:30 pm
•
Homework Help is free, live and anonymous
•
Visit
Visit http://homeworkhelp.ilc.org/ to learn more!
If your child has not yet registered, student registration can be completed by
visiting Homework Help. All students will require the Dufferin-Peel access code
which can be obtained from your child’s teacher or by contacting: e-Learning 905890-1221 x 24484.
Tips for Parents – Homework – People for Education
Please reference the next page which is courtesy of People for Education. It offers
excellent tips for parents and how they can help and support their children.
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 22
TIPS FOR PARENTS
Homework
One way that parents and caregivers can help students succeed in school is to support them as they
do homework.
What is homework?
Types of work that students may bring home:
• finishing assignments that were started in
class
• working on a research project
• studying for tests and exams
• practicing new skills learned in the classroom
• organizing binders or workbooks
• reading assigned parts of a novel or text book
Where and when should homework be done?
• Not all students study in the same way. Some
like to work in a quiet place, some like to work
with music in the background and other students find it is helpful to study with friends.
You know your child best. Help him or her
choose the best place to do their homework.
• It may help to have a regular time for homework. Students may try to put off homework
while parents push to get it done, often ending
in arguments. By having a regular homework
time, it becomes part of the routine.
• Try to get the homework done earlier in the
evening, when students have more energy.
Allow time for them to relax before bed.
How much time should students spend on
homework?
• There is no established “right” amount of
homework. Researchers and educators agree
that there should only be limited homework
in the early grades, with the amount gradually
increasing as students move into high school.
• Students work at different speeds, so the
amount of time spent on homework will vary.
• Students should be able to do their homework
and have time to participate in other activities,
including sports, music lessons, religious activities, language classes, volunteer work, and
free play.
• If you are concerned that your child is getting
too much or too little homework, you should
speak to the classroom teacher.
How can parents help with homework?
• Encourage older children to use their school
agenda to keep track of assignments and tests.
Help set up a work schedule or even a big calendar for larger projects.
• Unless it is a project, homework should be a review of what students are learning in class, so
students should be able to do their homework
on their own.
• While your children are doing their homework,
you might do your ‘homework’, like paying
bills, reading a book or writing a letter. It gives
them company and keeps you close at hand.
But only offer help if asked.
• Read together (in any language) with younger
children, and encourage older students to
spend some time each day reading by themselves.
• Talk to your children about school every day.
Even if you don’t understand the topic, and
even if English or French is not your first language, you can be a good listener. Research
shows that just by talking about school, parents can improve students’ chances for success.
• Make sure students have all the homework
supplies they need – pencils, rulers, markers,
paper.
Copies are available in several languages at www.peopleforeducation.com.
For more information, call 416-534-0100 or email: info@peopleforeducation.com
© People for Education 2009
Homework
What if a student is having difficulty with
homework?
• Encourage students to speak to the teacher if
they need help. Let your child know that it is
okay to ask for assistance if they don’t understand something.
• If your child doesn’t understand the homework, ask how the teacher taught the lesson.
This may help the child to remember what was
learned earlier and how to get to the answer.
• If your child is getting frustrated or upset,
have them take a break, and try again a bit
later.
• If the student cannot complete the homework
after trying their best, it is okay to send the
work back to school incomplete. You can write
a note on the homework or in the agenda, explaining why it isn’t finished. This helps the
teacher understand what the problems are,
and the teacher will be pleased to know that
you are involved in your child’s education.
• If your child is consistently unable to do his/
her homework, make an appointment to speak
to the teacher.
Other Sources for Homework Support
• Find out what kinds of homework support are
available through the school or in your local library or community centre. Some schools and
many public libraries have homework clubs
after school.
• Students may be able to get help from friends
or older siblings.
• Many high schools have peer tutors – students
who have completed the course and can help
with things like math and science.
• There is a free online tutoring service for high
school students at www.ilc.org. Certified teachers are available on the site Sunday through
Thursday, and they also offer an essay feedback service.
• Some school boards offer on-line lessons and
learning activities for different grade levels.
Check your school board’s website for more
information.
People for Education is an independent parents’ group working to support
public education in Ontario’s English, French and Catholic schools.
You can reach us at: P.O. Box 64, Station P, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2S6
Phone: 416-534-0100 • fax: 416-536-0100 • email: info@peopleforeducation.com or visit: www.peopleforeducation.com
Students and parents for grades K to 12 can now access excellent online learning
resources contributed by the Ministry of Education and Ontario teachers from
across the province through the Ontario Educational Resource Bank (OERB). The
OERB provides students/parents with access to thousands of resources that range
from interactive multimedia pieces to lessons and activities.
Inside the OERB:
Resources of varying types including lesson/unit plans, videos, activities,
maps, and interactive multimedia objects
Resources that are aligned with the Ontario curriculum including Catholic
specific resources
Content is created by either the Ministry or contributed by Ontario teachers
Search resources by keyword or grade, course/subject, strand, or overall
expectation, learning style, file format using SEARCH 2.0
Visit: http://resources.elearningontario.ca
For the parent/student username and password information please contact your
child's (or children's) school or contact:
Kevin Williams
e-Learning contact
Kevin.williams@dpcdsb.org
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 25
Literacy Tips 2
"A love of reading and a taste for literature are the finest gifts we can give our
children, for we have started them on the path of a lifetime pleasure."
(Charlotte Huck, Children's Literature in the Elementary School)
Consider these goals for your child's reading development:
1. To enjoy and be encouraged to read. To experience satisfaction and success
from reading.
2. To develop a regular routine of reading.
3. To develop confidence in oneself as a reader.
4. To appreciate a wide variety of literature ( poetry, fiction, non-fiction, plays)
5. To develop the skills, concepts, and abilities necessary to communicate in a
literate society.
Supporting Your Child's Reading Efforts
Keep in mind, the goal of reading is understanding.
To help your child understand the reading process, share with them what you do
as you read.
Reinforce your child's reading. Comment positively on a reading behaviour or skill
you notice is improving.
Continue to read to your child even after they are independent readers,
opportunities to hear stories above their reading ability stretches their
comprehension skills, expands their vocabulary, provides a good example and
nurtures a love of books.
If your child is really keen about one particular book, find similiar stories and
compare.
Turn off the T.V.
Match books to your child's interests and reading ability. Visit the library.
Be patient and supportive and enjoy observing your child's growth in reading and
writing.
2
Reference: Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board Website
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 27
TIPS FOR PARENTS
Starting School
Starting school is an exciting time for students and
their parents, but some students have first-day jitters. The following information will help make starting school easier.
What will my child learn in Junior and Senior
Kindergarten?
• Kindergarten is an introduction to the more
formal learning that begins in Grade 1. It might
seem as if kindergarten students just spend
their time playing, but they are actually leaning about letters, numbers, reading, the arts,
physical education and science through many
different kinds of activities.
• Teachers set up educational toys and games in
‘activity centres’ around the classroom which
children visit during the class.
• The Kindergarten program is set out by the
provincial Ministry of Education and includes
six main areas: Personal and Social Development, Language, Math, Science and Technology, Health and Physical Activity, and the Arts.
Kindergarten students do not usually get homework, but they often bring books home to read
with their parents. Reading with your child
– in any language – is one of the best ways to
help them succeed in school.
What’s the difference between Kindergarten
and Grade 1?
• Students go to school all day every day in
Grade 1, and the teaching and learning is more
formal. Children still play and spend time
learning social skills, but they are also taught
in a more structured way about reading, writing, math, science, social studies and the arts.
• By the end of Grade 1, children should be able
to read simple words and books and understand basic math skills like addition and subtraction and measurement.
• For some students the transition to Grade 1 is
just as big as the transition to Kindergarten. It
may take them a few weeks to get used to the
new structure and the new rules.
How can I help my child settle in?
• Some children cry on their first day of school,
but they often calm down shortly after their
parents leave. The teacher will let you know if
your child is having problems adjusting so that
you and the teacher can work together to help
your child.
• When parents show an interest in their children’s school, students are more likely to be
successful. Talk about school with enthusiasm,
and ask your child specific questions about
their day, like “What songs did you sing today?
What book did the teacher read?” or “Did you
visit the library?”
• Participate in school activities as much as you
can. Attending school concerts, sports and
community events will help you feel comfortable in the school and give you a chance to get
to know the other members of the school community.
Can I spend time in the classroom with my child?
• It’s important to ask the teacher about visiting
the classroom. Most teachers welcome visitors,
but they may ask parents to visit at specific
times so that they don’t disrupt the learning
activities.
How can I find out how my child is doing in school?
• Teachers use different ways to report on your
child’s progress. They may talk to you informally or send a note home.
• Students receive report cards at least twice a
year with information on their progress in all
Copies are available in several languages at www.peopleforeducation.com.
For more information, call 416-534-0100 or email: info@peopleforeducation.com
© People for Education 2009
Starting School
the subject areas, and there are scheduled parent teacher interviews at least once a year (you
can ask for an interpreter if you need one).
What if I want to speak to the teacher?
• If you have questions or concerns, you can ask
the teacher for an appointment or phone the
school. By making an appointment, you will
ensure that the teacher can set aside enough
time to talk and prepare for the meeting. That
way, the meeting will be much more helpful
for you, your child, and the teacher.
