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2015
a blank slate media / litmor publications special section • august 28, 2015
S2 Back to school • News Times Newspapers, Friday, August 28, 2015
Safety tips for school bus riders M any students take the bus to school twice a day, five days a week. Approximately 26 million elementary and secondary school children ride school buses daily in the United States, and the U.S. Department of Transportation says more than 50 percent of all K-12 students in the country ride yellow school buses, traveling approximately 4 billion miles each year.
The vast majority of these miles are traveled without incident. In fact, according to the National Safety Council, the national school bus accident rate is 0.01 per 100 miles traveled, compared to 0.96 for other passenger vehicles, which makes school buses considerably safer than other passenger vehicles. Though school buses are safe, there are other ways to make them even safer. Children, especially those new to school buses, may find the bus fun and unique and not pay attention to simple safety rules. But parents should take steps to ensure that youngsters always heed the following school bus safety guidelines.
available. Students assigned seats on the bus should take their seat without making a fuss.
• Keep backpacks and other belongings out of the center aisle. Store them under your seat or on your lap. • Remain seated at all times while the bus is in motion. • Keep arms, hands, legs, and heads inside of the bus at all times.
• Wait for the bus in a safe location that is away from traffic, ideally staying in a designated school bus stop until the bus arrives.
• Always follow the driver’s instructions and avoid situations that will cause driver distraction.
• Dress for optimal visibility, especially in inclement weather when it can be difficult for the school bus driver and other motorists to see pedestrians.
• Wait for the bus to stop completely before standing up or attempting to exit.
• Do not board the bus until it comes to a complete stop. Wait for the driver to open the door, which engages the “Stop” sign for oncoming motorists. • Use the handrail and enter the bus in an orderly manner. • Promptly find a seat, sit down and buckle the safety belt if there is one
• Exit the bus in an orderly manner, without pushing fellow passengers. • Only cross the street in front of the bus. It is very difficult for the driver to see students crossing behind the bus. • Wait for the driver to check traffic before crossing the street and be on the lookout for inattentive motorists.
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News Times Newspapers, Friday, August 28, 2015 • Back to school
Join the hundreds of students who have committed to
THE LIU POST EXPERIENCE Offering more than 200 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs and certificates, LIU Post delivers a unique college experience for every student seeking academic enrichment and professional opportunity. Upon graduation, our students join a community of more than 200,000 alumni to become global leaders in fields that include:
• Accounting • The Arts • Health Sciences
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Incoming freshmen, transfer, and graduate students are invited to apply in person and receive an on-the-spot admission decision.
Contact LIU Post today post-enroll@liu.edu or 516-299-2900
liu.edu/apply
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S4 Back to school • News Times Newspapers, Friday, August 28, 2015
Creating a helpful homework atmosphere for your children homework free from distraction.
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lassrooms conducive to learning may go a long way toward helping students understand the subjects they study in school, but the environment kids encounter at home also plays a big role in how well kids do in their studies. A homework-friendly atmosphere at home can facilitate learning, and there are many ways parents can create such an environment for their school-aged children.
Choose the right location for the homework room. When choosing an area of your home where kids will do their homework, avoid rooms adjacent to the kitchen and living room, as these rooms tend to be popular and subject to heavy foot traffic. But don’t choose a room that’s too far away from the hustle and bustle, such as the basement, as that may make kids feel as though they are being punished. In addition, you want to be able to periodically check in on kids to see if they need help and make sure they aren’t spending their homework time surfing the Internet or procrastinating. Designate a homework zone in a distraction-free area of your home. Some youngsters are easily distracted, and those distractions come in many forms. A living room where the television is blaring, a noisy kitchen where dinner is being prepared and a room where pets can roam free are not ideal homework areas, as each can take kids’ attention away from their assignments. Designate a room in your home that is quiet and well lit so kids can do their
Keep the homework room clean. A cluttered homework room may be less appealing to children, and such disorganization also can distract kids from the tasks at hand. Encourage kids to keep their homework rooms clean, and help them clean up if need be. Supplies and other items kids need should be easily accessible in the homework room so kids are not wasting time looking for items they need to complete their homework.
