Get ready... It's coming along with Santa and the snow.... Flu season. The aches, the fever, the sniffles. Don't want the flu, get the flu shot. I am not a doctor but it makes sense to me. My primary care recommended it and I trust him completely. He has been with me for 25 years and I value his opinion and judgment.
I had my flu shot. A little preventative maintenance goes a long way. Yes. I hear the opposition against injecting my body with those chemicals. As my mother would say, "hogwash." The flu shot is beneficial with few side effects. It's the smart thing to do. It is recommended for everyone over 6 months old and,yes,including pregnant women. The flu shot does not give you the flu and remember you are vulnerable for two weeks.
Wash your hands often. And make sure you kids wash their hands when they get home from school, sports, work, music lessons, and all activities! Hope you have a flu-free winter!
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Thursday, December 12, 2013
No More Dummies!
A recent study released by the ACT testing group suggest that 75% on new college students will NOT be able to master these basic freshmen courses: college algebra, English composition, introductory social studies and biology without remedial help!!! This disturbs me and I hope it troubles you, too. You, the parent, will end up paying for remedial classes in college and your child will receive NO credit for them.
Barely half (52%)of high school graduates met the reading benchmark.
Only (45%) demonstrated proficiency in math and science (30%).
28% of the ACT test takers (49% of the nation's graduating seniors) took ACT --- failed to reach any of the benchmarks!!!
The Program of International Student Assessment (PISA) ranked the United States ranked 36th out of the world's richest economies. Shanghai tops the list in math, reading and science. In China and Shanghai, nine out of 10 students say, "It depends on me. If I invest the effort, my teachers will help me to be successful." These students have the drive and the confidence. The biggest surprise from Shanghai is these students are very, very good in higher order thinking skills.
How are our students able to compete in the global economy? We are becoming a nation of dummies! I am embarrassed and furious. Let's stop making excuses and value education.
Invest time and money now to teach your child the higher order thinking skills necessary to be successful. We can teach your child reading strategies required to synthesize and analyze so they can construct meaning, think strategically, and problem solve. Time to get serious about education, stop making excuses, and act now!
http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/03/world/asia/pisa-education-study/index.html.
Barely half (52%)of high school graduates met the reading benchmark.
Only (45%) demonstrated proficiency in math and science (30%).
28% of the ACT test takers (49% of the nation's graduating seniors) took ACT --- failed to reach any of the benchmarks!!!
The Program of International Student Assessment (PISA) ranked the United States ranked 36th out of the world's richest economies. Shanghai tops the list in math, reading and science. In China and Shanghai, nine out of 10 students say, "It depends on me. If I invest the effort, my teachers will help me to be successful." These students have the drive and the confidence. The biggest surprise from Shanghai is these students are very, very good in higher order thinking skills.
How are our students able to compete in the global economy? We are becoming a nation of dummies! I am embarrassed and furious. Let's stop making excuses and value education.
Invest time and money now to teach your child the higher order thinking skills necessary to be successful. We can teach your child reading strategies required to synthesize and analyze so they can construct meaning, think strategically, and problem solve. Time to get serious about education, stop making excuses, and act now!
http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/03/world/asia/pisa-education-study/index.html.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Where the Jobs Are... STEM
STEM... a new buzz word. What does it mean? It means JOBS!!! STEM stands for Science, technology, engineering and math. These are the courses that will make you well-rounded, smarter, and lead to better job opportunities! Your assumptions about math and science can disappear!
Because technology is dramatically altering our lives, businesses and consumers need to evolve to keep up with the needs. STEM skilled workers are in high demand but in low supply! According to Stan Usovicz of Verizon, 80% of the fastest growing jobs careers in our country require STEM skills. U.S. is not graduating enough students to meet this demand. STEM jobs have grown 3 times faster than any other job!!
Students who complete algebra II in high school more than double their chances of earning a four year college degree (Source: Achieve Inc.) Two out of three (66%) of high school students who completed Algebra II felt they were well-prepared for the demands of college and the workplace. Of those who took less than Algebra II, only 4 out of 10 (40%) felt they were well prepared. Hummmmmm.... Get prepared, get smart, and get a rewarding job and career.
Because technology is dramatically altering our lives, businesses and consumers need to evolve to keep up with the needs. STEM skilled workers are in high demand but in low supply! According to Stan Usovicz of Verizon, 80% of the fastest growing jobs careers in our country require STEM skills. U.S. is not graduating enough students to meet this demand. STEM jobs have grown 3 times faster than any other job!!
Students who complete algebra II in high school more than double their chances of earning a four year college degree (Source: Achieve Inc.) Two out of three (66%) of high school students who completed Algebra II felt they were well-prepared for the demands of college and the workplace. Of those who took less than Algebra II, only 4 out of 10 (40%) felt they were well prepared. Hummmmmm.... Get prepared, get smart, and get a rewarding job and career.
Monday, November 18, 2013
IEP and College Bound?
