HEALTH & WELLNESS
The Balzac
PAGE 14
• AUSTRALIANA • AMERICANA • WHAT’S HAPPENING • MEET STEVE • MEET RIG 311 • THE LAST PAGE
Abandonments
AUGUST 2014
MESSAGE FROM MANAGEMENT
SUMMARY OF Q2, 2014 by Ken Mullen, President & CEO
IN
the second quarter of 2014, Savanna continued to deliver on its objective of drilling deeper. Over the quarter, building continued on 12 new rigs. All of the new rigs are contracted, with 10 scheduled for delivery in Q4 2014 and two in early 2015. The new Velox triple drilling rig platform was introduced to the public over the quarter, and during that time all three first edition Velox rigs were signed to long-term contracts in the US. The first 1500 horsepower
“ Savanna’s expectation for the longer term is to continue building these [Velox] rigs.” AC triple will be deployed into the Permian basin in Texas in Q4 2014, the second will be deployed into Colorado in Q1 2015, and the third will be deployed into the Marcellus operating region in Pennsylvania in Q2 2015.
IN THIS ISSUE: S
THE NEWSLETTER OF SAVANNA ENERGY SERVICES CORP.
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Message From Management Balzac Abandonments Meet Rig 311 Macarthur River photos Kal Tire ad Corporate Challenge update Meet Stephen A Fine Mine Time What’s Happening Australiana Americana Health & Wellness Last Page
Rig-n-Dig is published by Savanna Energy Services Corp. as an information vehicle for our employees and for our community. Suggestions and contributions are welcome and encouraged. Editor & Publisher: Patrick Brooks (403-718-2885, pbrooks@savannaenergy.com) Managing Editor: John Bayko (403-781-9999, jbayko@savannaenergy.com)
ON THE COVER: The rig and crew of R-311 near Macklin, SK.
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RIG-N-DIG • AUGUST 2014
Savanna Energy Services Corp. 800, 311–6th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 3H2 P: 403-503-9990 F: 403-267-6749 E: info@savannaenergy.com Savanna Energy Services Corp. is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:SVY). For current stock information, visit tsx.com or savannaenergy.com.
HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE QUARTER COMPARED TO Q2 2013 - Increases in long-reach drilling utilization and average day rates in Canada resulted in a $7.1 million, or 189%, increase in operating margins. - More active rigs combined with higher year-over-year pricing resulted in a 77% increase in operating margins in US well servicing. - Improved utilization and operating an additional drilling rig resulted in a 10% increase in Australian operating margins. - Increased operating costs on rigs operating in the Permian basin in Texas resulted in a 32% decrease in operating margins in US drilling.
Additionally, one new 1200 horsepower ultra-heavy AC double drilling rig is also under construction and will go to work under contract in the Wilrich basin in Alberta in Q4 2014, and Savanna’s Australian fleet is set to double in size with the delivery of five new high-spec workover rigs and three new flushby units built specifically for the Australian market before the end of the year. Overall Q2, 2014 was a strong quarter for Savanna with significant increases in EBITDAS relative to Q2 2013, despite cost challenges in the US, and the contracting of three triple drilling rigs. With reference to the Velox triples, Savanna’s expectation for the longer term is to continue building these rigs. While we remain focused on improving WWW.SAVANNAENERGY.COM
MESSAGE FROM MANAGEMENT returns on our existing fleet, the combined growth profile from these builds, coupled with anticipated incremental opportunities to expand our position in Australia, provides substantial growth and diversification potential to our platform. As new-build deliveries commence in Q4 2014, Savanna will have 50 percent of its revenue under contract and will move closer to its five year goal of increasing international revenues to 50 percent of total revenue. Our growth and strategic initiatives are unfolding as we expected, and we are very excited by the potential increase to EBITDAS and capital returns they will bring. However, we also remain keenly aware of the need to generate improved returns from our existing asset base to fuel that growth. The increased repairs and maintenance costs in US drilling along with new capital dedicated to increasing pump, hookload, and racking capacities of some of our existing drilling and workover rigs in Canada and the US will go a long way to enhancing our ability to do just that. n
WWW.SAVANNAENERGY.COM
GET READY TO SHOW US YOUR This fall and winter, we want to see your tats.