Can I volunteer in my child’s class?
• Ask the teacher about volunteer opportunities
in the classroom. Most teachers appreciate the
help, but may need to schedule volunteer visits
to coordinate them with planned classroom
activities.
• If you are not available during the day, find out
if there are things you can do from home, or
if there are evening or weekend activities that
you can help with. Many schools have events
like movie nights, fun fairs, or other community events, and they always need volunteers.
What is Curriculum Night and why should I go?
• This is an evening, usually held in September,
for parents to meet the teachers and find out
more about the programs offered at the school.
It is sometimes called an “Open House” or
“Meet the Teacher Night”.
• At Curriculum Night you will meet the teacher
and find out about the class schedule, homework expectations, and plans for the year. You
will also have the chance to meet other parents
and staff members.
When will my child learn French?
• In some school boards, students start to learn
French in grade 1, while in others, students
start in grade 4.
• French Immersion is a program where students study in French for most of the school
day. French Immersion programs can start
either in Senior Kindergarten or in grade four.
You can ask your principal for more details.
What is a School Council?
• The school council is the parent organization
at the school. Contact the school council if you
have questions about how to get involved at
the school, or if you are looking for information from a parent perspective.
• Council meetings are open to everyone in the
community, so you do not have to be a member to attend. It is a great way to keep up with
what is happening in the school.
Where can I go if I need help?
• You should feel free to ask for help or information whenever you need it. School secretaries
know almost everything that goes on in the
school, so the school office is a good place to
start. There you can find out about things like
interpreters, special education, daycare and
lunchroom programs, or make an appointment
to talk to the principal or your child’s teacher.
• Some schools have settlement workers to help
families new to the country, and most schools
have access to specialists who can help if your
child is having difficulty.
• Community centres, libraries and Ontario Early
Years Centres have many helpful programs
and resources for parents and children.
• The People for Education website has information available in several languages. Visit us at
www.peopleforeducation.com.
People for Education is an independent parents’ group working to support
public education in Ontario’s English, French and Catholic schools.
You can reach us at: P.O. Box 64, Station P, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2S6
Phone: 416-534-0100 • fax: 416-536-0100 • email: info@peopleforeducation.com or visit: www.peopleforeducation.com
TIPS FOR PARENTS
Parent-Teacher
Interviews
Parent teacher-interviews are held two or three
times a year at the end of each term when report
cards are sent home. They are opportunities for parents and teachers to talk together about how to help
each child succeed in school. They are very short –
usually 10 or 15 minutes. It’s important to prepare
before the interview to make the best use of that
short time. If you need more time, schedule another
appointment.
1.Prepare
Parent-teacher interviews are strictly confidential.
Share personal information that might be affecting
your child’s progress or behaviour at school (e.g.,
family illness, job search). This information will help
the teacher understand your child better.
• What does my child do well?
• What skills does she or he still need to develop?
• Is my child getting extra help? In what subjects?
• Read your child’s report card.
• What is your homework policy?
• Make notes about your questions and concerns.
• How much time should my child be spending
on homework?
• Talk to your child about the report.
• How does my child get along with the other
students?
• What do you want to ask the teacher? Make a
list.
2.Ask Questions
Arrive on time. Bring your list of questions. The
teacher will review your child’s report card or show
you samples of his or her work.
Tell the teacher what your child likes and dislikes
about school. Let the teacher know if you think there
is too much or too little homework.
• How can I help my child at home?
• What is the best way to contact you if I have
more questions?
• Take notes so that you can share the comments with your child.
3.Follow Up
Talk to your child. Stress the positive things the
teacher said. Talk about how you and the teacher
are going to help with the things that need to be improved.
Copies are available in several languages at www.peopleforeducation.com.
For more information, call 416-534-0100 or email: info@peopleforeducation.com
© People for Education 2009
TIPS FOR PARENTS
Special Education
All students will have times when they struggle with
schoolwork or with school life. But some students may
need extra support from a special education program.
Parents may be the first to notice that their son or
daughter is having problems in school, or a teacher
may suggest to a parent that their son or daughter
might need extra and ongoing support.
Some things to remember
• Some issues can be solved by the teacher in the
classroom, so speak to the teacher first if you are
worried about your child’s progress.
• Needing Special Education support is not a bad
thing—all students learn differently, some just
need different kinds of support to succeed.
• Just because your child does not speak English, it
does not mean that he/she needs Special Education
help. Some problems are a normal part of adjusting
to a new language and school. It may help to provide the principal with information about the student’s academic skills in his or her first language.
• Some parts of the process for getting Special Education support can feel confusing and it may have
many unfamiliar names. Always ask questions if
there are things you don’t understand, or, if you are
not comfortable in English, ask for an interpreter.
• Parents play an important role in Special Education. Don’t give up. It is alright to ask for support
for your child.
What is Special Education?
Special Education is used to describe a wide range of
supports, programs and placements for students who
need different teaching methods or special equipment
to allow them to be successful in school.
Special Education can involve anything from a different
way of teaching, to special equipment to help students
with their school work, to simply providing students with
extra time for writing tests. Students may be in specialized class for all or part of the day, or stay in their regular
class with support from an educational assistant.
The most important thing to remember is that Special
Education is intended to help your child succeed in
school.
What should you do if you think your child needs
Special Education support?
Ask questions
• Ask your child if there are particular things that
are consistently difficult at school.
• Ask the teacher if he or she thinks your son or
daughter needs extra support and if the teacher
can provide the extra help
• Some medical conditions may affect learning (e.g.
hearing, vision etc.), so it might help to talk to
your child’s doctor.
Meet with the school staff
• If you think your son or daughter needs more
help, ask the principal or vice-principal to hold
meeting with other school staff (called a School
Team Meeting) to talk about your child.
• Prepare for the meeting. Sometimes it helps to
write down questions, such as:
– What kinds of supports or programs would help
my child succeed?
– What is available in the school?
– Would my son or daughter have to wait a long
time to get into the right program?
• At the School Team Meeting the school staff may
recommend one or more of the following options:
– that the teacher continue to provide support in
the classroom;
– that the teacher/team develop an Individual
Education Plan (IEP) for the student;
– that a student be formally “assessed” to find out
if he or she has special needs and what those
needs are; and/or
– that the school hold a more formal Special Education meeting, called an Identification Placement and Review Committee (IPRC).
What is a Special Education assessment?
A Special Education “assessment” is an evaluation of
a student by a specialist to determine if a student has
special needs and what those needs are. Your princi-
Copies are available in several languages at www.peopleforeducation.com.
For more information, call 416-534-0100 or email: info@peopleforeducation.com
© People for Education 2009
Special Education
pal or vice principal can explain what you need to do
to have your child assessed.
The board has specialists on staff who will assess students at no cost to parents, but there may be a waiting
list.
What is an IEP?
The Individual Education Plan (IEP), describes what
the school will do to help your child. The Plan must be
developed in consultation with parents. A student does
not have to be formally assessed to have an IEP.
The IEP should include:
• A list of the student’s strengths and needs;
• An outline of the special education services the
student will receive, where and when the service
will be provided, and who will provide it.
• A description of how the student’s progress will
be measured and reviewed;
• A set of goals for the student and teacher to work
toward over the year; and
• A list of any special equipment to be provided.
An IEP must be completed within 30 school days after
your child has been placed in a special placement and
the principal must ensure that you receive a copy of it.
The IEP must be reviewed each reporting period.
What is an IPRC?
Sometimes the School Team will recommend the
school hold an Identification Placement and Review
Committee (IPRC) – which is a meeting to officially
identify a student’s special needs (often called “exceptionalities”).
An IPRC may be requested by the parents or the school.
Once parents have made a request in writing, an IPRC
must be held. The school must inform the parents
about an IPRC, and it is very important for parents
to attend. The IPRC will officially decide:
• if a student has special learning needs,
• what kind of learning needs the student has, and
• the best placement and program for the student.
What happens at an IPRC, and do parents have a role?
The IPRC meeting usually includes the student’s teacher and/or guidance counsellor, the principal, a psych-
ologist, a school board representative and the parents.
Using information from the staff and parents, the
committee will recommend a placement for the student, and the parents will be asked to sign a document
agreeing to the committee’s recommendations. You
may take the document home and think it over before
deciding whether to sign it.
Some tips for your IPRC:
• You can bring a family member, a friend or someone from a support association to the meeting.
• Bring any doctor’s notes or assessments about the
student’s medical condition or about his or her
learning skills.
• Take a photograph of your child to help the committee remember who they’re talking about.
• If a particular placement is recommended, you
may ask to visit it.
• If you disagree with the decision of the IPRC, you
may appeal it, but there is a time limit for the appeal. Your principal can explain the process.
• The IPRC process may seem very formal, but it
means that you and your child will have a legal
right to request ongoing support, which will help
him or her succeed in school.
Will my child’s support change over time?
• Your child’s placement will be reviewed at least
once in every school year – you can always ask for
changes or for more information at the review.
Where can parents go for help?
• Ask your teacher, principal or guidance counselor
for information.
• People for Education has more information and
links to special education organizations at http://
www.peopleforeducation.com/links/specialed
• If you have a school settlement worker, they can
help explain the Special Education process.
• Other parents can be a wonderful resource—talk
to the parents in your school about how Special
Education works or contact your school board’s
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC).
