Ahhhh, September

September.. Bittersweet month but "It's the most wonderful time of the year" for many!
Summer is ending, vacations are memories, and school is in!

So here's a few reminders:
1. Reach out to your kids' teacher. Attend Open Houses and visit the school. This is  how you  will begin to build a relationship with the teacher. Find out the  preferable way to communicate with him or her..... email, phone, text. Just ask.

2. Get into the routine. Bed times, wake-up times, bath times, homework times need to be  established. Remember kids need their sleep, too. Elementary  age kids need ten hours of sleep a night.. Teens at least 8! Lack of sleep manifests itself in detrimental ways. Think of how you are when you are tired. You are the boss!!!

3. Set up a calendar that everyone uses!  Hang it in the kitchen or the most popular room in the house and have everyone use it. Keep organized and write down everything! Or use an app. Whatever works for you. Just use some type of time management tool.

4. Make sure the backpack is not causing unnecessary strain. It is  recommended it weigh  about 15% of their  body weight.
And clean it our.... Check it for loose papers, wrappers, old food, and other trash, I am disgusted and amazed at what I find when I look. Scary.

5. Finally enjoy the crisp air and go outdoors. Look at the trees, the changing sky, the beauty around us! We live in New England and are so blessed to have four seasons. Teach you child to appreciate nature. If you don't, who will?

Hope your kids have a stimulating, educational, and fun year!!!

Beth's Book Blog- "The Giver"

I am a bookworm. No doubt about it. I am stunned when I learn that people I know haven't read a certain book that I'm enamored with. For example, I was shocked when I learned Mrs. Yeo had never read The Outsiders. But, what goes around comes around. I have never been berated as frequently over not-reading a novel as I was with The Giver by Lowis Lowry. Whenever it comes up in conversation, I have had to reluctantly admit that I had never picked up this beloved novel. 

Well, I finally gave into peer pressure and read The Giver. Having had already read and loved Lowry's other novel Number the Stars, and with such a passionate following of readers, I dove into this tome with very high expectations. 

The Giver is suddenly making a huge comeback in popularity. The resurgence is due to it's similar themes to that of other popular teen novels, The Hunger Games and Divergent,  as well as the fact that a movie was released this summer. The book disguises itself as a story of a Utopian society, but peel away the layers and it's heart is fully dystopian. Like Divergent, this book warns the reader of the perils of a society based on similarity. It highlights the value and benefits of having a diverse society rich in individuality. These morals are highlighted as we follow 12 year old Jonas in this coming-of-age story set in the future.

I enjoyed reading this book and completely understand it's devoted following. However, I may have set the bar a little to high with my expectations, as I enjoyed it, but it wasn't exactly life-changing for me. But it may be for you! 

Homework 101

DEVELOPING GOOD HOMEWORK AND STUDY HABITS fort American Academy of Pediatrics

• Create an environment that is conducive to doing homework. Children need a consistent work space in their bedroom or another part of the home that is quiet, without distractions, and promotes study.
• Schedule ample time for homework.
• Establish a household rule that the TV and other electronic distractions stay off during homework time.
• Supervise computer and Internet use.
• Be available to answer questions and offer assistance, but never do a child's homework for her.
• Take steps to help alleviate eye fatigue, neck fatigue and brain fatigue while studying. It may be helpful to close the books for a few minutes, stretch, and take a break periodically when it will not be too disruptive.
• If your child is struggling with a particular subject, and you aren't able to help her yourself, a tutor can be a good solution. Talk it over with your child's teacher first.
• Some children need help organizing their homework.  Checklists, timers, and parental supervision can help overcome homework problems.
• If your child is having difficulty focusing on or completing homework, discuss this with your child's teacher, school counselor, or health care provider. 

- See more at: http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/Pages/Back-to-School-Tips.aspx#sthash.MC3Q2KqN.dpuf

Don't Help Kids... with Homework

Are you activity involved in your child's education?  These obligations are drilled into American values.
In the largest study ever conducted by University of Texas at Austin,  researchers found that parental involvement does NOT affect academic achievement.