TATTOO
So dust them off and get them ready for shooting. If you don’t have a tat but need a reason to get one, this it it! More information in September’s Rig-n-Dig.
RIG-N-DIG • AUGUST 2014
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BALZAC ABANDONMENTS
activity being capped in balzac and area Capping and decommissioning are the talk of the town in Balzac and Airdrie. Savanna’s own R-124 is even part of the discussion.
T
he twin red-and-white smoke stacks of the Nexen sour gas plant on the edge of McDonald Lake have been an iconic landmark in the Balzac area since their construction in 1961. But with gas supplies from well activity in that area dwindling down to a tenth of what they were at its peak in the 1970s, Nexen made the decision to decommission the plant and begin capping wells in the area, a dismantling process expected to take three to four years to complete. Savanna’s rig and crew of R-124 have been operating across the lake from the decommissioned plant for more than a year and is on one well site amongst roughly 70 scattered throughout the once-active area located northeast of Calgary. More than 30 well sites have already been capped off in recent years due to the shut down of the plant and reduced levels of production, not to mention encroaching residential development from the City of Calgary and other surrounding municipalities. This summer, the crew of 124 had confirmation that their well site, too, would be on the capping list. Brad Hartstok, Area Operations Manager from Savanna’s well servicing division in Nisku, arranged for the crew to begin the capping-off process which, under normal 4
RIG-N-DIG • AUGUST 2014
The view of the decommissioned Nexen sour gas plant across from Rig 124.
circumstances, takes anywhere from two to four weeks to finish. But as the Nexen representative at R-124 stated: “This one here (the The crew of Rig 124 hours before they laid down the rig and headed out.
well site we’re on) has been a bad one. This was all under water.” He added that swamp mats and 1,100 feet of fill had to be brought in to make the wellsite footprint legal due to the record-setting water table levels. When interviewed for this story, the Nexen rep anticipated that once the BOP was removed and replaced with a cap, the rig would be laid down by the end of that day. Then, the reclamation and remediation group from Nexen would come out in the next few days to begin the process of cleaning up the site. While capping wells is standard procedure for drilling and well-servicing companies, dismantling a sour gas plant is a much
Two rig hands from 124 cap off the well after the BOP has been removed. WWW.SAVANNAENERGY.COM
BALZAC ABANDONMENTS
Smoke stacks from decommissioned Nexen gas plant
www.google.ca/maps
R-124
more complicated and bureaucratic process involving public consultation and government approvals. In Nexen’s case, they held a meeting at the Balzac Community Hall in 2011 to outline their plans to decommission the aging gas plant. Area residents who turned up to the open house seemed to have fond memories of the landmark facility and of Nexen’s commendable responses to residents’ complaints over the years. Following the town hall meeting, the plant owners then needed to submit an application to Alberta Environment to amend their current operating approval. Once the provincial
Perhaps symbolic of change over time, Calgary’s skyline can be seen in the distance. Encroachment of municipal development is becoming an issue for some older well sites.
government green lit the decommission and reclamation request, Nexen had to figure out how to bring down the smoke stacks. When asked about the smoke stacks, Andrew Hamilton, Nexen’s project manager for the abandonment and reclamation of the gas plant site, is quoted as saying: “We don’t really know what we’re going to do to bring them down. Imploding the stacks could cause a shockwave so deep in the ground it could disrupt its gas turbines and power stations.” The current state of demolition for the plant (as the opposite page shows) is that Nexen opted to dismantle the 400-foot tall stacks instead of destroying them. The crew of R-124 will be deployed to another Balzac area site to begin another abandonment. Nexen expects to finish capping off all of their wells in that area over the next two to three years. The plant across the lake, though, will keep its separate power plant operational until at least 2025. n SOURCES: Bacque, T. (2011). Nexen outlines plans to decommission plant. Airdrie City View. Accessed August 28, 2014. Emery, J. (2010). Balzac sour gas plant on last legs. Airdrie Echo. Accessed August 28, 2014. Healing, D. (2011). Balzac sour gas plant shutdown to begin. Calgary Herald. Accessed August 28, 2014. Massey, K. (2012). Nexen continues Balzac plant shut down. Rocky View Weekly. Accessed August 28, 2014.
