SPECIAL FOCUS: Private and Montessori Schools
Greater Toronto Area Edition | FREE
cityparent.com
September 2021
Forming tomorrow’s
Leaders and Changemakers
Girl Guides is a place where girls can be themselves. Join the fun at girlguides.ca/joinus
AN ENCHANTED NIGHT WALK INTO A BRIGHT FUTURE
TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT TORONTOZOO.COM/TERRALUMINA CREATED BY
PRESENTED BY
r e b m e sept 2021
PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER Leo Racioppo leo@mediaclassified.ca CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER John Racioppo john@mediaclassified.ca EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mary Racioppo editorial@mediaclassified.ca
contents
GROUP SALES MANAGER Randi Segal randi.segal@mediaclassified.ca
COOL Things
ACCOUNT MANAGERS Gina Pappas gina.pappas@mediaclassified.ca
Great new products for kids and parents
Orli Gorokhovsky orli.gorokhovsky@mediaclassified.ca EDITOR Amanda Pereira
7
MANAGER CUSTOMER SALES & SERVICE Marilyn Watling marilyn@mediaclassified.ca DIRECTOR OF PRINT MEDIA Lauren Reid-Sachs GRAPHIC DESIGNER & ASSISTANT MANAGER Alicesa Pullan GRAPHIC DESIGNER & PRE-PRESS COORDINATOR Hannah Yarkony
Train your brain like an Olympian
Private and Montessori schools
6
21
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Johannah Lorenzo, Mike Terentiev ACCOUNTING INQUIRIES accountingteam@mediaclassified.ca CIRCULATION INQUIRIES distributionteam@mediaclassified.ca All submissions from interested parties will be considered. Please submit to the editor at editorial@mediaclassified.ca HOME OFFICE 610 Applewood Cres., Suite 401 Vaughan, ON
Columns
FEATURE
Editor’s Note ................4
Inagene PGX testing
Phone: 905.761.3313 press 4 Toll Free: +1.888.761.3313 press 4 | Fax: 905.761.5038
Baby Under one ........... 5
cityparent.com
Book Shelf............ 18, 19
MediaClassified
Healthcare:
14
@MediaClassified
Please recycle this magazine! Media Classified Corporation participates in the Partners in Growth Reforestation Program through St. Joseph Communications. To date, Partners in Growth has planted over 2.5 million trees in parks, recreation and conservation areas, and other public spaces across Canada. Established in 1990, this program was started with Scouts Canada to help replenish the environment. COPYRIGHT NOTICE All copyright and other intellectual property rights in the contents hereof are the property of CityParent.ca, and not that of the individual client. The customer has purchased the right of reproduction in CityParent.ca and does not have the right to reproduce the ad or photo in any other place or publication without the previous written consent of CityParent. ca. Contents of this publication, in hard copy format as well as online, are covered by copyright law, and offenders will be prosecuted. The publisher assumes no financial liability for typographical errors or omissions. All claims of error shall be made by Wednesday 5 p.m. prior to the next week’s publication and if not made, shall not be considered. No claims will be allowed for errors not affecting the advertisement’s value. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved. Reproduction, storage in a retrieval system or transmission, in any form or by any means, whether electronic, mechanical or otherwise, in whole or in part, without prior written permission of CityParent.ca is strictly prohibited.
cityparent.com
SPECIAL FOCUS
PARENT Stuff
FEATURE
Holly jolly new additions to Santa’s Village
15 ON THE COVER
Forming tomorrow’s leaders and changemakers stmichaelscollegeschool.com
TWEEN AGES 8-12
Returning to classrooms safely and with confidence
20
September 2021 | CITY PARENT
3
EDITORS NOTE
up front HELLO FALL
Well, that’s a wrap as we say goodbye to summer and hello to fall. After months at home with the children, you may be feeling a little bit of anxiety. With them returning to school full time, you must have concerns for the young kids who aren’t old enough to be vaccinated. How is this going to work? How is the school going to protect our children? Don’t fear; you still have options. All public and private schools will return to fulltime in-class learning; however, you will still have the option to continue with remote learning. For those who choose due to preference or lack of other options to send their kids to school, precautions, guidelines and protective measures have been put in place. The Ontario government encourages those schools offering in-person learning to follow these requirements every step of the way. Transportation • Limited capacity depending on the vehicle. Masks will be required and assigned seating to enforce social distancing. The seat behind the driver will remain empty, cleaning twice daily in highly touched areas such as railings and seats, and windows to be kept open when feasible.
At School • Rules will be enforced to how teachers and students enter and exit the school. • Key locations through the school to have in place hand sanitizers. • One-way traffic for all hallways and bathrooms. • Signs to encourage physical distancing, hand hygiene and student masks • Mental health and student support will be available • Procedures for emergency management and fire safety • Management and of COVID-19 in the school These are only a few of many Health, Safety and Preparation guidance for the school year of 21/22. Please visit the Ontario Government Website for the complete list of the return to in-class learning safety measures. www.ontario.ca/document/covid-19-health-safetyand-operational-guidance-schools-2021-2022 Let’s all do our part to keep one another safe and to the vulnerable ones who are not eligible for the vaccine. Stay Safe and remember Que Sera, Sera Whatever will be, will be.
