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Category: Elementary

  • How to Cope When a Family Member is Sad

    How to Cope When a Family Member is Sad

    Everybody gets sad every once and a while, but sometimes people get sad for prolonged periods of time that can last for days, weeks or even months. This is something that has been labelled by doctors as depression. If this is something that one of your family members is suffering from, whether it be your sister, brother, mother or father, or even your aunt or uncle or cousin, you may feel affected by it. Commonly, family members who are depressed may isolate themselves from the rest of the family or seem to always be in a bad mood. Sometimes, as someone who cares about that person, you might start to take their bad mood or their distance as though it is due to something that you’ve done, so you might find yourself taking the blame for it. As soon as you realize that you are starting to feel differently around that person and to have feelings of guilt or blame, you need to talk to someone so you are not negatively affected.

    You will feel some negative feelings as a result of your family member’s suffering because you care about them, but you need to be sure that you will not fall down with them. In order to cope with a depressed family member, the first thing you want to do is firmly implant the belief in yourself that you are not to blame for whatever they are going through, that what they are going through is entirely their own issue, and something that you will not be able to solve. The second part is very important. You need to be sure that you believe that you are not responsible for their healing. It is not your responsibility to ensure that your family member recovers from their period of depression. You may still care a lot about them, and you may still wish them the very best, but it is by no means your responsibility to ensure that they get happy or get back to being themselves.

    Once you believe that you are not to blame and are not responsible for their healing, you can develop more practical measures for coping with their illness. Try strategies like being out of the house when they are home and spending time with friends who care and support you. Having friends that you can confide in about the situation that your family member is in will be essential for nourishing your belief that you are not to blame and that you are not responsible for their recovery. You want to be sure that you are well supported in order to ensure you do not fall into feeling guilty or even depressed yourself. Also, connecting with other members of the family about the issue, if possible, is great for supporting yourself because this is something that is affecting everyone in your family, not just the person who is depressed.

    If you feel you need someone else to talk to, you can always call Kids  Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 or talk to them online at www.kidshelpphone.ca

  • I Want to Be a Ballerina

    I Want to Be a Ballerina

    Brooke Nagy is an 18 year old on a fast-track to becoming Canada’s next prima ballerina. Becoming a professional ballet dancer was not a decision Brooke made on a whim. It has taken a lifetime of preparation and focus. Since age three she has been classically trained in Ceccetti ballet, and has developed an advanced knowledge of both classical ballet and modern dance.

     Brooke has had the opportunity to dance professionally at many points throughout her career, but decided that it was important for her to complete her high school education before devoting herself entirely to the art. “I’ve already trained with the CanadianNational Ballet School and the Quinte Ballet School,” Brooke explains.

    “For two summers I was accepted to study as a part of the Canadian National Ballet School’s ballet-intensive summer school program, which led to the opportunity to be a part of their full-time program. I’ve also been accepted to (and attended) the Quinte Ballet School’s Summer School Program, which led to an acceptance into their full-time program” she continued.

     Ballet may well be in her blood, as her mother is a classical ballet teacher and former professional ballerina for the Miami Cityballet. Brooke intends to one day take over her mother’s dance studio, after travelling and performing as much as possible. She applied to the National Ballet of Canada’s Teacher Training program, New York’s Adelphi College and Suny Purchase College’s Conservatories of Dance and George Brown College’s prestigious dance program, garnering preliminary acceptance to all, but choosing to accept George Brown’s offer.

    The Toronto-based program will prepare her for an intensive Bachelor of Fine Arts transfer after earning her two year diploma, and set her up for work with Canada’s Ballet Jörgen, a renowned Canadian classical ballet company that selects dancers from George Brown program alumnus.

    Among the highlights of Brooke’s auditioning process was when famed Canadian dancer Frank Augustyn called her out from a class of second and third year Adelphi ballet students she was placed with, praising her grace and skill above those of professional dancers with many more years of training. She was then offered a ten thousand dollar dance scholarship for Adelphi, a tempting offer that she may return to later in her career.

