Schools-Education 2019_10_04

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schools and A Blank Slate Media/Litmor Publications Special Section • October 4, 2019

28 Schools & Education • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, October 4, 2019

College majors C that can lead to higher earnings

hoosing a college major is an important decision that many students delay making until their sophomore or even junior years. Only after taking a few courses and uncovering one’s interests do some college students figure out what they want to do with their lives.

years of their career. They’ve identified several majors where female college graduates can earn as much or more than their male counterparts and find successful careers.

Each student is different, and while some may pursue a degree based on a particular passion, others may choose majors that can lead to highpaying jobs.

· Chemical engineering

While men often lean toward majors like engineering and computer science that have traditionally been linked to high earnings, women have historically gravitated to lower-paying specialties like education and social sciences. But in recent years a shift has occurred, and more women have begun to choose majors associated with higher postgraduate salaries. Reports from the career guidance site Glassdoor analyzed how much male and female professionals with the same college degree earned and identified many instances in which women went on to earn more than men in the first five

· Architecture · Pharmaceutical sciences · Information sciences · Computer science · Electrical engineering · Mechanical engineering · Computer engineering · Business economics · Civil engineering · Sports management Despite these findings, the college resource CollegeFactual and the U.S. Department of Education says that women remain likely to pursue education, design and applied arts, health services, and social work as career options. Female students unsure of which major they want to pursue can take career assessments to help narrow down their options. Working with mentors or engaging in internships also can present a first-hand idea of high-paying career paths.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, October 4, 2019 • Schools & Education

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30 Schools & Education • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, October 4, 2019

Successful tips for finding a tutor Many children are natural-born students who take to their academics like ducks to water. Others may not catch on as quickly as their parents desire. Every student has unique learning requirements, and sometimes all it takes is some one-on-one intervention with an experienced tutor to turn the academic tide. The National Tutoring Association reports that the number of individuals offering private tutoring has increased dramatically in recent years, which can make finding a tutor challenging. It also means parents may face stiff competition in regard to procuring the services of qualified tutors. But parents can employ various strategies to improve their chances of finding skilled tutors to work with their children. · Specify what you need done. The more clearly you define

what you and your child hope to gain from individualized instruction, the more capably you can zero in on a tutor who will meet those needs effectively. Some students need reinforcement for testing, while others may struggle with a particular skill set. The more specific you are when illustrating your needs, the more likely you are to find someone who can help address those areas that need improving. · Seek recommendations. Ask around for recommendations from other parents or educators. Speak with school personnel to find out if someone on staff may tutor in his or her off hours. · Try a favorite teacher. Many students may have a favorite teacher, past or present, with whom they developed a rapport. If your child fits that mold, contact this teacher to see if he or she tutors students on the side.

· Call the library. Many times high school or college students offer free or reduced-rate tutoring at local libraries. These sessions can be just as beneficial to young students as sessions with professional tutors. · Consider a tutoring center. Nationally recognized tutoring organizations can be invaluable to students struggling with their studies. Explore the cost options of one-on-one sessions versus small group instruction. · Look for specialized tutors. Certain tutors specialize in certain subjects or skills. Lean toward those tutors for advanced lessons in tricky subjects like maths and sciences. Upon hiring a tutor, give it a few lessons to see if the tutor clicks with your child. Set benchmarks for success that the tutor can work toward. If the relationship is not working, start the process over.