Mary Racioppo Editor-In-Chief, City Parent
www. www.birdkingdom .ca birdkingdom 905 356 888.
www.birdkingdom.ca
4
CITY PARENT | September 2021
905 356 8888
cityparent.com
BABY | UNDER ONE
health
3 MONTH OLD BABY CARE It seems like just yesterday you were bringing your newborn home and suddenly, they are an alert 3 month old baby. A 3 month’s baby care is much different than a newborn’s care. By this age, your baby is growing and developing fast. As they enter a new stage, all their senses are developing. They cry less and vocalize more. Encourage vocal development by singing, talking, blowing raspberries, and making different sounds to them. These 3 month old baby care tips will encourage further language development and increase their verbal communication. As their vision improves, 3 month old babies become more curious about their surroundings. When taking care of a 3 month old baby, face your baby and cityparent.com
make eye contact. Provide bright, colourful, age appropriate toys they can play with. Visit different places so your baby can explore other environments. By this age, their tongue has grown bigger and their tastebuds are more sensitive. Your baby will chew, suck and drool more. They start using their oral senses to explore their surroundings so everything goes into the mouth. Safety is important in 3 month baby care to ensure they don’t put something in their mouth that could cause harm. When taking care of a 3 month old baby, you will notice that they are using their hands more. Offering age appropriate toys they can hold will help develop their motor skills. Keep harmful objects out of reach.
FAQS How do you carry a 3 month old baby? Babies can start holding their head up at 3 months however, the muscles are still developing. When carrying your 3-month-old, in your arms over your shoulder or across your chest, or using an infant carrier, always support the head and neck. Can you sit a 3 month old baby? When considering how to take care of your 3-month-old baby while they are sitting, it is important to make sure they are fully supported and secure because your baby cannot sit independently. Use pillows to support your baby when they are on flat, safe surfaces. Use safety straps when sitting your baby in a swing, baby seat, stroller or other furniture. Is flight safe for a 3 month old baby? Babies at 3 months of age can fly safely on a plane. When planning your 3-month-old baby care during travel, try to plan around their routine so they are sleeping during most of the flight. Have something for them to suck on like a bottle or pacifier to ease any air pressure in their ears. Make sure your baby is up-to-date on their vaccinations. Can a 3 month old watch TV? TV watching is not recommended when taking care of a 3-month-old baby. At this age, a baby cannot comprehend what they are seeing on the screen. Watching TV too early can have negative and longlasting effects on their language development, attention span, sleep patterns, short-term memory, social development and reading skills.
September 2021 | CITY PARENT
5
FEATURE
growth
TRAIN YOUR BRAIN LIKE AN OLYMPIAN WORDS BY MARYLENE VESTERGOM Failure. It may not be a word we like to use, but let’s face it – it happens. On a world stage like the Olympics, only one person can come in first. And there are times when those predicted to win underperform. And it’s not just in the arena of sports where failure can make a huge dent in one’s confidence. We’ve all experienced those shaky presentations, a staff meeting that went awry, and even how our mind tricks us into thinking: we can’t do the job. How do you bounce back positively from setbacks in the presence of pressure, stress and fear? Can we learn something from Olympians? That’s why Jean François Ménard wrote his new book Train Your Brain Like an Olympian – Gold Medal Techniques to Unleash Your Potential at Work. Ménard is a mental-performance expert in Montreal and is one of the most sought-after specialists and speakers in this field in the country. He sees a correlation between how athletes train and how to help those in the business world. He has coached many high achievers, including gold medalist decathlete Damian Warner, figure skaters Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue, mogul skiing Olympic champion Mikaël Kingsbury, and Laurent DuvernayTardif, Super Bowl champion and medical doctor, along with C-suite executives, among others. “The brain is the most underexercised muscle – yet – when
6
CITY PARENT | September 2021
Jean François Ménard with decathlete Damian Warner with his gold medal from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. we consider the results of Olympians, especially those who are medal contenders,” says Ménard. “It’s not their physical preparedness that is the deciding factor but the brain. After all, we don’t think confidence, we feel it, and feelings are never static.” We’ve all experienced the noise and chatter of negativity. “The brain doesn’t really distinguish between what’s real and what’s imagined. It simply believes what it hears, not what’s true.”
but the risk of disappointment is high. When perfectionist athletes don’t perform well, they experience agony and frustration, while extreme perfectionists feel anger, even rage. Instead, develop an excellence mentality. Excellence doesn’t mean succeeding 100 per cent of the time, but almost.” So, reframe your expectations and take some of the pressure off. One of the most significant pieces of advice Ménard shares is knowing your why. “When meeting people in my office and they say their motivation is slipping, I often ask them why they do what they do? Their answers help fuel resiliency.” For Ménard, it’s “I have the honour and privilege of helping people achieve their dreams.” He believes everyone can find their inner Olympian. His book provides readers with the tools they can use in their pursuit of excellence. So, let’s start – What’s your why?