    For Brooke, the choice of dance over other more job-stable programs was quite simple. “I want to be a dancer over everything else. I know that the field of dance is where I excel and where I belong.” Whether it be the National Ballet School or Frank Augustyn himself, the ballet world agrees.

  • What to Do if Your Teacher is a Bully

    What to Do if Your Teacher is a Bully

    Wouldn’t it be great if all teachers were devoted to educating their students and dedicated to encouraging them? Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

    If you are under the supervision of teacher whose behavior has crossed the line into bullying, there are things you can do to stop it. Discussing your concerns with the teacher in question and the head of his/her department, filing a formal complaint with your school and in the most extreme case, asking to be transferred to another class are just a few of your options.

    Many students think that they will never be believed if they bring a complaint against a teacher, but don’t let these unfounded fears stop you. Bullying by a teacher is unacceptable behavior, and no student should be subjected to it.

    What Is Teacher Bullying?
    It’s easy to get on a teacher’s bad side, or for a teacher to get on your own, but this does not mean that the teacher is a bully. Bullying behavior by a teacher includes behaviors such as:

    • Degrading comments about a student.
    • Unwanted or hostile physical contact with a student.
    • Unwanted or suggestive physical contact with a student.
    • Inappropriate or lewd remarks made to a student.
    • Suggesting to a student that his/her grade depends on something other than his/her studies.

    What Is the First Step to Stopping Teacher Bullying?
    If you feel that your teacher is a bully, the first step is to tell someone. This could be your parents, your principal or another teacher that you trust. If you are afraid to speak out, calling Kids Help Phone will get you in touch with people who can help you through this process. Remember – you are not alone and there is help available!

    Teacher bullying is unacceptable and must not be tolerated. If you feel that you are being treated poorly, but are uncertain if you are being bullied by your teacher, confide in a trusted adult.

     

  • Joining the Circus – Cirque du Soleil

    Joining the Circus – Cirque du Soleil

    Some people, such as miners, work underground. Most other people work above ground in buildings like schools, offices, and hospitals. One group of people, however, works on the ground and in the air, quickly moving from one to another. Can you think of what that job is? Acrobats are known for their skills in flying through the air and for performing great feats of balance and flexibility. Acrobats work as street performers and in circuses around the world, including the famous Cirque du Soleil.

    Becoming an acrobat starts early. The physical ability to bend over backwards or to jump high into the air can take years to develop. Joining a gymnastics club or practicing with friends is a good way to learn the skills necessary to become an acrobat. Many people also attend lessons at the National Circus School in Montreal, Quebec, where they learn how to jump, bend, and do many other tricks. Montreal is also the home of the Cirque du Soleil, one of the world’s most famous circuses.

    The Cirque du Soleil started in 1984 in Montreal with two street acrobats. Guy Laliberté and Gilles Ste-Croix were trying to earn a living by performing their acrobatic feats on the streets and at special occasions. However, making enough money was difficult, and they decided to join together with other acrobats to start a circus. The group called itself the Cirque du Soleil.

    The Cirque du Soleil is famous for being unlike any other circus. Each Cirque du Soleil performance tells a story instead of having a series of acts like other circuses. Over 1300 performers and another 3700 employees work in the Cirque du Soleil around the world. Some of them help prepare for performances or help with some of the other tasks like selling tickets. Every job helps to make the circus experience good for performers and the audience.

    Being in a circus can involve a lot of travel with mostly evening and weekend work. Salaries vary, but they are usually between $40,000 and $70,000 per year. Experience and special skills can help performers rise to the higher income level. Even at the lower levels, however, this money can go far. During the months when people are on the job, they receive free food and a place to stay. Being part of a regular circus troupe like the Cirque du Soleil can be a very career for people with the right skills.

