baystateparent magazine August 2020

PRICELESS

Massachusetts’ Premier Magazine For Families Since 1996

AUGUST 2020

Back to School? n

Homeschooling 101

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Face Masks for Kids

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Virtual Learning Tips

2 AUGUST2020

contents ta bl e o f

a ug ust 2020

v ol u m e 2 5

n u mb e r 4

14

Returning to Play: 10 Tips for Sports Parents

in every issue 4 6 8 10 11 18 23

Finally Forever Editor’s Note Good to Know Herding Goofballs Cyber Savvy Mom Very Special People Take Eight

16

12

What School Might Look Like This Fall

13 Goose’s Goodies: Chewy Chocolate

bites Nutrition: Fruit juice labels don’t tell the whole story

Chip Granola Bars

19

More Parents Exploring Homeschool Option

20

Q&A: Meet Four Homeschooling Families

BAYSTATEPARENT 3

finally

forever

August’s Child: Meet Francisco

Hi, my name is Francisco and I like to make people laugh!

Francisco is an intelligent, creative 17-year-old of Hispanic descent who speaks both English and Spanish. He is fun, full of life, and very compassionate. He also enjoys playing basketball and video games, drawing, and trying new things.

In school, Francisco enjoys art and always looks forward to attending that class. At this time, Francisco attends a vocational high school with a focus on working in sheet metal. He and others in his sheet metal class are currently working on making signs for local businesses as well as traffic signs for the school’s parking lot. He feels that working in sheet metal may be his future career. Francisco is also a money manager and spends and saves his money wisely.

Legally freed for adoption, Francisco would like to be placed with a two-parent family. He is also open to a single male parent. Francisco will need a family who will provide him with love, stability, and a safe environment in which he

can grow to his fullest potential. The family will also need to understand that it will take time for Francisco to build trust and feel safe. Francisco would like the family to know that he does enjoy his privacy. Francisco will need to maintain contact with his siblings who reside in Virginia.

Can you provide the guidance, love and stability that a child needs? If you’re at least 18 years old, have a stable source of income, and room in your heart, you may be a perfect match to adopt a waiting child.

Adoptive parents can be single, married, or partnered; experienced or not; renters or homeowners; LGBTQ singles and couples.

The process to adopt a child from foster care requires training, interviews, and home visits to determine if adoption is right for you, and if so, to help connect you with a child or sibling group that your family will be a good match for.

To learn more about adoption from foster care, call the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) at 617-6273 or visit www.mareinc.org.

baystateparent president PAUL M. PROVOST

CREATIVE editor in chief AMANDA COLLINS BERNIER 508-767-9526 acollins@gatehousemedia.com creative director SHIELA NEALON 508-793-9121 shiela.nealon@telegram.com

ADVERTISING sales manager JEREMY WARDWELL 508-767-9574 jwardwell@gatehousemedia.com account executive KATHY PUFFER 508-767-9544 kpuffer@gatehousemedia.com account executive REGINA STILLINGS 508-767-9546 rstillings@gatehousemedia.com baystateparent is published monthly and is distributed free of charge throughout Massachusetts.

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4 AUGUST2020

BAYSTATEPARENT 5

My s g n i h T e Fa vo rit

“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” is a very popular book in my house, so I’m thrilled for the new title by beloved author-illustrator Eric Carle. “You’re My Little Baby,” an interactive touch-and-feel board book featuring parents throughout the animal kingdom doting on their little babies, is out Aug. 25.

Goliath’s new Wheels on the Bus board game is a huge hit with my 3-year-old, who happens to love big yellow buses. The bus plays the song that everyone knows while going around the game board in this memory game that’s perfect for little kids.

6 AUGUST2020

editor’s note I have two older sisters who are both wonderful mothers.

Between them, they have four kids ranging from grade school to teenagers, and they’re all smart, responsible and well-rounded.

But while they’re both raising great kids, like all parents, they’re doing it differently -- even when it comes to the upcoming school year.

My oldest sister plans to send her children -- a high school junior and a fifth grader -- to school, however the district configures its in-person learning. Her kids miss and need school, she says, and they thrive on the routine and peer interaction.

My second sister, on the other hand, plans to keep both her daughters home, taking part in their district’s remote-only learning option. Her oldest, a high schooler, has health issues that put her in a “high-risk” category, and there’s just too much at stake with the ongoing COVID crisis. For her, it’s an easy call.

Parenting is full of decisions, but for many moms and dads, these back-to-school choices feel particularly important and emotional. Should they send kids back to school with masks, gloves and social distance lectures? Return to only e-learning? Look into homeschooling? Should parents trust experts or trust their gut?

There’s plenty of other things to consider, too: family members’ health risks, work schedules, transportation and childcare, as well as the best learning environment for their child.

As we head into back-to-school season, there’s no one-size-fitsall solution. Most moms and dads are choosing from an array of unappealing options, weighing their children’s unique needs while looking ahead to a school year full of uncertainty. For some families, the choice is clear cut. For others, it’s a lot more difficult.

This issue of baystateparent has tips for however you’re tackling this extraordinary school year. Is online learning going to be part of your child’s academic plans? Some pointers for making the most out of remote learning are on page 11. Concerned about them wearing a mask at school? Find tips and kid-friendly face coverings on page 8. Want to know more about homeschooling?

Read about how local families make it work on page 20.

Parents, give each other, and yourself, some grace this season.

These are unprecedented times, and these are really tough decisions. However “back-to-school” looks in your family, I hope it’s the start of a good year.

Amanda Looking for some fun before school starts? Head to baystateparent. com for our guide, 18 Places to Bring The Kids This August. There’s more open than you might think!

Disney brings all of your favorite characters, from classic Disney to Pixar favorites to Star Wars, to their face masks. There is nothing fancy about these masks, and nothing to ensure a customized fit but, when your kid is walking around looking like Baby Yoda, you won’t be disappointed that you dropped $20 for a four-pack. These masks are currently on pre-order to arrive at homes in August.

I love the wave of first day of school photos that flood my social media feeds every year this month. This year, that first day might feel different, but I hope we all still celebrate and share. And be sure to send your first day photos to bspeditor@gatehousemedia.com to be featured in our online gallery!

BAYSTATEPARENT 7

good to know The Discovery Museum in Acton is offering free admission for all visitors through August 23.

In addition to the museum’s indoor exhibits, expanded outdoor experiences include the Discovery Treehouse and Discovery Woods nature playscape, Adventure Hill, a trike track, a new da Vinci moveable bridge, lawn games, orienteering and trail route information for the Great Hill Conservation Land, and several new outdoor experiences for all ages.

Tickets must be reserved online in advance, and masks are required for visitors 5+. For more, go to discoveryacton.org.

Boston’s WGBH and the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care are offering a free summer learning initiative for Massachusetts families. Featuring games, videos and hands-on activities with beloved PBS Kids characters, Family Fun at Home, is an online bilingual (Spanish/English) resource center to help keep kids ages birth to 8 years-old engaged this summer. Families that complete any four activities per week, including the games and videos are invited to enter a weekly raffle to win gift cards and other prizes through Aug. 31.

More than 1,000 gift cards will be distributed to Massachusetts families over the summer. Family Fun at Home is also available as a print guide for those with limited internet access. You can find it all at https://www.wgbh. org/distance-learning-center/family-activities.

The state is planning to work with schools and municipalities to get more people - particularly school-age children - to get a flu shot this fall. Cold and flu season is poised to overlap with ongoing efforts to fight COVID-19.

Word of the developing strategy was tucked into a memo that Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeff Riley sent to school superintendents detailing safety protocols for reopening schools.

“Not only do flu symptoms closely mirror COVID-19 symptoms, but managing both a bad flu season and ongoing presence of COVID-19 could be highly disruptive for our educational institutions and health care system,” Riley wrote.

8 AUGUST2020

Face coverings kids will actually want to wear Face masks are a part of life now for most of us now. As states start reopening and families start venturing out, the Centers for Disease Control recommends anyone over the age of 2 years old wear masks in public settings where it’s difficult to practice social distancing. Face coverings are not recommended for children under the age of 2, due to suffocation risks.

