Category: Elementary

By Avreet Jagdev

People choose to go vegetarian for many reasons – some do so for their religion, others for health purposes, and some for the animals and the environment. No matter what your reasons may be, being vegetarian has a multitude of benefits — not only for your health, but for the world around you as well.

Harvard research shows that since vegetarians consume less saturated fat and cholesterol than those who have meat in their diets, they are at less of a risk of heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

That’s not all — being vegetarian is good for the environment and can, in fact, help slow climate change, reduce water pollution, and reduce wildlife habitat destruction and deforestation. Raising livestock leads to a very large amount of greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming; a reduced demand for meat decreases livestock production, which means that these harmful emissions are reduced as well.

However, it’s a big change to make, especially if you are accustomed to eating meat. This can make it difficult and intimidating to know where or how to start. Here are some tips to make the process a little bit easier:

Start by going meatless a couple of days of the week

Instead of going vegetarian overnight, try choosing a couple of days of the week where you don’t eat meat (like Meatless Monday)! This will make the process easier and less intimidating. As you become more accustomed to not eating meat, you can add more and more meatless days until it eventually becomes all seven days of the week!

Cutting out one thing at a time

Similar to the last tip, don’t feel pressured to cut all meat out of your diet at once. Instead, try taking small steps by cutting out one type of meat at a time. For example, you can start by limiting how much red meat you eat. Once you become used to this, you can cut out chicken, and so on.

Get creative with your recipes.

The good news is, almost any one of your favourite meat dishes can be made vegetarian or even vegan! Get creative with your plant-based alternatives. Instead of chicken, try seitan or shredded tofu. Experiment with different brands of vegan ground beef for your favourite taco recipe until you find what works best!

Use this as an opportunity to branch out

On another note, instead of sticking to meat-based recipes, use your new diet as an opportunity to branch out completely. Many cultures around the world have primarily vegetarian cuisines or cuisines that are super vegetarian-friendly, such as in South Asia. Try your hand at cooking a traditional vegetarian recipe from a new cultural cuisine!

When eating out, don’t be afraid to ask for modifications

Eating out can be anxiety-inducing for someone who is a new vegetarian, but know that servers and chefs are more than used to accommodating requests, and most of them will happily swap out a meat-based component of an item for a vegetarian one! All you have to do is ask.

Don’t be too harsh on yourself.

Lastly, don’t be too harsh on yourself. Switching to a plant-based diet is a large task, and it’s normal for you to have your ups and downs. The most important thing is that you stick to it!

By Bhargavi Venkataraman

As a third-year university student, I have had many job experiences. Jobs are a great way to learn new skills while also making money towards wants, needs and savings. Of all my job experiences, my first job is one of the most memorable.

I came into the job scene a little later than average. I started my first job as a mathematics instructor at a big education brand franchise that will remain unnamed for privacy reasons in the summer of grade 11. It was run by a couple, and I got hired, along with another candidate, to start over August that summer.

The hiring process was conventional, but as this was my first job, I remember taking it very seriously. I carefully curated a resume and cover letter and took hours to prepare for the interview. I remember sitting in front of the owner in my formal shirt and trousers with sweaty hands, in nervous anticipation of his questions. He took one look at my resume and put it away. He then proceeded to ask me a couple of basic questions, and that was it; I got the job. It seemed too simple at the time, but I did not question it too much in my excitement.

My first days on the job were invigorating. It was a big learning curve to teach in the model of this education brand, but it was also fulfilling to earn money for the first time. I was paired with another employee who would supervise me and was invited to staff meetings where they provided food and lively conversation. Initially, everything was going well. The issues started when the owner began scheduling me for many more hours than I originally agreed to when being hired. As I knew that this was my grade 12 year and that I would mainly focus on school, I asked the owner if he was okay with a certain number of hours per week during the interview. He let me know that it was okay. However, when the school year started, I got scheduled for double the hours I had initially specified. When I conversed with him about this, he would brush off my concerns by saying that it was only for a couple of days. This pattern continued for a long while, and I found myself drained of energy by the end of each day.

