7 minute read
Donations help support student success
Words, words, words
My youngest son described the lake water as being “tepid” one day and then “scalding” the next. My friend teased me, because we knew where the words were coming from. I can’t help it, I like words. I use lots of different words and I try to find ones that are funny. Why say barely warm or hot when you can say tepid or scalding?
A while ago, I thought it would be funny to choose a word and try to casually slip it into a sentence every day for a week. This, of course, led to much groaning, eye rolling and laughter from the kids. I succeeded in adding the word “moist” and “damp” to our everyday vocabulary. I threatened to use “soggy” regularly, but never got around to it. My daughter has pointed out that most of the words I find funny are water related, which does appear to be true.
My daughter and I talk about our favourite words. One of mine is “unbidden,” meaning a thought that arises on its own, without your conscious effort. My daughter likes zugzwang, which means a situation in chess where every possible move is a bad one, or one that will result in loss. Then, while reading, she came across her new favourite word “spindrift”, which is the spray blown along the surface of the sea.
When I first started writing for The Camrose Booster almost nine years ago, I was nervous about taking the spelling and grammar test that Berdie Fowler, late co-founder of The Booster, had created. I never found out what my exact score was, but I thought it was a valuable experience and I enjoyed being tested. After all, as Berdie believed, if a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing well.
I am good at spelling and my family knows it. The other day, my son asked me how to spell a word. I told him and then asked if he was writing a letter or something. He said that no, he just wanted to see if I knew how to spell that particular word.
To be completely honest, I cringe when I see there/ their/they’re or to/two/too or your/you’re used incorrectly. This is simple memorization and it matters! Sometimes spelling isn’t easy to figure out when you consider the rule i before e except after c…oh yeah, and except after about 50 other words like either, neighbour, glacier, Leif, to name a few. Again though, it comes down to memorization.
I have even compiled a few grammar jokes, like this one: My three favourite things are eating my friends and not using commas. Or this one: I like correcting grammar, but I like having friends better. Or a journalism joke: What’s black and white and read all over? (A newspaper. My friend’s son answered: a zebra in a blender, which was definitely an unexpected answer.)
I loathe swear words. There are so many rich, descriptive words in the English language that it’s a real shame when people choose to use the same word to describe everything.
Words often don’t translate into other languages. Last summer, while reading my daughter a book called The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall, the father says something to his daughters in Latin, which they look up and discover directly translates to “liar, liar, your trousers are burning.” Apparently the rhyme “liar, liar, pants on fire” doesn’t translate well.
Some words are just downright funny. Here are a few words guaranteed to make people smile if you toss them into a regular sentence: hullaballoo, shenanigans, whippersnapper, lollygag, bamboozled, flabbergast, nincompoop, and gobbledygook. Why not use them together? The elderly man was flabbergasted that the young whippersnappers could make such a hullaballoo, while getting into some shenanigans, but he didn’t lollygag.
By Lori Larsen
As the summer begins to wind down and we draw closer to September and school starting again, families with school-aged children are facing the “back to school” supply lists for students recommended by most school divisions.
Sadly, the past few years of dealing with the pandemic and an economic turndown, some families within our communities are struggling just to get by, never mind having to find the funds to purchase school supplies.
Because every child and youth deserves the chance to be as successful as they can in school, Camrose Family Resource Centre (CFRC) and Camrose and District Support Services (CDSS) have partnered
with Camrose Staples for the Tools for Schools.
“The program reduces a known barrier preventing children and youth from successful learning and participation in school–access to school supplies,” explained CDSS executive director Lyndel Kasa.
“There are many families who cannot afford the supplies needed for school and this year the need will be greater due to the economic impacts of COVID-19.”
During the month of August and up to September 11, Staples employees will be asking customers at each transaction if they would like to donate to the Tools for Schools. Staples will then provide CDSS and CFRC with vouchers to distribute to families in need that reside within the City of Camrose or Camrose County. The vouchers can then be redeemed for a grade specific pre-filled backpack from Staples.
“Being a part of the Tools for Schools program is a natural fit for us,” said Camrose Family Resource Centre program coordinator Krista Lantz. “Successful learning and participation for children in school leads to a successful family overall.”
Kasa added that when the families come to pick up their voucher, they will be connected with the Camrose Family Resource Centre (CFRC) and CDSS for information, referral and supports.
Camrose and District Support Services reaches individuals and families in the City of Camrose, Camrose County, and the villages of Hay Lakes, Bittern Lake, Edberg, Bawlf and Rosalind, providing preventative social programs and services that
help people improve quality of life and enhance capacity to deal with crisis situations should they arise.
The Camrose Family Resource Centre is part of the Camrose and Area Family Resource Network. “We provide consistent, flexible and accessible programs to families with children 0-18 years of age in the City of Camrose, Camrose County, Beaver County and Flagstaff County,” explained Lantz. “These programs include family support, information and referral, parent education, family programs and events, developmental screening and rural support.”
Lantz continued by saying that the aim at CFRC is to support parents in navigating their parenting journey through connection. “Connection with the staff here at the CFRC, to participate in our programs and services, but also connection with other agencies, families and supportive programs in the community. Families can call our office or come down to our office and access our services.”
Last year, the Tools For Schools program distributed 35 backpacks to families in the Camrose area. This year, with the need being elevated, people are encouraged to give what they can to help students succeed. A bin will also be set up in the Camrose Staples store to collect any donations of school supplies including any unused or unopened supplies you have left from a previous school year.
The backpacks are set up to suit Grade levels and include a variety of colours and styles to suit individual
preferences.
In support of the CDSS and CFRC, the Chase the Ace progressive raffle, sponsoring organization Kinsmen Club of Camrose, has chosen the Tools For Schools as the Draw 29 feature charity. Proceeds from the funds raised during the ticket sales of this draw will be donated to the Tools for Schools program.
“Back to school time is always exciting, especially when you have everything you need for learning,” commented Kasa. “Not everyone has that opportunity. The Tools for Schools can help those unable to afford all the necessary supplies –and keep that excitement alive.”
For more information on Camrose and District Support Services, visit camrosefcss.ca
For more information on Camrose Family Resource Centre, visit camrosefrc.com.
Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster
