A Blank Slate Media/Litmor Publications Special Section • August 9, 2019
34 BACK TO SCHOOL • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, August 9, 2019
How to ease kids’transition to a new school
B
eing the new kid in school can be a tall order for youngsters. Children who change schools may face a host of challenges that studies suggest can affect both their social and academic development. In a 2010 study that followed students who entered kindergarten in 1998 through 2007, the Government Accountability Office found that 13 percent of students changed schools four or more times by the end of eighth grade. Such mobility can adversely affect students, as a study of 13,000 students in the city of Chicago found that children who had changed schools four or more times by the sixth grade were roughly a year behind their
classmates. In addition to the toll transferring schools can take on their academic performance, students also may experience difficulty assimilating into their new schools. Though there’s no formula to make such transitions easier, parents can try various strategies to help their kids successfully adjust to new schools. Speak with children about the transition. Pathways.org, a not-forprofit organization devoted to providing free child development information to parents and health professionals, recommends parents speak with their children about transitioning to a new
school. Encourage children to share what excites and worries them about the transition. The way parents discuss transitions can go a long way toward shaping how kids view the change. Stay true to your routine. Pathways also recommends parents of students who are transitioning to a new school do their best to replicate first day of school routines from years past. Some familiar traditions might help calm kids’ concerns about their first day in a new school. Assimilate into a new community before the school year begins. The education resource Edweek.org notes that the most common causes of students changing schools are residential moves related to parents’ jobs or financial instability. Parents on the lookout for a new job or those who may need to relocate for financial reasons may want to delay moving until the current school year has ended. Moving between school years gives families time to acclimate to their new communities. That means kids will get time to make new friends. Some
familiar faces on the first day at a new school can go a long way toward alleviating the fears children may have. Volunteer at your child’s new school. Parental involvement at school can have a profound impact on children. The National Education Association notes that children whose parents are involved at school are more likely to perform academically than students whose parents are uninvolved. In addition, such students are more likely to have good attendance and exhibit stronger social skills than children whose parents do not involve themselves in their children’s school. It stands to reason that students transferring to a new school may benefit from parental involvement even more than other students, as seeing their parents approach a new school with excitement and energy may inspire children to follow suit. Transitioning to a new school is not easy for many students. But parents can help smooth that transition in various ways.
Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, August 9, 2019 • BACK TO SCHOOL ADVERTORIAL
A Place for Every Student The Winston Preparatory School (WPS) has opened its doors in Dix Hills to Winston Prep Long Island, its fifth campus, this past September. WPS is excited to bring the same essence and methods to the Long Island community that have been successfully applied to each of its campuses in Manhattan and the tri state area.
Its unique model of education for the individual provides intense skill remediation while encouraging student to build independence, resilience, responsibility, self-awareness, and selfadvocacy. Key to the development of each student is
the focus on assessmentbased remediation, the daily one-to-one Focus Program, a skill-based curriculum, small homogenous class groupings, an expert faculty, an emphasis on social -emotional development, and a supportive community .
The opening of Winston Prep Long Island marks the logical next step for an organization that has experienced consistent growth over the years. WPS now reaches eight times the number of lives it did just two decades ago and continues to replicate its model in order to meaningfully impact the field. Winston Prep Long Island is currently accepting applications. For more information,or to sign up for an open house,contact Karen Preston, WPSLI Admissions Director at liadmissions @winstonprep.edu, or visit www.winstonprep.edu.
Winston Prep is a highly individualized and responsive setting for students in grades 3 through 12 with specific learning differences, such as dyslexia, nonverbal learning disorders, and executive functioning difficulties (i.e. ADHD).
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36 BACK TO SCHOOL • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, August 9, 2019
How to prevent busy kids from overextending themselves
T
oday’s teenagers are busy. According to the American Time Use Survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average high school student spends just under an hour and a half each weekday participating in extracurricular activities that include playing sports, working/volunteering and religious activities. With so much do and lots of encouragement to participate in their communities, teens can easily find themselves overextended. Extracurricular activities are important, and some have even been linked to improved academic performance. But it’s equally important that high school students avoid burnout, which can adversely affect their academic performance and how much they enjoy school and other activities. Parents can employ various strategies to
help busy teenagers avoid overextending themselves.