Another problem came up a few months later. I had made friends with some of the other employees, and we would talk when we had some free time. We discussed our difficulties with the number of hours we were required to work and some issues with the expectations set by the employers. I did not participate actively in these conversations as I felt uncomfortable talking about superiors in that way. Still, the owner assumed I was also part of the group gossiping about her. She proceeded to berate me for small mistakes publicly and criticize any work I did. The environment became very toxic, and I dreaded coming to work daily.

My journey with this job ended over the winter break of that year. I noticed that I was waiting to get emails from the organization with the schedule for the next week. I called the company a few times, but was still waiting for a response. I eventually let them know I could not continue with the company and wished to terminate my contract.

My experiences with this first job, the supervisors, my coworkers, and the general process taught me many things, which I applied to every future job. I will list some of these lessons below:

1) Don’t be afraid to state expectations/boundaries before starting your job: I think one of the reasons I was able to speak confidently with my superiors about my issues with the hours they were assigning me was because I set clear expectations beforehand about how much I was able to commit. This also helped make my termination easier to digest, as our priorities differed.

2) Speak up when expectations are not met: It is easy to feel like you cannot speak up or don’t have a voice when you are just starting a job or in a lower-level position in a company. However, it is crucial to recognize that you deserve to be valued and that your boundaries should be respected. This role may not be the best fit for you if they are not. I let my supervisors know when I felt burdened by the time commitment. I wish I had taken myself out of that situation earlier, as I became more burnt out and unhappy as time went on in the position.

3) Be careful about workplace boundaries: It is easy to get carried away with the camaraderie of workplace relationships, especially in the first couple of months on the job. However, it is essential to respect the feelings of everyone around you, including superiors, and ensure that you keep within your values when joining group discussions. In my case, I should have removed myself physically from my coworkers when they were gossiping about the supervisor and said something to stop them. This would have been more in keeping with my values.

4) Know when to terminate your role: Sometimes, despite your actions, a position might not fit you. The environment might become toxic, or you might not be able to keep up with the demands at the time. This is when it is good to take a step back and evaluate if the positives of staying in this position outweigh the negatives. If they do not, then consider terminating your role. This is precisely the process I went through. I spoke with my friends and family and also reflected on my own. Eventually, I decided that I needed to quit.

I hope someone else can utilize the lessons I have learned through this experience to help them in their career trajectory. It can be daunting to navigate such an unfamiliar terrain, so it may be worthwhile to see how others did it. Always remember your value and what you bring to the table, be confident in your skills, and learn from every new experience!

By Rabia Khan

Introverts prefer jobs that suit their personality traits — there’s no doubt about that! Every profession and workplace requires introverts to possess a wide range of skills. There is a wide range of emotions we can experience, from high anxiety to social aversion, and feeding your ‘introverted’ soul is not easy. What if I told you, as an introvert, you can work from the confines of your home? That’s right, here are some useful jobs you can do if you identify as an introvert! 

1. Software Developer

Working as a software developer is an ideal choice for any introvert. Thinking inward produces the chemical acetylcholine, which is beneficial for introverts. This is why the majority of introverts are required to work independently. The bonus of this job is the good annual salary.

2. Architect

Introverted personalities may find architecture a rewarding career path. As an architect, introverts can even turn into ambiverts (halfway between introvert and extrovert). Most architects’ schedules are spent independently planning and executing landscapes and larger-than-life structures, along with cold-calling and seeing clients.

3. Psychologist

Introverts make excellent psychologists and therapists because they prefer listening rather than talking. For this work, introverts should be comfortable guiding or counselling people in a physical setting. 

4. Photographer

Introverts are well-equipped to adapt their skills to street photography. It is due to their unparalleled ability to quietly absorb many extraordinary details that can make them good street photographers.

5. Graphic Designer

There’s no doubt that many creative people are introverts. One of the best jobs for introverts is a graphic designer, who communicates ideas through design. An introvert who enjoys creativity might find this job profile attractive, as it is one of the most competitive and rewarding.

6. Social Media Marketing Manager

If you’re a homebody, being an introvert makes you quickly addicted to the internet. Introverts will appreciate the remote job of managing social media. One can manage content for influencers or brands.

7. Digital Marketer

Since introverts enjoy working from home, a digital marketing role requires curating data as opposed to face-to-face communication. There’s less talking and more working on data execution. A digital marketing role is likely to exhibit several particularly valuable traits to introverts.

