Back to School 2018

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Published Friday, August 17 in The Manchester Journal Published Saturday, August 18 in The Bennington Banner

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Back-to-school ice breakers to ease first day fears The first day of school can be difficult for some children. Fun activities and some extra effort from parents and teachers can make the return to the classroom less stressful.

Parents and educators can sometimes underestimate children's anxiety over the dawn of a new school year. Many students feel nervous when wondering if their teachers will be nice or if they will make new friends. These worries may be compounded by the return to routine and the end of an enjoyable period of rest and relaxation.

In 2015, CNN polled campers at a summer day camp outside New York City. The campers were elementary school students who were asked about what they were most nervous about for the return to school. Homework, tests, competition, greater expectations, grades, and making new friends topped the list of fears.

To help students transition to the classroom with fewer worries, teachers and parents may want to initiate ice breakers and other stress-reducing interactions. Here are some ideas.

Buddy up Many schools will give out classroom assignments a few days before the first day of school. Parents can investigate who is in their child's homeroom and initiate contact with the parents of one or more of those students. Collectively, parents can make a buddy plan for students to arrive to school together and enter the classroom as a team. Coordinate clothing colors or have students wear another unifying symbol. This may allay

fears and make the first day of school more fun.

School selfie Students can craft "school selfies" on a piece of paper using a smartphone image template. This selfie illustration will give the class key facts about each student and present an interesting, creative and enjoyable way for students to get to know one another.

Student word search Word searches are entertaining and educational tools that can be put to use in the classroom. Parents or teachers can create word searches featuring the first names of all the students in the class.

Children often enjoy searching for their own names, and then they can help others, opening up lines of communication.

Word searches also can be customized for any subject. Therefore, if student names aren't desired, the theme can be classroom items or school terms.

Personal introductions Students may worry about teachers mispronouncing their names or using a full name instead of a nickname. Rather than a traditional roll call, teachers can encourage students to introduce themselves to classmates, using their preferential name and including a brief synopsis of their interests and what makes them unique.

Teachers also can initiate other ice-breakers by giving students a sheet with various questions, which students then have to complete by asking around among the other students. For example, "Who has a pet fish?" or "Find someone who has blue eyes."

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Although there are a variety of theories behind the growing obesity problem plaguing North American adults and children, the most consistent findings point to caloric intake as the culprit.

Here's a simple equation to get to the root of the problem: Calories eaten > calories spent = weight gain.

According to National Health Examination Surveys, adult obe-

sity trends in the United States between 1976 and 2014 indicate the percentage of the adult population classified as obese has roughly doubled to more than 38 percent in the last three decades.

Children may be learning eating habits from their parents, potentially contributing to rising obesity rates in children as well. Recent findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate one in five school-aged

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dren. Select foods that are low in saturated fats and cholesterol and high in fiber and nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes.

Go with water. Rethinking beverage choices can help control kids' caloric intake. Many people don't realize just how many calories beverages add to their daily intake. Even a six-ounce, 100-percent apple juice can include as many as 96 calories. Sodas and other soft drinks pack a hefty caloric punch. Water, seltzer and unsweetened iced tea are healthy beverage options. If milk is the goto beverage, choose a reduced-fat version.

Introduce new foods. Children can be notoriously picky eaters, but with patience and perseverance, parents can introduce new, healthy foods at lunchtime. Yogurt, hummus and salsa are healthy and can add flavor to vegetables and fruit. When making sandwiches, exchange refined breads for whole-grain varieties.

Choose lean protein sources, and go heavy on vegetables and fruits for natural fiber, which will create feelings of satiety.

Read the school menu. Let children indulge in ordering from the school menu when healthy options are featured. Urge them to try something unexpected, rather than sticking to chicken nuggets or pizza days.

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children and young people in the United States is obese. In Canada, the Public Health Agency says roughly one in seven children is obese.

Teaching children healthy eating habits starts at home and can extend to what students are given to eat while at school. The Center for Science in the Public Interest says schools across the country are working hard to improve school nutrition. Here's how parents and school districts can help make school lunches more nutritious and delicious and lower in calories.

Control snack intake. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that more than one-fourth of kids' daily caloric intake comes from snacking. Choosing smarter snacks may help reduce overeating. Good snacks can include grain products that contain 50 percent or more whole grains by weight; snacks in which the primary ingredient is a fruit, a vegetable, dairy product, or lean protein; snacks that are a combination food that contain at least a 1/4 cup of fruits or vegetables; and foods that contain no more than 200 calories.

