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Archive for 2012

Catching up in the home stretch

May 11, 2012 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary

With little more than a month left in the school year, kids are starting to realize summer is on the horizon. Before they check out completely, take time to check in on whether they’re at grade level academically. If they are lagging behind, there’s still plenty of time to buckle down and help them bolster […]

Ticks are not a welcome sign of spring

May 11, 2012 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

Experts say a warm winter with no deep freezes and an unusually warm spring mean ticks will appear earlier – and seemingly in greater volume – than normal this year. If your kids are spending more time outdoors, playing sports or just horsing around, it’s important to be vigilant about checking for ticks. These small […]

Will Angry Birds really teach my kids principles of physics?

May 11, 2012 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

In this age of digital distraction, parents who use the apps on their smartphones and iPads to occupy their children while they are running errands, on the phone or doing any number of tasks are less likely to feel guilty if the apps are educational. This revelation comes from a small study we came across […]

Go away, but please don’t leave me alone.

April 19, 2012 | Posted in: Middle Years

There are days when connecting with my middle schooler seems as if I’m trying to crack some secret code from another planet. We cover the same material in our conversations, but our talks are often disjointed, and we are unable to relate on any rational level. Then there are moments (“days” would be an exaggeration […]

Monkey bars and water balloons: Playtime exercises preschool bodies and minds

April 19, 2012 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary

Your preschooler is a ball of energy, darting from one spot to the next, running from the playroom to the kitchen, skipping from the swing set to the sandbox. You wonder at times if they’ll ever stop moving long enough to sleep. Rest assured, this physical activity is an important part of your child’s healthy […]

Good nutrition is a smart choice

April 19, 2012 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

There are plenty of studies out there that link positive health behaviors with increased student achievement. So it follows that good nutrition is a good idea when it comes to doing well in school. Convincing your preteen to forego the French fries in favor of asparagus, however, is a totally different battle. How does a […]

New law addresses head injuries in high school sports

April 19, 2012 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

New York lawmakers recently approved new rules that require school coaches to bench student athletes who show signs of a concussion – dizziness or headaches that may indicate a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). Students can play again only after they are symptom-free for 24 hours and cleared in writing by a doctor. The new […]

Texting while driving is life-altering choice

March 27, 2012 | Posted in: High School, Middle Years

Jeanne Brown never thought she’d be touring the country, sharing an anguished plea with every teenager she meets. She never expected to meet Oprah Winfrey or go on the talk queen’s former daytime show. In fact, Jeanne Brown planned to continue her life as a mom and teacher in Lubbock, Texas, until her kids were […]

Standardized tests right around the corner

March 27, 2012 | Posted in: Elementary, Middle Years

Middle school and elementary students in New York will again take standardized tests in English language arts and mathematics in April. The tests, given to students in grades 3-8, are designed to comply with the No Child Left Behind law of 2001. While schools plan well in advance for the test dates, students may not […]

Beyond Dodgeball: Gym classes teach more than how to throw a ball

March 27, 2012 | Posted in: Elementary

Ask any elementary school kid to name their favorite class and chances are they’ll say gym. Playing games for an hour with classmates can be a welcome reprieve a few times a week from the rigors of the classroom. And while it should go without saying there are physical benefits to gym class, important life […]