Kids Standard Sep's Issue

T HE

Interview PA G E 7

to Finding the Right Parent’s

PEOPLE WHO WE

ADMIRE

PAGE22

PAGE

6

PAGE

13

PAGE

20

Member of Chamber of Commerce

2

Publication INC.

www.KidsStandard.org

September 2015

3

Publication INC.

4

Publication INC.

www.KidsStandard.org

Our community does value our youth!

Good luck to all students!

Thank you to all the amazing teachers, dedicated parents and volunteers. Our students excel because of your time, your positive role modeling and endless support!

Developmental Assets

Volunteer

We solidly support the 40 Development Asset framework developed by the Search Institute. They are concrete, common sense, positive experiences and qualities essential to raising successful young people. If you would like a presentation to your small group or staff, please send a request to: info@ clarkstonyouth.org

The Clarkston Coalition for Youth is looking for volunteers who are looking to give back to the community that has given to them. We want to offer you a rewarding opportunity and make the most of your special talents and expertise. Complete the form below & send to: PO Box 702, Clarkston, MI 48347, info@clarkstonyouth.org NAME: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ HOME ADDRESS: _____________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY/ZIP: _____________________________________________

PHONE: ________________________________________

EMAIL ADDRESS: _____________________________________________________________________________________________ CELL PHONE: ________________________________________

FAX: ___________________________________________

ORGANIZATION AFFILIATION: __________________________________________________________________________________ YOUR TITLE: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ORGANIZATION ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________________________________________ CITY/ZIP: _____________________________________________

2016 Spring Break Clarkston Style One of the initiatives of the Clarkston Coalition for Youth is Spring Break-Clarkston Style. A printed guide will be created that will be given out to parents and posted on community websites, all for FREE. This guide will help our families that are in the Clarkston area on Spring Break connect with things to do, special offers, one time events and ongoing classes, explorations and adventures.

Are you going to organize an activity for the Clarkston community (either for kids or families) during their Spring Break? Send information to info@clarkstonyouth.org.

PHONE: ________________________________________

INTERESTS/SKILLS Please check the education or skills you will contribute to the Board: o ACCOUNTING OR FINANCIAL

o STRATEGIC PLANNING

o PUBLIC RELATIONS

o FUNDRAISING

o MARKETING

o COMMUNITY RELATIONS

o EVENTS

o TRAINING

o PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

o PUBLIC SPEAKING

o OTHER ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Volunteers are needed for the following upcoming events: *Taste of Clarkston, Sunday, September 20, from 10am to 7pm For a complete listing of projects and events of the Clarkston Coalition for Youth, visit our website at info@clarkstonyouth.org or LIKE us on Facebook.

“Our mission is to increase positive youth development through community partnerships, providing every youth with the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.”

www.clarkstonyouth.org

L

By: Ellie Britt 4th grade, Lake Orion Schools

6

Publication INC.

earning can take place anywhere and anytime. Here is one great example of a learning experience for me.

We had been practicing all winter and spring.

After many hours of hard work, I was finally walking up to home plate. I turned around to look at my third base coach for a signal. I saw him pound his two fists together, which means to swing away. My teammate was on second base. I began to concentrate and get ready for the pitch. I was praying for a strike, strike, strike! I loaded back, and I got the perfect pitch! I swung and hit the ball right over the left fielder's head.

I took off as fast as I could, thinking, "she gone"!!!! When I saw that the fielder did not catch the ball, I really began sprinting. My first base coach yelled, "Go two!" I was running so hard that I felt out of breath, but then, I heard the third base coach yell, "Come three!" For a moment, I turned to see where the ball was - the left fielder still had it. I was happy. As I was near third base, I heard, "Go home!"

I was so excited to run home! When I stepped on home plate, I wanted to do it again. My teammates were going crazy!! They ran onto the field, screaming with excitement as they banged me on the head with their hands and gave me high fives.

I had no idea that I could hit a home run like that! It was the best day of softball! What I really learned that day was how hard work and determination can pay off.

www.KidsStandard.org

Q A

September 2015

7

Publication INC.

By: Brandon Kirk, CJH, Clarkston

8

Publication INC.

www.KidsStandard.org

the

Katie Giannone, Grade 10

Artist’s Apprentice ArtistsApprentice.com

‘Be Smart, Add ART!’

