THE BACK TO SCHOOL MANIFESTO

By Leslie Courtney

Wait, summer is over? I have to start thinking about lunches, backpacks, and getting that one kid out of bed who refuses to put their feet on the floor? Indeed, whatever the grade, whatever the school, the business and carpool lanes await, so it's time to take the pledge.

I WILL PLAN AHEAD: TURN NIGHT INTO MORNING: Yes, you're tired after dinner. I get it. But your mornings will only run as smoothly as your prep the night before. Whether it’s packing lunch, picking out outfits, even prepping a light breakfast or signing the field trip note, the more you do the night before, the easier school mornings become.

I WILL SET MORNING INTENTIONS: Maximize your day by getting up 30-40 minutes early. Take a deep breath and focus your thoughts on the day ahead. Set a positive intention, which can also be just a word: patience, positivity, or loving-kindness. Visualize yourself achieving this goal, allowing it to guide your actions and interactions with your family.

I WILL DELEGATE TASKS:

• Create a chore chart with age-appropriate tasks, such as making beds, packing lunches, or cleaning their rooms.

• Establish clear expectations and rewards for completing chores.

• Encourage responsibility and teamwork by rotating tasks regularly.

• Provide guidance and support to help them succeed.

I WILL TAKE A MEDITATION BREAK: Here are two meditation apps that can be beneficial for stressed-out caregivers:

• Insight Timer: A free meditation app with a vast collection of guided meditations and music tracks from various teachers and traditions.

• Calm: Another well-known meditation app providing guided meditations, sleep stories, breathing exercises, and relaxing music. It has a dedicated section called "Calm Kids" offering suitable meditation and mindfulness exercises for children. While these apps provide guidance and support, it's important to find what works best for you personally, as everyone's meditation journey is unique.

I WILL SCHEDULE SOME "ME" TIME: Make it a point to prioritize "me" time and allow yourself the freedom to schedule activities that bring you joy. Treat yourself, explore a new yoga or pilates class, or embark on a pickleball adventure. These moments can help restore balance to your day, and in doing so you will find yourself feeling more energized and prepared to tackle the rest of your agenda.

I WILL EMBRACE NEW BEGINNINGS: Remember, amidst the busyness, savor the small moments that make this time of year special.

▸ For meditation guidance, consider contacting Shine-On Yoga in Weston, where Leslie Courtney—a certified Yoga teacher/trainer, Reiki Master, and Luxury Real Estate Agent on the Sklar team at Coldwell Banker Realty—can provide assistance. Reach out to Leslie directly at 954-648-5440, email her at LeslieCourtney1@gmail.com, or follow her on Instagram @lesliecourtneyrealtor.

PRESCHOOLS/SCHOOLS

American Master Academy

13900 Griffin Rd, Southwest Ranches amaofl.com

954-237-0905

American Master Academy of Florida empowers children and cadets to strive in an environment that demands standards of conduct, ethical behavior, integrity, spiritual values, community service and competition.

Apple Tree Montessori School

6301 SW 160th Ave (Dykes Road), Southwest Ranches appletreemont.com

954-252-9250

Apple Tree Montessori School is a PreK-8 school that uses the Montessori method to encourage independence and freedom with limits and responsibility. It also allows for the child to grow independently and encourages the self-absorption. Students have been encouraged to exchange ideas and to discuss their work freely with others by using good communication skills to ease the way in their new setting.

Beth Emet School

4807 S Flamingo Rd, Cooper City templebethemet.org

954-680-1882

Beth Emet School is committed to helping students reach their full potential through a challenging, advanced curriculum with a warm, supportive environment that promotes critical thinking, creative expression, self-esteem, emotional learning and Jewish ethics.

Creative Child Learning Center

150 Weston Road, Sunrise creativechildlearningcenter.com

954-389-8245

Creative Child Learning Center® is committed to providing children with a loving, nurturing, environment allowing for social and emotional growth. Hands-on learning is accomplished through creativity, self-expression, and good old-fashioned fun. It offers programs for children from one-year-old through pre-kindergarten.

Greentree Preparatory Charter School

6301 SW 160th Ave, Southwest Ranches cambridgepreschools.com

954-780-8733

Greentree Prep has a mission to prepare K-8 students for high academic achievement and personal success. The school was designated as one of the top 3 performing schools in Broward County according to FSA scores in 2014. Greentree Prep enrolls students in grades K-8.

