students Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

Why I am Celebrating Finishing the Pandemic School Year

Paula — Sun, 25 Jul 2021 19:15:45 +0000

Kudos to all the university, college and high school kids who finished this challenging pandemic school year. Here’s why I am celebrating that achievement. Pandemic learning was a huge challenge this year as was school in general. Socially, I feel like we haven’t given our kids enough credit for getting through the volatile and discombobulating pandemic school year they just had. Imagine being a teen or even an elementary child adapting to all of the stress and change that’s been thrown at them this year. If anything, I am surprised so many kept going to the very end of June. What I am Celebrating Last month, my oldest daughter finished her first year of university done during a pandemic and my youngest finished grade eleven. I know many of you parents know what I mean when I say well that was a year like no other. This past school year was chaos to say the least. Many high school students went back and forth all year. Two to three months in class and then boom back to at home remote learning through no fault of their own. Then when Covid-19 numbers dipped again some slid right back into the classrooms where smaller numbers of kids had been in cohorts. Finally, back to school and whoops suddenly Wave 3 of the pandemic hit in Ontario. The Only Constant Was Disruption The pandemic school year was nothing if not disruptive. At times, we nearly gave up here on high school because the pandemic school year was more than uphill especially since all supports vanished and suddenly I was basically doing the IEP here while juggling a full time job too. Ontario students of all ages had a year like no other. Parents did too. I know how hard that was and think it’s worth noting. Parents and students made the greatest sacrifices this academic year. But it’s over. Now let’s stay safe this summer, wear masks and get your second vaccines so school can return to some version of normal in September. We all owe that to kids and families in Ontario. For my University Student What a first year it was! She was literally on campus three times, two of those times were in the fall of 2020 for a social distancing paint night with masks on, to pick up something from the campus bookstore and join a study session. She hasn’t physically been on campus at all in 2021. Learning from home started as a huge adjustment and it was lonely at first but over time and by second semester it was clear she found a rhythm. Our University Year While people often took jabs at college and university students for spreading the virus, and there were numerous outbreaks in residences at Western University, this was not our experience. I don’t think a lot of students actually fell into the partying irresponsible group. The actual lived experience of many university and college students was pretty hobbit like and anxiety provoking. A lot, like Payton, were home learning all of their subjects from a corner of their bedrooms all year. Some students made it physically on campus two to three times to buy books or get their student activity card printed. Anxious Moments Anxiety impacted sleeping. My oldest worried often. So working on school all day in her bedroom was not conducive to restful sleep at night. And Yet They Adapted While it took several months for Payton to find her footing, she eventually did. Pandemic learning was less than ideal, but still she did it. By semester two I noticed a change mentally. She was reluctant and a bit depressed in September. As in, this is not what I signed up for but by January she was in the groove. Honestly, I was proud that she was making the best of it. Meanwhile in High School Here in our school district and province they segmented students into cohorts for consistency and size of classes. My youngest went to school some weeks for a whole two days, four hours each day. Ridiculous. For the rest of the week, classes occurred on Microsoft Teams or via Zoom style remote learning. By the end of the year they had given up. So, I decided we could drop the last course entirely. For a kid who loves sports, conducting all the sports at home online was a huge hurdle. It just wasn’t going to end well. My kiddo with FASD is a black and white thinker, and that’s part of the disability. So, doing sports without the team portion of it in person was a non starter. But We Did It So ultimately while both experiences were very different, we did it. We made it through the school year. Some of us emerged a little stronger and wiser and maybe more resilient. Some parents lost jobs as a result of the need to teach. Believe me, this is nothing I would wish on any parent or student. But here’s to making it through! ONWARDS to the Fall I am hopeful September is an entirely different and consistent school experience. Our kids deserve it and need it. Frankly, we do too.

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University Student Care Package Essentials #ChurchandDwight #Giveaway

