Back to school 72216 by The Island 360

The Roslyn Times, Friday, July 22, 2016

Outside the Classroom

Helping students find the right extracurricular activity

Right to Repeat?

Making Home Work

The pros and cons of repeating a grade

How to create a great study environment at home

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The Roslyn Times, Friday, July Times 22, 2016 Newspapers, Friday, July 22 2016 school year • News

The Roslyn Times, Friday, July 22, 2016

How to create a great study environment

student’s academic performance is influenced by a host of factors, including the learning environment both inside the classroom and at home. While students may have only limited control over the environment in their classrooms, they and their parents can do much to create home study environments that are conducive to learning. Create a “distraction-free” zone. Today’s students are inundated with distractions. Whereas students were once most distracted by radios, televisions and the great outdoors when studying at home, nowadays kids must also find time to focus on their studies with their tablets and smartphones just a stone’s throw away. When choosing a study area at home, parents can designate a “distractionfree” zone where no televisions, radios, tablets and smartphones are allowed. Children are increasingly dependent on their smartphones and tablets, and while such devices can sometimes prove useful to students, that benefit is often outweighed by the distraction they present. When kids study at night, be sure they turn off their smartphones and only use their tablets as study aids. Emphasize organization. Various organization techniques can help kids be more efficient when studying. Encourage kids to separate their learning materials by subject, and keep a calendar or

daily planner at home listing when their assignments are due and which days they will be tested. Encourage youngsters to keep their home study areas tidy as well, as unorganized areas can make it harder to focus or force kids to spend some of their study time cleaning up. Establish quiet hours at home. Quiet hours at home while kids are studying can help them better absorb their coursework, and that may lead to improved performance in the classroom. While it’s important that a kids’ study areas remain distraction-free, it can also help if distractions outside those areas are minimized. Keep televisions and other potentially noisy distractions turned off while kids are studying. If you want to catch up on a favorite television show or watch a movie, do so on your tablet instead of the television, connecting earphones so kids are not overhearing anything while they’re trying to study. Keep healthy snacks on hand. Hunger can be just as distracting as electronics or noisy housemates, so keep healthy snacks on hand. In lieu of unhealthy fare like potato chips or empty calories like pretzels, keep your home stocked with fruits and vegetables and protein-rich snacks like Greek yogurt. Such snacks will quell kids’ hunger pangs while also providing a boost of energy. A strong home study environment can help students do their best in the classroom.

TheJuly Roslyn Times, Friday, July 22, 2016 News Times Newspapers, Friday, 22, 2016 year • school

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The Roslyn Times, Friday, July Times 22, 2016 Newspapers, Friday, July 22 2016 school year • News

The Roslyn Times, Friday, July 22, 2016

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TheJuly Roslyn Times, Friday, July 22, 2016 News Times Newspapers, Friday, 22, 2016 year • school

Cursive writing lessons are disappearing from many schools. How do you feel about this change?

The pros of cursive writing: Various experts and educators have weighed in on the lasting benefits of cursive handwriting. Here are just a few of the benefits proponents of cursive writing point to.

Should schools reinforce cursive writing skills?

ursive writing lessons were once mandatory in schools. Many adults can remember cursive writing lessons on lined paper and time spent practicing this aesthetically appealing style of writing. But thanks to technology and a growing reliance on computers to complete school assignments, handwriting skills are no longer stressed as much as

they once were. In fact, some children never receive cursive writing instruction. The absence of cursive writing lessons has led to a heated debate. Some people feel cursive writing is archaic and a waste of time, while others believe it is a relevant skill. Here is a look at both sides of the debate.

The pros and cons of repeating a grade

he majority of students move up a grade each fall. However, some students may not be ready to move on to the next grade come the end of the school year. Educators and parents often have to make the challenging decision of whether to have a student repeat a year — called grade retention — or to engage in social promotion. There are pros and cons to both sides of this debate, and oftentimes the decision comes down to parental preference, test scores and the recommendations of teachers and administrators regarding the best decision for each individual student. Grade retention can be an emotionally charged issue, but having students repeat a grade is sometimes necessary. The following examination of the advantages and disadvantages of grade retention may help families make informed decisions and help them do what’s best for the child.

