Homes & Lifestyle Fall 2016

BURLINGTON/OAKVILLE EDITION

BACK TO SCHOOL EDITION

After School Programs Healthy L unch Ideas FINDING THE

BEST SCHOOL

FOR YOUR CHILD

FALL 2016

Homes For Sale

IN OAKVILLE & BURLINGTON

LISTED BY THE INVIDIATA TEAM

2345 Wyecroft Road, Unit 23, Oakville, Ontario L6L 6L8 905.847.2071 www.cheney.ca

FALL 2016

BACK TO SCHOOL EDITION

CONTENTS 9

Pack Some Punch: Healthy Lunch Ideas for Your Kids

Home & Lifestyle Magazine PUBLISHER Preferred Publishing EDITORS Christopher Invidiata Caleb Invidiata Lauren Lowe Erica Nelson CREATIVE DIRECTOR Cathryn Haynes CONTRIBUTORS

15 9

Invidiata Presents: A Collection of Fine Homes

31

Catsino Royale: Raising Awareness for the Oakville Milton Humane Society

Michelle Bogal Tammy Leigh Erica Nelson Mike Spry CREATIVE DESIGNERS Jennifer Douglas Jason Milutinovic Katie Taylor PHOTOGRAPHERS Chris Bacik Geoff Grenville Caleb Invidiata Lauren Leies Sam Michaud

38

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Pick the Best for Your Child: Independent Schools in Oakville and Burlington

46

Sara Lynn Paige Photography Tina Picard Ross Rock ADVERTISING SALES Katie Taylor FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Please contact Katie Taylor at 289.337.0765 or email info@preferredpublishing.ca www.preferredpublishing.ca

Beyond the Classroom:

The Best Extra Curricular Programs in Your Area

46 4

View The Magazine Online At Pr e fe r r e d Pub lish ing.ca All square footages are approximate.

Some square footages include living space in the lower level. Information is subject HOMES & LIFESTYLE to errors and omissions. E. & O.E. Not intended to solicit properties currently for sale.

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HEALTHY

IDEAS

BY MICHELLE BOGLE

FALL 2016

9

I

t’s that time of year again – back to school time! And, with this most wonderful time of the year also comes the often dreaded task of making school lunches. For many parents, packing a nutritious lunch

that their kids will actually eat can feel like a tall order, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are 10 delicious lunch ideas that are nut free, healthy and full of kid-friendly flavours.

Best of all, many of these recipes

Ham & Cheese Pinwheels

If your kiddos love ham and cheese sandwiches, they will

can be prepped in advance,

spin for these ooey-gooey pinwheels. Simply unroll pre-made

meaning less work for

puff pastry onto a baking sheet and top with Dijon mustard,

Mom and Dad on those

nitrate-free ham and Swiss cheese. Next, roll the pastry

busy mornings.

into a log, cut into one-inch rounds and bake until golden brown. Once cooled, these cheesy bites are ready for the lunch box or can be stored in the freezer for another day.

ZOODLES & MEATBALLS

Zucchini noodles are a healthy, vitamin-rich alternative to regular pasta – and kids love them too because they are

Banana Rolls-Ups

fun to eat. Simply toss warmed, blanched zoodles into

Banana roll-ups are a fun, nut-free twist on the classic peanut

cooked Italian meatballs,

butter and banana sandwich. Spread a nut-free alternative, like

tomato sauce and grated

apple butter, jam or sun butter, on a whole grain tortilla and top

parmesan cheese.

it with a banana. For added flavour and texture, sprinkle raisins,

This delicious dish is

cinnamon or even flax seeds over top, then roll the banana in

sure to be the talk of

the tortilla for a healthy lunch that your kids will gobble up.

the lunchroom!

10

Photo: Nom Nom Paleo

a thermos and top with pre-

HOMES & LIFESTYLE

RAINBOW SPRING ROLLS

Getting your children to “eat the rainbow” may seem impossible, but not with these colourful spring rolls. Just soak rice paper rounds in water until pliable, then roll them up with vibrant veggies, like julienned carrots, strips of purple cabbage, thinly sliced yellow peppers, cucumber sticks, shredded beets and avocado slices. For added protein and fibre, serve with white

Photo: Epicurious

bean hummus for dipping.

Teriyaki Fried Rice

Frittata Bites Mini frittata muffins

are a versatile and nutrient-

Warm and nourishing, this pan-fried rice is a

dense lunch that your little ones are sure to love.

make-ahead favourite that whips up quickly too.

Best of all, anything goes when it comes to the ingredients!