Let kids rest or relax before starting their homework. Another element of a good homework atmosphere is letting kids unwind between getting home from school and cracking open the books. A break between school and homework time can help kids focus better on their studies. In the interim between arriving home from school and starting on their homework, give kids a healthy snack that can provide an extra jolt of energy they can use once they start their homework. Evaluate how the homework zone is working. Once an ample amount of time has passed, examine how kids are performing on their homework assignments. If they are doing well, then there is no reason to break up the current routine. If they are struggling, ask them if there is anything about the current setup they dislike and address those issues accordingly. Kids rarely look forward to doing their homework. But the right atmosphere can make homework seem like less of a chore and more of an opportunity for kids to apply themselves.
News Times Newspapers, Friday, August 28, 2015 • Back to school
Ballet • Tap • Hip-Hop • Jazz • Lyrical Contemporary • Competition Team
Registration & Open House Aug. 25-27, 4-7pm; Sept. 1-3, 11am-7pm
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S6 Back to school • News Times Newspapers, Friday, August 28, 2015
Tips to land a good internship tend to get an internship in the coming school year or during summer break, you can begin to explore potential opportunities that might interest you when the time to start seeking internships does arrive. Looking early may yield valuable information, such as courses that would improve your chances of landing an internship, that your fellow students who hesitate or procrastinate won’t have.
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any college students recognize the value of internships. Internships can help college students start building their resumes before they even earn their degrees, and those experiences can give them an edge in a competitive postgraduate job market.
Landing internships gives students some firsthand experience within a given profession, and that exposure can help them decide if a projected career path is right for them or if it’s good to go back to the drawing board. The following are a few tips to help college students land an internship and
make the most of the opportunity. Don’t hesitate. Though many internships are tailored to students with a year or two of college under their belt, that doesn’t mean freshman can’t begin to explore potential opportunities. Even if you don’t in-
Speak with the career placement specialists at your school. Career placement departments at colleges and universities are an increasingly valuable resource for today’s college students, many of whom will graduate and face an uncertain and crowded job market. But career placement departments are not just a resource for grads. Such departments can be valuable tools for current students interested in landing internships. If you don’t know where to begin your internship search or simply want to see if any opportunities have opened up, speak with
representatives at the career placement department at your school. Look the part on such visits, dressing nicely and bringing a resume. Doing so might just separate you from your fellow students, and that can only help as you begin your search for an internship. Ask around among friends and family members. Sometimes you need a little help to land a good internship, so don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family members if they’re aware of any opportunities. Adult relatives might be aware of internship opportunities at their companies before the general public, and there’s no shame in seeking help as you try to take the first step toward a rewarding career. In addition to friends and family members, inquire about your college or university’s alumni network. Many alumni look to hire students from their universities for internships or even entry-level positions, so make the most of this potentially valuable resource.
News Times Newspapers, Friday, August 28, 2015 • Back to school
It’s an exciting time at
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your home away from home! Join our growing school family and experience the warm, nurturing environment we’re known for! EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CENTER: Programs offered for 6 months - 5 years Outstanding Kindergarten-readiness program Emergent curriculum, with daily enrichment in art, computers, sports, music Flexible scheduling, extended day available Celebrate Shabbat, Jewish holidays and traditions $300 tuition credit if you refer a friend RELIGIOUS SCHOOL: Exceptional experiential K-12 curriculum that integrates technology into the classroom Grades K-2 & 7: Monday only! Grades 3-6: Mondays & Wednesdays Grades 8-12: “Wednesdays with the Rabbi” features frank conversations about topics that are important to today’s teens, social action, field trips and PIZZA!
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21 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury, NY 11568 516.333.5949 • www.owhc.org • education@owhc.org
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S8 Back to school • News Times Newspapers, Friday, August 28, 2015
AMERICAN
THEATER DANCE Workshop
Register Now For Fall: Classes In:
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Helpful tips for choosing a major
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999 Herricks Road New Hyde Park, NY 11040 www.americantheaterdance.com
BALLET TO BROADWAY VISIT OUR WEB SITE FOR COMPLETE DETAILS:
PDE specializes in evaluations of learning disabilities including:
• Dyslexia
• ADHD
• Autism
Our psychologists are experts in identifying problems that affect learning and provide individualized recommendations tailored to the specific strengths and weaknesses of the client. If you or your child are currently experiencing problems in school, please contact us at 516-240-8212 for a free phone consultation or visit us at www.psychdxny.com.