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, October 4, 2019 • Schools & Education

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32 Schools & Education • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, October 4, 2019

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, October 4, 2019 • Schools & Education

The role of free play in early education G

lance at a typical family schedule and you would no doubt see that afternoons are jam-packed and many children - even the youngest among them - have full itineraries of structured after-school activities. In an effort to raise well-rounded and intelligent children, many parents enroll their youngsters in all sorts of extracurricular activities, including sports leagues, travel teams, enrichment clubs, and musical instruction. While these activities benefit kids in myriad ways, it’s also beneficial to let kids be kids and to provide ample time for them to engage in free play. According to the popular toy and learning company Alex Brands, structured activities can teach children how to follow rules and routines and help them build developmental skills. But free play can improve critical skills as well. One of the biggest benefits to free play is it can foster kids’ creativity and help kids discover their interests on their own. Free play also helps children learn independence and how to keep themselves occupied. The United Nations recognizes free play as a basic right of every child and underscores its importance. Despite this, unstructured play seems to be on the decline, with more structured activities taking over young children’s days. Even in school settings free play has given way to more time spent at desks and devices in preparation for standardized testing. Recess, which has been cut or reduced in many school districts, has become a hot-button issue for many free play advocates. The development of Recess for All Florida Students, as well as proposed legislation in other states,

has redirected attention to free play and the importance of it. Recess is a form of free play and provides students with a break from the rigors of learning. In a 2011 article in the American Journal of Play, Peter Gray, Ph.D., a researcher at Boston College, indicated that “lack of play affects emotional development, leading to the rise of anxiety, depression, and problems of attention and self-control.” Gray also indicated that without play, “young people fail to acquire the social and emotional skills necessary for healthy psychological development.” Free play also can benefit youngsters in the following ways: · Enables kids to learn dexterity and improve on other strengths; · fulfills exercise requirements for growing kids; · helps kids conquer fears and develop confidence; · establishes natural leadership roles and hierarchy in social groups;

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42 Schools & Education • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, October 4, 2019

Determining the Helping students right amount who need of homework speech therapy S

tudents spend roughly six hours in the classroom each day while their parents could put in eight hours at the office. When a family returns home in the evening, homework is probably the last thing they want to worry about. Still, homework is part of many families’ daily routine, and chances are it is not going anywhere soon — no matter how much kids complain. There’s no denying homework can be a chore, but how much homework is assigned could make a difference in a student’s overall academic performance. Parents, students and educators have long debated the homework issue, and that debate has included discussions on determining the right amount of homework and if homework has any actual benefits on student performance.

Is homework beneficial? There are various points of view regarding the benefits of homework. The prevalent philosophy in education for decades has been that students learn better when lessons are reinforced through homework. Yet new findings indicate that homework may benefit certain age groups and grade levels more than others. According to Harris Cooper, Ph.D., a psychology professor at the University of Missouri, the benefits of doing homework seem to depend on the student’s grade level. After reviewing more than 100 studies on the effectiveness of homework, Cooper found high school students who do homework outperform those who do not on standardized tests, and those who do homework earn better grades. Homework is only half as effective for middle school students, while at the elementary school level, homework has no apparent measurable effect on achievement. Still, some educators are reluctant to stop

assigning homework. Some teachers assign homework, but only after fine tuning assignments to be as effective as possible, while others feel homework diminishes interest in learning, especially time-consuming or especially difficult assignments.

stoppages or repetition, this can be distracting to both the child and those around him or her. Some children have problems with the pitch, volume or quality of their voice. These problems can distract listeners from what’s being said and make it difficult to communicate.

Ultimately, homework is a way for teachers to measure how well their students grasp lessons and concepts. Parents of struggling students can always ask for additional work to help kids better understand their coursework.

Apraxia

What is the right amount of homework? Homework assignments are on the rise, and that increase may be fueled by certain factors. Intense pressure on educators to meet national testing standards likely influences the number of worksheets and assignments teachers send home each night. If students do not get work finished in the classroom, they usually must complete it at home. In addition, the idea that excessive homework is synonymous with a rigorous education is common among some parents, who may feel that extra schoolwork will get their children into top colleges and universities. According to Bruce Ravage, the executive director of Park City Prep in Bridgeport, Conn., homework is only given in his school to reinforce and review what students learned in the classroom. He says the charter school has been emphasizing the quality of homework assignments over the quantity. The National Education Association suggests 10 minutes of homework per night for first-graders is sufficient. This amount of homework should increase by 10 minutes per grade level, so second graders would be assigned 20 minutes per night, third graders 30 minutes, and so on. However, the NEA said there should be a cap on homework so that it does not exceed two hours per night.