Read nutritional information. When selecting foods for school lunches, parents should read the nutritional information to make sure they know exactly what they are feeding their chil-

Back To School | Friday, August 17, 2018

Promote healthy weight starting with school lunch

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Friday, August 17, 2018 | Back To School

Strategies parents can use to motivate students Students may need some time to adjust at the beginning of a new school year. Summer vacations typically lack the structure of the school year, and it might be unfair to expect kids to seamlessly slip back into their more regimented lives as students.

While some early school year sluggishness might be normal, that should wear off pretty quickly. If not, and students appear to be struggling to get motivated for their schoolwork, parents can try various strategies that should help reignite youngsters’ passions for learning.

Make your home more school-

friendly. Summer is a relaxing time of year when parents have a tendency to relax rules around the house. But come the school year, parents must make sure their homes are as conducive to studying as possible. Resist the urge to turn the television on each night so students are not distracted from their studies. Keep the home quiet so students are motivated to focus on their studies.

Encourage participation in extracurricular activities. Various studies have examined the relationship between extracurricular activities and academic performance. A 2002 study published in the journal Sociology of Education found that participation in extracurricular activities is associated with improved grade point average, increased college attendance and reduced absenteeism.

The link between participation in extracurricular activities and improved academic performance is still in need of study, but such participation may help children acclimate to the structure of the school year more quickly than they might if they do not participate in such activities.

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Express an interest in the subjects children are studying. Another way to motivate students at the dawn of a new school year is to express an interest in the subjects they’re studying. Ask questions about their studies and encourage them to share their thoughts and opinions. Engaging students about the subjects they’re studying can motivate them to explore those subjects more deeply than they otherwise might.

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Encourage curious youngsters. Kids are curious, and fostering that curiosity can be a great way for parents to get their kids excited about learning. Whether it’s during the school year and part of their curriculum or on summer break, encourage kids to engage in subjects that interest them. As kids learn more about the topics and subjects that interest them, they may develop a passion for learning that they can then take with them to the classroom.

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Children who work with tutors and then see their grades improve may develop greater confidence and feel less anxious about going to school or taking tests.

Join The Bennington Banner and The Manchester Journal Thursday, August 23, from 3-6 p.m., at Bennington Auto Mall on Performance Drive to gear up for the coming school year.

tives from the Bennington Police Department and Sheriff’s office will talk about school safety. Catamount Connections, the Smoothie Bike and The Collaborative will also be in attendance.

150 students will receive a free backpack stuffed with school supplies, including a water bottle, crayons, safety scissors, a ruler, a notebook, pencils, a pencil sharpener, a glue stick and tissues.

Registration is not required, and backpacks will be handed out and a first come, first serve basis.

JCPenney store #1991 (Bennington Square location) will be present collecting school supply donations for its Fill the Bus initiative. All donations will be matched by JCPenney store #1991 and distributed back into the Bennington community. The store will also be handing out coupons for back to school shoppers.

In addition, stylists from The Clip Shop will be on hand giving free haircuts. Volunteers from Hannaford will cook up burgers and hot dogs for attendees, and representa-

The Back to School Backpack Challenge is sponsored by Bennington Auto Mall, United Counseling Services, The Clip Shop and Hannaford.

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Children tend to learn at their own pace, and certain subjects may challenge them more than others. In many instances, students can benefit from working with tutors.

Tutors can be very effective.

Children who work with tutors and then see their grades improve may develop greater confidence and feel less anxious about going to school or taking tests.

Without intervention like tutoring, at-risk students (those who are not meeting academic standards) may not pass their classes, and some may face year-end retention or experience difficulty keeping up in the next grade. The National Tutoring Association says students at all grade levels participating in tutorial programs improve their reading performance and can achieve significant cognitive gains. Tutoring can be the answer for students affected by inconsistent delivery of classroom content. For example, when families move, students may be forced to catch up in a new school where teachers may have different styles than students' previous teachers.

Students who have missed classroom time due to illness or injury may face similar difficulties.

Sometimes children struggle because they have difficulty processing or remembering their lessons. In such instances, a fresh approach through one-on-one tutoring may be necessary.

Parents and students have different tutoring options at their

disposal. Some services may be offered through the school system at no extra charge. Pull-out instruction during the day or before or after school might be part of such services. Private tutors, academic coaches, peer tutors, online tutoring, and home tutoring are other options. Depending on need, budget and comfort levels, families can explore these and other options at their disposal.

The NTA says families should not discount peer tutoring. Peer tutoring is a cost-effective way to improve performance. This type of tutoring also can contribute to students' social and cognitive development. According to Care. com, which helps consumers find tutors, caretakers and babysitters, one can expect to pay an average $10 to $15 for a peer high school student tutor. Comparatively, a private tutor, whether it's a professional teacher or a tutor hired through a service, may charge as much as $75 per hour.

