And So It Ends...

The date today is May 30. One month from now it's all done. Pass or Fail the year is over in a month. Only 13 days of classes left and then EXAMS. Then Graduation for those in grade 12.

Where did the year go? Who knows? But it is almost over.

So here it ends. The year comes to a close. My final words to you before it ends.

FINISH STRONG. 

DON'T GIVE UP.

You CAN do this.

I know. Sometimes, it looks dismal at this point. Sometimes, it feels hopeless. Sometimes, it's just soooo overwhelming.

BUT please, DON'T GIVE UP.

Some tips for finishing strong:

1. complete and hand in missing assignments.
2. prepare well for year end assessments - be they portfolios or exams
3. talk to your teachers NOW about what you can do to make sure you earn the credit
4. make a plan, one assignment at a time, to catch up - and stick to it as much as possible
5. plan in study breaks, because you can't do work and no play, just limit the play at least until the end of the school year
6. eat well
7. sleep well
8. attend every class from now until the end of the school year 
9. ask questions
10. seek guidance from your guidance counsellor

DON'T Give up! Finish STRONG!

Tips for Teens and Parents - Making the Most of Transition Times.

As many of you, who read this blog, know, I tend to be a wordy person. I like words! And, as my colleagues at my former school have said, I often will use a 100 words when 10 words would suffice.

Clearspring Middle School 

For my last Blog post I was going to have 10 tips... but I had so many words. I had to cut it down to 2 tips.

For today's blogpost, I am going to give you an abundance of tips. However, I am going to let you read them from people who are more succinct with their words than I am.

Kleefeld School (Grades K-9)

The first link: What to Know Before Getting to Highschool talks specifically about somethings students should know before the get to high school. Three that caught my attention - learning to take public transportation, pumping gas and advocating for themselves. There are other great ideas but these ring bells for me.


We don't have any public transportation here and I grew up in an even smaller town without public transportation. The first time I took a Winnipeg City bus to go to university it was quite a daunting task. The first time I took a subway in Toronto was equally overwhelming. However, those two experiences made it easier for me to navigate the public transportation system and metro in Ukraine even though I didn't speak the language. Maybe it's time for a family field trip to Winnipeg, park the car at a shopping centre and all explore how to take public transportation in Winnipeg including transferring buses. You may not need it today. But it may be very helpful when it's time to leave home and see the world - whether that world is Winnipeg or Paris or Moscow.

Winnipeg Transit - Try it out! 

Pumping gas is an important skill as well. I know we have many full-service gas stations around. However, if you travel outside our cozy corner of Southern Manitoba you may realize that isn't the case every where. Students, who later become young adults, should know which side of the vehicle the gas tank is located, how to get the nozzle in the car, how to turn on the pump and how to pay. It's kind of embarrassing when you are on a road trip and the only gas station available is self-serve and you don't have a hot clue how to use it. And... if you know how to fill up your parents' gas tank you may be able to get a job at a local gas station!! BONUS!

University of Manitoba

Last, but definitely not least, how to advocate for oneself. This is a skill we all need. Teaching your child at a younger age how to respectfully express their needs, their situation and the possible solutions is a great skill for them to have. Teenagers that can come into the guidance office, a teacher's classroom or a principal's office and advocate for themselves have learnt a valuable skill that will bode well for them their entire lives.


The next link is more for while you are in High School but are worth while skills for life. They include time management, goal setting, commitment and more - check them out.
Top 10 For High School Students

The book store at UM Fort Garry Campus

One of the tips that was very helpful for me as a country kid going to University in Winnipeg, was to spend a day just wandering around at the university during the summer, locating my classes, the bookstore, the coffee shops and where to pay my fees! Take the time to do that before university, college or Bible school starts.


And finally, the following link talks about happens next. How do you know you are ready to graduate? What can you expect. It has great pointers about measuring success (it's not all about the money) and somethings to expect after you graduate. Check it out here: I'm Graduating!!! Woohoo! Now What? 

Two Tips... Take Them or Leave Them

First, let me start by saying... WOW it's been awhile since my last blog... some days, weeks, months life just gets in the way. So, I hope this was worth the wait.

I am going to share with you two tips I have learned from my own life experience and being an educator for the past 27 years. So - yes that makes me old. However, it also means I have a great deal of experience that I am using to share these tips.

