Back to School by North Shore News Features

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2016

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Emily Hendriks, 17, is finishing up high school this year and Nicholas Chorbajian, 13, is just starting. We asked them some questions about their upcoming school year. See page 23.

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L O O H C S

PHOTO CINDY GOODMAN

GIS & FALL RE

TRATION

Tips for choosing the right backpack fit. See page 20

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BACK to SCHOOL

Finding the right fit is important for backs Karen Johnson is a North Vancouver chiropractor, and she offers the following information about choosing the right backpack for your kid this school year. KAREN JOHNSON Contributing writer

It’s that time of year again to start thinking about back-to-school shopping, and one of the most important purchases parents and caregivers will make is to find the right backpack for their child.

New research indicates that there are long-term health risks associated with children wearing a poorly designed or overloaded backpack. Studies show that hauling heavy backpacks on a continual basis can cause stress to the growing spine. A heavy backpack carried on the back can potentially injure the neck, shoulders, and back, cause numbness in the arms and reduce blood flow to the surrounding muscles and tissues. Poor posture can also develop when a heavy backpack causes the child to lean forward, reducing their ability to maintain balance. The shoulders can become rounded and the resulting stress on neck muscles can lead to headaches and neck pain. A recent study has found

Choosing the right backpack is an important part of the school year and may impact your child’s health. PHOTO DREAMSTIME

that choosing the right backpack and taking care to distribute the weight evenly can make a big difference in avoiding painful injuries. Here are some tips parents and caregivers should follow when making this very important purchase. ! Find a backpack that is made of light materials. such as vinyl and canvas. ! Backpacks with two straps distribute weight much better than bags that are slung over the shoulder. ! The top of the backpack should not extend higher than the top of the shoulder and the bottom should not

fall below the top of the hipbone. ! The shoulder straps should be at least two inches wide, be padded, and should not fit too snugly around the arms. ! Choose a backpack with a padded back for added protection and support. ! A hip strap or waist belt can take as much as 50 to 70 per cent of the weight off the shoulders and spine. Try to find a backpack that has one. ! Choose a backpack with lots of pockets to help distribute weight more effectively.

Now that you have an idea of what kind of backpack is best for your child, it’s also important to consider how much weight is safe for your child to carry. The general rule of thumb is no more than 15 per cent of the child’s body weight or 10 per cent for elementary school children. Lastly, it’s also important to know how to get a backpack on so as to avoid injury. If no one is available to give a helping hand, squat or kneel to pick up the backpack and place it on a counter, chair or table at waist height, before slipping it on. Avoid twisting when lifting and lift with the legs, bending at the hips and

See Shoulder page 23

SQUAMISH NATION EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING Back to School – Fall Registration

Eslha7an Learning Centre Are you First Nation Status, Non-Status, Metis or Inuit? We are offering programs for youth and adults. Classes run 4 days a week Monday through Thursday 9:00am – 3:00pm. Limited spaces available.

1. ABE Program 2. ArrowMight Literacy Program 3. Adult Dogwood Diploma Program (Grade 12) Registration time: Now up until September 9th, 2016 Classes start: Monday, September 12th, 2016 If you are interested please come into Squamish Nation Employment & Training- Learning Centre:

We are open Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm 345 West 5 th St, North Vancouver P: 604-985-7711

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2016

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2016

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Why music education matters

Come the 2016-2017 school year, the music and 7FBD 5@#E!B A% BC! 3$D 2%E!:!D 8%A*!# >4C$$: District will reach its highest point in a dozen years. While that’s great news for students, it also illustrates the sad fact that arts and music programs have taken a considerable hit in recent decades, when arts education fell victim to budget cuts.

' 1@DA4 47% C!:" DB@#!%BD) !6$BA$%7: development. A 2003 study commissioned by Chorus America found musicians are more likely than the average person to be involved in charity work as volunteers and donors. The NAfME also notes that music students may be 6$F! :A=!:& B$ !(CA5AB !6"7BC& B$<7F# $BC!F cultures.

