Back to School

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2017

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Tips to prepare kids heading to kindergarten DEBORAH WANNER Contributing writer

The beginning of kindergarten is a significant milestone for children and their parents.

As parents, there are many things you can do to support your child’s smooth transition into the school system.

The following are some tips to help prepare your child for kindergarten.

1. Know your school: Play in the school playground regularly and make the schoolyard a destination for a family picnic during the summer.

Familiarity with the school grounds will help your child feel safe, comfortable and connected with their school.

PHOTO LISA KING

2. Leave your child: Full-day kindergarten is more than six hours long. Especially if your child has never attended a daycare or preschool, practise leaving them with a trusted adult and slowly increase the amount of time they are away from you. The school day feels particularly long for children who have never been separated from their parents for a full day.

Eleven-year-old Riya Bahia and her five-year-old brother Niki are ready to head back to school soon.

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3. Promote independence: Don’t do tasks for your child that they can do for themselves. Provide them with opportunities to be responsible for their own belongings, such as carrying their own backpack, tidying up toys,

hanging up coats and belongings, dressing themselves, etc.

Praise them for all tasks they complete without support.

4. Practise personal hygiene: Your child needs to be able to use the bathroom and wash their hands independently.

5. Practise changing clothes: Select clothing that is easy for your child to put on and take off independently. They will need to be able to put on and do up their own coats and to change their shoes from “outside shoes” to “inside shoes.”

6. Learn play skills: Practise taking turns and learning to lose games. Learning to play with others and to make compromises, such as letting the other person choose the activity, can be difficult for many four- and five-year-olds.

7. Practise following directions: Give your child plenty of opportunities to follow oral directions “on first ask” so they are ready to pay attention and follow the instructions of the teacher. Provide lots of praise for tasks completed promptly.

8. Practise eating a packed lunch: Pack food for the day in the lunch bag and containers that you will be providing for your child when they are at school. Clarify where their “snack” will be and where the

See Practising page 31

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BACK to SCHOOL

End-of-summer reading list tailored to teens SHANNON OZIRNY Contributing writer

The transition from elementary to high school is a big one and many students see the most change in the expectations around research for assignments.

Searching for a few minutes on Google just isn’t enough.

While students have access to some online databases through their school libraries, a public library card gives students access to even more resources including ebooks, newspapers from around the world (including those normally behind paywalls on Google) and even online courses for skill-building through lynda. com.

If the student in your life doesn’t yet have their free public library card, this is the perfect time to get one at your local branch.

Youth librarians are specialists in finding a book for everyone, even teens who think they hate reading.

Whether it’s music, video games, sports, technology, or fashion, all teens have an

interest or hobby that can be leveraged into a book recommendation. This list of brand new, engaging, high-quality titles offers something for everyone: ! Saints and Misfits, S.K. Ali Toronto author S.K. Ali’s debut is a realistic story of what it’s like to be a Muslim teen in contemporary North America. It’s touching, hilarious, scary and real. ! Missing, Kelley Armstrong Canadian author Kelley

Armstrong is a master of fast-paced, unpredictable thrillers. The twists and turns in this one are pure, shocking fun. ! The One Memory of Flora Banks, Emily Barr This British import is about a teenaged girl with a memory that resets every few minutes. Beautifully written with an explosive twist ending, this has definite crossover appeal for adults. ! Defy the Stars, Claudia Gray This is an ambitious sci-fi novel about how artificial intelligence and human life co-exist across multiple galaxies. ! The Fashion Committee, Susan Juby B.C. author Susan Juby is one of the funniest authors writing for teens today, and her latest book tells the story of two high school students competing for a prestigious fashion school scholarship. ! Miles Morales: SpiderMan, Jayson Reynolds National Book Award finalist Jayson Reynolds offers a modern take on the SpiderMan origin story. Perfect for teens who would rather go

to the theatre than read a book. ! Spill Zone, Scott Westerfeld An eerie, haunting graphic novel about the effects of a

mysterious spill on a small New York town. Great for fans of The Walking Dead.

Looking for more?

Ask your local youth

librarian for personalized recommendations.

Shannon Ozirny is head of Youth Services at West Vancouver Memorial Library.

Shannon Ozirny, head of youth services at West Vancouver Memorial Library provides some end-of-summer reading suggestions specifically for teens. PHOTOS LISA KING

WV wool sock buddies protect fruit ROSALIND DUANE rduane@nsnews.com

When Dianne Sherwood was growing up her family moved around a lot.

The constant change and string of new schools was unsettling and resulted in some "terrifying times" in unfriendly school cafeterias.

