If you’re planning to enroll in a charter school for the 2010-2011 school year, the deadline is quickly approaching.  Open enrollment closes on February 26, 2010.  For an application link and more details visit www.heritageacademies.com.

• Jigsaw Puzzles – Sure jigsaw puzzles can be frustrating with all those pieces that look exactly the same, but they can be a lot of fun, they provide relationship building time with your child and just think of the pride your child will have in completing a jigsaw puzzle. 
• Winter Crafts – What better way to fight off boredom than by making a foam mitten wreath, handprint snowflake photo frame or popsicle snowman? Break out the glue and popsicle sticks and have a blast making a bunch of winter-themed crafts.
• Dr. Seuss Book Marathon - From here to there, funny things are everywhere. Take turns reading some of Dr. Seuss’ amazingly entertaining books. 
• Butterfly Garden – Your child can create their very own butterfly hanging garden. Visit http://fun.familyeducation.com/childrens-art-activities/outdoor-games/30104.html?detoured=1, print out the monarch butterfly pictures and follow the directions for creating your own butterfly garden.

Without an understanding of proper values and behavior, children will have trouble throughout school and into their adult lives. By developing a strong character, a respect for others, as well as respect for themselves, and by setting a good example and setting high standards, students will be well prepared for success inside and outside the classroom.

As students must be taught to add and subtract, and to read and write, they must also be taught what character attributes are expected of them by our society. Working together as a school community, we can provide children with the character building tools that are essential for their continued growth academically, socially and personally.

“The successful education of hundreds of children every day depends upon our students valuing the opportunity they are being presented and respecting others around them,” said Steve Bagley, principal of NHA’s Walker Academy. “One disrespectful student can disrupt the entire learning process for the rest of the children. That is why it is crucial that we work in harmony as a community to ensure that we are raising young people who display universal values such as respect, compassion, self-control, respect and gratitude.”

Through guidance by caring adults, children will learn to be honest and thoughtful, to act responsibly and to make appropriate choices. For additional information on how we can work together in raising responsible citizens, visit www.ed.gov.

Students at Ridge Park Charter Academy

I love this time of year-the decorations, the Christmas music and the excitement kids have waiting for the big day!  I also love doing special holiday events and shows.  This weekend on “Where You Live” we’ll look at how families around West Michigan celebrate.  The show is taped at Ridge Park Charter Academy in Grand Rapids where they have students from 20 different countries.  This school celebrates with a special “World Party Week” where each classroom studies a country-learning about the dress, customs and cultures of each place.  The best part is that there are students in the building from each of the countries the kids are learning about so it really brings things to life!  The show will also feature great ideas on ways to save on holiday gift giving at Goodwill, healthy snacks your kids will love, tips from a Priority Health expert on ways to workout while finishing your shopping and highlights from a special event at Meijer that truly captures the spirit of the season!   This season take time to celebrate the things that matter most-Where You Live!

[See post to watch Flash video]

The ideal solution is to help children build an interest for numbers before they enter school.  Here are some suggestions:

•  Whether its reading books that include numbers or simply exploring numbers throughout their environment – at home, on traffic signs and billboards, or at gas stations and grocery stores – introducing young children to numbers will build a familiarity that will be helpful when it comes time to go to school. 
• If you’re a parent of a school-age child who doesn’t like math, take a look at engaging your child in different forms of math.  For instance, if your child is a sports fan, use the score of a ballgame to work on addition and subtraction, or a player’s stats to work on statistics, multiplication and division. If your child likes to help you cook, use measuring out the ingredients as an avenue for building enjoyment in utilizing math skills.
• Be positive.  For many parents, the thought of math may lead to horrible memories from when they were in school. Remember that math is our friend.  If you want your children to enjoy math, the last thing you should do is tell them that you hate math or exhibit negative feelings toward math. Take your child’s learning math as an opportunity to learn math all over again. You may find that you enjoy it as well.

For more information or for other helpful tips on making math more enjoyable for your child, do not hesitate to speak to your child’s teacher or visit www.familyeducation.com.

“Homework is an effective tool to reinforce classroom instruction and improve student learning,” says Joe Nieuwkoop, principal at Cross Creek Charter Academy (http://crosscreek.heritageacademies.com). “It’s also an opportunity for parents to become more involved in the school process and to gain a greater appreciation for the work their child is doing.”

GENERAL HOMEWORK TIPS FOR PARENTS
• Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to do homework. Avoid having your child do homework with the television on or in places with other distractions, such as people coming and going.

• Make sure the materials your child needs, such as paper, pencils and a dictionary, are available. Ask your child if special materials will be needed for some projects and get them in advance.

• Help your child with time management. Establish a set time each day for doing homework. Don’t let your child leave homework until just before bedtime. Think about using a weekend morning or afternoon for working on big projects, especially if the project involves getting together with classmates.

• When your child does homework, you do homework. Show your child that the skills they are learning are related to things you do as an adult. If your child is reading, you read too. If your child is doing math, balance your checkbook.

• When your child asks for help, provide guidance, not answers. Giving answers means your child will not learn the material. Too much help teaches your child that when the going gets rough, someone will do the work for him or her.

• When the teacher asks that you play a role in homework, do it. Cooperate with the teacher. It shows your child that the school and home are a team. Follow the directions given by the teacher.

• If homework is meant to be done by your child alone, stay away. Too much parent involvement can prevent homework from having some positive effects. Homework is a great way for kids to develop independent, lifelong learning skills.

• Stay informed. Talk with your child’s teacher. Make sure you know the purpose of homework and what your child’s class rules are.

• Help your child figure out what is hard homework and what is easy homework. Have your child do the hard work first. This will mean he will be most alert when facing the biggest challenges. Easy material will seem to go fast when fatigue begins to set in.

• Watch your child for signs of failure and frustration. Let your child take a short break if she is having trouble keeping her mind on an assignment.

• Reward progress in homework. If your child has been successful in homework completion and is working hard, celebrate that success with a special event (e.g., pizza, a walk, a trip to the park) to reinforce the positive effort.

[See post to watch Flash video]