;C! 5!%!*BD $G 6@DA4 !#@47BA$% !(B!%# G7F beyond getting kids to tap their toes. The National Association for Music Education lists the G$::$<A%E 5!%!*BD 76$%E BC! 67%& F!7D$%D B$ support music education in schools.

' 1@DA4 47% A6"F$?! D!:G.!DB!!6, 9% 7 DB@#& !(76A%A%E ++0 G$@FBC EF7#! DB@#!%BD 7BB!%#A%E public school in Montreal, a researcher at the 8%A?!FDAB& $G ;!(7D 7B 2@DBA% G$@%# BC7B 4CA:#F!% who received piano lessons weekly for three years had higher self-esteem than children who were not given piano lessons during the same period. Neither group had participated in formal music instruction before the study, and students in both groups reported similar levels of selfesteem prior to participating in the study.

' 1@DA4 BF7A%A%E C!:"D #!?!:$" :7%E@7E! D=A::D, >B@#A!D C7?! DC$<% BC7B 6@DA4 BF7A%A%E contributes to the physical development of the part of the left side of the brain associated with processing language. A 2005 study from F!D!7F4C!FD 7B >B7%G$F# 8%A?!FDAB& G$@%# BC7B mastering a musical instrument may also A6"F$?! F!7#A%E D=A::D/ <CA4C 47% 5!%!*B students both inside and outside the classroom.

' 1@DA4 BF7A%A%E 47% A6"F$?! C7%#.!&! 4$$F#A%7BA$%, >B@#A!D C7?! :A%=!# :$%E. term music training to improved hand-eye coordination. That is likely connected to the motor skills children develop when playing musical instruments. Without those instruments, those motor skills may not develop as strongly.

' 1@DA4 A6"F$?!D 4$%4!%BF7BA$%, -?!% DB@#!%BD who cannot play a musical instrument can still 5!%!*B 747#!6A47::& GF$6 DA6":& :ADB!%A%E to music. In 2007, a research team from BC! >B7%G$F# 8%A?!FDAB& >4C$$: $G 1!#A4A%! found that music engages the areas of the brain involved with paying attention. Today’s students deal with numerous distractions, from smartphones to tablets to social media, but those who routinely listen to certain types of 6@DA4 6AECB *%# AB !7DA!F B$ 5:$4= $@B BC$D! distractions and focus on their work.

Music education can enrich the lives of young students in a myriad of ways, potentially 4$%BFA5@BA%E B$ C7""A!F/ 6$F! G@:*::A%E :A?!D, SOURCE: METRO CREATIVE

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2016

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BACK to SCHOOL

Going into Grade 12 North Shore News: How does it feel to be in your final year of high school? Emily Hendriks: I am honestly very excited to be in my final year of high school. I think almost everyone going into Grade 12 feels like they have plans and ideas bigger than where they are now. I’m excited to move on to something better, like travelling and university. NSN: Do you have any worries about being in your final year of high school? Emily: No, I think if you asked me that a year ago I would have said yes. However, now I feel as though I have a plan for my final year and after I graduate. NSN: What are your plans for after high school? Emily: Taking a year off, definitely. I want to work a lot to save for university and hopefully travel a little bit with

my older sister. After that I’m hoping to obtain a degree in psychology and then pursue criminal law. NSN: What do you look forward to most in your final year of high school? Emily: I look forward to taking the classes that actually interest me in Grade 12. It’s the only year in high school, I think, that you really get to focus on subjects you enjoy. I think Grade 12 will be a great year. NSN: How do you think it will feel on the last day of high school? Emily: I think I will be relieved and excited. I have so many plans and ideas to pursue that I want to start working on them as soon as I can. NSN: What do you think you’ll remember most about high school when you finish? Emily: Definitely the people I met. I’ve met a lot of great

people in high school. I think the successful friendships and the not-so-successful friendships are both very important to remember. The not-so-successful ones were amazing life lessons and I think they’re important to remember most. NSN: What do you remember about your first year in high school? Emily: My first year I remember being so scared of what everyone thought of me. Being so scared to do something wrong. My first year of high school I actually went to a school on the Sunshine Coast. Everyone knows everyone there so it was nerve-racking to know whatever you did everyone would know about it. But I remember at the end of the year I was much more confident. Confident enough to move to North Vancouver and attend school here. NSN: What would you tell students who are just starting

