Parent Magazine St Johns - February 2022 by Graphic Design by Leslie

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EDUCATION ISSUE

FEBRUARY 2022

6 GREAT BACK-TOSCHOOL APPS 5 BENEFITS OF MULTIPLE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES BEING AN EFFECTIVE ADVOCATE FOR YOUR CHILD

BUILDING YOUR EDUCATION TEAM KIDS HELPING KIDS: WHY IT’S GOOD FOR YOUR KIDS TO BE MENTORS – AND WHERE TO DO IT This issue of

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F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 2

CONTENT features

06 in each issue

PARENTING MILESTONE: TIME FOR YOUR TEENAGER TO GET A LEARNER’S PERMIT!

HELPING KIDS WITH FLEXIBLE THINKING

FIVE BENEFITS OF MULTIPLE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

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KIDS HELPING KIDS ST JOHNS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT PROGRAMS OF CHOICE

FROM THE EDITOR

ST. JOHNS SUPERINTENDENT’S LETTER

NEW SCHOOLS COMING TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY

HEALTH CORNER

FLORIDA STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM 2021-2022 SCHEDULE

BOOK NOOK

EDUCATION PERSPECTIVE: HOMESCHOOL – THE WORLD AS A CLASSROOM

BUILDING YOUR EDUCATION TEAM: HOW TO GIVE KIDS THE SUPPORT THEY NEED IN SCHOOL

BEING AN EFFECTIVE ADVOCATE FOR YOUR CHILD

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Every day is a lesson in itself. Curriculum is a broad term, even though most people associate curriculum with books.” Page 18

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FROM THE EDITOR

ducation is such a large part of our children’s early lives and something that we as parents and caregivers are often worried about.

From preschool to college, parents play a key role in decisions about how to attend, attitudes about school and teachers and the success of learning. From parents who read to their children to those who do math problems on napkins and menus while waiting for meals and from those who do puzzles with their kids to those who teach them family or local history or travel with children, parents are a key part of children’s learning. The importance of organized school and teaching has never been more evident than during the past two years. Many children have experienced virtual learning, reduced classroom hours, tutoring and homeschooling during the pandemic. It is obvious that our teachers truly are heroes!! In this issue, we look at some of the educational challenges that children and their families face and give guidance on how to approach these challenges. We want to thank our advertisers and sponsors for allowing us to bring this information to you, our readers.

Parent Magazine is published by TouchPoint Innovative Solutions.

PUBLISHER Howard M. Holley Sr. EDITOR Dr. Barbara C. Holley MANAGING EDITOR Jeanne Coates ART DIRECTOR Leslie Proctor SALES AND MARKETING DIRECTOR Jeanne Coates EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Christina Langston • St. Johns School District Vikki Mioduszewski • Wolfson Children’s Hospital Danielle Taylor • St Johns School District Erin Wallner • Flagler Health+ INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING? If you would like to advertise in Parent Magazine, please call 386.449.8353 or email us at jeanne@touchpointis.com IDEAS FOR ARTICLES? Send your article ideas or provide feedback to barbara@touchpointis.com

As we face the last few months of the school year, we hope to arm you with tools that will allow you to finish strong! 389 Palm Coast Pkwy SW, Suite 3 Palm Coast FL 32137

All the Best,

www.ParentMagazinesFlorida.com @ ParentMagazinesFlorida @ ParentMagazinesFlorida

All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without the express written consent of the publisher. TouchPoint Innovative Solutions assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. © 2022 TouchPoint Innovative Solutions. All rights reserved. Information contained in these materials are neither sponsored or endorsed by the School Board of St. Johns County, its agents or its employees.

FEBRUARY 2022 | 3

St. Johns County School District By Tim Forson, Superintendent of Schools

want to encourage everyone to take a moment this month to discuss and practice the February CHARACTER COUNTS! pillar of caring with your families. May we inspire our students and children to be kind to others, be compassionate and show you care, express gratitude, forgive one another, help people in need and to be charitable and altruistic.

Throughout the St. Johns County School District (SJCSD), I am always encouraged seeing the pillar of caring displayed in so many ways. A focus this year has been to celebrate the caring work of teachers and administrators who dedicate their time, resources and enthusiasm to inspire good character and a passion for lifelong learning in all students, creating educated and caring contributors to the world. Congratulations to Allison Olson, principal of Patriot Oaks Academy (POA) for receiving the 2021-2022 SJCSD Principal Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership. Mrs. Olson is an extraordinary leader who serves over 1,420 students and staff in a community where the population is growing at a rapid pace. It is extremely rare to find her in her office as she is in the halls, classrooms, lunchroom and common areas among her students. Mrs. Olson joined the SJCSD in 2015 when she was selected to be the principal at Julington Creek Elementary before becoming the leader of POA in 2017. Her calm, decisive manner is one of her main attributes. She exudes professionalism and courtesy in her dealings with parents, teachers, students and the community. I would also like to recognize the 2021-2022 Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year, Mr. Trevor Abbs. Mr. Abbs has served as an assistant principal in the SJCSD since 2014, first at Bartram Trail High School and currently at St. Augustine High School. He is an exceptional leader and has held varied positions within the district including that of a coach, which helped to prepare him for his role as an assistant principal. Mr. Abbs is an extremely hard worker who always puts students first. He is fair and consistent while always focusing on what is in the best interest of the students he serves. Investing in Kids! (INK!) along with sponsors, school board members and district leadership recently celebrated the Teacher of the Year and Rookie Teacher of the Year for each school. Andrew Burk, middle school music teacher at Valley Ridge Academy was selected as the 2021-2022 SJCSD Teacher of the Year. Mr. Burk is described as an innovative teacher who has found his calling and purpose in life through teaching students the art of music. He provides real world learning opportunities to give his students a deeper understanding of music appreciation, collaborating with their peers, reading music and learning how to play instruments. The 2021-2022 SJCSD Rookie Teacher of the Year is Kaitlyn Holle. Ms. Holle serves as a science teacher at Mill Creek Academy. I am very appreciative of the INK! staff and board members for their tireless efforts to produce the Teacher of the Year celebration each year. They spend countless hours securing sponsors, planning and bringing this special event to life in recognition of our county’s finest teachers. 4 | ST JOHNS PARENT M A G A Z I N E

Parenting Milestone: Time For Your Teenager to Get a Learner’s Permit!