While masks are becoming a fact of life for us, not all kids—especially little ones—are on board with face coverings. Some of them find them scary, some hate how they feel, and some are simply anxious at the thought of having something covering both their mouth and nose. Here are some face masks to help you convince even the most reluctant child to give wearing one a shot. These picks are from our partners at Reviewed.com, who looked for fit, durability, comfort, and—of course—cuteness.

Blue Dog fitted mask

Good for ages: 3 and up Protection level: Non-medical grade Type of mask: Elastic ear loops This adorable doggie mask by Billie Blooms x Karolina Kurkova is sure to make any hesitant child a mask-wearing convert.

Bonus for buying: For every mask purchased, one mask and the proceeds will be donated to Feeding America. maisonette.com, $20

SpongeBob character masks

Good for ages: 5 and up Protection level: Non-medical grade Type of mask: 2-ply polyester with elastic ear loops Landlubbers and sea critters alike will love these breathable yet durable masks featuring all of their favorite friends from Bikini Bottom.

Bonus for buying: Nickelodeon will donate 100% of its proceeds from the sale of SpongeBob SquarePants branded face masks to support Save the Children's COVID-19 Global Response. spongebobshop.com, $18.95

Meakeize 2-pack bandana face mask

Good for ages: 4 to 12 Protection level: Non-medical grade Type of mask: Neck gaiter Designed to be a perfect pair for siblings, this two pack comes with different, but complementary designs from unicorns and rainbows to dinosaurs to sharks. The gaiter design is great for kids who are uncomfortable with straps or who might have a higher bridge to their nose and have a hard time finding a good fit. These masks should fit kids from ages 4 to 12. amazon.com, $20.99

UncommonGoods Children’s Rainbow Face Coverings Good for ages: 4 to 10 Protection level: Non-medical grade Type of mask: Pleated with elastic ear loops Designed by kids, for kids, and for the greater good.

Kids around the world have been painting rainbows and hanging them in their windows to spread cheer through the COVID-19 pandemic. UncommonGoods has taken some of those uplifting drawings to make masks that spread some joy while also doing some good. These pleated masks are made from two layers of tightly woven cotton and each has a little label with a big, positive message, like “lift others up” and “keep smiling.”

Bonus for buying: 100% of profits from sales of these designed-by-kids masks go to NYC's public hospitals. uncommongoods.com, $25

Helping young children get used to wearing a face mask We know that it is difficult to encourage adults to wear masks... let alone children. But, children are surprisingly good at learning new things. Here are tips from Amanda M. Simanek, Ph.D., MPH, associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Zilber School of Public Health on some things you can do to help encourage children to wear a mask:

Let them pick.

Have your children pick out masks made from fabric that feature a book, TV, or movie characters they like.

Explain why.

Have them watch videos on why and how to wear a mask that are aimed toward kids (see an example on the Dear Pandemic Facebook page.)

Be consistent.

Set consistent rules for when and where masks need to be worn and stick to them.

Be a role model.

Model good mask-wearing behavior for your child.

Give kudos.

Offer praise and rewards for good mask compliance.

For wherever life takes you.

Ups and downs, twists and turns, good times and challenging times.

We'll be by your side through it all. Learn more at GetReliant.com.

o�E�t1��I Part of OptumCare

®

BAYSTATEPARENT 9

Herding

Goofballs

Farnsworth University Course Catalog

BY JOSH FARNSWORTH ILLUSTRATION BY KIRA BEAUDOIN It’s about this time when the familiar Staples commercial makes its annual appearance.

You know the one. The kids reluctantly trudge down the aisles of a store, while the parent gleefully dances around to “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” The message: those darn, pesky kids are close to returning to school and being out of your hair for a while.

As the 2020-2021 academic season approaches, alas, there is no joy in Staplesland.

And tell your hair that those children of yours may not be going too far.

With the pandemic still a viable threat, the state and individual school districts are now tasked with preparing for a multitude of arrangements for how school may be 10 AUGUST2020

conducted this fall and beyond.

How to “do school” is the million-dollar question. Do it virtual? Do it in-person? Do both? Do alternating weeks? Do seasonally in-person?

Do not think I want to be the persons making those decisions.

Ultimately, because whatever “answer” comes, cannot and will not satisfy everyone. How can it? I ask the four of us what we want for dinner and I get five answers.

(For the record, I voted for both beef shawarma and burritos, so my fault.)

With a first grader and young preschooler-to-be, the decision for my family will be made based on our own comfort level. There are several scenarios that could play out, including homeschooling one

or both of them.

Homeschooling is not my preferred option. While we have the resources to make it work, losing out on the classroom experience is something that would bum my kids out.

And for the record: there is no right and wrong answer to how to educate your kids in a crisis. Because this is still a crisis, no matter how favorable the pandemic numbers in Massachusetts trend.

The only “right answer” is what is best for your own kids, parents. In a world still sifting through a pandemic, there are no clear-cut, one-size-fits-all solutions to academia when the first school bell rings.

If we do homeschool the kids, my wife and I plan to make it the most

comprehensive experience our teacher-novice minds can handle.

We’re going to need a plan.

A big plan. A thoughtful plan.

The real fact: we will need to plan for the plan.

In other words, before the official plan is in place, I would suggest putting together a trial course load for your kids. This will help work out any unforeseen wrinkles in laying out an in-home school schedule, while simulating a routine that looks a lot like a school day.

Well, a school day where the dress code looks a lot like whatever pajamas they are currently wearing.

I am designing pseudocourses to help bring structure. I recommend you do the same. As a bonus, if you play your cards right with the proper courses, it may help you around the house or help explain certain protocols you want the kids to follow.

Take a look at my course catalog and consider Farnsworth University for your own academic needs this August to prepare for the real schoolwork ahead…

Science “The Effects of Extended Sleep Past 7 a.m. on the Adult Parent” “Anatomy of a Stomach If I Continue to Give You Nothing But Chocolate Milk” History “When Daddy Said to Put the Toys Away 15 Minutes Ago, He Meant It” “The Roaring ‘20s: A Trip in Time to February” Reading “The Complete Works of the Local Curbside Pickup Menus” “Understanding That a Goodnight Story Isn’t Followed By an Impromptu Cookie or 5” Spelling “A is for Allowing Mommy Five Minutes in the Bathroom Uninterrupted” “G-O T-O S-L-E-E-P: An Introduction” Math “Addition Time: Deconstructing Daddy’s Amazon Prime Delivery Bill” “Percentages: If You Eat All of Daddy’s Chips, What Percent of His Patience is Left?”

Art “Impressionism: I Would Be More Impressed If You Decided to Paint the Paper and Not the

Newspaper Around It” “Modesty and How to Gently Let Daddy Down Easy When Your Drawing is Better Than His” Physical Education “That Trash is Not Going to Empty Itself 101” “Cross-training to Finish the Entire Walk Without Hitching a Ride over Daddy’s Shoulders” Music “Advanced Composition: Songs Beyond ‘Baby Shark’” “Music Theory: Why is Dad Cranky When the Drums Are Played When he is On the Phone?”

Technology “How to Assist Daddy with Locating the Remote in the Cushions” “Typing: As In, Stop Typing and Adding Twizzlers To Daddy’s Online Shopping Cart” So, yeah, I have some work to do.

Yes, these are silly course ideas, but something concrete can at least get the kids ready and on some form of schedule.

For all those teaching virtually, in-person or some combination of the two, you have my eternal admiration.

For students and parents, know that whatever you choose is the right choice. There is no playbook for what we are in the middle of.

The school year will require a tremendous amount of patience and empathy and judgments need to be cast aside. Because when it comes to managing a full school year in a time like this, we are all freshmen.

The circumstances are not ideal, but the compassion for each other can be.

We’ll get through this.

And when we do, we will really, truly, float down the aisles of a back-to-school sale happy at what is to come.