Parental assistance Parents should be available to provide guidance and help with homework when necessary. But parents also should be careful not to do the homework for their children, which only undermines the purpose of the assignments. If homework appears burdensome or a consistent source of struggle for students, parents should speak with their children’s teachers to discuss both the amount and type of homework given. The homework debate figures to continue with each new crop of students entering school. Educators and family can continue to work together to help students make the most of their educations.

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arents who are active in their children’s education often find that such an approach is a great way to recognize any potential problems before they have too significant an impact on a student’s educational experience. For example, interaction with educators may shed light on a student’s developmental readiness. Parents often first learn of their children’s strengths and shortcomings when children are exposed to classroom settings and compared to their fellow students. It is here where teachers may first recognize obstacles that could hinder students as they pursue their education. Parents of preschool and kindergarteners may be made aware of speech issues that may require therapy to address. The good news is that children often make tremendous strides once they are enrolled in speech therapy. Although determining if a child needs speech therapy can sometimes be confusing and take some effort and testing, parents who receive such a diagnosis about their youngster will need to focus on some skills that can alleviate speech concerns.

Articulation Many children require speech therapy because of a speech delay or an issue with articulating. This relates to the clarity of speech sounds and overall speech. A child’s speech begins with initial sounds as they mimic the adults around them, which will then form words and phrases. It’s common for young children who have difficulty with certain speech sounds to substitute easier sounds for certain letters or sound blends. But if inconsistent speech articulation or improper sound usage extends beyond a certain age, this may require treatment.

Fluency and resonance Some children receive speech therapy due to disorders like stuttering or prolonging sounds and syllables. When the flow of speech is interrupted by abnormal

According to the American SpeechLanguage-Hearing Association, childhood apraxia of speech, or CAS, is a motor speech disorder. Children with CAS have problems saying sounds, syllables and words. The brain has difficulty moving the mouth for speech. The child knows what he or she wants to say, but the brain does not send the correct message to move the muscles accordingly. Children with CAS are typically assessed earlier than school age.

Seeking therapy Parents who suspect their child has a speech-language concern should first consult with a pediatrician and talk to their child’s teacher. If the speech problem is not causing any learning difficulty or making it hard for teachers and fellow students to understand the child, intervention may not be necessary. However, if the child is embarrassed or getting frustrated with those who do not understand him or her, it may be in the student’s best interest to be assessed. Speech-language pathologists are trained in speech therapy and are most qualified to make assessments of a child’s speech abilities. This person will provide a thorough articulation assessment and conduct a medical history inquiry to determine if there is a need for treatment. A good speech pathologist will conduct an evaluation in a way that is comfortable for the child. Toys and games may be part of the assessment. Sometimes parents are allowed to remain in the room. Physical skills, vocabulary and grammar also will be checked. Once the source of the problem has been identified, a therapist can develop a treatment plan to fix some of the problems. Homework exercises can help parents continue lessons between therapy sessions. Many parents opt to work with a speechlanguage pathologist one-on-one. These services may be covered through a health insurance plan. School districts may offer low- or no-cost speech therapy for students who need speech assistance. These may be conducted in solo sessions or as part of a group. Parents should inquire about speech testing at their child’s school and if any services are offered.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, October 4, 2019 • Schools & Education

Early Childhood Education Week, October 20-27

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At Long Island Catholic Elementary Schools, we prepare your children for First Holy Communion, for life, and for eternal life. Early Childhood Education gets their lifetime journey off to a safe and loving start. Visit an Early Childhood Open House, October 20-27, to learn more about how a Catholic education can prepare your child for a full, fulfilling life.

