Helping Your Child’s School Thrive

Posted by :admin On : March 8, 2013
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Category: Home, Older Child, Parentville, School Age

Looking for a meaningful New Year’s resolution? Consider becoming a Tyler ISD volunteer. Volunteers are a much appreciated and highly respected group of people who make up a very important part of our educational team. According to the Independent Sector, one volunteer hour is worth $21.79; to Tyler ISD, the hours volunteers spend at our schools are worth much more. Volunteers benefit our students, schools, and our community as a whole.

Volunteers benefit students in many ways, but most simply, students see our volunteers’ commitment to education. Seeing parents, grandparents, and community members volunteering in our schools shows students that our volunteers believe learning is important. Volunteers can support learning by serving as tutors, mentors or classroom assistants. As an education community, student achievement is our top priority. Volunteers benefit our schools by helping with various projects or activities so that our staff has more time to focus on helping students succeed academically. Finally, volunteers benefit our community by sharing stories of their positive experiences in our schools with friends, neighbors and coworkers. Tyler ISD volunteers are part of something important: impacting the education of future generations.

Whether you can spare half an hour a month, or several hours a week, there are many ways to get involved as a volunteer in our schools. Volunteer opportunities include:

• An activities volunteer gives important support for special events and/or projects.

• A classroom assistant works closely with teachers and staff, assisting with various projects, preparing instructional materials and interacting with students.

• A field trip chaperone supervises a group of students during school-sponsored field trips throughout the school year.

• A mentor works with a student on a regular basis. A mentor’s goal is to help guide the student in setting short-term goals while serving as a positive role model. A mentor can provide encouragement and friendship to a student.

• A support service volunteer performs a variety of school duties as assigned by staff members. Those duties might include working in the office, monitoring hallways, assisting with traffic duty, and helping in classrooms.

• A tutor works one-on-one with a student or with a small group of students who need help in academic subject through reinforcement of basic skills.

If you are interested, visit Tyler ISD

Parents, Students and The Digital World

Posted by :admin On : March 8, 2013
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Category: Home, Older Child, Parentville, Teen

When it comes to navigating the digital world, many parents admit that their children are a step or two ahead of them. Today’s world is not the same as it was just yesterday. Embracing this, Sylvan Learning introduced SylvanSync™, a digital instructional system that uses the best of technology to provide students with an engaging, personal learning experience.

The experts at Sylvan are offering the following tips to help students use technology wisely.

 Safety First: As soon as a child first begins to use online resources, make sure to create a safe Web environment. Carefully monitor and control usage and employ protective tools such as safe search engines with parental controls.

 Match Up: Make sure your child’s use of technology matches with what he or she is learning in school. Look for programs that engage several senses—visual, auditory and hand-eye dexterity.

 Reinforce: Children should be encouraged to use technology to reinforce what they see and learn in the real world, and use real-world experiences to reinforce what they learn using technology.

 To learn more, visit  Sylvan,  or call 1-800-31-SUCCESS.

 Courtesy of North American Precis Syndicate

The Power of Color

Posted by :admin On : March 8, 2013
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Category: CommUNITY, Home, Parentville, Pre-Schoolers, School Age

Here’s an idea that may color how many children are  raised: 

Artistic expression is vital for childhood growth, development and overall well-being during the early stages of life, according to Dr. Karen Hill-Scott, Ed.D., a nationally recognized expert in child care.

“The role of art in early child- hood education is critical in helping children develop necessary life skills and promote basic problem solving and self-esteem,” she explained. “Exposure to art not only encourages self-expression through the representation of an object on paper but also stimulates the development of abstract ideas and concepts.”

Education Through Art

In fact, a new series of e-books and interactive i-books called The Drip Drops has been designed to do just that. They have what Kaiser calls “a unique ability to help young kids learn on a variety of platforms, making their stories that much more relevant to kids and parents of today.”

