2008-09 December Harker News Inserts

HARKER Summer Institute

Supplement to Harker News

Harker Summer Forensics Institute Mon., July 27 – Fri., Aug. 7 • 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Gr. 9-12 • Saratoga Campus Courses offered: •Policy Debate •Lincoln-Douglas Debate •Public Forum Debate •Parliamentary Debate •Student Congressional Debate •Limited Preparation Speeches •Interpretation Speeches •Platform Speeches

Students will work in their laboratory areas to learn about the event, prepare and research respective topic areas, and get ready for the upcoming competition year. This is the perfect opportunity for students to learn a new event or get a jump start on competitive success. Harker Forensics Institute is a fun, non-formal learning environment where students can advance their skills while making friends with other competitors in the community.

• Staff includes

national level coaches and former competitors

• 1:6 student to staff ratio

For more information visit www.harker.org **Space is limited, reserve early!

O of C: 525: 11/08 (RM)

Home&School Connection

®

Working Together for School Success December 2008

The Harker School Supplement to the Harker News

short notes

Homemade gifts

Does your family cele­ brate a holiday by giving gifts? Have everyone draw names from a hat and make gifts for each other. You’ll spark creativity and teach your child gener­ osity. Ideas: Put a seed packet in a flowerpot and paint a design on the pot; decorate plastic coat hangers by wrapping them in colorful ribbon.

Unplugged games

Cut back on video games by suggest­ ing that your child act out his favor­ ites instead of playing them. If he enjoys a game with characters who dodge obstacles, help him design an obstacle course in your living room using pillows and boxes. If he likes racing games, he can set up a race­ track for toy cars.

Busy hands

Make handwriting practice fun and keep your child occupied during errands. Carry postcards, paper, and pens in the car. Let her write notes to friends and relatives to mail at the post office. On the way to the store, dictate a shopping list, and have her add her own items.

Worth quoting “Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.”

Blaise Pascal

just for fun Q: What do you call a snowman with a suntan?

A: A puddle.

© 2008 Resources for Educators, a division of Aspen Publishers, Inc.

Good thinking!

Like our muscles, our brains need workouts. Your youngster will do better in all subjects if he knows how to think logi­ cally, solve problems, and use his imagination. Here are ideas for keeping your child’s mind in top shape.

Hide-and-seek clues

Pick a theme, such as winter.

Choose several objects related to your topic (warm hat, ice scraper).

Place a sticker on each item, and have your youngster search the house for things with those stickers. When he has them all, ask him to guess the theme.

Recycled creations

What can your child make from a milk jug? He might create an indoor basketball goal, a space station, or an ice cream truck. Encourage him to use art supplies (markers, colored tissue paper) and household materials (aluminum foil, paper clips) to finish his masterpieces.

1, 2, or 3?

Place 11 small objects (coins, cray­ ons) on the table. Take turns removing

School spirit

1, 2, or 3 items. Whoever takes the last object loses. See if your youngster can figure out a way that the first player can always win (answer: on your first turn, take two, and on your second turn, leave five for the other player).

Circle of meaning

Ask your child to choose two random words and try to find a connection between them. For example, he might pick surfing and tigers. People go surfing in the ocean. Whales swim in the ocean.

And whales are mammals, like tigers.

Then, let your youngster give you two words to link.♥

Showing interest and pride in your child’s school activities will motivate her to do her best. Try these ideas. n Plan school-related fun. Meet your youngster for lunch in the cafeteria once a month. Attend school events together, such as an art fair, a math night, or a talent show. n Recognize success. If your child writes a creative story, surprise her by “publishing it.”

You can type it and staple the pages together into a book for her to illustrate. When she brings home a good grade on a vocabulary quiz, congratulate her at the dinner table and post it on the refrigerator. ♥

Home & School Connection

December 2008 • Page 2

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Doing your part

should be donated. Then, let her choose a charity (church group, homeless shelter), and take her along to drop off the giveaway clothes.

