Oh, the weather outside is frightful! And soon, the décor inside our home will be as well. With spooktastic classics from Hallmark Canada, our family is looking forward to brewing up some fun for Trick-or-treaters on Halloween. This October, we will be taking our Witchiest of Witches Shadowcaster, Back-to-Basics "Boo" sign and other Hallmark favourites out of storage as we decorate our home for one of the spookiest holidays of the year. New to our repertoire of Halloween décor is a Spooky Metal House. This free-standing house, which retails for $24.95, has six windows where you can display coordinating ornaments. These include a mummy, a pumpkin, a vampire and a Frank ornament which retail for $5.95 each. And then there's one of my all-time favourites - the "Spell & Potions" Treat Presenter. This beautifully designed box may look like an ordinary book but Trick-or-treaters will be in for a fright when they open the book and hear a creepy warning. Be sure to grab one of these at a special price of $14.95. 

Hallmark's Spook-tastic Ghost will put a new spin on Halloween. Activate this cute little ghost with the push of a button and watch as he twirls up and down to a spooky tune. The regular price for this must-have is $39.95 but, from now until October 31st, you can nab one for $24.95 with purchase at participating Hallmark Gold Crown stores. (Psst! I'm giving one away so keep on reading!)

When you do stop by your nearest Hallmark, don't forget to check out all of their other Halloween items, such as their Premium Felt Totes, Canvas Trick or Treat Bags, and Vampire Door Décor. They even have some neat Día de los Muertos party items for those who celebrate the Latin American Holiday.

Finally, Hallmark has a beautiful new line of coordinating fall décor essentials such as oven mitts, tea towels, fabric pumpkins, vases and flameless candles. The rich colours of these timeless entertainment pieces are perfect for Thanksgiving and brightening up your home this fall.

To be eligible to win, please complete the Rafflecopter form below. Open to residents of Canada, excluding Quebec.

It's Star Wars Force Friday and what better day to evoke the Force™ within you. Now Star Wars fans can channel it with the Star Wars™ Force Band™ by Sphero, which officially launches today. The Force Band is designed with an authentic Star Wars look and feel and fastens to your wrist, allowing you to enhance your native Force powers.

Earlier this month, I met with the Jedi Council and received special Jedi training at the exclusive launch of the Force Band, BB-8's newest accessory. All I can say is, I could have played all night long. But I had to let the little kids have a turn eventually...

May the force be with you. #JediMaster #ForceBand #SpheroForceBand #SperoBB8 pic.twitter.com/ZGBkvkJPRM

— Diana Mancuso, OCT (@TeacherMomOfTwo) September 2, 2016

Using the Force Band, you can control your BB-8™ App-Enabled Droid™ with just a wave of your hand, just like a Jedi Knight. You can learn to control your Droid by mastering moves like Force push and pull and expand your abilities as BB-8 guides you through Force Training. 

Or use the band by itself and complete Combat Training for Blasters, Lightsabers, and the Force itself, while uncovering and collecting digital holocrons in your environment with Force Awareness. The Force Band is compatible with the original BB-8 App-Enabled Droid by Sphero and other Sphero robots powered by Bluetooth SMART.

May you fulfill your destiny and become strong in the ways of the Force.

Signed,

Diana
Jedi Master

Ah, the middle school years. How I remember them well. And how I wish I didn't. For me, those were the years when I felt out of place, like I didn't belong. I was the opposite of popular and spent most of my recreational time volunteering in the kindergarten class or helping the secretary during recess. Sports were not my forté and everybody knew it. Don't believe me? Just ask any of my classmates how many times I was picked next to last to join their team during phys. ed. Many of the boys picked on me, teasing me over how I was the French teacher's pet or playing monkey in the middle with my tuque on a cold winter's day. And then there was that one time at that birthday party when a boy asked me to slow dance and I felt flattered. But that feeling was quickly shattered the following day when I learned that my lack of dancing skills was the butt of everyone's jokes. Yup. Those were definitely some of the worst years of my life.

In a century where educational technology has become the norm, securing valuables at school, such as portable devices, is more important now than ever before. For middle school and high school students, Master Lock has designed an incredibly smart padlock that puts control in the palm of your hands by way of Bluetooth. The Master Lock 4400D Indoor Bluetooth Padlock turns your phone or any Bluetooth-enabled device into a key. Say good-bye to forgotten combinations or lost keys and hello to secure convenience.