Parents should contact their children's schools for information about tutoring programs. Schools typically keep lists of tutors or tutoring programs.

Examine credentials and seek recommendations prior to hiring a tutor to get a feel for the person and his or her teaching philosophy. Certified tutors also can be found by visiting www.ntatutor. com.

Keep in mind that it isn't enough for the tutor to know the subject matter. He or she also has to relate to your child. According to the tutoring firm Test Prep Authority, motivation plays a key role in the success or failure of a students' work with tutors. Motivation may be compromised if the tutor and student do not connect.

Tutors also should know how to present materials in ways similar to how it is being taught in school so that lessons are in sync.

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Calm the chaos on busy school mornings School mornings tend to be calm when certain tasks are completed the night before, everyone is wellrested and routines are adhered to.

Mornings can test the patience and stamina of busy families as adults and children hurry to get out the door on time. Starting off the morning already stressed can lead to feeling tense throughout the rest of the day.

There is no magic formula to make mornings less hectic, but the following are some ways families can streamline their morning routines.

Make use of the night before. Morning madness may come about due to lack of preparation the previous night. The more that can be done the night before, the

less there will be to do on weekday mornings. Encourage children to lay out clothes for the next day and take a shower or bath that evening. Make lunches the night before a school day, and gather all supplies from homework stations, restocking backpacks and gym bags so everything is ready to go come the morning.

Get to bed earlier. Sleep experts say that if you need to rely on an alarm clock to get up in the morning, you may not be getting enough sleep. The National Sleep Foundation says school-aged children should get between nine and 11 hours of sleep a night. Teenagers require between eight and 10 hours of sleep per night, while adults need between seven and nine hours. A good night's rest can reduce morning crankiness and get everyone moving more efficiently.

Incentivize timeliness for kids. Children who are reluctant to head to school may need extra motivation to get out the door. Offer small rewards to kids when they get ready on their own or finish breakfast in a certain amount of time. Rewards can include a

School hygiene tips Children are in close contact with others at schools and daycare facilities, where germs can be easily transmitted. Children may not be as conscientious as adults in regard to the health risks associated with poor hygiene. These tips can keep students stay healthy and help prevent germs from being transported home, where they can affect other members of the family.

Hand washing is essential to good hygiene. Children should wash their hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, before eating and after playing outdoors.

Children can bring along their own tissues and use them when their

treat like choosing a favorite show to watch after school or a special outing on the weekend.

Follow a schedule. Make mornings the same each day so everyone knows what to expect. Uniformity can streamline tasks and ensure everyone knows what's ex-

noses become runny. Tissues should be promptly discarded after use.

Parents should ensure that fingernails are clean, as under the fingernails can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Clipping fingernails and regular hand washing can remove a number of germs.

Keep ill children home from school, especially if they have a fever. Kids should not return to school until they are fever- or symptom-free.

Toys and community supplies should be washed or disinfected regularly to kill germs. Cleaning classroom furniture regularly also can help establish healthy educational environments.

pected of them.

Stay organized. Racing around trying to find keys or jackets can be very stressful. Make it a point to return items to their proper places so that everyone knows where to look for the items they need.

School is often a student's home away from home. Spending an average of six hours per day and ďŹ ve days a week, 10 months a year in the classroom or on campus, students may feel as though they spend more time roaming school grounds than they do relaxing at home.

Lockers can be havens for students, giving them a place to store supplies and personal items and meet up with friends each day.

Organized lockers may help students handle all of their responsibilities more capably.

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Developing organizational habits early on is a worthwhile lesson for students, helping them avoid tardiness and keep their assignments in order.

Students typically keep a number of items in relatively small lockers, which only makes it more challenging to stay organized. The following tips can help students stay organized this school year.

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Make the most of locker space.

Space is limited, but with some additions, lockers can be that much more functional.

Insert a removable shelf to double the space available. Metal shelves are preferable, but adjustable plastic ones can be effective if they aren't overloaded.

Install adhesive hooks on the door or an inside wall of the locker to hang clothing, bags and more. Invest in hooks that can hold a lot of weight.

Keep books organized by class schedule so that books can be grabbed quickly during period changes. Put folders and notebooks with the textbooks so that all related items will be together.

Add some personality.

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The Container Store suggests adding color and function with magnetic accessories to liven up the space. Dry-erase calendars, pencil/pen containers, a mirror, cubbies for notes and other tools, and magnetic picture frames are some ideas.

Keep on top of trash.

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Organize books by class.

Routinely clean out the locker if things become unruly. Tucking a small waste pail in the bottom of the locker can be handy for taming garbage. Otherwise, periodically clean your locker during after-school hours, emptying it of old assignments and taking clothes home for laundering.

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Organized lockers keep students on track

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