Here are 2 of my top tips for success... here at school and in life in general.

1. Always be willing to learn.

You may think this is obvious. Or you may disagree. But it is a key to life whether you are in school or if you are 82 - and any age in between. I am not talking about just learning through a text book or at school but truly learning.

And I'm going to add a part B to that tip. Be ready to learn and then sometimes unlearn or relearn.

I love learning. You may know that about me or may have read it in an earlier blog. Learning is a life skill and sometimes we close our minds to learning and just say "I can't" But for our own well-being and the well-being of those around us we need to turn that around and say "I'm going to try to learn this. I just don't know it yet. I can do this."

I recently learned to Skype and face-time. I know... simple things in your world. But they were kinda of weird, scary and useless and really "why would I need this skill?" However, my nieces and nephews are all far away and if I want to talk to them I need to know. I mean - what teenager wants to talk on the old touch-tone phone?

So I have learnt.

Simple?

Maybe? in your world.

But remember - I'm old. I went to university when I typed all my papers on a typewriter (Do you know what that is? Do you have any idea how tedious this was? ) I was pumped when finally they came out with a typewriter that allowed you to write one whole line before hitting enter and it printed it on to the page.

http://www.iretron.com/blog/posts/
technology-flashback-the-electronic-typewriter/

Think about that. I had to type 20 page papers one word at a time directly on to my sheet of paper. And if I messed up something or wanted to change something I couldn't just back space. Sometimes it meant retyping the whole 20 page paper. Think about that.

So yes - Learning how to Skype and Face-time - SCARY. WEIRD. POSSIBLY USELESS. But I did it.

I did it because learning is important. It is important for our whole lives - not just our school lives. And it's important that we have an attitude that says we can learn it even when it seems hard or challenging.

2. Safety First!

Okay - I know. Why is the guidance counsellor talking about safety? Well - because it is important. Whether we are talking about personal safety in daily tasks, internet safety, emotional safety or physical safety - Safety is important.

https://www.amazon.com/
Sunbeam-63019-Mandolin-Kitchen-Slicer
/dp/B000I17AFY

Small personal example because it's good to remember it only takes a second to make a bad decision that can affect our safety - in every one of those areas mentioned.

One morning, I was quickly putting together a potato casserole. I was using my mandolin - handy kitchen device with a safety guard. I sliced my first potato using the safety guard. And then, brilliantly, I decided I didn't need the guard for the second potato.

It was a spit second decision. I'm sure you can guess the end of the story. But let me just give you a picture and you can fill in the dots.

Small, quick decisions, sometimes have little or no impact on our lives. Sometimes those decisions can cause consequences that are minor, inconvenient or a nuisance. Sometimes decisions about our safety, that seem like minor decisions at the time, can have huge impacts that may last a lifetime and leave scars on our body, our mind and/or our heart.

So I am asking you to think safety first:

• before you send a text or snap chat
• before you send a picture
• before you consume an illegal substance or over the counter meds 
• before you get in a car with someone under the influence or before you drive a car under the influence (never ever do either of these - please)
• before you cross the street (make sure you look both ways)
• before you put yourself in a situation you can't get out of safely
• before... and the list goes on but I'll add one
• before you use that mandolin slicer without the safety guard... 😎

Those are my top two tips today. They may change. You are free to take them or leave them. However, I want you to know this. Each and everyone of you reading this has so much potential. You have the power, skills and abilities to make a difference in the world that is positive, helpful and good. You may not always feel that way. But you can make the choice to leave a positive mark on this world. I can't wait to see what you do with your lives - whether you are 16, 18, 25, 47, 68 or 93!

It's All in Your Head? True or False?

The answer to that question is True. Or False. Or it Depends. What are we talking about exactly?

If we are talking about our ability to learn, take in new things, etc then - yep, it's mostly in your head.

Carol Dweck, author of the book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success and Mindset: How You Can Fulfill Your Potential, has a great explanation of this... BUT don't worry  - I'm not going to tell you have to read her book.

But - check out this video. It is a great explanation of the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. And take note... you truly need to have a growth mindset to learn, to challenge yourself and increase your chances of success. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUWn_TJTrnU

Once you understand the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset you may want to work on developing your own growth mindset. In order to do this you may want to first evaluate your own mindset. Is it fixed mindset or is it a growth mindset? Or does it make a difference what the task is?