• At www.edu.gov.on.ca, you can find an IEP Resource
Guide, an Educator’s Guide to Special Education
and the document, Education for All.
People for Education is an independent parents’ group working to support
public education in Ontario’s English, French and Catholic schools.
You can reach us at: P.O. Box 64, Station P, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2S6
Phone: 416-534-0100 • fax: 416-536-0100 • email: info@peopleforeducation.com or visit: www.peopleforeducation.com
What is EQAO?
EQAO is an independent agency of the Ontario government. EQAO
provides accurate, objective and clear information about student
achievement and the quality of publicly funded education in Ontario. In
addition, EQAO works to ensure that this information is used to bring
about improvement for individual students and for the education system as
a whole.
Who is the contact person at EQAO?
People who have questions, concerns or suggestions are encouraged to
contact EQAO by phone at 1-888-327-7377 or by e-mail. More information
is also available at www.eqao.com.
What testing does EQAO do?
EQAO develops and implements provincial assessment programs for
primary, junior and secondary school students in Ontario.
EQAO assesses all students in Grade 3 and Grade 6 in reading, writing
and mathematics. EQAO also administers two secondary school
assessments. The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) is
administered in March each year. The Grade 9 Assessment of
Mathematics is administered in January to students enrolled in firstsemester mathematics courses and in May/June to students enrolled in
second-semester and full-year courses.
EQAO also coordinates Ontario’s participation in several national and
international assessments. The Pan-Canadian Assessment Program
(PCAP) is conducted by the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada and
evaluates 13-year-olds’ skills in reading, mathematics and science. The
Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is sponsored by
the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
and involves random samples of 15-year-olds in similar subjects. The
Trends in Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) assesses student
learning worldwide in Grades 4 and 8. The Second International
Technology in Education Studies (SITES) focuses on computer use in
primary and junior schools. Both TIMSS and SITES are programs of the
International Association for Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA).
Why is EQAO testing Ontario students?
EQAO was established based on a recommendation of the Ontario Royal
Commission on Learning in 1995. The Commission consulted extensively
with educators, parents, students and taxpayers and concluded that
province-wide assessments would help to respond to public demands for
greater quality and accountability in the publicly funded school system.
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 34
EQAO’s assessments provide accurate, objective and clear information
about student achievement that teachers and parents can use to improve
learning for all students. EQAO publishes school and school board reports
that parents, educators, policy-makers and members of the public can use
to monitor the effectiveness of the education system over time.
What are the key benefits of EQAO’s work?
Students know more about how well they are doing in reading, writing
and/or mathematics and what they need to do in order to improve.
Teachers and principals have more feedback on how well students are
meeting the expectations in the provincial curriculum and how effectively
teaching strategies and school programs are meeting students’ needs.
Parents are more familiar with the expectations in the provincial
curriculum and better informed about their children’s achievement and
progress.
Ontarians have accurate and objective information about student
achievement and education quality in the publicly funded education
system.
How Do I find Individual Student results?
All students who participated in EQAO’s tests receive an Individual
Student Report (ISR). This report contains personal information that is
protected under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
EQAO sends ISRs to schools for distribution to students who wrote the
Grades 3, 6 and 9 assessments and the OSSLT. For further information,
please contact your school’s principal.
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 35
Frequently asked questions by parents about EQAO:
My child is very anxious about writing EQAO. How can I help
him/her? As a parent, reassure your child of their success. Stick to
routines and remind them of the strategies taught throughout the
school year.
How does EQAO affect my child’s grade 3 or 6 marks? EQAO
provides a snapshot of your child’s achievement in relation to the
provincial standard. It does not affect their report card mark.
How can we prepare for EQAO week as a parent? As a parent, it’s
valuable for you to attend the parent information night on EQAO
offered by the school. You can also visit the EQAO website noted on
page 32 in this reference booklet.
The next page is a Parent Tip Sheet from People for Education about
EQAO Testing that will provide you with more information
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 36
TIPS FOR PARENTS
EQAO Testing
What is the EQAO and why are students tested?
Do ESL students write the tests?
The EQAO is the provincial Education Equality and
Accountability Office. It is an independent government body that develops and oversees reading, writing and mathematics tests that Ontario students
must take in Grades 3, 6, 9, and 10.
Yes, although some ESL students may be exempt if
they have recently arrived in Canada. Others may
have “accommodations” such as more time to write
the test, a quiet setting or having someone read instructions and questions. The principal must consult with parents about making accommodations or
exempting a student from the test.
The tests give parents, teachers, principals and
school boards information about how well students
have learned what the province expects them to
learn in reading, writing and mathematics.
What do the results mean?
The report tells you if your child’s skills are at:
Level 1 - approximately 50% to 59% or “D”
Level 2 - 60% to 69% or “C”
Level 3 - 70% to 79% or “B”
Level 4 - 80% to 100% or “A”
Students writing the grade 10 literacy test will receive a pass/fail grade.
Do the results count on students’ report cards?
The grades 3 and 6 tests do not count as part of a student’s mark and do not affect their progress or future opportunities in school. The grade 9 math test
can count for up to 10% of the student’s math mark.
However, students must pass the Grade 10 Literacy
Test or Literacy course in order to graduate with an
Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
How can I help my child prepare?
There is no special preparation for the tests. Some
teachers provide sample questions to help students
understand what the tests will be like. The best way
to help your child is to make sure he or she is rested
and at school on time.
Do students with special needs write the tests?
All students are encouraged to write the test but
some students with special needs may be exempt.
These students usually have Individual Education
Plans (IEPs) that outline “accommodations” or “supports” that help them succeed in school. The “accommodations” also help students write the EQAO
tests. They may include more time to write, a quiet
setting or having someone read instructions or questions to them.
The principal must consult with parents about making accommodations or exempting a student from
the test.
Do French Immersion students write the test?
In grade 3, schools may choose to have French Immersion students write only the French version of
the mathematics test and receive results only for
mathematics, or they may ask that French Immersion students write both the French math test and
the English reading and writing tests.
In Grade 6, French Immersion students are expected
to write all the tests in English, though they may use
a bilingual glossary of mathematical terms.
How are test results used?
Teachers and principals get a report that shows how
students performed in reading, writing and mathematics. If many students did poorly on a particular
Copies are available in several languages at www.peopleforeducation.com.
For more information, call 416-534-0100 or email: info@peopleforeducation.com
© People for Education 2009
EQAO Testing
skill, then teachers try to find better teaching strategies or resources to help students be more successful. If students in many schools have similar difficulties, then school boards know that all schools need
to improve their teaching strategies or find better
resources. Parents receive test results in the fall.
Results are sent to the school where the students
wrote the test, and the school forwards them to any
students who have left the school.
How can I get more information?
The EQAO website at www.eqao.com has answers to
frequently asked questions, sample tests, and test
results.
People for Education is an independent parents’ group working to support
public education in Ontario’s English, French and Catholic schools.
You can reach us at: P.O. Box 64, Station P, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2S6
Phone: 416-534-0100 • fax: 416-536-0100 • email: info@peopleforeducation.com or visit: www.peopleforeducation.com
Community Resources Available to You
Below are some valuable resources available to you in our
community.
1. Peel Public Health 905-799-7700
www.peelregion.ca/health
2. Child Development Resource Connection Peel
www.cdrcp.com
905-890-9432
3. Telehealth
1-866-797-0000
Free Access to a Registered Nurse — 24 Hours a day, 7 days a Week.
4. Erinoak Kids 905 820 7111
www.erinoakkids.ca
Programs and Services
•
•
•
•
•
•
Halton - Peel Preschool Speech and Language Programs - Client Services
Intake Centre 905-855-3557
Central West Infant Hearing Program (CWIHP)
Central West Blind Low Vision Program (CWBLVP)
Child and Youth Rehabilitation Program:
Central West Autism Intervention Services
Central West School Support Program-Autism Spectrum Disorders
(CWSSP-ASD)
5. Mississauga Halton Community Care Access Centre 905-855-9090
www.ccac-ont.ca/Content.aspx?EnterpriseID=6&LanguageID=1&MenuID=1
6. Peel Behavioural Services
905-712-4124
www.peelbehaviouralservices.ca
7.Community Living Mississauga 905 542 2694
www.clmiss.ca
8. Peel Children's Centre Main Office: (905) 795-3500
Crisis Response Service: (416) 410-8615
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
www.peelcc.org
9. Trillium Health Centre, Paediatric Outpatient Services (POPS Program)
Phone: 416-521-4120
P.O.P.S. is a multidisciplinary assessment/treatment program whose team
includes Occupational Therapists, Psychologists and Speech and Language
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 39
Pathologists. It provides assessment, diagnosis and treatment for preschoolers
between the ages of 2 and 5 ½ years of age who have developmental disabilities
such as autism or Asperger's disorder. Counselling, education and support is
offered to families. The P.O.P.S. team connects families with community services
and provides ongoing collaboration. Children must live in Mississauga or have a
doctor who is on staff at Trillium Health Centre. A doctor's referral is required.
10. Catholic Family Services of Peel
Mississauga Office
The Emerald Centre (HWY 10 - 1 block North of 403)
10 Kingsbridge Garden Circle, Unit 400
Mississauga, ON L5R 3K6
Telephone: 905 897-1644
Fax: 905.897.2467
Walk In Clinic Hours: Tuesdays 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
11. Family Services of Peel
905-453-5775.