WWW.SAVANNAENERGY.COM
RIG-N-DIG • AUGUST 2014
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RIG PROFILE
T
his month, the HSE department would like to acknowledge Rig 311 — its rig manager and crews — for their commitment to Savanna’s Vision and Values and for continually maintaining a positive safety culture. We asked rig manager Jeff Lane a few questions to help share his feelings on what it takes to be a leader in safety and creating a path for others to follow.
Q: What type of challenges do you run into by being the only rig of its kind in the fleet? A: Finding parts for my rig can sometimes be a challenge in itself being that it is the only rig like this in the fleet. Troubleshooting mechanical and electrical issues on the rig can sometimes be a challenge as not a lot of our mechanics and technicians are familiar with the systems on it. Q: What are the key factors that prevent down time on your rig?
A: Having a good maintenance schedule to follow is very important as well as performing regular equipment inspections. Having well trained and competent crews to fix the little things that could create bigger problems down the line and keeping me informed of anything on the rig that is not working properly or needs attention. I also owe a big thanks to my field superintendent Vince Miller for allowing me to have some of the critical parts on hand that are hard to find and have a long wait time to get them. Q: What are the dynamics of your crew? Are they friends as well as coworkers? A: All of my crews work very well together. I have some pretty loyal hands on my rig. I am going to have to say that I have about 60% of the guys I started with on this rig from four years ago. They look out for each other and help each other out when they need it. They all go for meals after work or gather at the camp-
HELLO our rig is
311 south of
Macklin, SK
L-R: Jacob Betz (Leasehand), Rex Agamlor (Leasehand), Troy Emmons (Floorhand), Austin Bushell (Floorhand), Ryan Gannon (Motorhand), Zac Budzika (Motorhand), Jeff Lane (Rig Manager), Dan Ganno (Derrickhand), Dallas Molloy (Derrickhand), Pete Sommerstad (Driller), Kevin Wollman (Driller). Missing: Tylor Atkins (Driller), Rob Hooper (Derrickhand), Kevin Chiu (Floorhand), Tyler Lemyre (Leasehand). 6
RIG-N-DIG • AUGUST 2014
ground in Macklin where most of them stay. Some of them hang out on days off or when the rig is down. Q: How do you create an environment on your rig that encourages your crew to continue to work for Rig 311? A: I have a lot of respect for the crews that work for me and I treat them with the respect they deserve. I also like going outside and working with the crew helping them out in any way I can. We are doing fast wells out here and if I can help them out and make their jobs a little easier, that goes a long way with the crews and they are very grateful for the help. Q: What do you do to encourage participation in Savanna’s safety programs such as hazard ID and observations cards? A: My crews don’t need a lot of encouraging when it comes to filling out hazard ID, observation cards, and other paperwork that is required of them. I have made it clear to them what is expected and they follow it very well. Q: What are the most important things to you in creating a positive HSE culture on your rig? A: I am a firm believer in leading by example. If they see you doing the right thing they will follow. Taking the necessary time to train greenhands and experienced hands in their positions, teaching them how to perform each task correctly and how to do it safely is very important in having a positive HSE culture on my rig. Q: Are there any other comments you would like to add? A: I would like to take this opportunity to tell my crews what an awesome job they are doing for me and Savanna. The crews on Savanna 311 have a lot of pride in what they do and the equipment they work with. Thanks for making my job easier and keep up the good work you guys all do on a regular basis.