When we are fearful of making a presentation or taking on a new role, is that fear real? “Fear is nothing more than a story we tell ourselves. Since it refers to a future event, there’s nothing that guarantees that it will actually happen. Yet we convince ourselves to believe our fears,” says Ménard. Instead, Ménard suggests don’t strive for perfection, be excellent. “Having a perfection mindset is a double-edged sword. It pushes us to set ambitious goals,
cityparent.com
r e b m e t sep
COOL | STUFF
COOL THINGS
7 Speed Stand Mixer by Hamilton Beach The Hamilton Beach 7 Speed Stand Mixer has the same ability to mix cookies, bread, cakes, and butter whipped icing as its other competing stand mixers. It comes with three attachments for mixing, including a dough hook, whisk & flat beater. The stand mixer is stainless steel, dishwasher safe, non-slip feet for hands-free mixing, and tilt-up head. It comes in two colours rose and aqua blue. Price $199.99 available at Walmart, Amazon, Home Hardware, and hamiltonbeach.ca
Vans Patchwork Pro Just in time for back to school! Vans footwear has launched its new designs integrated with its classic checkboard design and congruent fit. Footwear doesn’t have to be boring with the SK8-HI Floral, ERA Tiger, Authentic Woven, ERA Meadow, Old Skool Woven Platform and Old Skool Cottage Check. #trending2021 Priced from $75.00 to $100.00
Drinkmate Countertop Carbonator Drinkmate Countertop is the only at-home carbonator that can turn anything into a carbonated drink from the fridge not just water. Easy to operate, easy to clean, no electricity and no batteries needed. It comes with a patented and detachable Fizz infuser and dual-stage valve system making it easier to control the release of CO2. Priced at $109.99 and comes in three colours matte black, royal red, and ivory white. Available on amazon.ca or drinkmate.us
Expert-Toast 2 Slice Toaster by Hamilton Beach Hamilton Beach brings you the 2 Slice Expert Toaster. With innovative technology, it takes the guessing out of toasting. Adjusts to toast to the proper shade. Longer and Wider slots, crumb tray and includes a defrost setting and more. Price $59.99 available at Walmart, Amazon, Home Hardware, and hamiltonbeach.ca
Sesame Street X PetSmart: Chalk Board Essentials Just in time for back to school! We all love our pets and the forever growing need to dress them up. Now, there’s a collection that features matching clothes and accessories for children and their pets. The collection includes children’s lunch bags, socks, hats, backpacks, hoodies and more. Matching pet accessories include sweaters, harnesses, and plush toys. Prices from $9.99 to $29.99 Ages 2-6 and available at PetSmart or petsmart.com cityparent.com
Kult Kid Made from premium cotton, this collection from Kult Kid is stain-resistant and genderneutral. Comfortable for school, travelling or just lying around. Styles repel foods meant to leave stains, such as; juices, smoothies, soups, sauces, milkshakes, ice cream and, of course, repels the simplest things like water and rain. Styles include Tracksuits, Tank Tops, loose-fitting Tees and shorts in a range of colours. Prices from $5-55.00 and be found on kultkid.com
Sure Crisp Air Fryer Toaster Oven by Hamilton Beach Perfect for those with limited counter space. The Sure Crisp Air Fryer crisps and browns your food and can toast, bake and broil. Sure-Crisp turns fresh or frozen French fries, chicken wings, steaks, fish, vegetables to mouth-watering food in no time. As a toaster oven, it fits six slices of toast, a 12" pizza, a 5 lb. chicken, or a 9" x 11" baking pan. All the accessories you need to bake, broil, toast, air fry, a metal basket, bake pan, broil rack, and slide-out crumb tray are included. Price $124.99 available at Walmart, Amazon, Home Hardware, and hamiltonbeach.ca September 2021 | CITY PARENT
7
Support MADD Canada by using
Download the FlipGive App; visit flipgive.com/ join or use the QR code to sign up and start supporting MADD Canada today!
Enter Team Code: HRBHRJ
Register online today!
PLASP Child Care Services is an award-winning, charitable organization operating on a not-for-profit basis, providing high quality licensed programs for children, since 1975.
Before & After School Programs • Kindergarten children • School aged children up to 12 years of age
Early Learning & Child Care Centres
• Infants, toddlers and Preschool (6 weeks - 5 years of age)
Call 647 484 4372 or visit plasp.com 8
CITY PARENT | September 2021
cityparent.com
Strong friendships, meaningful connections. That’s Girl Guides.
Girl Guides provides togetherness girls can count on. We’re ready to reconnect and get back together this fall. Join us for group activities, day trips and outdoor adventures. After a year of physical distancing and virtual learning, seeing friends IRL is going to be unbelievable!
Get back to fun at girlguides.ca/joinus
JUMP GAME PLAY IS BACK!
Register at JUMPbasketball.ca use promo code 'JUMPCITY' to save $25 today! Basketball Leagues for Ages 6-16 in Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Oakville, Milton & Vaughan
Call Anytime @ 647-549-5867 10
CITY PARENT | September 2021
Follow us
@JUMPBBALL cityparent.com
Outdoor Inquiry-Based Learning on a Hundred Acre Farm Willowgrove is a land-based, community-building organization known for providing hands-on outdoor experiences. Since 1968, Willowgrove has offered year-round programming from Stouffville, ON, focused on nurturing growth, honouring the land, and cultivating learning.
Ontario’s Most Unique Outdoor Private School
Looking For Weekly Workshops?
Tuition ranges from
$205-$395
Interested in Field Trips?
$30/week
$9/half day & $14/full day.
Willowgrove’s Take Root Farm Project connects children with nature through hands-on farming workshops. In weekly, afterschool sessions from 4-6pm, farmers ages 5-12 learn key skills by getting their hands dirty, participating in a variety of gardening and nature lessons designed to inspire a deep appreciation for the living environment.
Bring your class, homeschool, or independent learning group for a hands-on learning experience in the great outdoors. All of our year-round Outdoor Education programs are linked to the Ontario curriculum and are adaptable to meet the unique needs of your students.
per week.
At Willowgrove’s Nature School, learning happens in the great outdoors! With its outdoor classrooms nestled into a beautiful, Greenbelt farm, its students find themselves surrounded by ponds, barns, forests, a creek, and rolling hills. Willowgrove’s 5 & 3 day programs run from 9am-4pm and support learning for students in Grades 1-6, featuring seasonally inspired semesters that supplement the Ontario Curriculum.Overseen by an Ontario Certified teacher and an Outdoor Educator, Willowgrove’s intimate class sizes of only 15 students ensure that not only are the children’s educational needs met, but that their emotional and social wellbeing is nurtured as well. $23/week
Parent and Tot Program Take Root also offers a weekly Parent and Tot morning program from 9:3011am. These Parent and Tot workshops are designed to connect care givers and their toddlers (4 and under) with like-minded community and, of course, mother nature. Rooted in the rhythms of the season, participants will get to explore the property’s diverse ecosystems, get to know the farm animals, and breath deep in the serene setting of the farm.