They measured such activities as volunteering in school, helping with homework,  and talking to them about colleges. Some of these even backfire! Once your child enters middle school, research indicates that reviewing your child's homework every night can actually bring down test scores. This could be caused by the fact that many parents have forgotten or never truly understood the material children learn in school.

Other essentially useless interventions: observing a child's class, helping a teenager choose a high school class, and especially disciplinary measures such as punishing for bad grades or having strict rules about when and how to get homework done. This kind of meddling could leave kids more anxious than enthusiastic about school.

Some habits do make a  difference. Habits such as reading aloud to young kids and talking about college plans and these often take place at home!

Conventional wisdom holds that poor children do badly in school because their parents don't care about their education. The opposite is true! The majority of parents talk to their kids about the importance of education and the hopes they will go to college.   Asian parents are not more involved than Hispanic parents.

So why are some parents more effective at instilling achievement values?  Some believe greater financial and education resources in the neighborhood and social settings. These kids meet adults with interesting careers.  Upper-middle class kids are around family and friends who are doctors, lawyers, engineers who talk about their college days. Asian parents are unique that they are able to convey the value of education in an effective manner.

One proven way to improve test scores is to get your child placed in a classroom of a teacher with a great reputation. So don't worry about not baking for the bake sale or volunteering.  Being  a pesky parent by getting new text books or  a new playground for your child's school may not raise your kid's test scores but it will school a more positive place and possibly create good citizens!

For the complete article, see "The Atlantic" April 2014 magazine.

Safe Traveling To and From School

TRAVELING TO AND FROM SCHOOL

Review the basic rules with your student:

SCHOOL BUS

• Children should always board and exit the bus at locations that provide safe access to the bus or to the school building.
• Remind your child to wait for the bus to stop before approaching it from the curb.
• Make sure your child walks where she can see the bus driver (which means the driver will be able to see her, too).
• Remind your student to look both ways to see that no other traffic is coming before crossing the street, just in case traffic does not stop as required.
• Your child should not move around on the bus.
• If your child's school bus has lap/shoulder seat belts, make sure your child uses one at all times when in the bus. (If your child's school bus does not have lap/shoulder belts, encourage the school system to buy or lease buses with lap/shoulder belts.}

CAR

• All passengers should wear a seat belt and/or an age- and size-appropriate car safety seat or booster seat.
• Your child should ride in a car safety seat with a harness as long as possible and then ride in a belt-positioning booster seat. Your child is ready for a booster seat when she has reached the top weight or height allowed for her seat, her shoulders are above the top harness slots, or her ears have reached the top of the seat.
• Your child should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle's seat belt fits properly (usually when the child reaches about 4' 9" in height and is between 8 to 12 years of age). This means that the child is tall enough to sit against the vehicle seat back with her legs bent at the knees and feet hanging down and the shoulder belt lies across the middle of the chest and shoulder, not the neck or throat; the lap belt is low and snug across the thighs, and not the stomach.
• All children younger than 13 years of age should ride in the rear seat of vehicles. If you must drive more children than can fit in the rear seat (when carpooling, for example), move the front-seat passenger's seat as far back as possible and have the child ride in a booster seat if the seat belts do not fit properly without it.
• Remember that many crashes occur while novice teen drivers are going to and from school. You should require seat belt use, limit the number of teen passengers, and do not allow eating, drinking, cell phone conversations,  texting or other mobile device use to prevent driver distraction. Limit nighttime driving and driving in inclement weather. Familiarize yourself with your state's graduated driver's license law and consider the use of a parent-teen driver agreement to facilitate the early driving learning process. For a sample parent-teen driver agreement, seewww.healthychildren.org/teendriver

BIKE

• Always wear a bicycle helmet, no matter how short or long the ride.
• Ride on the right, in the same direction as auto traffic.
• Use appropriate hand signals.
• Respect traffic lights and stop signs.
• Wear bright-colored clothing to increase visibility. White or light-colored clothing and reflective gear is especially important after dark.
• Know the "rules of the road."