Just scramble some eggs, then add cooked

Simply pour whisked eggs into muffin tins and top with spinach, bell

brown rice, shelled edamame and low-sodium

peppers, shredded carrots, mushrooms, sausage, ham, cheese or

teriyaki sauce to the pan. Toss together and fill

even cooked quinoa. Once baked and cooled, you’ll have a

into a warmed thermos for a savoury lunch that

protein-packed lunch that will keep your kids full all afternoon.

will leave your kiddos wanting more.

FALL 2016

11

Quickie Quesadillas

Your kids will flip when they find these quesadillas in their lunch boxes – and you’ll love how easy they are to make too.

Heat a whole grain tortilla in a skillet and layer your ingredients on top, like black beans, grilled chicken, shredded cheeses, and veggies; then fold and flip. Even served cold, these quesadillas are a delicious, filling lunch that goes well with salsa, sour cream or guacamole.

Bento Brunch real maple syrup, hard-boiled eggs,

Photo: LunchBots

turkey sausage and fresh berries are a great way to get out of a lunchtime rut. Pair them with a dairy option, like Greek yogurt or cottage cheese, and you have a complete meal that covers all four food groups.

for cooler fall days, chili is a

LUNCH BOX KEBABS

wonderfully warm way to sneak

lunch box kebabs. They are so easy to make – all you need

extra veggies, protein and fibre into

are your favourite sandwich fixings, like whole grain bread,

your kids. The evening before, simply toss your favourite

nitrate-free meat, cheese, veggies and fruit. Cut them into

chili ingredients into a crockpot and let it cook overnight. In

bite-sized pieces (or use a cookie cutter) and slide onto skew-

the morning, all you’ll need to do is fill your thermoses and

ers, like popsicle sticks or coffee stirs. Even the

pack some toppings, like shredded cheese or tortilla chips,

fussiest of eaters will get a kick out of these!

Hearty Chili Filling, healthy and perfect

Say goodbye to boring sandwiches and hello to these playful

for a healthy lunch that your kids will look forward to.

12

HOMES & LIFESTYLE

Photo: Eat - Drink - Love

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Unit 405 - 1284 Guelph Line $299,000 Mountainside | Burlington WebID: 3041 *Christopher Invidiata & *David Bakowsky & *Kelly Rowe

759 Hyde Road $350,000 Maple | Burlington WebID: 3050 *Christopher Invidiata & *Mathew McAuley & *Mariola Broder

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$749,000 WebID: 3013

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$4,555,550 WebID: 2861

Make Your Move Today • 905.339.3444 • www.invidiata.com The Invidiata Team Re/Max Aboutowne Realty Corp. Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated *Sales Representative • **Broker

Homes in Burlington Listed for Sale by The Invidiata Team

SOLD

16 www.homesandlifestyle.ca Homes in Burlington Listed for Sale by The Invidiata Team

4164 Inglewood Drive Shoreacres | Burlington *Christopher Invidiata & *Marija Kolesar & *Mariola Broder

$4,998,000 WebID: 2995

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$5,800,000 WebID: 2998

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$5,998,000 WebID: 2636

3448 Lakeshore Road Roseland | Burlington *Christopher Invidiata & *Marija Kolesar & **Ping Shu

$7,000,000 WebID: 3103

Make Your Move Today • 905.339.3444 • www.invidiata.com The Invidiata Team Re/Max Aboutowne Realty Corp. Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated *Sales Representative • **Broker

Homes in Burlington Listed for Sale by The Invidiata Team

4251 Britannia Road North Burlington *Christopher Invidiata, *Claudia Chopik & *Marija Kolesar

18 www.homesandlifestyle.ca

Unit 303 - 128 Garden Drive Central Oakville *Christopher Invidiata & *Claudia Chopik

$548,880 WebID: 2773

2089 Fiddlers Way Westmount | Oakville *Christopher Invidiata & *Manal Boutros

$799,900 WebID: 3084

Homes in Oakville Listed for Sale by The Invidiata Team

1538 Sandpiper Road West Oak Trails | Oakville *Christopher Invidiata & *Shae Invidiata

$898,888 WebID: 3101

Unit 213 - 11 Bronte Road Bronte | Oakville *Christopher Invidiata & *Shae Invidiata

$1,019,000 WebID: 3104

Make Your Move Today • 905.339.3444 • www.invidiata.com The Invidiata Team Re/Max Aboutowne Realty Corp. Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated *Sales Representative • **Broker