    Not all acrobats work in a circus. Some prefer to be street performers, making a living by setting up their acts as part of outdoor festivals. This type of work gives acrobats a lot of freedom to test and try to improve their skills, at least when the weather is warm and dry enough to work. Street performance is a good way to start if you think that a career as an acrobat is right for you. Eventually, you might be able to show your skills by performing in some of the world’s greatest circuses.

  • I Want to Be a Baker!

    I Want to Be a Baker!

    Bake Your Cake and Eat it, too!

    Most of you have seen movies like Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, and I’m sure some of you have dreamed of having your own chocolate wonderland. Well guess what, if you put forth passion, dedication, and outstanding creativity- you can! The culinary industry leads to extraordinary career paths and dreams. You can take a simple concept of a cake, and create a whole new culinary business that will have people travelling for miles, just for your creations.

    No one wants a job that they don’t enjoy. Working is soon going to be one of the most important aspects of your life. Why not do something you’re going to love, and get paid for it! Let the joy of creativity flow with the feel of accomplishment and pride when you serve customers your delightful creations. The look of amazement on people’s faces when they check out your products is something that will keep you motivated, positive, and ready for more.

    The culinary arts have such a rewarding career path- you can do anything you dream of. Become a food scientist, a food taster, or a famous TV Chef. Design your own bakery or restaurant that becomes internationally famous. Or let’s live the dream here, and create a candy workshop or chocolate wonderland where you get paid to design, make, experiment with and eat candy! Let your ultimate dreams guide you to be wherever you want, and become whatever you want. With a step into the career path of culinary arts, there are no limitations- just your imagination.

  • Reasons to Use Kids Help Phone

    Reasons to Use Kids Help Phone

    Kids Help Phone is a free, anonymous resource that is there for you 24/7. Its purpose is to give young people someone to talk to when they feel they have no one who will listen to them. It is important to know that there are people who care and want to help you with any problems you may have. Kids Help Phone has many uses – here are just a few.

    1) You need an objective opinion or want to ask questions anonymously.
    If you need to talk with someone who will listen to what you’re going through, and you don’t trust or want to speak to friends or family, then the Kids Help Phone is a great resource for you. Sometimes you don’t want the people closest to you to know what it is that you are feeling or thinking about. It may be because of a fear of losing their respect or simply of changing the image that they have of you. Whatever your reason, speaking with someone who is trained and knowledgeable on how to handle the information you will share with them is often a good option. When you call the Kids Help Phone you can rest assured that the information will remain confidential, unless it involves information that must be reported to the police (such as reporting a threat to your own or someone else’s life).

    2) You are undergoing a traumatic period in your life and would like support.
    Sometimes we suffer because of life’s circumstances, and in this case it is really important to talk with people about what you are going through. You may not want to talk with friends or family because you feel they may not understand, but with Kids Help Phone you can talk to a person who has been trained in dealing with emotional crises. They will be able to talk to you about relationships, sexuality, drugs and alcohol, eating disorders or anything else that you feel is affecting you.

    3) You want to speak with someone who will listen to you.
    Often in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, there is so much going on that we can feel ignored or that we don’t matter. It can be very hard to find someone who will just listen to what it is that you are going through. The time rarely comes up where you feel it is okay to pour out your soul, and because of this you can be left with some important issues bubbling just under the surface. It is important to “vent” and to talk about your life and what sorts of challenges you are facing.

    4) You need to report an incident.
    If you don’t feel comfortable speaking directly to the police or don’t know what to do after an incident, the people at Kids Help Phone will listen and help you to deal with the situation. This can range from bullying, an incident of physical or sexual abuse or a crime like theft.

    5) You are in a crisis and need to talk to someone as soon as possible.
    If you are feeling that you are in a crisis and are having thoughts of suicide, a counselor at the Kids Help Phone will be a great person for you to speak with. They can help to “talk out” your problem and ensure that you get the assistance you require. Remember that you are never alone! Suicide is not the answer. Reach out to someone at Kids Help Phone and they will be there for you when you feel no one else is.

  • What Should I Be?

    What Should I Be?

