Academic Advantage
Back To School Is Just Around The Corner!
Greetings!
 
It's hard to think that summer will be over in less than a month's time.  We have been busy in the summer months interviewing and screening certified teachers. We have registered over 150 new tutors this summer. We interview them, check their references, verify their BC teaching credentials and make sure that they have a clear criminal record. We have a strong force of exceptional tutors ready to go out and serve you in the upcoming school year.
 Back To School Tips For Parents 
 

    Preparing for School

    • Ease Your Child into a New Routine. Have him or her go to bed at school-night bedtime a few nights before the first day. Set an alarm clock for the correct school wake-up time.
    • Try a School Bus Run. Go over your child's school bus route with him or her if it's going to be a first-time bus ride. Find out how long the ride is, and talk about things like bus safety.
    • Get Ready the Night Before. Establish a routine that requires your child to pick an outfit for the next school day, and to pack a book bag every night before bed. This will help eliminate any last minute rushing in the morning.

    Avoiding Conflict

    • Listen. Encourage your child to talk about school, social events, other kids in class, the walk or ride to and from school so you can identify any issues he or she may be having.
    • Look. Watch for symptoms that your child may be a bullying victim. Be aware of signs such as withdrawal, a drop in grades, physical signs, or needing extra money or supplies.
    • Work with Others. Tell the school immediately if you think your child is being bullied. Work with other parents to ensure that the children in your neighborhood are supervised closely on their way to and from school. Talk to the teacher or school's guidance counsellor for some professional advice.

    Helping Your Child Prepare for High School

    • Educate Yourself. Find out the requirements, choices, and processes involved in planning your teen's senior high school program with your child's teacher. Your teen will need your assistance and advice.
    • Plan Carefully. Some Grade 10 courses are prerequisites for more advanced high school courses. As well, certain programs enable students to meet entry requirements for post-secondary programs or acquire the knowledge and skills to enter directly into a career. Keep future goals in mind when planning grade 10 programs.
    • Prepare for Post-Secondary. If your teen intends to enter a post-secondary institution after high school, check the calendars of these institutions for admission requirements to plan his or her senior high school program accordingly.

    Helping Your Child Plan for the Future

    • Even as an adult, career decisions can be overwhelming. Encourage your child and give them the time and space to make their own decisions.
    • Ask your teen about the kinds of careers they are considering and do not worry if it is accounting one day and nursing the next. They're thinking things over and imagining themselves in different roles. Encourage them to take this exploration a bit further. Help them learn more about these choices. Find out why these careers are attractive to them and look at other careers they may not have considered that could offer similar rewards.
    • Encourage your teen to think about the educational path they will need to follow to pursue the careers they're considering. Will they need to take certain subjects in high school to keep these options open? What kind of post-secondary education will they need? Where is the program offered and how long does it take to complete?

 Teacher Of The Year Award, 2008/2009
 
The feedback on our teachers is outstanding. Thank you to all of you for the time you take to help us evaluate our teachers.
 
We would like to recognize 2 teachers for their many hours of tutoring with great feedback from you.  

Teacher of the Year first place goes to Phyllis Strukoff of Delta.
 
Teacher Of The YearPhyllis who completed 821.5 hours from July 2008 to April 30 2009. She has taught several families . Subjects taught were Kindergarten, Grade 2, Math 8, and Special Education.
Clients love Phyllis. She has a charming personality, great sense of humour and she goes above and beyond her call of duty.
 
Phyllis graduated from The University of Victoria and taught several years in the South Caribou, Merritt and Ashcroft.
 
 
Phyllis will receive a $50 gift certificate of her choice. 
 
Teacher of the Year second place goes to Jamileh Partovi of Burnaby.  
 
TeacherShe has  tutored 223 hours from July 2008 - March 2009. Her subjects are Math 8-12, Physics 11-2, Chemistry 11-12. Students report that she knows her stuff. She explains clearly and communicates her expectations. She wants students to succeed and it shows in her dedication.  
Jamileh  is originally from Iran. She received her B.Ed and M. Ed from UBC.

 Jamileh will receive a $30 gift certificate of her choice.


AA Logo Academic Advantage Franchises Available 
 
Academic Advantage is now offering franchise opportunities in various locations throughout B.C. and Canada. If you know anyone who would be interested in this home based business opportunity please have them contact us at 604 -439-1790. We would be happy to answer their questions.

Tutoring Prices
(Sept, 2009)
             
(All subjects from grades 1 -12 and beyond)
 
One on one rates

Grade level
 1 hour
 1.5 hours
 2 hours
 2.5 hours
 3 hours

1 -7

$37

$53

$70

$88

$105

8, 9, 10

$39

$56

$74

$93

$111

11, 12

$41

$59

$78

$98

$117

University(Undergrad)

$41

$59

$78

$98

$117

University(Masters)

$41

$59

$78

$98

$117

Adult ESL/TOEFL

$37

$53

$70

$88

$105

 

Group rates

Grade level

2 students

3 students

Grades 1-7

$45 per hour

$51 per hour

Grades 8, 9, 10

$47 per hour

$54 per hour

Grades 11, 12

$49 per hour

$57 per hour

University (undergrad)

$49 per hour

$57 per hour

University (masters)

$49 per hour

$57 per hour

Adult ESL/TOEFL

$46 per hour

$53 per hour

 

Note: Students enrolled in group sessions must have the same subject and grade level.

  • Subtract $3 per hour if the student travels to the tutor's home.  

*Prices are subject to change without notice.

 Thanks For Your Feedback. 
 
In our last newsletter I wrote and asked you to fill out a survey. Many of you completed it. I'm humbled and delighted to be part of an organization that has the priviledge of serving you and your family. I'm so thankful that you let us be a part of your life! If you didn't get a chance to fill out the survey, here's the link again: fill out this survey. Of course, if you filled it out and would like to comment further, please feel free to fill it out again.
 
If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
-- Diane Loomans, from "If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again"


Sincerely,

Susan Cumberland
Academic Advantage