Josh Farnsworth is a husband, father of goofballs Cooper and Milo, goofball himself, and award-winning writer and columnist living in Worcester.

He can be reached for column ideas at josh. farnsworth@ yahoo.com.

cyber savvy mom

5 tips to make the best of remote learning this fall It’s likely that some learning will continue to take place virtually in the coming school year. What should families consider now to optimize their education time?

BY JOAN GOODCHILD CYBER SAVVY MOM

A

s summer marches on to September, many parents here in Massachusetts are facing up to the reality that our students will likely continue to learn remotely this fall, at least part of the time. State and local school officials continue to put together schedules that will allow children to be in school on a rotating basis in the continued effort to stem the spread of COVID-19. The hope is that schools will be able to craft arrangements that will have them attend in-person classes for some portion of the week or month.

Several school districts, including Oxford, Springfield and Newton, have already informed their communities that classes this coming school year will likely be a hybrid model of remote learning and on-campus classes. Others as of this writing have not yet issued any formal notification on school year arrangements, opting to continue to wait and see how virus levels might impact plans that ensure compliance with state recommendations.

The continued need to support students learning from home is at the very least inconvenient for some families and downright distressing for others as it can throw work and childcare arrangements into chaos. While not ideal, at least it is not completely new territory.

Here are five suggestions to make the most of remote learning as we kick off a new school year.

Take heart that you’ve tackled this before While it may be a very frustrating prospect to face

having many more months of remote learning ahead, at least there is some comfort in knowing the territory this time around. For most of us, it is not completely new ground. And even if last year’s months of remote learning were not ideal, this is a good time to take stock of what didn’t work so well while you were navigating remote learning, and make a plan for how you and your student can collaborate to ensure things go smoothly this year. What technology issues were stumbling blocks? How can you get in front of those now for maximum success this time?

Understand new challenges will arise While the uncertainty of pivoting to an online learning environment last March was anxiety-provoking for many, there were some advantages to the arrangement. Specifically, that existing classroom rhythms and expectations were already in place. Students switched over to learning from afar after spending several months with teachers; in classes and with classmates. Without this context at the outset, getting into a groove with assignments and learning may take longer.

However, with the widespread expectation that at least some class time will occur in person, students will at least have a chance to experience some normalcy when it comes to learning this fall.

Relationships will need special attention this year

Jumping off of the last point, getting to know teachers and their personalities may take more time too. Patience will be key. While students had months to get to know teachers last year before switching to remote arrangements, this year, expect that pace to move a bit slower. Help your student to understand that educators are doing their best to get to know them under different circumstances and advocating for themselves in order to forge a relationship is important, but might take some time.

Structure is still key Ensuring kids keep set hours each day to complete work will continue to be critical.

Consistency and scheduling will be important not only to keeping them on task and on time with work, but also for you if you are a working parent juggling professional commitments and supporting your student. At the outset of the academic year, once you know the school schedule, sit down and write out how the day will be structured so both you and your child know what will be expected daily.

Continue to keep safety in mind Unfortunately, cybercriminals have shown no mercy when it comes to taking advantage of the pandemic and the need for remote work arrangements.

Last year, news headlines were filled with security events tied to remote learning, including Zoom bombing of classroom sessions, as well as a warning from the FBI about an increase in ransomware attacks targeting K-12 schools.

A report from the Consortium of School Networking (CoSN) on the top five cybersecurity threats for schools finds more than 90 percent of cyberattacks start with phishing emails, in which criminals send malicious links and fool unsuspecting users into clicking. In fact, when a public school district in

Mississippi sent fake phishing emails to district teachers in an experiment, results were not good. Of the 572 who received the email, 474 were opened, and 272 people clicked a survey link in the email. It’s clear awareness around this issue is key for educators. The same goes for students.

This fall, cyber criminals can be expected to be back with even more scams and cons targeting educators and students. As a preventive measure, ensure you’re regularly reviewing safe online practices with your students and warn them about how to be on guard.

While things continue to look different in our lives, it’s important to lead with a positive attitude heading into this new academic calendar. Please reach out with any questions. Here’s to a productive and enjoyable school year.

Do you have a question or a story suggestion for Cyber Savvy Mom? Contact me at joangoodchild@ cybersavvymedia.com.

BAYSTATEPARENT 11

Bites nutrition Fruit juice labels don’t tell the whole story

BY MELISSA ERIKSON

B

right images of apples and berries on the packaging of children’s fruit drinks may be misleading parents. Confusing or exaggerated labels are blurring the distinction between drinks that are acceptable for children and those that contain added sugar or sweeteners.

To solve the problem children’s fruit drinks need new, clearer labels, according to a study from the NYU School of Global Public Health. The Food and Drug Administration last passed new regulations for fruit and fruit drink labels in 1993 and they haven’t been updated since, said Jennifer Pomeranz, assistant professor of public health policy and management at NYU School of Global Public Health and the study’s lead author.

“The area of food labels is one of the most deceptive. Parents don’t realize. Juice drinks are definitely a problem,” Pomeranz said.

“Our research shows that the way in which children’s drinks are labeled makes it very difficult for parents to select healthier drinks for their children,” Frances Fleming-Milici, director of marketing initiatives for the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity.

Pomeranz and Fleming-Milici analyzed children’s drink labels and found similar nutrition claims, such as “good source of Vitamin C” or “no high fructose corn syrup,” on both fruit drinks with added sugar and 100% fruit juice.

Turns out the fruit featured on a drink label may only reflect its flavor rather than actual ingredients.

“Surprisingly, we found that images of fruit appeared on 85% of children’s sweetened drink packages regardless of whether the product contained any fruit juice,” Fleming-Milici said.

“Top-selling children’s drink pouches and boxes have a range of products, including sugary fruit drinks, 100% juice and juice/

12 AUGUST2020

water blends, that look the same in terms of packaging and claims, but have different ingredients.”

Most parents would be shocked that many drinks advertised as appropriate or even healthy for children contain added sugar plus zero- or lowcalorie sweeteners such as sucralose and acesulfame potassium, the same sweeteners found in diet soda, Fleming-Milici said.

This can be hidden on the labels, which may read “low sugar” or “less sugar.”

“These claims appeal to parents who care about reducing sugar in their child’s diet, but hide the true ingredients,” Fleming-Milici said.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents do not provide products with low-calorie sweeteners to children.

Thoroughly analyzing a drink’s ingredient list and understanding all the chemical terms is too difficult and time consuming for parents, Pomeranz said.

“Beverage manufacturers should clearly indicate on the front of children’s drink packages that a product contains added sugars and/or low-calorie sweeteners and the percent juice content,” Fleming-Milici said. “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration should require that products with nutritionrelated claims on packages meet minimum nutrition standards and prohibit the use of fruit and vegetable images on packages of drinks that contain little or no fruit juice.”

A small amount of 100% fruit juice can be a part of a healthy diet, but children should stick with plain milk (up to 4 ounces per day for toddlers and up to 8 ounces for older kids) and water, Pomeranz said.

“The recommendations advise limiting juice because even 100% fruit juice can contribute to cavities, and drinking more than the recommended amount can lead to other negative health impacts such as weight gain,” Fleming-Milici said. “Generally, providing children fruit instead of fruit juice is recommended.”

Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars A perfect snack whether you’re sending the kids off to school or keeping them home for virtual learning. These chewy no-bake granola bars can be customized with any additions you want.

Bites

goose’s

goodies

Ingredients 6 tablespoons butter 1/3 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons honey 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract Heaping 1/8 teaspoon salt 2 cups quick-cooking/instant oats (do not use old-fashioned oats) 1 ¾ cups crispy rice cereal 1/2 cup sliced almonds 1/4 cup wheat germ 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips (or other additions: dried cranberries or other dried fruit, peanut butter chips, etc.)

Directions Line a 9x13 baking pan with aluminum foil. Spray the foil lightly with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large pot, combine the butter, brown sugar and honey. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Lower the heat and simmer until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and salt.