19 www.homesandlifestyle.ca

SOLD $1,095,000 WebID: 3105

2126 Devon Road Ford | Oakville *Christopher Invidiata & *David Bakowsky & *Manal Boutros

$1,699,000 WebID: 3015

SOLD 2242 Hillmount Drive Westmount | Oakville *Christopher Invidiata & *Lorne Howell

Make Your Move Today • 905.339.3444 • www.invidiata.com The Invidiata Team Re/Max Aboutowne Realty Corp. Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated *Sales Representative • **Broker

$1,598,888 WebID: 3069

Homes in Oakville Listed for Sale by The Invidiata Team

Unit 709 - 11 Bronte Road Bronte | Oakville *Christopher Invidiata & *Shae Invidiata

20 www.homesandlifestyle.ca

SOLD 2201 Wuthering Heights Way Bronte Creek | Oakville *Christopher Invidiata & *Patsy Gauer

$1,769,000 WebID: 3095

Homes in Oakville Listed for Sale by The Invidiata Team

369 Lees Lane West Oakville *Christopher Invidiata & *Pamela Gottschalk

532 Patricia Drive West Oakville *Christopher Invidiata & *Aimee Kain & *Kirsten Leggat

37 Birkbank Drive $1,895,000 Ford | Oakville WebID: 2931 *Christopher Invidiata & *Kirsten Leggat & Aimee Kain

$2,388,000 WebID: 3113

$2,599,000 WebID: 3057

Make Your Move Today • 905.339.3444 • www.invidiata.com The Invidiata Team Re/Max Aboutowne Realty Corp. Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated *Sales Representative • **Broker

21 www.homesandlifestyle.ca

2092 Devon Road Ford | Oakville *Christopher Invidiata & *Lorne Howell

Make Your Move Today • 905.339.3444 • www.invidiata.com The Invidiata Team Re/Max Aboutowne Realty Corp. Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated *Sales Representative • **Broker

$2,659,000 WebID: 2880

$2,850,000 WebID: 3081

Homes in Oakville Listed for Sale by The Invidiata Team

1340 Lakeshore Road West Southwest Oakville *Christopher Invidiata & *Pamela Gottschalk

22 www.homesandlifestyle.ca Homes in Oakville Listed for Sale by The Invidiata Team

4 Lambert Common South West Oakville *Christopher Invidiata & *Kirsten Leggat & *Aimee Kain

$2,995,000 WebID: 2913

LEASED

410 Drummond Road South East Oakville *Christopher Invidiata & *Marija Kolesar

$3,495,000 WebID: 171

Make Your Move Today • 905.339.3444 • www.invidiata.com The Invidiata Team Re/Max Aboutowne Realty Corp. Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated *Sales Representative • **Broker

23 www.homesandlifestyle.ca

495 MacDonald Road Old Oakville *Christopher Invidiata & *Kirsten Leggat & *Aimee Kain

Make Your Move Today • 905.339.3444 • www.invidiata.com The Invidiata Team Re/Max Aboutowne Realty Corp. Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated *Sales Representative • **Broker

$3,788,000 WebID: 2605

$3,895,000 WebID: 104

Homes in Oakville Listed for Sale by The Invidiata Team

1 Colonial Crescent Morrison | Oakville *Christopher Invidiata & *David Bakowsky

24 www.homesandlifestyle.ca Homes in Oakville Listed for Sale by The Invidiata Team

499 Lakeshore Road East Old Oakville *Christopher Invidiata & *Shae Invidiata

Listed for Sale by

228 Lakewood Drive Central Oakville *Christopher Invidiata & *Marija Kolesar & *David Bakowsky

$3,998,000 WebID: 3102

$5,888,000 WebID: 2885

Make Your Move Today • 905.339.3444 • www.invidiata.com The Invidiata Team Re/Max Aboutowne Realty Corp. Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated *Sales Representative • **Broker

25 www.homesandlifestyle.ca

1399 Lakeshore Road East Morrison | Oakville *Christopher Invidiata & *Shae Invidiata

Make Your Move Today • 905.339.3444 • www.invidiata.com The Invidiata Team Re/Max Aboutowne Realty Corp. Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated *Sales Representative • **Broker

$5,998,000 WebID: 474

$6,998,000 WebID: 2886

Homes in Oakville Listed for Sale by The Invidiata Team

41 Arbour Drive Ford | Oakville *Christopher Invidiata & *Pamela Gottschalk

26 www.homesandlifestyle.ca Homes in Oakville Listed for Sale by The Invidiata Team

1 Birch Hill Lane South West Oakville *Christopher Invidiata & *Aimee Kain & *Kirsten Leggat

$8,398,000 WebID: 3068

21 Ennisclare Drive South East Oakville *Christopher Invidiata & *Pamela Gottschalk

$9,988,000 WebID: 2745

Make Your Move Today • 905.339.3444 • www.invidiata.com The Invidiata Team Re/Max Aboutowne Realty Corp. Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated *Sales Representative • **Broker

Ultimate THE

REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE

*Christopher Invidiata

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Catsino RoYale The team at Zahara’s Boutique partners with the Oakville and Milton Humane Society to help raise money for animals in need.