(248) 620-3040

Text us! (248) 842-1349

artistsapprentice@gmail.com

Aiden Reed, Age 4

Ashley Wafer, Age 12

Alex Dietz, age 9 Julie DeNeen, Grade 10

September 2015

9

Publication INC.

Terms & Conditions: This voucher entitles a maximum of 6 people to $5.00 off each full paying standard adult or child individual. This voucher is not valid in conjunction with any other offer or with online booking. This voucher has no cash value. The voucher is valid at SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium until February 29, 2016. Check opening dates/times on attraction website. This voucher must be presented at the Attraction entrance and surrendered. Final interpretation resides with SEA LIFE. Code V00024

Sloan Museum, Longway Planetarium & Buick Automotive Gallery

Do you have what it takes to catch a spy?

TOP S

ECRET

Sloan Museum, Longway Planetarium & Buick Automotive Gallery

Sponsored by:

Conne

ct Wit

h Us!

Produced by:

Sept. 19, 2015 - Jan. 10, 2016 Designed and produced by:

Scitech is proudly sponsored by:

Sloan Museum, Longway Planetarium & Buick Automotive Gallery

Sloan Museum 1221 E. Kearsley Street Flint, MI 48503 • 810.237.3450 • SloanMuseum.org $1.00 off admission (up to 4 people) Good at Sloan Museum only. General admission only. Can not be used for Code: Kids Standard groups or combo tickets. Expires 9/30/15

Sloan Museum, Longway Planetarium & Buick Automotive Gallery

Friday & Saturday at 7:00pm Details at Longway.org

Longway Planetarium 1310 E. Kearsley Street Flint, MI 48503 • 810.237.3400 $1.00 off admission (up to 4 people) Good at Longway Planetarium only. General admission only. Can not be used for groups or combo tickets. Expires 9/30/15 Code: Kids Standard

You don’t need any experience, just send us some work you are proud of.

This is your Magazine! Submit your work via email to advertising@kidsstandard.org

12

Publication INC.

www.KidsStandard.org

Playing a Musical Instrument is

Learning

By: Gwen Tendril 7th grade West Bloomfield Schools

M

usic is truly magical! When we listen to music, many areas of our brain become active and engaged. But when we play an instrument, that activity becomes more of a brain work out!

Here is why: 1. Research has shown that playing a musical instrument, just like listening to music, can stimulate your brain and increase memory.

2. It enhances your coordination. The art of playing an instrument requires a lot of hand and eye coordination.

When you read the notes, your brain automatically must convert the notes to motor patterns.

3. It sharpens your concentration.

Playing music requires you to concentrate on pitch, rhythm, tempo, and sound.

4. It betters your mathematical ability.

Studies have shown that students who play instruments are better in math and achieve higher grades in school.

5. It exposes you to cultural history. It reflects the environments and time of its creation. Therefore, you learn more about variety of music and the history behind it.

6. It teaches you discipline. When you are practicing more to get better at it, you learn to say no to some other activities.

Overall, musically trained kids have better executive functioning skills. But most of all, it makes us and the people around us happy!

September 2015

FREE

*

Music Lesson!

All Ages Welcome! *New Student Promo. Limited Time Offer.

• Drums • Violin • Piano • Flute • Guitar • Cello • Vocal • Bass • Ukulele

Oxford School of Music.com Visit Our Website

248.572.4881

125 S. Washington (M-24) • Oxford

13

Publication INC.

(adapted by Arina Bokas, with Dr. Perkin’s input and permission, from his interview on The Future of Learning)

David Perkins Carl H. Pforzheimer, Jr. Research Professor of Teaching and Learning, Harvard Graduate School of Education

The ideas are drawn from my book Future Wise: Educating Our Children for a Changing World.’

– D. Perkins

I

n our world, new knowledge and facts are added every day. Youngsters are expected to know more at an earlier age. What should schools do today with all of this information so students can absorb it and feel it is worth something to them? This is a major query in education.

I think it’s alright to give more latitude to student interests, as some teachers are trying to do, but I don’t think that we can tell ourselves that every moment has to be interesting to every student. I am more worried about relevance than interest.

