summer brain drain...A to Z

Summer is just around the corner. While we definitely believe that summer should be a time for family vacations, relaxation, exploration, and memory making, we--as educations--also dread the summer brain drain that most students experience. Check out these stats from the Johns Hopkins University Center for Summer Learning, quoted in Dr. Ruth Peters' MSNBC interview about summer learning loss. 

Summer Learning Loss Stats 

• All students experience learning losses when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer.
• On average, students lose approximately 2.6 months of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation skills during the summer months.
• Low-income children and youth experience greater summer learning losses than their higher income peers.
• Students may not have the same structured meal schedule and access to nutritious meals during the summer.
• Studies show that out-of-school time is a dangerous time for unsupervised children and youth.

Important Facts 

• Only about 10 percent of students nationwide participate in summer school or attend schools with non-traditional calendars.
• A majority of students (56 percent) want to be involved in a summer program that “helps kids keep up with schoolwork or prepare for the next grade”.
• Research shows that teachers typically spend between 4 to 6 weeks re-teaching material that students have forgotten over the summer.
• At least 11 percent of children between the ages of 6 and 12 care for themselves over the summer months (unsupervised).

Yikes! So what can you do to help your child beat the summer brain drain this summer? At Fairmont we recommend a careful balance of summer fun and academic preparation. Fairmont's Summer Program offers a split-day program with summer school in the morning, summer camp in the afternoons, and off-site field trips on Fridays. This model gives children a chance to prepare for the next school year while still having a summer camp experience--complete with pool days, crafts, outdoor excursions, team building, and more. 

No matter what your plans are for your kids this summer, be sure to supplement play time with learning opportunities whenever possible so they are well prepared for the next school year. 

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

cyber safety...A to Z

Today's children are digital natives--they grow up surrounded by and depending on technology. It's now common to see three-year-olds in restaurants playing on iPads. Times are changing, and fast! 

With all this technology available, it's not surprising that children start using the Internet at a young age. While the Internet is an incredible resource, it can also be very dangerous if kids don't know how to navigate safely. 

Check out these statistics from Net Lingo: 

• 4,000,000 children are posting content to the Web everyday
• 15,000,000 youth use Instant Messaging
• 76% of parents don't have rules about what their kids can do on the computer
• 65% of parents believe that kids do things online that they wouldn't want their parents to know about
• One third of kids have been contacted by a stranger and half of these were considered inappropriate
• 20% of children age 10-17 have been solicited sexually online; that's 1 out of every 5 kids 
• 89% of sexual solicitations are made in either chat rooms or Instant Messages
• 75% of youth who received an online sexual solicitation did not tell a parent
• 9 out of 10 parents will never know that any inappropriate contact has occurred

Shocking, right? Internet safety is uncharted parenting territory, but the need for clear safety rules to keep kids protected cannot be ignored. Here are our top two tips for getting started: 

• Define the Rules Early. Each parent and household is different, but having a conversation with your children before they are allowed to access the Internet independently is a good starting point. During this conversation you can make your rules, and the consequences for breaking those rules, very clear. 
• Be Engaged and Monitor. Even the best rules won't stick without enforcement. Make sure your children know that you are interested in what they are doing online. Ask them what websites they think are best and why. Follow up an open dialogue by monitoring your child's activity and asking questions about anything that may seem questionable. 

To learn more about Internet safety from the experts, we invite you to join us at our upcoming Chalk Talk with Monique Nelson of Web Wise Kids, an OC-based non-profit dedicated to helping keep kids safe online. The Chalk Talk will be held this Wednesday, February 29th from 7-8:30pm at our Mable Campus. Learn more and RSVP here. 

(Image from BalpreetKaur.com)

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

FAIRMONT FIVE eco-friendly cleaning products




 The vintage-inspired packaging of this old-school cleanser makes it a spring cleaning favorite!

