The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, January 16, 2013 · 16 Independent schools offer benefits School breaks can disrupt learning For many students, March Break is a fun opportunity to visit friends, socialize, and sleep in. But for parents, school breaks may cause concerns about how children are spending their days. "Breaks from school can be very disruptive to a family's schedule as well as to a child's learning momentum," says Saly Beshara, Centre Director of Oxford Learning Oakville North/East. "The disruption to the normal routine can cause children to get offtrack academically." According to Beshara, free time is the time when good habits begin to slip. It's important that families seek March Break activities that keep student's minds challenged. Most students have projects, essays, assignments, and readings that can be worked on over the break. "Project due dates may be far off still, but the March holidays are a perfect time to get a head start," Beshara says. Even without assigned homework, parents should encourage children to dedicate at least one hour per day for schoolwork, to review school notes, read, or organize a binder or pencil case. "While it can be challenging to balance school break activities and keep your child on track academically, it is worth the effort," says Beshara. With some pre-break planning, children can avoid the momentum loss that is often observed after time away from school. "Before children have the chance to plan a vacation filled with video games and sleeping in, families should outline a holiday schedule," Beshara advises. "Even the simple act of having a plan in place can keep kids on track academically." Tips to keep kids learning on school breaks Whether by playing board games or by reading books, maintaining an active mind is the best way for students to stay focused while on school breaks. Oxford Learning offers these tips to help students stay sharp when school is out: 1. Keep busy. School breaks can cause a drop in momentum, so it's important that students keep working during school breaks. There is always schoolwork or review that students can work on, even if they don't have assigned homework. 2. Read a book together. Parents can help young children develop better reading comprehension skills by reading and discussing books together. 3. Play board games. Board games can help children learn to be organized, to plan, to be persistent, and improve memory. Games that use money can teach mathematical skills like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and estimation. 4. Set a work schedule. Children are used to following a routine during the school day, so sticking to a routine during vacation time is natural and keeps kids on track. 5. Hit the Books. Get ahead. Upcoming projects, essays, assignments, and readings can be easily chipped away at during the break. For more information about March Break Learning or any of Oxford Learning's March Break Programs, contact Saly Beshara at Oxford Learning Oakville North/East at 905-257-1207 or oakvillene@ oxfordlearning.com. Continued from page 13 school for your family, the Oakville Independent Schools are holding a joint Open House on Saturday, Jan. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit the schools to see firsthand the education possibilities for your child. To learn more and for school locations visit www.educationoakville.com. OIS member schools include: Appleby College, Chisholm Academy, Clanmore Montessori School, Dearcroft Montessori School and West Wind Montessori Jr. High, Fern Hill School, Glenburnie School, King's Christian Collegiate, MacLachlan College, Oakville Christian School, Rotherglen School, St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School and Wildwood Academy. Students thrive at Glenburnie School where passionate educators make the difference!. Glenburnie is recognized for its progressive, flexible approach to educating the whole child, while meeting their academic and social needs in a stimulating and challenging learning environment. At Glenburnie, an enriched, broad-based educational experience is provided for all students. Glenburnie's strong, academic curriculum is integrated with an extensive Arts Program (music, movement, visual arts and drama), intramural and varsity sports, and state-of-the-art technology. Students are growing up in a fast paced, technological world and the `end result' of our curriculum studies is the development of 21st Century skills: critical thinking, analytical skills, leadership experiences, emotional intelligence awareness, Education is exciting at Glenburnie School oral and written communication skills, economics and global awareness. Development of these skills, combined with self-reliance, achievement, and adaptability provide a firm foundation to effectively prepare students to become exceptional leaders in tomorrow's world. Glenburnie students are supported and encouraged to achieve to their maximum potential in an environment in which personal initiative and responsibility are highly valued. Student creativity, innovation, and progress are celebrated. When a learning environment is relevant, stimulating, and challenging, exciting things happen. For more information about Glenburnie's full school facilities including before and after school supervision, extensive clubs, intramural and varsity sports, visit www. glenburnieschool.com. Today's School for Tomorrow's World Gle~burnie Scªool OPEN HOUSE Saturday January 19th, 10am-2pm Pre-K (2.8 yrs) to Grade 8 Progressive, challenging, academic programs "...because your children only get one childhood" Studies include Global Awareness, Economics, and Emotional Intelligence, utilizing higher order thinking skills, in a differentiated educational environment. Sports · Art · Music · Drama Studies Before & After School Care OPEN HOUSE Saturday, January 19 · 9:30-1:30 Wednesday, January 23 · 5-7 pm Wednesdays 9 am 2035 Upper Middle Rd. E. (at Ford Drive), Oakville (905) 338-6236 · www.GlenburnieSchool.com Accredited Member Oakville Independent Schools 2463 Lakeshore Road East (905) 337-8283 info@clanmore.ca www.clanmore.ca