ERIN MCDONOUGH, Ph.D. 1225 Franklin Ave • Suite 325 Garden City, NY 11530 mcdonough.e@gmail.com 516.240.8212 www.psychdxny.com
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hoosing a major is an important decision for college students. The right major can set students on a path to a rewarding and successful career, which can lead to a more fulfilling life. The gravity of such a decision is one reason many college students delay choosing their majors until after they enter college. Students often find entering college as an undecided affords them the opportunity to explore various courses of study without committing themselves to any particular subject. Though that approach can work while students are still underclassmen, many advisors recommend students choose a major before their third year of college. The following tips can help students ensure they make the right decision about which path to take for the remainder of their college careers. Visit your school’s career center. College career centers are a great resource for college students as they narrow down their options concerning a major. Many career centers have programs in place designed to match students’ interests and personalities with courses of study. Utilize these programs if you are having trouble matching an interest with a major. Take action. Classrooms can be great places to discover a passion for a particular field of study, but lectures or entry-level courses are not always enough to spark interest. If there are particular fields of study that interest you, find extracurricular clubs that are associated with those majors. Such clubs may host speakers or seminars
that can give you greater insight into the field than you might glean from the classroom. Attend such events when possible, and bring any questions you might have about the course of study they are associated with. Speak to upperclassmen. Underclassmen may make up the majority of students in entry-level courses, but you may encounter some upperclassmen who have already chosen their majors in such classes from time to time. Such students can be valuable resources for other students looking to gain greater insight into courses of study. Ask about particular classes and professors who upperclassmen found particularly engaging and encouraging. Pursue an internship. The hands-on experience provided by an internship is a great way for students to learn if a particular line of work is for them. Internships can provide an insider’s look into particular professions and industries. While internships might once have been designated for older students, many businesses now have more relaxed eligibility requirements regarding their internship programs, making it possible for students of all grade levels to gain some practical professional experience while still in school. Choosing a major is one of the most important decisions young students will make. Taking a careful and thoughtful approach to such a decision can help students select majors that leads to rewarding careers.
News Times Newspapers, Friday, August 28, 2015 • Back to school
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S10 Back to school • News Times Newspapers, Friday, August 28, 2015
Want to keep you child on Target for the next school year? Call S.E.E.D.S. of the Willistons TODAY 516-742-5243
CLASSICAL SCHOOL OF BALLET, LI (formerly Children’s School of Ballet)
Ballet At It’s Finest...
Did you know that most students lose 1-2 months of knowledge during the summer? Don’t let that happen to your child. For more information or to reserve a group, contact S.E.E.D.S. today! (516) 742-5243. Conveniently located in the heart of Williston Park, all services performed by licensed and insured professionals. One reason for our success is the professionals at S.E.E.D.S tailor each group based on your child’s specific needs. Smaller groups allow us to offer individualized attention.
...join Long Island’s premier ballet school Classes begin September 19 Garden City locations 516-476-3339 www.classicalschoolofballetli.com carolyn@classicalschoolofballetli.com
(Speech, Education, Evaluation & Developmental Services)
Eileen M. Devaney, MS, CC-SLP, Director 129A Hillside Avenue, Williston Park, NY 11596 Tel: 516-742-5243 Fax: 516-742-3536 www.seedsofthewillistons.com
Carolyn Zettel-Augustyn, Director
UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP (Formerly Swan Lake Salon)
Back to School Special
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News Times Newspapers, Friday, August 28, 2015 • Back to school
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Tips for adults returning to school
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dults return to school for a variety of reasons. Some might be spurred by a desire to pursue a new career, while others might go back to school to learn more about their existing field and improve their career prospects. While their reasons for returning to school may differ, many adults find themselves battling some nerves as they begin the process of going back to the classroom.