BY ERIC A NELS O N

51 dogs and puppies, 256 cats and kittens, 11 rabbits, 3 guinea pigs, 7 birds, 1 chicken and 1 turtle. This is the number of animals currently in the care of the Oakville & Milton Human Society (OMHS) in search of their forever homes. The OMHS is an independent, registered charity that has been serving the Oakville and Milton communities for the past 80 years. This organization is dedicated to improving the lives of both animals and people through its services.

“I think the biggest misconception about us is that we’re just an animal shelter. We are so much more than an animal shelter,” explains Kim Millan, the Executive Director for OMHS. While OMHS is a safe place for homeless and injured animals, it contributes so much more to the communities it serves. There is a significant children’s educational program available through the organization that few are aware of. There are two certified teachers on staff that work together to create these educational programs, all of which meet the Ontario curriculum requirements.

The two individuals then travel to various schools in the Oakville and Milton communities to teach different programs to different age groups.

There are also after-school programs, summer camp programs and March break programs offered through OMHS.

FALL 2016

31

There are advanced dog-training programs available to the public as well. Both private and group sessions are available.

OMHS has also become a resource for members of the public when they have questions about wildlife. The OMHS partners with several other organizations in the community for volunteer opportunities. Community Living, for example, spends one day a week volunteering at OMHS. “We are a part of the community and we’re out there every day trying to find out what they want from us and the means to provide it to them. We’re a small shelter with a big heart,” Kim elaborates.

Unfortunately, running all of these worthwhile programs and providing these crucial services comes at a cost, and with no government funding for the care and feeding of animals, OMHS relies heavily on donations and community support. For the organization’s 80th birthday, Kim and her team decided it was time to do something big and really make a difference.

“What do you do when you turn 80? Throw a big party. We decided it was time to hold our first gala event.”

Kim had two goals with the OMHS event. She knew she wanted to raise as many funds as possible, but she also wanted to get the message out there about what the OMHS is and the services it

provides. In order to accomplish these goals, Kim turned to longtime supporters of OMHS, Hugo and Tracy Powell.

“Hugo and Tracy have always been so good to our organization.

Since the day I started, they’ve been extremely supportive. I knew I wanted a member of the community to be the gala chair and I immediately thought of Tracy,” Kim says.

For Hugo and Tracy, OMHS has always been their charity of choice. “We’ve had dogs and cats for as long as I can remember.

Right now we have four dogs and one of them is a rescue from

32

HOMES & LIFESTYLE

OMHS. My very first dog was a rescue from the streets. For us it has always been about helping those who cannot help themselves. Animals don’t have families or a voice for themselves,” Tracy explains.

When Kim approached Tracy she was very excited to help bring the event to reality. She then enlisted the help of Leigh Darragh and Mireia Peace, two of her team members from her clothing store, Zahara’s Boutique. Leigh had worked for the Humane Society in Collingwood and also had a great deal of previous work experience in event planning. Mireia’s post-secondary education was in event management. Combined with Tracy’s experience with fundraising events and her networking contacts, the three became Kim’s all-star team.

Planning began in October and the event was scheduled to take place in May, leaving the team with a tight deadline to create something magnificent. Helena Thompson, the OMHS’ Event Coordinator, recommended a casino theme and, during the initial brainstorming session, Mireia came up with “CATSINO ROYALE”, which was the perfect way to blend Helena’s theme with the OMHS cause.

Once a plan had been established, everyone was quick to take on various roles and responsi-

“Hugo and Tracy have always been so good to our organization. Since the day I started they’ve been extremely supportive.”

FALL 2016

bilities to bring it all together. “Leigh became our casino and gambling guru. Tracy is the master of gift baskets. I have never seen anybody put together such beautiful prizes for an event. Helena from OMHS was crucial in obtaining our licensing and permits with the city.

She knew everything we needed to do and how to do it. And Kim had connections everywhere. If we needed something, Kim knew someone that could do it for us. It was a perfect team dynamic,” Mireia elaborates.

