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Elementary

Bored of the radio? 7 podcasts to listen to with your kids on the ride to school

Bored of the radio? 7 podcasts to listen to with your kids on the ride to school

September 25, 2017 | Posted in: Elementary, Middle Years

Podcasts have become part of my daily routine. I wake up, brush my teeth, pour myself a bowl of Frosted Mini Wheats and download a podcast for my commute to work. It sure beats listening to radio commercials, and – if I can sift through the hundreds of thousands available to find a good one […]

‘So, how’s my child doing?’ Getting the most out of Parent/Teacher conferences

‘So, how’s my child doing?’ Getting the most out of Parent/Teacher conferences

September 22, 2017 | Posted in: Elementary, High School, Middle Years

My first open house experience for my daughter was a little awkward. After walking in through the main entrance, we were ushered past several tables of older students and adult volunteers doing fundraisers and into the cafeteria. There, we had an inspirational briefing from the principal, before heading off to the classrooms. At my daughter’s […]

Making friends: It’s not always easy

Making friends: It’s not always easy

September 7, 2017 | Posted in: Elementary, Middle Years

It’s a new school year–hooray! A new school year often goes hand-in-hand with brand-new backpacks filled with fresh school supplies, new teachers, and learning new things. But it can also mean making new friends. This is especially true for children who are going to school for the first time, are new to a school district, […]

Ways to help children with special needs get a great start to the school year

Ways to help children with special needs get a great start to the school year

August 30, 2017 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

The start of the new school year can be an anxious time for children, who see their daily routines change overnight. But what is the start of a new school year like for students who might have ADHD, be on the autism spectrum, suffer from anxiety or have other concerns that impact learning? It can […]

Sick of spinners? Fidgety kids have other options at school, home

Sick of spinners? Fidgety kids have other options at school, home

August 29, 2017 | Posted in: Elementary, High School, Middle Years

They’re in your gas stations. They’ve been in your children’s schools. They’re probably in your homes. Fidget spinners: the triangular device designed to freely rotate between your thumb and pointer finger aimed at helping fidgety kids focus. And even though they come in array of colors and sizes – some even bedazzled or featuring your […]

How to watch the total solar eclipse with your kids

How to watch the total solar eclipse with your kids

On Monday, August 21, 2017, a total eclipse of the sun will be visible from coast to coast in the United States for the first time in almost 40 years. The event is being referred to as “The Great American Total Solar Eclipse,” and will start in Salem, Oregon and stretch all the way to […]

Why a community service mentality opens a world of possibilities for students

Why a community service mentality opens a world of possibilities for students

August 11, 2017 | Posted in: Elementary, High School, Middle Years

This week, my third child and soon-to-be high school senior received his application to the National Honor Society. My first thought? “Cool. It would be great to see him recognized in this way…” immediately followed by, “I hope he has fulfilled the community service requirement!” When this application arrived for my oldest child, I had […]

Parents can help now ease the transition to kindergarten

Parents can help now ease the transition to kindergarten

August 11, 2017 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary

I quickly learned that little fingers have a tough time manipulating buttons – after I bought several pairs of jeans for my son who was entering kindergarten. Every day that he wore jeans to school, he came home with unbuttoned pants. His teacher sometimes buttoned them for him, but most days he didn’t ask for […]

An organized student is a successful student

An organized student is a successful student

August 10, 2017 | Posted in: Elementary, High School, Middle Years

So long sweet summer. It’s almost as if overnight the back-to-school clothing sales have popped up and the school notifications, like class placements and supply lists, have made their way into homes. Even if you’re a parent who finds the laundry list of items needed for your child’s new school year tedious (they need how […]

Dog days: School therapy dog programs promote social and academic skill sets

Dog days: School therapy dog programs promote social and academic skill sets

July 21, 2017 | Posted in: Elementary

A few days after my family recently welcomed a puppy, I watched as my 7-year-old son held the fuzzy bundle on his lap and read one of his favorite books out loud to the dog. He pointed out things for the dog to look at in the illustrations and talked to the dog about what […]