Add the oats, rice cereal, almonds and wheat germ to the pan and fold in with a rubber spatula until well combined. (Note: If you are substituting dried fruit for the chocolate chips, mix it in now.)

Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press down lightly with a rubber spatula into an even layer. The mixture should be tightly compacted in the pan. Sprinkle the miniature chocolate chips over top. Press down with the spatula so the chips stick.

Cool in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Once cooled, transfer the mixture to a cutting board, and use a sharp knife, cut into rectangles.

Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Use parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking.

Laurie Silva Collins, known affectionately as Goose by her grandkids, is a nurse, mother and grandmother who is happiest when she’s in the kitchen, cooking and baking for those she loves. She learned to cook from her parents, and has perfected her recipes over the years while raising three daughters… and spoiling seven grandchildren.

BAYSTATEPARENT 13

Get ready to return to play

10 tips for sports parents of improvement. To begin, reach out to your children’s coaches. Ask for their opinions on skills your child can improve on. Also, ask the coaches for sport-specific resources. There is an abundance of content out there now. Try to narrow the options and focus on topics your children can really benefit from during their pre-season practice.

In general, I advise athletes to combine fitness with sports skills. This form of functional training keeps practice fun and purposeful. For older children, ask coaches about pre-season fitness assessments or target goals. Use the month of August to train toward those specific benchmarks.

BY DR. LYNN PANTUOSCO-HENSCH WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY

A

fter the unprecedented break from organized sports during the COVID-19 pandemic, youth sports teams will soon resume play. While there will surely be a mix of emotions and safety concerns, a return to youth sports is exciting for many of us.

As a mom, youth soccer coach, and college professor, I’ve been researching and planning the return to organized sports for my family and my teams.

There is a plethora of return to play guidance, including a valuable Return-to-Play Guide from the Aspen Institute at https://www.aspenprojectplay. org/return-to-play.

I’ve compiled some recommendations for parents who want to help their children get ready to return to play organized sports. These 10 tips can be implemented during the month of August and into the fall season. Each tip is based on the most current research on athletic development, with practical strategies or resources for families. For best results, combine training efforts with a healthy diet and enough quality sleep. With your help, when your community gets the green light to restart sports, your children will be ready to go!

1. Make the most of time off For many of us, these last few months are the first real break we’ve gotten from the rat race of youth sports in years. Experts report a reduction in overuse injuries in kids and recovery rates that are better than ever.

Why? Because kids are actually taking time off! This respite from organized sports has been valuable for many young athletes and their families. Take advantage of this time for rest and rejuvenation both physically and mentally.

I’ve emphasized to my teams and my own children the importance of making the most

14 AUGUST2020

Dr. Lynn Pantuosco-Hensch’s four sons have been participating in daily fitness challenges over the summer. of this time off. Now is a great time to focus on development over winning. Spend time with your children helping them to improve athletic weaknesses, try new skills, and practice with a purpose. In my work on LongTerm Athletic Development (LTAD), my recurring theme is to “Build Good Habits Over Time.”

There has never been a more opportune time to develop new and better athletic habits with our children.

2. Embrace a fresh start to fall sports With time off comes the opportunity to reflect on our children’s youth sport experiences. Many experts have called for a reimagining of youth sports that is more childcentered and less dependent on travel, expenses, and scheduling demands. I couldn’t agree more. While my focus is on what parents can do to help their children restart organized sports, I highly recommend embracing a fresh start in the fall. For more, go to the Aspen Institute to read Tom Farrey’s article on How Sports Can Rebuild America (https://www. aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/

how-sports-can-help-rebuildamerica/).

Perhaps the startup of youth sports doesn’t have to mean the end of family dinners and bike rides. And just maybe, there could be less travel, fewer tournaments, and a greater emphasis on community sports.

In my family, we’re already talking about a return to sports that doesn’t cause us to be as overextended as we were preCOVID. Talk with your children about what they want their sports participation to look and feel like. And better yet, talk with your local youth sports coaches and administrators about any changes you’d like to see. The Positive Coaching Alliance, postivecoach.org, has some valuable resources that can easily be implemented in our communities.

3. Develop intrinsic motivation My husband and I have four sons who play a combination of soccer, hockey, basketball and lacrosse throughout the year.

During the quarantine, it has been interesting to observe how they play at home and which sports they gravitate toward on their own. We are fortunate to

have a big family, with cousins next door, so the pick-up sports have been plentiful. Interestingly, our kids have played a variety of sports in waves, including non-traditional sports like tetherball, mountain biking, and skateboarding.

By observing kids during free play, parents can gain some insight about where their children’s passions really lie.

Research suggests that free play improves both creativity and intrinsic motivation in athletes. Help your athletes cultivate a love of the game, whatever game that may be.

Encourage creativity, deep practice, experimentation, and fun. Over the course of the summer, gradually add in some structured practice. One of the best life skills derived from sports is intrinsic motivation.

Athletes who are intrinsically motivated generally go farther with their athletic careers (as do intrinsically motivated professionals in other fields).

4. Communicate with coaches As you embark on more structured at-home practice or small groups in your community, try to focus on a few key areas

5. Create a 4-week plan In order to successfully accomplish a pre-season to do list or meet target goals, develop a game plan suitable for your child. August is the time for action! Now is the time to create a routine – focused on your children’s needs and interests – and get them ready for a competitive season ahead. Establish a routine that includes fitness, sports skills, and foundational athletic skills.

Like a good summer reading program: keep a journal, set goals, and use incentives.

My kids are using shared Google documents and spreadsheets to create, edit, and share workouts within our family. Developing and sharing workouts across friend groups can also be fun. For instance, my sister, who is also a coach, started a daily fitness challenge with a group of kids. Over text, the kids report in about their 50 push-ups or 1,000 jump ropes a day challenges. Planning, logging, and sharing fitness plans is a great way to get in shape and stay motivated. At SHAPE America there are many printable, monthly calendarstyle resources to use: https:// www.shapeamerica.org/covid19resources.aspx.

6. Learn the FITT principle When planning the August

training routine, be sure to teach your children about the FITT principle. It’s a commonly used acronym in the exercise science field which stands for Frequency, Intensity, Time and Type of exercise. Most children can do cardiovascular exercise 3-6 days a week, muscular fitness exercise 2-3 days a week and exercises for flexibility 5-7 days a week. Intensity should be moderate to vigorous. Time can be 20-60 minutes (or more).

The FITT principle provides an outline for a well-rounded fitness routine. Add sport specifics to better prepare your children for fall sports.

Also note that the research on youth strength training and conditioning is incredibly positive if done properly. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) provides supporting evidence and debunks common myths. https://www.acsm.org/docs/ default-source/files-for-resourcelibrary/smb-youth-strengthtraining.pdf?sfvrsn=85a44429_2.

Specifically, children should follow the principle of progression. Start simple and build to more complex exercises.

Additionally, children should follow the principle of overload by gradually increasing training volume over time (about 5-10% a week is the recommended norm). A progressive increase in training volume over the course of a month or more will have your children ready to take the field this fall.

7. Focus on the ABCs – Agility, Balance, Coordination Parents should focus on their children’s athletic foundation, as much, if not more than on specific sports skills. An athletic foundation starts with the ABCs: agility, balance, and coordination. Learning to move efficiently is necessary for all sports. Children can build their physical literacy with locomotor skills such as galloping, sliding, skipping, hopping, and jumping.

Use these skills in fun games of tag, capture the flag, or even obstacle courses. If you don’t have exercise equipment such as hurdles or ladders, improvise with anything children can jump over or run around. I often use sidewalk chalk for an “agility ladder” or even creative hopscotch patterns. Dust off your jump ropes and get a family competition going. These games

and challenges can help children across a variety of sports and development levels.