Feelings of doubt are common among adults returning to school. But there are steps all adult students can take to reduce their anxiety and make the most of the often exciting experience of going back to school. Start slow. Unlike more traditional college students, adults returning to school tend to have significant responsibilities, including families
and careers. Juggling work and family is difficult on its own, but doing so along with college coursework is even harder. Adult students returning to school after a long layoff would be wise to take things slowly at first so they and their families can gradually adjust to their new schedules. Many schools now offer online courses, which can be especially beneficial for working professionals.
Have a plan. Many adults only return to school when they know exactly what they want to study or which courses they need to take to complete a degree or earn a certificate. If you have not already mapped out such a plan, do so before enrolling in any classes. The cost of a college education has no doubt increased considerably since you last stepped foot on campus, so you don’t
want to be signing up for costly classes that will not help you accomplish what you hope to accomplish by returning to school. Research your options. Just because you are an adult returning to school does not mean you are ineligible for scholarships or other forms of financial aid. The United States Department of Labor maintains a scholarship search engine at www.careerinfonet.org where students of all ages and academic levels can search for scholarships, grants and other financial aid opportunities to determine if they are eligible for some help paying for tuition. In addition, adults returning to school may want to discuss their plans with their employers, especially if they are looking to continue working in their current fields. Employers may have programs in place to
subsidize employees looking to continue their education. Don’t be discouraged. Many adults mulling a return to school are hesitant to do so because they feel as if they will be the only older students in classrooms filled with millennials. However, the National Center for Education Statistics predicts a 14 percent increase in enrollment of students 25 and older between 2011 and 2021, suggesting that adults going back to school are unlikely to be the only graybeards in their classrooms. Returning to college as an adult can be both exciting and overwhelming. But adults need not be nervous about returning to the classroom, even if it has been quite some time since they last stepped on a college campus.
At The Mary Louis Academy, you will own your voice— distinctive, confident, intelligent, creative, and empowered— a voice that will be one of your greatest assets in life.
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S12 Back to school • News Times Newspapers, Friday, August 28, 2015 AL ION NAT PIONS M CHA 3-2004 200 -2010 9 200 UP 5 1 LE C TRIP S IN 20 NER ANCE, N I W , TD BES DEBUT ING T BES RFORM DIO T PE BES RTS STU A
T BES UDIO T S UT DEB ERSHEY S H AL ION NAT & 2013 2 201
Con gra Cho ts On Be reog st Miss raphy Jr. & D ebbi Sr. C e “Kn hallenge ock on W Winner “Bas s ood” sa N o & “ W va Baby ” oma n”
BEST DANCE SCHOOL -2015 Nationals BEST DEBUT SCHOOL -2015 Nationals
Broadway Bound
Dance Center of Garden Cit y Celebrating Our 12th year in Garden City Registration Dates 2015/2016 Season New students welcome: Aug. 28th & 29th 11am-3pm Sept. 3rd, 4th & 5th 10am-5pm Please “Register” early so we can accommodate your class choice. Registration Is Limited and Classes Fill Up Fast. Thank You, Miss Debbie
Fall Classes Start Tuesday, September 8th
Dancing for the Serious and Not So Serious Ages 2 1/2 through Adult Company Classes - Auditions needed Beginners through Advance Professional and Dedicated Staff
JAZZ • TAP • BALLET • LYRICAL ACRO • HIP HOP CLASSES
Musical Theatre classes also available
Musical Theatre - sing, dance and act in one great class, performs at annual Christmas show & has their own musical theatre production. Offered Fridays in Garden City only. Broadway Bound Dance Center of Garden City would like to thank Garden City and the neighboring towns for their unending support and talented children who made our 11th recital such a great and wonderful success!
