Questions about Canadian School Systems

[hdmichael]

I don't know if it is appropriate to post in this forum, so I apologize in advance if I have made a mistake.

Although I have been a member here for a while and we visit WDW at least 3 times per year, I seldom post. However, I am hoping that you may be able to help my son out.

We are in desperate need of help from anyone who lives outside of the United States and who has or knows a 10-11 year old child.

My son is doing a Social Studies project on how schools around the world are different. He would like for kids who are either 10 or 11 to complete a questionnaire about their schools and to share a little bit about themselves. He is also hoping that they will share pictures of their school and themselves.

He also needs this by Friday, February 14, 2008, although if anyone can share information before that he would be ecstatic.

For helping, he would send the child a small care package, and the adult would receive a small token of appreciation for his/her help.

Please email me at hdmichael@aol.com if you can help at all, and I will email the questionnaire and directions.

If you know of anyone who might be able to help, I would appreciate it if you would direct them to this post.

Thanks, Diane

 

[disneydreamgirl]

My son is 9, but will be 10 in April. He's in grade 4. Would that work for the project?

 

[F4disneyfan]

Our oldest is 11 and in grade 6 at a French Immersion public school and she would be happy to help out. I sent you an e mail in regards to this.

 

[sapper1]

Parents-----think carefully before you allow your child to send out pictures of himself/herself, along with school and personal information to a stranger who requests it on the internet. While it is probably a legitimate request do you really want to take the chance with your child's safety??? This is the sort of thing that we see all too often on the evening news!!!!

 

[Ham Ham]

Parents-----think carefully before you allow your child to send out pictures of himself/herself, along with school and personal information to a stranger who requests it on the internet. While it is probably a legitimate request do you really want to take the chance with your child's safety??? This is the sort of thing that we see all too often on the evening news!!!!

Street and web smarts are very important to our children's safety.

When a child is snatched by a predator or lured via the internet we as parents shudder to the bone.

As parents and caregivers we need to arm out children with information of what to look out for and to always come to us if they have questions or concerns.

Hopefully we can do this in a way that doesn't turn them neurotic when it comes to going out in the world.

http://www.theparentreport.com/resources/ages/preteen/safety/263.html
http://www.thedaily.com.au/blogs/family-challenges/2007/jun/28/safety-on-internet/

Truth is your kids are in more danger of harm from someone they know than a stranger.

http://www.rawstory.com/exclusives/mcky/stranger.html
http://www.messenger-index.com/?id=594

NBC Dateline "To Catch a Predator Series"
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10912603/

 

[dancin Disney style]

Parents-----think carefully before you allow your child to send out pictures of himself/herself, along with school and personal information to a stranger who requests it on the internet. While it is probably a legitimate request do you really want to take the chance with your child's safety??? This is the sort of thing that we see all too often on the evening news!!!!

So very true and very sad at the same time.

 

[maggieb9975]

As sad as it may seem, we do have to protect our children. I m sure that the OP is legit..however, what I would suggest is that you contact the school boards from whatever city you decide your child would like to find info on...many pics of kids from schools etc will be on the site if parents gave permission and the schools and/or board can be the go between.....

If you want some names of school boards I am sure people will let you know...I can give you web addresses for the area I live if you wish.....

Take care

 

[Debbie]

Isn't the internet wonderful! At a touch of the keyboard you can actually get information from one area of the world to another. In other years, my class we've done Flat Stanley exchanges with help from DIS and another Disney chatboard poster's help. I've had books from Rhode Island, postcards from Great Britain and vegemite from Australia sent to the kidlets in my class. (Don't like vegemite! ) We've learned about life in other parts of the world. All information came from families through me (the adult) to my school address and my email.

As adults it is our job to teach our children internet and personal safety so they are prepared as they venture into the world. Trust me, you don't want to wait until they are 'of age' to start.

My daughter has had an epal from Norway since she was 7 or 8 years old. She has learned ooodles about the country from her pal. Yes, they have conversed on MSN, too. But, she knows what is/is not appropriate to share. And I am in the background as she shares.

Ham Ham, it sounds like you have it right on.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

I'm sure we are all extra cautious with our children's well-being and I do appreciate the notes of caution. I would imagine many people on the boards offer more information about their personal lives than they even realize at times and although this feels like a very safe space we should all exercise caution. Thanks for the words to the wise...

Diane - why don't you post some more information about the project, perhaps a sample of the questions even? - that is, if you haven't already found a person who is willing to help you.

Thanks Debbie for sharing about recent experiences and to the person who posted all of those great sites.

 

[ronandannette]

We (my son under my supervision) responded to this poster with an offer to help. We got a couple of e-mails that seemed legitimate and proceeded to answer a long questionnaire. They (Diane and her son Michael) were very anxious to have the answers returned. None of the questions were particularly personal in nature; no addresses, phone numbers or that type of information was requested. While I don't perceive that this communication was a threat in any way I am starting to wonder about the project overall since we have not received any kind of acknowledgement...Too bad for my little boy since he was excited about participating and put a fair bit of time and consideration into his responses . I'd be interested in hearing about how anyone else fared...

Annette

 

[endy]

My son did this survey for Diane and we did recieve a response late last week. She was very thankful for our help & offered to send my son a small gift for his help.
I agree none of the questions were personal and my 11 yr old had them answered in under 10 minutes.
I prefer to think most people are good.

 

[BELLEDOZER]

Just for everyone's information, there is a penfriend group in the USA called International Penfriends (IPF). This group for a fee (for adults $28.00USD), once you have filled out the application they will send you a list of 14 penfriends from all over the world with similiar interests. They in turn pass on your address to 14 other people with similiar interests. The reason why I'm bringing this up is because they have packages available for schools for kids between the ages of 10 to 17, and the cost is quite reasonable. This organization has been around for many, many years, and it's sole purpose is to promote friendship between many different cultures, backgrounds, and countries. I am a member, and have friends in Australia, England, and Germany, as well as other countries. For a class project, this would be far more rewarding than just looking at the school system in one country only. The website is ipf.usa. They have penfriends in over 300 countries. So it's definitely worth checking out if you are interested in making new friends overseas.

 

[maryliz]

I too was hesitant to respond ... I was pretty sure it was legit, but you just never know. Thanks to Debbie on this board, she replied from being a teacher perspective, and got us the survey. Debbie was the one that had the contact with Diane.

None of the questions were personal. I think Debbie was also going to give them our school Website so they could see it.