These classic movement skills have not gone out of style. More than ever, children need to build a strong athletic foundation to avoid injuries and boost performance. A well-established athletic foundation also allows children to pivot between sports over time. Our youth sports system generally rushes into sports skills instead of focusing on the basic building blocks. Use this break from organized sports to focus on doing the basics well. It’s as easy as ABC. 8. Improve cardiovascular fitness After a spring of virtual everything, hopefully summer provides a much needed transition for children to get outside and play. Children will likely need to improve their cardiovascular fitness to be ready to compete in full-length games. While aerobic activities like bike riding or jogging are helpful, it is better to focus on running as it relates to sports.

Younger children will need parental guidance to determine distance and speed, but children middle-school age and older can begin to learn how to train themselves. Introduce interval running, with a combination of jogging and sprinting. Children can sprint between driveways, mailboxes, or telephone poles and then jog between a few, creating their own pattern of sprints/jogs/walks. Of course, a community track is another useful alternative. Using a track to run fartleks (yes, that’s a real word for alternating faster springs and slower jogs) is a beneficial way to train for most sports.

Whether your child is running in your neighborhood, on a track, or eventually in a gym, instead of running at the same pace for a distance, be sure to change speed and direction.

The best way to be ready for the cardiovascular demands of organized sports is to play smallsided pick-up games. While this is safer at the moment for noncontact sports like baseball or tennis, soon we should be able to safely engage in small-group contact sports.

progression and overload – and focus on safety! Start with body resistance exercises like push-ups, sit-ups, planks, squats, lunges, pull ups, toe raises, and more. Pay close attention to technique and form. Provide feedback and encouragement. Using a mirror or video will help children learn to self-monitor. With children, the emphasis should always be on quality over quantity. Have children begin with single sets of 10 and gradually increase training volume. Help children to understand what a set and repetitions (reps) are and how to progress over time. In our family, we do sets of push-ups to match our age with our younger children (e.g., our 6 year old does 6 push-ups). Meanwhile, our teenage son is ready for more advanced challenges like a push-up and sit-up pyramid (10 of each, 9 of each, all the way down to one push-up and one sit-up).

Eventually, children will be ready to use small free weights and learn basic weight lifting techniques such as: bench press, bicep curls, triceps extensions, and overhead press.

Children can also safely add free weights to exercises like squats, lunges, and toe raises. August is

an opportune time to workout with your kids.

10. Check in on mental health During the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen families demonstrate resilience, especially those with essential workers. Helping our children learn a variety of mental health skills, like resilience, will bode them well in sports and in life. Now is the time to get gritty. Expert, Dr. Angela Duckworth says parents can teach children grit by being supportive yet demanding.

Her Tedx is well worth the six minutes: https://youtu. be/H14bBuluwB8. Encourage children to work toward what they want to accomplish. Define performance goals and create a corresponding workout plan to reach those targets.

As previously suggested, a return to play will bring a medley of emotions. Many children may feel anxious about being rusty or keeping up with their competition. As an expert in motor development and behavior, I can assure you that your children’s sports skills will come back to them. Children have a powerful ability to catch up and get back on trajectory.

Reassure your children that their worries are normal and

to focus on what they can control about their own return to play. There is plenty right now that none of us can control.

While you may not be able to create game-like intensity in your backyard, you can help your children be fit, focused, and ready when more realistic opportunities strike.

Final Thoughts If nothing else, for many of us this gift of unstructured quarantine time is an opportunity to cultivate both the physical and mental skills that will enable our children to be successful long-term athletes.

Use these tips to maximize preseason time while it lasts.

Build Good Habits Over Time… and get ready to return to play!

Dr. Lynn Pantuosco-Hensch is an Associate Professor at Westfield State University in the Movement Science Department.

She is also a licensed soccer coach with the United Soccer Coaches. Her current research is on LTAD and youth sport specialization. She thanks Paula Leahy Welch for her editorial support. Reach her at: lhensch@ westfield.ma.edu or https://www. lynnpantuosco-hensch.com

9. Build muscular fitness Children of all ages can safely build muscular fitness, provided they follow the principles of BAYSTATEPARENT 15

What school might look like this fall With COVID-19, districts face many requirements

BY DOUG PAGE

D

espite the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, which closed the Bay State’s K – 12 public schools last March, forcing them to cobble together remote learning plans on the fly, the goal, say state education officials, is to return students and teachers to the classroom this coming academic year.

(Editor’s note: These plans for returning to school are current as of baystateparent’s late July presstime.)

“There is no substitute for in-person instruction when it comes to the quality of students’ academic learning,” says the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in the opening pages of its document listing requirements school districts must follow to reopen their schools this fall. “In-person school plays an equally important role in our ability to support students’ socialemotional needs, including their physical health, and in mitigating the impacts of trauma.”

16 AUGUST2020

DESE, which oversees the Commonwealth’s K – 12 public schools, issued a 28page reopening guidance in June, listing safety and health stipulations each district must meet before opening their schools for in-person instruction.

School districts are required to submit reopening plans to DESE in August, the Department’s report says. The plans must detail how schools will operate with students and teachers inside the buildings, how they will operate should it become necessary to implement remote learning again, and, finally, show how they will teach in a hybrid fashion, with students instructed both at home and inside school.

When asked if DESE could reject those plans, Colleen Quinn, a spokeswoman for state Secretary of Education James Peyser, said: “DESE will not reject (reopening) plans but will work very closely with school districts to ensure what they are proposing complies with the medical requirements released in the guidance.”

“The medical community supports the return of our

students to in-person learning, with appropriate health and safety guardrails in place,” DESE’s report says. “With adherence to a comprehensive set of critical health and safety requirements, we can bring our students, staff and families safely back to school.”

DESE says they spoke with infectious disease physicians, medical advisors and with members of the Covid-19 Command Center’s Medical Advisory Board, which includes two Massachusetts General Hospital doctors, Rochelle Walensky and Paul Biddinger.

July’s statistics from the state’s Department of Health show that of the more than 8,300 deaths from COVID-19 in Massachusetts this year, no one was younger than 20. The majority of deaths, well over 80 percent, were people 70 and older.

Of the more than 111,000 Covid-19 cases in the Bay State this year, the majority infected were people 50 years and older while there were only 6,100 cases among children and young adults up to the age of 19, according to the state’s

Department of Health in July.

When school resumes, DESE says, everyone, starting with second graders, as well as teachers and staff, will be required to wear face masks.

Time will also be allocated for “mask breaks,” when students will be allowed to remove them.

Students will need to be at least three feet away from one another both inside the classroom as well as in the hallways and, if possible, kept “in the same group throughout the day” to “minimize the number … who would potentially be exposed to COVID-19” if someone contracted the virus, DESE’s guidance report says.

“COVID-19 is primarily transferred via respiratory droplets that travel less than three feet,” said Dr. Cody Meissner, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the Tufts University Medical Center in Boston. “The Centers for Disease Control has built in an extra three feet to make it six feet for social distancing but it’s hard in school to maintain six feet of distance.”

Schools, says DESE, are required to provide “COVID-19

isolation space” – which needs to be separate from the nurses’ offices – in case students display virus symptoms.

Teachers, staff and students will be expected to wash their hands throughout the day, DESE says, and schools are required to place hand sanitizer dispensers at building entrances, cafeterias and in the classroom.

School superintendents and principals are also expected to create “alternative spaces in the school,” turning the cafeteria, library and auditorium into classrooms “to increase the amount of available space to accommodate” social distancing rules, DESE says.

While DESE has yet to issue requirements or suggestions for transporting children on school buses, they will be forthcoming, the guidance report says.

DESE’s guidance document also recommends that school superintendents find out how many parents will send their children back to school should they reopen.

“It’s a parent’s prerogative to look out for the safety of their child,” said Todd Gazda, superintendent of Ludlow

Schools, noting that some students and parents are immunocompromised. “For any parent who says their child will not return to school in Ludlow, we’ll have a fully remote option.”

“Superintendents are strongly committed to bringing the kids back to school,” said Tom Scott, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents. “But the wildcard is how the teachers’ unions feel about this.”

“A lot of educators are uneasy about the guidelines that DESE put out,” said Scott McClennan, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA), the Bay State’s largest teachers’ union. “The guidance from DESE is leaving everyone confused.