Each one of them knew the importance of making this event truly spectacular. It was the first year this was being done and they needed to make a strong first impression on the community to ensure the event would grow and flourish in the future. To say they achieved this goal would be an understatement.

“I remember talking to a woman as she was leaving the Oakville Conference Centre after the event, and she told me she frequents major fundraising events and that we had re-set the bar. I can honestly say that if it weren’t for Tracy and the Zahara’s team, this event would not have been what it was,” Kim recalls. CATSINO ROYALE sold out in its first year with a total of 250 guests.

“I think what made it so successful was the fact that there was something for everyone.

We had the casino games for people that liked to gamble, but we had other games for those that didn’t. We also had live entertainment if that was what guests were more interested in,” Tracy explains.

The live entertainment was provided by animal enthusiast, country music singer/ songwriter and host of Country Music Television’s hit series Pick a Puppy Beverly Mahood. There were games including Buy a Bottle, Pick a Paw and Whack a

33

“It was truly a moving experience. Everyone was vulnerable and emotional in the moment.”

Light (not a mole, or any kind of animal, of course). The evening was complete with a gourmet dinner provided by the Oakville Conference Centre.

The prizes presented at the end of the evening also appealed to a varied demographic. Tracy was able to theme the three grand prizes. There was a sports package that included a 55” television, tickets to the Rogers Cup, the Canadian Open, a Blue Jays game, along with restaurant, LCBO and Beer Store gift cards. There was a large prize donated by Knar Jewellery for the jewellery enthusiasts that attended. And finally, courtesy of Expedia Oakville, a cruise package for two. Beyond the grand prizes, there was 10 other gift baskets valued at over $1,000 each that Tracy crafted herself.

The event was an incredible success for its first year. Not only did it completely sell out, but all of the expenditures were covered through sponsorships which meant that every penny from the ticket or raffle sales went directly to helping animals in need.

The team raised over $58,000 by the end of the evening, which far exceeded their initial goal for a first time event.

While there was tremendous support from all the sponsors involved in the event, there were a select few that stood out amongst the rest. Lexus of Oakville, Pets Plus Us, Ren’s Pet Depot and Gren Weiss Architects were the largest sponsors for CATSINO ROYALE and every member of the team felt it was imperative to show their gratitude for these select few in a meaningful way.

On July 15th, 2016 Tracy and Hugo invited members from the four sponsorship brands to Chelster Hall, their estate on the Oakville lakeshore, for a private ceremony. On the grounds of Chelster Hall lies a small chapel named after Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. Each guest was instructed to bring photographs of their pets, both past and present, to be blessed by a Reverend.

Following the success of the inaugural event, planning has already begun on 2017’s fundraiser. Tracy, Mireia and Leigh have already expressed their interest in remaining involved in the event and Kim and the rest of the OMHS team are excited to continue the success from this year’s CATSINO ROYALE. “We’re going to be using more of the space available to us at the Oakville Conference Centre which will allow us to feature a dance floor and sell even more tickets next year,” Kim shares.

The 2017 event will be held on Thursday May 11, 2017 at the Oakville Conference Centre at 2515 Wyecroft Road.

“It was a truly moving experience. Everyone was very vulnerable and emotional in the moment. It was a really special way to connect with one another and remember what we were all doing this for at the end of the day,” Tracy explains.

Share Your Stories!

34

Have a story like Oakville & Milton Humane Society’s happening in your community? We’d love to hear about it and feature it an upcoming issue. Please contact us at community@preferredpublishing.ca

