Learning for Life 2024 Edition

Ja nua r y 2024

LEARNING forLIFE THE BILLINGS OVULATION METHOD®

SPROTT SHAW COLLEGE VICTORIA LITERACY CONNECTION SCHOOL DISTRICT #71 JOAN WALLACE DRIVING SCHOOL PARKLAND SECONDARY SCHOOL THE WEST COAST COLLEGE OF MASSAGE THERAPY

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Essential Knowledge

FOR EVERY WOMAN

CLIENT TESTIMONY

"Billings has been wonderful for us. I feel I understand my wife's body and her natural ryhythms more and that is very empowering for our love life. Our relationship has never been better!"

- A BILLINGS HUSBAND

W

hy 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

BillingsLIFE

Leaders in Fertility Education BILLINGS OVULATION METHOD®

Knowledge of her body that every woman ought to have in order to safeguard her health and fertility.

App: www.fertilitypinpoint.com | web: www.billings.life

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, premenopause 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 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

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

LIFELONG LEARNING and 120 years of student success

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fter over 120 years of student success, the team at Sprott Shaw College reflects on lifelong learning and some of the current trends being seen in the education field.

LIFELONG LEARNING: People are working longer years and the “one career” is no longer the norm. This places a greater emphasis on lifelong learning and opens opportunities for starting multiple careers throughout a lifetime.

With the increase in career changes and the need to develop new skills, there is a stronger need for post-secondary institutions to provide increased flexibility to students. At Sprott Shaw College, we provide programs with a monthly intake approach rather than the standard semester-based system. This provides our students more choice in when they can start their education.

TECHNOLOGY: Advances in technology are moving at such a rapid rate and can impact all types of industries.

This not only means that new jobs are appearing, but that employees need to acquire new skills to be

successful in their current roles.

The education sector is always adapting to these technological advances, and at Sprott Shaw, we have embraced technology with a greater emphasis on online delivery methods. The demand for online programs is increasing, and a growing number of programs we provide are being delivered either online, or using an online, on-campus hybrid approach.

We have also launched our first asynchronous online program which provides an even greater degree of flexibility for our students.

SOFT SKILLS: The downside of a reliance on technology and remote learning is that soft skills are not always developed. For this reason, many Sprott Shaw programs incorporate soft skill development such as interpersonal and communication skills to ensure students are wellrounded and fully equipped to succeed in today’s workplace.

For more information about Sprott Shaw College and its program offerings, please visit sprottshaw.com.

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Opening the world of learning in our community

ictoria Literacy Connection (VLC) is a non-profit charity that provides literacy support to children, youth and adults on Southern Vancouver Island. Our approach is learner-centered, so we help you with your goals at your pace.

Programming includes 1:1 tutoring in varying subjects including reading, writing and math, group English Language facilitation, basic computer and electronic device learning, post-secondary support, literacy assessment and a pen-pal club.

TESTIMONIAL: “I came across VLC as a resource about 5 months after my separation. I found myself after 17 yrs of being a stay-at-home mom with a lot of anxiety and insecurity about returning to the workforce. … If I had not had such a positive, supportive and immersive experience connecting with VLC, I would not have the confidence to move forward concretely towards launching my own business.

The VLC tutor was friendly, clear in what we were going to cover…

Having a stronger understanding of how to navigate the internet, how to access resources… has been instrumental in feeling like I can move forward with my life with resilience and independence.

Marla guided me through this program with warmth and patience. I’m grateful for her friendly approach. I felt raw this past year with very little time to process the chaos of my personal life… Being treated with respect, dignity and kindness in such a small way was impactful to me. I’m grateful she connected with C as a tutor…

Thank you for making a rough year less so for me with access to computer literacy. Education is empowering.”

Tech Learner age 49

ADVERTISING FEATURE

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Inspiring learning at every stage of development

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avigate/NIDES

BC families have more choices than ever before when considering education options for their children. By thinking outside of the traditional structure of classroom instruction, we can deliver more choices to families and make the most of the learning resources available.

Navigate/NIDES supports a learning partnership between students, parents, teachers, and the community to bring rich learning experiences for students.

WE BELIEVE THAT QUALITY EDUCATION IS: UNIQUE: Learning is a personal experience for each student, and we celebrate this by offering creative solutions supporting 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 with skilled and dedicated teachers. Our online learning space provides secure moderated forums where students can exchange ideas and learn from one another.

FLEXIBLE: Students and families thrive with greater flexibility and education options. The new BC curriculum is the foundation for this approach. Personalized learning plans guide the focus on specific needs and interests for students.

Our platform and experience support learning anytime, anywhere, any place, and at any pace.

Navigate/NIDES has been recognized both nationally and internationally as a leader in blended learning, building flexible learning plans that work for each student. Our goal is to inspire learning that is meaningful at every stage of child development.