Just minutes from Toronto, join the thousands of teachers, parents, and students who have taken part in our unique programs and come nose-tonose with nature. Want more information on any of Willowgrove’s programs?
(905) 640-2127 info@willowgrove.ca
We cannot wait to get started. Always here to help so let us know if you have any questions. LET’S DANCE! www.stclairdancecollective.com
It Is Time For You & Your Family To Discover
Open House November 13, 2021 | January 8, 2022 | February 26, 2022 416.385.9685 Admissions@LaCitadelleAcademy.com
SUMMER • WINTER • MARCH BREAK
CAMPS
SCDC is a communitybased dance and fitness studio offering fun, flexible and affordable programs to kids and adults. Our 2021-2022 season is now open for registration and we’re excited to offer more programs and more time to dance. What’s different this time around? • Book In-Studio, Outdoor or Virtual Classes • Join one of SCDC’s new dance crews • Book Camps & P.A Days in advance • Sign up for our after school pick-up program
CLINICS
AGES 4-15 YEARS MALE/FEMALE
416.425.6062
powersoccer.ca
Classes Now Enrolling
for the Fall
The Russian School of Mathematics is an award-winning, afterschool math enrichment program. We use the rigorous study of mathematics as a vehicle to develop our students’ math fluency, intellect, and character, empowering them for
Schedule a FREE Math Evaluation!
life. Hybrid and in-person courses may be available; please inquire with our office for more information. RSM follows strict Covid-19 protocols to ensure safety of our students and teachers.
RSM - Toronto 12
CITY PARENT | September 2021
Fall Classes Now Enrolling! www.RussianSchool.com/Toronto
(416) 800-9119 cityparent.com
HOUSE LEAGUE SELECT LEGUE 30+ REP TEAMS PREP TEAMS CAMPS & TRAINING
BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS!
Space is Limited!!
REGISTER NOW!
WE ARe scarborough basketball!
sbabasketball.ca EMAIL: INFO@SBABLUES.CA • PHONE: 416-551-7554
FEATURE
healthcare
INAGENE PGX TESTING WORDS BY MARYLENE VESTERGOM We’ve all seen it—that intrusive nose swab used for a COVID-19 test. Now, instead imagine if you could simply swab the inside of your cheek to determine which medication would work best for you? “The exciting news is there is such a test kit, and it’s available online,” says Nancy White, CEO at Inagene Diagnostics Inc. of Toronto. Inagene Diagnostic Inc., a Canadian pharmacogenetic testing company, and Calian Group Ltd., one of Canada’s largest national health services organizations, recently announced the results of a ground-breaking pilot. It evaluated the real-world value of pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing in the treatment of chronic pain and mental health conditions. You and your healthcare practitioner will now be able to leverage pharmacogenetic testing to skip trial and error in finding treatment success faster – tailored specifically to your DNA and your genetic makeup. So, what’s PGx testing? Basically, it’s studying the interactions of drugs (pharma) and an individual’s genes (genom). Since genes control how drugs are 14
CITY PARENT | September 2021
metabolized, with a simple cheek swab, the PGx test could help identify how your gene makeup impacts your response to certain medications. “This way, treatment can be personalized, revealing which medications and doses are likely to work best,” says Dr. Ron Whalen, MD CCFP(EM) FCFP, Co-Medical Director of the PEI Pain Institute in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and treating physician of the Inagene-Calian pilot. Consider that countless Canadians live with chronic conditions like pain and mental
illness; by age 40, one in two Canadians will have had a mental illness. “Now is the time to think differently about how we are addressing treatment,” points out White. “As illustrated in the Inagene-Calian pilot report, PGx testing led to a change in their treatment plans for 76 per cent of patients involved, indicating that the majority had still not found optimal treatment despite years of taking medications. Ninety-eight per cent had previously tried and subsequently discontinued an average of 6.1 drugs that PGx
testing revealed were genetically destined to fail.” We can do better. Whalen says, “Based on the results of the pilot, I believe every chronic pain and mental health patient for whom medication is being considered should have the Inagene test completed before drug initiation. Looking back at the patients we have followed for several years, I can’t help but wonder just how different their life could have been if we had this test 10 years ago.” To learn more visit inagene.com cityparent.com
FEATURE
destinations
HOLLY JOLLY NEW ADDITIONS TO SANTA’S VILLAGE WORDS BY ANDREW HIND Santa’s elves have been busy. Not only have they been tirelessly crafting toys at their North Pole workshop for good little girls and boys (and really, aren’t they all good?), but they’ve pulled double shifts the last two years, working extra hours at Santa’s Village, St. Nick’s summer home in Bracebridge, Ontario. Santa’s Village has entertained millions since elves in curly toes first greeted the public in 1955. While the good cheer has remained consistent over the years, the park has evolved with the times, altering attractions to keep pace with technology and children’s changing interests. Over the last two years, elves have worked at a frenzied pace adding new attractions to make the park more immersive, more exciting, and more welcoming for visitors – children and their parents alike. The Candy Cane Express has been giving guests leisurely rides around the park, gaily blowing its steam whistle, almost from the day Santa’s Village first opened. After six decades, the train was growing a bit weary with age. Santa decided it had earned a quiet retirement and replaced the original Candy Cane Express with a new, larger model. Same fun ride, same pleasing views, more comfort. A petting farm has likewise been a part of Santa’s Village from its earliest days. It’s still there, but now with a welcome jolt of energy thanks to the addition of Santa’s Farmyard Tractor Tour. Children cityparent.com