66 New Hyde Park Road, Garden City
(516) 616-1601
Signs a tutor might be necessary
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chool is not always easy, and some students struggle as they transition from grade to grade. As students get older, some who may have experienced smooth sailing as youngsters may find they need some extra help grasping the material as coursework becomes more complicated. Those who need some extra clarification and reinforcement may first turn to their parents. But parents may not be familiar with certain subjects or capable of explaining certain concepts in terms kids can understand. In such situations, tutors can prove to be valuable resources to get kids back on the right academic track. One-on-one attention from a tutor can benefit all types of learners. Students who discover newfound success under the guidance of a tutor may have more self-confidence in the classroom. Parents wondering if a tutor can help their children may want to consider the following indicators that students may need tutors. Consistently falling grades: Tutors may be necessary for students whose grades are gradually on the decline. First speak with your child’s teachers, who may recommend tutors that specialize in certain subjects.
Confusion in and out of the classroom: Some kids struggle to grasp certain concepts, and such confusion can sometimes be remedied with the kind of intense study available in tutoring sessions.
Low confidence: Some kids’ confidence wanes when their grades suffer. Kids whose grades have been on the decline may feel a sense of defeat even before they take a test or work on an assignment. Tutors can help restore confidence by creating small victories that slowly build up to larger successes. Indifference to coursework: No student will be captivated by every subject he or she studies, but there should be some subjects that students find engaging. Students battling indifference toward their coursework may benefit from a dynamic tutor who can present subject matter in new ways and revive students’ interest. Students who are struggling in the classroom may need some extra help outside the classroom, and many tutors are adept at reviving interest in subjects kids are studying at school. Some teachers may recommend certain tutors, while others may do some tutoring work themselves.
News Times Newspapers, Friday, August 28, 2015 • Back to school
GERMAN LESSONS CHILDREN
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S14 Back to school • News Times Newspapers, Friday, August 28, 2015
Easing the high school transition
A MISS KRISTIN PRODUCTION
516.280.4090
2374 Jericho Turnpike, Garden City Park www.thestudiogcp.com
Dance Into Fall
Registration For September Starts Now!!! Mon - Thurs 4-7pm THE STUDIO - Where children are taught confidence through dance. Recitals are optional and held at a local professional theater.
Ages 2-Adult
Entering freshmen can take several steps to make their transition to high school easier.
• Ballet • Tap • Jazz • Acro • Hip Hop • Lyrical • Contemporary • Zumba For Boys: Tap and Tumble, Hip Hop
Garden City Jewish Center Rabbi Stephen Wise Goodman
Although starting high school can be an overwhelming experience full of change, there are many ways for students to ease this transition.
168 Nassau Boulevard Garden City, NY 11530 516-248-9180 We are a warm and friendly Reform congregation where everyone is welcome – Jews of all denominations, dual-faith families, singles and students. Just some of the benefits of belonging to our congregation: • Reasonable Membership Dues (discounted the 1st year for new members) and No Building Fund • Choose your own Bat /Bar Mitzvah date • Three (3) hour “Sundays-only” Religious School for Pre-K through Bar/Bat Mitzvah Students • Confirmation Classes / Adult Education • Sisterhood / Men’s Club • Shabbat Services on Friday evenings
Join us for an Open House on Friday, Aug 28th, 7:30 PM th
th
Rosh Hashanah Services: Sun Sept 13 , 8:00 PM, Mon Sept 14 , th 10:00 AM (10:30 AM Children’s Service), Tue Sept 15 , 10:00 AM Yom Kippur Services: Tue Sept 22nd, 8:00 PM (Kol Nidrei), Wed rd
Sept 23 , 10:00 AM (10:30 AM Children’s Service), 3:00 PM (Minchah), 4:45 PM (Yizkor), 5:30 PM (Closing)
Religious School Begins Sunday, September 20th www.gardencityjewishcenter.org E-mail: info@gardencityjewishcenter.org
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ach school year brings new opportunities. Although attending a new school can involve some butterflies as kids acclimate to their new classmates and teachers, the transition from grade school to high school is typically one of the more dramatic transitions students have to make.
Take part in high school orientation. Orientations help students acclimate to their new surroundings. Orientation sessions can provide insight on coursework and help kids learn about the campus and any amenities it provides. Learning the layout of the school in advance can help calm any first-day jitters students may encounter. Arrive prepared. Make sure all summer assignments are completed so you start off on the right foot. Unprepared students are likely to be apprehensive. Adjust to new sleep-wake schedules. Summer vacation may have been filled with late nights and sleepy mornings, but now that school will begin anew, it’s time for students to gradually readjust their schedules. That will make it easier to wake up for school. Many high schools begin the day earlier than grammar schools and middle schools. It may take a few weeks to grow accustomed to the earlier hours, so start waking up earlier as the summer winds down.