Emily Hendriks, 17, is going into Grade 12 at Argyle secondary this September. Thirteen-year-old Nicholas Chorbajian (below) is starting Grade 8 at West Vancouver secondary. We asked them some questions about their school experience. PHOTOS CINDY GOODMAN high school? Emily: When I moved to North Vancouver and starting going to Argyle I realized that no one really cares and I

Going into Grade 8

NSN: How does it feel to be leaving your elementary school? Nicholas Chorbajian: I’m half and half on how I feel about moving on from elementary school. Part of me is excited to experience high school and part of me is not looking forward to the curriculum. NSN: How does it feel to be starting high school? Nicholas: I feel like starting high school will be an interesting experience and a great chance for me to grow socially and find a solid group of friends and expand my education. NSN: Do you have any concerns about starting high school? Nicholas: My only concern about starting high school is that I won’t have enough time for extracurricular activities. NSN: What are you most looking forward to in high school? Nicholas: I’m really looking forward to playing football and participating in the West Vancouver School District soccer academy. NSN: How do you think high school will be different than elementary school? Nicholas: I think high school will be much more different because it is much bigger and there are a lot of new people.

Shoulder straps help ease the burden from page 20

knees to put on one shoulder strap at a time. Following these tips can help ensure your child’s back is protected. For more information on choosing the right backpack for your child, contact your local chiropractor. Karen Johnson is a chiropractor at Lifemark Lonsdale, a multidisciplinary clinic located in North Vancouver. She treats a variety of conditions and patients of all ages, including infants and seniors. Johnson completed her studies at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto and has been treating patients since 2009.

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don’t mean that in a bad way. Teenagers are psychologically built to be self involved, they don’t care what you’re wearing or how you have your hair. So I would definitely tell them to be themselves. I can almost guarantee that no one cares about what you look like except you. Being yourself is how you find your good, solid group of friends, which is super important. NSN: What do you wish you

had known going into your first year of high school? Emily: I wish I had known to be more confident, and to focus more on learning good habits when it comes to studying. I coasted through elementary school and grades 8 and 9 never taking time to form good study habits, so that has been something I’ve had to do in my later years.

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TIME FOR KINDERGARTEN? TIME FOR IMMUNIZATIONS

Are you First Nation Status, Non-Status, Metis or Inuit? Are you unemployed, currently on EI or have been on EI in the past 3 years? We have the following services and programs available:

Skills Training Services:

Job Readiness Services:

• Essential Skills Training • Funding for Trades • Funding for Certificates up to 1 year at a College/University • Recruitment Services

• Career Counselling • Job Board • Job Search • Recruitment

If you are interested please come into Squamish Nation Employment & Training:

We are open Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm 345 West 5th St, North Vancouver P: 604-985-7711

CALL TODAY TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

FOR YOUR CHILD’S FREE IMMUNIZATIONS 604.983.6700 OR VISIT A KINDERGARTEN DROP-IN CLINIC NEAR YOU

West Community Health Centre Main Floor - 2121 Marine Drive, West Van Thursdays 2:30 - 4:30pm Wednesday August 31st, 9:30 - 11:30am

Parkgate Community Health Centre 3625 Banff Court, North Van Thursday September 1st 9:30 - 11:30am

Central Community Health Centre 6th Floor – 132 West Esplanade, North Van Fridays 9:00 - 11:00am Wednesdays 3:00 - 5:30pm Wednesday September 7th, 12:00 - 2:00pm

For a map of clinic locations & times visit www.vch.ca/kindergarten-vaccines