“There’s no talk about any job action but people are concerned about this and how it manifests itself,” he added.

He also says MTA President Merrie Najimy is talking about crafting “a phased-in approach for reopening schools with face-to-face instruction being the goal.”

Medical Reasoning COVID-19 starts as an infection in the lungs, and in

an adult, it seems to trigger the immune system to overreact and that appears to be what causes death, according to some published reports.

“The immune system of kids seems more adaptive than the immune system in an adult which is more set in its ways,” said Dr. John O’Reilly, a pediatrician at the Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.

“I think we’ll find that certain people are genetically predisposed to having an exaggerated inflammatory response, and it’s those people who get in trouble with COVID-19,” said Dr. Meissner.

DESE notes that children “are less likely than adults to be infected with COVID-19.”

“Why children are less likely to become sick from COVID-19 than adults is a fascinating question,” said Meissner.

“Remember there are four conventional coronaviruses that cause the common cold.

It could be that one of those conventional coronavirus infections confirms some degree of protection against the disease.”

In fact, he says, the risk of a child or an adolescent becoming

infected with Covid-19 is higher at home than it is at school.

“In most of the cases at Tufts, (infected) children come from families where a family member, usually an adult, was diagnosed with COVID-19,” he said.

“If you go back and look at the number of cases in Massachusetts when Gov. Charlie Baker closed the schools, there was no change in the number of cases in the slope of infections,” said Meissner.

“Closing the schools didn’t do anything to limit the spread of the virus.

“That’s why I feel children should get back to school. Kids need to socialize and participate in athletics,” he added.

He suggests, where possible, keeping classrooms ventilated by keeping windows open because it will reduce the likelihood of the virus’s spread.

Meissner also stresses that children and parents be vaccinated against the flu this fall.

“There is preliminary evidence that says the death rate of someone infected with influenza while simultaneously being infected with Covid-19 increases the possibility of

death four or five times,” he said. “Only about 50 percent of the population is immunized.

Hopefully, we’re going to get that number higher.”

Remote Learning Soon after the Bay State’s public schools closed, many started attempting to teach students remotely, either by sending homework assignments via email or setting up video classroom instruction via digital providers.

“Kids generally thought they were learning less in a remote environment than in a face-toface setting,” said Peter Dillon, Berkshire Hills Regional School Superintendent, about his students. “In an interesting shift, parents thought kids could be assigned more homework but kids thought it was just right.”

The Unknowns: Athletics, extracurricular activities and music While DESE’s document doesn’t provide requirements or suggestions about how school districts should handle gym class, athletics, music instruction, bands or extracurricular activities,

Jacqueline Reis, DESE’s spokeswoman, says it will be out in the coming weeks.

“I have no problem with field hockey or football,” said Meissner, when asked about them being played this fall. “On an outside field, transmission is low.

“I’m a little more nervous about basketball because it’s inside,” he added, noting the aerosols players exhale are at greater risk of landing on another player.

Music is also worrisome, Meissner says, citing a case from Washington state earlier this year, when a member of a choir, who didn’t know they were infected with COVID-19, managed to infect nearly 90 percent of the choir members at rehearsal one night. Two of them died. The median age of the choir members that night was 69.

“More aerosols are expelled when one sings than when one talks,” he said, noting they’re also expelled greatly when someone plays a wind instrument, like the flute, trombone, clarinet or saxophone.

BAYSTATEPARENT 17

very

special people

T

How to prepare for an

BY MELISSA ERIKSON

he more a parent knows about a child’s IEP — Individualized Education Program — the more involved they can be in getting the best services and support available. The IEP process can be complicated and nerveracking for families, especially this year as schools reopen still dealing with COVID-19.

“If evaluations and timelines are delayed some parents may find themselves in limbo. They will be geared up (to address a child’s needs) yet find themselves in a holding pattern,” said Amanda Morin, author of “The Everything Parent’s Guide to Special Education” and an expert on the Education team of Understood.org. IEPs can be confusing, overwhelming and filled with technical jargon, but one of the most important things to know is that, as a parent, you are an equal partner by law in the decision-making process, Morin said.

An IEP is like a to-do list with specific details about what a child with special needs should accomplish during a school year. A team consisting of parents, teachers, administration, specialists and other support create a plan with “SMART goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, result-oriented and timebound,” Morin said.

Before getting an IEP, a child must first be evaluated,

18 AUGUST2020

and either a concerned parent or someone at the school can start the conversation. To request an evaluation a parent must put it in writing. From there a school will conduct an evaluation to determine whether a child qualifies for special services and support.

Next, parents will receive a written report that contains lots of numbers and data, Morin said.

“Take a deep breath and flip to the back page and read the summary and recommendations first. Then go back and read it from the beginning,” she said. While the report may feel like a cold-hearted look at a child’s ability, the summary is filled with great observations that will let parents know the school is looking at a child’s strengths and not just deficits, Morin said.

“Highlight anything that stands out or that you don’t understand,” she said. Take those flagged questions with you to the IEP meeting. Parents are allowed to bring outside help to the meeting such as a therapist or case manager who has special knowledge of the child, or a supportive friend or someone who can take notes, Morin said. Let the school know who will be attending.

“It’s emotional. It feels like high stakes for your child’s education,” so having someone supportive there can be invaluable, she said.

Typically, the meeting will have an agenda so a parent should know what to expect. After introductions the evaluation is explained, and a parent has time to ask questions. A parent may ask something like, “Is this

typical for a child of this age or not to be expected?”

Other good questions include asking what a child’s typical day looks like at school or to explain how a child is being assessed.

The parent also gets time to make a report and share what teachers and staff don’t get to see at school, for example, if a child is exhausted after the school day or if they struggle with math but love chapter books.

“Describe their strengths,” Morin said.

Together the team and parents come up with goals and specialized instruction for the school year. As a child grows, he or she needs to get on board with the plan, too, Morin said.

Parents should be aware that an IEP is not a checklist. “They shouldn’t hear, ‘We offer this or that,’” Morin said. The IEP should include services and accommodations that best support a child’s ability to learn just like the general school population. “The goal is not to make a child feel different; it’s to make a child feel successful,” Morin said.

Many parents are hesitant to talk about special education services their child receives, but Morin suggests they should be more open to lessen the stigma.

“You’re not alone. There is a support system out there. Be informed, empowered and keep shaking things up. It will only help you and your child,” she said.

Considering homeschooling?

Many parents are exploring the option

BY DEBBIE LAPLACA

F

or most parents, August is typically about backto-school clothes, filling classroom supply lists and awaiting word of their child’s schedule or teacher assignment.

In this COVID-19 tainted year, however, many parents and guardians will spend these few weeks before the state re-opens its public schools focused on health risks and questioning whether they should keep their children home.

“People are scared. Worried and scared,” said Bill Heuer, director of the Massachusetts Home Learning Association.

The MHLA was founded in 1987 as a voluntary organization that endorses home learning as an alternative to public or private schooling. Roughly 5,000 people engage in the association’s website and social media platforms.

Heuer said most recently the association has been conducting ZOOM sessions to answer parents’ home education questions. COVID-19 concerns, he said, is prompting people who were considering it in the past to make the change this year, while others are exploring the option for the first time.

“Homeschool is a family lifestyle change and we tell them they have to make their own family choices,” he said. “They can file for an approval now and change their minds before it’s time to send them to school.”

Ashtyn Patraw of Webster has made an application to home school for the first time this fall.

“After careful consideration, correspondence with our school, St. Joseph School in Webster, and hearing the current planning information provided by the state, my

husband and I both decided that school just would not be a place we were comfortable sending our daughter,” she said. “We feel that masks and social distancing guidelines within schools will have detrimental effects on the mental and emotional wellbeing of our children. The threat of more cancellations and distance learning also was a huge factor.”

Patraw said St. Joseph plans to use fogging machines, disinfectants, masks, and hand sanitizers that she believes pose a “concerning threat to a child’s immune system.”

The Patraw’s daughter started her third year at St. Joseph last fall. When the pandemic closed schools in March, at home learning began.