Teach your youngster to be a good citizen by helping her help others. She just may start a new habit that the whole family can feel good about. Try these suggestions: s “Adopt” a neighbor who is sick, older, or lives alone. Your child can call the neighbor regularly to check in with her. Together, you could take in her mail, shovel the walk, or play cards with her. s Hold a “charity fashion show.” Have your youngster model last year’s clothing, and together decide whether it still fits or

s Throw a party and ask guests to bring donations. Your youngster might collect canned goods for a food pantry, pet supplies for an animal shelter, or toiletries for military care packages.♥

Q Vacation &

A

schedules

Q: We’re visiting family during winter break, and we wish we had more time. Would it be okay for our son to miss a few days of school?

A: Children learn best when they’re in school every day. You’re right to sched­ ule your trip during your son’s break, but try to time it so he won’t be out any extra days.

Being absent causes him to miss lessons and assignments and sends the message that learning isn’t a top priority.

Also, schools normally won’t excuse absences that aren’t caused by illness or emergencies.

Finally, keep in mind that youngsters can lose skills during school breaks.

Take advantage of learing opportunities whenever possible. For example, your child might help you plan a vacation budget and keep track of money you spend. Or suggest that he write about his trip in a diary every day. ♥ O ur

P urpo s e

To provide busy parents with practical ideas that promote school success, parent involvement, and more effective parenting.

Resources for Educators, a division of Aspen Publishers, Inc. 128 N. Royal Avenue • Front Royal, VA 22630 540-636-4280 • rfecustomer@wolterskluwer.com www.rfeonline.com ISSN 1540-5621 © 2008 Resources for Educators, a division of Aspen Publishers, Inc.

s Share a hobby or an interest with others. For example, your child could teach a younger neighbor to knit or make jewelry. If she likes to read, your family could offer to read to seniors in a nursing home.

ent Par to Parent

History that hits home

While walking in our city’s down­ town area, my daughter spotted the visitors center. Sarah asked what it was for, so we went inside.

The manager explained that visitors stop by to learn about our town’s history and discover fun things to do here.

Then, she showed us photos of some of our area’s original buildings. Sarah couldn’t believe that her school started out with just one room. She was also surprised that her favorite diner had been the first restaurant in town.

Since Sarah was so interested, the manager suggested we stop by a local history museum. There, we saw horse-drawn buggies, farm equipment, and old-fashioned dresses. We tried to imagine what life was like before cars or malls.

On our way out, Sarah picked up some brochures about other historic places nearby. We decided to pick one to visit every month.♥

activit y corner

Library spy

Teach your child to find books in a library with this version of I Spy. Together, go through the children’s fiction section in your public library.

Show your youngster that the books are arranged in alpha­ betical order by the author’s last name.

Then, give him clues about one of the books. For Ralph the Mouse, you might say, “I

spy a book about a mouse. The author’s last name is Cleary.” Your child should go through the “C” authors for Beverly Cleary’s books. He can look at a few to see which one has a mouse. When he guesses, it’s his turn to choose a book for you to find.

With a little prac­ tice, your child will get more comfortable with how library books are organized.

Plus, he’s likely to want to read the books he “spies.”♥

HARKER

Supplement to Harker News

ADMISSION OFFICE

Dear Harker Family, Year after year we know that many of our wonderful, new Harker students found out about us through YOU. So we thought it would be nice to give you an official “heads-up” about our upcoming admission events in case you know of families through work, your neighborhood or your gym who you think would be a great fit for Harker.

Our event dates are posted under ADMISSIONS on our Web site, and we’re also recapping them here. Feel free to call us if you have any questions, or want to alert us of someone special you have coming to one of these events so we can give them extra special treatment.

Many thanks, and have a wonderful year!

Harker Admission Office

OPEN HOUSE DATES Gr. 9-12 Thu., Dec. 4 Program begins 6:30 p.m.

Gr. 6-8 Sun., Dec. 7 Program begins 11 a.m.

K-Gr. 5 Lower School events have been held . Contact admission office for tours.

Thu., Jan. 8 • Tue., Jan. 13 Fri., Jan. 23 • Thu., Jan. 29 Special tours for our prospective kindergarten parents to see the school in action, visit classrooms, enjoy warm cookies and ask questions!

Advance registration required.

Contact admissionls@harker.org or 408.871.4662 to reserve a space.

www.harker.org OofC: 11/08 (RM)