NSU University School

3375 SW 75th Ave, Davie uschool.nova.edu

954-262-4506

NSU University School is an independent, college preparatory school that educates students in grades junior kindergarten through twelfth grade. The school prepares students for productive lives and leadership roles through a program that focuses on academic excellence, extracurricular participation, and service to others.

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Sagemont Preparatory School

1570 Sagemont Way, Weston sagemont.com

954-384-5454

Sagemont Preparatory School inspires academic excellence, through intellectual exploration, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Students in Pre-k through grade 12 are encouraged to take responsible risks and develop a deep understanding of social responsibility as active agents of change.

Temple Dor Dorim Early Childhood Education Center

2360 Glades Circle, Weston dordorim.org

954-389-1232

At Temple Dor Dorim Early Childhood Center / Preschool, we believe in the power of creative play. It fosters hands-on experiences that promote developmental, cognitive, emotional, and social growth. Our curriculum emphasizes play, creating a warm and nurturing environment where children feel safe to explore and take risks in their world.

Tiny Planet Preschool

16098 W State Rd 84, Weston tinyplanet.education

954-384-4884

Tiny Planet Preschool is committed to providing the best educational experience possible in a loving and caring environment. It offers a bilingual curriculum and follows a multi-disciplinary approach to learning. At Tiny Planet, teachers incorporate the use of Mac computers, iPads, digital cameras, and Apple Smart TV, to support the learning in each of the classrooms.

Tree of Life Christian Academy

1250 SW 160th Ave, Weston treeoflifeacademy.com

954-440-0174

Tree of Life Christian Academy is committed to providing children with a higher level of care and education in a safe, nurturing, academically challenging and culturally diverse environment. The bilingual school combined two top-rated curriculums to create one unique high-level learning curriculum for its students. Tree of Life offers programs for children from infancy through pre-kindergarten.

ACTIVITIES & ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT

Academy of Arts

20841 Johnson St #113, Pembroke Pines academyofartsinc.com

954-704-0068

In the warm, caring environment of Academy of Arts, every student is special. Nurturing their love of the arts, by creating a class filled with positive learning experiences your child will be challenged in areas where his/her growing body and mind can benefit most. Academy of Arts teaches classes in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Drama, Art, Violin, Guitar, Piano, Voice for preschoolers through adults & from beginner through professional levels.

The Actor Academy

2600 Glades Circle, Suite 500, Weston theactoracademy.com

305-902-4163

The Actor Academy programs provide the training required to establish fundamental skills in acting for film. Teens and Kids learn professional on-camera and audition techniques in TAA's acting programs, working with professional coaches. Coaches are professionally trained actors, producers, casting directors, and musicians with college degrees in their profession. The Acting classes are designed to provide structure and creative fun to all our performers, from children to adult.

Broadway Kids Studio

9042 W State Rd 84, Davie broadwaykidsstudio.com

954-693-7500

Broadway Kids Studio's after school program offers kids 15 different acting and performing arts programs to choose from. The program is available to students ages 5 through 18.

British Swim School

1570 Sagemont Way, Weston britishswimschool.com

954-828-2881

Offering you easy access, located on The Sagemont School Upper Campus, the British Swim School program offers a variety of small group classes to suit the littlest of beginners through to advanced swimmers, adults and private classes. We also have open swim events, host birthday parties, summer camps, private event rentals and much more.

Broward Tutorial Services

5400 S University Dr #503, Davie browardtutorialservices.com

954-667-6500

Since 2004, Broward Tutorial Services has provided professional small group and one-on-one tutoring to help students attain their highest score on the SAT and/ or ACT exams. Students are taught skills to help manage the test, understand the questions, maximize what they know, eliminate mistakes, and recognize and avoid test traps.

Camp Lingua

4700 SW 160th Ave, Southwest Ranches camplingua.com

954-642-2267

Camp Lingua offers an after-school language program that uses a proven natural, multi-sensory approach, delivered by professional educators who utilize engaging materials, ensuring students’ success in the acquisition and mastery of a new language. It also offers customized tutoring tailored to the student’s proficiency level, learning style, and schedule.