151 City Centre Drive
Suite 501
Mississauga, Ontário
L5B 1M7 905-270-2250
www.fspeel.org
12. Ontario Early Years Centres Mississauga East
Address:
3160 Tomken Rd., Mississauga, Ontario, L4Y 2Y6
Tel.: 905-276-6392
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 40
Healthy Food & Recipe Suggestions from Peel Public
Health
The next few pages are courtesy of the Peel Public Health – Region
of Peel. Try some of these recipes with your family! Also, please
reference Health Canada’s Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide for
more valuable healthy eating information.
Banana Berry Wake-Up Shake 3
Here’s a quick shake that’s perfect for a breakfast-to-go or for a snack anytime.
Enjoy with a whole-grain or bran muffin.
Method
•
•
In a blender, mix fruit with a small amount
of the milk.
Add remaining milk, yogurt and cereal;
blend until smooth.
•
If shake is too thick, add extra milk to
achieve the desired consistency.
•
Sprinkle 100% bran cereal on top for
added fibre.
Nutritional Information
Ingredients
1 banana
1 cup
fresh or frozen berries (any
(250
combination)
ml)
1 cup
(250 milk
ml)
¾ cup
(175 lower-fat vanilla yogurt
ml)
optional: sprinkling of 100% bran
cereal
Per Serving (about 1 ¾ cups or 400 ml):
•
•
•
•
•
234 calories
9 g protein
4 g fat
44 g carbohydrate
3 g fibre
Excellent source of calcium, riboflavin, vitamin B6 and B12. Good source of vitamin
C and folacin.
From Cook Great Food © 2000. Published by Robert Rose. Reprinted by permission of Dietitians of Canada.
3
Reference: Peel Region of Health Website
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 41
Yummy in the Tummy Banana Muffins
125 mL (1/2 cup) all-purpose flour
125 mL (1/2 cup) white sugar
125 mL (1/2 cup) whole wheat flour
2 medium, ripe bananas
12 mL (2 1/2 tsp) baking powder
1 egg
1 mL (1/4 tsp) baking soda
125 mL (1/2 cup) milk
175 mL (3/4 cup) rolled oats
45 mL (3 tbsp) non-hydrogenated margarine, melted
50 mL (1/4 cup) lightly packed brown sugar
Food for Thought:
Omega-3 fatty acids
are important for
children’s healthy
development of the
eyes, nerves and
brain.
1. Preheat oven to 190 C (375 F).
2. Put the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder and baking soda
in a large bowl. Stir in oats, sugar, and brown sugar. Set aside.
3. Mash bananas in a medium bowl. Add egg, milk, and melted margarine. Mix
well.
4. Stir banana mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir just until blended. Do not
over mix.
5. Lightly grease 12 large muffin cups. Put the muffin batter into the muffin
cups.
6. Bake in oven until tops are firm when lightly touched with your finger, about
18-20 minutes.
7. Remove muffins from the tin and cool.
Makes 12 muffins. For little tummies, use mini muffin cups…they are more
appealing to kids!
Source: The Basic Shelf Cookbook, City of York Health Unit, 1995.
Add 15 mL (1 tbsp) of flaxseed powder to increase the fibre and omega-3 fatty
acid content of your recipes.
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 42
Trail Mix & Match
Ingredients
Equipment
½ cup
(125 ml)
•
Dry measures
•
Large mixing bowl
•
Airtight container
•
Mixing spoon
½ cup
(125 ml)
½ cup
(125 ml)
½ cup
(125 ml)
Microwave Method
½ cup
(125 ml)
popped popcorn
dry fruits
nuts
dry cereals
small unsalted pretzels
1. Chop dry nuts (if used)
2. Choose 2 of the following dry fruits: dry cranberries, dry pineapple, dry
apple slices, dry papaya pieces, chopped dry apricots, raisins, shredded
unsweetened coconut, or chopped dates.
3. Choose 2 of the following unsalted nuts: peanuts, sunflower seeds,
cashews, almonds, walnuts, or soy nuts.
4. Choose 1 of the following dry cereals: oat rings (lowfat), granola, wheat or
corn squares.
5. In a bowl, mix chosen ingredients with the popcorn or pretzels.
6. Store in airtight container.
Nutrition Information
Will depend on ingredient choices.
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 43
Cheesy Macaroni and Cheese
500 mL (2 cups) uncooked macaroni
Food for Thought:
284 mL (10 oz) canned cream of mushroom soup
250 mL (1 cup) milk
125 mL (1/2 cup) onion, finely chopped
Pasta is a source of B
vitamins and iron.
375 mL (1 1/2 cup) cheddar or mozzarella cheese, grated
1. Preheat oven to 175 C (350 F).
2. Cook macaroni in boiling water; drain and set aside.
3. Mix cream of mushroom soup, milk, and onion; heat and bring to
a boil. Add
macaroni and 175 mL (3/4 cup) cheese.
4. Pour into an oven proof dish and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
5. Bake at 175 C (350 F) for 20 minutes. Turn oven to “broil” for 2 to
3 minutes,
until cheese is browned.
Makes 4 – 6 servings.
Source: Dairy Farmers of Ontario 2003.
Need some color? Add broccoli or red peppers or both! You’ll be
adding vitamin C and fibre.
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 44
Veggie Fries
2 medium potatoes
Food for Thought:
1 sweet potato
1 parsnip
Sweet potatoes are an
2 carrots
excellent source of
30 mL (2 tbsp) vegetable oil
vitamin A.
Salt and pepper
30 mL (2 tbsp) fresh parsley, cilantro, rosemary or dill, chopped (optional)
1. Preheat oven to 220 C (425 F). Lightly oil 2 baking sheets.
2. Cut the clean and peeled vegetables into wedges of the same size. Place in
a bowl,
add the oil and toss.
3. Spread the vegetables in an even layer on the baking sheets.
4. Bake for 20 minutes until crisp and lightly brown. Turn the fries over half
way through the baking.
5. Sprinkle lightly with salt, pepper and fresh herbs (if using). Serve
immediately.
Makes 6 – 8 servings.
Source: Cooking in the Community, Toronto Public Health, 2004.
Try dipping the fries in hummus. Hummus is good for its protein, folic acid and
fibre.
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 45
Mamma’s Chili
900 g (2 lbs) of lean ground beef or chicken
Food for Thought:
200 mL (7 oz) can whole kernel corn
1 onion, minced
Adding legumes
30 mL (2 tbsp) hilli powder
(beans, lentils and
3 cloves garlic, minced
chick peas) to any
5 mL (1 tsp) ground cumin
recipe increases the
3 x 445 mL (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes
amount of fibre, folic
pepper to taste
acid and iron.
250 mL (8 oz) can tomato sauce
5 mL (1 tsp) hot pepper sauce (optional)
250 mL (1 cup) water
540 mL (19 oz) can kidney beans
540 mL (19 oz) can garbanzo or pinto beans
1. In a large pot lightly brown lean ground beef or chicken, and drain fat.
2. Add onion and garlic and cook until onion is tender.
3. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, kidney beans, garbanzo or pinto
beans, corn, hilli powder, cumin, pepper and hot sauce.
4. Simmer for 30 minutes and serve with rice, noodles or a bun.
Makes 8 servings.
Add your favourite chopped vegetables such as green pepper, shredded
carrots, zucchini, etc…to add vitamins and minerals!
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
Page 46
Easy Fajitas
If you prefer, substitute chicken with beef or pork – it’s a great way to use leftover
meat. Use any vegetable that your family loves.
1 pepper or other vegetable sliced
Food for Thought:
250 mL (1 cup) grated cheese
15 mL (1 tbsp) vegetable oil
Red peppers are
500 mL (2 cup) cooked warm chicken
higher in beta
1 onion sliced
carotene (vitamin A)
300 mL (1 1/4 cup) salsa
and vitamin C than
1 diced tomato
green peppers.
8 small whole wheat flour tortillas
1. Stir fry the onion and vegetable until tender in a pan with vegetable oil.
2. Place all ingredients on a large platter in piles
3. Put the salsa in a bowl.
4. Each person can make their own fajita, adding the ingredients that they like
onto the centre of a tortilla. Add a spoonful of salsa if desired.
5. Roll or fold the tortilla to contain the ingredients.
It’s ready to eat!
Makes 4 – 6 servings.
Want to try something a bit different? Try other great varieties of tortillas, such
as tomato or spinach.
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Page 47
Awesome Apple Crisp
900 g (5 cups) apples, washed, peeled and sliced Food for Thought:
25 mL (2 tbsp) brown sugar
Rolled oats and apples
125 mL (1/2 cup) rolled oats
are good sources of
50 mL (1/4 cup) all-purpose flour
fibre.
125 mL (1/2 cup) brown sugar
2 mL (1/2 tsp) cinnamon
75 mL (1/3 cup) non-hydrogenated margarine or butter, softened
1. Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F).
2. Prepare the apples and place them in the baking dish. Add 25
mL (2 tbsp) brown sugar.
3. To make the topping, measure the brown sugar, rolled oats, allpurpose flour, cinnamon and butter into a bowl. Mix together until
crumbly.