“Remote learning left a lot to be desired for us. We tried it for four weeks or so and it was just a mess. It ultimately ended with me purchasing my own curriculum, reviewing and finishing our daughter’s year entirely on my own,” she said.

The process for withdrawing from a parochial school differs from a public school in that Patraw made her home education application to a member of the town school department, who she said has been “very kind and helpful.”

She expects a decision on her submitted plan in August.

Homeschooling doesn’t have to be an all or nothing educational path for children.

Some families, Heuer said, choose to home school their child through all or some of the 12 grades, while others may send one child to public school and educate a sibling at home.

Then there is the “partial home schooling” where one or two subjects are taught at home and the remainder at school.

“Once you choose homeschooling you can go back to public school anytime,” he said.

For Amy Stanley of Charlton, homeschooling the past two years was a family decision.

“It was my daughter’s request since elementary school, but due to the wonderful school system in Charlton we felt she was receiving an adequate learning experience and education,” she said. “We waited till 7th grade to homeschool.

We wanted to make sure she had a strong academic foundation before looking into a homeschool curriculum.”

Although her decision two years ago didn’t include health concerns brought about by a pandemic, Stanley said she has heard from many parents that they plan to homeschool if their child is required to wear face masks.

“The Dudley-Charlton Regional School District made the process to homeschool rather simple to do. Their requirements were clear and easy to understand and reporting progress reports were easy to do,” she said. “My daughter was allowed to attend any school function she’d like, such as field trips.”

The Stanleys homeschooled their daughter through Grades 7 and 8. She will be attending Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School in Charlton this fall.

Dudley-Charlton Regional educates roughly 3,800 students. Superintendent Steven Lamarche said the Stanleys were among 24 applications approved for homeschooling this past academic year.

As for the upcoming year, Lamarche said, “We’ve

had more inquiries about homeschooling, but we haven’t had an official uptick in formal requests.”

In a 2017 report, the U.S. Department of Education said homeschooling was growing in popularity with about 3 percent of U.S. children ages 5 through 17, or roughly 1.7 million students, being homeschooled at that time.

The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to up those numbers.

Massachusetts law says children shall attend a public or private day school each year or receive advance approval from the residing school system’s administration for a home education program.

Maura Mahoney approves homeschooling plans for the Worcester Public Schools, where about 25,000 students are educated.

Roughly 105 Worcester families made applications to homeschool 65 students this past school year.

As for the upcoming school year, Mahoney said, “I’ve certainly had more calls for new plans. There is no deadline for parents to submit their plan.

They can submit at any point.”

Parents are asked to detail the proposed instructional program to be taught at home, including subjects and materials, such as the textbooks.

The proposed instructor must provide their academic background, life experience and qualifications as it relates to the program being taught.

To ensure a child attains minimum learning standards, an end-of-year submittal must give evidence, such as standardized test results, daily logs, journals, progress reports and dated work samples.

In the Worcester school system, home-taught children may participate in the annual standardized achievement testing.

As for athletics, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association has ruled that homeschoolers may join their residing school’s sports teams, but individual school systems decide if they will allow it. In Worcester, homeschooled students are eligible to participate in school sports if there is availability.

So how do homeschooled children fare beyond high school?

Parents and students from the home-schooling community say the nontraditional method yields teens who are more independent and better prepared for college life.

According to college admissions counseling group College Transitions, standardized test scores are more important for homeschoolers than for traditional high school students entering college. The good news is a study found that homeschooled students outscore their peers by an average of 72 points on the SAT. And, once accepted to college, the graduation rate for homeschooled students is 67 percent, nine points higher than the 58 percent for traditionally schooled teens.

The Coalition for Responsible Home Education says anecdotal feedback from the first generation of homeschooled students, who are now adults, indicates that those who were homeschooled responsibly do well in college and professional life.

BAYSTATEPARENT 19

Meet four homeschooling families Local moms share what it’s really like to teach their kids at home

BY AMANDA COLLINS BERNIER

Last year, nearly 8,000 families in Bay State homeschooled their children, a number that’s been slowly on the uptick for at least the last three years.

With uncertainty of the upcoming school year, more parents than ever are looking into the option of homeschooling their children. But what’s it really like? We interviewed some local moms to find out how homeschooling works for their families. For the full interviews, go to baystateparent.com.

20 AUGUST2020

All three girls have been homeschooled for the past three years.

The MacMillan Family Salisbury Homeschooling: Madison age 8, Bridget age 8, and Charlotte age 5, for the past three years.

Give us an idea of a typical day for your family?

We do not have a specific time we sit down at a desk and call it school. We are a very active family and do a ton of field trips. Sometimes we are doing some workbooks on our way to a playground, because the weather is perfect, or perhaps we are writing and sketching next to the lion exhibit because we took a trip to our local zoo.

Other days, we are doing more book work, or games filled with learning, such as money themed math games, while others may be completely filled with science experiments and cooking in the kitchen.

How do you select your curriculum?

I sit down with my daughters and ask them what are the things they want to learn more about, the places they want to go to, and the community service project they want to work on. Last year, all three girls wanted to learn about dinosaurs, fossils and rocks, so we did. We went to the Science Museum, watched Dino shows and movies, we completed fossil digs and made model dinosaurs and we took an overnight trip down to Connecticut to the dinosaur museums, and Mystic Aquarium to see the exhibits there. It is incredibly important for my daughters to be involved in our curriculum because they are eager to learn, they like hands-on things.

What are some challenges you’ve had to navigate?

The first big challenge was being easier on myself. I had built such a fear I would fail my children if I homeschooled them.

I kept thinking about how they would not build the social skills, they would not be as good in math as they should, after all it is my least favorite subject, or that they would be too sad and want to go back. Once I let that fear go, homeschooling wasn’t scary at all, I discovered that the possibilities are endless, the adventures even greater, the fun was just beginning.

What’s surprised you most about homeschooling?

The biggest surprise to me about homeschooling was how much more of a social life my kids have! Our weeks are packed with tons of options to get together with our homeschooling community. There are nature groups, book groups, seasonal groups, playground groups, gym activities….the list is so long. We are in many groups from 4H, to Girl Scouts and a book writing class, to a gym class, karate and dance. They have attended gymnastics and cooking in the past as well as swimming and a sewing class. We utilize our local libraries because they offer so many amazing opportunities, classes or events.

What advice would you have for a family considering homeschooling?

Take a leap. There is such an adventure waiting for you. To be able to watch your child blossom and grow is one of the best opportunities that you can be given. It may seem so scary, and so much work but aren't the best things in life sometimes hard?

The Sedlier Family North Brookfield Homeschooling: Ducati, age 9.

Give us an idea of a typical school day?

We homeschool yearround. On a typical day, we get up around 8:30 a.m., have breakfast together then write our “to-do” list for the day. I write down the subjects we have to do for the day and then my son adds things he

wants to accomplish that day.

It might be a game he wants to play together, a place he wants to go, or something he wants to do. Typically, if we are not doing a field trip learning experience, we pull out the structured work for the day, such as math and any writing assignments. Then we take a break to read, then, we have lunch together and then do our errands or an activity from the list.

Science and social studies come in the afternoon. These

Haileigh Hill.

The Hill Family Monson Homeschooling: Haileigh, age 9, and TJ, age 16, for the last four years.

Give us an idea of a typical day?

We school year-round. A typical day for us begins at 9:30. They independently work on worksheets to review past information in the morning that I have previously taught them.

I typically leave it in a folder for them and they enjoy the sense of freedom in deciding which worksheets they want to do first.

Around 10:30 we begin to work our way through math, science, history, and English whether it be together, online, or within a group class with friends. Some days we are done by noon, other days they get immersed in learning and will be involved in researching it further and learning more until 3 or 4 o'clock.

We also make time for reading every day. There are special field trip days when we go on outings with the homeschool field trip group I run, Outstanding Homeschool Adventures. It allows us to connect with homeschooling families and experience some hands-on learning/fun together.