Paula — Sun, 20 Aug 2017 13:34:38 +0000

With one daughter well into high school it won’t be long before we are preparing to launch her to university or college. Like many parents we want the best for our kids. And no matter how old your kids get, you never stop being their mom or dad. So naturally, when that bittersweet milestone finally becomes a reality we will be sure to equip her with several essentials and a student care package to help everyone here sleep better at night. After all it takes more than books and money to succeed as a young adult living independently. There are some life skills that are vital for your students too. Laundry, banking and even healthy relationships take work. I have a bit more work to do on the laundry game and the cooking one too. But when my older daughter leaves for university in a couple of years, when she is ready, and not a moment before, then I will send her with a bundle of essentials I think matter as much as a cell phone, or a bank transfer. HYGIENE is important and you can’t have good hygiene without clean clothing! Stain removers, sorting and scooping are not for students. Let’s face it. They’re just looking for an easy solution to the challenge ahead – no clean socks or underwear and they’ve got a class or a date in a few hours. Send them off to school with a container of the new Arm & Hammer™ Plus OxiClean™ 3-In-1 Power Paks. This all-in-one detergent tackles tough stains, doesn’t require any measuring or scooping and is student-budget friendly. If you’re lucky, it may also mean you’re not greeted with a load of dirty laundry every time your kid comes home to visit. Tip: Don’t be surprised when you receive a call or text saying, “Mom, how do I sort my laundry?” Or “Where do I find the washing instructions?” To help make laundry easier (and prevent shrinking t-shirts and colour bleed disasters at the same time!), educate them on the proper laundry symbols. In fact, you can download a fun laundry symbols postcard from Arm & Hammer Laundry here that lists the most common symbols and what they mean. 5503_A&H_HangerTag_v4 Don’t forget to talk about being safe! One of the biggest challenges as a parent, is how to talk to your kids about safe sex. While it can be uncomfortable, it’s a necessary conversation and part of life. Right now my kids hear a lot about abstinence. I am all for that of course as a parent. But, I was also a teen and I went to university and I am a realist. The harsh reality is that kids are having sex, yet not properly protecting themselves. [1] In fact, a studya study found that almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of post-secondary students across the country had a sexual encounter within the past year. Furthermore, 72 per cent of students engaged in intercourse during their last sexual encounter, yet only about half (51 per cent) reported using a condom. Tip: If you have a child heading off to school, buy condoms for them and pack them in their suitcase. Trojan™ condoms are the number one condom choice of Canadians for protection. EASY Beauty hacks One must-have item for students is Batiste Dry Shampoo. It is the world’s #1 dry shampoo* for a reason – it instantly refreshes your hair between washes, no water required. My teen has been using this for a few years now. IT is a lifesaver and a timesaver. Running late for class? No time to shampoo your hair? Reach for Batiste. Batiste works by absorbing excess oil from the roots leaving hair looking clean and fresh. Running late or just looking for an instant refresh? New Batiste Dry Shampoo Heavenly Volume has the additional benefit of transforming hair with gorgeous, touchable volume and bounce. This is one item you won’t forget anytime you’re in a pinch. Find it in convenient purse sizes at your drug store too. Know of someone heading off to college/university this Fall? Help make sure they’re equipped with this student care package giveaway. *Batiste is sold in over 50 countries. I have a giveaway for one lucky Canadian reader. [tweetthis]Don’t forget to enter for a chance to win this #ChurchandDwight university student care pack #giveaway $75 ARV[/tweetthis] *STUDENT CARE PACKAGE GIVEAWAY* OxiClean Colour Shield Laundry Stain Remover Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Power Paks in Fresh Scent Trojan XOXO Condoms and Bareskin Lubricated Condoms Batiste Dry Shampoo Heavenly Volume Approximate. retail value $75 Follow the instructions below for a chance to win. I am a Church and Dwight ambassador and as such I receive compensation and special perks as well. This post has been sponsored by Church and Dwight. My opinion is all my own and it is truthful. Entry-Form

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School Routine – Getting Back into the Habit for Back to School

Paula — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 11:58:13 +0000

A school routine is so important for children when they’re up at at ’em every day to learn. It’s hard for a child to fully absorb anything if they’re tired, and we all know how much children need structure. Chances are, structure has been in short supply over the summer, and that’s okay. It’s the summer, after all. However, as school approaches, it’s best to start getting the kids – even the older ones – back into a school routine, so they’re prepared when school starts. School Routine – Ways to Get Back Into the Groove As school approaches, getting back into the groove becomes more and more important, especially if you don’t want to deal with whining kids who don’t want to go to bed at school bed time and who don’t want to get up in the morning when they should. Getting back into the swing of school things a couple of weeks before hand can save you a huge headache when school actually begins. Back to School Bedtime A couple of weeks before school starts, get your children back to school ready by getting them back on their sleep schedule. Whatever that time may be, make sure your kids are in bed with their lights – AND devices – off and ready to sleep. This will get their bodies back into the school routine sleep schedule they need to be on. Device Cutoff And speaking of bedtime and devices, begin instituting your school year device cutoff time as well. The kids will grumble a little, but not nearly as much as they will if you take away their tablet or phone on the designated time the first day of school. Give them a week or two to adjust to the new old cutoff time. Regular Chore System Back to school means a back to school routine in a lot of different departments, including chores. During the summer, kids are free to do their chores pretty much anytime they feel like it. With school looming, that’s about to change. They’ll have the afternoons and the mornings – if they’re up early enough – to do their chores, and that’s it. Get them back into the back to school swing of things by having them begin doing their chores at their normal school day times a week or two before school starts. Tighten Up Dinnertime During the summer, a lot of families get loose with the family schedule. Once back to school time rolls around, that schedule needs to be on point. A couple of weeks before school, start having dinner at the regular time, and pull back a little on the late movie nights and the like so that you can implement the bed time, device cutoff, and chore time school routine tips I just listed. Supplies It may seem like a no-brainer to put back to school supplies on a back to school routine list, but you wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve had to rush to my local store last minute. Actually, if you’re a parent, you would TOTALLY believe that. Make sure your kids give you a list of what supplies they need for the year, and if you have access to a teacher’s email, shoot them an email asking. In my experience, you can never fully rely on your kids for this type of thing. 😉 School Routine is Better When You Get it Started Earlier Back to school means a good back to school routine, and that always works out better when you start it a little before school begins. Getting back into a regular school routine a couple of weeks before school begins is the best way to allow your kids to get back into the groove of things with a minimum of wailing and gnashing of teeth.

