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BNEWS 2 © SILVER CREEK # PUBLIC SCHOOL E TEACHER WINS = PROVINCIAL AWARD = HERB GARBUTT = hgarbutt@metroland.com a £ 2 When students at Silver * Creek Public School ap- proached Elizabeth Cook about starting a crochet club, ‘she didn't hesitate. There was only one thing Cook needed to ‘ao to get the club rolling —learn to crochet. "I had zero skill at it," she said. Cook knew she could bring her mother into the school to teach the stu- dents, but she wanted to be It was the same answer when she was asked about T LOVE SEEING THEIR CONFIDENCE GROW Cook had rience, but saw no reason for that to stand in the way. The club has been success- ful with an all-girls team winning the Halton Skills Competition. le seapeer | wonesie it was OK for them to make mistakes too. We learned from each other. We were learning, growing and adapting together.” Cook's willingness to in- spire students by continu- ing to ew chal- lenges earned her the On- tario Teachers Insurance Plan/Ontario _ Teachers’ Federation elementary teacher’ of the year award. estly, there are so many vereat educators, I don't feel like I'm doing anything different," said Other would disagree. “It portant that teachers like Liz are recog- "| learned alongside them.” nized because they are few and far between," said Car- ly Davis, a teacher at Haw- thorne Public School, who nominated Cook for the award. Prior to the pandemic, Cook, who splits her time between Silver Creek and Park public schools, filled in every spare minute she had during the day. She ran as many as 12 different clubs ranging froma Harry Potter club to coaching the Grade 4-5 volleyball team. Outside of school, Cook donates her hair each year to the Canadian Cancer So. ciety to make wigs for peo- ple undergoing radiation treatment. The crochet club has also created blan- kets to be auctioned at vari- ous fundraisers, including the ALS Walk, and created - Elizabeth Cook toys and blankets for cats at the North Halton Kitten Rescue k also has a writing ciub ‘where students can write whatever they want. She has taken it one step further, though, and over the years has had her stu- dents' work published so that it is available in the li- brary. Over the years, more than 400 students have had their work published. "The library has always hada big spot in my heart," Cook said. "A lot of stu- dents that don't find their niche find it in the library. The things that were of- fered in my library were dents, including one who invited her to her universi- ty graduation. Cook's latest venture is Elizabeth Cook photo Elizabeth Cook was named the elementary school teacher of the year. organizing tournaments. “I want to provide them with a space to do things that will spark their inter- special to me." a crokinole club. She has__ est," Cook said. "I think Cook has obviously had been buying crokinole what! love the most is see- an impact on her students. boards in hopes of intro- ing their confidence grow She still keeps in touch ducing students to the cot- as they take on something with many former stu- tage-favourite game and new." a robotics club. Again, eathertown chistle building centres www.leathertownlumber.ca LUMBER NI Your trusted building & hardware supply partner 264 Main St. North Acton, Ontario L7J 1W9 Ph: 519-853-1970 Fax: 519-853-2542 Eid theifp.ca DR. ANOOP SAYAL Family and Cosmetic Dentistry ao located in Georgetown Marketplace Mall DR. ANOOP 905-877-CARE (2273) SAYAL * How old would you say children should be for their first dental exam? Five or Six? In years past, it was rare for a child to see a dentist before five or six years old. Would most dentists agree that is too long to wait? ASK the Professionals Find local professionals here sToday, most dentists recommend the first dental exam to be scheduled around the age of two. Because not all the teeth are present, this visit is mostly a consultation. Parents can ask questions about their child’s teeth. The dentist can also show how to best clean the infant’s teeth and advise the parents on the best dietary habits for their child’s optimum development, This visit also helps the child to realize the dental office isn’t something fear. As the child gets. older, it is important that the parents not discuss their own negative experiences with dentists. Questions should be answered truthfully and with a positive attitude. Modem day dentistry is much better than when we were children. Keeping your children’s teeth healthy begins with timely visits to your dentist. every Thursd For advertising information please call 905-234-1018 or email kkesonic@theifp.ca