WALKING TO SCHOOL

• Make sure your child's walk to school is a safe route with well-trained adult crossing guards at every intersection.
• Identify other children in the neighborhood with whom your child can walk to school.  In neighborhoods with higher levels of traffic, consider organizing a "walking school bus," in which an adult accompanies a group of neighborhood children walking to school.
• Be realistic about your child's pedestrian skills. Because small children are impulsive and less cautious around traffic, carefully consider whether or not your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision.
• If your children are young or are walking to a new school, walk with them the first week or until you are sure they know the route and can do it safely.
• Bright-colored clothing will make your child more visible to drivers.

- See more at: http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/Pages/Back-to-School-Tips.aspx#sthash.MC3Q2KqN.dpuf

Who Needed a Time-Out Today in Your Class? 25 Ways to Ask How was School Today.

Are you sick of hearing "Fine," every time you asked the expected question, "How was school today?" Try a novel question from Simple Simon and Company like the ones listed below and engage your child in lively conversation. 

How knows? You may even learn something!

1. What was the best thing that happened at school today? (What was the worst thing that happened at school today?)

2. Tell me something that made you laugh today.

3. If you could choose, who would you like to sit by in class? (Who would you NOT want to sit by in class? Why?)

4. Where is the coolest place at the school?

5. Tell me a weird word that you heard today. (Or something weird that someone said.)

6. If I called your teacher tonight, what would she tell me about you?

7. How did you help somebody today?

8. How did somebody help you today?

9. Tell me one thing that you learned today.

10. When were you the happiest today?

11. When were you bored today?

12. If an alien spaceship came to your class and beamed someone up, who would you want them to take?

13. Who would you like to play with at recess that you've never played with before?

14. Tell me something good that happened today.

15. What word did your teacher say most today?

16. What do you think you should do/learn more of at school?

17. What do you think you should do/learn less of at school?

18. Who in your class do you think you could be nicer to?

19. Where do you play the most at recess?

20. Who is the funniest person in your class? Why is he/she so funny?

21. What was your favorite part of lunch?

22. If you got to be the teacher tomorrow, what would you do?

23. Is there anyone in your class who needs a time-out?

24. If you could switch seats with anyone in the class, who would you trade with? Why?

25. Tell me about three different times you used your pencil today at school.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/liz-evans/25-ways-to-ask-your-kids-so-how-was-school-today-without-asking-them-so-how-was-school-today_b_5738338.html

First Day of School

MAKING THE FIRST DAY EASIER from American Academy of Pediatrics

Do you remember your first day of 1st grade, 2nd grade, 9th grade?? Probably not... I had a bit of anxiety and was scared what would happen. 
I had lots of questions..... 
Will I see any friends?
What bus? What if the bus doesn't stop for me?
Who would be in my class?  
What's my teacher  like?
Will I like my teacher?
What shall I wear?
What's for lunch?
Where will I sit?
With whom?
Will I get homework on my first day?
...... 
Your child, I bet, is experiencing similar thoughts, questions, and feelings. Don't minimize them or dismiss them. Talk  to them and ask them to tell you more about what they think, feel or want to know. They are still kids and need your compassion and your ears.

• Remind your child that there are probably a lot of students who are uneasy about the first day of school. This may be at any age. Teachers know that students are nervous and will make an extra effort to make sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible.
• Point out the positive aspects of starting school.  She'll see old friends and meet new ones. Refresh her positive memories about previous years, when she may have returned home after the first day with high spirits because she had a good time.
• Find another child in the neighborhood with whom your student can walk to school or ride on the bus.
• If it is a new school for your child, attend any available orientations and take an opportunity to tour the school before the first day.
• If you feel it is needed, drive your child (or walk with her) to school and pick her up on the first day.

Remember, you lived through many first days of school! 

- See more at: http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/Pages/Back-to-School-Tips.aspx#sthash.MC3Q2KqN.dpuf