Spring doesn't officially start until next month, but that's no excuse to procrastinate on your spring cleaning. If you're not yet in the mood to roll up your sleeves and get down to the dirty work, you might consider a little retail therapy in advance of spring cleaning season. This year, try stocking your toolkit with eco-friendly products that are easy on the environment while still being tough on the yucky stuff. Here's our shopping list:  

1. Bon Ami Powder Cleanser--this mildly abrasive cleanser is eco-friendly from it's biodegradable formula to it's recycled and recyclable packaging and it works wonders on bathtubs and kitchen sinks.
2. Method All Purpose Cleaning and Disinfecting Wipes--okay, so this may not be the best product for heavy duty cleaning, but it's great to have these handy wipes around for touch-ups in the bathroom, kitchen, you name it. The thyme-based disinfectant kills 99.9% of household germs, naturally!
3. Vinegar--Go for the big gallon jug of white distilled vinegar since you can use this all-natural cleanser and disinfectant for everything from polishing glass to unclogging drains to cleaning hard surface flooring.
4. Green Works Toilet Bowl Cleaner--It's not our favorite chore, but somebody's got to do it! The packaging of this 99% naturally derived gel cleanser allows you to target hard-to-reach spots under the rim.
5. Seventh Generation All-Purpose Cleaner--This non-toxic, VOC-free formula removes grease, grime and dirt without creating harsh fumes. And it works great on marble, granite, stainless steel and many other surfaces.

Happy Spring Cleaning!

  
photo from bonami.com

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools 

organizing kids rooms...A to Z

Corral your kid's stuff with the Storagepalooza collection from Land of Nod.

Urgh, you know the feeling. The toys have been piling up since the holidays.  Worn and outgrown clothing is taking up valuable closet and dresser space. Art and school work is stuffed here and there.  Dust-bunnies have moved in under the bed.  It's time to get organized. 

Try as we might to get our kids to clean their rooms on a more or less regular basis, there comes a time when mom (or dad) needs to step in for some hard-core organization.  Here are some tips from Organized Home to help get you going in the right direction:

Take a child's eye view

Get down to your child's eye level to help him or her get organized. Look at your child's space, storage, furniture and possessions from his or her vantage point. Adult furniture and organizing systems don't translate well to children's needs. Sticky dresser drawers are hard for small hands to manage. Folding closet doors pinch fingers and jump their rails when pushed from the bottom. To organize a child's room, solutions must fit the child. For younger children, remove closet doors entirely. Lower clothing rods and invest in child-sized hangers. Use floor-level open containers to hold toys, open plastic baskets to store socks and underwear.

Bring the child into the process

Resist the urge to wade into the mess alone, garbage bags flying. Gritted teeth and threats of "You will keep this room clean!" don't touch the root of the problem: teaching children organization skills and maintenance methods. Partnered with your child, you stand a better chance of devising an organization scheme and system that makes sense to him or her. If they're involved in the effort, children are better able to understand the organizational logic and maintain an organized room.

Sort, store and simplify

Begin with clothing: sort it out! Store out-of-season or outgrown clothing elsewhere. Finally, simplify! Does your son really wear all 27 T-shirts crowding his drawer? Remove the extras so the remainder can stay neat and orderly in the available space.  For younger children, a toy library is the answer to over-abundant toys. Using a large lidded plastic storage container, large box or even plastic garbage bag, entrust a selection of toys to the "toy library." Store the container in an out-of-the way place for several months. Some rainy day, bring out the toy library, swapping the stored toys for other playthings that have lost their savor. The stored toys will have regained their interest and freshness--and they won't have been underfoot in the child's room.

Contain, corral and control

Contain toys and other belongings before you store. Use plastic shoebox containers for smaller toys (Barbie clothes, Happy Meal give-aways), larger lidded bins for blocks, trucks and cars, light-weight cardboard records boxes for stuffed animals. Use specialty organizers to corral magazines and comic books, video games, or CDs and cassette tapes.  A bonus: containers help parents control the number of toys out at any one time: "Sure, you can play with the farm set, just as soon as the Matchbox cars go back into their home!"

Make it easier to put away, harder to get out

The premier rule for efficient children's storage? Make it easier to put something away than it is to get it out. For example, store picture books as a flip-file, standing upright in a plastic dishpan. The child flips through the books, makes his selection, and tosses the book in the front of the dishpan when he's done. Compare a traditional bookcase, where little fingers can pull down a whole shelf faster than they can replace one book. Build the effort into the getting out, not the putting away.

Organize bottom to top

Befitting a child's shorter stature, start organizing from the bottom of the room, and work to the top. Most used toys and belongings should live on lower shelves, in lower drawers, or on the floor. Higher levels are designated for less-frequently-used possessions.  Working bottom to top, the best-loved teddy bear sits in a small rocker on the floor, while the extensive Grandma-driven bear collection is displayed on a shelf built 6 feet up the wall.

Label, label, label

When it comes to keeping kids' rooms organized for the long haul, labels save the day!