By Nancy Gonzalez, Volusia County Schools

s parents, we witness our children reach many milestones. The transition from middle school to high school is a big deal for both parent and child. But when your teenager is ready to move into the world of driving, well, that’s huge! However, there are several steps your teenager must take before getting behind the wheel. They must first obtain a learner’s permit.

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Students must provide proof of completion of the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) Course. Course information can be found on the Florida Highway and Safety Motor Vehicles (FLHMV) site: https://www.flhsmv.gov

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Students must pass a vision and hearing test. Tests are administered at local driver’s license and motor vehicle service centers. Call your local DMV center for times and appointments

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Students must pass the Class E Knowledge Exam. Download the Official Florida Driver License Handbook at: https://www.flhsmv.gov

Steps to Obtain a Driver’s Learner permit:

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The student must be at least 15 years old

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If a student is under 18 years old, they must have a signed/notarized parental consent form. Download the form at https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/ forms/71142.pdf

Most high schools offer driver’s education; contact the school and see course availability. Enrolling and passing driver’s education in school can help lower insurance costs. Parents should contact their insurance agent and learn about the cost savings. Driver’s education can help teenagers become better and more confident drivers.

FEBRUARY 2022 | 5

Helping Kids With Flexible Thinking How flexible thinking can help children handle uncertainty and change By Rae Jacobson, Child Mind Institute

s the pandemic stretches on, we’ve all had to learn new skills to manage the stress: Bouncing back from disappointment, going with the flow when plans change unexpectedly, getting comfortable with change and managing uncertainty. It’s exhausting. But there is an upside: Many of the skills we’ve been forced to practice rely on a key executive function called flexible thinking. It’s a skill with lifelong benefits but it’s one that many kids (and many adults) often struggle to learn. And the ups and downs and ins and outs and almost-overs and wait-not-overs of the pandemic mean we’re getting a crash course, whether we like it or not.

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What is flexible thinking? Flexible thinking is the ability to think about things in a new or different way. It helps us deal with uncertainty, solve problems, adjust to changes, and incorporate new information into our plans and ideas. Flexible thinking is also a key aspect of self-regulation and handling big emotions. When kids (and, let’s get real, parents, too) are able to take a flexible approach to a problem they’re less likely to fall apart when things don’t go according to plan. Kids who can think flexibly are more adaptable and less likely to see setbacks as unfixable disasters. For example, if a trip to see Grandma has to be cancelled, a child who can’t think flexibly might break down (“Now we’ll

NEVER get to see Grandma!!!”) and be unable to see a way out of their disappointment. A child who can think flexibly will also feel disappointed, but they are likely to be more open when you offer alternate solutions: “I know you’re really sad that we can’t see Grandma. I am too. What if we FaceTime her tonight and bake cookies together? Then we can make a card for you to give her when we do get to see her!”

How to help kids with flexible thinking So what can parents do to help kids get better at thinking flexibly? Validate emotions Managing disappointment or uncertainty is hard. And that’s okay. It’s important to validate kids’ feelings, no matter how outsized or confusing they may be, before trying to move on. “I see how sad you are that your cousins couldn’t come visit this year. I know you miss them. I do, too. It’s really hard.” When kids feel heard and understood they’re less likely to dwell on the negative emotion and more able to move on to finding a solution. Get them involved But remember, getting from frustration or sadness to acceptance and action takes time. Kids may not respond as quickly you’d like them to. When that happens, be patient and encourage kids to try flexible thinking to help manage distress and build resilience. “I can see you’re still really missing your cousins, I wonder if there’s anything that might help? Maybe we could write them a letter and you could decorate it?” When kids are ready, invite them to help you come up with ideas for how to manage uncertainty as well as difficult changes. For example: “Okay. I’m really excited for your birthday party too, but there’s a chance we might not be able to have your friends inside the house. Let’s come up with some awesome ideas for what to do if that happens.” When kids feel like part of the team, they’ll have a greater sense of control and get the chance to practice their flexible thinking skills. Model flexibility Kids look to parents for cues on how to behave. Modeling healthy coping skills will help you, and your

child, develop better habits and feel less overwhelmed when things don’t go as expected. Speaking your thoughts aloud as you solve a problem is a great way to do this. For example, if a friend says they’re not comfortable eating at a restaurant for a planned dinner, let your child see you processing the change in a healthy way: “Aw, that’s disappointing. I know! I’ll suggest we all bundle up and eat takeout on the deck instead.” When your child sees you navigate changes or surprises in a reasonable, solution-focused way, they’ll be more likely to do the same. It’s also important to let kids see you cope when there’s not an immediate solution to be had. For example, if your child is wondering whether changes in the pandemic will affect their school, you can say: “Right now, we just don’t know. It can feel frustrating and scary to not have the answer, but there’s no reason to panic right now.” Relying on strategies to reduce your stress levels in the meantime — whether that’s going for a walk, listening to music, taking deep breaths, calling a friend or whatever works for you — shows kids that an uncertain situation doesn’t have to feel like a disaster. Get help if they (or you) need it Flexible thinking can be very hard to practice if a child is experiencing mental health issues like anxiety or depression or your family has recently experienced a traumatic event like the loss of a loved one, job or home. Many families are still under significant stress. And new uncertainty may trigger difficult emotions for families still reeling from the pressures of the pandemic. If you notice that your child is unusually inflexible, upset, anxious or sad, it may be a sign that they are struggling with a mental health issue. Talk to your child about how they’re feeling, and reach out to a pediatrician, clinician or school guidance who can help. And remember, kids aren’t the only ones who are affected. Parents are only human and the stress and difficulty of the pandemic can take a serious toll. If you’ve been feeling unusually anxious, angry or sad, you may need some help to bounce back. If you’re struggling, don’t ignore it or keep it to yourself. Practice self-care, reach out to friends or make an appointment with a therapist or doctor. Caring for yourself is an essential part of caring for your family.

FEBRUARY 2022 | 7

Five Benefits of Multiple Extracurricular Activities

By Cheryl Maguire

“ ’m bored,” my 11-year-old daughter grumbled as she

collapsed onto the couch. It was a rare unscheduled moment in her life. I cringed as I recalled what can occur when she has a spontaneous second. At the age of three, I assumed she was quietly playing with her toys only to discover the entire wall was covered with a new crayon-drawn mural. We are both happier now that she is enrolled in art classes. She prefers being busy, which is why she partook in six different extracurricular activities this past spring. Her interests ranged from sign language class to swim team. Besides avoiding boredom (and messes), there are many benefits to having scheduled activities for your child. Research by NCES states that students who participated in after-school activities had better attendance, higher levels of achievement and aspirations to higher levels of education.

