GROW INTO A CAREER YOU LOVE PACIFIC HORTICULTURE COLLEGE
CUSTOMIZE EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR MUSIC LESSONS CUSTOM MUSIC
LEARNING ANY TIME, ANYWHERE, ANY PACE
GREATER VICTORIA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 71
DISCOVER THE JOY OF MUSIC THE VICTORIA CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
DRIVING SCHOOL OR TEACH YOUR TEEN TO DRIVE?
JOAN WALLACE DRIVING SCHOOL
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE FOR EVERY WOMAN BILLINGS CENTRE OF FERTILITY EDUCATION TO OUR LEARNING COMMUNITY
GREATER VICTORIA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 61
Students need their sleep
It’s hard enough to get your kids ready for school these days. The list of requirements are getting longer as the prices of items are getting higher. And for parents sending their kids to their rst dorm/school residence? Emotions can run even higher for all. The pressure of the extensive “list” can really take away from what should be a very exciting time in the young adult’s life. Kristen Stannix, owner of Heirloom Linens was in a position to make life easier, and she didn’t hesitate. “Creating custom linen packages for the students seemed like a great way to help everyone involved, allowing more time for the things that matter most”. Stannix even thought of additional details that may have otherwise been overlooked, “we also o er pre-washing services for the towels, the duvet cover and sheets so the bedding is ready to sleep on when they arrive. If you'd like name labels to stick to their bedding so it doesn’t go missing
in the communal school laundry, we can do that too.”
The bundles are di erent depending on the school, but most include: duvet cover, sheets, towels, mattress pad, duvet, pillow and more. Heirloom Linens has even made it easy to navigate the options on their website. So visit the store in person or check
it out online and allow them to help you make this amazing time, one to remember.
Grow into a career you love
By Laura Biggs
In these challenging and uncertain economic times, school is an investment that needs to pay off. For those who want to work outside and are interested in plants, horticulture can provide a fulfilling and enjoyable career in a growing industry. Pacific Horticulture College (PHC), located at the Gardens at HCP, provides students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in the horticulture industry. PHC students are provided with lots of networking opportunities throughout their education and are well-supported in finding jobs post-graduation. In addition, the Landscape Horticulture Certificate Program includes two weeks of work experience that further solidify industry knowledge and connections.
Here is what two of PHC’s graduates have to say about their experience at PHC:
"I enrolled in the horticulture program at PHC with no previous practical experience or knowledge in horticulture. Upon graduation I had the confidence to apply for a variety of job opportunities in the field. The fantastic instructors and staff create a program that goes above
and beyond the SkilledTradesBC content and having the diverse gardens on site to hone our skills is a wonderful advantage."
– Lisa Giles, 2019 Graduate
“PHC supported my growth and development with numerous networking opportunities. They incorporated relevant guest speakers, employers and professionals that directly enhanced my educational experience and prospects for success. After graduating from PHC, I felt confident in my skills and abilities due to the networking opportunities and real industry work experience that the College facilitated throughout my time there.”
– Jason Tonna, 2018 Graduate Upcoming programs include Level 3 and 4 apprenticeship training, part-time Level 1 apprenticeship training in January, and the Landscape Horticulture Certificate Program also starting in January.
To learn more about how PHC can help you grow your love of plants into a career, contact us at admissions@hcp.ca or attend our Information Session on Monday, September 23 at 6:00pm. Also visit hcp.ca for details on program options, application information, and tuition fees.
Every student learns differently and Custom Music wants to make their lessons the most enjoyable, rewarding and uplifting experience they can be. Students can customize every aspect of their music lessons to suit their needs. They decide on price, location, including in-home lessons and lessons
in every area of the city, music style, learning pace, scheduling, the teacher’s approach and their teacher's age and style. If a student needs to reschedule, it’s no problem.
Custom Music won’t charge extra for make-up lessons and they will offer to move lessons to a new permanent time slot if needed. Custom Music teachers are
experienced, lifelong musicians and many of them are recording artists.
Custom Music is third generation – going back to the Hall Fairfield Music Centre in the 1920s and then the Arcade Music Centre in the 1950s, and now them. Register any time by calling 250-419-9727
Custommusiclessons.com
Learning any time, anywhere, any pace
This program is designed to create a rich, flexible and respectful learning environment where the teacher, parent and child are partners working together to develop and support their child’s education. Our teachers will build on and engage your child’s natural curiosity!