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

fairmont blackboard...A to Z

Did you know that Fairmont offers its parents and students access to a customized version of the learning management system Blackboard? Blackboard is an online dashboard that acts as a portal into the virtual version of your student's classroom. By logging in to your parent account, you can see your student's assignments, grades, upcoming class events and more. We'd like to kick off a series of posts about Blackboard, provided by our Education Department, with answers to the seven most asked parent questions our Blackboard team hears. 

7 Most Asked Parent Questions About Blackboard

1. WHAT IS BLACKBOARD?

Blackboard is Fairmont’s online learning management system. It facilitates communication, encourages collaboration and provides extended learning opportunities which enhance our students’ educational experience. This exciting tool allows students and parents to easily access assignments and grades, class and campus specific information, as well as enrichment activities.

2. HOW CAN I ACCESS BLACKBOARD?

You can access Blackboard directly by going to https://fairmontschools.blackboard.com. You can also go to QuickLinks on Fairmont’s website: http://www.fairmontschools.com.

3. WHO DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE DIFFICULTY LOGGING IN?

The Blackboard help desk is ready to assist you Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Additional contact information is available at https://fairmontschools.blackboard.com.

4. WHERE CAN I FIND MY STUDENT’S GRADES IN BLACKBOARD?

When you first log into Blackboard, you will see a NetClassroom link. Simply click on the image and enter your NetClassroom username and password. If you need your NetClassroom username and password, please contact your campus registrar or the Blackboard help desk.

5. ARE STUDENTS EXPECTED TO LOG INTO BLACKBOARD THEMSELVES?

For students in grades four through twelve, students are asked to regularly check their Blackboard classes for assignments, important announcements and other class information. For preschool through third grade, Blackboard is used primarily as a communication tool between teacher and parent.

6. HOW OFTEN ARE PARENTS EXPECTED TO LOG INTO BLACKBOARD?

Information is regularly posted in Blackboard classes. Fairmont recommends that you log in at least once a week. Your student’s classroom teacher, however, may request that you log in more frequently. Your student’s teacher will provide you with more specific information regarding this during the first weeks of school.

7. WHO DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE INFORMATION OR CONTENT POSTED IN MY STUDENT’S BLACKBOARD CLASS?

Your student’s teacher is responsible for all information and content posted in your student’s Blackboard class. Please contact the teacher directly with any questions or concerns. Teacher contact information is provided in the class.

For more information regarding Blackboard, please visit: https://fairmontschools.blackboard.com

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

becoming bilingual...A to Z

We kicked off our 2012 Spring Chalk Talk series last night at the Anaheim Hills campus with an event called "Becoming Bilingual." The event began with a screening of the documentary Speaking in Tongues, which follows the story of four students in San Francisco along their path to learn a second language. The film addresses the American trend towards remaining an "English only" nation, and the limitations that trend will put on future generations in an increasingly global economy. 

After the film, we held an open forum discussion on the topic of language learning facilitated by Krystin Kim, a Fairmont parent and owner of the North Orange County division of Lango; Denise Cabanel-Bleuer, Spanish Professor at Orange Coast College; and Sandy Cosgrove, Fairmont's Director of Education. We were thrilled to have a fantastic audience that posed great questions and offered insight into the importance of language learning for children and adults alike.  

Here are some takeaways from the discussion: 

• Learning a second language offers students a variety of developmental and cognitive benefits, including: higher self esteem, opportunities to connect with other generations, enhanced cultural awareness, reduced risk of Alzheimers,  and increased job opportunity. All of these benefits increase when students learn more than two languages. 
• The prime window for language learning begins at birth and closes around age 13, when the child's brain is still developing and language can be absorbed rather than taught in translation mode. 
• When learning a second language, children learn the most from their friends, not from parents, so parents don't have to fear not knowing the language their child is learning. 

The bottom line? Everyone can and should learn a second language, and the earlier you start, the better!  All Fairmont students begin taking Spanish in first grade, and Fairmont also partners with Lango to offer after school language enrichment starting at the preschool level. Contact your campus Activities Director if you're interested in signing up for Lango classes this term. 


Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

martin luther king, jr day...A to Z

History (FactMonster)

It took 15 years to create the federal Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday. Congressman John Conyers, Democrat from Michigan, first introduced legislation for a commemorative holiday four days after King was assassinated in 1968. After the bill became stalled, petitions endorsing the holiday containing six million names were submitted to Congress.

Conyers and Rep. Shirley Chisholm, Democrat of New York, resubmitted King holiday legislation each subsequent legislative session. Public pressure for the holiday mounted during the 1982 and 1983 civil rights marches in Washington.

