Tag Archives: school

Finals Fears

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I don’t have any scientific data to back me up on this (though it may exist) but I’m quite certain I’ve figured out at least one reason I tend to score fairly well on tests for courses, classes, and other evaluative procedures. Today I took a test. I took a big test. The test covered 2500 years (actually much more) of topics, over 3000 pages of material, an innumerable variety of topics, approximately 12 in-depth student presentations, a couple of in-class videos, and some other abstract topics. It covered countries all over the world and performance practices and practitioners from … Continue reading →

Creating Binder Scrapbooks

When you think of scrapbooking what usually comes to mind? Most of us think about scrapbooking as a way to preserve memories. Sometimes, though, we need to think outside of the box when it comes to preserving memories through scrapbooking. I love the fancy, beautiful binders that can be found when you are getting ready to work on a scrapbook project. I have a variety of colors, sizes and themes when it comes to my scrapbooks. They are filled with pictures and other memorabilia that I really do treasure. Not only do I treasure pictures, though, I also treasure keepsakes … Continue reading →

Frugal Lunch Box Ideas

Okay, we are into October now, long past the time when back to school lunches were new, and I could get away with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Plus, my son is starting to talk about some of the cool snacks that some of the other kids bring. I want to be able to keep my son happy, while providing a nutritious lunch and snacks, and also saving money. On a recent trip to Target, I asked him to point out some snacks and lunch food that he would love to see make it to his lunch box. Mind you, … Continue reading →

Why Schools Are Banning Hoodies

It’s not what you think. Schools are not banning the popular hooded sweatshirts because they are sloppy-looking or they promote gang violence. Rather, school administrators in Kansas have put the kibosh on hoodies with large pockets because an inordinate amount of students have been using the sweatshirt’s “kangaroo pocket” to text others during class. According to reports, cell phone and other PDA abuse by students has forced administrators to revamp the school dress code. Students attending Kansas’ Andale Elementary and St. Mark’s Charter School can still wear sweatshirts, but the fleece tops cannot feature hoods or front pockets. The change … Continue reading →

10 Green Questions for Your Child’s School

Some schools are beginning to understand the importance of going green, but if you suspect yours is still living in the Dark Ages, here are a few questions you may want to ask the teacher, the principal, or the school board: 10. Does the school recycle? Hopefully there are recycling bins in each classroom, the hallways, and the cafeterias. 9. Speaking of the cafeteria, how nutritious is the lunch it serves? Check the monthly menus to see if there are any healthy alternatives featured on them. 8. Does the school purchase green supplies such as water-based paints, green tissues, green … Continue reading →

What Annoys You the Most About Back-to-School?

Forget about the Dyson, I should have asked Santa for a label maker for Christmas. Not that the big guy delivered on my uber vacuum Christmas wish (cue Barbie Dream House flashback). Still, I might have had a better chance of scoring the less expensive “mom tool.” It sure would have come in handy a few days ago when I was forced to label nearly 100 individual school supplies. Did I mention I only have one kid… and she’s in kindergarten. HALF-DAY KINDEGARTEN! I’m not here to kvetch about the inordinate amount of items (in my opinion) needed to educate … Continue reading →

Does Your Child Ride the Bus to School?

My baby starts kindergarten in a couple weeks, and up until last week I knew exactly how she was getting there. We live a mere 3.5 miles from my daughter’s school. That’s walking distance in our world. Plus, it’s not all up hill, and she wouldn’t be trudging through snow barefoot to get there. Still, because of logistical factors the decision to drive her in the family car was made and that was that… until last week. That’s when we received a postcard from the bus company detailing when and where our kindergartener should stand if she wanted a free … Continue reading →

Your Gifted Child Needs Support

If your child has been identified as gifted or is currently being evaluated, you might feel a little lost about navigating through the whole thing. How do you determine what is best for your child, where are the resources and support? One thing you will quickly find if you google “gifted resources” or “navigating gifted resources” is that there are a lot of websites to help parents. Unfortunately for those of us in the United States, most of those websites are by and for citizens of other countries. The few ones centered on the Unites States tend to be commercial … Continue reading →

How Long is Too Long for Kindergarten?

My baby begins kindergarten in the fall. Half-day kindergarten. For roughly four hours or so each day, my loquacious daughter will be chatting the ears off of some woman, who probably looks nothing like me, and a gaggle of kids who probably act just like her. Four hours. I’m not sure what I’ll do with myself. NOT! (Can you say three jobs and a never-ending battle with dirty clothes, the dishwasher and dust bunnies?) Still, when I think of how long kids in one Canadian province might have to spend in kindergarten, I’m liking the sound of four hours more … Continue reading →

Schools Taking a Bite Out of Lunchtime

Ask kids what their favorite part of the school day is and I’ll bet anything that the majority will answer: “LUNCH!” Unfortunately for those students, bad news may be on the horizon. According to reports, several school districts around the country are trimming lunch and recess and devoting the extra minutes to classroom time. The reason: Lunch is bad for kids. Not the nutritional part of it; rather experts say the whole experience of cafeteria dining is chaotic, stressful, unappetizing and akin to feeding time at the zoo. Educators who support reducing lunch periods maintain that with younger kids lunchtime … Continue reading →