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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday February 8, 2008 - 33 EDUCATION Choosing the right after-school program These days, more households than ever before feature two working parents. Seemingly gone forever are the days when Dad left for work in the morning and Mom stayed home taking care of the kids. Such a departure has placed a greater emphasis on finding the right afterschool program for kids. Not all afterschool programs are the same, and some are far more beneficial than others. Though price understandably comes into play for many parents, the following things should be considered as well. · Quality of staff: A worthwhile afterschool program will boast a qualified staff of experienced professionals. Staffers at after-school programs should not be just overpaid babysitters. Instead, inquire about what types of training and education the staff has had. In addition to qualifications, ask about program enrollment and the ratio of staff to children. A ratio that is too great will reduce the effectiveness of the staff, regardless of their qualifications. · Resources: While a good staff can certainly be a program's greatest resource, inquire about other resources as well. These can include libraries for kids' homework help and playgrounds and sports equipment to encourage children to exercise. A lack of resources should raise questions about what it is you'll be paying for. · Location: How close is the program to where you work? In case of emergency, you'll want quick access to your child. Also, a program that is far away from home will require a long drive once you pick your child up, eventually costing you ample quality time you could be spending at home. It's best to find a program close to home, so your child can spend time at the after-school program with fellow classmates and friends. · Curriculum: Some after-school programs provide a curriculum that includes trips to museums, zoos or local parks. Such programs are beneficial, as they provide fun ways for children to extend learning beyond the classroom. Also, certain programs work with local schools to make sure kids are on the right track with their studies and homework. · Additional fees: Since the workday can be hectic at times, inquire as to extra fees, such as the cost of picking your child up late. Some programs charge a dollar for each minute a parent is late picking up their child. Also, some might allow children to be dropped off before school, but charge an additional fee (be it a blanket fee you pay in advance, or a standard fee you'll pay each time you need early drop off). Inquire beforehand to avoid any surprises. · Partial programs: More and more, parents are finding their employers adaptable with respect to working from home. Still, most companies prefer if employees working from home make the trek to the office at least once per week. If your schedule only requires you be in the office a day or two each week, try to find a program that doesn't charge full price for kids who don't attend every day. Because programs can be very expensive, this could save parents a lot of money. · Food: Kids tend to get hungry once the school day has ended. And with obesity rates among children on the rise, parents are more concerned about what their children are eating when Mom and Dad aren't around. Look for a program that offers healthy snacks and beverages, as opposed to one that provides food such as potato chips and soda. If you find a great program but it doesn't provide healthy snacks, arrange with staff members a snack schedule for your child wherein you provide healthy snacks and the snacks provided by the program are off limits. (MS) The Dinner Party Keynote Deborah Ellis "Celebrating Resistance" Oakville Independent Schools Open House Saturday, February 9 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Find the right school for your child Oakville is home to an impressive selection of independent preschools, elementary schools and high schools. Each school is committed to providing students with a unique and high quality education with a strong academic foundation, small class sizes and personal attention. Visit the schools and discover what each has to offer. Find out which one is right for your child. In 1997, award-winning author and peace activist, Deborah Ellis traveled to Afghanistan to interview women in refugee camps and from her interviews wrote the runaway best seller, The Breadwinner. She has since traveled to other countries to gather research for her writing and weaves the stories of the children she's met in conflict situations into her books. Chisholm Educational Centre We help kids overcome learning difficulties and CSAW (Canadians in Support of Afghan Women. Keynote Speaker Deborah Ellis Sales of Afghan crafts Book signing Join us and celebrate a world of women together A fundraiser for SAVIS (Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services Performance from WomEnchant Chorus Silent auction Door prizes 50/50 draw International Women's Day 2008 Deborah Ellis generously donates royalties from her books to organizations such as UNICEF, Street Kids International and Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, CW4WA. She was named to the Order of Ontario and is the recipient of the Governor General's Award for Children's Literature. Appleby College Grades 7 - 12 540 Lakeshore Rd. W. (905) 845-4681 fax: (905) 845-9505 www.appleby.on.ca e-mail: enrol@appleby.on.ca Chisholm High School Grades 9 - 12 1484 Cornwall Rd. (905) 844-3240 fax: (905) 844-7321 www.chisholmcentre.com e-mail: info@chisholmcentre.com Dearcroft Montessori Preschool - Grade 8 1167 Lakeshore Rd. E. (905) 844-2114 www.dearcroft.com www.westwindms.com e-mail: dearcroft@primus.ca new September '08 home of West Wind Montessori Fern Hill School Preschool - Grade 8 Oakville Campus 3300 Ninth Line Rd. (905) 257-0022 www.fernhillschool.com also Burlington Campus 801 North Service Rd. Glenburnie School Preschool - Grade 8 2035 Upper Middle Rd. E. (905) 338-6236 fax: (905) 338-2654 www.glenburnieschool.com e-mail: admin@glenburnieschool.com Wednesday, March 5, 2008 Time: 5.30 Cash bar, silent auction 7.00pm Dinner and keynote speaker Location: Oakville Conference and Banquet Centre, 2515 Wyecroft Road, Oakville Tickets: $45 (tables of ten available) Available through SAVIS at (905) 825 3622 Sponsored by: Cheryl Kopko and Mary O'Brien, Century 21 Miller Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario ETFO ­ Halton Local Premaman Sunrise of Oakville Karen Thompson, Family lawyer Zonta Club of Oakville King's Christian Collegiate Grades 9 to 12 528 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W. (905) 257-5464 www.kingschristian.net e-mail:sroebbelen@kingschristian.net MacLachlan College Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 337 Trafalgar Rd. (905) 844-0372 fax: (905) 844-9369 www.maclachlan.ca e-mail: registrar@maclachlan.ca Oakville Christian School est. 1982 JK - Grade 8 112 Third Line (905) 825-1247 ext. 221 fax: (905) 825-3398 www.ocsonline.org e-mail: ocsadmissions@ocsonline.org Rotherglen School Primary Campus JK - Grade 1 2045 Sixth Line (905) 338-3528 Elementary Campus Grade 1 to Grade 8 2050 Neyagawa Blvd. (905) 849-1897 www.rotherglen.com St. Mildred'sWildwood Academy Grades 2 to 8 Lightbourn School 2250 Sheridan Garden Dr. JK - Grade 12 1080 Linbrook Rd. (905) 845-2386 fax: (905) 845-4799 www.smls.on.ca e-mail: info@smls.on.ca (905) 829-4226 fax: (905) 829-2318 www.wildwoodacademy.com e-mail: admin@wildwoodacademy.com Please call to arrange an interview. Proudly hosted by WHAM Women of Halton Action Movement