Profile of Kevin Toal

Biography

Kevin Toal chronicles the hilarities of raising two kids in Middle Sackville in his weekly column, It's Only Funny When Dad Does It. The father of two is a regular ...

All articles of Kevin Toal

• A temporary solution for a temporary shelter
  At this stage in my life you'd think I'd have learned to watch what I say. After all, you never know when it might come back and bite you! ...
• NSCAD thesis film screenings as good as anything...
  Park Lane theatre hosted the NSCAD Thesis Film Screening on April 19. It was a packed house filled with students, family and friends eagerly ...
• Introducing Mr. Scooby-Doo: your child's substitute...
  For the millionth time this year, Sylvia said she didn’t want to go to school the following day. I empathized with her, but there wasn’t much we ...
• The signs of spring are everywhere
  Last week, spring arrived even though it felt more like summer. With it came the usual signs that Old Man Winter had retired for another year ...
• Having children means never being able to fully relax
  If I ever write a parent's handbook I'll need to dedicate an entire chapter to parental anxiety. Specifically, a parent's anxiety. Having ...
• There's a method to my madness
  Whoever came up with the saying about method in one’s madness, could have been talking about me and Lydia. Especially if it’s in reference ...
• The list
  I have a mind like a steel sieve. Usually there's room for one thought at a time and that's it. As soon as I have to think about something else ...
• Creativity Starts Here!
  I have a confession to make. Despite my previous column's protestations, I'm not a complete technophobe. There is one aspect of technology which ...
• If this is progress, I think I’d rather be left...
  Kevin Toal I’ve never really considered myself a Luddite but, over the years, my immediate family has resisted the trend toward technology. Our ...
• Christmas has become less about dollars spent and...
  Ever since I stopped writing 'It's Only Funny When Dad Does It', I've had people asking if it will make a return. Well, here it is! As ...
• School concerts and snow days
  Despite the recent double-digit temperatures, winter is nearly upon us, bringing with it many familiar events. Schools across HRM are gearing ...
• Words of wisdom
  Take Your Kid to Work day was on Nov. 2 and hundreds of kids from all over Halifax got to see first-hand what their parents do for a living. At ...
• Fun learning, with a dash of environmentalism on the...
  On Oct. 12 students at St. Catherine’s Elementary were treated to a Free Soup Day. They were given the choice of a tomato veggie soup or a ...
• Joining the school band has many pluses
  Some of my favourite memories of junior high school involve playing tuba in the school band. For the most part we played fairly standard ...
• No child should ever be afraid to go to school
  On Sept. 8, Stand Up To Bullying Day took place across Nova Scotia. Students wore pink, attended assemblies, and stood firm against bullies. A ...
• EPAs don't need more hurdles to do difficult job
  A few weeks ago I wrote an article about Educational Program Assistants. At the time, I spoke with parents and teachers. After the article was ...
• There's lots to learn outside of the classroom
  Some of the most memorable learning experiences occur outside of the classroom. For example, each year we visit the Bedford Institute of ...
• EPAs are integral, but improvements are necessary
  When the government sets its mind to do something, I cross my fingers and hope they do it right. However, after speaking with parents and ...
• Harry Potter books will bring in new readers for...
  My daughter was among the many eager fans who caught the midnight showings of the final installment in the Harry Potter saga. For nearly 10 ...
• Watching movies last weeks of school is a waste of...
  This year I was fortunate enough to see outstanding work from teachers and students throughout HRM. I met students who created amazing movies, ...
• A solution for school 'snow days'
  As the school year winds down, I can’t help but think back to the winter. Specifically, the question of 'snow days'. No matter what the school ...
• Books for Kids by Kids
  This September will see the launch of three books by three new authors. What interests me is the fact that the authors will all be students. ...
• Fostering community spirit
  Last Friday, May 26, Mother Nature cooperated with a joint effort between the Atlantic View Trail Association and students from Atlantic View ...
• I love when my plans fall apart
  I never really watched theA-Teambut am familiar with the quote, “I love it when a plan comes together.” No offence to George Peppard but, this ...
• Inspiring students
  One of the perks of writing this column is meeting teachers who inspire their students and make learning an enjoyable and rewarding experience. ...
• Scholarships aren't just for the super smart, or...
  It's no secret that a university or college education is costly. Just ask any graduate struggling to pay outstanding debts or any current ...
• Thanks to the Internet, anyone can be a high-tech...
  Back when I was a kid, my older brother was bullied. The principal's response to my mother was, "Boys will be boys." In other words, in the ...
• A helping hand
  Maybe I’ve just become more attuned to it over the years, but there really does appear to be an increase in natural disasters. It seems a ...
• Schools beat world record for the most snow angels
  I expect local bookstores will experience a spike in sales when the next Guinness Book of World Records is published. For this they can thank ...
• What are we really telling our kids?
  The Canada Games have come to a highly successful end. It was a wonderful showcase for our young athletes and allowed HRM to shine on a ...