Saturday, September 24, 2016

Classroom Warming Party / Open House / YWP Registration

We have a new location that is so beautiful with its energy and size and space. The almost medieval cottage belongs to St-Thomas Anglican Church and had served as Rectory (home) for itd ministers until just a few years ago. They are now renting out the rooms. We have rented the West Side GROUND floor large room for our classroom, along with the back smaller room as a secure office. We share a huge kitchen/dining area and bathroom with the rest of the renters.

Many thanks to the volunteers who have helped with cleaning, driving over supplies and furniture, moving and installing everything, and donating of other missing items. This is a beautiful place we look forward to sharing, teaching in, learning in... just BEING in.

SO, come see it!

YOUNG WRITERS PROGRAM

Register at this event
Novel Writing & English Improvement all rolled into one fun program that will also build life skill and result in a published anthology
Starts: Saturday, October 8th, 2016
Time: 2-5pm (every Saturday)
Ends: Book Launch June 2017
(Mornings are reserved for tutoring in Math or French, homework assistance, and exam evaluations)

Cost: $1000 payable in 2 installments ($500 in October and $500 in February)
Other payment options: $900 if paid in full in advance, or $150/month, or $45/day
Participating Adults: 50% discount

Thursday, September 15, 2016

How to Help Your Child Deal with Entrance Exam Stress



This time of year, as high school entrance exams are about to begin, stress levels in many families will be higher than usual. There are several key points to remember, so that both you and your children can pull through this rough patch with a little more grace.
                      
Your child’s performance on these entrance exams is not in any way a reflection of your performance as a parent, nor is it a reflection of your child’s worth as a person. These are key factors to remember as we discuss how to deal with your child’s state in this article. We will move on to discussing your own stress as a parent in the next.

It may seem redundant to say it, but never forget that this is far more stressful for your child than it is for you.

Managing your child’s stress

Beyond learning to appropriately manage your own stress about the process, just be there for your child. You know your child better than anyone else, after all. Genuinely analyze whether she needs a lot of guidance through the examination process, or whether this is the time to let her start forging her own path. (Of course allowing your child to take the reins does not mean okaying every idea they pass by you!)

A good way to begin is to sit down as a family and talk about school options, expectations, financial limitations, and so on, before applying anywhere. Make sure that your child understands what the different processes might be to go through to get into each of her choices (exams, interviews and essays being the most common).

When it comes to discussing your own concerns, pick wise times to discuss them with your child. For example, don't start venting your anxieties right after your child vents their own. This only piles on the stress. Rather, at these times provide them the assurance and support they are needing from you. At these times especially, remind your child often that you are proud, no matter the outcome, and mean it.

Remember that some anxieties might be best kept to yourself, like your worry that a child isn't smart enough to be accepted to a particular school. Some of your concerns, on the other hand, are very important to talk about with your child, such as how your child's education will be financed. Your prospective student needs to have a relative idea of how willing and able you are, as their parent, to provide money to pay for their school experience.

Don’t forget that if parents get hysterical or overwrought then kids will respond in kind. While some stress may peek its ugly head out at times, your child should not be witnessing you experiencing a daily meltdown. Learn to walk away when you need a minute to breathe and clear your head.

Listen to your child and only offer advice when asked for it, while keeping the lines of communication open. Make sure that your child knows she can come and talk to you any time. When she does, watch your tone and body language. Think before you speak. Give your child the confidence to make the best decisions for themselves. Double the number of times you say “I love you”. Remember to give unconditional love, especially when things aren’t going as expected. Ask them if anything you are doing is adding stress, and if you cannot change what you are doing, you can at least explain why you are doing it. Having a greater understanding of your behavior may be helpful for them. Offer love and support, and respect their ability to handle the process in a way that is right for them, even at this tender age.

Reinforce that there is not "just one school" that will make them happy or provide them with the keys to success. We can hurt our kids deeply if we let them think that whichever school accepts them makes a difference in how we feel about them. Advise your child that this is not necessarily a lifetime decision; they can always transfer to another school after first year if they want to.

There are also a number of other things you can do to help reduce your child’s stress around the house: Don’t make this period of time all about applying to schools! Make an extra effort to engage in other activities, especially fun outings. Give grace to your children: they may need to have less household responsibilities, and they may need to take some breaks to play with friends, watch a movie or exercise. 

Last but not least: don’t forget to sneak in as much fun for you both as you can. They need it and so do you!

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Algebra on the Entry Exams!

It is confirmed that there will be some algebra questions on the Entry Exams. By request, we will hold a short 1-hour introduction to basic algebra with practice equations. Please contact us if you wish your child to attend.

* Limited space of 5 students *

Robyn: 514-708-4784 or our email address: etudiants.savoir.faire@gmail.com

Cost: $45
Saturday, September 17th at 2pm
Concordia Vanier Library (Loyola Campus, 7141 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal, Quebec, Canada H4B 1R6).
Meet at the Chapel at 1:45pm

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Young Writers Program Update

Starts Date: Saturday, October 8th, 2016
Time: Every Saturday through to June at 2-5pm
(Mornings are reserved for tutoring in Math or French, homework assistance, and exam evaluations)

LIMITED SPACE: 10 places MAX for children (and 10 max for adults)
* First come first serve, so register early to guarantee your place in the program. *

Cost: $1000 payable in 2 installments ($500 October and $500 February)
Other options: $900 if paid in full in advance, or $150/month, or $45/day
Participating Adults: 50% discount

Cost includes publishing and 2 free copies of an anthology, a workbook, notebook and binder.
To register send your banking etransfer to: etudiants.savoir.faire@gmail.com
Security Question being: How can my child be an author?
Answer being: YWProgram

If you would prefer to pay by credit card, please call Scarlet at 514-799-9412 to arrange the details.

Friday, September 2, 2016

September Kick-Off & High School Prep

We are on our way to great and successful things! And so are your children!

Etudiants Savoir Faire is in negotiations for a new location for October and will let you know very soon the details and location of the new space. When we secure our new space, we will have a Classroom Warming Party (like a house warming but for the classroom). For now, here is what we have coming for September:

Practice Exams with Evaluations ($150)
Saturday, September 3rd at 12pm
Sunday, September 4th at 10am

Re-take of Practice Exam with Evaluation (usually $150)
*FREE promotion for September
Saturday, September 24th at 12pm
Sunday, September 25th at 10am

Demystifying the High School Process
*hosted by Cathy Kermelly of Stepping Up*
This is one of the most amazingly helpful 2-day workshops for children about to face the Entry Process into High School. Saturday's 3-hr session covers: discussion on what to expect; tips, strategies & coping with test anxiety; mock exam practice. Sunday's 3-hr session covers: interview etiquette & social skills; one-on-one practice interviews & coaching; brief Q&A of essay writing. Space is limited and filling fast, so register through her website by scrolling down and paying via PayPal to reserve your place.
http://www.ckermelly.ca/services.php