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Better Academic Performance Even though my daughter was in six different clubs or sports, she received all A’s in her academic classes. By participating in extracurricular activities, a child is able to learn new skills that can be applied to the school setting. For example, my daughter was in the garden club and she used the information she learned about plants in her science class. Sports such as basketball, baseball and football use statistics, addition/subtraction, probability and geometry that can be applied to math class. A number of research studies found students who participate in extracurricular activities perform better in school. Douglas Reeves studied data at Woodstock High School and found students who were in three or four

extracurricular activities during the year had dramatically better grades than those who participated in no extracurricular activities. There was a study done by the College Board, which found high school extracurricular participation is correlated with higher SAT scores, SAT math by 45 points and SAT verbal scores by 53 points.

More Adaptable If a child is participating in more than one activity, they will also experience more than one coach or teacher who will have different rules and expectations. They will have the opportunity to meet kids with a range of personalities and interests. These interactions will teach a child how to be adaptable to multiple people and situations. Maddi and Deborah Khoshaba’s training guide, Resilience at Work, discussed the importance of being adaptable and how when adaptable people lost their jobs they thrived due to their ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Being adaptable is a skill that can be beneficial both in the school or work setting.

she didn’t read the book, but she still wanted to go to the club since she loved the social interaction with her peers.

Less Screen Time Common Sense Media research states on average teens spend over nine hours per day playing video games or watching TV. If children are participating in after-school activities they will have less opportunity to either watch TV or play video games and they will hopefully learn new skills.

Decreased Risk of Obesity According to the CDC, obesity affects about 12.7 million children and adolescents for the past decade. If a child participates in a sport, they will be more active, which leads to better health benefits from being physically fit. Even if a child did a club or an after-school activity, they will be more active than if they watched TV or played video games.

Better Social Skills

How to Balance Your Child’s Schedule

Children will gain social skills both from the person in charge of the activity or sport and by interacting with their peers. They also have the opportunity to learn about teamwork by either playing a sport together or doing a group class such as a musical for drama.

Sometimes, even for my daughter, you can have too many activities. I’m always cognizant of her energy level. If she needs to skip an activity once in a while, I let her. Or when I noticed she wasn’t enthusiastic about going to gymnastics anymore, we both decided it would be best not to sign up for the next session. Most importantly, you want to make sure your child is happy and definitely not bored.

In my daughter’s book club at the end of their discussion of the book, they have social time. During one meeting,

FEBRUARY 2022 | 9

Kids Helping Kids:

Why It’s Good For Your Kids To Be Mentors – And Where To Do It By Tanni Haas, Ph. D.

ost people know that having a mentor is really helpful for the person being mentored - the mentee. But mentoring is also good for the person who’s doing the mentoring - the mentor. Research shows that kids who help other kids improve their own leadership, organizational and time management skills become more self-confident and patient with others and feel a strong sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.

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If being a mentor is such a great thing, where can your kids go to do it?

National Mentoring Organizations One possibility is to volunteer with the local chapter of well-known national mentoring organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of America or the National Mentoring Partnership. These organizations have formal programs that

provide extensive training to anyone who wishes to be a mentor. However, their preference is for young adults aged 18 or older to serve as mentors.

Local Schools If your kids are younger than 18 and /or there’s no local chapter of a national mentoring organization near you, they can join a peer mentoring program at the local school. Most middle and high schools have mentoring programs that pair up kids from different grades (typically seniors with freshmen) during the school day or at their after-school programs. While national mentoring organizations tend to focus on developing the mentees’ general life skills, like how to focus on the positive in their lives and make good life choices, school-based programs typically focus on enhancing their academic skills, such as how to take better notes in class, how to organize their homework and how to prepare for exams. My son’s middle school had such a peer mentoring program in its after-school program, while his high school matches up older and younger students once a week during the regular school day. If your kids are really strong academically, mentoring in a school-based mentoring program may be just right for them.

Private Mentoring Finally, if your kids are very mature and independentminded, nothing should stop them from creating and offering their own private mentoring program. If you know of neighborhood kids who could benefit from having positive role models in their lives, encourage your kids to meet up with them on a regular basis to serve as their mentors. Mentoring is not only the right thing to do if you have what it takes; it can also help your kids in both the short and long term. Many middle and high schools have a community service component that requires them to volunteer for a certain amount of hours in order to graduate. Participating in an authorized mentoring program often satisfies that requirement; it does at my son’s high school. Your kids can also use any letters of recommendation that they receive about their mentoring activities as part of their college application. Virtually all colleges and universities across the country consider giving back to the community - especially helping other kids achieve their academic potential - a worthwhile goal, and service through mentoring could be an asset during the admissions process.

Local Community Institutions Another option is to find a mentoring program at your local community center or library that offers mentoring programs aimed at helping kids learn to read, write and do basic math. If no formal programs exist, some places let kids start their own informal programs. Our local community center has had many informal programs run by groups of local high school students over the years. So if your kids aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and create a mentoring program together with one or more of their friends, this could be a great experience for them.

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St Johns County School District Programs of Choice

By St Johns County School District

rograms of Choice include high school Career Academies, IB and AICE acceleration programs, JROTC, Early College Program, St. Johns County Center for the Arts at St. Augustine High School and, in middle school, a Center for the Arts program at RJ

Murray Middle School. Students in 8th and 9th grade may apply for enrollment in a Program of Choice for any of the of the St. Johns County School District high schools. There are application rules and a timeline that must be followed in order to be considered. Students in 5th grade may apply for R. J. Murray Middle School’s Center for the Arts program. Information on how to apply can be found at: https://cte.stjohns.k12.fl.us/

