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EDITOR'S PICK

Meals made easy

by Tamara McKee

Parents make their own choices for their kids when it comes to nutrition but here are some new options, exclusive to Sobey's, IGA and Pricechopper stores, which are sure to put a smile on their faces.
These days many kids' foods are laced with high glucose fructose (corn syrup). High sugar and high sodium are linked to many childhood diseases.

These are three favourites:

1. Breekie Bites - Whole wheat, cinnamon mini waffles
2. Alpha Bites - Alphabet mashed potato letters
3. Fruit Pic Mix - Dried fruit mix in raisin, berry, apple

It's nice to read the ingredient list and not see any artificial flavours, chemicals or preservatives.

Disney and Sobey's have combined forces to make meals easier and healthier for kids. The new Compliments Junior line includes more than 100 new products, of which 75 per cent bear the Health Check symbol. As with anything, check the ingredients.

posted 12.10.07

AT-RISK TEENS TREAD PATH TO SUCCESS

BY HEATHER M. O'CONNOR

child actor

The classroom looks much like any other. High school students in ball caps and hoodies cluster laughing and chatting while they wait for class to start.
The scenario may be familiar but the learning experience differs radically. These students are enrolled in the Centre for Success, a partnership between Durham College and the local school boards to keep at-risk students in school. And more than that - to entice them to pursue postsecondary education.

These young people pick up their last few high school credits - and their first college credits -- in a Durham College classroom, immersed in a college environment. Students learn Durham College style, with laptops, small classes and hands-on teaching. The program yields remarkable results. Of the initial group of 19, 74 per cent completed the course; 42 per cent pursued postsecondary education.

The goal is to stem the dropout rate and encourage these students to consider their post-secondary options. It appears to be a recipe for success. Enrolment has increased exponentially over the last two semesters; the completion rate has edged above 85 per cent.

"Students must decide by Grade 10 whether they are going to be college-, university-, workplace- or apprenticeship-bound," says Rhodes. "Very large percentages aren't graduating, partly because they are being directed into the wrong pathways. We began to ask ourselves, 'How can we arrange for these young people to complete their high school experience on a college campus?'"

"For the most part, these are kids in their fifth year of a four-year high school program who just are disenchanted, disengaged with learning. We provide them with a different venue and, for the most part, they flourish," says program facilitator Kathy Rhodes.

The teachers, who come from a traditional high school environment, also flourish. Ms. Rhodes believes they are every bit as courageous as the students they teach. In fact, she credits the strong collaborative partnerships formed with Durham Catholic, Durham Public and Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Boards for the program's success. Says teacher Hayden Chadee, "[The program] is a great opportunity for students to have another avenue to pursue their education. The 'box' of high school doesn't fit everyone," he explains.

The change of scenery allows students to break free from the peer pressure trap that has been holding them back, says Ms. Rhodes. "Now their peers are people motivated to succeed."

"You don't have all the hassles of high school," says one young man. "No outside barriers, like the social stuff." Others relish the freedom the program gives them. They believe it prepares them for college life. It also allows them to escape their previous failures and the much-younger high school crowd.
Many of the students are the first in their family to go on to post-secondary studies; a number of them come from professional, university-educated families, says Rhodes.

The students embrace this second chance enthusiastically. They are focused on their goals, stepping into the college environment with maturity and determination.

Graduate Melaney Blundell-Hodgins says: "Before the program, I didn't foresee myself going to college. Now I'm in year one of ECE and I have a 92 per cent average. They set the program up for you to succeed and better yourself and in my case, I really did."

29.02.08