In this Edition \
PAGE 1
PAGE 5 -6
PAGE 7
PRINCIPAL’S
NEWS
SOCIAL
WORKER
NEWS
PTO UPDATE
PAGE 10
PAGE 11
PAGE 12-13
UPCOMING
EVENTS
NUTRITION
NEWSFLASH
HOME &
SCHOOL
CONNECTION
News from the Principal…
Dear Families and Friends,
I’m delighted to share that our STEM program is stronger than ever. We continue to improve our
teaching and learning around STEM education, and our popularity is at an all-time high. I have the
first-hand privilege of observing our students actively engaged in the STEM experience on a daily
basis. True, authentic learning is taking place at Cedar Park. With STEM, we are finding that our
students are teaching us as much as we are teaching them. Thanks to all of you for sharing your
child(ren) with us. Together we are training tomorrow’s leaders.
With all the acronyms that determine hundreds of different areas of education, it is easy to confuse
them all. Since 2001, the letters STEM have been a normal part of educational vocabulary. The
acronym STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This program was
started by Judith A. Ramaley, the former director of the National Science Foundation’s education
and human resources division. This approach to education is designed to revolutionize the teaching
of subject areas such as mathematics and science by incorporating technology and engineering into
regular curriculum by creating a “meta-discipline.”
There is more; STEM Education attempts to transform the typical teacher-centered classroom by
encouraging a curriculum that is driven by problem-solving, discovery, website that reinforces the
value of STEM education in our country. It feels wonderful to be on the front end of this important
work. Please take a moment to check out the following website that reinforces the value of STEM
education in our country: http://drpfconsults.com/understanding-the-basics-of-stem-education/.
Sincerely,
John Garcia
Principal
Family Engineering Night
Cedar Park STEM offered our
families a fun night of
engineering on Thursday,
January 21st, with our Family
Engineering Night! Families
explored engineering concepts
as they participated in
engineering design challenges.
They had a great time
launching parachutes,
tinkering with the concept of
buoyancy and building boats,
and investigating
Makey-Makeys!
The University of Minnesota’s
Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Exclusive Tour for Cedar Park and Echo Park Families
On Saturday, January 16th, two busloads of families from Cedar Park and Echo Park went to the
University of Minnesota to learn about the exciting cutting edge engineering and science that the
UMN is creating. They toured different labs (biology, materials characterization, and microscopy),
participated in demonstrations given by UMN engineers and scientists, and received a “Making
STUFF” bag to take home. A great time was had by all who attended!
Technology News from Mr. Staum
Below is what each grade level has been learning in Technology Class this winter:
Kindergarten
Kindergarteners have been practicing their counting skills (with a focus on 'teen numbers) in a
variety of websites such as ABCya and Starfall. These websites can be used at home as well. Students
also enjoyed exploring counting activities in Kidspiration in the computer lab.
1st grade
First graders really dug into "all things penguins" the past month in tech class. Students started off
researching the different types of penguins on PebbleGo.org and chose a penguin they wanted to do
a report on. Each student also each used the Google Earth app in the computer lab to travel to
Antarctica to do a "penguin scavenger hunt" where they found penguins, scientists, research
facilities, and camps as well as many other wildlife including seals, whales, dolphins, etc. First graders
ended their penguin tech adventure by creating a "My Penguin" report in Comic Life in tech class
that parents will have the opportunity to see at conferences.
2nd grade
Second graders have completed one of the coolest, most innovative units yet: Force & Friction with
Sphero robots. Each class had three Sphero lessons in the Engineering Room where Mr. Staum led
students in exploring their science unit themes of force, friction, and load. Each student got to see
how speed, distance, and direction affects force with Spheros. Students used different friction covers
and speed settings to find out how much force is need to send Spheros up a ramp. Students also used
our Sphero chariots in groups to explore how hauling a load of woodblocks affects Spheros and its
force settings as well.
3rd Grade
Third graders are working hard on creating a non-fiction animal report in Comic Life. Students are
researching and choosing a Minnesota native animal to center this project on. In the lab with their
teachers and Mr. Staum, students brought in images and typed paragraphs of detailed information
into their report templates. When these reports are finished, each class and student will receive a
copy, along with Lebanon Hills Regional Park for our community to see! Currently, third graders are
exploring sound with GarageBand in tech class with Mr. Staum.
