Articles

What’s in your tool belt?

Published

6 years ago

August 21, 2018

BY: KATHY McDONALD

As parents, guardians, and caregivers we are charged with an awesome yet arduous task. We are responsible for nurturing, guiding molding and ensuring that our children and wards are equipped to be the best that they can be. This means that we should be committed not only to their spiritual and physical development but their educational growth as well. As parents or anyone that has a genuine desire to see students succeed it is crucial that we adequately equip ourselves. We must diligently make sure we have the right tools to navigate the vast educational system that our children have to traverse in order to graduate.

The United Achievers’ Club UAC hosted an informative workshop on August 11th in Brampton. The participants were provided with a wealth of knowledge to help them prepare to support their children for the 2018/2019 school year. The highlight of the event was the great discussions that were generated following the panel’s informative presentation. The panelist were; Abigail Hamilton, the executive director of ResQ Youth International; Claudette Johnson, a former guidance counselor, and Rasulan Hoppie, the principal of Castlebrooke Secondary School. By all accounts, this community discussion was a valuable tool which will assist the parents in attendance in supporting their children’s success in school. I would strongly encourage parents to continue to attend similar workshops and seminars that aim to empower and inform caregivers, community members, and parents. As lifelong learners, we must continually seek out information, especially in this fast-paced and ever-changing world.

Information is power, and knowledge is transferable. It was interesting to hear the myriad of reasons parents were reluctant to attend the workshop. Too often parents think by attending a workshop they are admitting that they are somehow inadequate. When it’s actually the opposite. By attending workshops to empower your children you are letting them know that they are important. and their education is so important to you that you are willing to learn how to help them be the best version of themselves.

Did you know that my Blueprint is not even blue? My Blueprint is a great educational planning tool that the Peel District School Board (PDSB) and several other boards use to help students and their parents plan for their future. This tool can be accessed in middle school to help students plot out the best subject choices that will help them fulfill their career objectives while nurturing their interests. While operating procedures may vary slightly between school boards the aim of the program is the same. My Blueprint “follows a comprehensive education and career planning process that meets the learning needs, interests and aspirations of all students”

On the PDSB website, there are several resources that are readily available for parents and students. There is a step by step guide for parents to set up an account which can be linked to your child’s account. There is also a guide for students and instructions how students can link their account to their personal device. This enables students to always have access to this information. There is also a very useful resource that helps them get started on course selection.

The PDSB website poses four questions that students should consider when navigating the my Blueprint page. They are: Who am I? Who do I want to become? What are my opportunities and What are my plans to achieve these goals? I would also like to add a fifth question that students should ask; Who will I ask to mentor and guide me to achieve my goals? When a student accesses my Blueprint, they will be able to “discover their learning style, narrow in on areas of interest, learn more about their unique personality, set goals, explore careers and research and compare options after secondary school.”

There are several other educational planning tools that are available by a few strokes of a keyboard. I would strongly suggest that parents sit with their children and utilize these prodigious tools. There is so much power in identifying your child’s strengths and interests and working towards a goal. If your child does not know exactly what career path he or she wants to pursue my Blueprint can help select courses that interest your child. When your child participates in courses that they find meaningful and interesting they will excel in such courses.

Even if you attended school in Canada or if your child appears to be excelling, the rate of change of information and the different resources that are available to your children constantly changes. It’s good to check-in from time to time. As a mother of four children, birthed over fifteen years, I can attest to the great difference in each of my children’s educational journey. I am constantly learning and being exposed to new and innovative educational stratagem.

Knowledge is the best weapon one has to empower oneself to live successfully in today’s world. Whether it’s through experiential, theoretical or practical learning, it is essential for parents, caregivers and guardians and the community at large to arm themselves with as many utensils that can aid them in helping students charged in their care to be the best that they can be. So, journey with me as I strive to make sure that all students including Black, Caribbean, and students of African heritage live up to their full potential. Walk Good. Belle Marché.

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The cost of convenience: how much does delivery really cost?