Students might become less interested because they have to learn many things that they don’t see as relevant. They are right!

14

Publication INC.

If we can share with students learning that is relevant to their lives, if we can bring to the foreground the significance, and if we can emphasize how it has a larger significance than just an individual moment and an egocentric viewpoint (like energy sources or global warming) – we can help to motivate a student who may not have much intrinsic interest in the topic, but might find some interest through its significance.

If we can share with students learning that is relevant to their lives, if we can bring to the foreground the significance, and if we can emphasize how it has a larger significance than just an individual moment and an egocentric viewpoint (like energy sources or global warming) – we can help to motivate a student who may not have much intrinsic interest in the topic, but might find some interest through its significance.

There are some things to consider. First, we need to get rid of a lot of what we think we should teach, and we need other topics that speak more powerfully to the lives that learners are most likely to live.

For example, let’s see less time spent on quadratic equations and mitoses, which don’t seem to come up very often later on in life, unless in specialist roles. And let’s spend more attention on such themes as statistics and probabilities that, as dry as it sounds, come up all the time. Or on a complicated nature of democracy; not just an ideology, but how messy it is, how challenging it is, and how it plays out much better in some parts of the world than others.

We also need to wrap everything that youngsters are learning within big understandings. Big understandings have certain characteristics. They offer insight; they inform our actions in the world; they share ethical perspectives, and most of all, they come with opportunities – there are many ways to plug them in as life goes on. For example, the human muscle system sounds like a bone and marrow topic, but once we wrap it within the context of sports, it becomes a fundamental human enterprise.

People of all ages are involved with sports,

and you know what, sports depend on the human muscle system! If this is our frame, let’s check the characteristics. Does it offer an insight? Yes, you get an insight into a fundamental human activity. Does it inform our actions? It may inform how we

www.KidsStandard.org

handle ourselves in sports. Is there an ethical perspective? Consider all of the sport-related injuries including traumas to the head.

Finally, an opportunity – it comes up all the time. This theme of the human muscle system could be powerfully informative for both players and viewers in sports.

I looked around the world at the kinds of things schools are doing. There are many variations, but there are some trends. Let me share them with you. I call them the Six Beyonds: • Beyond basic skills – twenty-first

I

By: Phyllis Ness Elementary Literacy Specialist Clarkston Community Schools

September 2015

century skills and dispositions.

• Beyond the traditional disciplines – renewed, hybrid, or less familiar disciplines. Philosophy is a provocative perspective or an ecological big picture.

• Beyond discrete disciplines – interdisciplinary topics and problems.

It’s important to understand that nearly all problems that exist in the world today are almost inevitably interdisciplinary.

Problems with ecology, problems with war and peace, problems with the economy - all of them involve multiple

t’s the last week of June, just a few short days after school has ended for children across America. Throughout the county, kids and teachers are envisioning sunny days at the pool, bike rides through the woods, ice cream, watermelon, corn on the cob and lazy days that begin without the buzz of the alarm clock and end with movie and popcorn marathons.

Yet, on Monday, June 22th, twelve hundred educators from 43 states and 41 countries sit in the historic sanctuary of Riverside Church in New York City anxiously awaiting the keynote address that will start the 33rd annual Institute on the Teaching of Writing. They watch for the arrival of Lucy Calkins, founding director of the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University. When she speaks, fingers will fly across composition books and keyboards as everyone strives to capture her every word.

For the past three decades, thousands of educators have forgone the pleasure of dipping their toes into the water during their “vacation time” in order to grow their own learning. They’ll spend 7 hours each day over the course of the week to come to Teachers College to learn how to best teach youngsters to become more proficient writers.

Their evenings will be spent writing, reading, and collaborating with colleagues in a city where they will forgo Broadway plays and the lights of Times Square in order to pursue their passion.

This scene will be repeated at many institutions and hotel ballrooms throughout the summer as educators of every age and origin seek to think profoundly, to converse critically, and to deepen their understanding of teaching and learning. They’re ordering books to grow their understanding of math workshop, close reading, or the maker movement. On Twitter, they’re

disciplines.

Beyond local - global perspective or empathy which are extending beyond the disciplines.

• Beyond mastering content – learning to think about the world with content.

• Beyond prescribed content – topics that allows students to get involved in themes they find especially interesting.