4th Grade
Fourth graders have researched their heritage from interviewing family members to using online
educational resources and are creating an informational visual project called "My Heritage."
Students will soon be posting their digital projects to our school secured Tech Google Classroom.
Then by using proper digital citizenship and netiquette, classmates will comment, compliment, and
ask respectful inquiries about each other’s heritage and what makes their peers (and world) so
unique and special. Fourth graders will soon be creating online book reports in our ISD 196 Google
Apps portal.
5th Grade
Fifth graders have been working hard on applying their knowledge of cyberbullying and netiquette
in creating an online "Anti-Cyberbullying" poster via our ISD 196 Google Apps portal. Fifth graders
know they are the leaders of our school and are helping create awareness with their younger peers
and staff about this serious topic. They will be hanging their anti-cyberbullying posters in their
classrooms, and Mr. Staum will choose one or two posters per class to hang up in the lab and halls
for all to see. Fifth graders will soon be creating an online Slides presentation on digital citizenship in
our ISD 196 Google Apps portal as well.
Social Worker News
Children and Sleep
An average child gets one hour less of sleep today than children did 30 years ago. A survey from the
National Sleep Foundation found that 90% of parents believe their children get enough sleep, but
in reality 60% of students report extreme sleepiness during the day. Dr. Sadeh of Tel Aviv
University did a study of 4th and 6th graders. For three consecutive evenings half of the 4th graders
and half of the 6th graders were told to go to bed 30 minutes earlier than normal; the remaining
were told to stay awake 30 minutes later than normal. When tested on the fourth day, students
who had gotten less sleep, showed a performance gap of two years behind where they scored before
the study. Sleep helps kids shift what is learned during the day to more efficient parts of the brain.
One other study reported high school students who received A’s averaged about 15 minutes more
sleep than B students. They in turn averaged 15 more minutes of sleep than C students. Besides
lower grades, lack of sleep can also lead to weight gain, and irritable moods. Any parent knows that
fact. How much sleep do they need?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
1 – 4 weeks old, 15 to 16 hours per day
1 – 4 months, 14 to 15 hours per day
4 – 12 months, 14 to 15 hours per day
1 – 3 years old, 12 to 14 hours per day
3 – 6 years old, 10 to 12 hours per day
7 – 12 years old, 10 to 11 hours per day
12 – 18 years old, 8 to 9 hours per day
What better reason to send the kids to bed and have some quiet adult time? Sleep tight; you need
it too!
Social Worker News (continued)
New 2016 State of MN Supervision Criteria From Dakota County Social Services
Lack of Supervision
•
•
•
•
•
Children age 7 and under who are left alone for any period of time
Children ages 8 – 10 who are left alone for more than 3 hours
Children ages 11 – 13 who are left alone for more than 12 hours
Children ages 14 – 15 who are left alone for more than 24 hours
Children ages 16 – 17 may be left alone for more than 24 hours with a plan in place concerning
how to respond to an emergency
Babysitting
•
•
Children under age 11 should not provide child care
•
Children age 16 – 17 may be left alone for more than 24 hours with adequate adult back up
supervision
Children ages 11 – 15 who are placed in the child care role are subject to the same time
restrictions of being left alone as listed above
Pennies for Patients
Thank you so much for your generosity!! We raised $1,000.00!!! We are so thankful for our
wonderful families and the support you have shown!!
I am in school Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you have questions or concerns, feel
free to stop in, give me a call, or send and email. My confidential voice mail is 651-683-6969, ext.
18795. My direct line is 952-431-8795, and my email is diane.johnson@district196.org.
Diane Johnson, Cedar Park STEM Social Worker J
Culver’s Community Day
We would like to thank the staff and families who supported our January Culver’s Community Day!
In January, we received a check for $103.09. Many thanks to Ms. Durnin, Mrs. Knutson, Mrs. Roth,
and Mrs. Van Guilder for delivering food to tables. Our February Culver’s Day is on Monday,
February 8th. Mr. Hartzheim and Ms. Ernst will be delivering food to tables from 5:00-6:00 p.m. Mr.
Fritz will deliver food to tables from 6:00-7:00 p.m. The flavor of the day is Heath Chocolate
Almond. Please remember to say you are from Cedar Park, so we receive 15% of your purchase. We
appreciate your support of our Culver’s Community Days!!!
Winter has definitely set in, but that doesn’t mean the PTO is hibernating. In fact, we are busier than
ever planning fun events for the whole family!