HOMES & LIFESTYLE

321 Cornwall Rd. Oakville, ON

I

Embrace Your Inner Self This Fall

n a world where business outweighs pleasure, corporations overtake entrepreneurs, and computers replace real people, genuine experiences are hard to come by. Although commercialization and urbanization have become so second nature to us, there’s something within the human psyche that is still drawn towards the notions of authenticity and individuality. Nowadays, when we do come across a unique and sincere experience, it is such a rare sensation that it holds even more significance than it once might have, when ‘mom-and-pop’ shops dotted every street corner. This phenomenon has been captured inside the walls of Zahara’s Boutique, where authenticity and individuality burn at the heart of the business. With age is beauty; that is an undeniable fact. If you do not feel the beauty, it is simply because you have yet to realize how it has manifested within you and your life. But with age also comes the struggle of dressing to accommodate the physical changes that all women go through. The linens and cotton fibres that Zahara’s offers are naturally airy, non-constricting, and soft to the touch. The story behind Zahara’s Boutique resonates with women everywhere, for this precise reason. Among widespread box stores, there is a serious lack of options available to women who are struggling to match their inner youthful spirit with their changing bodies. Medications, stress, and gravity and the frustration to dress stylishly all take their toll on us as time goes on. It is important to remember that you can be the person you feel on the inside – your youth is still there – and Zahara’s offers ways for you to channel the energy of your younger self into a collection of essential wardrobe pieces. Zahara’s prides itself in offering naturally sourced clothing lines to women who are looking for a caring experience and a restored sense of style. With brands from all over the globe, Zahara’s encourages women to explore their inherent beauty and tap into an elegance they may have yet to discover within themselves. Life changes so quickly and so do we, but that never changes how a woman feels inside. A woman’s spirit is forever growing in beauty and wisdom; her life experiences are to be harnessed, not simply endured, for it is one’s unique memories that create an authentic individual. At Zahara’s, the team is devoted to inspiring women who struggle to reflect their spirit in how they dress. Putting an outfit together in the morning should not be a chore, but a confirmation of the spirit within.

Everybody should look in the mirror to find their true self smiling back.

Looking good is not about matching the trends plastered all over the media. It’s about embracing the look that suits you best, whatever that may be. Regardless of the style that Zahara’s helps you choose, every woman leaving the store should walk with confidence, ease, and the knowledge that she is sophisticated, and that she is beautiful.

BA L L E T BALLET oakvilleballet.com

BALLET AMANDA PATERSON | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

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AMANDA PATERSON | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

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INDEPENDENT Making the Right Choice for Your Child

By Erica Nelson

Photo: Oakville Independent Schools

Wanting the very best for your child is something that every parent can relate to especially when it comes to his or her education. The decision on what type of educational institution a child will attend can have a heavy impact on what kind of future they have to look forward to. A private education is an alternative option that provides parents with more control over what kind of education their children will receive and a more personalized and individualized approach to learning. For parents living in the Oakville and Burlington communities, there is a long list of highly regarded private schools for them to consider.

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HOMES & LIFESTYLE

Independent schools offer a wide range of benefits to both the students who attend them and their families. These schools are called independent because that is what they are; independently governed and managed, supported by tuition rather than public taxes and free of a great deal of the restrictions that public schools must adhere to. Because they are not bound by the same provincial guidelines as public schools, they have the flexibility to adjust curriculums to better meet the needs of individual students. They provide smaller class sizes, advanced teaching technologies and enriched programs in the arts, sciences, maths, music, athletics and languages.

The Oakville Independent Schools (OIS) is an organization that represents 11 of the best private schools in the area and is an excellent resource for parents who are considering a private school education for their children. The member schools share a commitment to education excellence in safe and supportive environments and emphasize the development of lifelong values. OIS member schools are also significant contributors to the social well being of the community in terms of employment opportunities, philanthropy, volunteerism and community service.

To make the process of selecting a private school smoother for families, OIS and its 11 member schools hold joint open house events in October and January. This allows parents to review several schools at the same time. Each one of these schools is committed to the same core values: independence, education excellence, community respect and diversity, collegial relationships and ethical leadership.

If you are a parent interested in learning more about the educational options available for your child’s specific learning needs, an independent school is well worth your consideration.

The OIS offers a wealth of information and resources that can help ease the process, including profiles on each member school, direct links to individual school websites, practical information on how to choose a school, the admissions process, open house dates and much more. To begin, consider Oakville Independent Schools’ three main tips.

Photo: Oakville Independent Schools

FALL 2016

Photo: Oakville Independent Schools

1.

Do your homework— visit the schools you are considering and attend as many open houses as you can to explore every option available to you and your child.

2.

Involve your child in the process— while visiting schools and open houses, ensure your child accompanies you. It may help to meet and talk to other families with children enrolled in the school already as well.

3.

Know when you begin— most open houses and school tours take place between October and November for enrollment in the following school year.

For more information about the Oakville Independent Schools, please visit: www.educationoakville.com.

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SCHOOL

Photo: Glenburie School

One of the prestigious schools belonging to the Oakville Independent organization is Glenburnie School. Students from Preschool to Grade 8 thrive in Glenburnie’s innovative, child-centered and responsive learning environment, with lessons structured to suit each student’s individual learning style. Glenburnie’s passionate educators provide a challenging academic approach to effectively prepare students, our future leaders, with the communication skills, critical thinking and wisdom to excel in their 21st century world. Glenburnie is held in high regard for its STE’A’M (Science, Math, Engineering, ‘Arts’, Math) activities, which foster analytical thinking, problem solving and leadership skills. Glenburnie is also recognized in the wider community for its exceptional ‘Arts’ Programs (Visual Arts, Instrumental/Choirs, Drama/Theatre) as well as for its competitive Intramural and Varsity athletics. Glenburnie has been called ‘a home away from home’ and a school with a ‘big heart’ which underscores its school spirit in this welcoming, supportive community. Students, as active partners in their education, find their learning experiences to be stimulating, challenging and fun, where successes are recognized and celebrated!

