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25 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, October 21, 2009 Making a Difference: Fern Hill School Inspires Students to Give Back For more than 27 years, Wendy Derrick and Joanne McLean have built upon their vision to create a stimulating and supportive learning environment that extends beyond the classroom walls. It is through their own involvement in community events that the Fern Hill program has evolved to provide challenging and interactive opportunities through which students of all ages can develop their ability to play an influential role in society. "From the start, our vision has been to create a warm and supportive, learning environment where children can thrive," says McLean, co-director and founder of Fern Hill School. "Our graduates are confident and well-prepared students who advance as leaders in their secondary and university careers. Many students become prefects, student council presidents and assume community-oriented leadership roles." Fern Hill holds an annual United Way week at the school in October; in 2008 the Oakville campus raised more than $50,000. Over the past nine years, Fern Hill has donated more than $250,000 to the United Way of Oakville. Other activities include: participation by teachers in Relay for Life; used uniform collection for a school in Nicaragua; annual Jazz Night showcasing the school's elementary jazz band with funds going to an international cause; in 2009, Jump Rope for Heart raised more than $25,000; annual Christmas new toy drive for the Kerr Street Ministries; food drives at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter; participation in the Great Canadian Shoreline Clean-up; sponsorship of 22 families through the Children's Aid Society of Hamilton, providing Christmas gifts and meals for 74 people needy people in the community; a winter warm clothing drive. All of this action and activity stems out of McLean's and Derrick's belief in giving back and making a difference. "As adults and educators we must strive to create empathetic children and develop tomorrow's leaders," says Derrick. "It is our hope that by creating a spark of interest in these children at a young age, it will inspire them to continue giving back throughout their adult lives." The philosophy of Fern Hill School exemplifies what it means to make a difference and is engrained in every aspect of school life. The school inspires these young elementary students to take action and no event is too small. "Fern Hill is proud to do our part to help make our local community - and the global community - a better place. Our students are learning the value of reaching out and serving others," says Derrick. "Many of our courses, extracurricular activities, fundraising projects and field trips are set up with global citizenship in mind." Fern Hill School is a co-educational independent school for students in Preschool to Grade 8. For more information visit www.fernhillschool.com. Help make your school a healthier place When if comes to nutrition, does your school make the grade? Well-nourished students perform better in school. In fact, when children maintain a healthy, balanced diet, educators witness students with improved concentration, less in-class disruptions and a happier and healthier school environment. "Ensuring children and youth get the proper nourishment they need for healthy development is important," says Wendy Wong, president and CEO of Breakfast for Learning. "We encourage parents to get involved with their children's school and help ensure students are receiving the proper nutrition they need to learn." Breakfast for Learning offers these tips on how to get involved with your school and ensure proper nutrition for students. · Organize a parent committee to examine healthy, affordable food choices available in school, including cafeterias and vending. · Try flower sales or book drives as school fundraisers instead of selling cookie dough or chocolate bars. · Contact your local MP and voice your support for a national nutrition standards program for schools across Canada. · Does your school have a child nutrition program? Learn more about starting a program, and get helpful nutrition education resources at www.breakfastforlearning.ca. "Children spend much of their day at school, and learning about proper nutrition should not only be part of the school curriculum, but also actual practice," continues Wong. "Get involved and help ensure your local school gets top marks in child nutrition." - News Canada OPEN HOUSE Saturday, October 24th 11am - 2pm Chisholm High Schools After School Programs Psychological Services 1484 Cornwall Rd., Oakville, ON 905.844.3240 www.chisholmcentre.com We Help Kids Overcome Learning Difficulties FERN HILL A SCHOOL LIKE NO September is Breakfast for Learning Month (NC)--As the school bell rings and student head back to class, help ensure they eat well to learn well. Well-nourished students have improved memory, problem-solving skills and creative abilities ­ overall they perform better in school. Yet, thousands of children and youth go to school hungry each day. "Help students get a bright start to the school year by making child nutrition a priority," says Wendy Wong, president and CEO of Breakfast for Learning. Breakfast for Learning offers these helpful hints to help students eat right to be bright: · Eat a balanced breakfast each morning, consisting of at least three of the four food groups, such as a bowl of whole grain cereal with milk and berries. · Encourage children to opt for healthier food options, like packing nutritious lunches, or choosing milk or water over soft drinks, and salads instead of fries in school cafeterias. · Have healthy snacks available for children on-the-go including pre-cut veggies, fruit or yogurt in squeezable tubes. NO. 42 OUR TEACHERS KNOW THEIR STUDENTS AS INDIVIDUALS Fern Hill's teachers engage their students at every level. Conversations in the hallways go beyond school work. Teachers know our students as individuals - their ideas, their opinions, their interests and ambitions. 1 00 WAYS OUR STUDENTS EXCEL At Fern Hill, the possibilities are endless. OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2009 11 A.M. - 2 P.M. Oakville Campus | 3300 Ninth Line Road | Oakville, ON 905-257-0022 | Preschool - Grade 8 | www.fernhillschool.com