With the Master Lock Bluetooth Indoor Padlock, you can unlock your lock, share limited or permanent access with guests, and monitor activity using the free Master Lock Vault app. To open the lock with your phone, simply touch any button on the lock while your device is with you. If you don't have your phone or the battery dies, no problem. Enter the directional code on your lock keypad. will Knowing this padlock has a hardened boron alloy shackle will give you peace of mind, as will tamper alerts whenever you are not around. And a low batter reminder on both the padlock and app will come in handy, too.

Another one of my favourite Master Lock padlocks is the equally innovative 500iD Speed Dial Set-Your-Own Combination Lock. I first discovered this lock when I tried a Breakout EDU escape game at a the Toronto GAFE Summit last year. It opens with a combination of up/down/left/right directional movements and can be reset to any number of movements in any sequence. You can also apply matching passcode indicators such as letters, numbers, colors, shapes, symbols for added customization. This lock is perfect for younger kids who don’t yet have Smartphones.

Every thought about securing your child’s backpack to protect important school documents, personal information, homework and valuable items, such as smartphones, laptops, tablets and money? Neither had I. But, now that my son wants to bring his iPad mini to school on BYOD days, it is important to ensure protection for when his table is left unattended in his backpack, such as during recess. With the Master Lock 1550DAST Backpack Lock or Master Lock 1548DCM Set Your Own Combination Padlock, the added layer of protection will help deter possible theft.

For college students living on campus, the Master Lock 5900D SafeSpace provides extra safety precautions to ensure that your valuables are safe and secure. It is also a great portable solution that you can take with you since it includes a heavy duty cable that can be secured around a stationary object.

Disclosure: I received product to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

This Saturday, Indigo is hosting a special event with the #1 bestselling illustrator of Animal Kingdom and Tropical World, Millie Marotta. You can join in as she colours from her newest colouring book, Curious Creatures: A Coloring Book Adventure. And while you're there, you can save 40% off select colouring books and accessories, all in celebration of #NationalColouringDay! Can't wait that long? Pass the time by printing out and colouring in these #MillieMarotta masterpieces.

Our Expression Premium XP-630 printer came with five Claria® Premium ink cartridges: one black, one cyan, one magenta, one yellow and one photo black ink cartridge. I like that these cartridges were vacuum sealed to ensure optimum quality and that they were really easy to install. 

Of particular interest is the Epson Creative Print App, which allows you to personalize and share photos directly from your mobile device. Available for iOS v5.0 or later and Android v2.2 or later, the Creative Print App also monitors printer status and ink levels, and lets you check nozzles or clean print heads. It appears you can even buy ink directly from the app, which seems rather convenient. My first Creative Print project was a photo collage of photos taken on my iPhone during the summer. After downloading the app, I designed and printed my photo collage and, within a matter of minutes, I had a lovely new photo to display in my office at work. And the print quality? Truly impressive!

Not only does the Epson Expression Premium XP-630 boast superior photo quality, a feature that I personally value, it is fast, too. ISO print speeds range from 13 ppm in black and 10 ppm in colour. And you can save up 50% on paper with the automatic two-sided printing feature. The printer also includes a built-in USB and memory card slot that allows you to bypass the computer altogether and print directly from a USB key or SD card. Plus, the wireless feature is an added bonus since our family can print from our individual devices from virtually any room of the house via WiFi.

Whether you are looking for a convenient family printer for the home office or a space-saving, cost-effective solution for a small dorm room, the Epson Expression Premium XP-630 is the ideal printer. It retails for $149.99 but you can order directly from epson.ca and enjoy a $70 instant rebate through to September 24, 2016. If you are looking for the ultimate in eco-friendly printers, check out the super cool Epson Expression ET-2550 EcoTank All-in-One printer, a cartridge-free option that comes loaded with up to 2 years of ink in the box.

Disclosure: Our family received a product sample to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Last year, I attended my first ever GAFE Summit here in Toronto and the minute it was over, I began counting down until the next one. I loved it that much. Not only did I learn about incredible ways that both my students and I could benefit from using Google Apps for Education, I was able to connect with some really amazing teachers, including the inspirational Sylvia Duckworth. What made it all the more special was the feeling that I had found my tribe, a group of people who spoke the same "language" and was just as passionate, if not more so, about educational technology as I was. It felt like I was finally at home.