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Photo: Glenburie School www.glenburnieschool.com HOMES & LIFESTYLE

SCHOOL

Photo: Linbrook School

Photo: Linbrook School

FALL 2016

Linbrook School is another fantastic option for parents considering independent education for their sons in the Oakville community. This all-boys private school has developed a unique approach to teaching that engages young boys through movement and encourages them to embrace their natural competitiveness while providing a nurturing environment for them to flourish within. The Linbrook classroom is unlike any classroom you’ve ever seen. To support the school’s movement-based practices, they offer a variety of workspaces, including shared work centres, standup tables and individual study areas.

Each student can work in an environment where they are most productive.

Outdoors, students have access to an expansive property that includes custom-built playgrounds, two sports fields and a baseball diamond. Linbrook is known for its comprehensive arts and athletics programs. In a single-gender environment, Linbrook has found that boys are often more willing to engage in a large variety of artistic activities.

The arts program at this independent school helps foster creativity through self-expression in visual art, dance, theatre, instrumental music or vocal arrangements. There are extensive studies to reveal the endless benefits of exercise, and the Linbrook boys’ schedules incorporate multiple physical education classes. Martial arts, skating and ultimate Frisbee are among a few of the activities woven into the Linbrook curriculum. There are also a large number of intramural and extra-curriculum sports teams that boys can take part in if they choose. www.linbrook.ca 41

BUFFALO Photo: Buffalo Seminary (SEM)

Photo: Buffalo Seminary (SEM) www.buffaloseminary.org 42

The options for single-gender independent education are certainly not limited to boys. Established in 1851, Buffalo Seminary (SEM) has a long history of providing young women with the tools, skills and experience they need to succeed in the diverse world we live in. There is a strong advantage to nurturing young girls in a single-gender environment. Girls not only have equal opportunity but every opportunity. Every speaker, player, writer, singer, athlete or leader at SEM is a girl. In 2015, The National Coalition of Girl’s Schools released a research report that analyzed the responses of approximately 13,000 girls attending high school. The survey revealed that girls attending single-gender schools were more likely to have an experience that supported their learning than girls attending co-educational institutions. Studies have also shown that young girls learn differently than young boys do, specifically at different rates and times developmentally. The SEM curriculum accounts for this and emphasizes inquiry, discovery and critical analysis. Each SEM student is taught the importance of taking intellectual risks and thinking for herself.

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FIND THE RIGHT SCHOOL

FOR YOUR CHILD

The Oakville Independent Schools represent 11 dynamic member schools that each take an active interest in our youth, give back to the community and provide unique educational choices that enrich students’ lives. With the increasingly competitive post-secondary and employment landscape, the need to equip students with the ability and mindset to embrace innovation, confront new challenges, explore their passions, and develop confidence and resilience to ensure a successful future, has never been more important.

To learn more about the many benefits of an independent education, visit www.educationoakville.com

All School Open House

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Photo: 4Cats

THEAFTERADVANTAGE SCHOOL I Giving Your Kids a Step Up Once School’s Out

BY MIKE SPRY 46

t wasn’t that long ago that the only plans for our kids once the school day was over was to open the front door, trust them to the neighbourhood, and hope that they were within yelling range when supper was ready. The gap that spanned the time between the school bell to dinner bell was filled with innocent mischief and adolescent indulgence. After-school programs were local baseball diamonds, hidden swimming holes, and fresh snow covered toboggan runs.

HOMES & LIFESTYLE

But the utopian paradise of our youth—perhaps an illusion—no longer exists.

The realities of our kids’ safety, their quick paths to boredom or trouble, the challenges and limits of curricula, and the competitive nature of post-secondary education have demanded that today’s parents aspire to greater things for their children’s later afternoon and weekend hours.

Evenings and weekends have become crucial to the growth of our children, as well as their protection from the pressures and inherent dangers of youth.

According to Statistics Canada, 20% of police-reported youth crime during the week occurs between 3PM and 6PM, the highest of any time period.

