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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday February 6, 2008 - 23 EDUCATION Rotherglen students get REAL at school The new Rotherglen Education in Active Leadership (REAL) initiative was developed to provide our Grade 8 students with leadership opportunities and prepare them for a lifetime of giving back to the community. "The purpose of the REAL program is to make the students socially aware beyond the scope of their own lives," said French teacher and program leader Shirley Nickorick. "As emergent adults, the program stresses the need for these individuals to take on more responsibilities and hopefully inspire them to think about how the can successfully contribute to the greater community in a meaningful way, not in the future, but right now." REAL was put in place with the purpose of building character and citizenship skills within its students through active involvement. The students learn practical skills, including developing their communication abilities, in order to improve writing proficiency and strengthen planning and organizational skills through various activities in the REAL program. "Some of the activities and opportunities within the REAL program include leading extra curricular clubs, becoming a Student Ambassador, reporting and writing for a student based newsletter, running school assemblies, becoming a student photographer, joining the school spirit committee, choosing and organizing fundraising activities for local charities and participating in the school's green initiative," said Mme. Nickorick. "As a follow up to their learning, students are required to reflect on their experiences and relate the acquisition of their new skill to their personal growth and development." The goal of REAL is to foster self-confidence, build selfesteem, improve connections with others, create new relationships and learn the valued importance of investing in a cause greater than oneself. "One of the things we're talking a lot about is the sense of connectedness between people who don't have much and those who have a lot," she said. "Most children carry a great sense of caring for one another. Although this sense can be considered innate, being able to turn this empathy for the human condition into healthy action requires skill and needs to be supported and valued by the education system as well as at home." For more information about Rotherglen School, please visit www.rotherglen.com By: Laura Crumb, Head of School Healthy eating is vital for growing, active teens Easy Tips for Healthy Teen Eating: · Busy teens should carry healthy snacks, like fresh fruit or homemade trail mix to prevent grabbing fries to tame hunger. · In the cafeteria, reach for water or milk instead of soft drinks, and whole-grain wraps and a salad instead of a burger and fries. · When eating out with friends, choose grilled foods, opt for healthier options like whole-wheat pizza crusts, and watch out for toppings like pepperoni and bacon. · Parents should set a good example for teens, watch portion sizes, and involve them in grocery shopping and food preparation. - News Canada Open House Saturday, February 9, 2008 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Celebrating 20 years in Oakville Oakville Primary Campus (Preschool ­ Grade 1) Our Primary campus on Sixth Line provides a caring, stimulating and welcoming Montessori program for children in their formative years (3 ­ 6 years old). Facilities and programs include: · Large bright classrooms · Morning, afternoon and full-day programs · French and music · Before and after school care · Large well-equipped playground · Co-educational learning environment Oakville Primary Campus 2045 Sixth Line Oakville, ON 905-338-3528 cburnside@rotherglen.com Oakville Elementary Campus (Grade 1 ­ 8) Facilities and programs include: · Large bright classrooms · Small class sizes · French, music and physical education · Varsity and intramural sports teams · Extracurricular clubs including athletics, choir and band · Library with full-time librarian · Full-size gymnasium · Dedicated music, art, computer and science rooms · Before and after school programs · Co-educational learning environment Oakville Elementary Campus 2050 Neyagawa Blvd. Oakville, ON 905-849-1897 tdupreez@rotherglen.com 1080 Linbrook Road, Oakville, Ontario L6J 2L1 Tel: (905) 845-2386 Fax: (905) 845-4799 info@smls.on.ca · www.smls.on.ca Please contact us for a personal tour or to learn more about what Rotherglen can offer. www.rotherglen.com