RESOURCES FOR SCHOOL With a new school year beginning, both students and parents might find the following web site links to be quite helpful.
Kids Starting School: Kids Health
The “Kids Starting School” web site can help children in their adjustment to school, addressing issues such as the importance of breakfast, choosing foods for a healthy lunch, the importance of adequate sleep, homework help, how to get along with teachers, preparing for tests and exams, choosing sports and activities, and more.
abc 123 Reach Every Student
What are some of the many simple activities parents can do with children at home to support their school education and learning? Check out the ideas and tips on the Ontario Ministry of Education’s “abc 123 reach every student” web site. Information about Ontario’s school system and some helpful links (such as the Canada E-Book and the Canadian Atlas) are provided. Parents can find some very useful pdf publications here, such as Helping your Child do Mathematics, Helping your Child with Reading and Writing, the Guide to Provincial Report Cards, the Code of Conduct in Ontario Schools, and Bullying.
Math Playground
Sometimes parents feel challenged in helping their children improve their math skills. Math Playground offers a variety of fun and educational games and activities to help students in kindergarten to grade 6 learn and enhance their understanding of important math skills, including the basic skills of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals and percentages. Pre-made worksheets are offered, or students/parents can make their own.
When Children are Sick
At some time in the school year, your child will likely experience some sort of infection, sickness or health condition, whether it’s a cold, influenza, an ear infection, chickenpox, head lice, or something else. This guide, from the Canadian Paediatric Society, advises parents about the symptoms and treatments of various conditions and illnesses.
Healthy Schools
Injury prevention and safety, physical activity, healthy eating, general health and development, bullying prevention, and substance use / abuse are all addressed with some very useful links on the Healthy School s web site, Ontario Ministry of Education. Students and parents can also link to information about Ontario’s education system – preschool, elementary, secondary, post-secondary, adult learning and French-language education.
Web Tip Don't forget these SPL resources to help with all that homework! SPL Kids Site - for ages 0 - 12. Includes Homework Help and encyclopedias that you can access from home with your library card number. SPL Teen Lounge - for ages 13 and up. Includes Study Sites for various subjects and encyclopedias and databases (magazines, journals, books) that you can access from home with your library card number. Databases - for everyone and anyone! Full newspapers, back issues of magazines, encyclopedias, health resources and much much more. Available 24/7 with your library card number.
Perth Health Unit: Healthy Eating, Nutrition and Health A-Z
Tips on what to pack for healthy school snacks for your child’s “balanced school day”, dealing with your child’s food allergies or weight issues, making use of Canada’s Food Guide and information about a variety of health concerns are available, plus some interactive activities for children.
Internet Safety for Children: Childnet
Children’s Internet safety is always a concern. What are some smart rules to keep in mind when using the Internet for researching, file sharing and social networking? What is a digital footprint? This web site, intended for children and youth, parents and teachers, will answer many questions about online safety. Links to the Kidsmart, Net-Detectives and ChatDanger web sites provide further information and resources.
For Teens: Back to School
Teens can find out about issues like starting high school, coping with homework, safety at school, safety on the Internet, staying healthy, choosing a sport, getting along with teachers, choosing extracurricular activities, managing a part-time job, coping with cliques, dealing with bullying, and lots more.
Resources for Homeschooling
The Ontario Federation of Teaching Parents (OFTP) offers various resources on its web site, including Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum guidelines, information about homeschooling styles, teaching methods, learning styles and relevant legal issues. Online lessons, activities, worksheets and many other teaching aids are accessible.
Resources for Educators
The Perth District Health Unit web site offers practical information about the H1N1 flu virus, allergies and anaphylaxis, immunization, the Guide to Communicable Diseases for Schools in Perth County, food safety, nutrition, physical activity, and a list of school health services to teachers and educators; parents will also find some of this information to be quite useful.