The government agency also reports that familiar yet unsupervised areas are where crimes are most likely to occur: parks, school grounds, and local streets. The message: youth without direction will find their own, and often under the auspice and influence of predatory elements.

FALL 2016

But besides keeping our children safe, after-school programs promote their personal growth and help guide them successfully into adolescence and adulthood. After-school and out-of-school programs provide youths with new experiences, new communities, and new skills with which to augment and enhance their school days. While educational institutions provide the foundation for their journey towards independence, auxiliary programs provide the inspiration, creativity, and wonder that is crucial in the development of malleable minds.

Photo: Oakville Hockey Academy

Young people who participate in quality after-school programs have the academic skills to succeed in school, and the interest in learning that will inspire them to achieve.

Photo: Boogie Down

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, one of Canada’s largest youth organizations and an authority on youth wellness, believes that young people who participate in quality after-school programs have the academic skills to succeed in school, and the interest in learning that will inspire them to achieve. They also have the creative, recreational and life skills that will make them more resilient through economic ups and downs.

The Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto agrees. Their study on after-school programs, the first of its kind in Canada, concluded that children in auxiliary programs ex-

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Photo: Acamedy of Music

cel in their regular classes and have improved self-esteem, social skills, and interest in continuing their education.

After-school programs should be tailored to your children’s interests as well as variables of time and finances. Putting a child in Little League when they have no interest in baseball can be just as harmful as no programming at all. Talk to your kids. Find out what piques their interest, and provide them with a variety of choices that you

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can make with them. Choosing their after-school activity is part of taking ownership of their future, and makes them feel a part of their own process.

The need for after-school programs has bred an outstanding collection of options for kids and their parents, and Southern Ontario is filled with inspiring and inspired choices. The Oakville School of Classical Ballet boldly promises “ballet at its best.” For over fifty years the organization has

been fostering Ontario youth’s affections for dance, offering a wide variety of programs for many ages and levels, as well as invaluable performance experience.

With locations in both Oakville and Georgetown, the Academy of Music offers your kids piano, guitar, and ukulele lessons, among other instruments. Your young stars can cultivate their musical dreams under the tutelage of a community institution. For more

YOUTH WITHOUT DIRECTION WILL FIND THEIR OWN. HOMES & LIFESTYLE

than two decades, the Academy of Music has been offering seven days-a-week of lessons with a schedule that prides itself on pliability in order to fit the hectic lives of busy parents and inspired young musicians.

Every young Canadian dreams of a Stanley Cup ring or an Olympic gold medal and your youngster could very well be the next Sidney Crosby or Hayley Wickenheiser. The Oakville Hockey Academy was the place that got former NHLer Jamie Allison his start, and he went on to play for the Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators, and Florida Panthers in a two-decade long

Photo: 4Cats career in hockey. The OHA offers state-of-the-art facilities and second-to-none training from fully certified instructors, nutritionists, and coaches, plus

The need for after-school programs has bred an outstanding collection of options for kids and their parents.

personal training and yoga, essential for your aspiring modern-day hockey star.

Burlington for dancers of all ages to find their feet and get off the street!

Dance offers both expression and exercise, and where better for your young one to find their rhythm than Burlington’s Boogie Down Studio? Offering ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, contemporary, pointe, acro and hip hop for all ages, including as young as three years old, Boogie Down prides itself on instruction from dance professionals, and “pushes the limits and brings the powerful wave of quality, style and energy to dance west of the GTA.” Boogie Down has recently entered into agreement to take over Burlington Studio Dance, expanding their mandate and offering two exceptional locations in

Often the most difficult children to find after-school programs for are the more reserved and artistic. Finding outlets for their expression can lead to frustration for even the most patient of parents. But 4Cats Art Studio sees the virtue in art for everybody, and encourages everyone to find and enjoy a “creative life”. Several locations in Southern Ontario and the GTA offer indulgences in art forms under the guidance of practising and aspiring artists, plus art supplies, artwear, workshops, birthday parties, and a wide variety of weekly classes in artist-inspired mixed media, graffiti, manga and kittens, and more.

All of the aforementioned programs are currently accepting new registrants. Spaces in these programs tend to fill up fast, and it’s best to get to the head of the line so that the activity your child has taken interest in can accommodate them. While the variety of program choices is matched only by the diversity of kids’ interests, the common element found in all after-school programs is positive alternatives to some of the dangers that lie in wait for kids left to their own devices, or an absence of options and supervision. Find out what your child is interested in, and support them in their choices as best you can.

Everyone goes to school—it’s after school where your child’s creativity and aspirations can best be fostered.

FALL 2016

Photo: Academy of Music

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