Congress passed the holiday legislation in 1983, which was then signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. A compromise moving the holiday from Jan. 15, King's birthday, which was considered too close to Christmas and New Year's, to the third Monday in January helped overcome opposition to the law.  The federal holiday went into affect in 1986. 

Did you know?  A number of states resisted making MLK Day a holiday.  Arizona governor Evan Mecham rescinded MLK Day as his first act in office in 1986, setting off a boycott of the state.

MLK Day of Service

What better way to honor the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. than to roll up your sleeves and get involved in your community!  This video from the Corporation for National and Community Service  is sure to inspire you and their homepage provides links to community service projects in your area.

photo from writespirit.net

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

holiday concerts...A to Z

Here at Fairmont, the annual holiday concerts have become a beloved tradition. The wintry decor, adorable costumes, bright lights and lovely music combine to create a magical experience for the audience. To help you make the most of your student's performance, here is the full schedule of shows along with a few concert-going tips. 

2011 Holiday Concert Schedule 

Anaheim Hills Preschool Sing-a-Long

-Thursday, December 8 at 9:00am for P3 Parents

-Friday, December 9 at 9:00am for P4 and M-W-F P3 Parents

Citron Holiday Caroling 

-Thursday, December 8th at 9:30am

-Friday, December 9th at 9:30am

Edgewood Holiday Caroling by Kindergarten, 2nd and 4th grade

-Tuesday, December 13

Mable Campus 

-Wednesday, December 7: 1st and 2nd Grade Winter Performance at 9:00 a.m. AND 6:30 p.m.

-Wednesday, December 14: 6th/JH Grade Instrumental & Ensemble Winter Concert at 9:00 a.m. AND 6:30 p.m. 

Fairmont Holiday Concert Tips 

• Read the Fine Print. Many of the holiday shows have multiple performances to accommodate all the parents. Read the details in your campus e-newsletter and be sure to attend the right performance. 
• Know Where to Sit. In advance of the concert, take your child into the MPR and ask him or her to show you where he or she stands during the show so you know the best place to sit to capture that perfect picture or video. 
• Arrive Early. Parking and seating may be limited, so leave yourself some extra time to settle in and mingle with other parents. 
• Charge Up. Camera and video camera batteries seem destined to run out at the most inopportune moments. Don't risk it...charge up  the night before and bring back-ups. 
• Enjoy the Moment. It can be tempting to stay behind the camera the entire performance to capture every second of cuteness, but we recommend you snap a couple great pics and then put down the camera to truly take in the show. 

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

family theater...A to Z

Sometimes the best gifts are those that make lasting memories. This holiday season, consider treating the family to an evening of live theater for a fun and memorable cultural experience. With so many great Orange County theaters that offer family-friendly repertoire, it's easy to find something that will leave everyone applauding. Here are a few of our recommendations...

• Segerstrom Center for the Arts Located in Costa Mesa, Segerstrom offers a variety of family-friendly shows, including the holiday classic Irving Berlin's White Christmas, which runs December 13-January 1. 
• South Coast Repertory Theatre for Young Audiences Neighbor to the Segerstrom Center, SCR strives to provide "kid-friendly theatre at family friendly prices." Their holiday show, Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!, runs from November 4-20 and is followed by The Borrowers in February. 
• Irvine Barclay Theatre On the UC Irvine campus, the Barclay is a great spot to see a variety of live shows, and their Family Pack tickets are perfect for groups of 4 or more.  This winter's shows include: Circus Incognitus over Thanksgiving weekend and The Nutcracker performed by Festival Ballet Theatre from December 10-24. 
• Laguna Playhouse What better location to see live theater than Laguna? The intimate playhouse offers family-friendly main stage productions, youth theater and teen-centered dramas. This Wonderful Life, a re-imagining of Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life, runs from November 25-December 24, followed by the youth theater production Hansel and Gretel and Cinderella in February. 

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

(Image from ArtsPR)

fall fruits and veggies...A TO Z

Summer may be over, but here in Southern California we are blessed with a bounty of nutritious, delicious (and locally grown) fruits and vegetables all year round.  Harvest season is no exception, with vitamin-packed yams and sweet potatoes, winter squash, kale, spinach, cauliflower, apples, pears, citrus, kiwi fruit...I could go on.  To help you incorporate in-season produce into your family's diet, check out this listing from Food Fit of fall fruits and veggies complete with nutrition facts and recipes.