The only preschool app and e-book series that focuses on art and color as well as reading and overall creativity, it provides children ages 2 through 6 with the tools necessary to appreciate and investigate the world around them. Each character has a unique personality and talent that kids can identify with. They work together in a community that’s similar to most neighborhoods, complete with a library, grocery store, school, town hall, and playground, but also a color-mixing park and alphabet orchard.Through a wide variety of engaging visual arts activities, children can examine alternative solutions to problems using creative thinking, trial and error and teamwork. By encouraging self-expression and allowing children to give form to their emotions, ideas and feelings through art, the series can be a valuable teaching tool and provide a solid foundation for future learning.

Learn More

The Story of the Drip Drops eBook is available as a Free Download in the iTunes Bookstore and other titles are available on iTunes and the Android marketplace. Parents, teachers and others interested in the series can find further facts and see the characters online at www.thedipdrops.com.

Source: North American Precis Syndicate

On Campus with Lauren Alexander – What is Sixth Grade Really Like?

Posted by :admin On : March 8, 2013
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Category: Home, Parentville, School Age

The pilgrimage from elementary school is an adventure that I remember very little about. I do remember asking a friend to teach me a few words in Spanish so that I could be cool, later to find out what he instructed me to say should not only be followed by soap and water, but should also never be stated directly to a guy twice your size. But we all had moments like that, right? So when my oldest began middle school, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I remember watching him walk away from the car and feeling like I just sent him off to college. They look so grown up, carrying 75 pound backpacks, texting on their smartphones and giggling while hiding any insecurity that may exist. During our first few weeks of middle school I was shocked to know that  we had already been offered tobacco products, had rocks thrown at us and I could see he was starting to become deflated. His journey began to trigger a few memories of my own and his experience began to feel all to familiar. I reassured myself that private school probably wouldnt offer any real solutions to these issues, and even if they did, what would happen when he went off to college? We had many conversations about life and some of its follies, but I admit to putting off anything not G-rated in a desperate attempt to remain oblivious to reality. However, I pondered about the experience others were having and found a willing victim in 12-year-old Lauren Alexander, who is not only a new middle-schooler, but moved from one city to another- a double-whammy. I sat down with Lauren to pick her brain a little and thought I would share it with you here.

BeSafe: When you were in 5th grade, what did you think middle school would be like? 

Lauren Alexander: “I thought it was going to be hard. Other kids made it sound that way too,” she added.

BS: Do you think elementary school  prepared you for middle school?

LA: “They taught us how to do  basic math” (math was Lauren’s biggest challenge, but she liked it).

BS: What is your favorite thing about middle school?

LA: Emphatically, Lauren loved the new found sense of freedom. No more walking in lines like miniature soldiers, much less hand-holding. “And you get to talk to your friends.”

BS: What is the hardest thing about middle school?

LA: “Math,” she quipped. “The teacher is really nice and I like the challenge.”

Okay, easy enough. Now it gets a bit harder.

BS: Have you or any friends been offered tobacco products?

LA: Obviously grossed out by the thought, Lauren replied “no.” She had also not personally witnessed any such activities.

BS: Have you or any of your friends been bullied while at school?

LA: “No,” she said after giving it a moment or two of thought. Lauren is in band and attends quite a few other activities and was confident she had not witnessed any. A sigh of relief enveloped me as I took notes while she talked. Maybe it wasn’t as bad as I had feared.

BS:Do you feel like you have been pressured by your friends or others at school?

LA: Again, it took her a few seconds to think it over, but again she replied, “no.” I began thinking to myself that either Lauren was blissfully unaware or she was extremely resilient. I opted to believe the later. That was when it hit me – I didn’t need to worry about the whole middle school experience – if I just concentrated on making my kiddo resilient. I ended our interview by asking Lauren if she had any advice for parents of new middle schoolers. She said that they needed to know it isn’t as bad as others make it sound. “It’s fun,” she said, “you get to do a lot more stuff,” clearly hooked on her newfound freedoms. “It can be difficult sometimes she piped in, but “it’s good,” she assured me.