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CORPORATE CHALLENGE
it’s open season on “open water”
O
pen Water is the theme for this year’s Calgary Corporate Challenge (CCC), and there is no better way to say “open water” than depicting a shark caught in a tornado. And since sharks are hunters, Savanna athletes will be declaring open season on the competition. This year’s CCC features 22 events scattered throughout the Calgary area. Savanna has 142 participants registered in 18 of them — 10K run, badminton, basketball, big bike, blood donor challenge, bocce, cribbage, curling, darts, foosball, horseshoes, laser tag, mini golf, soccer, table tennis, trivia, truck pull, and volleyball. Traditionally, our strongest events have been trivia (gold and bronze!) and foosball. For next month’s games, Savanna’s organizing team is confident that the unprecendented physical and mental abilities of our latest athletes will see that winning trend continue; and maybe bring home bragging rights in a few more categories. The games go from September 5 The Trivia team celebrates at Shanks after a medal-winning round in the 2013 games. to 20, 2014.
JUST KEEP SWIMMING. JUST KEEP SWIMMING.
JUST KEEP SWIMMING. JUST KEEP SWIMMING.
Wearing their Sharknado-inspired t-shirts, Savanna’s CCC organizing team (clockwise from top: Terry Khu, Meagan Heck, Mike Scott, and Michelle Hennebery) show us how to limber up before competition.
Savanna Energy Services Corp. has established Key Accounts with Kal Tire for Savanna Drilling and Savanna Well Servicing. These accounts have been set up to provide consistency in product selection, preferred pricing and standardized billing practices for Savanna Energy throughout Kal Tire’s extensive network. Kal Tire can provide tires and related services for all types of equipment in Savanna’s operations. From light truck tires, to service rig tires and loader tires, Kal Tire has an extensive selection of tire products available for all applications and is here to assist with tire related issues 24/7, year round. Kal Tire is also a preferred vendor for PH&H and Foss and can provide both tires and mechanical services through our fleet card program for our light duty fleet. Savanna Energy Services Corp. also has VIP accounts established with Kal Tire for Savanna employees to purchase tires or mechanical services for their personal vehicles at reduced pricing. Just bring the appropriate account number (see below) into any Kal Tire location, tell them you are a Savanna employee up front, and they will get you looked after.
Savanna Well Servicing VIP – 001VK00001
Savanna Drilling VIP – 001VK00002
Search Word Answers: 1) ALS Ice Bucket Challenge; 2) Bert is Evil; 3) Kilroy Was Here; 4) Jeff the Killer; 5) Harlem Shake; 6) Pants on the Ground; 7) Kissing Couple; 8) Don’t ’tase me, Bro’!; 9) One Red Paperclip; 10) Star Wars Kid; 11) Grumpy Cat; 12) Eat These Balls; 13) The Last Lecture; 14) Winnebago Man; 15) Potato Jesus; 16) Friday; 17) Keep Calm & Carry On; 18) Shake Weight; 19) Gangnam Style; 20) Rickrolling; WWW.SAVANNAENERGY.COM
RIG-N-DIG • AUGUST 2014
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EMPLOYEE PROFILE
STEPHEN BAILY Transport Manager based in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
SHOW US YOUR
ride!
Q: What brought you to Savanna Energy? A: My previous contract finished in early 2014 and I was keen to stay in the energy sector in some form of transport role. This position offered me the perfect marriage of transport and energy. I became aware of Savanna Energy a couple of years ago and when this opportunity arose I didn’t hesitate to apply and I am so glad I did. Q: Where have you worked previously in this industry? A: Previously with Toll Group for 19 years. My last contract was with Toll Energy working on the QCLNG Upstream project. Q: What was your first job? A: Through my school holidays I worked as a farm hand, my first full time employment was working for Grace Bros in Sydney as a carpenter’s assistant.
For the months of July, August, and September, all staff who post a photo of their set of wheels to our Savanna Facebook page or send the pic to communications@savannaenergy.com will automatically be entered into a draw for a
$500 Gift Certificate to the Savanna e-store.