Love this photo taken on Day 1 of the @edtechteam #GAFEsummit in #Toronto. Thanks @sylviaduckworth! #gafesummitto pic.twitter.com/hSf8vFWMCZ

— Diana Mancuso, OCT (@TeacherMomOfTwo) October 26, 2015

Since then, I have introduced GAFE to several of my students as well as the staff members at my school, many of whom are jumping on board the GAFE train this year. We have only been a GAFE school board for just shy of a year but I have a feeling many great things will be happening at our school thanks to Google Apps for Education. I am also looking forward to the monthly #PubPD meetups with my local tribe members and sharing with my colleagues what I have learned thus far as a Google Certified Educator: Level 2.


This year, the Toronto GAFE Summit will take place at Crescent School on Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23, and will feature some fantastic keynote speakers and spotlight presenters that will include Sylvia Duckworth, Donnie Piercey, Kevin Brookhouser, Jeffrey Humpries, Sandra Chow, Dominique Dynes, Kristen Wideen and Scott Monahan. And you can't miss out on the Demo Slam. I have a pretty good feeling it will be extra slamtastic this year. Registration includes eight sessions of your choosing, all keynotes, a light breakfast and lunch on both days, and a chance to win door prizes.

If you plan on attending this year's GAFE Summit, you'll be pleased to know that there is currently a Back to School special where you can save 10%. Type in ‘backtoschool’ during registration and the discount will be applied to your ticket. Please note, this promotion ends on October 1st. Group rates are also available for parties of 5 or more, and student teachers can save $100 on their registration.

Don't forget to get plenty of rest the night before because it's sure to be a high-energy, mind-blowing kind of weekend. And if you see me there, please come say hello! I'll be the one with the green antennae.

This September, fans of Nate, Whisper and Jibanyan will undoubtedly rejoice over the arrival of not one but two new Yo-kai video games for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. In the newest instalments of the Yo-kai saga YO-KAI Watch 2: Bony Spirits and YO-KAI Watch 2: Fleshy Souls, players will continue their adventure into the mysterious world of Yo-kai and explore an expanded world as they find, battle, and befriend. Players will  travel back in time, learn the origin of the Yo-kai Watch, and for the first time, team up with friends and trade YO-KAI medals. 

To celebrate this exciting launch, Torontonians are invited to a very special event right here in Toronto on Saturday, September 24 to experience the all-new YO-KAI WATCH 2: Bony Spirits and YO-KAI WATCH 2: Fleshy Souls video games before they come out on September 30! Guests will also have the opportunity to check out the new Yo-Kai Watch toys from Hasbro before they hit store shelves and catch an advance screening of the first episode of the Yo-Kai Watch season 2, which will debut on Teletoon. Face painting will be available on-site and don't be surprised if you spot any Yo-kai characters while you're there.

Where: 99 Sudbury 

             99 Sudbury St., Toronto

When: Saturday, September 24, 2016 

            Noon to 4:00 p.m.

More information can be found here!

We are giving away Very Important Family (“VIF”) passes to 15 lucky Toronto-area families for the event. Each VIF pass will include:

• the ability to bypass lines at the entrance as well as to play the games and partake in the various activities at the event
• a YO-KAI WATCH souvenir
• a chance to be entered into a contest with a grand prize of one new Nintendo 3DS XL and both of the new YO-KAI WATCH 2 games (YO-KAI WATCH 2: Bony Spirits and YO-KAI WATCH 2: Fleshy Souls)

It has been nearly a year since I shared with you the shocking statistic that 1 in 3 cigarettes purchased in Ontario is illegal. In an effort to drive awareness of the production, distribution and sale of illegal tobacco and its impact on local communities across the province, Ontarians were invited to learn more about the issue by visiting StopIllegalTobacco.ca. You may recall hearing an ad on the radio or online. But did you know that Ontario is the epicentre of the illegal tobacco trade in Canada? Worse still, our province has the second highest rate of illegal tobacco sales in the Americas after Panama.

While previous findings were based on estimates and high level summaries from police reports that lacked detail, we now have court cases and arrests that paint a clearer picture of how the system works. One such case resulted in the arrest of 60 individuals and lead to 70 raids across Quebec and into the Montérégie and the Six Nations in Ontario. What we cannot deny is that the sale of contraband tobacco is directly linked to high profits for gangs and organized crime rings, causing a chain effect that leads to more criminal activity, such as drug and gun trafficking. 

