Back to School

A newschool

year

Department of Economic Development/Commercial Affairs SectorCommercial Protection Directorate- Consumer Protection Section

P.O. Box: 12, United Arab Emirates, Toll Free: 8008811Tel.: (Direct) +971 2( 4031137 - 4031152 - 4031154 )

E-mail: consumer@adeconomy.aeWebsite: http://ded.abudhabi.ae

Date of Issue: October 2009Issue No.: 12 / 2009

Reference

• Abu Dhabi Education Council.• Consumer Guide, Consumer and Market Study and research Centre, fourth edition 2005.• http://www.moe.adu.kw/KuwaiBag/index.htm• http://www.tartoos.com/HomePage/Rtable/MedecinMag/Pediatrist/Pedia35.htm

Printed on 55% Recycled Paper

Back to SchoolThe Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi (DED) welcomes all students and parents to the 2009 / 2010 school year. We would like to share some helpful suggestions on how parents can support learning and play an active role in their child’s educational development. School is a partnership between principals, teachers and parents. We all need to work together to make sure students reach their full potential and get the most out of their time in school.

Students need to understand that education needs discipline, commitment and hard work. BUT it can be fun and enjoyable at the same time. This is a message we must continue to repeat. We want our children to value education and understand its relevance to the future prosperity of the UAE.

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Before the First Day of SchoolShopping for school items is a good time for parents to reinforce the importance of school and to help their children to be positive about returning to school.

Prepare a shopping list together before going to the store. List the large items first. For example, school uniform, school bag, lunch box etc. Then list the stationery items you need. Schools usually give out lists, but there are essentials that every school child should have. For example, pencils, eraser, coloured pencils, felt tip pens, ruler, scissors, note pad, glue etc.

There is no need to rush and buy everything at once. There are some things that are determined by the teachers. Therefore, you do not have to buy them until teachers say what they need. Check with your child’s school about the purchase of essential items.

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Get Involved in SchoolChildren whose parents take an active interest and involvement in their lives tend to perform better in school. By spending some time with your children every day, you will have a positive impact on their social and emotional development.

Quality time : Your child spends much of the day at school or involved with school activities. When you do have them at home take the time to ask them about their day. Plan a fun activity for the day that you can enjoy as a family.

Encourage them to talk to you and report about what they did in school, what they enjoyed and what they learned. Don’t forget it’s a conversation not an cross-examination. Be a good listener and let them do the talking. Turn the TV and your mobile off. It’s your time to be together.

Children need ‘special time’ with their mother and father so make sure it is a shared responsibility. If you have a number of children make sure each is given some time on a ‘one to one’ basis.

Getting involved at school : Have a direct impact on your child’s future by becoming a part of the school community. Actions like volunteering to help on school field trips and taking part in parent-teacher conferences show that you care about their education.

Monitor development : Observe both your child’s strengths and areas for improvement at school. If your child is having some difficulty or requires additional attention on a certain subject speak to the class teacher on how best to address this issue. 3

Enlighten Young Minds with Nutritious Food!

A strong education relies on a healthy mind and body. It is important to make sure your child gets into the routine of eating breakfast every morning. Ensure your child is ready for a full day of learning by preparing a wholesome breakfast rich with vitamins, essential nutrients and minerals.

Eating at the beginning of the day is important for physical health, increased memory, concentration and problem-solving abilities. Foods such as whole-grain cereals, yogurt, fresh fruit and juices are tasty as well as being healthy foods that are recommended by dietary experts.

Pack a healthy and well-balanced lunch to encourage a vigorous body and mind. When you pack your child’s lunch and snacks, keep in mind that it should be in easy-to-open packaging and easy to eat.

Take precaution with cold foods that need refrigeration such as milk and meats. Children are often hungry when they get back home from school; try to have a healthy snack available for them right after school so they are less likely to snack before a wholesome dinner.

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Do you know that what your children have for breakfast affects their abilities and focusing?

There are certain kinds of food that strengthens the comprehension abilities of your child and increases his thinking skills.

Memory Comprehension Focusing Innovation

CarrotsPineapple

CabbageLemon

ShrimpsOnion

Nuts (pecans, pistachios, and peanuts)

GingerCumin

Here are some creative ideas for a healthy breakfast:- Whole grains (such as oats), milk and fresh juice.- Sandwich, fruit and a glass of milk- Yogurt and a sliced apple - Eggs, toast and orange juice- Pancake made from whole grains and fruits and/or yogurt/milk - Toast with fruit, orange juice or milk- Melted cheese sandwich with fruit pieces- Peanut butter with banana slices on a piece of toast and milk.- Quick breakfast: milkshake or yogurt-shake

Tip: put a surprise in the lunchbox such as stickers or their favourite candy. This is a good way to make them feel you are around even in school.

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Establish a RoutineIt is difficult for children to start a new routine especially after the freedom of the summer months. Ease your children into the school day routine by organizing the day in advance and by starting the morning early.

Managing the mornings – little last-minute tasks add up and can make getting to school on time stressful. Get organized the night before with pre-made lunches, signed permission slips, chosen outfits and packed school bags.

Homework time – Encourage your children to get in the habit of doing homework as soon as they get home from school. It’s important to set aside a time frame for this task every day and positively reinforce so it doesn’t feel like a burden. Make sure they have a quiet area at home where they can complete their homework without distraction.

Remember to support your children as much as you can and reward them for hard work with praise and a fun activity after the homework is done.

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After school activities – Extracurricular activities are important for the development of well-rounded individuals and are a great way to learn time-management and social skills, for both kids and parents. Encourage your children to engage in some physical activity or sport instead of sitting in front of the TV. Physical activity not only promotes health, it also increases energy and concentration levels. It’s also a fun way to make new friends and learn to interact with other children outside of the school environment.