Learning through passion and wonder

H

eartwood Learning gives families the freedom to schedule their child’s learning experiences at their own pace. In this elementary program, parents work closely with our BC certified teachers and the surrounding community to create individual learning plans that reflect each child’s passion and sense of wonder. Our small group learning communities are typically eight to fifteen students, with a multi-age environment that encourages growth and collaboration. Each program is unique in their face-to-face offering depending on the location and can vary from outdoor nature based, STEM or inquiry based learning. The Heartwood program puts your child first and surrounds them in a positive, rich learning culture.

EARN BC GRAD CREDITS ONLINE! Guided by expert teachers Balance your workload Self-paced learning Scheduling flexibility Fully funded for all students working towards BC grad requirements Learn more and enroll at NavigateNIDES.com

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Driving school or teach your teen to drive?

Are you ready to teach your teen to drive?

Ahead of the Curve

NEW LOCATION! 102-1620 COOK ST. GRADUATED LICENSING PROGRAM ONLY $999*

Use promo code JWDSGLC *New customers only **Family discounts for returning customers

Call: 250-383-7483 office@wallacedrivingschool.com

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arents are excellent partners in training new drivers when working with driving instructors. They also benefit 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 copilot 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 difficult 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 confident well trained driver will be successful on a road test of any kind. The speed is low and traffic 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 first road test. Average driving school pass rate is 71%. Joan Wallace Driving School pass rate is 86%. joanwallacedrivingschool.com

ADVERTISING FEATURE

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Our foundation for success is helping students thrive

arkland Secondary School is proud of its innovative, inspiring, inclusive learning environment and a solid reputation for unique programs. Parkland has a diverse selection of course offerings, including its renowned Marine Academy, complimenting the region’s coastal geography.

Students can also choose from courses in Trades, Technology, Visual and Performing Arts, and Athletics, including Sports Performance Basketball, a Hockey Academy and Canada’s only Judo Academy.

Our International Baccalaureate ® (IB) Programme makes Parkland the only English-speaking public school on southern Vancouver

Island to offer the IB Diploma Programme for students in their final two years of high school. The IB Diploma Programme prepares students for participation in a rapidly evolving and increasingly global society as they develop intellectually, emotionally, physically and ethically while acquiring skills that will prepare them for further education and life in the 21st century.

Universities across Canada and worldwide regard the IB Diploma Programme as excellent preparation for university entrance.

Students in the IB Diploma Programme study 3 higher-level courses which are taught at the university level. Students who

achieve the required grade in higher-level courses can get transfer credits when applying to university.

Many Parkland students who can only commit partially to the IB classes will take an IB course or two. These students benefit from IB rigour and truly learn what it takes to succeed in university. This is a great option for many students on a university pathway.

If you would like more information on our IB Programme, please visit www.parkland.saanichschools. ca/parkland-ib, and email parkland@saanichschools.ca .

Creating the leaders of tomorrow, today.

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Pursue a rewarding career in the field of massage therapy

A flexible lifestyle is one reason to consider massage therapy

Become a Registered Massage Therapist.

COMPETENCY-BASED, MASTERY-LEVEL, 20-MONTH REGISTERED MASSAGE THERAPY DIPLOMA PROGRAM

Contact Admissions Phone: 250-381-9800 or Email: vicadmissions@collegeofmassage.com

www.collegeofmassage.com Treatments are offered for

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BOOK YOUR MASSAGE NOW! Phone: 250-381-9800 ext 221 or visit victoriacollegeofmassage.janeapp.com

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he West Coast College of Massage Therapy, a pioneer and leader in the massage therapy industry, is helping meet the growing demand for highly trained registered massage therapists. There are many reasons to become a Massage Therapist and different things can draw a person to that calling – the flexibility of the schedule, the ability to follow your passion or the sheer satisfaction of helping others. At the West Coast College of Massage Therapy, we’ve taught thousands of students, each on their own unique path to RMT, and physical therapists. While we work hard to instill a sense of pride, education and ambition in our students, it always makes us happy to see how they fare once they walk across our graduation stage and into the world of Massage Therapy.

Many describe their dream job as having the ability to select

their own working hours, and with Massage Therapy, you are awarded that luxury. There’s also the advantage of choosing from multiple fields. With such a broad practice, there are many career opportunities to choose from and alumni have been able to follow their individual passions while still helping others.

Massage Therapy is one of the most evolving and diverse medical professions that exist today. You can focus your practice on so many different types of therapy – pregnancy and maternity, sports, geriatric, neuro, rehabilitation, pediatrics, chronic illness, First Nations or maybe a little bit of everything.

For others, it’s the discipline they’ve learned while in Massage school. They appreciate not just holding themselves accountable but seeing the progress of their truly dedicated patients. They are

working as a team to achieve a common goal, which is to help a patient reach success or to fully heal with Massage.

The most common benefit of being a Massage Therapist, recognized from so many of our students and faculty in our community, is the reward of helping others reach their full potential, whether it’s healing, achieving a new a goal or simply being able to perform small, everyday tasks.

People choose to become Massage Therapists for many reasons. It can be because of money, time flexibility, passion – but at the end of the day, every Massage Therapists experiences the same thing – healing. There couldn’t be any better reason than that.

For more information, email: vicadmissions@collegeofmassage. com or call 250-381-9800 ext 227.