Q: What do you like to do when you are not working? A: Whatever it takes to relax. I particularly enjoy watching sport. I am a long time follower of the South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league team. I have always encouraged my children in their endeavours and was always happy to watch them in their activities. Those were everything from choir, music, dancing, sport, and more. Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? A: I would particularly like to visit Turkey and China. Turkey fascinates me and I know others who have travelled there and their experiences excited me. China, simply because it is China. Q: What excites you about your role at Savanna Energy? A: Savanna Energy has a lot of good people who really know their stuff. Savanna has a vision, a future and is growing – fast. I really want to be part of that journey.
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RIG-N-DIG • AUGUST 2014
The winner and a photo gallery of all submissions will be featured in the October issue of Rig-n-Dig online (rigndig.com)
WWW.SAVANNAENERGY.COM
A FINE MINE TIME
WHAT’S HAPPENING Bottom of the 9-5/8″ string of casing that is 530 metres below surface. The string will be used to pump cement down from the surface to fill empty caverns in the mine.
McArthur River uranium mine in Saskatchewan.
I
t’s rare that a rig team can literally follow the bit into the ground, but this is what happened at McArthur River, SK. In late June, the Savanna crew from Rig 123 was brought in by Benchmark Engineering to swap some casing strings at Cameco’s uranium mine, and after the job was completed the crew was taken down 480 metres to see the results of their work. Benchmark had high praise for the professionalism and efficiencies of Rig 123 and have already recommended a Savanna crew for another project. Thanks to everyone involved, particularly Brian Hanson and Craig Hewlett.
The tunnels that constitute the uranium mine run for kilometres.
L-R: William Crotty, Rob Watson, Craig Hewlett
The boys pulling back “The Beast” (casing tongs) after making a connection.
Photos by Craig Hewlett
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RIG-N-DIG • AUGUST 2014
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WHAT’S HAPPENING
Jason Mohr (Rig 40 Manager), right, receives his ring from Billy Wilson (Area Operations Manager).
Julie Lafleur (Corporate Accountant), right, receives her ring from Joanna Bailey (Assistant Controller, Drilling).
Wesley Boe, left, receives his ring from Tracy Hug (Team Lead, Crew Coordinator Drilling).
Gustavo Flores, left, receives his ring from Dale Mohr (Area Operations Manager).
Kevin Papke (Contracts Rep), left, receives his ring from Aaron Mills (Vice President & General Manager, Canadian Drilling).
Jordan Hampton, right, receives his ring from Al Letendre (Field Superintendent). 10
RIG-N-DIG • AUGUST 2014
Ed McDougal, right, receives his ring from Gary Sutton (Maintenance Manager).
Drew Ferris (Rig 14 Driller) receives his ring from Billy Wilson (Area Operations Manager). WWW.SAVANNAENERGY.COM
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Field Supervisor Brian Hanson, right, presents Jason Carmichael (Driller/Relief Rig Manager for R-51) with his ring.
Tracy Hug, right, receives her ring from Darren Smith (Operations Manager).
Rob Chalmers, right, receives his ring from Mark Heasman (Area Operations Manager).
Terry Khu (Controller, Canada), right, receives his ring from Darcy Draudson (Executive VP, Finance & CFO).
Connie Schmidt (Billings Manager), left, presents Jenine Selkirk (Billings Analyst) with her ring. WWW.SAVANNAENERGY.COM WWW.SAVANNAENERGY.COM
Greg Hobbs, right, receives his ring from Darren Smith (Operations Manager).
Aaron Kearney (Operator with Rig 6 in Brooks), right, receives his ring from Cory Patience (Field Superintendent).
Gary Oliver, right, receives his ring from Gary Sutton (Maintenance Manager).
Martin Daoust (Rig Manager from Rig 6 in Brooks), receives his ring from Cory Patience (Field Superintendent). RIG-N-DIG • AUGUST 2014
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AUSTRALIANA
Farewell, Steve Kitzel
Rig 68
Training The training team in Australia has been very busy rolling out the new Drilling and Well Servicing assessment packages. In alignment to Savanna Australia’s redeveloped Drilling and Well Servicing capability pathway, rig crews will be dual qualified and
Steve — before
Our training officers, Jackie Fry (left) and Yvette Webb have been busy processing rig crew enrolments into qualifications – a total of 466 in five weeks.