Why should you join a Career Academy? The most important reason to join is students become part of a group who share their interests and desire to learn about a specific career field. Students will be taught by teachers with expertise in the career field and excitement to engage learning. Joining a Career Academy can also provide opportunities that may not be available to other high school students. Students may earn more college credits or earn industry certifications through their enrollment, as well as become more involved in local businesses. Students participating in a Career Academy have a clear path for graduation. Each academy meets all graduation requirements and prepares students for postsecondary education and/or the world of work. While in the academy, students have an opportunity to participate in special activities and events that provide greater awareness of the specific career area and opportunities within that area. Academy participants will be part of a small group of students with similar interests completing courses together. An advisor and business mentor will be provided to answer questions and help each student as they complete their high school experience. Many programs offer industry certification exams. 12 | ST JOHNS PARENT M A G A Z I N E

The passed are listed on the high school transcript and may count as college credits depending on the college/ university the student attends and the major the student pursues. Allen D. Nease High School Academies • Academy of Hospitality and Tourism • Communications Academy • Stellar Academy of Engineering Bartram Trail High School Academies • Design Academy • Information Technology Academy • VyStar Academy of Business Beachside High School Academies • Academy of Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management • Academy of Information Technology • Academy of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Creekside High School Academies • Academy of Emerging Technology • Academy of Engineering & Environmental Sciences • St. Johns County Academy of Future Teachers

Early College Program Early College Program is available to all eligible students on a “space available” basis. There are specific application and eligibility requirements for this program, which is provided in partnership with St. Johns River State College. The program is available at two locations, however accepted students who are zoned for another high school are responsible for transportation.

AICE & IB

High School Acceleration Academies Three high schools have international acceleration programs that are potentially open to students zoned for Bartram Trail, Creekside and Ponte Vedra High Schools. Students zoned for Allen D. Nease, Pedro Menendez or St. Augustine High Schools are not eligible to apply for the international acceleration programs at schools other than their zoned school. In addition to applying to these programs through the Program of Choice application process, students will have to be deemed academically eligible to be accepted into these programs. A Teacher Recommendation Form must be submitted by all four core academic teachers.

Pedro Menendez High School Academies • Academy of Architectural and Building Sciences • VyStar Academy of Business • Flagler Health+ Academy of Future Healthcare Professionals

JROTC Programs

Ponte Vedra High School Academies • Academy of Biotechnology and Medical Research • Academy of International Business and Marketing • Academy of Information Technology

St. Johns County Center for the Arts (SJCCA)

St. Augustine High School Academies • Academy of Law & Homeland Security • Aviation and Aerospace Academy • St. Johns County Academy of Future Teachers St. Johns Technical High School Academies • Academy of Coastal & Water Resources • Academy of Culinary Arts Tocoi Creek High School Academies • Academy of Innovation in the Built Environment • Academy of Leadership in Emerging Technologies • Flagler Health+ Academy of Future Healthcare Professionals

Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) is a program of choice designed to focus on leadership development, problem solving, strategic planning and professional ethics.

The St. Johns County Center for the Arts provides artistically gifted students with a pre-professional program of study designed to develop their unique talents in the performing and visual arts. In an environment that is supportive and intellectually challenging, SJCCA prepares students to be members of an artistic society. Commitment and self-discipline are necessary in order to advance through the school’s academic and artistic studies. Only 5th graders throughout the district can apply to go into the R. J. Murray School’s Arts Programs, and only 9th and 10th graders throughout the district can apply to go into the St. Augustine High School Arts Programs. In addition to applying through the Program of Choice application process, students must pass auditions to be considered. F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 | 13

New Schools Coming to St. Johns County By Danielle Taylor

Beachside High School (“III”)

1070 Beachwalk Blvd., Saint Johns, FL 32259 Beachside High School in northeast St. Johns County will be located off Beachwalk Boulevard within the Twin Creeks development. This project is included in the School District’s FiveYear District Facilities Work Plan. An architectural contract with SchenkelShultz Architecture was approved at the July 14, 2020 School Board meeting for the reuse of a prototype design. The planned student station count for Beachside High School is approximately 2,100. This school was designed by utilizing a reuse of a middle/high school from another school district that was adapted to the best practices of the St. Johns County School District. It is comprised of five separate buildings surrounding a secure courtyard. These five buildings comprise the following; Administration/Media Center, Auditorium, Gymnasium, Cafeteria and a Classroom Building. Classrooms exist in all buildings except the cafeteria, but the majority are housed in the three-story classroom building. This building houses general education classes, ESE classes and science labs, along with a collaborative concourse on each floor. These collaborative areas will provide a space for project-based learning, small group instruction and flexible groupings. The project is scheduled to bid and begin construction this fall/winter. The facility is projected for completion in Summer 2022 and to open for the 2022-2023 school year.

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Tocoi Creek High School (“HHH”)

11200 St. Johns Parkway, St. Augustine, FL. 32092 This High School will serve grades 9-12, will be located on an approximately 69acre site located on International Golf Parkway in northwest St. Johns County and will accommodate approximately 2,100 students. This school was designed by utilizing a reuse of a middle/high school from another school district that was adapted to the best practices of the St. Johns County School District. It is comprised of five separate buildings surrounding a secure courtyard. These five buildings comprise the following Administration/Media Center; Auditorium, Gymnasium, Cafeteria and a Classroom Building. The construction of High School “HHH” will be funded through Certificates of Participation (COPs). This high school is expected to be completed in the summer of 2021 and open for the 2021-2022 school year.

Pine Island Academy K-8 School “MM” 805 Pine Island Road, St. Augustine, FL 32095

This school serves kindergarten through 8th grade and will be located on approximately 25 acres on Pine Island Road within the Nocatee development in northeast St. Johns County. It will accommodate approximately 1,500 students. This school has been designed to provide both traditional and non-traditional settings. Classroom areas accommodate groupings by grade or as multi-age students using teaching teams. Moveable walls between classroom pairs facilitate the team-teaching approach. Common area with computer labs and kitchen areas allows for flexibility of instructional methods and group learning activities. These features enable teachers and paraprofessional to work cooperatively to facilitate learning for students through a variety of methods. This schools’ spaces include 32 primary classrooms, 22 intermediate classrooms, 6 science labs, resources rooms, skills labs, exceptional education spaces, art rooms, music rooms, physical education spaces, vocational education labs, a media center and support spaces, an administrative suite, food service and dining facilities, stage, multipurpose room, student and public restrooms and custodial spaces. K-8 School “MM” will be funded through a combination of the Half-Cent Sales Surtax, School Impact Fees and Certificates of Participation (COPs). The school is expected to be completed in the summer of 2021 and open for the 2021-2022 school year.

