School Year Success

By Shana Liebman

With COVID-19 cluster zones appearing in our area, one of the biggest issues facing parents is remote education. How do we keep our kids engaged and learning while at home? Does she need a tutor? How can you help him stay focused? When are those state and standardized tests? Read on for how to help your child get the most out of this school year.

It’s an unusual time for education—remote learning has forced students to find new ways to engage with academics. Many are struggling with at-home learning (Zoom calls, Google Classroom, etc.) and some are struggling with the schoolwork itself. How do you know if your child needs extra help? We asked education experts how parents can assess from the sidelines and intervene if necessary.

Although many flailing students will be flagged by their teacher, it’s often up to the parents to observe the signs. Angela Thomas, director of wellness and counseling at the Elisabeth Morrow School in New Jersey, says she’s “not sure the teacher will always ring the alarm as much as an observant parent can.”

If your child is struggling to keep up, having problems completing grade-level assignments, getting low grades, avoiding doing homework, or complaining about material being too hard, it’s a good time to investigate further help, says Jeffrey Wu, managing director of The Tutorverse in Manhattan.

Other signs your child may need extra help, according to Daniel Koffler, president of New Frontiers Executive Functioning Coaching in Manhattan: she normally likes school but is suddenly disinterested, or you sense a sudden loss of self-confidence or motivation. “These are difficult signals to read as they can be momentary, or sometimes hidden, but most parents know their children well enough to look out for cues,” he says.

Parents should also pay attention to how their child feels about a subject, says Talia Kovacs, CEO of an international consulting firm and founder of Talia Kovacs Consulting in Brooklyn. “For many children, disinterest in a subject is a sign that they are not yet fully understanding the topic or are having a hard time making natural connections necessary to grasp a concept,” she says. This might just be a matter of asking him what subjects he doesn’t like and confirming with the teacher that it’s a topic of concern.

If a parent decides their child could benefit from a tutor, they should first speak with their kid’s teacher to get his perspective, Koffler says. “Sometimes children can be defiant or take a different stance on accountability at school vs. home.” He also believes parents should speak with their child, so “that they have agency over their educational efforts, regardless of age.”

Ask teachers, friends, and community members for recommendations and referrals for tutors—either remote, inperson, or a hybrid—in your area. It’s important to make sure you find someone who is specifically trained in the subjects in which your child needs help. For example, Rebecca Mannis, Ph.D., learning specialist and founder of Ivy Prep Learning Center, points out that someone who is trained in how to teach beginning reading may not know how to teach reading comprehension strategies to middle school students within the context of their history class.

Early intervention is always the best approach, Koffler warns. “The longer one lets a problem fester, the harder it is to reinforce foundations and make progress,” he says. Getting your child back on track will help her feel better about herself and her abilities. And, as Kovacs points out, “by using an outside tutor to help your child understand a topic further and retain their curiosity, you’ll help them find their love of learning all over again.”

Half the kids in my son’s online classroom are spinning and bopping in their chairs and the other half are nowhere to be seen—and likely running down the hallways of their homes. It’s tough for kids, especially young ones, to sit still for long periods of remote learning. So, what can parents do to help them?

“Let them stand! Who says you have to sit all day?” says Stacy Haynes, a professional counselor and educator at Little Hands Agency. She also urges parents to minimize the distraction—find quiet space for everyone to learn— and to allow for fidget toys, like fidget spinners, squishy balls, magnets, and paper clips. Diana Lee Santamaria, an early education specialist who writes bilingual books for kids, recommends setting a timer “so they have a clear-cut understanding of how much time they will be in that learning session.” And Rebecca Mannis, Ph.D., learning specialist and founder of Ivy Prep Learning Center, says parents should set small goals or deadlines for kids and then reward them with treats for attaining them.

It’s also important to have a quiet and comfortable workstation, and to minimize the glare of the screen with proper lighting. Another trick, according to Sheila Liang of Singapore Math Learning Center, is to encourage him to take notes—this will help your child stay focused. A routine can also help—get up at the same time every day, eat a good breakfast, and make sure your child has everything she needs at her desk. Get him into the mindset that it’s time to focus and actively listen— which parents can enforce by modeling this behavior.

Another surefire way to get out the wiggles is taking frequent breaks to move around. Here are some ideas for a quick mobile breaktime that will help kids refocus and reset:

Go on a short bike ride. Even if it’s just around the block, let your kids breathe some fresh air and move their legs.

Dance it out. Play your family’s favorite songs and bust a move.

Get up and stretch. A couple of warrior poses on each leg and a long downward-facing dog should do the trick.

Jump around. Use a trampoline, jumping rope, or just tennis shoes and a floor.

Organize a scavenger hunt. Plant 4-5 items based on a theme such as shapes or food and then give your kids clues to find them.

Create an obstacle course. Use chalk to draw obstacle prompts on cement; create a Hula-Hoop challenge or use the hoops as steppingstones; crawl through tents or tunnels.

Let them play with their hands. Give your kids a ball of clay or dough and ask them to make shapes.

Zentangle. This game uses small squares of paper to create spur-of-the-moment designs, which helps the creator be in the moment and forget about other concerns, like algebra.

While we don’t know for certain what this school year’s standardized testing situation will be, it’s always a good idea to know when exams are being administered to help your student prepare.

GIFTED AND TALENTED: Families must file a Request for Testing in the fall and the test is administered to students in January 2021.

THE NEW YORK STATE REGENTS: Jan. 26-29, 2021; June 15-25, 2021; Aug. 12-13, 2021

ALTERNATE ASSESSMENT: March 8-June 11, 2021

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS TEST (GRADES 3-8): April 20-22, 2021 (paper); April 19-26, 2021 (computer)

NYSESLA (SPEAKING) TEST: April 19-May 28, 2021

NYSESLA (LISTENING, READING, WRITING) TEST: May 17-28, 2021

MATH TEST (GRADES 3-8): May 4-6, 2021 (paper); May 3-10, 2021 (computer)

NY STATE SCIENCE TEST (GRADE 4 AND 8): May 25-June 4, 2021 (performance); June 7, 2021 (written)

ACT: Oct. 17, 24, and 25; Dec. 12; Feb. 6, 2021; April 17, 2021; June 12, 2021; July 17, 2021

PSAT / NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING: Oct. 14, 17, and 29; Jan. 26, 2021

SAT: Nov. 7; Dec. 5; March 13, 2021; May 8, 2021; June 5, 2021

AP EXAMS: May 3-7, 2021; May 10-14, 2021