Cursive writing stimulates the brain. “Cursive writing helps train the brain to integrate visual and tactile information, and fine motor dexterity,” Dr. William Klemm said in an article in Psychology Today. The skills developed from learning cursive writing cannot be replaced by using a keyboard. In addition, MRIs have revealed an interesting relationship between handwriting and the brain. The brains of people with good handwriting are more active in areas associated with cognition, language and executive function than the brains of those with poor handwriting. Cursive writing may promote focus. Writing things down by hand forces a person to slow down and formulate his or her thought. Handwritten notes may hold the advantage over computer-typed notes in terms of recollection of facts. Cursive writing may help students with dyslexia. Dyslexia is a language processing disorder that can hinder reading, writing, spelling and sometimes even speaking. According to the International Dyslexia Association, when writing cursive, the words jotted down become a unit, rather than a series of separate strokes, and that may contribute to better spelling. And since all lowercase

cursive letters begin on the line, fewer of them are likely to be reversed.

The cons of cursive writing: There are various reasons why people think lessons in cursive writing are unnecessary. Cursive writing is only used in signatures. Cursive writing is seldom used except for signatures. Even then, e-signing and online transactions have removed the need to write in cursive. Typing on a keyboard should take precedence. Many parents and educators believe that cursive writing lessons do little to prepare young students for an increasingly digital world. Such opponents of cursive writing suggest keyboarding lessons should take precedence over teaching handwriting skills. Teachers have admitted that cursive writing lessons take a lot of time, and many simply cannot devote classroom time to them. Digital texts make it obsolete. Some argue that those who do not know how to read in cursive can never understand historical texts or early manuscripts. However, so much has been transcribed into digital texts that this argument is seen by many as outdated. Cursive writing may be going the way of the dinosaur. But the debate about the value of cursive writing figures to continue.

Pros

Cons

1. If a student has missed a lot of school due to illness or a family situation, it may be in his or her best interest to repeat the grade and catch up on the lessons he or she missed.

1. In certain instances, students who repeat a grade may be as many as two years older than their classmates. While academic readiness should weigh heavily as parents decide whether or not to have their child repeat a grade, parents should also consider the potential impact on their youngster’s self-esteem if he or she is asked to repeat a grade and attend school with much younger classmates.

2. Developmentally immature children might find that repeating a grade reduces their stress, which can increase as students attempt, yet fail, to keep up with the development of their peers. 3. Children who are nearly a year younger than their peers may benefit from attending school with children who are their same age.

2. Students may feel embarrassed by grade retention, especially if other students tease or pity them. 3. Kids who do not agree with their parents on the issue may protest by engaging in behaviors that make it difficult for them to benefit from repeating a grade. Grade retention and social promotion are serious topics for parents and educators to consider.

The Roslyn Times, Friday, July Times 22, 2016 Newspapers, Friday, July 22 2016 school year • News

The Roslyn Times, Friday, July 22, 2016

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With a $1200 goal, ARC members began collecting from faculty and staff. A “general store” was opened in Dr. A.’s office where donors redeemed vouchers they received upon donating – choosing from candy, beverages, and healthy snacks. Shortly thereafter, the team hit the ground running to the community. In May, Holy Cross held a school-wide Sneaker Day for ARC. With a donation, students were permitted to wear sneakers versus mandated uniform attire. Coupled with faculty member Christine Burke’s donation of leashes, collars, toys, and other supplies, the group collected newspapers, paper towels, and crates and, in the end, surpassed their goal. Recently, Give Me Shelter

Project, Inc. of Forest Hills happened to save a very ill kitten, Nadia. Nadia’s medical bills are high and ARC’s donation arrived at just the right time! In addition, the other rescues benefited greatly from the funds and unexpected gifts. Holy Cross is now a proud, permanent part of the NY Bully Crew, Inc. as we have

an in-house plaque for our donations. Dr. A. offered, “I am beyond proud of the kindness and respect these students have for their environment. It was astounding to watch and only confirms that when the right people are in their element, they soar and do amazing things just as these young men did this year. There’s truly something for everyone here at Holy Cross.”

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TheJuly Roslyn Times, Friday, July 22, 2016 News Times Newspapers, Friday, 22, 2016 year • school

Leading Young Men into Manhood – Now and Always For over 60 years,

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has enhanced core teaching and learning programs, technology, and added even more extracurricular clubs and organizations to our already robust activity list. Additionally, we boast our two successful parent groups, the Fathers’ Club and Women’s Guild, which facilitate parental involvement, school donations, and an array of popular events throughout the school year.

During this Year of Mercy, we plan to do more than ever for our community and hope you and your family will join our winning team!

Holy Cross High School – we’re all-boys, mission-driven, at all times! Would your son like to become a Holy Cross Knight for a day? We can make that happen!