For example,  I have a somewhat fixed mindset when it comes to physical tasks like skating. I mean, I tried it. I wasn't really successful so why would I try again - yep definitely a FIXED MINDSET.  But when it comes to learning something new - like a new language or photography or a computer program - I'm all in. I don't know it yet. But I can learn. That's my GROWTH MINDSET.

It does not have to be one or the other. You can fluctuate between the two depending on circumstances, tasks or the day. However, a growth mindset is a great goal for all situations.

So, if you want to develop a growth mindset, here is a great video with 4 steps to help you think about developing a growth mindset.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNHas97iE78

If you want to learn more about developing a growth mindset you can check out Carol Dweck's Ted Talk.   The Power of Believing You Can

The Anxiety BC also has an interactive website that has a tab for youth - specifically about what you tell yourself and how that impacts your thoughts and feelings around anxiety. You can check it out here: Right Thinking


And one last video about how to deal with challenges. It talks about the power of grit and a growth mindset.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVyc4qBn5mQ

Going back to the top. It's all in your head? true or false? TRUE! - When we are talking about your abilities to learn, improving, facing challenges... It is all in your head. It's in your mindset. Are you working with a growth mindset or a fixed mind set?  You control that. A growth mindset will set you up to face the challenges or the new learning. It will allow you to see failure as just a step on your road to knowledge or success. It will give you the mindset that will allow you to conquer new things. Are you working with a growth mindset? If not, are you ready to work on developing a growth mindset? Let's get started!!

Why I Choose to Wear a Poppy

Photo courtsey Royal Canadian Legion

I wear a poppy for a reason. It may be the same reason you do or it may be different. But for me it is a conscious choice. 

I have at times debated the wearing of a poppy. And at times I have chosen to wear the MCC peace button instead of the poppy. And I have friends who wear both the poppy and the button. 

Here is why I wear the poppy. I wear it out of respect for those who have fought in wars. Those soldiers carry their wounds with them - even once the fighting is done. I wear the poppy to honour them.

I wear the poppy for my uncle who fought on the beaches of Normandy and came home. He never talked about it. At least not that I heard. But it impacted his life. 

I wear the poppy for my cousin who served in the Canadian Armed Forces in the Infantry. 

I wear the poppy for my cousin who is American and fought in Desert Storm. 

I wear the poppy for my cousin's daughter who is a Corporal in the USA Marine Corps.

I wear the poppy for former students, who aren't much older than my current students, and chose to enlist in the Canadian Armed Forces to serve their country.

I also own the MCC peace button and I wear it. When I am wearing it, I am not meaning any disrespect to those who have fought and died so that I can have the freedoms I have. I am not trying to disrespect the Peace Keepers, Armed Forces or people at home that keep us safe. However, I believe in Peace. I grew up in a church and community that believed in, and continue to believe in, pacifism and peace. 

I wear the button for my uncle who during WWII was a conscientious objector and have to leave home and work for the government here at home.  Mennonite Conscientious Objectors 

http://natoassociation.ca/confusion-and-perplexity-the-complicated
-relationship-between-peacekeeping-and-peacemaking/

I wear the button for all the people working towards peace here at home and across the world.

I wear the button for those who are affected by war and need peace so desperately.

I wear the button for the refugees who have been unable to go home for years and years and truly need peace.

I wear the button for those around us who have never known peace. For those who have only known violence. For those who are crying out for peace.

I wear the button to remind myself that I am an instrument of peace and that I need to work towards peace in my community, in my province, in my country and in my world. 

I wear the button because it reminds me that even here at home in Manitoba, Canada we need to work towards peace and towards reconciliation. Not all of our battles have been fought on foreign soil. We have a history of violence to the First Nations, Indigenous, Metis, Inuit and many other immigrant groups.  We need peace here at home. And we need to works towards it. Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action

So what about you? Why do you wear the poppy or the peace button? What does it mean to you? What does Remembrance Day mean to you? Have you thought about it? Or if you choose to not wear the poppy - Why? Why are you making that choice? 

