Project Dignity

Actively participating in meaningful activities with local, regional and global communities, is an integral part of a student’s education at Canadian International School. Through classroom investigations, community partnerships, and other service and leadership opportunities, our students develop a sense of empathy and learn the importance of giving back.

With this purpose in mind, our MYP design students recently participated in a project to design a set of stylish clothing protectors that elderly residents at St Luke’s Eldercare Centre would be happy to wear during mealtimes. Maintaining dignity and autonomy is something we often take for granted, but it can be a challenge for the elderly. Even something as simple as a clothing protector worn during mealtimes can represent a loss of dignity because it looks too “institutionalised”......

Students conducted research to understand clothing protectors across a range of markets, with a particular focus on those that were used in hotpot restaurants. They tested different fabrics to find options that were both water and stain-resistant. Many students had no prior experience working with textiles or using a sewing machine, so the project really pushed them to develop some new skills and understandings.

The collaboration was also a perfect opportunity for our design students to put the skills they’d acquired to practical use. They were encouraged to develop design thinking and to understand how to approach problems from a troubleshooting / exploratory perspective.

After the project was completed, students hosted an exhibition and invited Mr Edwin Lim from St Luke’s Eldercare Centre to view their creative solutions and provide his feedback. The response was really positive. St Luke’s residents mealtimes can now be a stylish affair for all to enjoy!

What are the possible causes of sensitive teeth?

Tooth sensitivity is a brief sensation of sharp pain experienced when the dentinal layer of a tooth is exposed to stimuli; typically thermal in nature.

Dentin is the yellowish layer found beneath the outermost white and hard enamel.

When the protective enamel layer is lost or when gum recedes, stimuli such as hot, cold, sticky or acidic food comes into contact with the inner layers of the tooth and a signal is sent to the nerves inside the tooth. This in turn sends a signal to the brain and pain is felt.

These are some of the conditions that might cause tooth sensitivity (most of them involve the loss of the protective layer and cause exposure of the inner layer).

• Tooth decay (cavities) and worn fillings

• Cracked tooth

• Gum disease and receding gums

• Worn tooth enamel

• Recent dental work

• Post teeth whitening procedure

With so many possible causes of tooth sensitivity, it is best to consult your dental specialist/dentist to identify the root cause so that an appropriate treatment plan can be proposed. Depending on the cause, your dental specialist/dentist may suggest treatments such as:

• Root canal treatment

• Filling or crown

• Gum treatment and gum graft

• Use of desensitising toothpaste

• Use of fluoride gel

Dr Irene Sim is a Dental Specialist in Endodontics with Specialist Dental Group®. She received her specialty training in Endodontics from the National University of Singapore. Dr Sim has a special interest in dental traumatology, revascularisation, apexification, non-vital bleaching & cracked teeth management. (65) 6734 9393 | www.specialistdentalgroup.com

Gingerbread Biscuits

Ingredients:

• 75g butter
• 3 ½ tbsp golden syrup
• 60g soft light brown sugar
• 175g plain flour
• ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 2 tsp ground ginger

Here's what to do:

1. Add butter, golden syrup and light brown sugar to a pan. Stir on a low heat until sugar has dissolved.
2. Add flour, bicarbonate of soda and ginger to a mixing bowl then stir together. Make a well in the centre and pour in the sugar and butter mixture.
3. Stir together to form a dough (or use your hands).
4. Wrap in cling film and let chill for 30 minutes to firm up.
5. Lay the dough between two sheets of baking parchment. Press dough lightly with a rolling pin. Give a quarter turn than repeat.
6. Give it a final quarter turn, then start to roll backwards and forwards, giving regular quarter turns. Until dough is roughly thickness of a $1 coin.
7. Using a biscuit cutter to cut out the shapes.
8. Bake at 190°C for 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly golden brown.
9. The biscuits won't be firm but will harden when left to cool outside the oven.
10. Decorate with piped icing (optional).

Receive 10% Off Helper Cooking Courses & Focus Classes.
Quote CAS10 when booking. http://www.expat-kitchen.com

FitBit: How To Workout Whilst Working At The Office

By Jessica Gan

Do you work in an office and struggle to squeeze in exercises throughout the week?

Here are some “Deskercises” you can perform at the office desk to beat a sedentary work life.

Other tips that appear simple but often we do not do them:

• Whilst sitting at the desk, remove the contents in your pocket. The imbalance in shape can cause your spine to lean into one direction, subconsciously. You may be surprised to find your posture improve from this small change.
• Most offices have a nursing room. If required, ask HR for permission to use the room to do short exercises if you really cannot do the obvious ones at the desk.
• To relieve tension in the shoulders, do a shrug and bring your shoulders to the ears. Hold for 5 seconds and release. (Just make sure you do not do this in front of your boss when he/she asks you for your work KPIs!)

Enjoy!