The next Scholastic Book Fair is coming soon! Stop by and check out the groovy selection of books,
posters, pencils, and more during February conferences:
Tuesday, February 9th 4:00-8:00 p.m.
&
Thursday, February 11th 12:00-8:00 p.m.
And just around the corner is the next PTO Family Night! Round up the kids and come play BINGO
in the school gym on Friday, March 4th from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Play to win posters, Water Park of
America passes, gift cards, school t-shirts, and more! Just $1 gets you a BINGO board and a bag of
popcorn.
The PTO is proud to partner with Cedar Park staff to plan the School of Excellence Celebration week,
May 16-20th. Many fabulous events are in the planning stages, including Celebration Family Night,
which will take the place of the Carnival during the evening on Friday, May 20th. Look for lots of
information (and requests for help!) during the months ahead!!
To offset costs for Celebration Week, PTO is holding an additional fundraiser. Students have already
received the Chip Shoppe product catalog and order forms. Friends and family can order directly
from you or online with your student’s sales number. All paper order forms need to be returned to
school by February 8th; online orders need to be completed by February 8th, but nothing needs to
be turned in to the school. Product pick-up will be March 3rd from 3:00-6:00 p.m. in the school gym.
December’s spirit night at SmashBurger, was a great success, raising $216.00 for the school. And
January’s Chick-fil-A night raised $226.00 for the school, too. Thank you for helping raise money for
Cedar Park!
This month the PTO continued its mission to support Cedar Park financially:
- $113.45 for Nancy Carlson and Shelia O’Connor books (I Love to Read Night & author visits)
- $153.34 to replace some library books in disrepair
If you are interested in sharing your ideas or helping with one of the many PTO family events, please
join us at our next meeting! See you then!!
Upcoming PTO Dates:
February 8
February 8
February 9 & 11
February 23
March 3
March 4
March 14
**April 21
**May 20
Chip Shoppe orders due
PTO Meeting (library) 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Scholastic Book Fair (during conferences)
Smashburger School Spirit Night 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Chip Shoppe product pick up (gym) 3:00-6:00 p.m.
BINGO Night (gym) 6:00-7:30 p.m.
PTO Meeting (library) 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Buy-1-Get-1 Scholastic Book Fair at STEM Family Night
School of Excellence Celebration Family Night
**changes from the 2015-16 school calendar
For more information, visit our website at cedarparkpto.digitalpto.com or follow the link on the
homepage of the school’s website.
Music Notes
Gym Shorts
Cedar Park was filled with the sound of
drums during the month of January.
Students in grades K-5 tried their hand at
drumming during music classes! We have
many talented percussionists in our midst!
Third graders enjoyed a trip to Macalaster
to hear an African Drumming Ensemble.
Your children have been working really
hard at increasing their physical fitness levels
by participating in many different
cooperation games and activities over the
past month. We will keep working on that
component as well as reminding them to
continually eat healthy meals and snacks.
Fourth graders are practicing recorders in
order to achieve recorder karate belts. The
Recorder Recital will be at 10:00 a.m. on
March 16. Third graders are preparing for
their upcoming program, A World of Music,
on March 17 at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
For 5th grade Parents: Please be thinking
about helping as a volunteer for the 5th
Grade Track Meet. It will be held at Apple
Valley High School on May 9th and the
alternate date would be May 16th if the
weather doesn't cooperate on May
9th. There will be a letter coming home soon
with your 5th grader in their Friday folders.
Heartbeat Chorus is now in session
during after school classes. The combined
choirs will perform at Cedar Park on March
18 at 9:45 a.m.
Mrs. Ploeger
Music Specialist
Mrs. Douglas/Mr. Hartzheim
Physical Education Specialists
GRASP
Parents, it’s time to start thinking about
summer and how you’ll help your children
keep their math and reading skills
sharp. Many of you know that the GRASP
workbook program, available through
Community Education, is one way to help
your children during the summer. However,
GRASP should not be considered as a
replacement for participating in summer
school, if a child qualifies. This year, GRASP
registration information will be sent home
with students February 16-19. Sample
workbooks will be available for review in
the school office during parent/teacher
conferences and the registration
period. The deadline for registration this
year is March 29. Watch for more
information later this winter.