4. Sprinkle the topping over the apples.
5. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until the fruit is tender when
tested with a fork.
Makes 6 servings.
Source: Cooking in the Community, Toronto Public Health, 2004.
Instead of using just all-purpose flour, mix half whole wheat flour
and half all-purpose flour to add extra fibre.
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Page 48
Chicken Pizza
Preheat oven to 350°F.
1 12-inch pizza dough round, prepared or homemade
1/3 cup tomato paste
1/3 cup water
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp celery seed
Dash hot pepper sauce
Pinch black pepper
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 cup diced cooked chicken
1/2 cup diced canned pineapple
1/4 cup diced green bell pepper
1 1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
Dried oregano and celery seed
1. Place pizza dough round on large baking sheet. Combine tomato paste,
water, oil and seasonings. Spread over dough. Arrange mushrooms,
chicken, pineapple, and green pepper on top. Top with mozzarella and
Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with oregano and celery seed. Bake in
preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes. Cut into wedges and serve.
Makes 6 servings
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Physical Fitness - How much
activity do children need?
Young Children (0 to 6 years)
Although children seem pretty active, many
young children are confined to strollers, baby
seats or playpens for long periods of time.
Young children need to be active every day to
help them learn to walk, run, cope with their
emotions and make physical activity a normal
part of everyday life. Be active with your
children and lead by example.
School Age Children (6 to 14 years)
Canada’s Physical Activity Guide for Children
recommends increasing children’s current
physical activity by at least 30 minutes a day.
Keep increasing physical activity time
gradually to reach the goal of at least 90
minutes per day.
The 90 minutes of physical activity should
include:
1 hour of moderate activities such as
walking or biking, and
½ an hour of vigorous activity such as
playing soccer, running, skipping rope or
playing basketball.
The 90 minutes of activity does not have to be
done all at one time, it can be done in 10-15
minute periods throughout the day.
Example:
St. Dominic Parent Reference Book
20 minutes walking to school
20 minutes doing gymnastics in gym
class
20 minutes running around on the
playground at lunch time
Page 50
20 minutes biking with friends after
school
10 minutes walking the dog after
dinner
Try to include these three types of activities:
1. Endurance – Running, swimming, and
soccer are activities that strengthen the
heart and lungs.
2. Flexibility – Try bending, stretching, or
reaching in activities like gymnastics or
dancing.
3. Strength – Climbing or helping carry the
groceries are activities that help build
strong muscles and bones.
Find FUN activities for your children and the
entire family!
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Page 51
TIPS FOR PARENTS
Health and Physical Education
and Daily Physical Activity
Did you know?
• By the time the average student graduates
from high school, he or she will have spent
15,000 hours watching TV, and just 500 hours
in Physical and Health Education programs.
• Over half of Canadian children and youth are
not active enough for optimal growth and
development.
• Physical, emotional, and mental health are key
predictors of future quality of life for our kids.
• With 95% of Ontario’s children attending public schools, our local schools are the ideal place
to promote mental health, healthy eating, and
increased physical activity for students.
• Only 40% of Ontario’s elementary schools have
specialist teachers in physical and health education; most are part-time; and only half of
them teach all students in the school!
• Most students stop taking Physical and Health
Education after grade 9.
What do students learn in Health and Physical
Education (H&PE)?
• Students are required to take Health and
Physical Education (H&PE) from Kindergarten
through grade 8.
• High school students must earn one credit
in Health and Physical Education in order to
graduate.
• A new H&PE curriculum is being introduced,
which will focus more on developing and supporting life-long healthy habits.
• The curriculum for elementary students
teaches fundamental movement skills, healthy
living, and active participation. Healthy living
includes healthy eating, growth and development, sexual health, personal safety and injury prevention, and substance use and abuse.
Fundamental movement skills include locomotion/traveling, manipulation, and stability.
Active participation includes physical activity,
physical fitness, living skills, and safety.
• In high school, the program continues to build
these skills, with a greater emphasis on the
living skills component, to help address the
unique physical and emotional challenges that
adolescents face. The Health and Physical Education courses in Grades 9 and 10 are made up
of four strands: physical activity, active living,
healthy living, and living skills.
What Difference Do Specialist Teachers Make?
• Specialist physical education teachers receive
extra training to acquire the specialized knowledge needed to teach health and physical
education.
• Specialist teachers deliver more effective and
consistent physical and health education programs than regular classroom teachers.
• Specialist teachers can provide the necessary leadership to build a health-promoting
environment throughout the entire school
community.
What is DPA (Daily Physical Activity)?
• In 2007, the provincial government introduced
“Daily Physical Activity” (DPA) for all elementary schools, requiring schools to provide 20
minutes of sustained physical activity every
day.
Why are DPA and Health & Physical Education so
important?
• Regular physical activity is essential for the
healthy growth of children and youth.
• Students spend a large part of their time in
school, making it the perfect place to provide
programs that promote health and well-being.
• Research has shown that physical activity
This project was made possible through funding from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.
For more information, call 416-534-0100 or visit our website at www.peopleforeducation.com
© People for Education 2009
Health and Physical Education
and Daily Physical Activity
increases students’ ability to focus and pay
attention in class, and may result in better performance on academic achievement tests.
• Teenagers who engage in regular physical
activity have lower levels of anxiety and
depression.
• Physical activity helps students to maintain a
healthy body weight.
• Schools can provide health promotion programs and activities that do not depend on a
student’s wealth or background.
What can parents do to ensure students have
access to an effective, comprehensive Health and
Physical Education program?
• Talk to your principal and school council. Let
them know that quality physical education
programs are important to you. Ask how your
school can support physical activity opportunities for students.
• Spread the word! Use your school newsletter,
website, or bulletin boards to feature articles
and information about the importance of a
good quality health and physical education
program and its benefits for students.
• Write to your local newspaper or make a deputation to your school board or city council.
• Ask your school council to plan community
events that focus on increasing physical activity, e.g. Family Sports Night.
• At home, encourage all family members to
participate in some kind of activity every day
– walk, bike, dance, or play catch! Find things
that the whole family can do – it is a great way
to spend time together.
For More Information:
• The Heart and Stroke Foundation has a wealth
of information for parents, kids and teachers. You’ll find tips about healthy eating, lots of fun
programs, and strategies to increase physical
activity both at home and school. Go to www.
heartandstroke.on.ca.
• The Ministry of Education has information for
both educators and families, including how to
create a healthier school, healthy foods and
beverages and the Healthy Schools Recognition
Program. Go to www.edu.gov.on.ca and look for
the link to “Healthy Schools”.
• People for Education’s website has research
on Physical and Health Education Programs in
Ontario’s schools, and links to international
research and programs in other provinces. Go
to www.peopleforeducation.com/healthyschools.
• The Ontario Physical and Health Education
Association (Ophea) has many programs, activities and services for schools and communities
to enable children and youth to lead healthy
active lives. The majority of Ophea’s programs
and services are available for free. For more
information visit www.ophea.net.
• Many municipalities offer free, subsidized,
and low-cost fitness programs and activities.
Contact your local Parks and Recreation department to find out what’s available in your
area.
• The Federal government has a Children’s
Fitness Tax Credit of up to $500 for expenses
paid to register a child in a program of physical
activity. For more information, visit: http://
www.cra-arc.gc.ca/fitness/
People for Education is an independent parents’ group working to support
public education in Ontario’s English, French and Catholic schools.
You can reach us at: P.O. Box 64, Station P, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2S6
Phone: 416-534-0100 • fax: 416-536-0100 • email: info@peopleforeducation.com or visit: www.peopleforeducation.com
Ministry of Education Parent Tip Sheets on Learning
Strategies
These next few pages are from the Ministry of Education’s
abc123 program and provide excellent tips for parents in the
following areas:
reading
math
writing
homhomework
getting ready for school
helping your son read
talking to the teacher
choosing books for your child
More information is available by accessing the Ministry of
Education’s website at http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/abc123/eng/
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Page 53
10 Tips to help your child with reading
Tips for kindergarten to grade 3
1. Cuddle up and read. Quiet times together are opportunities to bond...and read. The
cuddling can be as important as the reading. Make it exciting: put some drama into your
voice or let your child read every other page. As you go, explain any new words or
ideas.
2. Public libraries today are worlds to explore so try to go regularly. Your library has
great resources – books, computer games, DVDs, CDs, magazines, newspapers and
Internet access. There are also terrific in-house programs such as reading circles for
little ones and homework clubs for older children. If you have access to a public library,
talk to the librarian about what is available.
3. Make your kitchen part of your "reading zone". Have fridge magnets available so
children can start making words and short sentences.
4. Words are everywhere – take everyday opportunities to read with your child. Your
child's world is filled with words – on cereal boxes, street signs, stores, posters, subway
ads, etc. Wherever you go, you can always find new words and point them out.
5. Games can be great learning tools. Board games or card games such as word bingo
or memory and rhyming cards can be a fun way to learn about words, letter sounds, and
reading. They can help children realize how much fun learning can be. Check out your
local school fair or second-hand stores for gently used games. You can even create
your own by cutting out pictures, writing words on cards and getting you child to match
them.