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Microsoft Summit on 21st Century Learners – EVENT in Windsor, Ontario, April 11 Geared Towards Teachers

Paula — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 14:47:58 +0000

When I see educational opportunities like this Microsoft Summit on 21st Century Learners happening nearby in Windsor, Ontario I get excited, for several reasons. I am a parent of two children who are still in grade school. Digital kids. I arm both of my girls daily with technology at home and at school and I am abundantly aware of how they absorb media and how they learn. It’s radically different than how I learned 20 to 30 years ago. Only 20 to 30 years ago we trotted off to school with books and pencils and paper. Now kids carry tablets, iPhones, iPods and sometimes laptops too – technology that for the most part wasn’t even close to invented until this decade! When I spy brilliant events like the Microsoft Summit on 21st Century Learners (happening this Saturday in Windsor) I also wish I could sit in on this type of educational opportunity just to be inspired about the future of learning, the emerging and evolving economy, and the ways in which digital learners will carve out their space, forging brilliant new paths where we might not even be able to imagine them yet. Five years ago my job did not exist. Social media marketing consultant and professional blogger was not even a term. The future is boundless. The potential for kids to build amazing paths and creative jobs and businesses is stunning. But the challenge is the now. How do we get the students and the teachers of today ready to negotiate the environment of tomorrow? Microsoft has some thoughts about that and has a beautiful, inexpensive opportunity this weekend in Windsor that will help teachers guide 21st century learners along the way. Gamification!!?? Well, that topic alone would make me drop everything and run to the summit. But you need to register first. Details below. Microsoft Summit on 21st Century Learners: Read more about why you should attend: GET HANDS-ON! Have fun and participate as we demo how collaboration and sharing comes alive with Microsoft technology and devices. Explore the unique benefits of OneNote to collaborate and track student portfolios, deliver innovative math and science lessons using pen inputs, and learn the benefits of the complete Microsoft suite of tools that can deliver what no one else can. In addition, join Desire2Learn who will share best practices for online learning. COLLABORATE WITH YOUR PEERS! We will poll the audience and host teacher-driven round tables discussions focusing on topics such as Gamification, Advanced O365 and Collaboration. FEES: Only $25/person for a full day of fun and learning. Lunch included. PLEASE NOTE: your registration is not complete until payment has been received. Please click the link below to pay securely via PayPal. http://www.kaleidoscoperesults.com/Microsoft/Summit2015/windsor/index.html There is also a special speaker who jumped right off the page at me when I noted his topic matter that hits upon learning differences and indicates he has a background dealing with ADHD and LD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and learning disabilities.) Learnstyle CEO DJ Cunningham will talk about his experience with ADHD and LDs and he will also discuss the importance of technology to the lives of 21st century learners. There are so many ways technology is changing the lives of kids with special needs inside educational systems. Both of my girls require and use technology as part of their school experience. I see technology opening doors and paths to learning and that is such a blessing and a necessity for kids like mine. From using technology to simply take a picture of the homework board, to using a calendar app to track assignments and special days at school, digital tools are so very useful to kids of all abilities. Technology is a gift to every child and every teacher and it can expand the potential for learning and creating inspired learners in your classroom. This is a brilliant and inexpensive chance to build your classroom technology skills. Microsoft Summit on 21st Century Learners: APRIL 11th 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Microsoft Summit St. Clair College – Centre for the Arts Building 201 Riverside Dr. W – WINDSOR $25 fee and you need to register here or click on one of the links above: Microsoft Summit Registry. This event is geared towards teachers BUT is also open to the public (recommended age of 20 and up.) This is a sponsored conversation which means I was compensated to share this, but as you might be able to tell I am enthusiastic about learning opportunities for children and teachers. This is an event you should not miss if you are a teacher. My opinion is all my own and always truthful.

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