take the wheel of a tractor and drive along a 270-m track, weaving among farm animals and whimsical displays. With these two additions, Santa’s Village now boasts a dozen rides – more than enough for a holly-jolly day of fun. One of the elves’ most impressive projects is the revitalized gift shop, through which you pass as you enter the park. This building dates to opening day in 1955 (when it served as the admissions building), so it was important to Santa and park owners that it be preserved. But everyone agreed it needed a facelift to better display the elves’ handiwork – everything from toys and decorations to souvenirs. Make sure to sit at the table, write a note to Santa, and drop it in the letterbox. Also new is Elf School, where a teacher (kindly Miss Cinnamon Swirl
on the day we visited) educates kids on how to wiggle their ears, chuckle warmly, and other important things like that. Everyone gets an elf hat – complete with ears – and a booklet that sends them on a scavenger hunt throughout the park. In previous years, Santa would greet children within the comfort of his cottage. No longer, now he waves a warm hello and chats with little ones in a COVID-safe outdoor setting. The historic cottage has been put to good use as a museum tracing the park’s six decades of spreading yuletide cheer year-round. Check out 1950s eras Mad Hatter’s Menu prices (25-cent milk shakes? Yes please). Elsewhere, we find Ralphie’s Rifle Range, named, of course, for the main character in The Christmas Story, and Snowbo
and Arrows, a child-safe archery range whose name honors the parks original mascot. If you have some energy, take a 45-minute hike through the Enchanted Forest and cross a 200-foot suspension bridge. These new additions, coupled with existing attractions, ensure that even the most jaded Scrooge will be filled with a little bit of Christmas magic when they visit Santa’s Village. santasvillage.ca
September 2021 | CITY PARENT
15
Enter our Sign-up to Win Contest!
• Recreational, Part & Full Time Competitive Dance Programs • Small size group, 9 dancers per group
YOU COULD WIN A
• New students are welcome to try their first class FOR FREE
Retail Value
CRAFTSMAN® 6-PIECE TOOL COMBO KIT WITH 2 BATTERIES
449.99
$
Enter Online:
• Go to cityparent.com/giveaways • Select this contest within the listing and click Enter to Win. • Good Luck! For full contest details & rules visit the link above. Two Prizes awarded annually to entrants of City Parent
www.craftsman.com |
FREE T TICKE
16
@craftsmantoolsca
RHYTHM & GRACE DANCE ACADEMY
CRAFTSMAN® 20V MAX CORDLESS TOOL COMBO KIT!
• Second sibling up to 50% off discount • Each child participates in our Annual Recital, Year-End Show • Recreational students receive a FREE costume 140 Snow Blvd, unit # 5, Vaughan
rgdanceacademy@gmail.com
647-867-6121
-Fall Virtual-
CITY PARENT | September 2021
Emergency Medicine Physician Dr. Natasha Collia M.D.
OB/GYN Dr. Teuta Shemshedini, M.D.
Registered Dietitian Maude Perreault, RD, PhD
Parenting Coach & Advanced Sleep Consultant Debbie Fazio
Health & Wellness Advocate Margaret Wallis-Duffy, R.M.T.
Mental Health & Childlife Specialist Michelle McVittee
cityparent.com
Back to School The speed limit in school zones is 30km/hr.
Remember to slow down, give yourself extra time and watch for pedestrians, cyclists and students.
hamilton.ca/ backtoschool MAXIMUM
30 km/h
SMALL WUNDERS
CHIL D C AR E CEN T R E
For children 6 months to 5 years of age. Carefully designed programming and classroom structure. Small Wunders is truly a “Caring and fun place to learn”.
Discover your “Small Wunder” today!
www.smallwunders.ca cityparent.com
Two locations to serve you: 1150 Eglinton Ave., #103, Mississauga, ON Phone: 905.290.0547 5353 Lakeshore Rd., # 18, Burlington, ON Phone: 905.634.7641 September 2021 | CITY PARENT
17
BOOK | SHELF
WHAT’S UNDER THE COVERS THIS MONTH
Little People, Big Dreams – Elton John By Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara adds Elton John to her collection of Little People, Big Dreams. The biography of a little boy named Reggie, who learned to play his grandma’s piano as an escape. He aspired to become a musician who now is the world-famous Elton John. Ages – 4+ Publisher – Frances Lincoln Children’s Books Pgs. – 32 Price: $18.99 HC CDN
How to Spot a Mom By Donna Amey Bhatt How to Spot a Mom beautifully describes everything a mom is—the value of a mom, from her unique skills to extraordinary talents. Mom is not “Just a Mom”, she may be the boss mom or athletic mom, the artsy mom and even the online mom. Ages – 5-8 Publisher – Wide Eyed Edition Pgs. – 32 Price: $17.99 CDN HC
An ABC of Equality By Chana Ginelle Ewing An ABC of Equality is a best-selling book that introduces children to concepts surrounding social justice. Each right-hand page features a brightly decorated letter accompanied by an empowering slogan. Ages – 0-2 Publisher – Frances Lincoln Children’s Book Pgs. – 56 Price: $19.99 CDN
Gen Z the Superhero Generation By Regina Luttrell and Karen McGrath This book will help you understand the characteristics of Gen Z’s to communicate with them in positive, productive ways. Parents, educators, and employers will be able to harness the boundless potential of this young generation, preparing them for home, school, and work environments that play to their strengths and positively impact the world. Ages – All ages Publisher – Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Pages 199 Price: $45.83