The documentary above highlights an interesting fact: Illegal tobacco from Canada is funding international crime. It is not restricted to our provincial borders. While it is not entirely surprising that police investigations are uncovering more and more evidence of contraband tobacco, it is, however, still frightening to learn that roughly $75 million in annual profits end up in the hands of criminal gangs as a result of the sale of illegal tobacco. And it only makes sense that they continue to invest that equity and take advantage of the growth market.

Stay informed.  Visit stopillegaltobacco.ca to learn more about the impact contraband tobacco has on local communities across the province. You can also learn how to spot illegal tobacco products and what you should do if you see illegal tobacco products or people selling illegal tobacco products. Follow the discussion on the Stop Illegal Tobacco Facebook page and via Twitter using the hashtag #StopIllegalTobacco.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco. I have received compensation for my involvement in this campaign; however, all opinions on this post are strictly my own.

I know many people may dread the back-to-school season, parents, kids and teachers alike, but is it really all that bad? I mean, I get to shop for new clothes and school supplies, enrol my daughter in dance class, rush both kids to their yearly appointments, prepare lesson plans, wake up before the sun rises, take the car in for an oil change, plan out school lunches, rush the kids to daycare, learn the names of over 150 students, establish routines, iron clothes, juggle lengthly to-do lists and do it all while avoiding spontaneous combustion. 

Um...

How many days until Christmas vacation?

Let's face it. Back-to-school can be a difficult transition but getting organized can play a large role in easing the anxieties and ensuring everyone starts the year off on the right foot. This is why I'm turning to Post-it to help the kids and I get back into routine and stay organized throughout the year.

First and foremost on my list of organizational essentials is a family calendar. And yes, this is  in addition to the calendar app on my smart phone. Having a large wall calendar in a central location is much more effective in providing visual reminders for the whole family. We keep ours in the kitchen, as does parenting expert Alyson Schafer. This year, we are using the Post-it Note Weekly Planner to help keep track of everyone's individual schedules in one convenient location. It includes 26 weekly planning pages as well as six packs of full adhesive Post-it Super Sticky notes that fit perfectly into the squares on the calendar. What I love most about this calendar is that I can remove notes for weekly events, such as dance class or swim practice, and re-use them week after week. I attached the wall planner using the four sets of Command picture hanging strips, which are also included and easy to use. Did I mention brilliant?

If room allows, why not add a place to jot down notes right next to the family calendar? A dry-erase surface would be a perfect way to post little notes or leave important messages. With Post-it Dry Erase Surface, you can have an instant whiteboard in a matter of minutes. You can easily cut to fit and customize to suit your needs or get creative by transforming non-traditional areas. My daughter used it for the inside cover of her school binder, making it even more functional. Check out Alyson Schafer's tips to help kids maximize creativity and productivity.

Still in denial that summer is nearing an end? So am I. But, with the Post-it Miami Collection, I can still revel in the vibrant colours of the summer and bring a taste of the south to my office. These are not just your ordinary Post-it Notes. These are Super Sticky Notes that were designed with revolutionary adhesive technology that lets you stick them pretty much anywhere and reposition them without marking paper or other surfaces. Use these to keep track of chores, jot down ideas or take messages. My new favourite is the Post-it Super Sticky Full Adhesive Notes since they stay put and come in fashionable colours such as their exotic Bora Bora collection. And because they are recyclable, they are a great alternative to using a full sheet of binder paper when a 3" x 3" note will suffice. 

Another back-to-school must-have to help keep both students and teachers organized is a set of Post-it Flags, available in a myriad of designs. These are great for bookmarking pages in textbooks, tagging the current day in the school agenda, or highlighting where a signature is required using their "sign here" printed tags. I keep these in my desk drawer next to my new Post-it Full Adhesive Roll, available in a sleek design. With this, I can easily dispense a label at whatever length I need it.

For more ideas on how to get organized, visit the Inspiration That Sticks blog. Post-it products are available at most major retailers, including Staples where teachers can save even more on Staples Teacher Appreciation Days!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

It’s that time again! Backpacks, lunch bags, pencils, pens… the never-ending list for back to school. But wait… is something missing? 