Plan to arrive with friends. Seeing familiar faces can help students feel more secure. High schools tend to be larger than grade schools and include kids from various neighborhoods, but chances are your friends will be attending the same school as you. Carpool with friends during the first week of school so your first steps on campus are with friends. Enroll in a mentoring program. Some high schools pair freshmen with upperclassmen so younger students can learn the ropes of the school. New students can benefit from these personalized guides and should feel comfortable asking questions about teachers and school protocol. Participate in clubs and extracurricular activities. Another way to feel more comfortable at a new school is to participate in activities. High schools offer numerous extracurricular activities that cater to an array of interests. Band, choir, sports teams, debate teams, student government, and foreign language clubs are just a few examples of enjoyable extracurricular activities. Joining such groups can introduce you to like-minded students. Arrive to class on time. Teachers may be more lenient the first few weeks of school, but over time they will expect students to learn their schedules and arrive to class on time. Students can make arrangements with friends to share lockers or employ other strategies to make it easier to get to class on time.
Add health screenings to back-to-school checklist
BlankTimes Slate Newspapers, 1-2 pg RESOURCES:Layout 1 8/11/15 10:01 AMto Page 1 News Friday, August 28, 2015 • Back school
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s summer vacation winds down, thoughts turn from jaunts to the beach to readying for a new school year. To-do lists include many of the typical tasks that precede going back to the classroom, including shopping for new clothes, purchasing school supplies and finishing summer reading assignments. Another essential requirement parents must find time for is completing their children’s health screenings and immunizations so youngsters can return to school. Health screenings may include, but may not be limited to, routine physical exams, eye exams and dental cleanings. Each school district may have its own set of health requirements that must be met in order for children to attend school. Many schools require that children are up-to-date with all immunizations before they can begin a new school year. While the issue of vaccinations has inspired debate in recent years, parents should recognize that many schools will only exempt students from receiving certain vaccinations due to religious reasons. For a list of state vaccination requirements and possible exemptions for schools in the United States, visit www2a.cdc.gov/nip/schoolsurv/ schImmRqmt.asp. Students who have specific learning disabilities or medical conditions that require classroom modification should obtain recent documentation from any therapists or specialists prior to beginning a new school year. Doing so facilitates the process of setting up procedures within the school while ensuring children have what they need to excel in the classroom. All parents may want to ask doctors to provide copies of medical and immunization records so that schools will have the most recent copies on file. Parents should schedule eye examinations well in advance of the first day of school so they have ample time to fill new prescriptions for youngsters before school begins. This ensures kids won’t be starting off on the wrong foot because of vision problems that could already have been addressed.
A place where imagination takes root and flourishes.
Parents of adolescents or students on the verge of adolescence may want to address the subject of bodily changes before the school year begins anew. Address which changes can be expected, including the start of menstruation for girls. This will help children better understand what is happening when they witness changes in themselves and fellow classmates and give them a chance to receive accurate information rather than gossip from their peers. Keep in mind that health screenings conducted in advance of the school year may not preclude students from school-sponsored screenings. Schools may offer their own vision and hearing screenings and may take physical measurements to ensure students are growing on schedules in line with normal development.
We give children the foundation for success. Advanced learning technologies, innovative math, reading, computer, and arts programs, and individualized instruction from highly skilled teachers inspire eager young minds at Long Island Catholic elementary schools. Your child also benefits from experiential educational programs whose real-world emphasis goes beyond traditional learning, challenging extracurricular activities that offer new growth opportunities, as well as our firm commitment to instilling the values of hard work and personal responsibility. Find out how Catholic Elementary Schools give children the academic and social skills they need to succeed. Visit www.LICatholicElementarySchools.org or call us at 516-678-5800 x 258.
