The Parenting Biz

How The Greater Essex County District School Board Is Meeting The Challenges COVID-19 Presents To Students

Educators learned many lessons during the COVID-19 emergency and for them it was a comparable experience to the one they try to create in classrooms, for students, during ordinary times.

Improvisation, adaptation and perseverance were attributes reflected in their work.

It’s the same enterprise that is being utilized in the development of the plan to reopen schools safely and effectively in September.

Incrementally, from the first week of April, the resumption of students’ education took shape and continuously transformed until the end of June and now into the summer.

Why was never in question, but how was always a challenge.

Distance learning, while not a novel concept, became the standard instructional model and students, staff and families had to figure out how to learn at home, full time.

However, any plan would have been inadequate without the resources to make it work.

Hundreds of Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) computers and devices were cleaned, reconfigured for home use and distributed to students and families who required these tools to work with.

School’s out and classrooms have been empty for months. Back in March the Ontario government closed all publicly funded schools across the province for two weeks following March Break, due to concerns about COVID-19. So what is the plan come September when kids usually return to school after summer break? What will the classrooms, timetables and instruction look like?

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As the mandated school closure lengthened, competence grew with this unique teaching and learning format. Strategies and practices evolved and improved.

“The 2019-20 school year has unquestionably not been ordinary and things will never be the same, which is not necessarily a negative effect, as we have all learned substantially from our experience,” says GECDSBs Director of Education Erin Kelly. “I am proud of our response and our performance. We have done extraordinary things to keep our students and each other safe and to provide continuity of learning during the school closure.”

Parents and guardians were surveyed for their thoughts about learning at home during the closure.

More than 2,800 responded and 67% felt the work/activities provided by teachers were “appropriately challenging and the workload is manageable”.

They also looked favourably on the options and flexibility in the learning opportunities, which they characterized as “motivating, fun and encouraging”. The questionnaire helped inform Board planning and actions at the system and school level, as well as reinforcing the efficacy of actions already taken.

The Board’s efforts were not limited to the educational aspects of learning at home.

Serious consideration was given to the safety, health and well-being of students and families who were dealing with the social, emotional as well as physical demands inherent with this dramatic change in circumstances.

Staff created the “Supporting Us All Through COVID-19” online resources that included information, community resources, suggested weekly activities and even podcasts intended to help families cope.

Things did not just end, however, on June 26, 2020 the final official day of school.

What was learned during the previous three months was crucial in planning for summer programs and impressive numbers of students took advantage of the opportunity to improve a grade, earn a high school credit or to reduce the impact of a summer learning gap.

In addition, students with Board-owned technology were able to keep the devices through July and August.

The question of what will happen in September has not been completely answered.

Working within the mandate provided by the Ontario Ministry of Education, GECDSB senior administration is working on its plan, which will have to be submitted for approval in early August.

Parents/guardians and staff have been surveyed for their thoughts, suggestions and ideas. A phenomenal number — more than 14,000 families have submitted responses — along with close to 2,300 board employees.

That input, along with the advice of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, will provide a strong foundation for the GECDSB’s reopening plan and the protocols, which will be followed when students and staff resume formal learning in the fall.

Information about the plan will be shared as soon as possible through the GECDSB’s communication vehicles: Edsby, social media, websites (PublicBoard.ca) and no doubt will receive comprehensive coverage in the public media.

THE PARENTING BIZ

The New Learning Curve-Ball . . . Navigating An Unfamiliar Learning Environment

By Tara Carman-French

That was an interesting school year. Now we need to look forward to September and how to navigate this ongoing, new learning environment. Thankfully, we have some time to adapt before it is upon us — so, how do parents prepare?

Create A Learning Environment For Your Child

Our brains work best when the physical area we are in reflects our purpose for being there. School reflects learning. Home reflects relaxation. During COVID-19, everything wonderful about home makes it challenging to engage in remote learning. Creating an area that is only used for schoolwork will help with focus as it tells our child’s brain, “When I sit here, learning is the task expected now.”

If You Lack Space, Get Creative

Remember those dollar store poster boards we use for science fairs? Use one or two to create your child’s “School Board”. With some craft paper and a bit of imagination, you can create a non-distractible and informative learning space on the kitchen table and help your child to visually map out their day’s assignments. Involving your children in the process of creation helps them be invested in this special learning space. When their “School Board” is set up, it is time for learning. When it is put away, the rest of the day is theirs to have fun.

Remember, ALL Children Want To Succeed

No one wants to fail. If your child is struggling in school, something is in their way. They could have an undiagnosed learning disability or ADHD. Anxiety is rampant right now and makes learning more challenging. Rarely is lack of involvement in education simply laziness or disinterest. With remote learning environments,

anything can increase this avoidance. Our child may sit down, ready to get to work, but spend an hour just determining what work is expected for the week ahead.