Little People, Big Dreams – Ru Paul By Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara The most impor tant thing you can teach your child that’s not taught in school is, “do what feels right to you and love yourself for who you are.” The words of Ru Paul’s mom. Like all Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara books, it inspires you and teaches you that to love yourself is to do what you love. Ages – 4+ Publisher – Frances Lincoln Children’s Books Pgs. – 32 Price: $18.99 HC CDN
Captain Cake – Meet the Candy Crew By Chris Skinner Captain Cake—Meet the Candy Crew is book 1 of 5 – There’s a new crew in town, and the characters are made of cakes, candy and vegetables. Each crew member has their own superpowers and sets out on missions. A very colourful, adventurous, easy-to-read book. Join the crew on their spaceship and into space and see how they get along, building friendships using their unique superpowers to complete missions. Ages – All Publisher – Marshall Cavendish International Pgs- 96 Price: $12.99
18
CITY PARENT | September 2021
cityparent.com
BOOK | SHELF
WHAT’S UNDER THE COVERS THIS MONTH
81 Questions for Parents – Helping Your Kids Succeed in School By Kristen J. Amundson For a parent looking for guidance this book is your assistant to helping your child succeed in school. 81 Questions is loaded with important inquiries that were asked by other parents seeking advice. From elementary through highschool, she writes about the pandemic and home schooling your children. Ages – Adult – Publisher Rowman & Littlefield – Pg-218 – Price $35.00 HC
Everyday Mathematics Made Easy By Thomas Begnal When it comes to helping kids with their homework sometimes, we need a little refresher ourselves. The content is straightforward and easy-tounderstand as you are introduced to key math concepts through a variety of everyday situations such as cooking, cleaning, and shopping. A great help book for the whole family. Ages: All Ages – Publisher: Book Sales - Pgs – 272 – Price $19.99 – CDN HC
Mindful Thoughts for Students By Georgina Hooper Mindful Thoughts for Students is a book geared for preteens. The book is beautifully illustrated and filled with advice and guidance. I recommend parents with younger children educate themselves to better form productive habits when assisting with homework and projects. Ages 13 and up – Publisher; Leaping Hare Press – Pgs – 160 – Price $12.99 CDN
Everyday Grammar Made Easy By Rod Mebane Everyday Grammar Made Easy for adults and students. Easy to read, follow, and fully illustrated. This is the handbook to keep on hand for the grammar we forget or the grammar we have trouble learning. A great reference book broken up into three chapters, fundamentals, individual topics and common mistakes we all make. Easy to understand to help improve your writing and communication skills Ages: 13 and up – Publisher: Wellfleet Press – Pgs-160 – Price: $25.99 CDN
Unofficial Hogwarts Cookbook for Kids By Alana Al-Hatiani You don’t need to be a Harry Potter fan to have fun making these recipes. Everyone loves to eat. 50 easy to follow recipes for the young chef. How about some Muggle-style pizza or cauldron cakes? A great fun way to bond with your kids. Ages 10 and up Publisher: Ulysses Press Pgs-128 Price $17.95 CDN HC
This Kitchen is for Dancing – Real Food, Pure Flavour By Karlene Karst If you love to eat, then you’re going to love this book. Packed with delicious recipes, familiar ingredients, healthy, and easy to prepare meals the whole family will enjoy. Filled with mouthwatering pictures, you’ll want to start cooking now. Ages – All – Publisher: Mind Publishing Inc. – Pgs-298 – Price $29.99
Constellation of the Deep By Benjamin Flouw Fox loves the ocean and discovering new things. While on a walk with his cousin, Wolf, they run into Seagull who tells them about a fascinating plant that grows at the bottom of the ocean called the Constellation and it glows. Ages 4-8, Publisher Penguin Random House-Tundra. Books Pgs-48 Price 21.99 CDN HC
What Does Little Crocodile Say? By Eva Montanari What toddler doesn’t enjoy making noise? This wonderful book is about a little crocodile’s first day of preschool and all the sounds he experiences on his first day. Like what a car sounds like, an alarm clock, but that’s not all that happens. Ages 2-5 – Publisher: Penguin Random House, Tundra Books – Pgs-40 – Price: $21.99 CDN HC
cityparent.com
September 2021 | CITY PARENT
19
TWEEN | AGES 8-12
be prepared
RETURNING TO CLASSROOMS SAFELY AND WITH CONFIDENCE While there’s still some uncertainty about how this school year will play out, one thing parents, students and teachers can do is, make sure they’re prepared for all scenarios. Here are a few health and safety tips to keep in mind as students return to school: Practice handwashing and sanitizing Now is the perfect time to remind ourselves about good 20 CITY PARENT | September 2021
handwashing techniques. At home, remind little ones to practice handwashing for at least 20 seconds each time. They can sing ‘happy birthday’ or another song verse that lasts 20 seconds to make it fun and memorable. While it may be difficult to teach kids not to touch their faces, consistent reminders are an excellent way to help them remember as best they can. When they’re back in the classroom, they’ll take these lessons with them.
Show them how to keep personal space Teaching children that they must stand two metres apart from each other may be difficult, especially when they’ve not seen their friends in months. Explaining that everyone keeps their distance to keep their friends and families safe is key to helping young kids understand. Give them an example to visualize what two metres looks like, like a hockey stick or the height of a door.