How has homeschooling changed as your children have gotten older?

As you school them you learn what works best for them, and as their learning style changes you have the freedom to change your teaching styles to compliment that. When their interests change you can change your curriculum to support their new found interests and foster their learning even further. With homeschooling there's endless

TJ Hill. room and opportunity for growth and change.

What’s surprised you most?

Just how easy it could be. I was so overwhelmed with the concept of needing a curriculum, a schedule, a plan and it took another homeschool mom to remind me “you are not the public-school system.”

Hearing that it allowed me to stop obsessing over figuring everything out right away.

What advice would you have for a family considering homeschooling?

Try it! Worst thing that could happen is you decide public school is the better option for your family and you reenroll your children. Join a few Homeschool Facebook Groups.

Ask what groups are in your area. Go to the homeschool park days and talk to other parents while your children play. Come on a field trip or to a class with OHA! The more you get involved in the homeschool community the easier it will be. Feel free to reach out to me through the OHA (Outstanding Homeschool Adventures) page. If I don’t have the answer, I can absolutely connect you to someone who does.

The Sedlier family: Matt, Dawn and Ducati.

activities are usually hands-on or through biographies and science programs. We do a lot of field trips and spend many days in the world learning.

Where did you get your curriculum?

I go to the mass.gov website and look for the educational standards for the grade. I print them out for each subject and then decide what materials or programs we can use to best teach the subject. Math is the most structured, I usually look up the lesson on MathAntics YouTube Page, or Khan Academy. For the other subjects, I look online at the beginning of the year to find resources that I can use to teach him in the way I know he learns best.

What are some of the challenges you’ve had to navigate?

Challenging my own attitudes about how learning occurs.

Society tells you that kids learn at school where there is an organized curriculum and that only qualified professionals are capable of teaching them. The truth is, I don’t have to know everything. I have to have a desire to help my child succeed.

I have to be his learning guide.

Let him ask questions then

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spend as much time as it takes finding the answers to those questions.

What about socializing with other kids?

All the homeschool kids we know, and we know many, are active, fun, and welcoming kids. They can naturally interact with kids of all ages because they don’t get limited to their own age all the time. My son takes acting classes, participates in theatre groups and gets to work on student films, TV projects and commercials. He attends a homeschool class at a local farm-based program, and we belong to some local homeschool groups that group activities.

What benefits of homeschooling have you seen in Ducati?

Having had children in public school for years and now doing homeschool, I can say that the biggest difference is in the stress level of the kids. My public school kids were always stressed and my homeschooler isn’t. The ability to individualize education, to allow extra sleep, breaks or food when needed truly helps children be able to listen to their bodies.

The Miranda Family Lexington

own learning. That is not to say we never have to push, but we found that if a child has real input in their daily life, they are less likely to “slack off.” We also realized we had forgotten how much we, as adults, love to learn. It has forced us to look at our own education, question where we could have gone if we had the freedom to learn as opposed to being educated. In homeschool circles it’s called “de-schooling,” so taking a hard look at ourselves helps us to help John think about life differently than we did.

Homeschooling: John, 11, for three years.

What’s a typical day like?

There is no typical day, really. Some of the learning experiences are set up weeks or months in advance and the rest, we fill in. An opportunity may come up that starts the next day and we will ask our son if he’s interested. If he is, then we sign him up. We both work full-time and run our own businesses from home, so our daily schedule is reflective of what’s going on with everyone in the family on any given day.

Where do you get your curriculum?

We don’t follow a set curriculum, we follow our son’s interests. This year, he was showing a strong interest in history, so I looked for classes online for art history, found resources for science with a historical context, and introduced him to the history of math through mathematicians. He attends classes for art, science, natural sciences, French speaking, including a special class for cooking French food. This also

Shannon, Dave and John Miranda. challenges my French while trying to read his recipes!

How has homeschooling changed as John has gotten older?

We’ve seen the anxiety that developed while attending public school gradually fade away and watched him grow to embrace his curiosity. When he was eight, we introduced him to as many new experiences and ideas as possible. Now that

he is 11, our role is more as facilitators to what he wants to learn while also filling in the gaps like learning note-taking or researching facts that we know he will find useful and supportive in whatever he decides to do.

What’s surprised you most about homeschooling?

We were surprised by how self-motivated kids can be if you give them input in their

What advice would you have for a family considering homeschooling?

It’s like jumping into a cold New England ocean, hold your breath, take the leap and know you will adjust to the temperature. There are so many resources to choose from, however, your decision starts with what’s going to work for your child and your family. Ignore negativity, doubters, and naysayers.

There are many more who will “get you” and cheer you on.

Connect with others in your area, ask as many questions as you need to, include your kids in the decisions and enjoy the ride.

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22 AUGUST2020

take eight

with Laurie Berkner She’s been called the “queen of kids’ music” and the “Adele of the preschool crowd.”

Beloved singer-songwriter Laurie Berkner has been entertaining little ones for more than two decades with her cheerful, upbeat songs. With more than a dozen children’s albums to her name, Berkner has starred on Nick Jr. and Sprout, appeared on The Tonight Show, and performed at Carnegie Hall and the White House. This month, she’ll be playing right in her fans’ living rooms in her “Dinosaur Beach Party,” an interactive virtual family concert she’ll perform live on Aug. 9. She’ll take kids and families marching down to a virtual beach, bringing them the real Laurie Berkner show experience, with lights, camera, and paleolithic action. Family tickets, $20, and a limited number of virtual meet and greets are available at laurieberkner.com.

1.

What were your earliest musical influences?

I listened to a lot of musicals like “My Fair Lady,” “Peter Pan,” “The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins.” I also listened to Peter, Paul and Mary’s album “Peter, Paul and Mommy” as well as Hap Palmer and Burl Ives.

2.

What drew you to children’s music?

I got a job as a music specialist a year after I graduated from college. I was interested because I loved music, and I loved being around kids. It seemed like a natural fit - although I was pretty terrible at my job when I first started!

3.

What’s one piece of parenting advice you wish someone had told you?

Hmm, I actually got the advice I really needed, which was: “Don’t listen to anybody else’s advice!” I guess one thing I did learn on my own was that it’s really worthwhile to try to sometimes live at the same pace as your child. My daughter had a much slower and quieter way of moving through the world than I did when she was little, and I learned a lot from her - and about her when I consciously moved slowly along with her.

4.

Kids say the funniest things. Is there anything surprising or hilarious a fan has said to you?

Most of the funny things kids say to me I try to turn into songs, like when a boy in one of my music classes once said to me, “Laurie Berkner, I have a song in my tummy and it wants to come out!” I wrote “Song in my Tummy” after that. I also had a three-year-old recently say, ”Please write a song called ‘It’s Hard to be Three!’ because it is!” It took me a while but I finally wrote that song, too. It’s not released yet, but it will be at some point soon.

5.

How has your daughter influenced your work, and how has that changed over the years as she’s gotten older?

I used to write a lot of songs with her in mind, then she started asking me If she could help write my songs, then I started asking her to please help me write my songs! Now she mostly just tolerates me talking about them.

6.

If you weren’t a children’s musician, what would you be?

I’d run a retreat center for artists and people trying to support their physical and mental health. Or I’d have a food truck.

7.

You’ve streamed live on your Facebook page throughout the pandemic and stay-at-home orders.

How else have you stayed busy during quarantine?

Do I need to do anything else? I’ve been gardening, learning how to cut hair (my own included!) writing music, recording, and filming lots of videos. We also watched all three seasons of Avatar the last Airbender as a family. It was awesome.

8.

You’re hosting a live virtual family concert, “Dinosaur Beach Party,” on Aug. 9. Tell us about performing virtually -- it must feel pretty different than what you’re used to?

Yes, in some ways it’s really different. There is no real feeling of actually being with my audience when I do them; it’s more like filming something. But in other ways, it really is like doing a concert because it’s still live. I have one chance to get what I’m doing right, and I’m singing my songs and thinking about the kids who are watching - like I always do.

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24 AUGUST2020