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Florida Statewide Assessment Program 2021-2022 Schedule* By the Florida Department of Education, fldoe.org

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Office of Assessment 10/18/21 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 | 17

Education Perspective: Homeschool – The World as a Classroom By Brianna Carter, @mamaknowsnada

omeschooling is on the rise. Florida has seen a steady increase of registered home education students since 2015. Last school year alone (2020-2021) boasted the greatest increase to the homeschool community, with more than 37,000 children partaking in home education. Today, the total homeschool students in Florida is over 140,000—a 35% increase over the prior year.* Why is it increasing in popularity?

Why teach at home? Parents have personal reasons for choosing to pull their children from conventional education. Some cite bullying, insufficient resources and safety concerns as factors, while others believe there is a lack of flexible curriculum to meet children’s educational needs and learning styles as a deciding factor. Access to more faith-based instruction is another reason parents refrain from enrolling their children in public education. Yet, curating lessons is not for the faint of heart. Though it comes with great flexibility, it also is a huge responsibility. Homeschooling can be expensive and time consuming. “The only disadvantage is that it can be a lot of work, time, and sometimes money, to fully provide for all those needs,” says one parent who asked for anonymity.

sometimes I just want to be mom,” admits the same anonymous mom.

Enticed by a global classroom Though homeschooling has some headaches, many parents say the expanded academic capacity and fluid curriculum outweigh any obstacle. Tailored education plans allow for a deeper investigation into topics of interest. Children can spend more time on areas that they enjoy and study more extensively. And, for many families, there’s travel. “Every day is a lesson in itself. Curriculum is a broad term, even though most people associate curriculum with books. Your day-to-day living is a curriculum,” says Jennifer Thomas, a mom of two has been homeschooling for four years, visiting 18 states. Her focus is on learning through experiences. Recalling a specific adventure with her son, Thomas describes mining gold in Colorado in the cold of January, bundled in coats with headlamps to navigate the surrounding terrain. While her son was curiously inquiring about the miners’ lives and work, she observed him taking initiative, exploring fearlessly, and then glowing like gold when he discovered gleaming metal in the beam of his flashlight.

Parents acknowledge structuring coursework for multiple children and dual roles as both parent and teacher can be tiresome. Additionally, there is no reimbursement for home education or tax incentives.

“That is something a book can never give you,” Thomas muses. “Yes, you can learn things from a book, but to actually experience [it], that is a core memory. You are in that moment imagining, feeling emotions, creating your own opinions. That’s something someone can’t take away from you, it’s knowledge.”

“The disadvantage is that I am their everything and

Patricia Linde, now in her seventh year of homeschooling,

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explains, “Initially [we homeschooled] for the freedom to travel and we were only going to do it for a year,” Linde recounts. “But once we decided to ‘do it’, it morphed into many reasons.” That reason is the ability not only to choose what their children learn but also when. There is no specific structure to the school day, so learning can happen anytime, anywhere. The Morales’ are a military family stationed in England and registered homeschoolers in Florida. Mom, Lynn, explains they use this to their advantage, visiting various historic sites like Stonehenge, the Tower of London and towns like York, which hosts historical remains from both the Romans and Vikings. Morales also gives her children the opportunity to delve into their own unique interests. “We recently took an educational trip to Malaga, Spain and let each child plan an excursion from the flat we rented,” Morales shares. “One child chose Flamenco dancing and going out for paella. Another chose the Picasso Museum, and another chose a fort built during Muslim reign of southern Spain and going to see the ruins of an ancient Roman Theater.” Then, there’s Mandi Saunder, a homeschooling mom of two, who began the process of teaching her daughter at five so they could travel the states in an RV. “We did it for three and a half years, and it was richly educational,” says Saunder, who was also a homeschool student in her youth. “We went to so many places; from the Florida Keys to Toronto and from the tip of Long Island to San Diego.” When traveling extensively, Saunder notes true friendships can be hard to manifest. But she wouldn’t change any of it. “[My daughter] graduated a year and a half early because of homeschooling,” Saunder observers. “I don’t believe we could have fit in as many experiences in as many places had we gone the traditional route.”

Misconceptions A glaring myth is that homeschool children lack crucial social interactions with peers. But many homeschool parents opt for instruction pods; a small, cultivated cohort of similar-aged children who follow the same lessons and agreed upon curriculum. This offers the children socialization and group environments while parents can rotate who instructs lessons.

sessions for various age groups. If extracurricular activities are important to your family, homeschooled students are still welcome to participate in local school teams.

Resources and where to start Seek educational resources locally. Many organizations, like Catty Shack Ranch and The Alligator Farm offer group discounts. Marineland offers unique themed educational days for students each month, while the St. Augustine Aquarium offers grade-level appropriate field trips. Nearby farms like Wesley Wells Farm and Amazing Grace Family Farms offer field trips and homeschool days to educate about agricultural practices. If a homeschool environment could be ideal for your child(ren) and family, start with these county links to get the facts on how to begin the process and stay compliant with federal, state and local requirements. Florida Home Education Contact for St. Johns County Leslie Johnson, 904-547-7579, leslie.johnson@stjohns.k12.fl.us

✏

www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/homeeducation

Legal Requirements & Homeschool Regulation Resources

🎓 🎓 🎓 🎓

https://www.time4learning.com/homeschooling florida/laws-requirements.html https://fpea.com/homeschooling/high-school graduation-and-diplomas https://www.flvs.net/about-flvs https://www.flhef.org/about/

*Home school does not account for/include virtual/remote learning students. • “Home Education Annual Report 2020–2021.” Www.Fldoe. Org, www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/5606/urlt/HomeEd-Annual-Report-2020-21.pdf. Accessed 7 Dec. 2021.

There are also numerous social media groups for ideas, insights and support. Groups often have regular meet ups or excursions to ensure children are engaging with peers and learning interpersonal skills essential for life. Libraries host workshops and story F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 | 19

20 | ST JOHNS PARENT M A G A Z I N E

Building Your Education Team

How to give kids the support they need in school

By Rachel Ehmke, Child Mind Institute

ll children need their parents and teachers to work together as allies, but children who are struggling in school need that teamwork even more than others. Sometimes kids also need other specialists on their team to help them do their best. As you assess whether a child is doing as well as they could be, your communication with their classroom teacher is key. Here are some tips parents can use to build strong relationships with teachers and assess what support a child needs to thrive.