8. Video Editor

Video editing is a fun and exciting job for introverts. A producer of a project will often collaborate with an editor. This is another aspect in which introverts benefit from establishing strong professional relationships. The editing process also involves a lot of time on the editor’s own.

9. Content Writing

Content writers often remain in the know! If you love working from home and have a hardcore passion for word ideation, content creation, or content writing, it is an ideal profession for you! There are plenty of jobs available for introverts.

10. Customer Service

Introverts have immense benefits when opting for customer service agent roles that require them to work from home. Ever wonder about sitting at home and chatting behind the screens with customers? Solving their issues promptly can help you earn tons of money.

It’s finally spring time! The weather is getting warmer, the plants are starting to grow and the chance to be outside more is increasing! However, electronics such as TV, computer and phones take a large toll on taking advantage of the beautiful weather. Most of us are busy with Netflix, social media or texting our friends; it’s the society we live in! Although it’s very important to be outside and away from the TV and electronics. Kids should spend at least a couple of hours outside every day! Here are some reasons why it’s important:

Be a kid!

There’s plenty of time to watch TV or spend countless hours on computers in your life. There isn’t anything wrong with being on electronics, just as long as it isn’t your main priority. Spending time outside can be a lot of fun, whether it’s going on a hike, going to the park or on a bike ride, etc. Many activities are enjoyable outdoors.

Improves your mood

Do you ever get down from being inside or feel dull? When you go outside, it helps with feeling brighter, more energetic, and happier! The sun and warm air help get you out of the winter funk from being inside most days. Sometimes it seems like there’s only life online, but it’s far better to really experience life by going offline and outside.

Increases creativity, attention, connection and wellness.

By being outdoors and using electronics less, it helps people connect with themselves and be present. It can also help with coming up with ideas and being creative. It gives someone a chance to be more aware of their surroundings as well. Another plus is that it strengthens our immune systems by being outside!

The fresh air is good for you!

There is nothing worse than sitting inside in a stuffy room or staying indoors throughout the whole winter if you’re not a fan of the cold! Going outside is good for your health and gives you a chance to breathe after spending most days inside. It gives your body a break to refresh and relax.

It helps with sleeping

Going outside helps for a better night’s sleep. Just think about it, if you go camping, you’re outside all night and sleep great! (most of the time!) Compared to indoors, when it can sometimes be hard to fall asleep and stay asleep. By going outside more often, it helps with sleeping habits.

Improvement of social skills

When playing outside with others, it improves communication, co-operation, problem-solving skills and many more skills. It gives kids a chance to work together and help each other out. As well as, it creates friendships.

When it’s that time of year, and it’s time to go outside, with all the incredible benefits of being outside more and on the computer or watching less TV, it’s time to go out! Hopefully, these reasons will persuade you into turning off the TV and computer, putting on your shoes and running out the door for a couple of hours!

By Selina

Canada offers public and private high school systems. Both exist in parallel and deliver the same education curriculum, but neither is “better” nor “worse”. Some might gravitate more towards one or the other, depending on the student’s needs (such as more individualized attention) and preferences (such as smaller class sizes).

What is the difference between public and private high schools in Canada?

The public school system delivers a standard curriculum set and approved by the province or territory’s Ministry of Education. Only day programs are offered. Many public high schools in Canada accept international students. Most schools offer the main courses in English, but some offer the majority of their courses in French (these are called “French immersion” schools). In Quebec, the main language is French. Some public schools are part of the Catholic school board, which means that religion is a mandatory subject of study at every level from grades 9 to 12.

Private schools deliver the same curriculum as public schools, but class sizes tend to be smaller. This allows teachers to provide more specialized attention to students. Some private schools are boys-only or girls-only. Many private schools offer on-site residences or accommodations (“boarding schools”), in addition to specialized arts or sports programs.

Both public and private schools offer accommodation for students with learning and physical disabilities, and many offer specialized academic programs such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and the Advanced Placement (AP) programs.

Are private schools better compared to public schools?