I quickly realized that perhaps I needed to do this interview just to make myself feel better. And Lauren had done just that. I will probably still go ‘google’ a hundred ways to make your kid more resilient, but that’s all part of the journey right? BeSafe appreciates Lauren for sharing her thoughts and experiences with us.

Here are a few suggestions for building resiliency from the Amercian Psychological Association:

1. Make connections – teach your child how to make friends, including the skill of empathy, or feeling another’s pain.

2. Have your child help others – volunteering allows children to connect and feel like they are a part of something bigger.

3. Maintain a daily routine – kids love routines, whether they admit it or not. It helps keep them on track. Surprises are hard to deal with, when you don’t have the skills.

4. Take a break – keep monotony to a minimum by scheduling fun time. Take walks, listen to music, ultimately, connect with your child without using instruction.

5. Teach self-care – your child needs to be aware of his needs for a healthy diet, adequate exercise, time to destress, identifying their feelings and knowing how to communicate what they need and when.

To read more suggestions like these, visit the APA here

Kids Need the Outdoors, Despite Soaring Temperatures

Posted by :admin On : July 19, 2011
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Category: School Age

Despite advice that the sun will shrivel us all into tiny particles of dust only to be blown about by the wind, we are forgetting some other, equally important advice.

Outdoor activities are especially important to young children, as research shows that play time is brain time. And indoor activities have their limitations.

Here are some simple ways to beat the heat while sharing your favorite outdoor experiences:

  • Take a family walk just as the sun is setting. This will keep it short, but the sunset along with the activity among the insect world will stimulate your little-ones senses.
  • Go camping. . . for lunch! That’s right. It is difficult to sleep in such heat, so pack the tent and take it for the late morning early afternoon near your favorite lake. You get the feel of camping, and maybe even a chance to nod off a bit after lunch. Pack up before the late afternoon sun hits. The tent also provides respite from the sun’s rays between swimming activities.
  • Catch bugs. Spend a few minutes outside in the early morning and carefully select a few insects to show your young one. Identify the various colors, features and adaptation methods each insect has.
  • Let the kids help water the yard. . . in their swimsuits of course. Not only can you kick back in your favorite chair while you get wet, the kids can play in the sprinkler while you water. The best part? The grass gets the water it needs and your kids get quality outdoor time. Two for the price of one.

For more outdoor ideas in your area, visit your local parks and wildlife website.

Meningitis Vaccination Urged for Pre-Teens and Teens

Posted by :admin On : July 19, 2011
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Category: Teen

When preparing preteens and teens across the country
for the new school year, vaccination against meningococcal disease
needs to be at the top of every parent’s back-to-school checklist.
Meningococcal disease is a rare, but serious bacterial infection that
can cause meningitis and take the life of an otherwise healthy child in
just a single day.

Tiffany Thornton, of Disney Channel’s “So Random!”
knows firsthand about the dangers of meningitis. She nearly lost her
life to the disease when she was a teen and has now joined the
National Association of School Nurses’ (NASN) Voices of Meningitis
campaign, an initiative in collaboration with Sanofi Pasteur
that aims to educate parents about the importance of vaccination for
preteens and teens. “I knew nothing about meningitis
before I got sick and spent 10 days in the hospital fighting for my
life—I was lucky to have survived,” said Thornton. “If my parents and
I had known that preteens and teens are at greater risk for meningitis,
I would have been vaccinated. Parents should talk to their child’s school nurse or health-care provider about vaccination to help protect them against this disease.”
Health officials recommend vaccination for preteens and
teens, but nearly half of teens in the U.S. have not been immunized.
This is of concern as a new national telephone survey shows
that the majority of preteens and teens engage in activities that put
them at risk of meningitis, like sharing water bottles and kissing.
“Given meningitis is spread through common, everyday activities,
it is difficult to help protect teens through education alone.

“Ensuring they are vaccinated is the best way to help protect preteens and teens from the disease,” said Linda Davis-Alldritt MA, BSN, RN, FNASN, President of the NASN.