Your child will experience learning at their own pace and through their personal passions.
Motivation is key to all learning. Heartwood focuses on each child’s interests, natural curiosity, imagination and joy of discovery in order to engage their deep attention. Our goal is to have
BCfamilies
each child’s developmental needs recognized, honoured and met. We offer a supported personalized learning program for each family that allows parents to be involved with all aspects of their child’s education.
We believe that strong relationships are essential to a child’s openness to learning. In these small group settings, teachers are able to develop close relationships with each child and guide the process of discovery. Parents have a unique opportunity to collaborate with teachers and contribute to the learning space and learning community. Teachers and
parents work together to cocreate each child’s learning plans and continue to communicate closely throughout the year, to share discoveries and interests, challenges, and successes.
The program is free to BC residents, and each family is provided with a budget for learning resources which can include such things as music lessons, or access to sports opportunities.
Portfolio conferencing that present student learning is done 3 times each year, as required by the BC Ministry of Education. navigatenides.com
WHY CHOOSE NAVIGATE?
have more choices than ever before when considering education options for their children. By thinking outside of the traditional structure of classroom instruction, we are able to deliver more choices to families and make the most of the learning resources available. All of our courses and programs are taught by BC Certified teachers,
ensuring that the standards of education set by the BC Ministry of Education are met or exceeded. Navigate has been recognized both nationally and internationally as a leader in blended learning, building flexible learning plans that work for each student. We are proud to have been awarded the prestigious iNACOL (International Association for K-12 Online Learning) award for
Innovative Blended and Online Learning in 2014, and the 2016 Canadian Innovators in Education Award from the Canadian Education Association (CEA) and Readers Digest magazine. Our goal is to inspire learning that is meaningful at every stage of child development. We have decades of experience, a history of success, and a strong team of dedicated professionals.
We believe that quality education is:
Unique: Learning is a personal experience for each student and we celebrate this by offering creative solutions to learning. We work with each student to help them find their personal “spark” to develop a life-long love of learning and a never-ending sense of curiosity.
CONNECTED
We support and encourage community so that students, parents, teachers, and community members work together to engage the students and provide an enriched personalized educational environment. Technology allows for K-12 students throughout BC to access online learning as well as face-to-face instruction. Our online learning space provides secure moderated forums where students can exchange ideas and learn from one another.
INSPIRED BY COMMUNITY
We are interested in developing community mentoring relationships that provide a context and personal connection to curriculum.
FLEXIBLE
Students and families thrive with greater flexibility and education options. The new BC
curriculum is the foundation for this approach. Students can enroll as full time or part time students, and work at their own pace to complete their graduation requirements even while attending their current school. Personalized learning plans allow a focus on specific needs for Indigenous students, special education students, and to provide mental health support in ways that classroom environments are not equipped to do.
ACCESSIBLE
As a publicly funded OL school in SD71 in the Comox Valley, Navigate offers free online courses to all non-graduated students in BC. There are modest fees for blended learning programs, and tuition fees are required for adult students who have already graduated. Students from any school district can apply at any time throughout the calendar year.
SUPPORTED
A Navigate education is highly resourced. We have decades of experience, a history of success and innovation, and a strong team of dedicated professionals who are open to finding new approaches to common goals.
According to Scholastic, summer slide is a concept that was first acknowledged by researchers in 1996. Many comprehensive studies have come out since then and indicated that kids lose significant knowledge in reading and math over summer break, which can have a cumulative effect and lead to skill loss each year. Some research says up to 20 percent of school year gains in reading and 27 percent in math are lost during summer break. Children should be encouraged to read as much as possible during summer break, particularly since
Keep reading
many schools require summer reading and subsequent essays or book reports upon returning to the classroom. Let kids read what they want, whether it's comics, magazines, the newspaper, or even books they've read before.
Accumulate supplies
School may not be on the radar early in summer, but it's wise to purchase supplies early. Right before school starts there is a mad dash to grab notebooks, pens, clothing, and more, which can make for a stressful shopping experience for all involved.
