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Agnes Stawicki
Web Page: http://www.ourkidsmedia.com |
| Profile: Agnes is the managing editor, special projects of Our Kids Media. She is focused on improving the online experience for visitors to the Our Kids family of websites, and helping create online communities for groups of parents and educators to discuss and share information. When not working or browsing the web, she can be found on the soccer pitch or beach volleyball court. | |
Posts by the author:
- Provide students with a history of Haiti so they can better understand the situation
- Teach children to analyze media coverage from various points of view
- Organize a drive to collect donations
- Are single sex schools better than coeducational schools for girls?
- I am interested the pros and cons in AP and IB programs.
- How can a middle class family afford to send their children to private school when fees are so expensive nowadays?
- Are there certain private schools that lend themselves to alternative styles of learning?
- How do you compare schools, assess them to see if they are a good fit for the individual child? How it is a better alternative to public school?
Teach global issues by sponsoring a child
It seems that every time I answer my home phone, the very kind voice on the other end is either asking me if I want to lower my credit card payments or donate money for one charity or another.
In both cases, it’s so easy to just say no and continue on with the rest of the day. And trust me, I know that you cannot give a donation to every charity or organization that requests it. I do however, know that if you visit or meet with the people these organizations help, you’ll change things in your life to try and help a little more.
“Inured to scenes of misery on TV and in newspapers, meeting these children—mischievous, curious, shy, bold, full of play—shocked us into getting it. These were real children, flesh, blood and spirit, who deserved better than a world that seemed indifferent to their plight.”
Tags: Canada, charity, children, global education, leadershipAn Introduction to Overnight Camp
Growing up, many of my friends attended day camps (usually soccer camps to improve our skills at the game we all loved) but few went to overnight or residential camps. Why? I suppose because their parents never went.
I was lucky because my best friend attended an overnight camp and raved about it. My parents, being new to Canada, wanted to integrate us as quickly as possible, and agreed to send me. I loved it, and that’s why I think the newly announced partnership between Camp Tamakwa (an overnight camp) and Adventure Valley Day Camp is a great way to introduce day campers to the overnight camp adventure.
Beginning this summer, Camp Tamakwa will host a group of eager young campers from the Toronto day camp for 4 very special days in August. Day camp staff will come up to Camp Tamakwa’s Algonquin Park camp with a select group of campers, ensuring the transition is comfortable and easy for young kids. It’s a new step in providing new Toronto area campers a few days at Tamakwa combining the best of both day and overing camps for them this summer and for summers to come.
Do you send you child to a day camp? Have you thought about an overnight camp experience? Would you consider a short overnight stay with campers and staff your child is already comfortable with?
FIND AN OVERNIGHT CAMP | FIND A DAY CAMP
Tags: Camp, camp tamakwa, day camp, overnight camp, summer camp, TorontoThe passing of Canada’s Last Veteran of the First World War
The recent passing of Canada’s last WWI veteran, John Babcock at age 109, brought Christopher Shannon, Headmaster at Lower Canada College in Montreal, Quebec to discuss the implications of this loss with his grade 11 students. ” With the passing, our direct human link to the Great War also slipped away, never to be reclaimed” writes Mr. Shannon in his reflection posted on the Dialogue Journal for Private School Educators. “Will we risk becoming what some analysts call a society without memory?
Read Losing Touch With Canada’s Modern Historical Achievements
About John Babcock (July 23, 1900 – February 18, 2010)
John Henry Foster “Jack” Babcock was, at age 109, was the last known surviving veteran of the Canadian military to have served in the first world war. First attempting to join the army at age 15, Babcock was turned down and sent to work in Halifax until he was placed in the Young Soldiers Battalion in August 1917. Babcock was then transferred to Britain, where he continued his training until the end of the war.
He never did fight, and therefore didn’t feel he deserved a state funeral, but as Mr. Shannon identifies, “he surely would have liked to see all Canadians learn more and discuss our proud history with interest.”
Tags: Canada, Classroom, High School, history, Lower Canada College, teacherPreparing for Summer Camp – CTV Montreal Interview
Summer camps are filling up quickly and it’s that time of year to begin thinking about camp for your kids. Not sure if your child is old enough? Where to start your search? or what camp your teen would love? CTV Monteal recently did an interview with Jacqui Raill, Camp Director of Camp Ouareau in Quebec about these top parental concerns. Tune in today at noon (Monday February 8, 2010, 12:00 noon) online at www.ctvmontreal.ca and watch the short interview.
We’ve also got lots of great tips and tools for preparing your child for camp in our Camp Advice Guide, or visit the Camps.ca Community and ask one of our experts!
Lakefield College School Alumni Teaches Kids How To Travel
January 26th, 2010 | Comments | Posted in Clubs, Education, High School, Private Schools, School's Out, Students by Agnes
SUBMITTED BY: EVAN HADFIELD. LAKEFIELD COLLEGE SCHOOL ALUMNI AND FOUNDER OF BIG BROTHER BACKPACKING.