At the beginning of the school year Whether your child is a quick study or is struggling in school, building a team to support them starts with forming an effective partnership with their teacher.

For parents of children who have struggled in the past, starting with a “blank slate” is an attractive idea, but it rarely works out, according to learning and educational therapist Susan Schwartz, MAEd. Keeping a teacher in the dark about an issue you already know about only leads to surprises and frustration for the teacher (and for your child). Schwartz also notes that even if you don’t talk to the teacher about your child, there is always the possibility that another teacher or parent will—and the information that is shared may be inaccurate or outdated or biased. It’s better to tell the teacher everything you want them to know. Similarly, you want to let the teacher know that you’d like them to share anything specific they notice about what helps your child learn effectively or anything that tends to get in their way.

When your child starts each school year, your first goal is to make sure you understand their new teacher’s expectations—everything from the demands of the academic curriculum to grade-appropriate behaviors. Remember that when your child enters a new classroom, they aren’t just tackling new math skills, they’re experiencing a new style of learning and building new relationships.

If you have any specific questions, don’t be afraid to ask the teacher. For example, how much involvement should parents typically have in a child’s homework? Different teachers have different opinions, and you’ll be glad you asked.

When you talk to the new teacher, make sure to give them the information they need to put your child’s behavior into context. Does your child need extra time or a periodic break to do their best work? Do they need to sit near the front of the class to be able to focus? Are they such a perfectionist that they rub a hole in the paper correcting their own work? Teachers want to know these things—preferably before class begins.

Parent-Teacher conferences

Finally, ask if there are ways the teacher wants you to be more involved—or if there are ways you should be stepping back.

About 12 weeks into the year, schools begin scheduling conferences and sending home progress reports. By now you should already understand the teacher’s academic and developmental expectations for your child, so the parent-teacher conference should be an opportunity to discuss how they are meeting those expectations. F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 | 21

a private or parochial school. A typical evaluation package measures intellectual, academic and emotional functioning, takes a history of the child and their family and includes a classroom evaluation. Often schools will also perform other specific evaluations if they are indicated, for example to see whether a child needs speech and language help, occupational therapy or assistive technology. School evaluations can be very effective, and in some situations are all that is required to get the ball rolling. However, if you aren’t satisfied with the results of your school evaluation or if you want your child evaluated for something not covered by the school’s standard assessment, you should seek a private evaluation with a specialist.

These conferences are important, so you should spend some time preparing. Decide what information you want to share and what questions you want to ask ahead of time. Schwartz recommends talking to your child before you go to the conference, because their perspective can help frame the meeting. Ask: What do you like best about school? What is easy for you to do? What is hard for you to do? Try to include your child in the conference by asking if they have any questions for the teacher. The parent-teacher conference is primarily an opportunity to work collaboratively, to put your heads together. Does the teacher have any advice for you? Do you have any advice for them? If you have anything important to say, lead with that. You don’t want to run out of time.

Getting more help If you think your child needs more help than they are getting, make an appointment to share your concerns with their teacher and other school personnel. Teachers can be helpful but so can counselors, school psychologists, the principal, a favorite coach— anyone who knows your child and has their best interests at heart. If you think your child needs special services or accommodations, a professional evaluation may be in order. Local public school districts are legally required to provide a basic evaluation, even if your child is attending 22 | ST JOHNS PARENT M A G A Z I N E

Matthew Cruger, PhD, a neuropsychologist at the Child Mind Institute’s Learning and Development Center, advises telling the school if you plan to have an outside evaluation and certainly sharing the results with them. “The school might not be able to do everything the specialist recommends, but they generally want to have that information,” says Dr. Cruger. “I think a lot of resistance from schools comes from not necessarily knowing why something has been suggested.” Keeping everyone on the same page about a student’s strengths and weaknesses will make it easier to agree on how to help them. It also lays the foundation for a relationship based on mutual trust and respect. As with any relationship, be prepared to compromise. While school districts are motivated to help kids with learning needs, they often have limited resources. Schools will provide what they (and the law) consider sufficient, but not necessarily the ideal, support. This means that parents, school representatives and other specialists need to work together to come up with the best possible education plan for a child. Dr. Cruger says, “As a psychologist I’m often thinking, what are the fewest intrusive interventions that could lead to maximum gain?” In his experience, the best plans are the ones that benefit from everyone’s participation—the entire education team, including the child—because when everyone is committed and working towards success, suddenly it becomes a lot more attainable.

February is National Cancer Prevention Month By Jennifer Peludat, ARRT RT (R)(M) CN-BI Halifax Health – Center for Oncology, Navigator Coordinator

ancer prevention is action taken to lower the chance of getting cancer. Cancer is not a single disease but a group of related diseases. Many things in our genes, our lifestyle and the environment around us may increase or decrease our risk of getting cancer, but research has shown that more than 40% of all cancers diagnosed can be attributed to preventable causes. Here are some things you can do to lower your risk. • Get screened. Early detection is part of prevention. Talk to your doctor about what screening tests you should get as part of your regular care. • Don’t smoke or use tobacco. Quitting smoking is the most important thing you can do for your health. • Be safe in the sun. Use sunscreen, and cover up when you’re in the sun. Stay in the shade when the sun is at its brightest – between 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. • If you drink alcohol, drink less. The American Cancer Society recommends no more than one drink per day for women or two drinks per day for men. Consider a day of abstinence from alcohol. • Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. The American Cancer Society recommends eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Maintain a normal BMI. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day.