6. Computers are reader friendly too! Though many worry that kids may spend too much
time on the computer, there are some great games that help kids learn to read and allow
them to create their own stories. Look for "parent approved" on the packaging in stores
and in the library. Find some kid-friendly websites, like TVOKids and Canadian
Geoillustrated for Kids, that have games you can play along with your child.
7. Books make great gifts. Ask family and friends to give a book instead of a toy as a gift.
Make sure to tell them about your child's reading level and interests. To build up a home
library find almost-new books at garage sales and school fairs.
8. Subscribe to a magazine. There's no substitute for the excitement of receiving mail.
Let your kids subscribe to their favourite age-appropriate magazine and watch their eyes
light up with the arrival of each new issue. Great magazines for younger children include
Chirp® and Chickadee®.
9. Be a reading role model. When your kids see you reading, they will want to imitate
you. It won't be long until they learn that reading is fun, interesting, and a "grown up"
thing to do.
10. Keep books, magazines and newspapers handy. Keep a box in the kitchen or living
room for easy access.
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Tips for grades 4 to 6
1. Keep reading with your child. Kids are never too old to be read to–or let your kids read to
you. Read a variety of material – magazines, newspapers, books, poems and comic books.
Try cutting out or printing interesting or funny articles to share with them.
2. Public libraries today are worlds to explore so try and go regularly. Your library has great
resources – books, computer games, DVDs, CDs, magazines, newspapers and Internet
access. There are also terrific in-house programs such as reading circles for little ones and
homework clubs for older children. If you have access to a public library, talk to the librarian
about what is available.
3. Read some of the same books as your child. There are many books that are loved by
people of all ages. Ask your librarian or child's teacher for suggestions. You can share your
thoughts and ideas, and have great conversations about the characters, stories or topics.
4. Ask your children what they're reading. Ask what it's about and what is most enjoyable
about the book. Ask your child to describe it to you.
5. Tap into interests and hobbies. Kids are more likely to read about what they find really
interesting, like sports or crafts. Don't worry if it's a comic book, magazine or an illustrated
novel, just remember all reading is good and tastes will change as they get older. When you
go to the library, let them choose their own books.
6. Find books that relate to TV shows. Let's face it, TV and video games are part of life now
and our kids benefit when we help them learn how to think about these messages too. We
also know that some kids find TV and video games fascinating. You can use this to your
advantage–introduce them to books or magazines that relate to their favourite shows, movies
or games.
7. Encourage your older kids to read to younger kids. The older child will practice reading
out loud and the younger child will enjoy being read to. Best of all, they get to enjoy spending
time together.
8. Play games together. Trivia games and board games such as Junior Trivial Pursuit® or
Junior Scrabble® can be a fun way to learn about words and reading. Children have such a
good time playing they don't realize they are learning.
9. Computers can be reading zones too! Though we all feel that kids may spend too much
time on the computer, there are some great games that help kids with reading and allow them
to create their own stories and books. Look for "parent approved" on the box in stores and in
the library.
10. Give praise. The best motivation comes from your positive feedback. Whenever your child
finishes a reading or writing assignment, ask about what was read and praise your child's
effort.
A special note: Educators agree that literacy skills develop and improve as a result of a wide
range of activities. For example, a child's literacy skills are enhanced when parents who do not
speak one of Canada's official languages read to their children in their native language. Children
will benefit from this reading experience.
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10 Tips to help your child with math
Tips for kindergarten to grade 3
1. Counting can be fun and entertaining. Sing counting songs such as "One,
Two Buckle My Shoe". Your local librarian can recommend fun counting books.
Play Hopscotch – it's a counting game! There are lots of games where you
count, such as Snakes and Ladders, Dominoes, Crazy Eights and Candyland®.
2. Computers + math = fun. There are great computer games available for math
– ask your librarian or check out your local computer store. Make sure they are
"parent approved". There are also super websites that have fun math games,
such as TVOKids, or do an Internet search for other sites.
3. Start Easy and Work Up! Once they have got the hang of counting by 1s,
introduce skip counting, such as counting by 2s and 5s.
4. Use household items for counting practice. Practise adding and subtracting
with objects found around your house like spoons or pots and pans. When
they've become good at these skills, move on to simple multiplication.
5. Tap into your child's curiosity. Go on a number hunt together and discover
places where numbers are used such as a clock, TV, computer keyboard,
calendar, telephones and licence plates.
6. Use everyday activities. Your child's world is filled with everyday math
problems that can be solved. For example, "There are four people in our family
and we each need a knife and a fork to eat dinner. How many knives and forks
do we need to set the table?"
7. Kitchens can be math zones. Bake some muffins or cookies and ask your
child to help you measure out the ingredients. It may be a bit messy but it's fun
family time and there's nothing like a fresh cookie as a reward. Have math
fridge magnets available so children can start making number patterns and
doing simple math problems.
8. Predict and compare. Start to measure and estimate things like how far it is
from the driveway to the house or how long a trip will take and then measure
and compare the actual time it takes.
9. Talk about time. The concept of time can be hard to grasp. Talk to your kids
about minutes and hours. Then get them to try counting days and weeks – for
example how many "sleeps" until the weekend or a visit to a friend or relative.
10. Identify geometric shapes and sizes. Play "I Spy". Instead of looking for
words beginning with a letter, look for different colours or shapes and count the
number you find in the room.
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10 Tips to help your child with math
Tips for grades 4 to 6
1. Connect math to daily life. Let your kids know the importance of math in
day-to-day living. Talk about the ways you use math in your job and around
the house. Show them a tax form or how you pay the bills. Ask them how
they used math during the day.
2. Practise mental math using coins. For example, show that a certain item
costs a certain amount and ask what coins are needed to pay for it.
3. Play games together. Show them math can be fun and exciting. Play
family games to add excitement to math activities, like chess or checkers or
games in the car such as math bingo or adding licence plate numbers. Lots
of board games need math such as Junior Monopoly® or play card games
such as Uno®.
4. Cooking can be counting fun! Get older children involved in helping out at
dinner time and let them help measure ingredients for dishes or estimate the
number of potatoes that are needed to feed everyone.
5. Play the estimating game. Ask your kids to estimate measurements,
distances, time and grocery bills. Be sure to compare the estimate with
actual. Or get them to guess how much the apples you are going to buy will
weigh and then take them to the scale in the grocery store and find out.
6. Perform time calculations. For example, make up a sentence and ask
your child to recite it as many times as possible in 15 seconds. Then ask
how many times it could be repeated in 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes,
etc.
7. Use common toys to understand math concepts. Build a tower from
blocks. Count the blocks. Then talk about the need for a base of the right
size and the stability it creates.
8. Sports and math. There is a lot of math used in sports: batting averages,
points per game, save percentages – these are math terms that a sports
enthusiast will love. If you watch a game with your child, read the
newspaper report together sometime the next day and talk about the
math concepts.
9. Computers + math = fun. There are great computer games available for
math–ask your librarian or check out your local computer store. Make sure
they are "parent approved". There are also super websites that have fun
math games, so do an Internet search for sites and bookmark them for
future use.
10. Measuring made easy. Estimate and measure the area of different shapes.
For example, use small square objects (plastic tiles, dice, etc.) to estimate
then measure how many are needed to fill the area of various flat surfaces
such as a magazine cover.
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Page 57
10 Tips to help your child with writing
Tips for kindergarten to grade 3
1. Read from a variety of sources. Reading and writing are linked – success
in one supports success in the other. Read stories, newspapers,
advertisements, instructions, etc. to your child every day and then discuss
what you have read.
2. Encourage your child to write. Children love to make their own birthday
cards, write thank you notes, make place cards for the table, or send an
email to a friend. Save old cards from birthdays and holidays to recycle for
homemade cards. Whenever possible, let your child see you writing –
grocery lists, instructions on the family whiteboard, emails, etc. – and get
them to help.
3. Writing can be done anywhere. Have lots of magnetic letters or words on
the fridge. Get a box of chalk and write your names on the driveway or
sidewalk. Get a white board – it can be used again and again.
4. Play writing games. Make a game of letter finding. Show them how to form
a letter and then go letter hunting in your house or in a book – count the
number of "Ds" on a page. Find a picture they like and have them write
words or a sentence about it.
5. Help children build their vocabulary. Try rhyming games starting with one
word such as "mat". Say and write down all the words that rhyme, like "cat",
"hat", "fat" and "splat". You'll be surprised how fast their word list grows.
6. Explore the meaning of words. Create a word book at home and have
your child add words as they're learned. Have them note the words they use
the most and talk about why.
7. Write to each other. Write notes to your child and leave them in interesting
places, like the lunch box. Ask them to write a reply or come up with
something new. If they have their own email, email each other. Have kids
email jokes to family and friends.
8. Don't limit what you write with or what you write on. The sky's the limit –
pudding, sticks or fingers in mud, earth, snow and sand, sparklers, steamed
up windows and mirrors, and bubble soap markers for some sudsy learning.
9. Writing comes in all shapes and sizes. Point out different ways writing is
used – letters, signs, advertisements, instructions – and explain why they
are different. Also point out different ways letters are created – printed,
cursive (written) and fancy variations. Let them be inspired to create their
own letter art.
10. Start writing at an early age. Children often learn to write before they can
read. Encourage this by showing them how to print their name or the names
of friends and other family members. Buy them notebooks with lines so they
can learn to make their letters correctly or a practice book with letters they
can trace.