Band Notes
Fourth graders will be attending the
Apple Valley High School Wind Ensemble
Concert on March 4th at 10:00 a.m. at Apple
Valley High School. They will be able to see
and hear many different instruments at this
exciting concert. Shortly after that in March,
the 4th graders will get to choose their band
instrument for 5th grade. Mrs. Firchow will
help each student select his/her "just right"
instrument. The students will get their
instruments at their first lesson. Most
students will begin lessons in the summer on
July 25th or July 26th. A few students will
begin lessons in September. Check out Mrs.
Firchow's moodle page for lots of BAND
INFORMATION.
(http://learn.district196.org/course/view.php
?id=3303)
Anja Firchow
Band Specialist
Head Lice Education
Dear Parent or Guardian:
Community head lice cases have been on the rise. An estimated 6 to 12 million infestations occur
each year in the United States, most commonly among children ages 3 to 11. So, I am writing to you
to help you learn how to identify lice and provide information on what you can do if lice hits your
home.
What are head lice?
Head lice are tiny, wingless insects that live close to the human scalp. They feed on blood. The eggs,
also called nits, are tiny, tear-drop shaped eggs that attach to the hair shaft. Nits often appear
yellowish or white, and can look like dandruff but cannot be removed or brushed off. The nymph, or
baby louse, is smaller and grow to adult size in one to two weeks. The adult louse is the size of a
sesame seed appears tan to grayish-white. An itchy and inflamed scalp is a common symptom of lice.
Although not common, persistent scratching may lead to skin irritation and even infection.
Who is affected by head lice?
Head lice are not related to cleanliness. In fact, head lice often infest people with good hygiene and
grooming habits. Infestations can occur at home, school or in the community. Head lice are mostly
spread by direct head-to-head contact—for example, during play at home or school, slumber parties,
sports activities, or camp. Less often, lice are spread via objects that have been in recent contact
with a person with head lice, such as hats, scarves, hair ribbons, combs, brushes, stuffed animals or
bedding.
What to do if an infestation occurs?
If you think your child has head lice, it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider to discuss the best
treatment approach for your family. Resistance to some over-the-counter head lice treatments has
been reported, but the prevalence of resistance is not known. There are new prescription treatment
options available that are safe and do not require nit combing.
Head lice are not an infectious disease but are a tremendous nuisance. The district website,
www.district196.org/headlice, contains updated information about preventing, detecting and
treating head lice. As your school nurse, I want to provide you with the information you need to
safeguard your children’s health. I hope you find this information useful.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Tousignant
Cedar Park School Nurse
UPCOMING EVENTS
EVENTS
UPCOMING
Thursday, February 4th
Site Council Meeting – 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Monday, February 8th
Culver’s Community Day
PTO Meeting – 6:30-8:00 p.m.
NO AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES
Tuesday, February 9th
Kindergarten Registration – 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Conferences – 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Scholastic Book Fair – 4:00-8:00 p.m.
NO AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES
Thursday, February 11th
Kindergarten Registration – 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Conferences – 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Scholastic Book Fair – 4:00-8:00 p.m.
NO SCHOOL
Friday, February 12th
NO SCHOOL
Monday, February 15th
NO SCHOOL – President’s Day
Friday, February 19th
2nd Grade Field Study to Lebanon Hills –
Benson, Klinger, Youngberg – 9:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Kienholz & Tompkins – 1:00-3:30 p.m.
4th Grade Field Study to the Science Museum of MN –
9:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
Thursday, February 23rd
I Love to Read Night – 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Nutrition News Flash
February 2016
Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public Schools
0
,
Founded in
Owatonna,
MN in 1990
Elementary
Italian Dunkers
Sliced Tomato
Choc. Chip Cookie
Fresh Veggies
Bushel Boy tomatoes are vine
ripened for full flavor. They
are picked red, ripe, juicy and
on the vine then shipped to
your store within a couple of
days.
Local Lunch
Middle
Asian Chicken or
Fish Sandwich
Sliced Tomato
Cowboy Caviar
Top 10 Things to Know about the
2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Pollinated by happy bumblebees.
Maintaining the perfect climate in the greenhouse
helps to conserve water.
All tomatoes that are not quite up to Bushel Boy
standards are donated to local food shelves twice a
week. This helps to reduce waste and provides fresh
produce to those in need.
www.bushelboy.com
.
1.
A lifetime of healthy eating helps to prevent chronic diseases like
obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes.
2. Healthy eating is one of the most powerful tools to reduce the onset
of disease.
