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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday October 17, 2008 - 29 Five tips for grades that rise above the rest! Your family has conquered the back to school rush and has settled into a new school year. Homework is getting done and everything is going smoothly, but don't get too comfortable! The first important milestone of the school year is the first term report card, and it's almost here! The first report card of the school year has a way of sneaking up on families. After all of the effort put into preparing for the return to the classroom, many families forget to look further down the road. Without preparation beyond the first days of school, the arrival of the report card--and the marks it contains--can be a big surprise for families. However, it doesn't have to be. With a little effort and strategic planning for the entire year--not just the back to school season-- unpleasant report card surprises can be avoided! Here's how: 1. Take five minutes to say hello to the teacher and to ask how your child is doing in math/ reading/spelling/ listening, etc. 2. Send a note to school with your child to schedule a phone chat with the teacher. Don't wait for the teacher to call you to report bad news or slow classroom progress. 3. Follow up when a test is returned to your child. How did it go? Were the results what you were expecting? 4. Go online. The Internet is a wonderful tool that you can use to keep informed. If your child's class has a web page, log on and get involved. 5. Get help. If there are any issues, seek help as soon as you learn of it rather than waiting to find out on the report card. For more information contact Oxford Learning at 905.469.1929 or 905.849.4027. Or visit their website at www.oxfordlearning.com Grades are not the only key to success Over the years, parents and teachers have spoken with you about how important school is. But there might be a few things they overlooked: Learning Won't Always Be Fun: At the dinner table you are asked "Did you have fun today?" and you normally answer "no." School can be anything but fun ­difficult, boring, and frustrating. But be positive. You may need--or even get excited about--a subject you initially thought was uninteresting. Grades Matter, But They Aren't the Only Key to Success: Grades only show part of what you've learned, they don't show who you are. Study hard but don't forget to be involved in activities that develop other skills. Play a sport or join a club. Be Persistent: There may be times when you'll want to give up during the school year. But those feelings and moments will pass. Stay focused on the end goal and you'll see how commitment and persistence pay off. - News Canada New Horizon's Junior School Established 1985 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28 10 am-12 noon and 5 pm- 7 pm 496 Grand Blvd., N. Oakville An Enriched Montessori Environment Offering 2, and 3 day a.m. and p.m. Preschool. Junior & Senior Kindergarten. "Fun with Phonics" and "Math Mania." Afternoon programs designed to supplement Math and language skills. Playground, gardening, music, gym, French. COLLE S FAIR AT NIAGARA COLLEGE Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus (Glendale Ave. exit, QEW) Summer Camps MEET students and faculty. SEE displays, exhibits and demos. EXPLORE over 90 Niagara E College programs and DISCOVER why we have R been rated #1 IN STUDENT SATISFACTION four t i ht f straight years in a row. i 905-845-1444 Contact Linda Tribble, Director niagaracollege.ca