Shopping early helps families avoid that outcome.
Brush up on math skills
It can't hurt for students to do a few math problems over the summer. Practice keeps skills fresh and any mathematical formulas prominent in their minds. All it takes is one or two problems per day to stay on top of math skills.
Visit educational attractions
Families can include museums, art exhibits, animal sanctuaries, libraries, science centers, and similar attractions in the list of
places they visit over the summer. This way students can learn and be entertained simultaneously.
Start enforcing bedtimes
School-aged children (six to 13 years) need nine to 12 hours of sleep every night, according to KidsHealth.org. During the summer, late nights can easily be rectified by sleeping in the next day. But when school resumes, the alarm clock will be ringing earlier than expected. Parents can gradually implement earlier bedtimes as summer winds down so that kids are getting their rest.
Get in the know
Parents can begin to pay closer attention to emails and social media posts from schools as they'll likely contain information about upcoming school calendars, bus routes (or transportation registration), changes in personnel, or any additional updates. This will help alleviate any surprises on the first day of school.
Families can take several steps to get ready for school as the first day draws near.
—MC
Discover the Joy of Music this Fall at the Victoria Conservatory of Music
The Victoria Conservatory of Music invites you to join our vibrant community and explore our diverse range of fall group classes designed for all ages and skill levels.
THE VICTORIA CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
Founded 60 years ago, the Victoria Conservatory of Music has established itself as a cornerstone of musical education and culture in Victoria. As a non-pro t organization, our mission is to foster a lifelong love of music through learning, performance, and wellness. Our dedicated faculty, composed of professional musicians and educators, is committed to providing high-quality instruction in a nurturing environment that promotes excellence, curiosity, and innovation.
This fall, we o er a wide variety of group classes tailored to meet the interests and needs of our community. From beginner courses that introduce the fundamentals of music to more advanced ensembles that challenge and inspire, there’s something for everyone. Our classes include everything from classical instruments and voice to contemporary genres and innovative music technology. Whether you’re looking to learn a new instrument, re ne your skills, or simply enjoy making music with others, the Victoria Conservatory has a class for you. Located in the heart of Victoria, and with a satellite
location in Langford, our facilities include three performance venues, 55+ practice rooms and studios, and the only dedicated public music library on Vancouver Island. Whether you prefer in-person or online classes, our programs cater to your needs and lifestyle.
As a non-pro t, we are dedicated to making music education accessible to everyone.
To support this mission, we o er scholarships and bursaries to help ensure that nancial constraints do not prevent individuals from pursuing their musical passions. Music enriches lives, fostering creativity, discipline, and community spirit, and we are proud to contribute to these positive changes in our students’ lives.
Choosing the Conservatory means becoming part of a supportive and dynamic community where music lives. This fall, take the rst step toward your musical journey with the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Register for our group classes and experience the transformative power of music. Visit our website or contact us today to learn more and secure your spot. Let the music begin! vcm.bc.ca
Music Lives MusicLives Here
Classes forall ages and abilities
Parents are excellent partners in training new drivers when working with driving instructors. They also bene t from the opportunity to refresh and update their driving.
All new teen drivers have been observing parents driving skills and habits for many years. This could make teaching driving to the learner a piece of cake if the co-pilot is an excellent driver.
Here are some questions to answer before setting out for a parking lot to start your teen new driving experience: Does your teen know what to do if a car is coming at them?
When more insurance claims are received from parking lot crashes than any other area, it is not advisable to start a learner in a parking lot. Choose a quiet street with limited parking.
When an oncoming vehicle approaches how do you handle the situation? There are some necessary guidelines to discuss with the new driver before the situation arises.
Does your teen know that green does not mean go?
New drivers will often not have the countdown tempo for changing lights. They see others speeding up for yellow lights, and late turners going left all when the lights are red or green. A green light means one can go only when it is clear and safe to do so. These concepts are di cult to teach when poor real-life examples are observed every day.
Did you know that 77% of all crashes are due to driver error?
A new driver must learn the skills and the psychology of good decision making. Professional
behind the wheel coaching incorporates the decision making in all situations. Defensive driving skills are so important in reducing crashes.
Did you know that learning to pass a car safely is more important than passing a road test?
