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The Oakville Academy for the Arts Reggio Emilia inspired philosophy and project-based curriculum celebrates a childs inherent sense of wonder and desire to learn, explore and develop competence. Our award-winning and passionate early learning teachers and innovative programs ensure that our students spend their formative years developing skills and habits of mind that will prepare them for life as dynamic creative thinkers and inspired learners. We have limited 2, 3 and 5 morning spaces available for September, 2011 Please contact Ms. Shannon Speer, Head of Preschool, for more information and to arrange a tour. Offering The Finest in Arts Exploration and Development! www.oakvilleacademy.com 1011 Upper Middle Road East & Eighth Line 905.844.ARTS (2787) w w w .in si de H A LT O N .c om O A KV IL LE B EA VE R T hu rs da y, A ug us t 25 , 2 01 1 7 0 Fall Registration Students often find middle school or high school is their first foray into a structured physical education class that requires chang- ing into a gym uniform or workout clothing. With this comes the responsibility of outfit- ting and maintaining another locker. A gym locker is different from a regular hallway locker in that it is often smaller and less frequently used. While some students may have gym every day of the week, others might have it two or three times a week. Even if it is visited daily, it's only during the one gym period. Gym lockers can be breeding grounds for some unsavory things, including bacteria, fungi and odor. That's because they store clothing that is often damp from perspiration in tight quarters. It also may be easy for lice or bed bugs to spread through the close contact of gym lockers. Students can ensure their belongings are safe and secure by following a few safety and hygiene practices. Find out the wardrobe policy. Some schools require an issued uniform. Many others indicate the use of T-shirts, shorts of a specific length and sweatpants. There also may be requirements on footwear. Stock up on these items so you'll have a few changes of clothes as neces- sary. If a combination lock has not been issued to you, purchase one to keep items safe. While potential thieves may not be interested in dirty socks or gym shorts, they may be interested in the digital devices, watches, clothing, and other items stored in gym lockers while you're participating in gym class. Keep toiletries, such as antiperspirant, powder, sanitary pads, soap, shampoo (if there are showers), and a pair of water-resis- tant sandals handy. Because many microscopic organisms breed with warmth and moisture, abundant in locker rooms, investing in some antibacte- rial spray, a descicant product that absorbs moisture and an air freshener can keep lock- ers more sanitary. Depending on how dirty gym clothes become, you'll want to bring them home at least once a week for laundering. Take dirty socks home daily because they can fester inside of the locker. A large zipper-top bag or a recycled grocery bag is a good way to tote home dirty gym clothing inside of your backpack. Be aware that the locker room floor may be teeming with bacteria, so avoid changing with bare feet on the ground. The locker room can dredge up feelings of inadequacy and embar- rassment when changing in front of fellow students. Once you have all of your supplies set, keep in mind some locker room etiquette. Respect personal space and take turns so that you have adequate room for changing comfortably. Keep your eyes to yourself. Be sure your eyes are at eye level with others. Nothing elicits feelings of anger or embarrassment faster that a student catching another stu- dent checking out a naked or nearly naked body. Few people feel comfortable in such situations, so respect privacy. Change clothes in stages. Take off a shirt and replace it with another. The same can be said for shorts and pants. Avoid prancing around in undergarments. Be quick about changing. Don't dally in the locker room. This way if someone wants a little more privacy, most of the students will have cleared out. Keep in mind that these formative years are times when your body and the bodies of other students are changing at a great pace. Locker rooms tend to make even the most self-secure person a little modest. (MNS)