Some Schools are Cancelling Halloween Parties

Will your child’s school be having a Halloween party? Parents should check with the school to find out the answer to that question. Some schools are cancelling Halloween parties, for a variety of reasons. Don’t assume that since your child’s school held one last year that they will do it again this year. The reason a school chooses to cancel vary. Some have concerns about Halloween treats and food allergies, and want to play it safe. Other schools may have come to the decision that the Halloween party is a distraction, and interferes with children’s ability to focus and learn … Continue reading →

Ways to Cope with “Parent Homework”

We all know what homework is. Typically, homework is an assignment that a teacher gives to students. It requires the student to complete the work at home. Some teachers also give what has been referred to as “parent homework”. Here are some ways to cope with it. “Parent homework” is an assignment that a teacher gives – not to a student – but to the student’s parents. Not every teacher will do this. Those that do tend to be teachers of kindergarten or elementary school students. Here are some ways that parents can cope with the unexpected “parent homework.” Just … Continue reading →

Fifteen Minute Breaks Could Help Kids Stay Focused

When adults take a fifteen minute break at work, they tend to come back a bit less stressed and more able to focus on the tasks at hand. It turns out that kids at school can obtain the same benefits from a fifteen minute break. Schools in Finland have already implemented this strategy. They’ve been doing it since the 1960’s. A typical American public school could include one 30 minute recess per school day. The exact amount of time can vary. Some schools might have recess that lasts for 45 minutes, while others might only allow 20 minutes for recess. … Continue reading →

School Suspends Fourth Grader for Using Imagination

It is typical for young children to re-enact the stories that they watch in a movie. One of the reasons they do this is simply because it is fun. In addition, children engage in imaginative play in order to figure out the world around them and where they might fit into it as an adult. Play can be an important component of learning. That being said, a fourth grader who is a student at Kermit Elementary School, in Kermit, Texas, was suspended for using his imagination in a way that is typical of children who have been inspired by a … Continue reading →

Since When Is Biking To School a Crime?

Since a school district in upstate New York made it one. Not surprisingly, the new bike ban is not sitting well with some local families. In fact, the Marino family of Saratoga Springs is doing more than simply complaining about the school rule that asks parents to keep their kids from walking or riding their bikes to class, they’re ignoring it. Janette Kaddo Marino and her son Adam made national headlines recently when they brushed off warnings from school administrators regarding their choice of transportation. Janette maintains that she and her son were not trying to cause any trouble when … Continue reading →

Has Your Child Ever Been Injured in Gym Class?

I slammed my head and cut my lip during a high school gym class volleyball match… and I didn’t cry. In fact, I was elated by my fate because it meant that I would be afforded a week’s worth of excused absences and didn’t have to attend a class I despised. Unfortunately, injuries like my split lip are increasing at an alarming rate during physical education classes in the United States. According to a new report, injuries to American children during school gym classes increased by 150 percent from 1997 to 2007. The numbers come from 100 representative U.S. hospitals … Continue reading →

Is Gym Class Too Dangerous?

Forget about those reports that hail gym class as a savior in the war against childhood obesity. According to a new study, injuries to American children enrolled in school physical education classes increased by 150 percent from 1997-2007. Interestingly, the reason for the dramatically high number of injuries is not due to schools instituting vigorous exercise regimes; rather the study claims lack of adult supervision is to blame. The study’s lead author notes that lively gym programs are commendable; however, a decline in school nurses and larger class sizes have the potential to negate benefits gained through rigorous P.E. classes. … Continue reading →

Back-to-School Reminders

It may well be the most twisted example of irony parents experience each year: Interrupting a perfectly gorgeous summer day to go back-to-school shopping. And while the chore could be completed in September, waiting to the last minute typically results in nervous breakdowns that could have been avoided had you just gotten out of the pool and into Target in August. In addition to purchasing school supplies, it’s a good idea to check off some other back-to-class tasks, such as reviewing safety rules with your kids. Here are some reminders to get you started: TRAVELING TO AND FROM SCHOOL Walking: … Continue reading →

Back-to-School Supplies: It’s All About the Bag

If you don’t know that back-to-school supplies are on sale right now, then you either don’t have kids or you haven’t been shopping in a while (or you haven’t been reading my blog). Personally, even if I didn’t have kids I would still hightail it to Wal-Mart (Kmart, Target, etc.) to scoop up 10-cent packs of pens, pencils, glue sticks, notepads, and scissors. Some deals are too good to pass up. What’s more, what home couldn’t use a fresh supply of office provisions? Still, despite the rows of hot-colored highlighters, the fancy detailed pencil boxes and the endless amount of … Continue reading →

Back-to-School Shopping Tips

So much for summer! Wal-Mart, Target, Toys R Us, heck, even my favorite supermarket have ditched their displays of sun chairs, sunscreen, sunglasses and sand toys to make way for back-to-school supplies. Now, instead of deciding on the type of cooler to take to summer sports camp, your son will be faced with the dilemma of picking between a new Transformers backpack and one that features SpongeBob SquarePants in all his electric yellow glory. However, before you allow your child free rein in the backpack aisle you might want to consider these helpful safety tips: Make sure you choose a … Continue reading →