Willpower Is Real And It Is Limited

If I have already spent an hour getting myself organized that may be all the willpower and attention I have available for that day. I need a break before I can get back at it. Plus, without a teacher and the expectations of a classroom, I do not have anyone to bring me back to task or cue me to get back to work. Parents, teachers, ADHD and Learning Coaches help get kids back on track by being directly involved in the organizational process by setting up cues and prompts, and, by ensuring that students have a full understanding of the specific educational requirements for that week. This enables them to focus their energy on learning and not on getting organized.

Build Rewards Into Remote Learning

To some it may seem wrong to reward our children for doing what is expected of them. I love my work; however, I absolutely reward myself with vacations. Thoughts of exploring new places and relaxing in old haunts get me through my rough days. Children’s brains are not yet built to be able to process that kind of long-term reward. They need an immediate pick-me-up. This can be anything that your child enjoys — playtime, a small treat, game time, whatever motivates them to get and keep, working. Set expectations clearly and be specific. If they work for 30 minutes, they get 10 minutes of game time. Always set a timer for both work and playtime.

Rediscover Recess

Our brains need rest, especially when working on challenging tasks. In wee brains, this is even more necessary.

Doing school work at home might be a challenge for some children. A possible suggestion to keep them motivated is they can receive a 10 minute playtime break, after studying for 30 minutes.

Physical exercise aids our brains in both memory and attentional functioning. Ever feel the need to go for a walk to help you process something? A good rule to remember: 15 minutes of physical activity gives us 45 minutes of increased attention span. So, enjoy a recess with your child!

There are ongoing benefits to working through remote learning as well.

Once you and your child discover successful ways to navigate this new learning environment, you can continue to use what you’ve learned to make homework time smoother in the future. Tara Carman-French is a Certified ADHD, Life and Learning Coach and Director of Artemis Assessment & Treatment Centre where she oversees the learning disability assessment process. She has helped hundreds of adults, adolescents, parents and children manage ADHD and create successful outcomes in school, work, and relationships. The centre is located at 552 Pitt Street West, Suite 107 in Windsor and more information can be found on: ArtemisAssessment.ca.

Teach Children Outdoor Electrical Safety

(NC) With the gorgeous summer in full swing, many kids are spending more time outside playing in their neighbourhood.

Outdoor playtime can be good mentally and physically for children, but there are electrical dangers that all parents and kids should know about.

Be cautious while playing near powerlines

Help children find safe places to play, away from utility poles and powerlines. Remember to look up and look out for powerlines that may be hidden between leaves and branches before engaging in activities like climbing trees, flying a kite or playing with a ball or frisbee. You don’t have to touch a powerline to get a deadly shock — electricity can jump or “arc” to an individual, tree branches or toys if they get too close.

Never climb a fence at a substation

Teach children that the fences surrounding electrical substations are not for climbing. If they lose a ball or toy behind the substation fence, remind them to leave it and ask an adult to call the local utility to have it safely retrieved.

Avoid the big green box

Electric pad-mounted transformers, often green in colour, are common in many residential neighbourhoods and can be tempting for children to play on or around. The role of the transformer is to convert high voltage to a lower voltage power supply for the surrounding houses. These “big green boxes” are safe but can pose a risk if they have been damaged, pushed off the foundation creating gaps, or vandalized. Explain to children that transformers are not meant for playing, climbing or touching and to never put sticks, fingers or other objects through ventilation holes or cracks in a transformer. If you see a transformer that has been damaged or has a broken lock, report it to your local utility.

Stay away from downed powerlines

Always assume a downed powerline has electricity flowing through it, even if it isn’t sparking. To avoid potential injury, remind children that if they see a powerline on the ground, to stay far away — a minimum distance of the length of a school bus (10 metres or 33 feet) –— and to notify an adult who can call 9-1-1 and the local utility immediately.

As families spend more time at home and outside, it is important to keep electrical safety top of mind. Learn more about staying safe from electrical harm on the website: ESAsafe.com.

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Have You Taught Your Kids About Diversity Yet?

Local award winning children’s author,

Sharon Purtill believes “There is no better time to introduce kids to the topic of diversity than when they are young. We have always lived in a diverse world, but today people are migrating around the globe at unprecedented rates.”

She continues by stating: “Young children see a variety of races, nationalities, genders and physical characteristics that differ from their own, all around them. As they become aware of these differences, they may also notice that their peers express a wide range of personal interests and traits. It’s our job as parents and educators to help children understand that the differences they notice in others are not unlike the differences others see in them.”

Purtill’s book titled: “It’s OK to be Different: A Children’s Picture Book about Diversity and Kindness” is quickly gaining in popularity and held the #1 spot in books on Amazon Canada, for nine straight days in June, as well, it held a place on the Amazon charts for three weeks, running a list that tracks the top 20 best sellers (a sales rank out of over 8 million books).

Her book with its clever rhymes and beautiful illustrations by Sujata Saha is also gaining traction outside of Canada.

Listed within the top 200 of all books on both Amazon UK and Amazon US,

it has become apparent that others are as passionate about teaching children about diversity as the author is herself.

The book ends with a short survey of questions adults can ask children about the differences they see, and how they can show kindness to others.