Early evenings – Children require more hours of sleep than adults. Get them into bed early so that they have enough sleep to be refreshed and energetic for the next school day. Children need a regular routine. They need to go to bed at the same time each school day. Parents can help by encouraging their children to get ready for bed at an agreed time, clean their teeth, read a story and put the lights out. There should be no compromise during the week. Maybe an extra half hour of ‘stay up time’ can be given at the weekends so that they understand that in school time a regular early night is the normal routine.

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School BagsSchool bags can often put an unhealthy strain on children’s backs if they become too heavy.

Children should only be carrying books that are required for the day. If the school bag becomes too heavy, consider opting for a bag with wheels.

Health Specifications of the School Bag- The weight of the empty bag must not exceed 480 g for primary stage and 580 g for middle and

high school.- The bag must not be wider than the shoulder.

- The lowest point of the bag must not be lower than 10 cm under the hips.- The surface facing the child’s back must be lined for comfort of the child and to protect

him/her from the sharp edges of its contents.- The bag must have two straps for carrying it so that weight is evenly distributed on

shoulders.- It must have a front belt to be wrapped around the waist to ensure even distribution

on sides of the back.- The shoulder straps must be wide and lined in order not to press the muscles

and veins. - The gross weight of the bag may not exceed 10% of the student’s weight.

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• Parents should select the bag carefully and watch its contents. They should not allow their children to put unnecessary things inside and they must teach their children the right way of carrying their bags and not to allow them to carry bags for long distances.Parents should seriously take any pain their children might feel from carrying the bags and consult a specialized doctor.

The school management should:- Provide lockers for all the students.- Make the teachers aware of the problems of school bags and create schedule to reduce the weight of the bag.- Avoid placing classes from 1 to 6 on high floors as this stage is more vulnerable to this problem.

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SafetyOur children are precious. We love them and protect them. Or do we? Many parents drive their children to school. But do they really understand how much danger their children are in if they are not restrained by a seat belt. In many countries there is no compromise. Seat belts are compulsory for everybody. If you don’t wear a seatbelt you are fined. Not so in the UAE. Many adults do not bother to “buckle up”. That is their choice. However, many children driven to school by their parents can be seen standing up in the car chatting to the driver or moving around in the back seat. Even more dangerous is the unrestrained child standing in the front of the car with his hand on the dashboard and talking to the driver. A sudden stop by the driver will see the child catapulted through the windscreen.

Parents can make sure their children arrive safely at school and return safely home by following some simple rules:

• If you drive your children to school, make sure they sit in the back seat and fasten their seat belts• If you employ a driver, make sure he follows this rule.• In case of an accident, even a minor accident, an unrestrained child will suffer injuries• Parents need to be firm in making their children fasten their seat belts. There is no compromise to this rule. • When arriving at school the parent or driver should make sure they park in areas where it is safe for the child to get out and move safely to school. • Make sure you explain to your child that they need to be very aware when they approach your car. They must make sure it is safe to get into the car.

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If your children travel by bus to school you must reinforce the need for them to sit down during the journey and to refrain from distracting the driver. You need to make sure they are alert when they get off the bus at school or on their return to home. Children are in danger when they get off the bus. They should not cross the road from in front of or behind a bus.

Make it a priority to teach your children to observe road safety measures around the school. Teach them to observe traffic carefully and not to run across the road. Consult your child’s school to learn more about safety measures in place and spend some time familiarizing your child with their school environment.

Few safety tips for children when riding the school bus:

1. Always carry the school bag on your shoulders properly.2. Wait for the bus at the allocated bus stop.3. Do not rush while riding the bus.4. Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before entering.5. Enter the bus quietly and salute the driver and students.6. Sit in vacant seats in order.7. Do not shout or distract the driver unnecessarily.8. Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before exiting.9. When leaving the bus walk in a single file line and do not rush so as not to harm other students.10. After leaving the bus, cross the street at least 3 meters in front of the bus and do not cross from the back. 11

First-TimersYoung children who may be attending kindergarten or school for the first time may have difficulty initially being away from their parents. In fact, it can be equally as hard for parents to let their children go for the first time as well.

Remember, school is an important step in your child’s academic, social and physical development. It may be difficult at first, but if your child cries when you leave, be reassuring but firm. Don’t linger. Say goodbye and leave. Children soon settle down after their parents have left.

Make sure your child understands that you will still be spending time together when school has finished. Talk to them about the wonderful things they will learn and that every day at school will be a day filled with new things. Let them know that school is also a great place to make friends and have lots of fun.

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Final WordsSchool days are the best days of our lives. Parents can help their children to succeed in school by making sure they have a regular routine, a proper diet, support from the family and follow some safety rules to keep them safe and sound. Parents, teachers and principals need to work together as partners to encourage, support and guide children to reach their full potential.

The Department of Economic Development (DED) hopes that this booklet helps to make the beginning of this school year a happy and positive experience for your children.

Questions & AnswersIf you have questions about any aspects of the education system you should check first with your school principal or ring the government call centre on 800 555. Your questions will be directed to education experts.

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1*1=1 2*1=2 3*1=3 4*1=4 5*1=5 6*1=6 7*1=7 8*1=8 9*1=9 10*1=10

10*10=100

10*9=909*9=81

10*8=809*8=728*8=64

10*7=709*7=638*7=567*7=49

10*6=609*6=548*6=487*6=426*6=36

10*5=509*5=458*5=407*5=356*5=305*5=25

10*4=409*4=368*4=327*4=286*4=245*4=204*4=16

10*3=309*3=278*3=247*3=216*3=185*3=154*3=123*3=9