About 10 percent of the 1,000 to 2,600 Americans who get meningococcal meningitis each year will die. Of those who survive, one in five is left with serious medical problems, including amputation of limbs, brain damage,
deafness and organ damage. Preventing meningitis is particularly
important because the disease moves quickly and can be hard to recognize, especially in its early stages, because symptoms may be similar to those of the flu.

Vaccination has been available for years and is a safe and effective
way to help protect against meningitis. Visit www.VoicesOfMeningitis.
org or www.nasn.org for more information, or the Northeast Texas Public Health District at www.healthyeasttx.org.

Are Your Children Planking?

Posted by :admin On : July 15, 2011
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Category: StAGEs, Teen

 

Many parents are already familiar with the term “planking.” The idea began with two young travelers bored with traditional photo poses in the earlier part of the decade. It has since become an internet sensation.

The idea is that one would pose themselves as straight as a plank, hence the name, in well, some mighty peculiar places. The photo above demonstrates how one might construct a plank.

But the question is, how safe is this new art form? While most websites that promote the practice, such as www.plankinglol.com have statements that remind players to “plank safely,” will East Texas children know how?

Planking could not only be dangerous as younger children seek to impress their friends, but it could lead to other, more troublesome activities.

So as parents, how should we respond? With a sense of humor and a desire for safety of course. Instead of trying to scare your child into compliance, Richard Shadick, Ph.D suggests “harm reduction,” where a parent might respond by telling their child to “choose safe places to participate in planking,” or “don’t plank in dangerous situations such as on buildings or in construction zones.” Shadick is director of the Counseling Center at Pace University in New York.

Bottom line moms and dads is this: talk to your kids about planking and what they know about it. And try to avoid being aggressive or passing judgement as kids tend to defy such behavior in an attempt to prove us wrong.

If nothing else, it will show them that you know what is going on in their social circle.

Chris Taylor

Editor-in-Chief

Encouraging Healthy Teen Girls

Posted by :admin On : July 11, 2011
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Category: Teen 

Good news: Teen girls are embracing being active,and athletics is the leading activity
they participate in at school. Today, 65 percent of high school girls participate in a school sport.
The top 10 are track and field, soccer, tennis, basketball, volleyball, softball, cross-country, swimming,
cheerleading and dance team.
Survey Results
A recent survey conducted by Varsity Brands found that a majority of female teens say playing on a
sport/spirit team makes them happier (78 percent), builds their overall
confidence (73 percent) and helps relieve stress (69 percent). Participating in athletics helps
teen girls make new friends (86 percent) and gives them a built-in support system (65 percent).
The survey also found that cheerleaders are more likely than general teens (57 percent vs. 46
percent) to hold a leadership position in/out of school, to be less shy (26 percent vs. 19 percent), and to
be more comfortable speaking in public (64 percent vs. 54 percent) and 81 percent have grade point
averages of 3.5 or higher. Other Advantages “In addition to helping them
keep fit, participation in athletics gives teen girls a variety of interpersonal
benefits and teaches them to enjoy healthy competition,” said Nicole Lauchaire, vice
president, Corporate Marketing and Communications for Varsity Brands, the leading resource for
cheerleading camps, competitions and apparel. “Team athletics like cheerleading give teens a social
outlet, confidence boost and stress
relief.”
Many good reasons exist for teen girls to participate on a cheer team:
• They become part of a team of school leaders.
• As some of the most visible members of the student body, cheerleaders can have a positive
influence on others.
• Girls learn new skills and stay in shape through a mix of conditioning, skills training,
dance and cardio.
• Cheerleading builds lifelong character traits such as confidence, leadership, positive energy
and motivational skills.
The Parents’ Part
Parents can take active roles in selecting the right cheer program
for their kids. Here are some questions to ask:
• Is the coach certified through the American Association of
Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA) and has the
school conducted the appropriate background checks?
• Does the coach adhere to AACCA practice and performance
guidelines?
• Does the coach properly balance practice time between athletic
training and spirit leadership instruction?
• Does the squad have an emergency plan in place?
Learn More
For more information on cheerleading benefits and results from the Varsity Teen Girl Survey, visit
www.varsity.com.