¢ PARENTAL GUIDANCE Summer hurts Wednesday, June 30, 1999 — North Shore News - 19 Leslie dsabel Gallén is’ pleased to announce... north shore news Dr. Moji Metamedian has joined her dental practice Office Hours Mon - Fri 8:30-5:00 New patients and referrals welcome. weak students I write this column, or some variation on it, each year at this time. If your paper this week goes missing, it might be because the kids in your housc have seen it before you, and are using it as fining for the litter box before vou get a chance to read what it says. ommetimes facing the truth is ugly. Working parents toward the no-pain strategy of sum- mer leisure is one of the main goals of students. A lite burnout symptom here, a lit- tle stress symptom there, and caring parents are ready to throw in the academic towel for the summer and let their kids “veg.” However, studies have shown that weaker students regress as much as six months in their skill levels during the two-month summer. It makes for a slow personal start und a lot of class review in September. For some, the first day of school is like jumping back on a treadmill that is already going faster than their feet. Every parent has to make their own determination what is best for their child and while everyone-needs some rest and relaxation, the extent of that R&R must be mea- sured against the necessity of a little consistency in summer routines and academic rein- forcement. Ifa parent feels a child is © not strong in school, and is not getting the grades, or making the improvements necessary to be on par with their peers, then perhaps a lit- de summer home-schooling might be an option. I know that strikes fear into children and parents alike, but it’s not as hard as it seems and the effort may well be worth it if a more confident and more competent child returns to school in September. Start by putting aside one hour a day tor reading. Don’t worry too much about what is being read, just emphasize the importance of reading. Someone who practises golf daily on a poorly kept course, as opposed to practising daily on a professional course, will still get better at golf. It’s not the quality of the reading material that is as important as the act of practising reading and frankly, just before bed- time is as good a Gime as any. Second, have them com- plete a page in a journal every day. The simple act of writing will help them focus on orga- nizing their thoughts and practising their mechanics. Personally, 1 would suggest that if mechanics are a prob- lem, that the journal be reviewed with them cach day and corrections be encour- aged. Immediate feedback is what is needed to reinforce weak skills, and taking a few minutes each day, one on one, can have a huge impact on those skills. Finally, purchase a math Earth, Wood, Colour, Texture for Home, Body & Spr EstaBuisHeD tN 1984-1999 Proud to be part of Edgemont Village for 15 years. A tasteful collection of fine home decor and fine furniture for your Westcoast Lifestyle. Syloan Earth, $0002, Colones, Castare 3080 Edgemont Blvd. North Vancouver 986-4863 Part of the Provincial Road Safety Program. NEWS photo Paul McGrath Sail to sea NAVY League cadets Nathan Engler and Kathleen Frisch rig a Lazer sailboat at West Vancouver Yacht Club. Twenty cadets participated in the four-session Canadian Yachting Association dinghy sailing pro- Sees vision page 20 = gram. | Summer i is... owming a pool! Join the Team! | The Cub Promise... ’ «fia | promise to do my best, to love and serve God, to do my duty to the queen; to keep the law of the Wolf Cub Pack; and to do a good turn for somebody every day. NAL BHA 7 POOL PACKAGE SPECIALS 18” Round above ground $4700 12°X24’ Oval above ground $2300 | 15', 24° & 12X18" sizes also available ©6” ledges/5” uprights ¢ Skimmer © 16” sand filter * {npool ladder ¢3/4hp Dynamo pump _—¢ Full maintenancekit § SCOUTS CANADA AGE GROUPS Beavers. . 57 Cubs.........8-11 Scouts...... 11-14 CS AG RE WOON Oe ERO ee Venturers ... 14-17 : : Rovers..... 17+ up | & IDEAL POOL ¢ & PATIO Over 30 years serving the North Shore 16040 Fraser Hwy, | Surrey 597-2381 340 Lynn Ave., B = =North Van 1 980-3467 The Cub respects the Old Wolf; the Cub respects himself: For more information call: Seymour District Capilano District West Vancouver = ee \ 929-2722 987-4939 921-8948 HSHCWS. COMM: fT: it pacman 6 Oe OS.