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44 Schools & Education • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, October 4, 2019

How to help Learn the early distracted warning signs of bullying students find it difficult to focus on the teacher, as teachers may not notice kids in the back of the class as readily as they might with students sitting in the front of the room. • Encourage participation. Many teachers recognize the value of active participation in the classroom, but kids who are struggling to focus may shy away from participating because they are worried about embarrassing themselves in front of their classmates. Parents and teachers can work with students to encourage them to participate, reassuring them that they don’t need to be experts on a given subject to contribute to lessons. Even if students’ participation is limited to asking questions rather than answering them, encouraging kids to raise their hands and participate in class may help them focus more on the lessons being discussed.

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oday’s students have more gadgets at their disposal than ever before. As technology like tablets and smartphones have become more prevalent in the lives of adults, such devices also have become more commonplace in the classroom. Some kids thrive when teachers utilize technology to enhance lesson plans, while others may be distracted by access to technology. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is one of the most common childhood disorders. ADHD can make it difficult for kids to maintain focus in the classroom, and that focus may be enhanced or further compromised by technology that’s capable of serving many different functions. Kids who use the technology to their advantage may find it improves their ability to grasp lessons, but some kids may be distracted by devices or even other items in the classroom that make it difficult for them to absorb lessons. Parents concerned about their kids’ ability to cope with distractions in the classroom and at home can take the following steps in an effort to help youngsters improve their academic performance. • Speak to your child’s teacher about seating assignments. Students who find it difficult to focus in the classroom may benefit from new seating assignments. Windows or high-traffic areas of the classroom, such as doorways, can compromise a student’s ability to focus. In addition, the back of the classroom is not the ideal spot for youngsters who

hildren grow and develop their personalities in various ways. While many youngsters are teased or receive some goodnatured ribbing at some point in their school careers, some teasing can eventually turn into bullying.

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The National Education Association estimates that 160,000 children miss school every day due to fear of attack or intimidation by other students. Furthermore, more than 70 percent of students report incidents of bullying at their schools. Although children in lower grades have reported being in more fights than those in higher grades, there is a higher rate of violent crimes in middle and high schools than in el• Minimize distractions at home. Kids ementary schools. According to the who have no trouble focusing in the association Make Beats Not Beat classroom may find it’s a whole different Downs, harassment and bullying ballgame when they arrive home to have been linked to 75 percent of study or do their homework. Mom and school shooting incidents. Dad no doubt have their own gadgets around the house, and such devices as Bullying can take many forms, and well as television may be too difficult for learning the warnng signs as a paryoungsters to ignore. At home, parents ent can help prevent harassment can create a safe haven from distracand potentially dangerous situation by designating a room or area of tions. the house for schoolwork. Such areas Verbal: If your child reports being should be clear of distractions like televicalled names, being the recipient of sion, telephones, video game consoles, racist, sexist or homophobic jokes, and other gadgets that can compromise or being spoken to in an offensive or a student’s focus. Make such areas off limits to cellular phones and block social suggestive way, this can be a form media websites from computers in such of verbal bullying. Cyber: Social media, email and text rooms so kids aren’t tempted to spend study time chatting with friends online. If messaging has become a way for a child’s study area is not in a separate bullies to spread malicious mesroom of the house, parents should avoid sages or photos. In the era of digital turning on the television until kids have media, this type of bullying has finished their studies for the night. increased considerably. • Consider playing games designed Physical: Some bullies engage in to improve attention and focus. physical attacks, including hitting, Games designed to improve attention kicking, spitting, or other forms of can be a fun way for parents to help physical confrontation. Destroying their youngsters conquer their concenpersonal property also is considered tration issues. For example, the creators physical bullying. behind Lumosity.com collaborated with Indirect: Gossiping and spreadresearchers from universities around ing nasty rumors about a person is the world in an effort to design games another form of bullying. This type of to improve visual attention in people of various ages and backgrounds. Few bullying may go hand-in-hand with kids are not enamored with games, and cyber bullying. games to improve focus and attention may help kids without making them feel as though they are back in a classroom. Parents can speak with their child’s teacher to determine which games might be best suited for their youngsters.