More tips email Jessica at jessica.gan@alumni.utoronto.ca

Vanilla Plum Cake

Serves 8

Ingredients:
   •  300g unsalted butter, softened
    •  1½ cups sugar
    •  3 eggs
    •  Rind of one lemon, grated
    •  1 teaspoon of vanilla essence
    •  ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    •  1 cup of yoghurt or buttermilk
    •  3½ cups self raising flour, sifted
    •  8 plums or 4 peaches/nectarines, stones removed and sliced

Here’s what to do:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease and line a large cake tin.
2. Cream the butter and sugar together until a light pale colour.
3. Add in the eggs, one at a time. Continue to blend together.
4. Mix in the lemon rind, vanilla and cinnamon.
5. Gently fold in the yoghurt/buttermilk and flour.  Don’t over mix.
6. Spoon mixture into a large flat baking tin.
7. Place the fruit on top, don’t push in.
8. Bake for 50-60 minutes until a skewer comes out clean.
9. Allow to cool for 10 minutes in the cake tin before turning out.
10. Dust with icing sugar and serve warm or cold.

Receive 10% Off Helper Cooking Courses & Focus Classes.
Quote CAS10 when booking. http://www.expat-kitchen.com

Ask the Dentist: Root Canal Treatment

Q: What are the risks of not getting a root canal treatment?

A: Root canal treatments are usually indicated for the management of dental pain and treatment of inflamed or infected pulp.

If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to abscess formation. An abscess is an accumulation of pus (thick, yellowish fluid) that is formed naturally by the body to contain an infection and prevent it from spreading. It can appear as a pink/red swelling and may cause pain due to pressure from building up of pus.

A tooth remains infected until root canal treatment is completed or the tooth is extracted.
While the pain may subside with the help of medication, the infection will not go away without treatment. Patients are encouraged to seek treatment promptly to prevent the infection from spreading and causing damage to surrounding structures such as teeth, bone or sinus.

Root canal treatments are usually done under local anaesthesia so there is minimal discomfort. For patients who are nervous, intravenous sedation can help treatment to be completed in a safe and comfortable manner.

You can discuss any concerns or questions with your endodontist/dentist so that they can advise the most suitable option to save your teeth with minimal discomfort.

Dr Irene Sim is a Dental Specialist in Endodontics with Specialist Dental Group®. She received her specialty training in Endodontics from the National University of Singapore. Dr Sim has a special interest in dental traumatology, revascularisation, apexification, non-vital bleaching & cracked teeth management.
www.specialistdentalgroup.com | (65) 6733 7883

FitBit: Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis affects both men and women. It causes bones to become weak and brittle and increases risks of fracture, should a fall happen. Osteoporosis-related fractures most commonly occur in the hip, wrist or spine. 

So what can we do about it?

Now we know what to do… but what about what NOT to do?

High-impact exercises 

• E.g., jumping, running may lead to fractures in weakened bones.

Bending and twisting 

• E.g., forceful exercises twisting at the waist or jerky sit up actions, can increase your risk of compression fractures in your spine. For instance, golf, tennis, bowling and some yoga poses.

Self-care is essential. Make no bones about it.

Enjoy the workout!

More tips email Jessica at jessica.gan@alumni.utoronto.ca

OUTDOOR LEARNING: EXCURSION WEEK BLISS IN SEDILI BESAR

Outdoor learning plays an integral part of a student’s education at CIS. No matter the age or subject, we aim to extend lessons into the outdoors whenever there is an opportunity for students to learn in a purposeful manner. 

Outdoor learning plays an integral part of a student’s education at CIS. No matter the age or subject, we aim to extend lessons into the outdoors whenever there is an opportunity for students to learn in a purposeful manner.

The length and focus of our outdoor learning programmes varies depending on the age. In Kindergarten, it takes place in our Outdoor Discovery Centre while in the older grades it involves activities such as Open Minds (hands-on learning experiences in settings such as Fort Canning) and Excursion week.

Excursion week involves all students in grades 4 to 11 spending a week in Singapore or other countries in the region and learning to be independent, take risks, show initiative, lead, work in teams and care for other communities.

In May, fifty grade 9 students went on an expedition to Sedili Besar in Malaysia. During the trip, they took part in a variety of meaningful environmental, team-building and service activities. The objective was to help them develop an international mindedness and sense of responsibility, and understand how small actions can make a meaningful contribution to the community.

“We did lots of cool outdoor activities like kayaking, a ropes course, orienteering and mangrove exploring,” explained student Rafael Gubbels . “We also visited a palm oil plantation (wow, what a complex issue facing our region!) and an organic fruit farm where we learnt how to create organic fertiliser and protect fruit without using pesticides.”

“Another highlight was volunteering at a local Rohingya refugee school where we facilitated two different art therapy exercises; one designed to break down negative feelings and the other to strengthen group bonds and identity. Afterwards, the children built their dream houses out of lego - it was fascinating to see what they believed was necessary and desirable! I really enjoyed visiting the school. I was able to learn about the situation the children are in and how they’ve coped with it. I greatly benefited from the experience and would love the chance to do it again.”

For more information about CIS and their Excursion Week programme visit https://www.cis.edu.sg/learning/outdoor-learning