• Get plenty of good sleep. Increasing research has shown that sleep plays a role in staying healthy. The quality of sleep you get is just as important, maybe even more important, than the quantity of sleep. Evidence suggests that poor sleep fuels inflammation which can lead to obesity, diabetes and some cancers. • Know your risk factors. Five to 10% of all cancers are inherited. Knowing your family history and discussing it with your primary care physician can help you decide when you should start cancer screening and whether to consider genetic counseling. Halifax Health – Center for Oncology is a longestablished and well-known leader in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. From the earliest preventive genetic testing to sophisticated new radiation therapies, our first-class team of experts are here for you. Visit halifaxhealth.org/cancercare to learn more. If you need to establish care with a family doctor, Halifax Health – Primary Care physicians have extensive training and experience in treating adults, children, adolescents and seniors. Services offered include physical examinations, routine vaccinations, adolescent healthcare, women’s health and preventive medicine, and sick visits, as well as health education. Visit halifaxhealth.org/primarycare or call 386.425.MYMD to learn more. F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 | 23

Being an Effective Advocate for Your Child By Harold S. Koplewicz, MD, Child Mind Institute

f you have discovered that your child has a psychiatric or learning problem, or you are beginning to suspect that she does, you might be wondering what you can do to make sure that she is getting the best support possible when she is at school. Parents sometimes tell me that they feel powerless when it comes to school issues, but there is actually a lot we can do for our children in terms of advocacy. Here are some good rules to follow:

1. Communicate with your child and ask questions. Study after study has shown that kids make healthier choices, do better in school and have higher self-esteem if they have warm, positive communication with their parents. 24 | ST JOHNS PARENT M A G A Z I N E

Parents who want to help their children tackle the challenges of school need to be able to ask direct questions on a regular basis and carefully consider the answers. “What do you like best about school?” is often a good icebreaker. Follow-up questions should include “What is easy to do each day?” and “What is the subject you wish you had only once a week instead of every day?”

2. Recognize that your child behaves differently at home and school. It’s critical to talk to your child’s teacher to find out how well she is functioning at school. Teacher-child relationships vary widely, but given that teachers spend six hours a day with our kids, we can count on them to have a keen sense of how

children learn and behave. When you meet with a teacher, ask about your child’s strengths and weaknesses. You should feel comfortable asking questions like: Does my child have difficulties with organization, following instructions or staying on task? Have you noticed any delays in her academic or social development? Does she get along well with other kids?

3. Maximize parent-teacher conference time. Many parents go to parent-teacher conferences unprepared. They arrive without questions, receive an enormous amount of information about a child’s academic performance and then leave with a laundry list of concerns they haven’t been able to talk through. You can maximize your parentteacher conference time by planning questions to ask at the beginning, not the end, of the conference. By asking your questions upfront, you’ll help ensure that the conference time is used to address your child’s challenges, set appropriate goals and determine whether any special education services might be needed.

4. Don’t delay getting support for your child. If you have specific concerns about your child’s school performance, don’t wait until parent-teacher conference time to request a comprehensive evaluation and inquire about special education services. Your child’s teacher can provide not only a different perspective on how he is progressing but can also help facilitate evaluations of your child’s cognitive, academic, linguistic, social and emotional functioning. You should also know that there’s a federal law requiring schools to provide an education to children in the least- restrictive environment—meaning, a child with symptoms of a learning or psychiatric disorder must have every opportunity to be educated alongside his typically developing peers. The school is supposed to ensure that children receive the services they need to fulfill their potential.

5. Request special services in writing. If you suspect your child needs special education services, you must request in writing that he be evaluated to determine which services would be appropriate. School districts offer school-based evaluations free of charge, but parents must send a letter of request to the administrator

responsible for the school’s special education programming. Talk to your child’s teacher about this process—specifically, find out who to contact to arrange an evaluation—and ask for assistance in obtaining a copy of his school file, including report cards, progress reports, attendance records, behavior assessments, testing data and any other teacher reports. The materials in your child’s school file will be used in all evaluations for learning and psychiatric disorders.

6. Meet with the people who evaluate your child. The school must provide you with written results from your child’s evaluation. But you can get more than a written summary. Arrange a meeting with the people who’ve evaluated her to discuss the results and whether educational objectives are being met or need to be changed. If you disagree with the results of the evaluation you can request an independent one.

7. Understand the Individual Education Plan. You must become familiar with the IEP process in order to effectively advocate for a child with a learning disorder. An IEP is a personalized education plan that takes into account a child’s specific needs and outlines a modified curriculum with practical goals for academic success. Parents, teachers, special education experts and any other specialists on a child’s team should participate in the development of the IEP. They should also carefully monitor the child’s progress on the IEP, assess whether he is meeting educational goals and coordinate more support if needed.

8. Monitor your child’s moods. A large number of children with psychiatric disorders also struggle with learning disorders. In fact, roughly half of all children with ADHD have dyslexia and half of all children with learning disorders develop chronic depression in adulthood. As a parent, one of the most important things you can do is trust your intuition when your child’s behavior seems abnormal. Pay attention to changes in her personality and mood in the same way you watch for rising and falling grades. Her academic achievement is intimately tied to her emotional well-being.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 | 25

Welcome to the

Book Nook! By Debbie Trask

You Are Your Child’s First Teacher, Third Edition: Encouraging Your Child’s Natural Development from Birth to Age Six by Rahima Baldwin Dancy

The first book in America to popularize the insights of Rudolf Steiner, founder of the Waldorf schools, regarding the developmental needs of young children, this revised and updated edition offers new ways for parents and educators to enrich the lives of children from birth to age six. Today’s society often pressures us into overstimulating young children with flashcards, workbooks, videos and electronic gadgets in a wellmeaning attempt to give them a head start. But children are not little adults—they learn and grow in radically different ways at different ages, and what we do to help could actually hurt instead. Some of the most important learning years happen before your child reaches school. In You Are Your Child’s First Teacher, respected Waldorf educator Rahima Baldwin Dancy explains the different stages of learning that children go through from birth to age six, giving you the wisdom and understanding to enrich your child’s natural development in the right way at the right time. A trusted classic for over 20 years, this newly revised edition contains updated resources and additional information on discipline, early childhood programs, toilet training, using home life as curriculum and more. From language and cognitive development to appropriate toys and nourishing your child’s artistic abilities, Dancy speaks up for a rational approach to child-rearing, one that helps children be children while we fulfill our important role as parents and first teachers. 26 | ST JOHNS PARENT M A G A Z I N E

The Ultimate Guide to Raising Teens and Tweens: Strategies for Unlocking Your Child’s Full Potential by Douglas Haddad

Are you concerned or frustrated with the choices your child makes when it comes to their peer groups, study habits, and use of social media? Do you feel your child is pushing you away and your connection is weakening? Are you unsure of the next steps you should take to help your child succeed? A whole new set of parenting concerns arise during tween and teenhood that can be overwhelming for any parent. The Ultimate Guide to Raising Teens and Tweens offers a step-by-step plan for raising your adolescent through this tumultuous time. Douglas Haddad provides specific, proven tools for you to help your child become a problem solver and grow to be smart, successful and self-disciplined. In The Ultimate Guide to Raising Teens and Tweens, you will: • Discover the secrets of effective communication with your child • Learn the techniques to stop behavior problems right in their tracks when they happen • Know the strategies to best motivate your child and unlock their potential • Find out how to set appropriate limits and hold your child accountable for their actions • Understand today’s “child-limiting challenges” and the solutions for handling them with your child Every parent wants the best for their child, and these years can be fraught with challenges: bullying, violence, gambling, sex, smoking, alcohol, substance use, eating disorders, depression, suicide, unhealthy eating, lack of physical activity, etc. Making sense of these challenges, this book offers exercises for incorporating the 10 child

unlimited tools into your parenting style and anecdotes to illustrate strategies and techniques. Supported by current research, the tools found in these pages will serve as a guide for any family with tweens or teens.