SIGNS YOUR CHILD IS BEING BULLIED Parents can recognize certain signs that their child is being bullied at

school. Bullied children frequently make excuses to avoid going to school. While the desire to stay home is something many children may express, those who are bullied may do so much more frequently. Bullied children tend to avoid certain places and may be sad, angry, withdrawn, or depressed. They may have trouble sleeping or experience changes in appetite, and bullied youngsters’ academic performance may suffer. Also, parents may notice that children return from school missing some of their belongings. SIGNS YOUR CHILD IS THE BULLY Parents may not want to imagine their children bullying other students, but bullies do exist. Children who bully other kids have strong needs for power and negative dominance. They may find satisfaction in causing suffering to others. Some signs that your child may be a bully include: • easily becoming violent with others • having friends who bully others • blaming others quickly • comes home with belongings that do not belong to him or her • getting in trouble with teachers or school administrators • picking on siblings • not accepting responsibility for actions There are ways parents can teach their children to act properly when faced with a bully. First, parents should explain that bullying is not the child’s fault and he or she does not deserve to be picked on. Next, parents can let children know that being assertive but not violent with bullies may diffuse the situation, as some bullies thrive on the fear of their victims. If the bullying behavior continues, the student should speak to an adult or authority figure. Parents of bullies may need to be especially mindful of their children’s behavior. Counseling could be necessary to determine what is compelling kids to bully other students.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, October 4, 2019 • Schools & Education

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The beneďŹ ts of music instruction for young learners any children are introduced to music instruction at school. After being introduced to band, chorus and various instruments, students may be eager to explore music.

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Young students are often introduced to the recorder or ukulele in the early grades and then given the opportunity to join primary bands as they move through elementary school and into middle school. Some children also may want to supplement school music lessons with private music tutors, who can provide more in-depth instruction. Parents considering making a commitment to

music instruction may find that kids benefit from being involved with music in many ways, some of which may be surprising. ¡ The New England Board of Higher Education says several studies show that consistent music education improves vocabulary and reading comprehension skills. Emerging evidence points to an area of the brain that controls both musical ability and language comprehension as being more closely related than previously thought. ¡ Music education may help young children learn words and how to pronounce them, as learning to play

music enables them to process the many new sounds they hear from others. ¡ Researchers have discovered a strong relationship between participating in school arts and academic success as demonstrated by students’ grade point averages, according to the National Association for Music Education. ¡ The relationship between music and academic performance has been studied for decades. As far back as 1988, studies have been conducted about the benefits of music education. An analysis of data from

the National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1988 demonstrated a significant correlation between participation in school music groups and achievement in math and English. And a 1996 study published in Nature found first graders who participated in special music classes as part of an arts study program saw their reading skills and math proficiency increase dramatically. ¡ Introducing music lessons to young children can have profound effects on their social development. Music fosters greater trust and cooperation, as well as a sense of community and belonging.

¡ Another benefit of music education is it allows children to harness their creativity and express it in a healthy way. ¡ The music instruction company Music U says children with developmental disorders and mental health issues might be able to unlock their potential with music. Music therapy has been shown to affect significant change in children with autism-spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, attachment disorders, cerebral palsy, and more. Music instruction both in and out of the classroom can be a benefit to young learners.