I recently had the pleasure of bringing my son to the Loblaw Optical Department, at the East York Loblaws in Toronto, for his yearly eye exam. As a mother and teacher, I can appreciate the importance of vision care, and as such, believe that an eye exam should be a regular part of every parent’s back to school routine. I’ve frequently seen first-hand how difficult school can become for a student who struggles to see clearly. Eyeglasses, with the proper prescription, can sometimes mean the difference between failure and success in the classroom. However, according to the recent Loblaw Kids Eye Health Survey, a concerning 35% of Canadian parents do not plan to schedule an appointment to have their children’s eyes checked before school begins. Luckily, Loblaw Optical Departments, have made it even easier for busy moms and dads to bring their kids to get their eyes checked. With their optical labs conveniently located in store, parents can easily do their grocery shopping, while their eyewear prescriptions are being filled.

While my son had his eyes checked, I had the opportunity to speak with the optician on the topic of current eye care issues with children, and some important vision facts. He explained that today’s children are now in front of tablet and computer screens more than ever before, at home and at school, and that long and frequent exposure will, sadly, affect their sight. Unfortunately, even with this increased need in eye examinations, the number of children who are being brought in to have their vision checked yearly is not increasing. He also mentioned that parents should be made aware of the many benefits that are available through OHIP for vision care for children. For example, even if a child has had their eyes checked, but new concerns or problems arise throughout the year, parents are always able to bring their child back at any time, for additional appointments, free of charge. Also of note is The Kids See Free Program, which ensures that children aged 4-10 years receive any frame, valued up to $49.00, with kids safe polycarbonate lenses, for free. (Additional upgrades to the frames and/or lenses are not included.)  Ultimately, with all of these facts and information in mind, the importance of having your children’s eyes examined couldn’t be any clearer!

The Kids See Free Program is available at Optical Departments at Real Canadian Superstore, Loblaws, Zehrs, Fortinos, Your Independent Grocer, Atlantic Superstore, and Dominion Stores in Newfoundland.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Year after year, it never fails to surprise me how many students I see heading back to school with oversized or heavy backpacks that they drape over one shoulder or drag across the ground. With my daughter, I notice that her tendency to use a single shoulder strap coincides with her preference for fashionable rather than functional backpacks. Can you blame here? There are so many fun and cool-looking school bags to choose from. But little do children realize that backpacks can affect their health. As stated by the Ontario Chiropractic Association,  a heavy backpack, carried on one shoulder, forces the muscles and spine to compensate for the uneven weight. As a result, this adds stress on the mid and lower back, and could increase the likelihood of back problems as they get older. This is why we need to adopt the adage, "Pack it light. Wear it right." Here is what you need to remember when choosing and packing a backpack for your child:

Backpacks aren't the only factor that can affect your children's health. Failing to properly warm up for sports or poor posture could be causes of back pain as well. So how do we relieve and prevent back pain and injury? According to the Ontario Chiropractic Association, one step towards managing back pain is identifying its source. Below you will find possible causes for your child’s back pain along with tips from the Ontario Chiropractic Association to help children stay pain and injury-free at home, in school and at play.

Tip #2: Did we mention posture? Sitting incorrectly can cause strain and put pressure on the lower back, decreasing blood flow to the muscles and accelerating fatigue. Teach your child to practice "active sitting" by keeping feet flat on the ground with the back straight, shoulders squared and ears in-line with the shoulders.

Tip #3: Don't forget the warm up. Ensure your child warms up for about five to ten minutes before a game or activity. Even a light jog can warm up the body's temperature and prepare the muscles for physical activity. Stretching also plays a role in improving flexibility and allowing the joints to move through a full range of motion thereby reducing the risk of injury.

Tip #4: Stay hydrated and eat well. Staying hydrated is key for the body to maintain soft tissue elasticity and fluid in the joints that are essential for keeping them mobile, while eating a balanced meal with the right nutrients can give kids the fuel they need.

Tip #5: Get your child moving. Regular exercise helps to strengthen the core and back muscles, making the spine more stable and less prone to injury.

While these tips are a great starting point, they are no substitute for seeking the advice of an expert. Chiropractors know all about your child's spine, muscles and nervous system, the causes of back pain and what you can do about it. If your child complains of back pain, numbness or weakness in his or her limbs, get help.

It's giveaway time! One reader will win a special prize pack valued at $100 that includes a Nike backpack and pencil case along with a folding laptop/tablet stand. Please complete the Rafflecopter form below. Open to residents of Ontario only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by the Ontario Chiropractic Association.