"Friends were scarce and short-lived," recalls Sherwood.

But there was one exception: her good luck teddy, Theodore Bon Chance. Theodore was a burgundy velvet pocket teddy that Sherwood's grandmother had crafted to help her feel brave on the loneliest of days. Sherwood, a longtime West Vancouver resident, has now crafted her own wool sock version of her grandma's creation called The Fruit Buddy, which is designed to keep fruit safe in school lunches and provide a special buddy throughout the day. She says it will also help ripen fruit if it's placed in the sock up to two days ahead of time.

Fruit Buddies are available on the North Shore at Dundarave Marketplace IGA and Mo’s General Store in North Vancouver.

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We are fully stocked for back to school with new styles arriving weekly.

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2017

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BACK to SCHOOL

Believe... Strive... Excel!

The Brockton Difference: Small school, inclusive community, authentic environment, where every student is respected and valued for their unique gifts.

• Exceptional IB programme and enriched curriculum • Outstanding IB and BC certified faculty

• Junior Kindergarten (4 years old by Dec. 31) • Graduating students accepted to impressive post-secondary schools or institutions

• Specialist teachers (from JK - Gr. 12)

• Newly constructed Senior School building

• Small class sizes with personalized attention • Before and after school as well as activities

• Financial aid available • New: entrance scholarships for 2017/ 2018 DP

available on-site

Authorization

A special art project by West Vancouver students and students from the Gitga'at Nation in northern B.C. is currently on display at the Harmony Arts Festival. PHOTO SUPPLIED

West Van students help design unique mural ROSALIND DUANE rduane@nsnews.com

Students in West Vancouver and the Gitga’at Nation in northern B.C., worked together this past spring on a large art mural and exhibition now on display at the Harmony Arts Festival.

The project was led by art teacher Jackie Wong, who directs the ArtWest 45 program at West Vancouver Secondary, and Hartley Bay school principal Cam Hill.

According to information from the school board, the program was designed to deepen understanding of the unique cultures and lands of each community. It was funded by a grant for nearly $50,000 from the government of Canada and $10,000 from the West Vancouver Community Foundation. It was approved for a total of $49,100 in funding under the Celebration and Commemoration program – Canada 150 Fund.

Gitga’at and West Vancouver Youth: Mural of Merging Voice was guided by professional artist Cori Creed, who assisted the students with the creative process, production, critique, assessment and installation of the mural. In addition to hands-on studio instruction, students in each coastal community will travel to the other community to work together on the project, build cross-cultural awareness and celebrate their attachment to the land, community and country.

The final result, which was scheduled to be on display at the West Vancouver Museum, the Harmony Arts Festival and the Museum of Northern B.C., consisted of at least eight separate 4x8 panels with a photographic base and additional layers of paint, pen, charcoal and other mediums.

“From concept to completion, this innovative project will create meaningful discussions around reconciliation, and strengthen community understanding of the history, environment, beliefs and relationship to the land," noted Wong in a release.

Practising skills helps kids adjust

Still accepting applications for selected spots at selected grade levels. brocktonschool.com • 604-929-9201 3467 Duval Road, North Vancouver

The official Youth Band of West Vancouver: A tradition of excellence in music since 1931 Over 87 years of commitment to excellence, tradition and community. Open to musicians aged 9 and up from the North Shore and across the lower mainland. A band & strings music program to suit all ages levels of experience: Four Band and two String Divisions, Orchestra and other specialized programs.

NEW MEMBERS NIGHT

From page 29

Wednesday, September 6th at 7:30pm

lunch items will be. Have your child practise opening and sealing the containers. Provide plenty of healthy food choices. Fruits and vegetables, cheese and crackers, deli meats, sandwiches, and wraps cut into bite-sized pieces are ideal for school. You can also choose to send warm soups, pasta and rice dishes in a thermos.

No Experience Necessary New Members Night and all rehearsals take place in the Music Hall, Lower level, West Vancouver Community Centre.

Call 604-912-3412 for more information or register online now at:

9. Read to your child: There are many books and stories available at your local library about going to school.

www.westvanyouthband.ca

10. Leave with a smile: Parents can be very emotional on their child’s first day of school. If you are calm, happy, and encouraging and demonstrate confidence in your child’s readiness for school, they will be more likely to head into the classroom with a smile.

Deborah Wanner is the district principal of Enhanced Programs at the North Vancouver School District.

Brockton School is a non-denominational, co-educational, International Baccalaureate (IB) School supporting grades from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Starting school can be a scary prospect for some kids, but family support from parents and siblings can help the transition.

FILE PHOTO CINDY GOODMAN