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10 Tips to help your child with writing
Tips for grades 4 to 6
1. Read from a variety of sources. Reading and writing are linked – success
in one supports success in the other. Read stories, articles, ads,
instructions, etc. to your child and then talk about what you have read.
2. Be a writing role model. Let your child see you writing when possible –
letters, work assignments, letters to the editor, email. Help your child to
understand about writing for different purposes like short stories, poems,
letters, etc. Make sure they see all different types of materials such as
books, magazines, newspapers, comic books and illustrated novels.
3. Get children to write on their own. Capturing the day's events on paper or
creating a story or poem is a great way for children to develop their own
writing style. Let them write about their interests – it doesn't matter what the
subject is.
4. Encourage your child to write down ideas. A journal or diary is a simple
way for kids to keep track of their thoughts or feelings. They can write about
things that happened at school, on TV, news stories, pictures, sports, and
activities. Journals can be purchased at the dollar store in a variety of sizes
with different covers. Or for a special occasion, get one with a lock for
private thoughts.
5. Keep writing sessions short. When your child has a writing assignment,
help to schedule brief periods of writing rather than trying to write it in one
go. Help create an outline before putting pen to paper.
6. Cyberspace writing. Encourage your children to write emails to or instantmessage with family and friends. If they have their own email address, write
emails to each other.
7. Computers can be a writer's best friend. Though we all feel that kids may
spend too much time on the computer, there are some great games that
help kids develop their writing skills by allowing them to create their own
stories and books. Look for "parent approved" on the packaging in stores
and in the library.
8. Encourage your child to talk it out. Writing mistakes can often be easily
caught by reading stories out loud.
9. Listen and talk to your children. Help your child talk about what, where,
when, how and why as they are preparing to write about something. If your
child seems stuck, ask what the problem is and talk about it.
10. Play games and do puzzles with your child. Games such as Junior
Scrabble®, word finders or crossword puzzles that involve creating and
using words are a great way to develop word vocabulary. Keep a dictionary
handy.
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Page 59
10 Tips to help your child with homework
Homework is an important part of learning. When you support your children's
homework routine, you can help them do better at school. Here are some simple
tips to help get the most out of their homework.
1. A routine is good. Homework can be habit forming and that's good news for you and
your child. Work out a homework schedule and make sure children adhere to it. It
won't be long before homework is complete without your getting involved.
2. Give space for homework. Distractions and homework don't mix. So do your best to
create a bright and quiet space where your child can concentrate on schoolwork. Make
sure it's away from distractions like TV, music and loud siblings.
3. Practice makes perfect. Repetition reinforces learning. That's why it's helpful to have
kids practice reading, writing and math with you every day. Ten to 15 minutes a day
can work wonders, whether reading a favourite book together, or helping measure
ingredients in the kitchen.
4. "How was your day?" Every school day is an adventure. Kids will do and learn so
much they'll be bursting to tell someone all about it. So take a few moments every day
to chat about the school day—and be a good listener.
5. Check in occasionally. When kids do their homework all alone, their concentration
can often wander. Check in once in a while and see how it's going. Ask if there are any
questions. Sometimes kids just need to talk about a homework problem to figure out
the answer.
6. Turn everyday activities into homework. Teachers give homework and so can you.
Include children in everyday tasks and assign activities such as searching
newspapers, reading recipes, creating shopping lists, plotting out routes on a map, etc.
Small activities can often teach big lessons.
7. Make kids proud of their effort. Getting the answers right is important, but it's only
part of what homework is all about. Doing a thorough and neat job is important, too.
Make it a habit to sit down and go over completed homework. Look at it together for
thoroughness and overall quality of work. Always look for something positive.
8. Motivate with applause. "Hey, you did a great job". Words like these have an
amazing effect on children. Encouragement gives them confidence and makes them
feel good about doing their best. At the end of every homework session, try letting your
son or daughter know that you appreciate and admire the effort.
9. Encourage curiosity and questions. Learning really begins when kids start asking
questions. Who, what, where, when and why are magical words of discovery that make
learning more interesting and fun. Give your children the confidence to ask for help if
the homework is difficult or confusing.
10. Know what's going on at school. Unfortunately, kids don't always tell parents
everything. Make a point of staying in touch with teachers, especially if you have a
question or concern. Let teachers know they can always call you if there is a problem.
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10 tips to get your child ready for school
Starting school is an important step in your son's or daughter's life—and yours. It's
a big change. It's exciting. It's even a little scary. Here are 10 tips that will help you
get your child ready for that first day of school.
1. Get familiar with the school. Before the first day of school, visit the school
with your child so that the route, the building, and school surroundings
become familiar.
2. Start the routine early. About a week or so before the start of school, begin
putting your child to bed at a normal time for a school night. For a week
before school starts, be sure your child then gets up, dressed, and fed like a
regular school morning.
3. Practise sharing. Give your child all kinds of opportunities to be with other
kids, to learn to share, wait, and take turns. That's what school is all about.
4. Children should dress themselves. You won't be at school to help your
child get ready for the outdoors. Encourage children to practise at home
putting on and taking off their own jacket, snowpants, boots, etc.
5. Dress your child accordingly. Your child is going to be active at school.
Choose clothes and shoes that are comfortable and durable. Give your child
outdoor clothing for all types of weather.
6. Teach the importance of listening. School means being able to listen.
Kids need to understand and practise listening, things like: look at who is
talking, don't interrupt, and think about what is being said.
7. Learn at home. Include learning in your child's everyday life. For example,
a child can practise by reading package labels or weighing produce while
shopping. Read to your child. Play word or counting games.
8. Develop young muscles. Give your child every opportunity to exercise and
develop larger muscles by running, climbing, playing with a ball, etc. Smaller
hand muscles can be strengthened with Play-Dough®, pencils, and
crayons.
9. Set "at home" ground rules. Figure out priorities for after-school activities,
homework, chores, TV time, and video games before the first day of school.
This will allow you to agree on a schedule and avoid confrontation later on.
10. Encourage questions. Give your child the confidence to ask questions in
all situations. Let your child know that it's OK to tell the teacher if something
is hard to understand.
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10 tips to help your son with reading
Research demonstrates that boys as a group are lagging in reading and writing
skills. If your son is having difficulty, he may need different approaches to
encourage interest in reading. Here are 10 simple tips you can use at home to
improve your son's literacy skills.
1. It takes time to build confidence and skill. It's not how hard the book is that counts,
it's the amount of reading that matters. Let your son choose the books he wants to
read, even if it's below his reading level. This will help him feel better about his reading
skills and give him confidence to try more challenging material.
2. Let him make his own choices. If it's his choice, then he'll want to read it. Don't worry
if he chooses the same types of books to read over and over or if they have edgy
humour. Remind yourself that he's actually reading and enjoying it.
3. Everybody enjoys a good story, so read to him. If your son finds a story interesting
but the book too hard, share the reading. This will also make the book more fun to
read.
4. Be a role model. Make sure your son sees you reading and writing. If he sees you
doing it, he'll respect you and the activity more.
5. Challenge his mind in other ways. Reading and writing are only a couple of ways to
challenge your son's mind. Spend time with him and share some brain teasing games
like chess, crossword puzzles, board games – even video games. An active mind is
better prepared for reading.
6. Give his teacher a call. Next to you, his teacher knows him best. Talk to your son's
teacher for updates on his reading and writing. Discuss ways that you can help
encourage your boy's literacy skills.
7. Have him read all sorts of material. There's much more to read that just books. Try
reading the instructions to a model airplane or new video game. It's all reading and it's
all good practice.
8. Tap into your son's hobbies and interests. Turn his interest in sports and music into
a reason for reading. Give him books and magazines about things that he already
finds fun and interesting and he'll soon discover that reading can be interesting too.
9. Use the Net. Just because it's on a computer screen doesn't mean it's not reading.
The Internet is loaded with great sites and games that are perfect for your son. Let his
interests be his guide to the sites he'll want to read. Exchanging emails with friends
and family is also a great way to practise writing. Just be sure he knows all about
Internet safety and that the parental controls are on.
10. Make his day with a positive word. A pat on the back, school work on the fridge, a
smile and the words "good going"... these are gestures that will motivate your son to
love reading and writing. So whenever your son finishes a reading or writing
assignment, has read a new book or written a story, show genuine interest in it and tell
him you're proud.
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10 tips to help you when talking to the teacher
The parent/teacher meeting is an important time to share ideas and information
with your child's teacher. You can also discuss ways to help your child develop
strengths and overcome challenges. These 10 tips will help you get the most out of
your time with the teacher. Remember: at many parent/teacher meetings, your
time will be limited.
1. Be prepared. Before meeting the teacher, think about what you want to
know and understand about your child's school experience. Review the
report card and write down key questions you want to ask.
2. Ask yourself questions. Focus on what you want to get out of your
parent/teacher meeting by asking yourself questions. For example, "What
methods are being used to teach my child?" or "What can I do to get
involved in my child's learning?"
3. Talk to your child before. Ask your children what they think they are good
at and what needs improving. Let them tell you how they feel about school,
the teacher and getting along with others.
4. Arrive ready. Be sure you come to the parent/teacher meeting in a positive
frame of mind and with all the materials you need. Bring the questions you
prepared in advance along with your child's report card.