Learn the signs of burnout and look for them. Even the most overextended teenager probably enjoys many of the activities he or she engages in. So it’s unlikely that kids will self-report burnout to their parents, teachers, coaches, or other authority figures. Parents can learn to spot the signs of burnout to identify if their child is overextended. According to Understood. org, a website sponsored by 15 nonprofit organizations devoted to helping parents of kids between the ages of three and 20, procrastination, negative attitudes, testiness, difficulty concentrating, and a disinterest in things kids once liked are some potential indicators of burnout. Parents who notices any of these signs in
their children might want to look at their kids’ schedules to see if their children are simply taking on more than they can chew.
Teach kids time management skills. Time management skills can help kids make effective and efficient use of their time. Encourage kids who are struggling with their schedules to use a calendar to plan their weeks. Knowing what’s expected of them each day can help kids develop a plan to get everything done. In addition, when kids make a list of their daily activities, parents can go over that list with them to see if they’re taking on too much. Discuss the calendar with kids, and if kids express feelings of exhaustion or burnout, go through the calendar to see where they can free up some time, even if it means cutting some
activities out of their schedules entirely.
Teach kids the art of prioritizing. Parents know that some tasks are more important than others. But kids may not be so savvy. Teach kids how to prioritize, emphasizing that academics always come first. Give kids some credit if they’re initially resistant to dropping some activities, as that can indicate an admirable willingness to commit. But emphasize that school comes first, and that activities that are low priority might need to be sacrificed during the school year. In addition, point out that certain activities that are not school-related can be revisited in the summer, when kids typically have less hectic schedules. Burnout can be harmful to high school students. Parents can work with their children to ensure they aren’t overextending themselves.
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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, August 9, 2019 • BACK TO SCHOOL
Help kids calm first- T day-of-school jitters
he first day of school can be an exciting time, especially for children who have never before attended school. But even youngsters excited about the first day may also experience some jitters. Such nerves are normal, and parents can help kids calm those jitters in various ways. Talk about the first day as it approaches. A child’s first day of school is a milestone, and parents may do various things to commemorate the occasion. The excitement leading up to the first day can spark kids’ enthusiasm, but it also may lead to some anxiety about the unknown. Parents can quell those fears by discussing the first day as it approaches. Explain why the first day is so special, encouraging youngsters to share their feelings. If kids express fears about their first day, parents can explain they felt similarly on their first day of school but quickly adjusted. Let kids choose their own clothes. Parents may be tempted to buy special outfits for their children for the first day of school. But kids who are jittery about their first day may calm down if allowed to choose their own attire for the big day. A favorite T-shirt or outfit might be just the thing to comfort kids feeling a bit nervous about their first day of school. Get a head start on your morning routine. As summer winds down, begin acclimating children to the morning routine they can expect
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Start the day off on the right foot. The night before the first day of school, make sure kids’ outfits are clean, their supplies are packed and ready to go and their lunch is made. The less parents have to rush around on the morning of the first day of school, the calmer kids are likely to be.
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Attend school orientation events and plan some play dates in advance of the first day. Seeing familiar faces might make kids forget all about their jitters when they arrive at school on the first day. Inquire about school orientation events and attend as many of those sessions as possible. If encouraged to do so, take kids along so they can meet prospective classmates. Arrange for play dates with those classmates in advance of the first day so kids have a few recognizable faces their own age come the first day of school.
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when the school year begins. One to two weeks before the first day of school, start waking children up when they will need to be up for school. Kids who are accustomed to the morning routine may be more calm on their first day of school because of their familiarity with their new schedule. Going cold turkey on the first day of school may make kids less enthusiastic about attending school.
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How Can I Tell If I Have Glaucoma? What is glaucoma? Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the optic nerve is damaged, causing permanent vision loss. Most commonly, the damage occurs when your eye’s internal fluid pressure rises too high. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the U.S. What causes glaucoma? The exact cause of glaucoma is not known. For some reason, the passages that normally allow fluid within your eye become clogged or blocked. Fluid within your eye builds up and increases pressure on the optic nerve. The nerve fibers and blood vessels in the optic nerve are easily damaged by this pressure, resulting in vision loss. An injury, infection or tumor in or around the eye can also cause the pressure to rise. People who have glaucoma with normal eye pressure likely have poor blood flow to the optic nerve. Who gets glaucoma? Glaucoma most frequently occurs in individuals over the age of 40. In some families, the disease is hereditary. It is estimated that over 2 million Americans have glaucoma, and this number is expected to rise as the U.S. population ages. How is glaucoma harmful to vision? The optic nerve, at the back of the eye,
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38 BACK TO SCHOOL • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, August 9, 2019
Manage hectic school mornings
I
f a typical school morning sees your family rushing around and out the door with nary a moment to spare, only to be left feeling like you ran a marathon by 9 am, a new approach to your routine might be necessary. Mornings, especially in households in which parents who work outside of the home and have one or two kids requiring drop-off at their respective schools, can often be hectic. Starting off the morning feeling harried and stressed can carry over into the mood of the day, affecting productivity as a result. According to Dr. David Anderson, PhD, senior director of the ADHD and Disruptive Behavior Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute, busy mornings can be the most stressful moments of the day. Homework hour and getting prepared for bed are other typically stressful times of the day for families. If less stressful mornings are a goal for your family, try these strategies.