It's never too late to begin to plan for the next step after high school.... Especially if your child has an IEP and is entering high school.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates the (IEP) team consider post-school goals when the student is about to enter high school at about age 14. By age 16(or younger, if appropriate) a statement of transition services (eg for work, college, community, etc.) needed by the student must be included in the IEP.
Transition plans are the student's goals and vision for life as an adult, career interests, extracurricular and community activities, and the skills the student needs to progress toward his or her goals. Plans include preparation for proficiency tests and other assessments needed for postsecondary academic work (e.g., SATs), as well as the development of self-determination and self-advocacy skills.
Remember.... Once students with disabilities graduate from high school, they are no longer eligible for services provided by the school system and will not have an IEP in college.
Even for students who have struggled academically in high school, postsecondary education may very well be a possibility. Students who wonder whether college is a realistic option can explore summer pre-college courses for high school students who have completed their junior or senior year. Alternatively, students can take a college course the summer before they enroll to get to know the campus, learn how to use the library, and sharpen their study strategies and time management skills.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Santa is coming....
Christmas shopping make you cringe? Sweat? Cry?
Let us help you.
Want alone time? Drop your kids off here!
Beginning Saturday Nov. 2, 2013, Learning Magic will offer Saturday hours.
9 AM - 1 PM for students to develop Study Skills, reading strategies, math basics, and more!
It's a win win situation. Safe, stimulating, and fun! Register now and plan to shop!!
508-821-7770.
Let us help you.
Want alone time? Drop your kids off here!
Beginning Saturday Nov. 2, 2013, Learning Magic will offer Saturday hours.
9 AM - 1 PM for students to develop Study Skills, reading strategies, math basics, and more!
It's a win win situation. Safe, stimulating, and fun! Register now and plan to shop!!
508-821-7770.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Happiness for FREE!!
What's the secret to happiness? Money? Nope. Big house? Nope. Expensive car? Nope.
Easy and free happiness with these 10 steps.
1. Exercise. 7 minutes a day is enough!
2. Sleep more.
3. Move closer to home. (Mita Yeo, are you reading this?)
4. Spend time with family and friends. (One of 5 regrets of dying.)
5. Go outside -- even for 20 minutes!
6. Help others.
7. Practice smiling.
8. Plan a trip. Don't have to take it. It's just a nice break.
9. Meditate. Clears mind and calms me down.
10. Practice gratitude. List three good things that happen to you every day. Share them.
Best news yet... As we get older, we get happier. We let go of disappointments and we are more selective how we spend our time and with whom we spend out time.
Time for me to go outside for a walk now. Want to join me?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/belle-beth-cooper/10-simple-things-to-be-happy_b_4241824.html
Easy and free happiness with these 10 steps.
1. Exercise. 7 minutes a day is enough!
2. Sleep more.
3. Move closer to home. (Mita Yeo, are you reading this?)
4. Spend time with family and friends. (One of 5 regrets of dying.)
5. Go outside -- even for 20 minutes!
6. Help others.
7. Practice smiling.
8. Plan a trip. Don't have to take it. It's just a nice break.
9. Meditate. Clears mind and calms me down.
10. Practice gratitude. List three good things that happen to you every day. Share them.
Best news yet... As we get older, we get happier. We let go of disappointments and we are more selective how we spend our time and with whom we spend out time.
Time for me to go outside for a walk now. Want to join me?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/belle-beth-cooper/10-simple-things-to-be-happy_b_4241824.html
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Clothes Calls
4 years old or 14 years old.... What to wear to school can be an issue. If it's not an issue, then let it go.
Part of growing up and right of passage is the freedom to dress oneself. Now with dropping temperatures, what to wear to school may stress you and your child out and its time to put your foot down.
Ask these questions:
1. Is it a safety issue or health risk? No high heels and slippers in the snow and slush!
2. Are the clothes in violation of the school policy? No sweatpants or pajamas means no sweats or pj's.
3. Is it your issue (What will people think) or against family rules? Does the T shirt compromise your family values?
4. Are they too revealing or baggy?
Ask yourself why you are so bothered by this? Focus on the style and appeal of the clothes, not your child. Remember when your parents thought what you were wearing was a poor choice? You may have some prom or yearbook pictures to prove it!
Part of growing up and right of passage is the freedom to dress oneself. Now with dropping temperatures, what to wear to school may stress you and your child out and its time to put your foot down.
Ask these questions:
1. Is it a safety issue or health risk? No high heels and slippers in the snow and slush!
2. Are the clothes in violation of the school policy? No sweatpants or pajamas means no sweats or pj's.
3. Is it your issue (What will people think) or against family rules? Does the T shirt compromise your family values?
4. Are they too revealing or baggy?
Ask yourself why you are so bothered by this? Focus on the style and appeal of the clothes, not your child. Remember when your parents thought what you were wearing was a poor choice? You may have some prom or yearbook pictures to prove it!
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