When I was a student at Lakefield College School , I was a dreamer. I would spend my days dreaming about anything and everything — the future, the arrival of summer, the girl sitting next to met in math class, but most of all, traveling. I effectively spent a majority of my time thinking about how I wanted my life, and my education, to work for me and allow me the future I desired. I wanted to see every country, take in every sunset, and climb every mountain. I wanted to have the whole world feel my feet — not on some all-expenses vacation, and not under the wheels of a tour bus. I wanted to do it, and I wanted the world to open up to allow it for me.
The thing with dreams, however, is that they’re generally yours and yours alone. No matter how much I searched during high school, I never found a way to actually learn from traveling. Every company I found tried to offer the cheapest and least educational opportunities. I found hundreds of companies offering tour buses that only stopped at ‘postcard’ sites. I found many opportunities to go on exchange and live in another country, thereby attempting to recreate home in a foreign environment. I found bike tours, adventure tours, eco tours and all the rest. But, what I never found was a way to actually learn how to travel – or learn from it. I never found anyone willing to offer their students the reigns, or show them what goes on behind the scenes. I never found anyone willing to tell me it was my adventure, not just another tour with their program. My biggest dream during high school was to learn to travel, and I never found anyone willing to abide. More »
Students Raise Money for Haiti
January 19th, 2010 | Comments | Posted in Dialogue for Directors, News, Parents, School Life, Service, Students, Teachers by Agnes
After hearing about the devastation in Haiti and seeing the vivid images brought to the front pages of all of our newspapers, magazines and billboards, I thought to myself, how can we explain this to our kids and how are schools going discuss this disaster with students?
As reports from Haiti continue to come in, so do some amazing stories from parents, students and schools. Young preschool students are drawing posters “Help Haiti”, middle school students are forming organizations to raise money through student vs. staff basketball games and bake sales, and College and University students promote fundraising events with Facebook and Twitter.
As we continue to see the death toll, violence and devastation in Haiti rise, it’s reassuring to see students across Canada joining forces to bring aid and help in some way. We’d like to help you raise more money. Tell us what you’re doing so we can help spread the word.
How to discuss the Haiti Disaster with Kids
I came across a great blog post on eduTOPIA by Elena Aguilar “How to Discuss the Haiti Disaster with Your Students”. In the post, Elena shares some ideas on how parents and teachers can speak about this tragedy and what we can learn from it. A few ideas include:
The Globe and Mail also put together a great story with some ideas on how parents can help their children better understand the awful situation. The first step for parents? “Acknowledge that it is awful.”
We’d like to hear what you’re doing. Please share.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
Christmas is one of those special holidays where no matter how busy we are, we make time to visit with friends and family. Sure, there are presents and parties, and rushing from one gathering to the next, but in the end, it’s about spending time with the people that mean the most to you. The people that will be there for you no matter what or when you call—family.
From our family to yours, we wish you a very happy holiday season. May your days be filled with joy and laughter, and may the new year bring you good health and continued happiness.
Vancouver’s Fourth Annual Private School Expo a huge success with more than 500 participants!
Vancouver area families definitely value education. It was clear at the 2009 Vancouver Private School Expo presented by HSBC Premier this past Sunday, November 15, 2009, where hundreds of families came out to meet with 25 leading day and boarding private and independent schools. Designed for parents with children aged 0-18 years, the Expo offers an opportunity to learn about the preschool to high-school independent education system in British Columbia and provides advice on helping families find the best school for their child(ren).
We were thrilled with the attendance. Families came from around the Greater Vancouver Area including Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey and Maple Ridge to speak with the exhibiting schools and sit in on the free information sessions.
Brenda Chow, Assistant Vice President — Premier Sales Leader at HSBC Premier, spoke about the essentials families must consider when budgeting for their child’s education. Brenda helped families understand their financial picture and what they can do to prepare for the independent school investment.
Robin Hinnell, executive director of the Independent Schools Association of BC gave an information-packed seminar, providing parents with the top questions they should ask schools during their search process. “What relationship do the teachers have with students and parents?” and “What is the principal’s philosophy on education?” are examples from the list. For those that were unable to attend, a list of questions to ask schools is available here.
As the managing editor at Our Kids, it was great to speak with so many parents and help them in their private school search. Throughout the day, we also heard lots of questions, and will be posting answers to many of these in our community section. Some of the top questions included:
For parents who missed the expos or any of the information seminars, you can visit our website to learn about choosing the right school, the benefits of boarding school or financing private education on our website. Our Kids is already planning the expos for 2010 in Montreal, Oakville, Toronto and Vancouver and parents can stay informed about these events by signing up to our newsletter.
Thanks to everyone that came out and supported the 2009 Our Kids Private School Expo presented by HSBC Premier.
Tags: private, private school expo, Private Schools, school, Vancouver