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The sport of back-to-school What is the one thing that students need to get ready for back to school? It's not book bags, pencil cases, binders, or a new wardrobe, although those things can help improve how a student feels about heading back. The one thing that students need to head back to school and actually feel ready to take on the challenges of a new school year is preparation. However, preparation can't be bought in the back-to-school aisle. Think of it like this: heading back to school is a lot like trying out for a sports team. In order to make the cut, kids need to put in the time before hand practising their skills. That means running drills, taking shots, going over plays. It means warming up the muscles and getting the blood flowing once again. Like hamstrings, biceps, or quadriceps, the brain is also a muscle, and like any other muscle, it needs time to get back into shape in order to be performing at its peak. And, a brain should be geared up and ready to learn in order to face the challenges that a new grade brings, which means taking a little time before hand to practice the skills that it's about to use, just like a basketball player would practise slam dunks before tryouts. According to Saly Beshara the director of Oxford Learning Oakville North East, warming up the brain before school starts isn't as complicated as it may seem. It simply means reintroducing school routines beforehand and reviewing some school materials from last year. She recommends that parents start setting aside some time every day for the family to come to the table and do some academic work to warm up the brain. This can include: · Reading over last year's notebooks and discussing favourite subjects and remarking on highlights from last grade. · Tackling a few math problems · Reviewing an old essay or book report · Writing a few short paragraphs · Playing with flash cards However, back-to-school prep isn't just mental, Mrs./Beshara says. "Parents can really help the whole household get back-toschool ready by implementing the routines of the school year, even though school may not have started yet." This includes morning routines and bedtimes, and general organization habits, such as emptying book bags right after school and packing lunches the night before. Mrs./Beshara recommends that the sooner that kids get started on back-to-school prep, the better. To get more information on warming up the brain for the school year, or to inquire about the Back-to-School Get Organized Boot camp, contact Saly Beshara at Oxford Learning Oakville North East phone (905)2571207; oakvillene@oxfordlearning.com. Advertorial 17 · Wednesday, September 5, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Celebrating our 10th year of providing excellence in dance! Technical and creative excellence in a warm and friendly environment for students age 3 to adult. Fellow and Examiner with The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing Academy Director: Heidi Knapp Visit us on September 5th, 5 - 8 pm Classical Ballet · Modern Theatre Dance/Jazz Tap · Musical Theatre & Acting · Hip Hop 905.338.0210 www.graceacademy.ca 785 Pacific Road, Unit 1, Oakville SEPTEMBER CONDITIONING CAMPS ARE BACK! GET READY AND BE AHEAD FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON! YOUTH CONDITIONING CAMPS & ADULT BOOT CAMPS START SEPT. 4 ONLY $35 per class FOR YOUTH & $31.50 per class FOR ADULTS! OSD THE OAKVILLE SCHOOL OF DANCE recreational and professional training programmes · Ballet · pointe · contemporary / modern · character / folk dance · Body conditioning · pas de deux · men's Work registration now open. please call to register. contact Us: oakville school of dance 260 robinson street oakville, ontario l6J 1g6 p. 905-844-7035 e. oakvilleballetinfo@cogeco.ca www.oakvilleballet.com CALL 905 845 6989 OR EMAIL OAKVILLE@ICESPORTS.COM Offering the Very Best in Classical and Contemporary Ballet Training for Over 50 Years.