Photo credit: ifood.tv

Contributed by Danyelle

community service for kids...A TO Z

Edgewood students carry boxes of toys destined for hospitalized kids during last year's CHOC Toy Drive.  This year's collection starts on November 14 and culminates in an all-campus visit from the Orange County HOG Chapter bikers in early December.  Photo credit: OC Register

Sandwiched between the high jinks of Halloween and the frenzy that surrounds winter holidays, is November—the classic month for giving thanks. Somehow, Thanksgiving has managed to elude the commercialism of its counterparts and remain a day for celebrating the home-grown pleasures of family, friends and togetherness. For many, the sense of unity and fellowship extends outwards into the community as they give of their time and resources to help those less fortunate.

Imagine, a holiday more about sharing our collective blessings than hording our individual good fortune. It’s a concept easy to embrace as we approach this most thankful of holidays. Harness your good intentions now, before the rush, and plan to involve the whole family in making a difference this holiday season.

The benefits of giving back
Getting your children involved in community service has a host of benefits. Parents magazine’s Thrive in 2025: Raise a Kid Who Gives article lists a few. “Kids who volunteer do better in school and are less likely to try drugs, according to a study conducted by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that promotes acts of citizenship and responsibility. The same organization found that people who regularly lend a hand tend to be healthier and that these wellness benefits increase if they start charitable work earlier in their life. Research also demonstrates that doing volunteer work that involves personal contact makes people feel better: There's a literal endorphin rush for the giver, the givee, and anyone watching. Plus, it builds confidence and self-worth in the right way, by showing kids that their actions matter.”

Find a cause
We loved some of the kid-friendly causes suggested by Parents such as Defenders of Wildlife which lets your child "adopt" an endangered animal and get a plush version of the wild animal to play with at home.  And, Project Knapsack, where your child can write a pen pal from a developing country and send him or her a backpack filled with school supplies.  Browse the causes at Changing the Present with your children to see what sparks their interest.


Simple ways to get involved

You won’t have to search for long, especially during the holidays, to find a food drive, coat drive or toy drive behind which to rally. Make the experience of donating more meaningful by involving your children in the process. Have them clean out their closets and pick the items they’d like to donate. Let them raid the pantry and load up a few bags of canned goods or personal hygiene supplies. Give your kids a budget and let them go on a toy shopping spree for kids in need in your community. Then, bring your children along when you drop off your donations.

Family friendly community service
For service-oriented activities you can participate in with your children, you’ll have to do a little pre-planning. Volunteer Family is a great resource to jump start your service project with ideas, family-friendly volunteer opportunities in your area, and advice for making the experience meaningful for your children. Another great resource is the book Doing Good Together: 101 Easy, Meaningful Service Projects for Families, Schools, and Communities, written by Doing Good Together’s Founder and Executive Director Jenny Friedman and Jolene Roehkepartian. Volunteer Match features local listings for volunteers with specifics about the cause, the type of work needed, and the amount of hours involved. When you’re ready to take your volunteering to the next level, consider taking a service-oriented vacation during Winter Break, Spring Break or over the summer. Cross Cultural Solutions and others provide international volunteer vacations.

When it comes to community service, the thought doesn’t count nearly as much as rolling up your sleeves and getting to work. Whether it’s simply donating to your local food bank or traveling across the world to build a school, the act of helping others is an experience to be experienced this holiday season. Let us know how you plan to get your family involved in giving back.

Contributed by Danyelle

red ribbon week...A TO Z

Red Ribbon Week originated after the kidnapping, torture and brutal murder of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena in 1985. In Agent Camarena's home town, Calexico, CA, the public outpouring of support grew into an organized community response in which citizens wore red ribbons. They became a voice for prevention in order to reduce the demand for illegal drugs and illegal use of legal drugs in America. The following year, the California State PTA adopted the Red Ribbon Week campaign. Then, in 1988, Red Ribbon Week was recognized nationally with President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan serving as the first Honorary Chairs. Today, Red Ribbon Week brings millions of people together to raise awareness regarding the need for alcohol, tobacco and other drug and violence prevention, early intervention, and treatment services. It is the largest, most visible prevention awareness campaign observed annually in the United States.

Fairmont will be celebrating the 2011 theme "it's up to me to be drug free" across campuses the weeks of October 17th and October 24th. At Mable, each classroom sends a volunteer to participate in the annual hanging of the giant red ribbon around the campus' iconic fig tree. First through fourth graders will also be decorating the doors of their classrooms in a red ribbon theme.  Students at Edgewood will be wearing  special Red Ribbon Week wristbands and dressing in red on Friday in honor of Red Ribbon week.  At the Anaheim Hills campus, there will be themed free dress days throughout the week including "Sock it to drugs" day on Friday where everyone is encouraged to wear their craziest pair of socks.  Students will also be decorating the campus with red ribbons, making classroom “anti-drug” posters, and signing anti-drug pledges.