Start the night before Doing as much preparatory work the evening before can make quite a difference in taming hectic mornings. Things that can be done in advance include checking and stocking backpacks, signing paperwork, making lunches, setting out clothing, showering, and having breakfast foods ready to go.
Establish a ‘launch pad’ Ann Dolin, a Virginia-based education specialist, suggests having a launch pad, or a place where all school-related items are prepped and stored. It can be a basket, box or another container big enough to contain school items. Children can drop and pick up the items as needed.
Make the routine the boss Positive Parenting Solutions founder Amy McCready says families can implement a “when-then” routine that sets the tone for the morning. “When everyone is dressed, hair combed, breakfast eaten, and school supplies packed, then you can watch 10 minutes of an educational cartoon.” This puts the routine in control rather than making the parents the bad guys.
Make kids responsible Too often parents add more stress to their plates by showing up at school with forgotten lunch boxes or band instruments. Instead, parents can stop rescuing their children and help train them to be more responsible — an essential trait.
Chart wake-up times It may seem like micromanaging, but scheduling wake-up and bathroom times can help everyone know where they should be and when they should be there. It also helps avoid bottleneck situations in the bathroom or kitchen. Keep morning madness to a minimum with some simple strategies.
Tutoring benefits and how to find a tutor that fits C hildren 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. Tutoring has helped many children gain confidence and succeed in school.
Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, August 9, 2019 • BACK TO SCHOOL
39
ADVERTORIAL
After years of being a guest choreographer, Michael Susten is thrilled to be a part of the MOBA family as a weekly teacher this fall! Michael is a New York City based choreographer and dance educator. He holds a BFA in Jazz Dance Performance with a focus in choreography from the University of the Arts and was awarded the â??Choreography Prizeâ?? upon graduation. He is currently teaching at Broadway Dance Center, The Joffrey Ballet School and STEPS on Broadway. He as also had the privilege of being a guest teacher at Point Park University, The University of Pennsylvania, Dean College, Millenium Dance Complex as well as numerous Performing Arts High Schools. As a choreographer, Michaels work has been showcased in the Philly Fringe Festival, The APAP Showcase, Pushing Progress Showcase, Koresh Artist Showcase and the Choreographers Canvas.
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produced and directed over twenty His work has also been fortunate dance concerts with Xhale Dance enough to be a finalist in the Company and Michael Susten & International Choreography Competition, Dance Underneath the Company. Performing sold out concerts in Philadelphia and NYC. Stars Choreography Festival and Debbie Allen said â??Michael was the 2nd runner up at the Artist Susten creates beautiful and origiSimply Human Choreography nal workâ?? and a review in Competition. He has been recogNYCStuff said â??Michael Susten nized by Dance Studio Magazine is a choreographer who is unafraid and Dance Teacher magazine and to explore the dynamics of motion was featured in their story â??An and emotion, his choreography is Eye for Professionalism.â?? athletic with a balletic As a performer undertone.â?? Michael was a Michael has had dancer for Walt the honor of working Disney World in with so many talented Orlando Florida for dancers over the five years and had years, being a mentor the chance to perto them and helping form in the Festival them achieve their of the Lion King Michael Susten goals. This summer the and Main Streets Michael Susten & Company workWelcome and Trolley show. shop completed its 5th workshop, As a Director Michael has
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providing dancers with an experience to work with some of the best choreographers/educators in the business. This summer he had dancers attend the event from New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Ohio, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California & Canada. His students have been accepted to top dance Universities around the country (Point Park, PACE, Oklahoma City, University of the Arts, Fordham, NYU & Boston Conservatory) and has students performing in dance companies, Broadway and theme parks around the world. Michael is currently traveling around the country teaching, choreographing and adjudicating the next generation of dancers and hoping to instill a strong foundation of respect and love for dance.
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40 BACK TO SCHOOL • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, August 9, 2019
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