Please call our Admissions Office at 718-886-7250, extension 558, for more information. To view all of the wonderful Holy Cross Happenings, visit us on the web at: www.HolyCrossHS.org. 26-20 Francis Lewis Boulevard, Flushing, New York, 11358

The Roslyn Times, Friday, July Times 22, 2016 Newspapers, Friday, July 22 2016 school year • News

The Roslyn Times, Friday, July 22, 2016

How to help students choose an extracurricular activity

xtracurricular activities can benefit students in various ways. Academic clubs, sports and volunteer organizations provide students with opportunities to grow as people and make new friends while also teaching kids skills they will use for the rest of their lives. Many parents are aware that extracurricular activities can help students improve their chances of gaining admission to college. But students who choose the right extracurricular activities will benefit in greater ways than simply strengthening their college applications. The following are a handful of ways parents can help their sons and daughters choose extracurricular activities they can benefit from for years to come. Ask kids to jot down their interests. Students are more likely to enjoy and excel at extracurricular activities that align with their existing interests. Ask kids to jot down a list of their interests or anything they might want to try. Youngsters might want to learn a musical instrument even if they have never before taken a course on music. Once kids have listed their interests, look for activities that allow them to further explore those interests. Chances are there is a school-sponsored or community-based club or organization that will align with at least one thing on your child’s list. Encourage kids to have fun. Kids are more likely to enjoy and fully commit to an activity if they find it fun. While extracurricular activities can help kids grow as people and improve their im-

age in the eyes of college admissions officers, kids will get even more out of an activity if they enjoy doing it. Look for something that won’t interfere with schoolwork. Extracurricular activities can look great on a college application, but that benefit is lost if the activity interferes with a student’s academic performance. Some activities, including sports, demand more of students’ time than others, but make sure kids know that school always comes first. Ask around. Ask neighbors or school officials for recommendations to help kids who have tried but failed to find the right fit with regard to extracurricular activities. Sometimes it takes a little trial and error before a child finds an activity he or she is comfortable with. Fellow parents can make great resources, and school officials likely know of a host of clubs and organizations that kids may be interested in. Sign up with your kids. If kids are hesitant to sign up for an activity because they are shy, sign up with them. Volunteer organizations are typically family-friendly, and kids might be more likely to come out of their shells if they sign up with their parents or siblings. As kids grow more comfortable with an activity, they will want to get more involved even if mom and dad don’t have the time. Parents can employ various strategies to help kids find activities they can be passionate about for years to come.

ways to make mornings less hectic

any families find the rush is on to make it to school and work on time each morning. Feeling rushed in the morning is a recipe for added stress. Rushing through things is a poor way to begin a day, and those feelings of uneasiness can put a damper on the rest of the day ahead. Making mornings less hectic involves a few different strategies that parents and kids can easily incorporate into their daily routines. Wake up slightly earlier. Getting up earlier than normal, even if it’s just 15 to 20 minutes before you’re accustomed to getting out of bed, can help reduce morning stress. Resist the temptation to hit the snooze button over and over again. A few extra minutes each morning can make you feel more relaxed and make for a smooth, stress-free start to the day. Get some work done the night before. Prepare lunches the night before and have them ready in the refrigerator. In addition, lay your clothes for the following day out each night. This saves time and takes a couple more things off your morning to-do list. Ease back into a routine. As a new school year dawns or a long vacation comes to an end, begin going to bed earlier and start waking up earlier as well. This can make the transition from carefree mornings to busy mornings go more smoothly.

Make school and work mornings less harried with some easy tips to add to routines. Prep backpacks in the evening. Look through folders, sign paperwork, check assignments, and do whatever is you need to do the night before to save your family from having to scramble in the morning. This ensures those permission slips get signed and items make it back into school bags. Opt for school lunch a few times. Look ahead on the school lunch menu and speak with children about which meals they enjoy. Let kids purchase school lunch on those days to give yourself a day off from lunch detail. Have quick breakfast foods available. Smoothies, cereal bars, oatmeal, and whole-grain cereals are fast and nutritious ways to start the day. Carpool whenever possible. Busy families can save themselves extra work by proposing a neighborhood carpool. Sharing school dropoff detail frees time up for parents once or twice a week, and kids may enjoy traveling to school with their friends. Mornings can be tricky when family members are getting ready for school and work at the same time. By practicing a few daily rituals, it’s possible to curb the rush and start the day happier and more relaxed.