Like many families with jam-packed calendars, Craig and Abby realized their son might be overscheduled when he started to attend piano lessons in his swimming suit. While the names are fictitious, the story is not. It inspired the latest back-to-school column from our president, Joanne Sallay, in the Costco Connection print and online magazine for Costco members across Canada and the UK. Like “Craig and Abby”, many parents grapple with scheduling and planning in search of the perfect balance. All while simultaneously experiencing conflicting emotions between fear of not doing enough to doing too much and risking burnout. If you can personally relate to this, learn about how to help your child achieve school life balance in the full online back-to-school 2023 article here at costco.ca.
At Teachers on Call, our in-person and online tutoring team are big fans of sharing teachable moments with others. The lead up to back-to-school can be a time of reflection for families who are not only figuring out school supplies needed, but sorting out schedules for extracurricular and academic commitments, too. Our president, Joanne Sallay, proudly shares educational tips with the Costco Connection magazine for both 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 back-to-school seasons. In the previous school year, she covers how an in-person or online tutor can set your child up for academic success. Not to worry if you missed it, you can access the full online back-to-school 2022 column here at Costco.ca.
This school year, Joanne shares eight strategies with the Costco Connection to approach school-life balance for the 2023-2024 calendar ahead. While families are often searching for that perfect balance, it is easier said than done. In addition to her academic tips around achieving balance, Dr. Ainslie Gray shares expert strategies from a medical lens on the importance of mental health check-ins and self-care breaks. Dr. Gray is the co-founder and medical director at Springboard Clinic (306 - 1055 Yonge St, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 2L2), a multi-disciplinary clinic in Toronto that offers attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) mental health assessments and treatment services for children, adolescents and adults. To view the full article on striving for school-life balance, read on:
Article as seen in the Costco Connection August 2023 issue – Back to School Special Section
Photography by Jennifer Allison from JSHUTTER Photography
Related Articles View All
Teachers on Call in the Toronto Star: What Ontario Report Cards Really Mean and How Parents Can Use Them for Summer Success
What do Ontario report cards really mean—and how can parents use them to help kids thrive over the summer? Teachers on Call President & CEO Joanne Sallay shares expert advice in the Toronto Star on decoding report cards and turning them into a powerful tool for summer learning success. From understanding learning skills to setting personalized goals, this guide empowers families to take action now and start September strong.
Doors Open Owen Sound Returns on the Longest Day of the Year: Explore 19 Sites on June 21, 2025
Explore Owen Sound like never before during Doors Open 2025 on June 21, the summer solstice! This free, family-friendly event unlocks 19 historic and cultural sites across the city—from beloved landmarks to exciting new additions. Dive into hands-on learning, local heritage, and community celebration on the longest day of the year.
“Operation Cupcake”: A Sweet Introduction to Elementary Science, Math, and Engineering
Operation Cupcake: How Simple Machines Work is more than a story—it’s a STEM adventure starring two clever mice on a cupcake mission! Featuring simple machines, teamwork, and a sprinkle of humour, this Forest of Reading® nominee is the perfect introduction to science, math, and engineering. Don’t miss our exclusive interview with author and illustrator Bambi Edlund.