Want to think some more on the poppy and why we wear it? Check out these links:

The Poppy: Symbol of Remembrance

Poppy & In Flanders Field

History of the Poppy - Canadian Legion

How to Wear a Poppy

And if you want to watch a few moving Remembrance Day Videos - check out the following.  There are so many more online.

Habit Forming

The school year is well underway and by this point you may have formed some habits already. Some of those habits are good. Some of those habits may be not so good or maybe even down right bad - if you are hoping to earn credits and move on in school.

Some of the good habits you may have already formed may include some or all of the following:

• showing up to class every day and on time
• doing your assignments
• handing in work on or before the deadline
• asking for help from your teacher when you don't understand
• asking for help from a classmate if you missed a class or don't understand
• talking to your guidance counsellor if there are issues with a class or issues outside of classes

Unfortunately, some of you have formed habits that, if they continue, will be the cause of you repeating a class or possibly even the whole semester. Some of this detrimental habits (meaning habits that are not going to be good for your success) include:

• skipping classes
• neglecting to do any work
• leaving things to the last minute and then not completing them
• pretending you understand everything and not asking for help
• causing distractions in class that prevent your own learning and the learning of others
• pretending "you got this" and not seeking support or help from friends, family, teachers or your guidance counsellor

Here is the good news.

1. If you are in the first group... YAY! 

You are on track to have a great school year! 

You are setting yourself up for success. 

Well done. Keep it up!

2. If you are in the second group... there still is Good NEWS...

It's not too late. We are just at the beginning of October. 

You can still turn this around.

Make a plan. 

Follow through on that plan.

Things to consider:

a. It's not too late to catch up. Don't plan on catching up all in one day. But plan on doing at least one or two assignments a day working towards catching up.

b. Talk to your teachers. Find out what is most important.Start there. 

c. Use your spares to catch up. Talk to friends. Enlist their help.

d. Form new habits. Start attending class. Ask for help. Do your work. 

e. Keep thinking positively. You can turn this year around. You can do it. Believe in yourself. 

f. You are in control of your mindset. Decide its worth it and make it work. 

Starting the Year off Right!

Sadly, Summer holidays have drawn to a close. However, the good news is that we have a new school year ahead of us full of opportunities. What is this year going to look like for you?
What are your goals? What will be your list of successes in June 2018? You need to plan for those now.

So how do you start the school year off well and in a way that is going to lead to success?



Here are some tips:

1. Look at your schedule carefully. Is it balanced? Do you have all the courses you need? Do you have courses that will challenge you? Are there courses that will broaden your mind, artistic ability, personal interests and leaves doors open for the future of possibilities?

2. Check out what is going on at the school. Get involved. Whether it's a sports team, games club, drama, art, volunteering for score keeping, helping out backstage for school productions, student council, social justice and human rights initiatives... it doesn't matter. GET INVOLVED. The more you put into school the more you get out of school. (and... it also looks great on your resume)

3. Show up. Every day. Every class. Start the year right. And continue well. Students who are in class everyday for every period do better. ( I know... It's SHOCKING). But honestly, you will make friends and acquaintances in class which helps not only with your sense of belonging... but also if you need someone with whom you can study or do homework or just hang out. It also makes it easier to get help from the teacher, know when things are due and how to complete the assignments successfully.


4. Do your work. On Time. Right from Day One. There is nothing worse than getting to a week away from the first report card and having 20 assignments overdue in each class. Want to avoid that? There is only one way. Do your work - right from the first day of classes. Don't fall behind. Then!!! You won't be overwhelmed a week before report cards go home.



5. Set Goals. Make a plan. Follow it. Make goals about academics, extra-curricular, jobs and even friendship. Then make your plan on how to achieve those goals. Then... follow through.

6.  Talk to your guidance counsellor. I am not just trying to drum up business for the guidance counsellors. If things aren't going well. If you just need to chat. If you want to know about post-secondary options. If you need help making a resume. If... the list goes on... Talk to your guidance counsellor. That's why we are here. School stuff. Home stuff. After you graduate stuff. We are here to talk and help you work through those things.

Of course there are many more things you can do. Here are some links to other articles with great tips. Check them out.

Tips for Students

More Tips For Students

Tips for Teens

And if you want to share this with your parents, here are tips for them.

Tips for Parents

101 Tips for Parents

More Tips for Parents