If we could push these six thematic directions, education would be much more relevant and much more exciting than it is today.

•

These are people who are driven to push their own thinking and learning, on their own time, so that they could share it with others.

networking with educators from around the globe who share their thinking through blogs and articles from professional journals.

Yes, you might see teachers at the mall and at the beach this summer, but take a look at their cart while shopping at Target - massive quantities of markers, folders and glue sticks – not for their own children, but for their classrooms. Peek at the cover of the book they’re reading at the pool and don’t be surprised if it’s about teaching. Then listen to their conversation on the beach. Chances are they’re talking about what they plan to do in order to put in practice their new thinking. Look at the changes in their classrooms in the fall and notice how the room looks differently than it did in the past.

These changes reflect all of what they learned while school was closed. Why? Teachers are learners for life and their learning never ends. Throughout the summer and during the school year, they read, collaborate, and leave classrooms to attend professional learning sessions.

They don’t close the books and the doors in June just to begin again with the same knowledge in September. They believe that learning is continuous and that, in order to build a love of lifetime learning in their students, they must lead a life of learning themselves.

If you don’t believe me, just ask any educator, “So, any new learning for you lately?” Be forewarned!

Your beach time might become your opportunity for learning.

15

Publication INC.

By: Danish Vari 10th Grade Bloomfield Hills Schools

See the Answers on Page 22

16

Publication INC.

www.KidsStandard.org

Gymnastics (Ages 1-18) Tumbling (Ages 5-18) Dance (Ages 2.5-16) Karate (Ages 3-18) Piano (Ages 5-Adult) Preschool

We have activities for all ages, skill levels and interests.

Stars & Stripes Kids Activity Center offers SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

Competitive Cheerleading Competitive Gymnastics Birthday Parties Summer Camps

At Stars & Stripes we understand how important it is to stimulate a child’s mind from developing motor skills & coordination. Our instructors know that confidence built at a young age lasts a lifetime.

Preschool registration for the 2015-2016 school year is going on now. Limited spaces remain for our educational & fitness based preschool.

Schedule available at www.StarsandStripesKids.com 4630 White Lake Rd. Clarkston, MI 48346 248-625-3547

By: Rebecca Rogers Barry University, Miami Clarkston High School Graduate Class of 2014

18

Publication INC.

www.KidsStandard.org

September 2015

19

Publication INC.

20

Publication INC.

www.KidsStandard.org

Register

for classes now

ORION TOWNSHIP PUBLIC LIBRARY 825 Joslyn Road Lake Orion MI 48362 248.693.3000 Hours: Mon-Thurs 9:30a-9:00p Fri & Sat 9:30a-5:00p Closed Sundays Dragon Award—Vote for Books!

Monday, September 14—November 3 Vote for the Third Annual Dragon Award! Details online at orionlibrary.org/youth. Save the Date: Dragon Award Victory Party-Wednesday, November 4 @ 7:00p Game On! Tuesdays: September 22—December 15 @ 6:30p Drop into the Youth room for a fun evening playing games!

Board games, card games, chess, checkers, and more!

Grades K-5, drop in, limit 20 Haunted House October 26-29, 6:00p-8:00p Drop in if you dare for the annual kid-friendly Haunted House put on by teen volunteers. Ages birth to 5th grade For more program details or to register visit orionlibrary.org/calendar

Specializing In: •

Recreational Gymnastics

•

Recreational Tumbling

•

Recreational Trampoline

•

Cheerleading & Cheernastics

•

Parkour & Free Running

•

Competitive Gymnastics

• Competitive Trampoline & Tumbling •

Friday Night fLipOut, Open Gym

•

Adult Open Gym, Capoeira

•

Birthday Parties & Field Trips

• Camps

233 Kay Industrial Dr | Orion Twp, MI 48359

500 East Second St Rochester, MI 48307

248.340.0910

www.flipspotgym.com

I

’ve been fortunate to have two outstanding teachers that I can truly call leaders at Clarkston Junior High School. They display keen leadership abilities and bring out the best in their students by encouraging them to push themselves to their maximum potential.