5. Relax and feel confident. You know your child best and want what's best.
Remember, the teacher also wants your child to be successful.
6. Be clear about what's being said. If you need clarification or have
concerns about an answer the teacher gives, ask the teacher to explain it
further. Don't be satisfied until you fully understand.
7. Think about what was discussed. Take some time to think about what
you and the teacher talked about. If you are still unclear about something or
want to ask more questions, don't be afraid to call the teacher to talk further.
8. Follow-up at home. Talk with your child after you have met with the
teacher. Discuss what was talked about in the meeting, focusing on the
positive and how to achieve the goals that you set.
9. Keep a log or journal. Write down the actions you take and any
observations about your child. This is important information that can be
shared with the teacher at the next meeting.
10. Arrange the next meeting. Set a date when you will call the teacher for an
update on your child's progress or to arrange another meeting.
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10 tips that use arts and crafts to develop math and literacy skills
Art fosters a child's imagination. It can encourage problem solving and critical
thinking. Look for opportunities to help your children develop literacy, thinking and
math skills while they enjoy creating their art work.
1. Offer a wide range of art experiences. When kids can explore different
kinds of materials, they gain a sense of pride that is reflected in their
creativity. Art stimulates learning, and plays an important role in developing
their communication and thinking skills.
2. Organize different art materials and then let your kids explore them.
Encourage your kids to tell you what they like or don't like about certain
materials. Art helps develop decision-making skills and fosters imagination.
3. Gear art activities to your child's age and level of development. It takes
time for children to build skills and confidence, so offer them
encouragement.
4. Let your kids make their own choices. Art is a way for kids to express
their feelings. Keep the activity unstructured. For example, if your kids talk
about painting a snowman let them decide what it should look like.
Encourage them to talk about their choices, without judging their decisions.
5. Encourage your kids to explore interesting materials. These could
include leaves, pine cones, egg boxes, cereal boxes, straws, wrapping
paper, etc. Kids can count them, divide them into equal piles or match them
by colour. All of these activities build math and literacy skills.
6. Talk to your kids about what they are doing, rather than asking them to
interpret the art. Ask about the different colours, textures and shapes of
the materials. For example, ask "What does this painting make you think
of?", or "I wonder what will happen if we mix the red and blue paint
together?"
7. New activities are great vocabulary builders: Introduce new words like
"drizzle the glue", "dab the paint" or "sprinkle the sparkles". Keep a
dictionary close by to point out the words.
8. Point out art in the everyday environment. For example, talk about the
shapes and textures in the playground. Ask questions like, "How many
triangles can you count in the playground?". Talk about the different colours
of the leaves. Make a game out of estimating quantity. For example, ask
them to guess whether there are more red or yellow leaves in a certain
area.
9. Encourage questions. Giving kids the confidence to ask questions lets
them expand their knowledge and understanding of art. Use their questions
to introduce new words into their vocabulary.
10. Provide an area to display your child's work that so it can be enjoyed
by family and friends. Children enjoy seeing themselves as artists. Be
sure to date the artwork, so that you can talk about work done "6 weeks
ago" and they learn about time and calendars.
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5 tips to help choose books for your child
Here are some tips to help you choose books that will keep your children
enthusiastic about reading.
1. Select books that match your children’s skill level
The Five Finger Rule can help you find out if a book is easy, just
right or too hard. Ask your children to hold up a finger for every
word they do not understand on a page. If there are more than 4
or 5 words on a page they do not know, the book is probably too
hard and may prove frustrating. Try suggesting another book or
reading the book together.
2. Rhymes, repetition, humour and pictures
Younger children enjoy books that use word repetition, rhymes
and familiar words. Most children also like books that are funny.
Look for books with colourful pictures and simple words.
3. Use books to learn about life events
Reading books about events affecting your children’s lives (new
brother or sister, moving, new school) can help them deal with
fears and feelings. Choose books that relate to what’s happening
in your family.
4. Find favourite authors and popular books
If your child has a favourite book, try to find other books written
by the same author. Ask friends, family, and teachers what books
their children have enjoyed and try a book swap. The children’s
librarian at your local library can also be a great source for
popular book suggestions.
5. Read languages other than English or French
Any kind of reading can help your children develop their skills, so
encourage them to read books in languages besides English. If
your children know how to read in their first language, they will
find it easier to learn English.
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5 Tips for sharing family stories
1. Bring your child into the story
Choose stories about interesting things that happened to you or
to members of your family, including your child. Include your child
in the storytelling by making links to him/her. For example, “You
know how you like to ride your bike? Well this story is about a
time when I was your age and I rode my bike to get bread for
dinner…”
2. What kind of story to tell
Stories do not have to have a clear beginning, middle and end
with a problem and solution. They could simply describe an event
that happened. Try to keep the stories brief and simple,
especially for younger ones. Children’s attention spans become
longer as they get older.
3. Bring in all five senses
Use words that will relate to your child’s five senses – sight,
hearing, touch, smell and taste. These words help to bring the
story to life and make it more real for your child. Use physical
gestures like hand movements to show action, and facial
expressions to show emotion.
4. Introduce new words
Including one or two new words will add detail to the story and
help expand your child’s vocabulary. These could be words that
relate to the story that help to paint a better picture in your child’s
mind, e.g. invitation, guests, celebration, etc.
5. Tell stories anytime
Share family stories throughout the day –it doesn’t have to
happen only at bedtime. You could tell stories at meal time, on
walks through the community, while riding on a bus or subway,
while driving in a car or waiting for appointments.
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Internet Safety Resources for Parents and Children
The Internet is a valuable and beneficial tool that has become widely accessible to
people of all ages. The vast array of information and services available on the
Internet is staggering. However, as with any activity, Internet use has certain risks.
We need to be aware of the risks in order to help our children use the Internet
properly and safely.
The following links will guide you to some tips to help you encourage safe Internet
use in your home.
-----------------------------------------------------Kids in the Know
Internet Safety Guides for Parents
Cybertip.ca
Cybertip.ca is Canada's National Tipline for reporting the online sexual exploitation
of children.
- Children and Child Development
- Children’s Online Interests
- Chat Lingo
- How to Get Involved
- Internet Safety Guidelines
- Risks for Children on the Internet
Media Awareness Network
Media and Internet Education Resources for Parents
Parenting the Net Generation Workshop
Parents can work together to ensure kids are safe and savvy surfers by organizing
a Parenting the Net Generation workshop at their school.
Be Web Aware
For more ideas on how to build partnerships in your community to raise awareness
about kids’ Internet use, check out Be Web Aware, our public education program
on Internet safety.
Educational Games for Kids
Privacy Playground
Cybersense and Nonsense
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Get Net Wise
- Online Safety Guide
- Tools for Families
- Websites for Kids
- Reporting Trouble
Net Lingo
Top 50 Internet Acronyms Every Parent Needs to Know
National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children
NetSmartzKids.org
NetSmartz has developed Internet safety presentations for use with children of all
ages and adults. Educate parents and communities with slides detailing online
risks, statistics, resources, and tips for keeping children safer online. Encourage
tweens and teens to examine their online behavior and take steps to prevent
victimization of themselves and others. Teach younger children what to watch out
for on the Internet and how to avoid these risks.
NSTeens.org
Comic-book-style characters address social networking and cyberbullying through
animation, videos, and webcomics. Can these friends help each other make the
right decisions online and in the real world? Get safety tips, educational resources,
and more!
Peel Regional Police
Computer & Internet Safety
Cyberproofed? is an internet safety program designed to give students the
necessary tools to help protect themselves from being victimized by predators on
the Internet.
Ministry of Education Safe Schools
Online Respect and Responsibility
Video footage of the first-ever student forum held to generate discussion and
gather insights on how students are using the Internet, cell phones and other
online technologies.
Canadian Living.com
Keeping your child safe on the web (PDF)
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Ontario Provincial Police
Internet Safety Tips for Parents (PDF)
www.connect2ENDviolence.ca is a joint initiative of the Dufferin Peel Catholic
District School Board, the Regional Municipality of Peel Police Services, Peel
Regional Police, the Region of Peel and the Peel District School Board. The
website provides information, surveys, blogs and links on such topics as:
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Bullying
Child Abuse
Community Safety
Computer Safety
Cyberbullying
Diversity
Domestic abuse
Gang violence
www.connect2ENDviolence.ca is an interactive website that was developed as part
of the region's response to the escalating number of violent crimes occurring in the
Region. The website utilizes surveys and blogs to obtain input from visitors and
has an "ideas" webpage that provides information on what citizens in the
community are doing to reduce violence and to increase community safety.
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We hope this reference booklet helps guide you and your
children while at St. Dominic School.
If you have any questions about the content, please contact
the Principal or your Parent Council. They will be pleased to
help you.
A solid partnership between parents, teachers, students and
the parish will enhance the educational experience of your
child.
This reference booklet was made possible through PRO (Parents Reaching Out)
Grant from the Ontario Ministry of Education in 2010. The grants are provided
through annual application from School Councils. The intention and use of these
funds is to support school based iniatives. They are designed to inform and
engage parents in their children’s education.
"The great thing in this world is not so much where we stand,
but in what direction we are moving."
Oliver Wendall Holmes
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