Steve — after
The entire team of Savanna Australia would like to take the time to thank Steve Kitzul for all the hard work and dedication he has put into Savanna Australia for the past four years. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Steve and we all wish him the very best with his new family and his new endeavours.
Rig 68, one of the five new Service Rigs coming into Australia for the APLNG project stands proudly and is currently going through commissioning and training prior to the rig leaving for the field. The men are very proud that the Savanna team have included upgrades to the equipment that has come from feedback from the field. We believe these new rig designs have pushed Savanna to a new level in Australia, leading the way for others to follow.
senior crew members require all lower level qualifications in addition to the qualification required for their role. This provides fantastic career opportunities for our employees and enables flexibility in rostering crews across drilling and well servicing. As a result of this rollout, in the last six weeks, the training team processed 466 enrolments into qualifications and the work continues. As crews receive their assessment materials, our new field trainer and assessors will be going to field to assist them in completing the assessment tasks.
Outstanding Safety Performance 2 Year LTI – Rig 409 It is not just the efforts of one unit or one department which produces such a result. It is the combined efforts of all of us in whatever role we play within Savanna which makes achievements like this possible. Without your hard work and dedication, Savanna Australia would not be the success it is today. We would like to pass our congratulations for your efforts and inputs to date. However, we have to recognize that there is always work to do when it comes to safety and together we have to continue to strive for improvements in this area. Safety leadership flows as much out of an organisation’s culture as it does from the management systems approach, the written rules, standards, and procedures. It is for their outstanding safety leadership that we salute Rig 409. Savanna recognises the passion and leadership it takes to keep all employees safe, and we applaud you guys for your outstanding accomplishments. Congratulations Rig 409 for this tremendous achievement!
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WWW.SAVANNAENERGY.COM
AUSTRALIANA
Meet & Greet Lisa Fawcett PM Support, Drilling Rigs based in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia 1. What brought you to Savanna Energy? I did a four-week stint in Transport in 2013 through a recruitment agency. I was lucky enough to be asked to come back in January this year but this time in Maintenance! I was very grateful to be offered permanency in June as I love the people I work with and revel in the challenge of learning a new industry! 2. Where have you worked previously in this industry? My background is Finance – I worked in the industry for ten years before making the huge leap over to oil and gas – loving it! 3. What was your first job? Chicken plucker! Not really. I worked in the heart of Sydney (where I grew up) in a hobby shop. It was a lot of fun. Not much work done, but a lot of fun! 4. What do you like to do when you are not working? I breed chookies! Bantam breeds such as Pekin, Japanese, Silkies and d’Uccle. I hope to start showing them next year.. I am also involved in amateur car racing, mainly street sprints and hill climbs – my hubby does the racing in his Ford Escort MK II and I do the organising. I also like to hunt and don’t mind a spot of fishing. 5. What is your favourite colour? Pink. 6. What excites you about your role at Savanna Energy? Working with a great team, learning about the equipment and rigs, and being involved in making a difference. WWW.SAVANNAENERGY.COM
AMERICANA
New Babies Coley Hueske (Crew Coordinator for the Dickinson office) and her husband Dustin welcomed Bleu Colstin Hueske (right) on May 8, 2014. Baby Bleu weighed in at 8 lbs 3 oz and measured 21.5 inches long.
Jessee Mullins (Floorhand on Rig 654) and his wife Jessica welcomed their daughter Harper Estelle Mullins (left) into the world on May 22, 2014. She weighed in at 9 lbs 1 oz.