Code Ninjas

1374 SW 160th Ave Suite E-3/E-4 codeninjas.com

954-954-727-8797

Code Ninjas teaches kids ho to code by building their very own video games. Their flexible coding programs for kids make it easy for parents. They offer flexible drop-in hours after school and on weekends. With programs for kids as young as five there is something for every aspiring computer scientist in your family.

Dance IQ

15904 W State Rd 84, Sunrise dance-iq.com

954-294-5503

Dance IQ is a non-competitive, all inclusive and safe environment for children and adults to evolve mentally and physically. The experienced team of instructors help students expand their creativity and social interaction. Registration is now open for the 2019-2020 classes

Elite Language Academy

1792 Bell Tower Ln, Weston elitelanguageacademy.org

754-307-0985

The professionals at Elite Language Academy want to take the agony out of choosing a language program that best suits you. They make it easy to compare courses, identify needs and select th solution that works best. Elite offers programs for High School students as well as professional English programs on their state-of-the-art web platform.

Fit Tennis Academy

100 Bonaventure Blvd, Weston, fittennisacademy.com

954-732-0588

At Fit Tennis Academy children develop skills to improve their tennis game including grip variations, footwork, stroke bio-mechanics, tactics, strategies, fitness and psychological strength. The program is built upon positive reinforcement, respect and encouragement as the key ingredients not only to create excellent players, but to also develop good values, discipline and character.

Heroes of Hip Hop

1960 N Commerce Pkwy #10 heroesofhiphop.net

954-306-0001

Heroes of Hip Hop is a premier dance studio offering dance classes for kids and teens at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Classes are taught by professional choreographers/instructors. Dancers learn the importance of performance, discipline and teamwork.

International Dance Academy

825 Shotgun Rd, Sunrise idaballet.com

954-476-4419

The International Dance Academy teaches classes in Ballet (including Royal Academy of Dance instruction and certification), Pointe, Repertoire, Contemporary, and Jazz. The studio presents two full-scale professional theatrical performances annually, including the beloved The Nutcracker ballet each December.

Okapi Wanderers Rugby Football Club

600 Indian Trace, Weston okapiwandersrugby.com info@okapiwandersrugby.com

Weston is home to the largest rugby football club in the state of Florida. Teams start at age six and continue all the way up to adult. There is no experience necessary. Teams welcome players of all levels and skill. Training and home games are at Tequesta Trace Park.

Premier Martial Arts

1375 Shotgun Rd, Sunrise premiermartialarts.com/weston 954-217-6006

The martial arts offer numerous health benefits, while at the same time teaching respect, discipline and self-control. At Premier Martial Arts, children learn to focus, how to concentrate and discipline. They also do this in a fun atmosphere where every child is cherished.

School of Rock

4401 S Flamingo Rd Ste 100, Davie schoolofrock.com

954-252-7625

At School of Rock, students learn guitar, bass, vocals, keyboards, and drums. The school combines weekly private music lessons and group band rehearsals to prepare students to take the stage in front of live audiences in an authentic concert setting.

TAG USA Gymnastics

15900 W State Rd 84, Weston taggymnastics.com

954-384-9393

TAG USA Gymnastics is both the “Home of Champions” and the most popular Gymnastics/Tumbling/Trampoline and Cheer facility in the area. TAG USA is proud to be home to 5 national champions in multiple sports. They also boast award winning recreational classes. Be sure to ask about their parkour area and after school programs.

XP League

1375 Shotgun Rd, Sunrise weston.xpl.gg

509-517-5973

XP League serves up a pro-level experience for gamers ages 8-17. Looking to prepare for high school, college, or professional gaming? Their athletes crush all their goals with next-level gaming strategies and experienced coaches.

WESTON Athletic League Baseball

20200 Saddle Club Rd, Weston westonathleticleague.org

Weston Athletic league offers programs for ball players at all levels, from T-ball through 18 year old Babe Ruth / The competitive/Recreational program plays games at Weston Regional Park, Tequesta Trace Park and Vista Park.

WESTON YMCA Family Center

20201 Saddle Club Rd, Weston ymcabroward.org

954-424-9622

At the YMCA, families come together to engage in programs that improve their health and well-being. The three areas of focus include youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

WESTON Warriors Football

600 Indian Trace, Weston westonwarriorssports.com

954-900-6050

The Weston Warriors tackle football club participates in the South Florida Youth Football League. They host both football and cheer teams for children ages 5-14 years old during their fall/winter season. A focus is on skills development and learning techniques for safe play.