R e l i g i o u s Va l u e s • R e s o u r c e s • R e s u l t s
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S16 Back to school • News Times Newspapers, Friday, August 28, 2015
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For further information about classes for those considering joining the Jewish people, contact your local Conservative Rabbi or Susan at the
According to the College Board Annual Survey of Colleges, the average published tuition and fee price for full-time, in-state students at public four-year colleges during the 2014-15 school year was $9,139. That marks a nearly 3 percent increase from the preceding year, but it’s still a considerable bargain when compared to the tuition and fee costs full-time, out-of-state students attending four-year public colleges will have to pay. Such students paid $22,958 for the 2014-15 school year, a 3.3 percent hike from the year before. Such figures do not include the cost of room and board, which averaged roughly $9,800 for the 2014-15 school year at public four-year colleges (instate and out-of-state). Private, non-profit, four-year colleges remained considerably more expensive than their public counterparts, costing students an average of more than $42,000 per year for tuition, fees and room and board during the 2014-15 school year. The 3.7 percent rise in tuition and fees at such institutions also represented the highest average increase of any four-year colleges or universities.
News Times Newspapers, Friday, August 28, 2015 • Back to school
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Helping students in need of extra help
Parents want their kids to be as successful as possible in the classroom. Good grades illustrate a desire to learn and excel, and high marks can make it easier for students to be accepted into toprated secondary schools later on in their academic careers. But some students still need a little extra help with their classes no matter how hard they work. These children may benefit from tutoring or one-on-one sessions in the classroom. Learning disabilities vary greatly. Some students have trouble taking tests, while others have difficulty paying attention in the classroom. Because learning disabilities encompass so many different issues, estimates as to the number of children with learning disabilities can be difficult to pinpoint. But according to the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, as of the 200910 school year, 13 percent of all enrolled children ages three to 21 were classified as having some sort of learning disability. That number has grown from 8 percent in 1976, when records were first kept.
for certain conditions. If the teacher has not reached out to you but your child is lagging behind, take a proactive approach and request a meeting. Analyze the home environment. Has there been a traumatic situation or big changes at home? A move, a death in the family, a divorce, and other incidents can affect how a child performs in the classroom. Your child may not have a learning disability, he or she may be experiencing emotional problems that are creating difficulties in and out of the classroom. Rather than help with schoolwork, he or she may need some emotional support or counseling. Develop a tutoring plan. Some parents can tutor their kids on their own. Others prefer a third party to remove the emotional aspect from the tutoring. The school may be able to suggest tutors for afterschool hours. Your child also may be able to spend some time during school hours with specialized tutors. For example, some schools break children into guided reading groups depending on their aptitudes. Children who need
Whether a student has a previously diagnosed learning disability or seems to need some additional guidance, there are steps parents can take to help such youngsters reach their full academic potential. Pay attention to your child’s progress. All children learn at a different pace. However, if your child seems to be falling well behind his or her peers, you may need to explore ways to help the child with his or her studies. Spend time doing homework with your child and figure out where his or her strengths and weaknesses lie. This may help you to determine if the child has a legitimate learning disability or if he or she is simply having difficulty with a particular subject. Schedule an appointment with the teacher. Your child’s teacher likely spends six or more hours per day in the classroom with students and will be able to better recognize if your son or daughter is falling behind. He or she also may have a cursory understanding of some learning disability warning signs. The teacher also may refer specialized counselors who can screen students
WHY
more instruction sit with a reading tutor, who helps them at the students’ own pace. Be supportive. Very often children who have a learning disability or are underperforming in the classroom experience self-esteem issues. This can impair their confidence in other subjects or even outside of the classroom. As a parent you can show support for your child, praising his or her success rather than pointing out any failings. Set reasonable goals. Progress may be slow-going, but no one should get discouraged. Discuss your child’s progress with a tutor or teacher and make sure that the goals your child has are attainable so he or she can feel good about academics. Praise and small rewards may provide the inspiration kids need to stick with the program. Not every student catches on to lessons at the same rate as others. Parents may have to work together with educators to develop personalized tutoring for children who are lagging behind for any number of reasons.
