Homeschooling is no April Fool’s joke

I’ve seen people writing on social media that, with current school closures, perhaps parents will value teachers more and understand the issues that teachers are striking for. For all of us who are trying to keep our children learning while they are off school, this may indeed be correct, but we are in the minority, or so my teens are …

September is about learning

It was just two years ago when I learned about the little arrow on the dash of most vehicles that indicates which side of the car the gas tank is on. It was but four months ago when I noticed that my car gas tank panel had a slot to hold the gas cap while fueling. It’s back to school …

One act of kindness

My daughter made two ladies cry. Usually, this would be cause for concern, but instead it is time to proudly share. For her tenth birthday Audrey asked for money to donate to Christmas Cheer. (Warning: the goodwill toward man shown in this article may make grinch-like hearts grow two sizes or may even inspire you to do a random act …

Expect more, praise less in class

Across Ontario, the academic prowess of schools is being compared and contrasted based on provincial tests in certain subjects. Only one school in Northern Ontario cracked the top 100 of 725 secondary schools across Ontario. In Algoma there was one school ranked in the 200s, and the rest in the 500s. Two schools in Toronto have been noted for their …

Get into the back-to-school atmosphere and learn something new

COLUMN: A time of change and new beginnings September, for me, has always been a time of change; a time of learning. Whether grabbing my lunch off the counter, stuffing a duffel for university, or packing my child’s backpack for her first day of school, it is a different bag, but always representing a new beginning, a new opportunity. I …

Quotes in Closing: all new for April 2009

Once again I’m back with quotes – this time focusing on learning, persisting, doing, leading, being, loving, and living. (only one repeat quote in the bunch) I get by with a little help from my friends