Get the right items in their backpacks In addition to backpacks, pencil cases, binders, and the other usual school supplies, they should still carry face masks, hand sanitizer and travel wipes. Make mask shopping fun by choosing a trendy design that kids will be excited to wear. Equip them with multiple hand sanitizers so when one gets lost, they have quick access to another. – News Canada cityparent.com
SEPTEMBER SPECIAL FOCUS
Private and Montessori
SCHOOLS
ADVERTORIAL
St. Michael’s College School
EDUCATING AND FORMING YOUNG MEN Since 1852, St. Michael’s College School has been educating and forming young men in goodness, discipline and knowledge for lives of leadership and service. We are Canada’s only Catholic, Basilian, faith-based independent school, educating boys from Grades 7 to 12 in a universitypreparatory programme. In graduating young men who change the world through lives of faith, character, and service, St. Michael’s College School brings integrity, unity, and healing to a fractured and uncertain world. Combined with state-of-theart facilities across our campus 22
CITY PARENT | September 2021
near downtown Toronto, we have implemented best-inclass technologies to ensure continuous, hybrid learning – in-class and remote – during the COVID-19 global pandemic. The result? Uninterrupted academic instruction, the continuation of our co-curriculars (clubs and activities) virtually, the ability for our students to sustain and strengthen connections with their teachers, peers and school community, and the flexibility to pivot from in-person to remote teaching when the need arises. Innovative, tailored partnerships with corporations and community
organizations provide our students with enriched, realworld experiences both inside and outside the classroom. These unique experiential opportunities complement the curriculum, enabling deeper exploration, discovery and learning, while preparing our students with an authentic window on the world of work, jobs and career paths. We invite you to see our school in action! Take a tour, conduct your own 3D virtual tour or schedule a meeting today! stmichaelscollegeschool.com
WE ARE CANADA’S ONLY CATHOLIC, BASILIAN, FAITH-BASED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL, EDUCATING BOYS FROM GRADES 7 TO 12 IN A UNIVERSITYPREPARATORY PROGRAMME. cityparent.com
ADVERTORIAL
Branksome Hall
WE CHALLENGE AND INSPIRE GIRLS TO LOVE LEARNING Every day, the students of Branksome Hall are challenged to reach higher, to develop personally, to become leaders. Students at Branksome don’t just learn – they learn to excel. Branksome Hall is one of the most high-profile girls’ schools in the country with an impressive history, beautiful campus, and reputation for fostering leadership. Founded in 1903, Branksome Hall is an independent school for girls. Today, the school rests on a 13-acre campus in the Toronto neighbourhood of Rosedale and
24 CITY PARENT | September 2021
educates over 900 girls from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. As Toronto’s only all girls and all years IB World School, they offer their students an academically excellent program in tandem with unmatched commitments to global engagement and well-being. At Branksome, girls are taught the skills they need to thrive in our changing world. They learn how to find their own strong voices and develop as lifelong learners. Branksome Hall is a school where remarkable things happen every day!
Girls from around the world live and learn at the school’s downtown Toronto campus. In heritage homes and new buildings linked by state-of-the-art technology, girls thrive as they study the prestigious International Baccalaureate program. Parents interested in learning more can connect with Branksome through several events, such as their open houses. Their dedicated Admissions team is ready to assist you. For more information, please contact admissions@branksome. on.ca or call 416-920-6265 ext. 268 or visit branksome.on.ca.
AS TORONTO’S ONLY ALL GIRLS AND ALL YEARS IB WORLD SCHOOL, THEY OFFER THEIR STUDENTS AN ACADEMICALLY EXCELLENT PROGRAM cityparent.com
The world is facing some difficult challenges. This is what the challenges are facing.
Canada • South Korea
ADVERTORIAL
Robert Land Academy
CANADA’S ONLY military-inspired PRIVATE SCHOOL Uncertainty and change surround the upcoming school year. Not only are parents worried about the health guidelines for their children, but many are also deeply concerned about their child’s academic preparedness for a new grade. COVID protocols, social isolation and online learning have not worked well for many students and increasing numbers of boys have become disengaged from school and lost in video games and u tube videos. Underly-ing issues that may have been present before have now emerged as major obstacles to learning. Robert Land Academy is a nonprofit, private, military inspired boarding school for boys established in 1978 and located on 168 acres in rural Niagara. It offers a highly structured living and learning environment for boys in grade 5 through 12 with 26
CITY PARENT | September 2021
24/7 adult supervision focused upon the special needs of boys in furtherance of their academic, physical and per-sonal growth. It is a program designed to redirect behavior rather than merely accommo-date it, paving the way towards the achievement
of positive goals and personal fulfillment. With three distinct programs to meet the needs of boys at different stages of age and devel-opment, it offers proven results rather than rhetoric. It boasted a unique safety record
dur-ing the COVID outbreak of no single student case contracted at the school as well as over a decade of recording 100% successful placement of graduate at universities and colleges throughout Canada. With a wide variety of sports and activities coupled with a vigorous academic program, Robert Land Academy offers both safety and accountability. For years it has provided a restreaming program to enable graduates to get back on track with academic level credits through the development of core literacy and numeracy programs. The results of which have been to maximize post-secondary options and opportunities and to record year after year of outstanding results in university placements. Now is the time to act. Find out more on our web page or by booking a free information session. cityparent.com
His Success....Our Program
Robert Land Academy GREAT KID...NOT SO GREAT MARKS?
Meeting Boys’ Learning Needs
Boys learn differently than girls and respond differently within the same environment. Many boys become disengaged from school finding it both irrelevant and threatening at the same time. Depression, anxiety and a sense of hopelessness have become common.
Robert Land Academy offers a program that can help. A private not-for-profit boarding school which has operated in Ontario’s Niagara Region for more than 40 years, Robert Land Academy employs a military theme to support a highly structured living and learning environment for boys in grades 5 through 12. Students attend from across Canada, the United States, and approximately 15 other nations. By addressing the needs of the whole boy and removing him from distracting or toxic environments, RLA can help him to build character through genuine achievement. Robert Land Academy offers three distinct programs for its students.