A con dent well trained driver will be successful on a road test of any kind. The speed is low and tra c not that challenging on a road test. Passing a car at a high speed is the riskiest of all maneuvers. Head on collisions are the deadliest. Once a new driver has a license they can drive anywhere in all conditions.
Parent taught new drivers are 51% successful on the rst road test. Average driving school pass rate is 71%. Joan Wallace Driving School pass rate is 86%. joanwallacedrivingschool.com
Making Time for Family
As parents we all know how important it is to spend quality time with our kids. The bene ts of building a strong bond go far beyond simply having fun together.
For kids, the bene ts of family time are signi cant. Studies show that kids who spend more time with family tend to do better in school, develop stronger coping skills, and have higher selfesteem. Prioritizing family time can help improve the parent’s mental health, reduce stress, and even increase life expectancy. Unfortunately the demands of modern life can make it di cult to nd the time to make those family bonds. Between work, chores, shopping, cleaning and taking kids to activities, quality family time is hard to come by. Luckily, there are some simple things you can try to help make more time for family:
1 INVOLVE CHILDREN IN THE CHORES
Even small kids can clear the table or tidy their room. Perhaps try to schedule some time to clean the house as
How to prepare kids to go back to school
a family, and teach your children about the importance of team-work. Approach this as a fun activity with music and dancing to build happy memories.
2 EAT TOGETHER
In many parts of the world, eating together is highly important. Sharing the family dinner will let your child tell you about their day, learn healthy eating habits, and appreciate you making time for them.
3
TRY MEAL PREP
Over the last few years meal-prep kits have become hugely popular for their time saving bene ts. Try a dinner or lunch delivery to free up your planning, shopping, and cooking time for other family activities. This Week’s Lunch delivers pre-packed, healthy-but-tasty kid’s lunches right to your door. Choose from a selection of dietitian-approved items that your child will love, and trade lunch packing for game night!
The end of summer can be a bittersweet time for students. While many students look forward to seeing their friends, few want to say goodbye to the relaxing days of summer.
Parents know that getting their children back in the school day swing of things can be a challenge. The following are some ways to make that transition go smoothly.
• ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO READ THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER
A report from the education publishing company Scholastic found that 47 percent of parents are unaware of the "summer slide", which refers to the loss of academic skills that occurs when school is not in session. Scholastic notes that the slide is largely attributed to a lack of reading when school is not in session. By encouraging kids to read during their summer vacations, parents can make sure youngsters' brains stay sharp and are ready to learn once the school year begins.
• INTRODUCE MORE STRUCTURE AS SUMMER VACATION WINDS DOWN
The chance to unwind in a structure-free setting can bene t students at the onset of
summer vacation. In the weeks before the school year is slated to begin, start waking kids up a little earlier and reintroducing bedtimes for younger children who may have been staying up later over the last couple of months. This can be an e ective way to begin slowly preparing youngsters for the structure of the school year.
• FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE Even kids who love school may be apprehensive about returning to the classroom. After all, summer vacation is fun. Parents can confront that apprehension by focusing on the positives of returning to school. Emphasize the chance to see friends every day or participate in a beloved extracurricular activity, like sports, band or a favourite academic club. – MC
Essential Knowledge for every woman
Why haven’t I heard about it before?” Is the cry that all accredited teachers of the Billings Ovulation Method® of natural fertility regulation hear so often in client follow ups! I was no exception. I gave birth to three babies and no one told me that nature had given me a reliable sign of my health and fertility….a special cervical secretion, already noticed by some women, just as they walk around during the ordinary course of their daily activities! Some women have even been treated in the past for it under the name of Leukorrhea! It wasn’t until I asked my father-in-law, psychologist and marriage counsellor, about postponing a fourth pregnancy, did I learn about it. “They’re all doing it in Ireland,” he said. And so I became hooked! I attended a Toronto conference where Drs. John and Evelyn Billings were the guest speakers. They motivated me to become a teacher and challenged me not to stop telling women for the rest of my
life! I taught in Montreal and Calgary in the Holy Cross hospital and later attended all major United Nations International conferences in the 1990’s and early Millennium as an NGO for the World Organization of the Method (WOOMBinternational. org) I used the Slide Rule to tell delegates that I knew every evening whether or not I could conceive a child, without recourse