Rethinking School: How to Take Charge of Your Child’s Education by Susan Wise Bauer

Our K–12 school system isn’t a good fit for all—or even most—students. It prioritizes a single way of understanding the world over all others, pushes children into a rigid set of grades with little regard for individual maturity and slaps “disability” labels on differences in learning style. Caught in this system, far too many young learners end up discouraged. This informed, compassionate and practical guidebook will show you how to take control of your child’s K–12 experience and negotiate the school system in a way that nurtures your child’s mind, emotions and spirit. • Understand why we have 12 grades and why we match them to ages. • Evaluate your child’s maturity, and determine how to use that knowledge to your advantage. • Find out what subject areas we study in school, why they exist—and how to tinker with them. • Discover what learning disabilities and intellectual giftedness are, how they can overlap, how to recognize them and how those labels can help (or hinder) you. • Work effectively with your child’s teachers, tutors and coaches. • Learn to teach important subjects yourself. • Challenge accepted ideas about homework and standardized testing. • Help your child develop a vision for the future. • Reclaim your families’ priorities (including time for eating together, playing, imagining, traveling and, yes, sleeping!). • Plan for college—or apprenticeships. • Consider out-of-the-box alternatives. A groundbreaking approach to building learning habits for life, based on a major new study revealing what works – and what doesn’t

The Yes Brain: How to Cultivate Courage, Curiosity, and Resilience in Your Child by Daniel J. Siegel, Tina Payne Bryson

When facing contentious issues such as screen time, food choices and bedtime, children often act out or shut down, responding with reactivity instead of receptivity. This is what New York Times bestselling authors Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson call a No Brain response. But our kids can be taught to approach life with openness and curiosity. When kids work from a Yes Brain, they’re more willing to take chances and explore. They’re more curious and imaginative. They’re better at relationships and handling adversity. In The Yes Brain, the authors give parents skills, scripts and activities to bring kids of all ages into the beneficial “yes” state. You’ll learn • the four fundamentals of the Yes Brain—balance, resilience, insight and empathy—and how to strengthen them • the key to knowing when kids need a gentle push out of a comfort zone vs. needing the “cushion” of safety and familiarity • strategies for navigating away from negative behavioral and emotional states (aggression and withdrawal) and expanding your child’s capacity for positivity

Between Parent and Child by Dr. Haim G. Ginott

This revolutionary book offered a straightforward prescription for empathetic yet disciplined child rearing and introduced new communication techniques that would change the way parents spoke with, and listened to, their children. Dr. Ginott’s innovative approach to parenting has influenced an entire generation of experts in the field, and now his methods can work for you, too. In this revised edition, Dr. Alice Ginott, clinical psychologist and wife of the late Haim Ginott, and family relationship specialist Dr. H. Wallace Goddard usher this bestselling classic into the new century while retaining F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 | 27

the book’s positive message and Haim Ginott’s warm, accessible voice. Based on the theory that parenting is a skill that can be learned, this indispensable handbook will show you how to: • Discipline without threats, bribes, sarcasm and punishment • Criticize without demeaning, praise without judging and express anger without hurting • Acknowledge rather than argue with children’s feelings, perceptions and opinions • Respond so that children will learn to trust and develop self-confidence

The Learning Habit: A Groundbreaking Approach to Homework and Parenting that Helps Our Children Succeed in School and Life

by Stephanie Donaldson-Pressman, Rebecca Jackson, Robert Dr. Pressman Life is different for kids today. Between standardized testing, the Common Core Curriculum, copious homework assignments and seemingly endless amounts of “screen time,” it’s hard for kids – and parents – to know what’s most essential. How can parents help their kids succeed – not just do well “on the test” — but develop the learning habits they’ll need to thrive throughout their lives? This important and parent-friendly book presents new solutions based on the largest study of family routines ever conducted. The Learning Habit offers a blueprint for navigating the maze of homework, media use and the everyday stress that families with school-age children face; turning those “stress times” into opportunities to develop the eight critical skills kids will need to succeed in college and in the highly competitive job market of tomorrow – skills including concentration and focus, time management, decision-making, goal-setting and selfreliance. Along with hands-on advice and compelling real-life case studies, the book includes 21 fun family challenges for parents and kids, bringing together the latest research with simple everyday solutions to help kids thrive, academically and beyond. 28 | ST JOHNS PARENT M A G A Z I N E

The WholeBrain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind

by Daniel J. Siegel, Tina Payne Bryson

In this pioneering, practical book, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling Mindsight, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson offer a revolutionary approach to child rearing with 12 key strategies that foster healthy brain development, leading to calmer, happier children. The authors explain—and make accessible—the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures. The “upstairs brain,” which makes decisions and balances emotions, is under construction until the midtwenties. And especially in young children, the right brain and its emotions tend to rule over the logic of the left brain. No wonder kids throw tantrums, fight or sulk in silence. By applying these discoveries to everyday parenting, you can turn any outburst, argument or fear into a chance to integrate your child’s brain and foster vital growth. Complete with age-appropriate strategies for dealing with day-to-day struggles and illustrations that will help you explain these concepts to your child, The Whole-Brain Child shows you how to cultivate healthy emotional and intellectual development so that your children can lead balanced, meaningful and connected lives.

The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease

Reading aloud to children was once a common practice, and it is beginning to regain popularity again. Whether you have been reading to your children all along or have just decided to start, Trelease’s book is a great resource. It tells why you should read, why life is better with less television, how to read to kids of all ages and how to enjoy every minute of it. What is more, it has a comprehensive list of the best books to read to children, from picture books for the very young to chapter books for older children.

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