Meet & Greet 1. What brought you to Savanna Energy? What brought me to Savanna was the small company feel, people knowing who you were when after calling in and recognizing you when you went into the office. 2. What was your very first job? My first job was a floor hand position on Rig #619 in Rig Manager on 640 Hinton, Alberta. (south of Cambridge, Ohio) 3. What do you like to do when you are not working? I like to relax at home in Phoenix, Arizona. Spend time with my wife Jessica, ride motorcycles and play golf. My wife and I are expecting our first child this December. We are having a little girl. 4. What is something that most of your friends/colleagues don’t know about you? I was born in Kuwait, the Middle East we lived there until the Iraqi Invasion in 1990. My family and I escaped through Saudi Arabia and back to Canada. When the war was over my father went back to Kuwait and helped extinguish the fires of Kuwait. 5. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? My wife and I love to travel to the Caribbean, deep sea fishing & exploring the different islands. 6. What excites you about your role at Savanna Energy? I love the team atmosphere at Savanna, the ever changing events, and never a dull moment.
Jason Haines
RIG-N-DIG • AUGUST 2014
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HEALTH & WELLNESS CHANGE YOUR WAY TO HEALTH!
AUGUST 2014
Back-to-School Tips The whole family is involved in preparing for school. It may be children who attend classes, but all family members are impacted by school routines and changing schedules. Some students and families anticipate school positively and with enthusiasm, while for others, it signals an unwelcome return to academics and a predictable Monday-Friday structure. Either way, being prepared for the change helps! Psychological Preparation On an emotional level, supporting and encouraging your child as they head off to school is important. For children who love being at school this is not generally a problem, but for those who struggle with either the social or academic aspects of attending school, some thought and planning is required. Some ways to make the prospect of going to school more inviting are: • Talk positively about the school process and your child’s relationship with school, so that you set a tone of anticipated success; if your child counters your optimism with negative expectations, listen closely and attentively to what is being said, and look for strategies to address these potential problems proactively. • Younger children often benefit from visiting their classroom before classes start and holding a “dress rehearsal” for school routines. Even university age children appreciate having time to settle into their campus life ahead of time as a means of reducing the anxiety associated with being “the new kid on the block.” • Most of us find it easier to do things with a “buddy.” If your child has no siblings attending their school, linking up with someone else who is in the same class can reduce the first day jitters.
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Practical Preparation At the practical level, prepare for the first day of school by taking the following actions: • Procure appropriate “school clothes,” including a pair of “indoor shoes” for students in the primary grades. • Buy school supplies in advance. School teachers surveyed established a list of the top 15 supplies children need (see inset). • Ensure that your emergency contacts are known and readily accessible to your child, the school, babysitters or after-school programs, etc. • For younger children, identify and practice age-appropriate safety procedures to manage traffic, strangers, school buses, afterschool activities and so on. • Establish bedtime and morning routines a week or so in advance of the start of school, so that sleep schedules and wake up times are in line with the school timetable. • For children under 12, organize before and after-school care so that as a working parent you can rest assured that your children are safe and well-cared for. • Strategize and develop “back up plans” for days when your child is sick, or there’s a “storm day,” so that emergencies don’t catch you off guard.
Top 15 School Supplies: Pencils, Coloured Markers, Scissors, Math Kits, Calculators, Notebooks, Binders, Pencil Crayons, White Erasers, Rulers, Glue Sticks, Highlighters, Lined Paper, Folders, Backpacks 10 Healthy Lunch Options: Low Fat Milk, Low Fat Yogurt, Low Fat Cheese, String Cheese, Dried Fruit, Low sugar jams, Veggies, Rice Cakes, Chopped Fruit, Fruit to Go
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KNOW YOUR MEMES
THE LAST PAGE
With the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge heating up social media, this month’s Last Page looks back at a host of long lost memes. Many started out in the real world but gained traction online, while others found 15 minutes of fame online but managed another 15 minutes in the analogue world as well. The names of the memes below can be found on page 9. More information on them are available on rigndig.com, so head over there for their full stories.
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RIG-N-DIG • AUGUST 2014
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The John Petropoulos Memorial Fund’s safety presentations provide a different perspective on workplace safety – that of a first responder who may have to attend a premise during an emergency, such as a crime in progress, a fire, or a medical situation. Our presentations reinforce this safety message: when you make roads and workplaces safe for emergency responders, you make conditions safer for everyone.
To book a safety presentation, contact sarah@jpmf.ca or learn more at www.jpmf.ca
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RIG-N-DIG • JULY 2014
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