    With countless options available, the pool of career options may seem frightening.

    There are many ways to figure out what you want to be and many things to consider along the way.

    Firstly, what do you enjoy doing? Even if your hobbies or interests don’t seem like they would provide careers for your future, it’s a great starting point to identify the types of jobs and fields you may be interested in. Some hobbies or interests may have clear career options, like an animal lover pursuing a career as a vet or zoologist, or an artistic person becoming a graphic designer or book illustrator. Other hobbies or interests might require some additional thought. For example, if you like hockey and don’t foresee the NHL in your future, you could work in Sport Management or Sport Marketing. If you enjoy being outdoors with nature you could be an environmental technologist. The options are endless.

    It’s also important to think about what you’ll want from a career. For some people, the goal is to make as much money as possible, for others to work a job that they enjoy, and for many people a bit of both. Identifying your priorities when thinking about the future is important. For example, if you like storytelling but want to make a lot of money and work steady hours, writing novels may not be the best option. A job as a news editor or reporter may prove more fruitful, or perhaps a career in public relations. By combining what you like to do with what you want from life, you’ve made great progress toward figuring out what you want to be.

    Most importantly, remember that you don’t have to settle on a specific career right away. You may know that you want to work toward a future that will fulfill your love of history, perhaps working in a museum or teaching history, or something else. It’s important to always account for change and be open to exploring other options as your knowledge and experience grow. Your career choice is never set in stone.

    No matter what you’re going to be, you’re sure to find a future of happiness if you take the time to know what you like and what’s important to you. You don’t have to choose your career right now – just follow your heart and do what makes you happy!

  • The Bully, The Bullied and The Bystander

    The Bully, The Bullied and The Bystander

    There is a dangerous notion of what normal is for today’s young person, defined in part by media images, Hollywood and reality television. The rest in a cocktail definition is pieced together by those with a voice and a platform. Whether that platform is prom queen or king, fashion icon or cultural diva, it matters little for the message is clear from wherever it is preached; normal is what normal does and if you don’t fit the mold you do not fit in.

    The reality is that you either fit in or you are cast out. As long as you have a group to fit into, life should pace itself to the rhythmic meter that is everyone else’s. This is the important distinction. Friendship circles do not have to mimic each other, in actuality the only common factor they might have is the willingness to accept each other. What happens when there is no peer group that accepts you? What does a young person do when no one extends welcome and isolation creeps in? Suffer in silence? Dig deep for resilience and self-respect? Perhaps, but the number of suicides in this country has reached an all-time high. More and more teenagers are choosing to end their lives rather than fight for them.

    Why?

    The simple answer is that bullying is also on the rise, but this is an unsatisfactory conclusion. Bullies have always existed. Cruel pranks and hurtful words are nothing new. So why the percentage increase? It comes down to one thing, neither small nor easy to fix – the internet. Cyber-bullying is an emerging form of cruelty that is wreaking havoc on many a teen life and there is little to no awareness on the part of parents and teachers. Think of how fast gossip used to travel before Facebook, text and Twitter. We may live in the age of technology, but when it comes to human decency it appears we are in the dark ages. Kindness, acceptance and grace for our mistakes do not seem to exist.

    Barbara Coloroso, international speaker, author and expert on the topic of bullying, says bullying is about contempt; putting one down to build the bully up. She also asserts that bullying is a learned behaviour and that home is where children first learn how set their moral compass. Those who are bullied typically remain secretive about it. They don’t want their parents to think of them as weak and are afraid of retaliation. They endure while quietly losing themselves. The bystander is the one who watches the bullying and does nothing to prevent it. They may even contribute with laughter or taunts. Bystanders are usually afraid of bullies as well and may have low self–esteem. They worry about becoming a target themselves or go along with the bully for lack of a better option. Even if a bystander would never bully on their own, by not stepping in they are picking the side of the bully and in essence enabling them.