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Tips for a healthy school year
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tudents are most likely to get sick when school starts because being at school put children’s immune systems to the test, offers The Mayo Clinic. Young children who are in close proximity to others in large groups tend to spread organisms like bacteria and viruses that cause illness. Breaking the cycle can take some work, but it’s possible to make this a healthy school year. Encourage handwashing
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Frequent handwashing is a great way to prevent illness. Handwashing habits are essential for school-aged children and should be taught as soon as possible. Children should wash their hands after they use the bathroom and before they eat. If they’ve been playing outside or have interacted with children who are sick, handwashing can help remove some of the germs lingering on their hands. Antibacterial wipes are another option, but they may not be as effective as washing hands with warm, soapy water.
Promote adequate sleep and nutrition
While adults may need between seven and nine hours of sleep a night, children often require more. The National Sleep Foundation recommends eight to 13 hours of sleep a night for school-aged children. Begin adjusting sleep schedules during the latter part of summer vacation so that children can readjust to their regular sleep schedules.Parents also should feed kids nutritious diets consisting of a variety of foods. Avoid high-calorie junk foods, reserving such items only as special treats every so often. Donate cleaning supplies Some schools may be underfunded and may not have enough supplies to keep all of the classrooms and surfaces clean. Parents can help by donating cleaning wipes and sprays so that students and teachers can thrive in clean, healthy environments.
Stop (some) sharing Sharing develops good manners and can foster new friendships. But children should be discouraged from sharing food, drinks and other personal items. Once the item has been placed in a child’s mouth, it should not be shared. Take a sick day Rare is the student who will never come down with an illness. When kids get sick, keep them at home. Schools may have guidelines indicating when it is acceptable for children to return to school, and it’s important that parents adhere to those guidelines so illnesses cannot spread around the school.
Did you know?
Before education reformists began to campaign for tax-funded schools in the late 1800s, only the very wealthy were able to get an education in the United States of America. Children whose parents could finance their education attended costly private schools. Education eventually became available to more youngsters, but it wasn’t until the 1930s that people attended school beyond the customary eight years. In fact, “high school” wasn’t even heard of before the Great Depression, when it was apparent that it was more productive to keep teenagers in the classroom so they wouldn’t be competing for the scarce jobs available. Millions of kids now attend school each year, and public schools enable students of all socioeconomic backgrounds to earn an education.
News Times Newspapers, Friday, August 28, 2015 • Back to school
Exciting Changes and New Beginnings The Herricks Teachers’ Association warmly welcomes back over 3,800 students to the 2015-16 school year. We look forward to another thrilling and successful year for all students from new kindergarteners to high school seniors. Many new faces have joined us this year. We are privileged and excited to welcome Dr. Fino Celano as our new Superintendent. Dr. Celano most recently served as the assistant superintendent of the Garden City Public Schools. His proactive leadership style, enthusiasm towards students and learning will guide us through many future initiatives and challenges. Dr. Christine Finn, our assistant superintendent, joined Herricks in January of 2015. She was previously the assistant superintendent in Carle Place. Dr. Finn has transitioned well, meeting the challenge of joining our district in the middle of the last school year. We are thrilled to have Dr. Celano and Dr. Finn as part of our central administration. The HTA also extends warm welcomes to our new administrators: Dr. Samuel Thompson, Herricks High School Principal; Michael Imondi - English/ Reading/ Library Chairperson; Francesco Fratto - World Language/ ESL Chairperson and Beth Rosenman - Elementary School Assistant Principal at Denton Avenue School. This year we have 39 new colleagues joining our profession and a number of new SRPs (School-Related Personnel) and support staff. We welcome all the new members to our Herricks Community and look forward to working together to make this another very productive year filled with achievements and rewarding experiences. Special thanks to the custodial, transportation and grounds crew members for the outstanding job they did in preparing the buildings and grounds. Their hard work provides our students, colleagues and community members a clean, attractive and safe environment. Their efforts do not go unnoticed or unappreciated by anyone who enters our schools.
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S20 Back to school • News Times Newspapers, Friday, August 28, 2015
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Williston Times • Great Neck News New Hyde Park Herald Courier Manhasset Times • Roslyn Times www.theislandnow.com