Herricks Teachers’ Association Members Proudly Give Back to Communities Each year, proud members of the Herricks Teachers’ Association (HTA) take time out from their busy personal lives to contribute to their communities and charitable organizations. Here are just a few of the many members who generously give time and assistance to those in need: Jill Heller and the Timmy Gilroy Memorial Summer Basketball League Jill Heller, a Middle School teacher, volunteers with her family every summer for six weeks. Timmy was an eight-year-old family friend who died. His family and friends help run this league in his honor. “Try your best, never give up, always have fun.� is this organization’s motto. “I like being part of the Timmy Gilroy Memorial Summer League because it focuses on every child being able to participate and have fun,� commented Jill “It feels good to give back to the community and see a tragic event like Timmy’s untimely death turned into a rewarding experience for all involved.� Jill’s children have also been a part of the league for many years “The time we donate means other children can also have this great experience.� The Timmy League raised $10,000 this year alone to support John Theissen’s charity for kids with cancer and numerous donations for the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter. The Timmy League has also helped to supplement the Herricks Middle School “Pop Tab� collection for the Ronald McDonald House. HTA Well Represented at Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walks This year’s HTA Making Strides Team is coordinated by Donna Ilardo, Denton 5th grade teacher and HTA Vice President of Elementary Schools. The building drive leaders include Dr. Jean Anne Agoglia, Center Street School Psychologist; Lyndsey DeSarbo, Denton Avenue 3rd grade teacher; Karen

Kleigman Searingtown Librarian; Matee Mahabir, Community Center Account Clerk and Susan Quintyne, Middle School World Language Teacher. The team building leaders rally members to raise awareness, join the event and collect donations to help save lives of those stricken with breast cancer. Bulletin versations and online donations are all part of this HTA district wide effort.The Walk will take place at Jones Beach on October 20th.

who died from the disease two years ago. “It feels good to be able to participate with my family and keep my father-in-law’s

The American Cancer Society began the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walks to unite communities in the ease. “This disease has affected my family and many others in our school and community,� commented Lyndsey. “This is a wonderful cause that we need to support.� Today, Making Strides is the largest network of breast cancer events in the nation - and we do more than walk. We raise money to help the American Cancer Society fund groundbreaking breast cancer research and provide patient services like free rides to chemo, free places to stay near treatment, and a live 24/7 cancer helpline.

Joanne Savitt and The Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra This orchestra provides free entertainment at many fundraising events. Joanne Savitt, a Middle School teaching assistant, has volunteered her time by playing the violin for over 34 years! In the past, the orchestra has raised money for Special Olympics, North Shore University Hospital, and currently The Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County.

Jodie Ruggiano, a cancer survivor and Searingtown 5th grade teacher is a team leader for the Making Strides Walk in Central Park, also on October 20. Jodie, with the help of many teachers and staff are fundraising for the event. “My wellness is truly a community effort,� she proudly asserted. “My oncologist is a former Searingtown parent who still lives in the district, as well as my radiation technician, and a few chemo nurses - one a former student! So, indirectly we are all in this together!� Licia McCarthy and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s - The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’sŽ is the world’s largest event held to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on partici ease. McCarthy, a Herricks Middle School teaching assistant, volunteers in the walk with her family to honor her father-in-law

Kathy Hoey, a Winthrop Hospital Volunteer - Hoey, a retired HTA Herricks Pupil Personnel Services member, has been a volunteer in the Winthrop Hospital ER for 16 years. “I did it " # %& many Herrick’s people and their relatives or friends who came through the doors of the hospital.� Kathy asserted, “Doing this gives me a sense of satisfaction.� Kathy proudly quotes St. Francis, “It is in giving that we receive.�

Jodi Thompson and the Holiday Wishes Program - Every year, Middle School Librarian, Jodi Thompson, coordinates the Holiday Wishes program at HMS. This program is directed through the Nassau County Department of Social Services. Par ' * ty during this special time of year. “We are given the names and holiday wishes of 125 children who are in the Nassau County " " Jodi. “The majority of the teachers in the school take one, or even two lists and buy the children what they want for the holidays. We wrap the gifts up and send them “From Santa,’ where they are distributed at a party run by Nassau County.� Thompson proudly exclaimed that the generosity of the staff never + %& hundreds of beautifully wrapped presents. The joy it brings us * of kids are waking up to a wonderful morning that may not have otherwise been possible for them. It keeps the true spirit of the holiday season alive here at Herricks Middle School, as we give back to children in a way different from our teaching.�

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46 Schools & Education • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, October 4, 2019

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