Statistics Canada regularly publishes the results of standardized test scores among students in private and public schools across Canada. A study titled “Academic Outcomes of Public and Private High School Students: What Lies behind the Differences?” reveals that “private high school students score significantly higher than public high school students on reading, mathematics, and science assessments at age 15, and have higher levels of educational attainment by age 23” (Statistics Canada, 2015). According to the report, the factor that accounted for this difference is socioeconomic standing. “Students who attended private high schools were more likely to have socio-economic characteristics positively associated with academic success and to have school peers with university-educated parents” (Statistics Canada, 2015). In other words, socioeconomic factors play a larger role in influencing the higher test scores, and it does not necessarily reflect the difference in the quality of education or teaching provided by private versus public schools.

How do fees for public vs. private high schools compare for international students?

For Canadian citizens and permanent residents, the Canadian public school system is free from kindergarten (age 5) to high school (age 17 or 18). For international students, most schools charge fees ranging from $8,000 to $14,000 annually. Some schools charge small fees for participating in extra activities such as field trips, school outings, sports teams or extra-curricular programs. Most schools have on-site cafeterias where students can purchase meals, but many students bring their own lunch and snacks to school. Depending on the school, students may be allowed to leave the school premises during lunch or break times to go to a nearby plaza to purchase meals.

The private school system charges tuition fees and other fees for uniform and boarding (if you live in their residence) for everyone who enrolls, regardless of whether you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or international student. Tuition fees for private schools tend to be higher due to the lower student-to-teacher ratio and smaller class sizes, but fees may vary by school and region. Please contact the school directly for enrollment and information on fees.

Sources

Statistics Canada. Academic Outcomes of Public and Private High School Students: What Lies Behind the Differences? Publication #11F0019M, no. 367. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11f0019m/11f0019m2015367-eng.htm

By Maryam Sheikh

With March Break coming up, you might already be planning for your week off. There is a lot to do, whether it is indoors, outdoors, with your friends or with family. In this article, I will share some fun activities to keep you busy during the March Break!

Searching the City

1. Make a trip to your local library. Many cities hold programs throughout the week that appeal to a variety of age groups. Register to watch an animal or magic show, make some arts and crafts, learn a new skill, or play board games with new friends.
2. Talk to your parents or guardians about planning a day out. Many science centres, museums, art galleries, and play spaces have extended hours during the break. There are a lot of cool places to check out around the city.
3. A place I always enjoyed visiting over the break when I was younger was my local Chapters bookstore. Every year, they had different activities taking place every day of the week, whether it was a read-aloud, craft activity, or game day. I encourage you to take a look at their website and see if there are any locations near you.

At Home

1. Use your days off to unleash your inner chef! Search online for snacks, meals, and dessert recipes to plan a meal for the family. Pick a theme- foods from around the world, meals that revolve around a colour, or try making your favorite dish. Time to impress your loved ones!
2. Want to get your creative juices flowing? Pick a topic, and record your own podcast! Interview your parents, friends, and family members about a topic you are interested in. If you prefer taking videos, create a short film or stop motion – the options are endless.
3. Throw a popcorn party for your friends. If there’s a show or movie you want to watch, invite them over and have everyone bring a different snack. Hold a character costume contest to see who dresses up the best!

The Great Outdoors

1. Ready, set, photograph! Organize a photo scavenger hunt to complete throughout the week. Make a list of things to photograph outside: letters of the alphabet to find made in nature, or objects for every colour of the rainbow. If you are hanging out with a group, split off into teams and see who can get photos of all the objects first. This is a good way to practise your photography skills and have fun.
2. Canada still tends to be chilly during the March break, but that is no reason not to go outside and enjoy some outdoor activities. There are ski hills and skating rinks in many cities, so look up schedules online, grab your gear, and go for a skate or ski trip.

March Break is a great time to unwind, relax, and focus on some hobbies and fun activities. Take the week to enjoy time with friends and family and prepare to return to school with more energy than ever!

Family Day was created so that families could spend more time with one another. Without a doubt, it’s an occasion many look forward to. While this has been a good addition to certain provinces’ various holidays, some might be unsure about how they can make the most of it.