3. A healthy eating pattern can improve health.
4. A healthy eating pattern includes:
A variety of vegetables;
Fruits, especially whole fruit;
Grains, at least half of which are whole grain;
Fat-free or low-fat dairy;
A variety of protein foods;
Oils, including those from plants, and
5. Healthy eating patterns limit added sugars. Less than 10% of your
daily calories should come from added sugars.
6. Healthy eating patterns limit saturated and trans fats. Foods high in
saturated fat include butter, whole milk, meats that are not labeled
lean, tropical oils such as coconut and palm oil.
7. Limit sodium intake to less than 2,300mg per day.
8. Make small shifts in daily eating habits to improve health over the
long run.
9. Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can
do to improve your health.
10. Everyone has a role – at home, school, workplace, community, and
food retail outlets encouraging easy, accessible and affordable ways
to support healthy choices.
www.gov/news/dietary-guidelines
Lunchroom Joke Corner
Ketchup.
What did the father tomato say to the baby
tomato while on a family walk??
Check out the Food and Nutrition home page for upto-date information regarding dates and times.
www.district196.org select Meals on the left side.
Reminders for All Students and Parents:
Breakfast is FREE for all kindergarten students and students who qualify for FREE or REDUCED-price school meals.
Lunch is FREE for all students who qualify for FREE or REDUCED-price school meals.
Please try breakfast at your school. A nutritious breakfast is an important start to a child’s school day!
Parents/Guardians: FeePay has the option for you to set a low-balance reminder via email.
We don’t just serve breakfast and lunch……..we serve students!
High School
Chicken Drumsticks
Fish Sandwich
Sliced Tomato
Fresh Veggies
Monday, July 11
through
Thursday, August 11
at
Cedar Park
Echo Park
Oak Ridge
This institution is an
equal opportunity
provider.
Employment
opportunities within
Nutrition Services
are available.
Home&School
Working Together for School Success
February 2016
CONNECTION
®
Cedar Park STEM School
Mr. John Garcia, Principal
SHORT
NOTES
Groundhog Day
When was the first
Groundhog Day? How often is the
groundhog right about the weather?
Encourage your child to find the
answers to these questions and more
by researching Groundhog Day in
library books or online. Then, she can
make her own predictions about when
spring weather will arrive—and see if
she and the groundhog agree!
Illustrate a feeling
Drawing or painting a picture is often
an easier way for youngsters to express
difficult feelings. If you sense that your
child feels nervous, sad, or afraid, try
getting out art supplies. He might
sketch a portrait of himself with butterflies across his stomach if he’s nervous or a scary monster if he’s afraid.
Family workouts
On cold winter days, your youngster
can still get the 60 minutes of recommended daily physical activity—
while enjoying family time. Play
“baseball” with snowballs, scoring
one run for each ball you hit. Build an
indoor or outdoor obstacle course. Or
hold “yoga class” by following a video.
Worth quoting
“You can’t stay in your corner of the
forest waiting for others to come to
you. You have to go to them sometimes.” A. A. Milne
JUST FOR FUN
Read, create, and retell
In school, your child will be
asked to think deeply about books
and to pay close attention to details
as he reads. That means doing
activities like analyzing characters, visualizing book settings,
and retelling stories. Let him
practice at home with these
fun projects.
Character cereal
Have your youngster cover
an empty cereal box with paper
and decorate it based on his favorite storybook character. For example,
The Rainbow Fish (Marcus Pfister) learns
to be a good friend, so your youngster
could name his cereal “Friendly Flakes.”
Encourage him to draw the character on
his box and describe the cereal (“Sparkly
and colorful”). He could add an activity
on the back, such as a quiz. (“Why did
the other fish ignore him at first?”)
Setting map
Suggest that your child draw a map of a
book’s setting. He’ll imagine what the setting might look like and think about how
each part is important to the story. If he’s
mapping Holes (Louis Sachar), he could
use a circle to represent Camp Green
Lake, where the prisoners dig holes. He
can add an onion for the field where
onions grow and are used as medicine.
Plot bag
Let your youngster fill a paper bag with
items related to a story and use them to
retell the tale aloud. After he reads A Chair
for My Mother (Vera B. Williams), he
might put a fabric swatch and coins in
a bag. He can pull out each piece and
explain its significance as he retells. (“I
added coins because the kids saved money
to buy their mom a chair. She worked
hard and needed a place to relax.”)♥
School pride
If your youngster takes pride in her school,
she’s likely to feel more connected to it—
and more motivated to learn. Help her
develop strong school ties with these tips:
Q: What musical instrument
can you hear but not
see or touch?