to contraception of any kind. How empowering is that? I had found the Method easy and simple to learn. I was only asked to become aware of what my body was telling me; about the presence of the special cervical secretion, or lack of it, which is vital for sperm survival, that develops ahead of ovulation. The learning process took about three months of supervision by an accredited teacher to become confident in always recognizing the fertile phase, whenever it occurred, followed by menstruation 11 to 16 days later. Applying four easy, common sense guidelines, so as not to miss the sign of fertility, was no burden at all for my husband and I ; I kept a simple evening record of observations; seeking the help of an accredited teacher at such times as trying to conceive (no brainer - during the few, if any, fertile days) or when there was an unchanging dry/discharge pattern, day after day, denoting infertility. Refresher follow ups are particularly important during normal irregular cycles: postpartum; breastfeeding; coming off contraceptive medication, pre-menopause or in times of extreme mental and physical stress, when ovulation is delayed. In this case there are
hormonal attempts at ovulation that are obvious to doctors trained to understand a Billings chart. To these medics the Billings chart is like a movie of underlying hormones, cheaper and as accurate as labour intensive laboratory blood tests. Such diseases as early cancer and endocrine disorders are now being diagnosed through the Billings chart.
I became fascinated by the ongoing research on normal, fertile and infertile cycles by emeritus Professor James Brown, (The Continuum). I was privileged, with the help of my husband, to arrange conferences in McGill University Medical Centre in Montreal for Drs. John and Evelyn Billings, developers of the Method) and in Calgary for Prof. Erik Odeblad of Sweden, (who differentiated cervical mucus types and their functions).
Moreover, Dr. Leonie McSweeney, working with couples in Africa, had shown how precise timing of sexual relations would allow a couple to know the likelihood of the sex of the baby! I was grateful for the enhanced communication and relationship with my husband as a result of using the Method. I learned that the World Health Organization, having found it to be 98.5% effective in a
"Billings
has been wonderful for us. I feel I understand my wife's body and her natural rhythms more and that is very empowering for our love life. Our relationship has never been better!"
‑ A BILLINGS HUSBAND
five-continent study, (1978) gave it the name “Billings”.
In conclusion, this Method helps couples, having difficulties conceiving, sometimes after years of trying! All it takes is for the woman to notice maybe one day in a year when the lubricative sensation of mucus is present without seeing anything! Blind women can use the Method! On the flip side postponing conception in this cost-free, natural, healthy effective way helps couples safeguard their health and fertility. www.billings.life
— By Susan F. Hobson
Susan, widow, mother and grandmother, has been spreading the good news for thirty four years. She lives on the Island. jandsfryer@shaw.ca
To our learning community
Preparations for the 20242025 school year are well underway within the Greater Victoria School District and excitement is building in anticipation of the coming school year. We look forward to welcoming more than 20,000 new and returning students to our 48 schools located throughout Victoria, Esquimalt, Oak Bay, View Royal, Saanich, and the Highlands—traditional territories of the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations on which we live, learn, and do our work.
At the beginning of each school year, I re ect on our collective vision to provide each student with opportunities to ful ll their potential and pursue their aspirations. I am grateful for the collaboration between Rightholders, students, sta , families, partners, and the wider community that makes this vision a reality.
This school year also marks the nal year of our 2020-2025 Strategic Plan. We remain committed to creating equitable, accessible, and safe learning
environments that support and improve all learners’ personal and academic success. By addressing inequities and ensuring inclusive and culturally responsive opportunities for Indigenous students, children and youth in care, and students with disabilities or diverse abilities, we can elevate experiences for all.
Supporting all learners’ physical and mental well-being will also continue to be a priority, as social-emotional learning, physical literacy, and mental health literacy are key factors in
improving outcomes for students.
Whether you are registering a child in StrongStart or Kindergarten, supporting a grade-level learner, hosting an international student, or enrolling yourself in a Continuing Education program, we are excited to support you, your family, and all who are connected to our learning community.
Looking forward to seeing you in September, Deb Whitten Superintendent of Schools Greater Victoria School District No.61
Find the words hidden vertically, horizontally, diagonally, and backwards