Here are some ideas for fun, Family Day activities:

Ideas for Activities

Cook and/or Bake Together

Cooking and baking are great activities to do together, as everyone can have individual and/or shared tasks. For example, if you’re planning on making baked goods like chocolate chip cookies, maybe designate a family member to gather the necessary ingredients, two may combine these to make the dough, and then everybody can separate this dough and place it onto the cookie sheets.

You could either choose a favourite recipe or take this opportunity to try a new one.

Go to a Park and Engage with Your Favourite Outdoor Activities

This is a good idea if your family loves being outdoors. Think of every activity you want to do, then gather all the necessary equipment and go to a park.

Watch a Movie

If you’re all feeling tired but still want to spend some quality time with each other, enjoying a movie is a great way to do so. You could go to the theatre or watch one at home. Look up newly released movies and see if any pique your interest.

Take the Time to Just Talk

Sometimes, it’s fun to just have lighthearted conversations with your family. This would be perfect for those who are often busy and don’t normally take the time to sit down and talk with loved ones. You could do this after any meal on Family Day (after breakfast or lunch are good times) by lingering at your kitchen table for a while and letting the conversation flow.

Suggestions for Connecting/Reconnecting with Family Members

Reach Out to Them via E-mail or Social Media (When Connecting)

This avenue would be best if you don’t feel comfortable verbally speaking with the family member(s) yet, but still want to effectively break the ice. Via e-mail or social media, reach out, ask how they’ve been doing, and express your interest in connecting with them.

Contact Them through a Text Message or Phone Call (When Reconnecting)

If you had a close relationship with the relative(s) before but you’ve drifted apart over the years, contact them through a text message or phone call. Let them know that you’ve missed them and have been thinking about reconnecting.

Of course, this all varies according to everyone’s unique situation. The two most important factors when contacting these family members are addressing them as well as initiating the conversation in a suitable way and via the means that you see fit.

Overall, this holiday is an important reminder that time is very precious, and everyone should make the most of it, particularly regarding time we have with loved ones. Whether it’s doing fun activities or reaching out to other family members with whom you can potentially have/continue to have fulfilling relationships, if you take the suggestions above, you’ll likely experience an enjoyable Family Day.

By Avreet Jagdev

If you grew up in Canada, you might have heard of Pink Shirt Day. It’s also called Anti-Bullying Day and takes place every year in February. As the name suggests, it is a day on which people wear pink shirts to take a stand against bullying.

Bullying is a huge issue — it impacts one in five children and has detrimental effects on everyone involved, including its victims, perpetrators and even bystanders.  Children who are victims of bullying are prone to experiencing mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, which can often persist into their adult lives. In addition, they are likely to have decreased interest in their academics, resulting in lower performance at school.

Those who bully others are also impacted negatively by bullying. Bullies are more likely to abuse alcohol or drugs in their lifetime and may display violent behaviour such as engaging in physical fights and committing crimes. Even those who simply witness bullying can face negative impacts from it — including poor mental health and skipping out on school.

Evidently, bullying is an issue that impacts many Canadians and needs to be solved — which is why Pink Shirt Day is so important. It is a day on which students, teachers, parents, and community members alike stand in solidarity with those who have been bullied, making this statement by wearing pink shirts to their schools and workplaces.

Although Pink Shirt Day is now a national movement, it sparked from just a small act of kindness at a Nova Scotia high school. After a ninth-grade boy was bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school, two of his classmates decided to take a stand. They organized a protest by giving out pink shirts to all the boys at their school. On February 22nd, many students came to school wearing pink shirts, and standing with the boy who was bullied. The bully wasn’t heard from again.

This story tells us an important lesson: when people decide to do the right thing by standing up against bullying, a lot of positive change can occur. This has been made clear since the initial event because a small act of kindness became an anti-bullying movement that has grown across Canada and even other parts of the world. In addition, it has evolved from just an initiative at schools to something that is commemorated at workplaces and within the community.

However, bullying is still an ongoing issue. As of today, bullying impacts the majority of children in Canada – at some point in most kids’ lives, they will either engage in bullying behaviour or be the victim of bullying. We know the consequences of bullying can be long-lasting and serious, so it is important for all of us to contribute to take action.

There are many ways you can do this: by calling out bullying when you see it, talking openly with your friends, family, and classmates about the issue, and wearing pink on February 25th to show that you care.