One of them is Mrs. Rinehart - Spanish and Student Leadership teacher. I enrolled in her leadership class for the past two school years. Her attitude is remarkable; she strives to do what is best for our school and our community. One recent event we encountered was Relay for Life, when she led us to our goals as a class to raise a monument of charity money. She displays stellar leadership qualities that make her classroom a joy to come to day in and day out!

Another tremendous teacher is Mrs. Shaw. She has such a personality that everyone is drawn to her classes.

She teaches my Honors LA 9. Her teaching skills are magnificent, as she pushes everyone to do the best work and always seems to rub off on my classmates and me.

Mrs. Shaw is instinctive, outgoing, and a true leader among the staff and student body at our school!

By: Caden Morello 9th Grade Clarkston Schools

Cafe

IRIS

CARRY OUT AVAILABLE AT ANY TIME. ASK ABOUT OUT CATERING! Answers of find the hidden Animal in

each photo of Slow Looking quiz.

1. Giraffe 2. Wolf 3. Caiman 4. Blue-crowned 5. Blue Dacnis

22

Publication INC.

3667 S. Baldwin Rd. Orion, MI 48359 248.391.8303. Fax 248.391.8304

www.KidsStandard.org

Maggie Razdar Publisher/ Founder

O

nce again, it’s time for school! You’re probably feeling thrilled and perhaps a little sad that summer is over. Many students are nervous or a little frightened on the first day of school for many reasons: new teachers, new friends, and maybe even a new school. Luckily, these “new” worries only stick around for a little while. Let’s find out more about going back to school.

Teachers usually kick off the school year by introducing themselves and talking about all the things you’ll learn and do that year! Most teachers give students a chance to tell something about themselves to the rest of the class—an introduction that goes a long way when getting to know your classmates.

On the first day of school, teachers also introduce the rules for their class. You will find out not only about behaviours that are off-limits, but also about the endless activities that you can and will do during the school year. Pay close attention so you aren’t left wondering what the classroom rules are later on!

Yo u might already know a lot of students in your classes on the first day, but it’s still a great day to make a new friend!

So try to say hello to kids you know and new ones that you don’t. Make the first move; you’ll be glad you did and so will your

new friend! You might find yourself moving to a new school in the new school year! You’ll encounter new hallways, lockers, and a new homeroom where you’ll see many new faces! In case you haven’t heard of a “homeroom” before, it’s a classroom where you’ll go each morning, kind of like your “home” in the school.

If transitioning to middle school, keep in mind that you will be moving from classroom to classroom for each subject. Your teachers know that this is a big change and will help you to adjust.

Here are a few final tips for a fantastic beginning of the month of September: ● ● ● ●

Get enough sleep.

Eat a healthy breakfast.

Strive for your best.

Develop good work habits, like writing down your assignments and turning in your homework on time. ● Take your time with school work. If you don’t understand something, ask the teacher, a parent, or a friend. ● Keep a sense of humour. Not everything will go your way, so it’s good to laugh at your mistakes, as well as learning from them! ● Turn mistakes into learning opportunities. ● Work to join clubs and be involved in your school’s community. ● Be compassionate to everyone you meet.

At the

Bring your friends and family.

For more information call

248-625-3640 & Download registration off our web site at

www.clarkstonconservatory.org Offering Kindermsuik since 2001!

September 2015

23

Publication INC.

O P T I M I S T I N T E R N AT I O N A L DID YOU KNOW?

For Every member of an Optimist Club, 33 young people are impacted positively per year? That’s 2.6 million internationally, 317,000 in Michigan, and 3800 in the Clarkston/Lake Orion Area alone!

Optimist International is a worldwide volunteer organization made up of more than 2,500 local Clubs whose Members work each day to make the future brighter by bringing out the best in children, in their communities.

TO CONTAC T CL ARKSTON OPTIMIST C ALL

ROBIN BROSE 248-909-9289

TO CONTAC T L AKE ORION OPTIMIST C ALL

DONALD BROSE 248-736-8833

Learn about Nature from Nature Clarkston - 248.625.6473

WINT NATURE CENTER

Madison Heights 248.585.0100

Year-Round Programs ∙ Family Nature Programs ∙ Scout Badge Days ∙ “Wild” Birthday Parties ∙ Starlab (portable planetarium) ∙ Field Trips for all ages—including pre-school!

DestinationOakland. com