Contributed by Danyelle

the columbus controversy...A TO Z

1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue. Okay, that part is true, but it turns out that most of what you and I learned about Columbus when we were in grade school was more myth than historical fact. I know what you’re thinking—don’t ruin it for me. Columbus Day is a holiday after all, legitimately celebrated by many who revere Columbus as a hero, much as I did when I made my first cut-and-paste versions of the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria.

Unfortunately, we may have fallen for a legend instead of a real man. True or False?

--Columbus discovered America.

--Columbus proved to everyone that the earth was round.

--Columbus and the Native Americans got along famously after he arrived in the New World.

OK, so you might have guessed that last statement is a whopper, but the other two “facts” are False as well.

Today’s history teachers have a more complicated task ahead of them when they broach the subject of Columbus. First, there’s getting rid of the misinformation; then, there’s dealing with the darker topics that surround Columbus, namely, genocide and slavery. Yikes!

It’s probably unfair to blame it all on Columbus. Chances are he was just a man of his time--an adventurous spirit looking for fame and fortune and willing to do unthinkable things in the name of progress. Hmm, something sounds familiar here. There are many ugly moments in American history and many flawed individuals we revere as heroes. Still, Christopher Columbus had courage, he had vision and he had persistence…and maybe that's enough to celebrate this Columbus Day.

Find out more about Christopher Columbus, his life and times by visiting:

History Channel: The Columbus Controversy
Wikipedia: Christopher Columbus
Biography Christopher Columbus


Then, test your recall with a Columbus Day quiz


Contributed by Danyelle

oc school supply shopping...A to Z

The other day, someone was asking about where to find school supplies.  To help, I've pulled together a few of my favorite local shops for school and office supplies.  I really love Seed People’s Market in Costa Mesa (for eco-friendly finds) and the Art Supply Warehouse in Westminister (for everything else). Depending on my list, I’ll also hit up local chains like The Container Store, Target and Paper Source.

Contributed by Courtney

international literacy day...A to Z

Happy International Literacy Day--a day dedicated to highlighting the importance of worldwide literacy. UNESCO proclaimed September 8th International Literacy Day in 1965, and each year the day is celebrated with the announcement of three literacy awards by UNESCO and in  school communities throughout the world with reading activities and volunteer projects. 

According to this article from Education World, the presence of books in the home has a greater influence on a child's education than the parents' income, nationality or level of education. Reading really does make a difference. Celebrate today by learning more about the global condition of literacy in this video, trying out one of these volunteer project ideas, or just by reading a new book with your children. 

(Photo by Home Interior Designs Inspiration)


Contributed by Alyssa

parent night...A to Z

Whether you were the Class Clown or the Teacher’s Pet back in your grade school days, you’ll want to be in top form for the first big event of the school year—Parent Night. Here’s a quick study guide to help parents prepare.

• Book your babysitter: Make arrangements to keep the kids at home so you can enjoy a distraction-free evening.
• Arrive Early: Parking is often limited, so arrive early, pick up a program and take some time to explore the campus.
• Take notes: Bring day planners or calendars (or the high tech equivalents) to help you keep track of all of the details. From the names of the parents sitting next to you in those pint-sized desks, to important dates, there will be lots of information to take in on Parent Night. You’ll most likely receive a packet of information reiterating the particulars, but it’s smart to have your own planning system handy too.
• Bring an open mind: (We love this tip complements of cozi.com) Remember that teachers may seem a bit nervous or awkward when faced with a room full of parents. If your teacher seems organized, reasonable in her expectations and focused on her students’ success, then be willing to overlook what might appear to be less-than-polished public speaking skills.
• Introduce yourself: We parents are diligent in teaching our children good social skills, but sometimes we can slip up. Chances are you’re not the only one who feels a little uncomfortable in the group, so smile, introduce yourself and initiate a conversation with your fellow parents. Parent Night is a good time to meet the other moms and dads in your child’s class and swap contact info.
• Avoid ambushing the teacher: Yes, we know it’s enticing to pull the teacher aside for a personal conversation about your child. But, keep in mind that Parent Night is not the best time for a one-on-one conference. Instead, call or email your teacher to set up a better time to talk.

Contributed by, Danyelle