● Make school events into family events by attend-
A: Your voice!
● Post school news and announcements on the refrigerator. Providing a place of
ing as many as you can. Your child will feel proud
to show off her school to you.
honor for these items reminds her that school is an important part of your family’s life.
● Encourage your youngster to get involved in a school activity. Being a member
of the chess club or safety patrol squad will give her a sense of pride—and of
belonging.♥
© 2015 Resources for Educators, a division of CCH Incorporated
Home & School CONNECTION
February 2016 • Page 2
®
A respectful student
School is more pleasant for both students and
teachers when children behave respectfully. Share
this advice with your youngster so she can do
her part in creating a respectful place to learn.
Respect for all. Point out that everyone —
from the principal to the custodian, and from
the popular kid to the unpopular one—deserves
to be treated with respect. Encourage your child
to smile or wave at school staff members and fellow students. You can set an example by letting her
see you give everyone (receptionists and doctors, cashiers
and store managers) the same respect.
ACTIVITY
CORNER
Junk-drawer
creativity
Look no further than your kitchen
junk drawer to give your youngster’s creative thinking a boost. Try these ideas.
Reuse
Suggest
that your
child come
up with different uses for
objects in the
drawer. He could use rubber bands to
make a ball or turn a cork into a pincushion, for example. Take turns thinking of
ways to reuse a bottle cap, a handheld
mirror, and other junk-drawer items.
Sort
Let your youngster sort items according to a secret criterion, and you try to figure out his rule. Say he puts a paper clip
and a key in one group, and a coupon and
a gift bag in another. You might guess that
he’s sorting by materials (metal, paper).
Next, you sort objects into piles, and have
him determine your rule.♥
O U R
P U R P O S E
To provide busy parents with practical ideas
that promote school success, parent involvement,
and more effective parenting.
Resources for Educators,
a division of CCH Incorporated
128 N. Royal Avenue • Front Royal, VA 22630
540-636-4280 • rfecustomer@wolterskluwer.com
www.rfeonline.com
ISSN 1540-5621
© 2015 Resources for Educators, a division of CCH Incorporated
Respect for
property. In
school, students share
library books,
playground
space, restrooms,
and more. And
these things will
be nicer to use
when youngsters
take care of them.
Suggest that your
child do simple acts that show respect for school property.
Examples: Returning library books so others can read them,
putting trash in wastebaskets so the playground and restrooms look nice and stay clean.♥
Q Strong study habits
&
My third grader has to spend more
A Q:
time studying this year. How can I make
sure he studies effectively?
A: Set your son up for success by helping him find a
distraction-free study spot. Also, have him come up with a study routine.
and notes
For instance, he could reserve time each evening to review his textbook
quiz.
or
test
a
to
up
leading
days
the
in
Then, many students find it helpful to jot down a purpose each time they
the boldstudy at home. Your child might write: “I will learn the definitions of all
1.”
section
7,
chapter
in
faced words
works
Finally, encourage him to experiment with study strategies to find what
draw a
or
spelled
is
word
a
how
imagine
and
best for him. He could close his eyes
math
recite
or
spell
to
easier
it
find
might
he
Or
3.
x
3
solve
to
grid with 9 squares
tune.♥
familiar
a
to
or
rhythm
in
aloud
facts
PARENT
TO
R
PA ENT
Perfect…or close enough
My daughter
Sasha gets upset if her handwriting isn’t
“perfect” or if her shoes aren’t tied a certain way. My mother pointed out that
I’m kind of a perfectionist, too. While it
helped me work hard in school
and now at my job, she said it
often led to frustration when
I was Sasha’s age.
She suggested that I try
what worked with me: Have
Sasha think about what
might happen if something
isn’t perfect. So the next
time I found my daughter
retying her laces over and
over, I asked, “What’s the worst that
could happen if the knot is a little offcenter?” At first she said she would trip
and fall, but then she smiled and said, “I
guess nothing.” Another day, she wanted
to rip up her homework because every
letter wasn’t perfect. I encouraged her
to do a different assignment and
look at the first one again later—
she did, and she decided she
could live with it after all.
Sasha may always be a perfectionist, but I hope she’s
learning to tell the difference
between what really matters
and what she can let go.♥