“It’s OK to be Different” is a wonderful picture book that helps children embrace the differences they see and accept themselves and others as the wonderfully unique individuals they are. It is lessons like this that can help children build up their self awareness and confidence, encouraging them to not only accept themselves for who they are, but others as well.

Sharon Purtill was a stay at home mom and entrepreneur when she stumbled into publishing in 1998. It was then, along with her husband, she wrote and published her first book, which went on to sell tens of thousands of copies right out of their garage in Windsor. Today, she is an award winning author who publishes in multiple genres under a couple of different pseudonyms.

According to Purtill “When children celebrate differences, we can reduce bullying and increase empathy and compassion within our schools, communities and homes. And that is a beautiful achievement for all.”

You can find “It’s OK to be Different” online, wherever books are sold, including: Amazon.ca.

Other works by this author include: “Celebration of Life: A Legacy Journal” (an interactive journal for recording your life story) and “Kids Say and Do the Darndest Things” (an interactive journal for parents to record all the wonderful things their kids say and do). To learn more about all these books, visit her author’s page: Amazon.com/ Sharon-Purtill/e/B07Q8X7MPD.

By Rebecca Wright

CHERYL BARBER Happy One Stitch At A Time

Whether you are a beginner wishing to learn the timeless art of quilting or an experienced quilter looking for a new challenge, Rose Cottage Quilt Shoppe offers classes given by some of the county’s most accomplished quilters, according to Owner Cheryl Barber.

“It is the place for creative people to explore their interest in who can help you to develop your artistic passion,” says Barber.

Rose Cottage Quilt Shoppe, located at 580 Middle Side Road in Amherstburg, has interesting roots for Barber.

After working as a registered nurse at a local hospital for 18 years, Barber went back to school twice — once to obtain her B.A. and B.Ed., and then to obtain her Master’s Degree. She went from nurse to educator to school administrator.

“As a form of relaxation, 14 years ago I decided to take a quilting class at the newly opened Rose Cottage Quilt Shoppe,” Barber recalls. “The original shop was in a tiny store on Dalhousie Street, next to Navy Yard Park, and I was one of its first students.”

It wasn’t long before Barber became an accomplished quilter and took an active role in the shop “in her spare time” by teaching classes, doing longarm quilting for customers and generally helping out when needed.

“In 2014 after 22 years in education, I was contemplating retirement from education when the previous owner of Rose Cottage Quilt Shoppe decided it was time for her to retire and the opportunity to take over the shop was a perfect fit for both of us,” explains Barber.

At that time, the shop had relocated to one unit of a modern building at the current location on Middle Side Road. Since then, Barber has

Cheryl Barber, Owner of Rose Cottage Quilt Shoppe holds a sample of an embroidery design showing the quality of the stitching on the Bernina sewing and embroidery machine. Photo by Rod Denis.

continued to expand and grow the business, now occupying the entire 4,000-square-foot building, by adding in-store longarm quilting and embroidery services, more classes, events and retreats, a larger selection of quality 100% cotton fabrics, sewing and quilting notions, patterns and books.

As Barber describes, “The shop has also become an authorized Bernina, Bernette and Brother sewing, quilting and embroidery machine dealership with an in-store certified technician — my husband, Paul — making this a one-stop shop for quilters.”

A variety of quilting classes, including a beginners’ class are offered at the shoppe. Her customer base not only includes those from Essex and Kent Counties, but also from Michigan, Kitchener, Toronto and Burlington.

With the spread of COVID-19 to Canada, Rose Cottage Quilt Shoppe was an early adopter of precautions outlined by the public health authorities and promptly closed when ordered.

“When the need for face masks and other

PPE prompted local volunteers into action with their sewing machines, Rose Cottage Quilt Shoppe responded by opening a modest web store to provide fabric, thread, elastic and other supplies with curbside pickup,” states Barber. “As the situation developed, it became necessary to expand the online offerings and Rose Cottage Quilt Shoppe invested heavily in a new website with an integrated Ecommerce and Point-Of-Sale system, sourced lower cost fabrics for mask making. and partnered with Masks4All, an Amherstburg-based group currently providing PPE to the general population and businesses for a donation, and at no cost to Erie Shores HealthCare, nursing homes and essential workers.”

Barber informs Biz X that her customers appreciate the large selection of quality fabric at reasonable prices; the variety of well-made sewing, quilting and embroidery machines; the top-notch, friendly customer service and the happy social atmosphere. The business attracts young to old and beginner to experienced sewists.

“We want our customers to be successful and happy with their projects and we are here to help,” Barber expresses. “It is worth the drive to Amherstburg!”

While the business continues to take COVID-19 precautions to keep customers and staff safe, Barber is currently asking customers to call to make an appointment to visit the shop.

As an alternative, customers can visit their online store: RoseCottageQuilt.com, which has most of the available inventory displayed.

“Customers can order from the comfort of home, pay by credit card and then just come to the shop for curbside pickup,” says Barber. “We can’t wait until we can get back to ‘normal’ and welcome everyone into the shop at anytime and to resume our class schedule.”

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