Helpful Back To School Tips

Re-establish Bedtime and Meal Routines
Start having meals at a regular time again at least a week before school starts.

Turn off the TV
Encourage your child to play quiet games, work puzzles and flash cards, color or read. This will ease them back into the learning process.

Designate an Area for Homework
If your child is younger, a special area of the family room or kitchen ensures that you will be readily available to supervise and answer questions.

Freeze a few easy dinners
A few ready-to-eat meals will help eliminate some of the stress that comes with the first week or two or school.

Visit a new school with your child
Help them find their classroom, meet the teacher, navigate the halls and become comfortable with their environment. Be sure to call the school first to make sure the teacher will be available and the visit is appropriate.

Pick the perfect backpack
Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back. Heavier items should be placed closest to the backpack's center, and the total weight should never exceed 10 to 20 percent of your child's body weight.

Point out the positives
Remind your child that she'll see old friends and make new ones. Give your child a few strategies to manage a difficult situation on their own, while encouraging him/her to report any problems to you or a teacher. Be sure to attempt to maintain open lines of communication with the school to handle such situations.

Healthy After School Snack

Monkey Bars
This recipe serves: 12

Preparation time: 15 mins
Cooking time: 1 hours
Ingredients
• vegetable cooking spray
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened apple juice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 ripe banana
• 1/4 cup dried currants
Cooking Instructions
1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Spray an 8-inch baking pan with vegetable cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until creamy. can add the oats, cinnamon and flour and mix well.
3. Make it a . In a small bowl, combine the apple juice, vanilla extract and 1/2 cup of warm water. Add this to the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Stir in the banana and currants. can help spread the dough into the prepared pan.
4. Bake until the top is golden, about 1 hour.
5. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into 12 squares and serve. These bars can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Nutrition Facts
• Serving Size:1 bar
• Amount Per Serving
• Calories78
• Protein2 g
• Total Carbohydrate15 g
• Dietary Fiber2 g
• Soluble Fiber0 g
• Sugar6 g
• Total Fat1 g
• Saturated Fat0 g
• Percent Calories from Fat16 %
• Percent Calories from Protein10 %
• Percent Calories from Carbohydrate74 %
WWW.FOODFIT.COM

Ed policies ignore science on how/when kids learn

Our education system starts at age 5, pays little attention to children’s development and achievement until third grade, and is strewn with remedial programs to get older children back on track.

Meanwhile, studies keep pouring forth that highlight the importance of children’s earliest years – birth to age 8 – in developing the mental capacity that enables life-long learning.

In short, our education policies don’t align with the latest science on how and when children learn. American public education is out of whack.

Read more………..

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/guest-bloggers/how-ed-policies-ignore-science.html

Summer Changes Everything

It’s Never too Early to Plan for Summer!

Attend the National Summer Learning Association’s Summer Changes EverythingTM Conference!

Summer Changes EverythingTM, the only national conference focused entirely on summer, will be held at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, November 9-10. If you work with children, operate or make decisions about summer programs, or are involved in youth education, you can’t afford to miss this conference. With 60 workshops on topics from STEM learning to social media outreach, we’re presenting the latest information regarding youth and summer learning.

This year, we are thrilled to welcome an exciting lineup of guest speakers, exhibitors, and panelists, including neurologist, author, researcher, and middle-school teacher Dr. Judy Willis. Tarik Glenn, retired Indianapolis Colt and co-founder of D.R.E.A.M Alive, Inc., will share how his experiences both on and off the field have helped him to build and maintain a successful youth program. Other presenters include social media guru Beth Kanter, policy experts, and NSLA staffers. Don’t miss out on what promises to be the best summer learning conference yet!

Learn how to build, strengthen, and expand summer programs at the Summer Changes EverythingTM conference:

·Connect and network with colleagues, including summer program providers, educators, school administrators, researchers and policymakers.

·Choose the option of participating in one of two relevant, in-depth pre-conference institutes on November 8, on program planning or summer learning advocacy.

·Choose from 60 workshops in three exciting areas: Knowledge and Strategies for Summer Program Managers; Policy and Funding for Systems Building; and Innovative Instructional Approaches.

Learn more and register now at our conference homepage. Or, contact our Conference Manager, Ryan Rebarchick, via e-mail or phone: 410 856 1370 ext 203.

P.S. On August 16, we are hosting an Indy Happy Hour at the Barcelona Tapas Restaurant, for those who run summer programs in the city and surrounding areas. You are invited. Check out event details at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=130882550287960. Also check out www.iyi.org/fundraising-grants/development-grants.aspx to receive scholarships to attend conference. All this info is in the Indy-specific e-bulletin.