    It is too late to care after the fact. A suicide is not the time to ‘tsk’ the sad situation or wish something had been done about it. Kind words for those around us, a smile, inclusion and a willingness to see into the heart and soul of a person will make a difference. The greatest desire in all of our hearts is to be known.

    We all need to have a story. What do you want to do in the future? What are your goals? What would you like to get better at and how can you make that a reality? When we have a story we have focus on the horizon and all that lies ahead, which makes the daily struggles a little easier to endure.

  • Why Should I Change My Attitude?

    Why Should I Change My Attitude?

    Have your parents or teachers ever told you to “change your attitude”?

    It’s amazing how your attitude can have so much to do with how successful you are in life. It affects areas such as friendships, motivation and overall feelings of fulfillment within your personal happiness.

    When you find yourself in situations that cause stress, anxiety or that make you upset, you need to take a step back and re-look at the situation and see things from a different perspective. Don’t let that negative attitude affect your life, which can lead to a cycle of a bad situation becoming worse.

    * Attitude is how we treat others
    * Attitude is the way we approach life
    * Attitude is contagious
    * Attitude is how we respond to challenges
    * Attitude affects our health
    * Attitude affects our relationships
    * Attitude is our personal trademark
    * Attitude determines if we fly or fall

    It’s difficult to recognize the importance of attitude without seeing the evidence of it in your own life.

    Honestly, changing your attitude is the first step in taking control of your life. Do you like the way you feel? Are you good company? Are you  productive at school? Is your negativity bringing other people down?

    Do you want to be happy?

    A conscious decision to change your attitude starts with making changes in how you look and feel in different situations. Concentrate on finding solutions to bad situations moving forward. You may even recognize that things are not such a big deal. Over the first week you will begin to see changes – first small ones, then larger ones.

    Never underestimate the power of your attitude. How you view things will have a direct impact on how happy you are, and how successful you will be. You need to make sure you are constantly checking your attitude to ensure it is on track.

    Remember: don’t sweat the small stuff!

  • I Want to Be Like Lady Gaga!

    I Want to Be Like Lady Gaga!

    Imagine what it would be like to be a famous musical star, walking up onto stages around the world to sing to your cheering fans. You could be like Lady Gaga, recording music and giving live concerts for a living. You might become famous all over the world for the songs that you compose and sing. If you love music and have the talent to develop your own musical style, a career as a singer and songwriter might be right for you.

    Many careers in entertainment require talent. This is especially true of singing. The person later called Lady Gaga discovered her talent early in life. She was born as Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta in New York City in 1986. She was already learning to play the piano by the time she was four years old. Over the next years, she practiced a lot and learned more about her craft. By the time Stefani was eleven years old, she was good enough to be accepted as a student at a famous music school called Julliard. However, she decided to study at a private Catholic school instead. Three years later, she was ready for her first performance.

    When Stefani was twenty years old, she went to study at the Tisch Scool of the Arts at New York University. She ended her studies before she graduated to develop her own style. In 2005, she began working with Def Jam Records. Two years later, she began recording songs with Interscope Records, where many other famous singers record their music. In 2008, she received awards for her album, The Fame. One of the songs from this album, “Poker Face,” made the singer even better known. By this time, she called herself Lady Gaga.

    Being a singer like Lady Gaga involves much more than just singing songs. After writing their songs, singers perform at concerts in parks, concert halls, and other places. Often, they go on tours of different cities to give concerts for their fans there and to promote their recordings. They record songs and make music videos. They visit music stores and attend award shows and parties. The talk to fans and sign autographs. While they are doing all of these things, they still need to keep on composing songs and practicing their skills.

    If this kind of job appeals to you, the first step is to decide what kind of music you like to sing. Some singers perform many different types of music, but most of them find a style that suits them and then stay with it. What kind of music do you like? Every type of music has a different way of using the notes that make up songs. Some use pianos and others use drums and guitars. Learning the rules of music theory is an important step in becoming a singer and songwriter.

    If you enjoy composing music and performing your songs in front of other people, a career as a singer and songwriter might be right for you.