Published

1 day ago

April 25, 2024

TOCaribNews

BY AMARI SUKHDEO

Have you ever been excited to camp-in and order your favourite meal for delivery, only to be taken aback by that bill? That $18 ramen suddenly balloons to $32. Why the hefty price tag? Here’s what’s happening:

Markup mayhem:

When opposed to ordering straight from the restaurant, ordering through delivery apps frequently entails a surreptitious price increase. The menu items found on these platforms are typically more expensive than those found inside. Remarkably, a recent survey found that the cost of things ordered through delivery apps may be up to 26% more than that of items ordered straight from the restaurant. A lot of customers are caught by surprise by this markup, which turns what could have been a relatively inexpensive dinner into a costly affair.

Fee fiasco:

Not only is there a markup, but there are also significant service costs added to the bill. For instance, Uber Eats determines prices based on the quantity of your order, while DoorDash charges a $3 minimum service fee in addition to a 15% service charge. These extra fees have the potential to significantly raise the overall cost of your meal, giving customers the impression that they have been taken advantage of.

Restaurant shares:

It’s not just diners who are experiencing financial hardship. Restaurants face a big competition from delivery apps, which can take up to 30% of their earnings. This is especially true for smaller businesses that depend significantly on delivery services. Restaurants may find it extremely challenging to generate a profit due to the weight of high commissions, given their already extremely narrow profit margins.

A troubling tendency is shown through data: the cost of using delivery apps is progressively going up. Fees have increased to previously unheard-of heights in recent years, leaving many customers unable to pay more for their favourite dishes. For a few, the price hike has caused them to reconsider their dining options.

At home diners, keep in mind that you have to account for the hidden expenses the next time the convenience of a takeaway menu entices you. It’s a story about: delivery workers’ financial struggles, increased rates, and outrageous surcharges. Bon appétit, with caution.

https://www.vox.com/money/24118201/food-delivery-cost-expensive-doordash-ubereats-grubhub

https://www.foodandwine.com/news/delivery-app-prices-higher-fees-2021-pandemic

Junior Contributors

Beneath the waves: Unveiling the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade in the Bahamas

Published

1 day ago

April 25, 2024

TOCaribNews

BY KAHA G. – 15 YEARS OLD

What is archaeology? Archaeology is the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation: of artifacts, structures, and other physical remains. It helps us understand past cultures, societies, and lifestyles by analyzing material culture left behind by ancient civilizations. In this case, archaeologists in the Bahamas have found underwater wrecks of 14 sailing ships involved in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade between Africa and the Americans.

The Bahamas Lost Ships Project, led by Allen Exploration and the Bahamas Maritime Museum, aims to catalog shipwrecks in the Bahamas. They’ve found 596 wrecks so far, dating back to 1657. Also, these findings were published around Black History Month, emphasizing the importance of preserving the experiences of marginalized communities.

The Bahamas’ history is deeply connected to the transatlantic slave trade, with events like the arrival of the first slaving vessels shaping the islands’ population. The wrecks of ships like the Nancy and the General Oglethorpe remind us of the individuals who suffered and resisted enslavement. This research also highlights the Bahamas’ role in the transatlantic slave trade, connecting: Africa, the American Southeast, Cuba, and the Gulf of Mexico. Making it an important trade route for these places.

According to Livescience, the wrecks included the “Peter Mowell which is an American schooner (sailing vessel) that sank off Lynyard Cay near Great Abaco Island in 1860 with about 400 enslaved Africans on board; as well as smaller vessels that carried slaves to plantations for sugar, coffee, cotton and tobacco in North America and around the Caribbean.”

Alongside that, the team of archaeologists, and Allen Exploration have found three wrecks, but their locations are currently undisclosed. The CEO, emphasized the historical significance of these wrecks, noting their importance in understanding the conditions aboard slave ships and the broader history of the slave trade.

Additionally, the type of living conditions of enslaved Black people were atrocious. They lived in miserable huts, which were said to be “Unfit for the habitation of wild beasts.” They wore iron slave collars and worked seven days a week, with just four hours a day of rest in cane-cutting season. Unfortunately, about 10% of enslaved Africans died on the plantations in Cuba each year during the slave trade, and some were even flogged to death.

In conclusion, the discovery of these shipwrecks in the Bahamas sheds light on a significant, yet often overlooked aspect of human history: the transatlantic slave trade. These findings provide valuable insights into the conditions endured by enslaved individuals and the intricate networks that facilitated this cruel trade. As we continue to explore and preserve these historical sites, we honor the resilience and bravery of those who resisted oppression and strive to ensure that their stories are remembered for generations to come.