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32 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday October 17, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com What is the Canada Education Savings Grant? The Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) is a federal government educational grant to help you save for your child's education after high school. The amount of grant that your child is eligible to receive is based on your net family income. The grant is deposited directly into your child's Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). Net family income amounts are updated every year based on inflation. Here's the breakdown: · If your net family income is below $37,178, the Canada Education Savings Grant will give you 40 cents for every dollar on the first $500 you save in your child's RESP each year. If you save more than $500, you will get 20 cents for every extra dollar, up to a maximum of $2,500, beginning in 2007. This is an increase from the previous limit of $2,000. · If your net family income is between $37,178 and $74,357, the Canada Education Savings Grant will give you 30 cents for every dollar on the first $500 you save in your child's RESP each year. If you save more than $500, you will get 20 cents for every extra dollar, up to a maximum of $2,500. No matter what your net family income is, the grant provides at least 20 cents for every dollar on the first $500 of annual RESP savings made on behalf of a child. If you make $2,500 in RESP contributions in one year, you will receive between $500 and $600 in CESG (depending on your family income). Budget 2007 also made saving in Registered Education Savings Plans (RESP) more attractive by providing Canadians with more options. The Budget eliminated annual RESP contribution limits and increased the lifetime RESP contribution limit to $50,000. The maximum annual Canada Education Savings Grant was also increased. These measures will help to build greater savings for future post-secondary education. The Budget also accommodates young people who study part-time by relaxing the requirements to use your savings for part-time study. Visit canlearn.ca for more information on how to start saving for your child's education after high school by opening an RESP. This website is full of handy tips and tools. You can also call 1 800 O-Canada (1 800 6226232) for more information. - News Canada Don't overload on after-school activities Just like you, children need balance in all the different roles they play. After-school activities are important and help give your child a well-rounded schedule... But too many hobbies can begin to be stressful. Your child is a student, a son or a daughter, a friend, a competitor, a team player, an impressionable child. Each of these roles needs to be nurtured with balance, say leading education experts, and that means parents have to learn to say "no" to too many after-school activities. Help your child prioritize events in the day so that each one is enjoyable and each one receives his or her full attention. Nothing is gained in an atmosphere that is chaotic and stressful ­ and undue stress is certainly not a healthy way for your child to learn. If children become irritable, moody, more emotional, or if they don't sleep or eat well, or have far too frequent aches and pains, colds and flu, the causes may stem from activity overload. It's never easy to draw the line on fun and games, but the solution to stress is found with balance. The first step is to make a schedule together. A schedule will help your child visualize time commitments and that will help both of you when making decisions. Moderation is key. Build in family time, spontaneous time, plus time for household chores and other responsibilities. If children are unable to get their homework done, go back to the schedule and make adjustments, like scaling back extra-curricular activities. Remember school is your child's number one responsibility so ensure homework is a top priority when it comes to a time commitment. - News Canada New Horizons Junior School Established 1985 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 Kindergarten math and language skills. Playground, gardening, music, gym, French. Summer Camps 905-845-1444 St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School 1080 Linbrook Road Oakville, Ontario L6J 2L1 Tel: (905) 845-2386 Fax: (905) 845-4799 admissions@smls.on.ca · www.smls.on.ca