A Fresh Start in a New School! A Program That Works Including: High School Transitiong; Academic Re-Streaming; and Upgrading University Preparation
Did Your Son’s Education Suffer from School Closings? Don’t let him fall behind while being pushed forward. Our program offers Extensive Remediation in Math & Literacy; and Individual Supports
Interviewing Now for September 2021 Limited Spaces Still Available Call Now for a No Obligation Information Session A not-for-profit boarding school utilizing a military model helping boys reach their potential (gr 5-12)
www.RLA.ca I Tel: 905-386-6203 Located in the Niagara Region
55 min from Oakville I 45 min from Niagara Falls
Junior Program (grades 5-8) •small classes with an approach that capitalizes on the student’s energy and curiosity through activity-based learning, allowing boys to express that energy rather than suppress it •emphasis on social skills development and preparation for high school •academic upgrading and support Intermediate Program (grades 9 & 10) •high school transition program •small classes with an emphasis upon rewards for effort, and focus on the maintenance or recovery of academic performance conducive to senior school success •intensive remediation and individual tutoring •personal self-care and routine and social skills development Senior Program (grades 11 & 12) •small classes with a focus on specific entry requirements to university programs, and the maximizing of post-secondary options •university preparation and self-directed study program Robert Land Academy provides extensive academic remediation, small class sizes, monitored study halls, tutorials and a wide range of athletic and outdoor programs. With a focus upon self-care and routine, proper diet, nutrition and exercise and with 100% of graduates being placed in university and college programs, Robert Land Academy prepares boys for their future and helps them to achieve success. At Robert Land Academy, the door is always open to making a change for the better.
A new opportunity! A new program! A new school environment!
Are you the only one who believes that he is capable of so much more?
ADVERTORIAL
J. Addison School JASX EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM
Every child is unique and highly competent. Children require a strong environment of nurture, care, and attention to develop each child’s full potential. J. Addison School offers a learning environment that enables children to prosper by balancing the development of their social and emotional attributes in combination with formal education that consistently excites and encourages children to ask questions. We believe that the learning experiences of the early years are formative in developing the attitudes, character and skills that students need to be successful throughout their academic journey. JASX is for children ages 3.8-6 years of age, and designed to provide a rich and nurturing learning environment. We aim to develop responsible, active learners for the future who are empowered, challenged, and supported in each and every step of the way. Our distinctive JASX Early Learning program is inspired by elements of Reggio Emilia’s early years philosophy and the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) curriculum framework with a blend of the Ontario Curriculum that strengthens the roots for learning in our children. Our formal program is like no other. While the curriculum is structured following the IB Primary Years Programme, it also integrates the following areas of learning: Languages, Mathematics, Culture, Sensory and Practical Life, 28
CITY PARENT | September 2021
STEAM and Physical Education. In addition, students work on long-term projects sparked by their interest and world issue awareness as an integral part of becoming global citizens. The learning is inquiry- and play-based with a strong focus on the child. Programming is transdisciplinary with a flexible, child-led approach. Teachers scaffold around children’s
connections and moments of reflection allow them to connect to the global community with a sense of responsibility. With this attitude in mind, we foster a love of learning, develop confidence and independence while instilling important character values. We aim to nurture the innate desire in children of wanting to learn authentically, and most
importantly, to help them grow while developing a joy and passion for learning. This early learning program is intended to develop students’ intellectual, emotional, personal, and social skills. Ultimately, it fosters lifelong learners. We are focused on helping students develop holistically so that they can grow into responsible, active, and caring members of society. cityparent.com
JASX Early Learning Program
Full Time Boarding School (Gr. 7-12)
Elementary & Secondary (Gr. 1-12)
State-of-the-art Facilities
J. Addison School Partnerships
info@jaddisonschool.com | jaddisonschool.com 2 Valleywood Drive, Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R 8H3 | + 1 905 -477-4999
ADVERTORIAL
Villanova College
OUTSTANDING EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES
Villanova College is York Region’s only independent Catholic school. Our educational program prepares young men and women for university and for life by providing outstanding educational experiences, an engaged and
caring faculty, and a variety of extracurricular activities. Learning at Villanova is exciting, engaging and enduring. Small class sizes, the Teacher-Advisor Program, STEM and AP programs, and other initiatives allow our faculty to give
students the individual attention they require to reach and exceed their potential. Located on 53 acres on the Oak Ridges Moraine, the school is situated in an idyllic setting with state of the art facilities.
To provide your child with a foundation for lifelong success contact our admissions office at 905.833.1909, email us at admissions@villanovacollege.ca or visit our website at villanovacollege.org
VOTED # BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL IN KING
GR ADES 4-12 CO-ED • KING CITY, ON
Grades 4-12 Co-Ed STEM & AP Programs University Preparatory Tuition Assistance Catholic Tradition of Academic Excellence Entrance Scholarships Available
JOIN US FOR OUR FALL 2021 OPEN HOUSE DATES
SAT. OCTOBER 23 • WED. OCTOBER 27 • WED. NOVEMBER 17 • SAT. NOVEMBER 20 905-833-1909 • admissions@villanovacollege.ca • www.villanovacollege.org • King City, ON 30 CITY PARENT | September 2021
cityparent.com
n o i t a r t s i g Re
! w o h n r a Le We’re excited to launch our new online registration and booking system this fall! • New responsive site that works from any device • Improved functionality • New self-serve options like purchasing a membership and booking a facility
Fall program registration opens September 8 at 7 a.m.
Chance to win! Visit oakville.ca to create your registration account between August 16 and September 7 for a chance to win one of six $100 credits toward any Recreation and Culture program or service. Plus, enjoy fun giveaways for simply creating your account! While quantities last.
Visit oakville.ca to learn more.
WWW.RIPLEYSAQUARIUMOFCANADA.COM
