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From the Principal’s Desk

Dear Parents,

After-school programs and activities can be wonderfully enriching, providing children with opportunities to stretch their minds, exercise their bodies, learn teamwork, and build social skills. Today’s range of available activities

is greater than ever—from computer classes to cheerleading clinics, music lessons to Scout Troops, art and dance to football and soccer. Here are some important things to consider when enrolling your children in after-school programs:

Whose idea is it? Try to make sure that your child has at least some interest in the club, sport, or lesson you’re signing him or her up for.

What if you want them to attend and they don’t want to?

Incentives can work wonders. Together, set two goals. The first is yours: spell out the activity you
want them to participate in, the amount of time you want them to devote, and the attitude you want them to have about it. The second is theirs: by following your rules and achieving the goals you set for them, decide on the special privilege or reward they can earn.

How intense is it? Some after-school

gymnastics programs are a great excuse for children to burn off energy and learn a few new skills. Others are totally focused on training the next Olympian. Find the program that really fits

what you and your child are looking for.

Can it help your child academically,

athletically, or socially? All children have areas of strength and areas where they need some enrichment or encouragement. After-school programs can help with both! Choose one activity that lets your child expand on his or her strengths, and try to find another one that offers a challenge.

What kind of commitment are they looking for? Be wary of programs that expect your child to commit to four days a week or more. Children still need time to do their schoolwork and sleep ten hours a night.

Have you heard good feedback

from other parents and children?

The best after-school programs get great reviews from children and their parents. If just the parents are raving about a program, your children may be sorry you signed them up. If just the children are crazy about it, it may be too lax or too expensive to meet your needs.

Are you over scheduling?

Unstructured playtime is very important for children. It’s a great time for them to use their imaginations, or just have fun. Be sure that you don’t take their childhood away from them by filling every after-school hour with “enriching” activities. While there are many things to consider when contemplating after-school programs, remember also that anything you do is better than the all too- common alternative—letting your children decide, every day, what they want to do after school. Too many children today fritter away their childhoods watching television or playing computer/video games. Whatever after-school program you choose, help your children see that life is not a spectator sport.

 

Debbie Bohn, Principal

 

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From the Principal’s Desk

Dear Parents,

Play is a child’s “job.” Unfortunately,

between television, computers, and

scheduled activities, children are left with very little time in which to do their job. Playing provides great learning

opportunities and also gives children some much needed time to simply be children. Here are some great tips to help get your children playing.

Limit TV. Children spend too much time in front of the television and computer. Limiting access will

encourage them to engage in other activities. If they need or enjoy the background noise, turn on the radio. Music will entice your children to sing, dance, and use their imaginations.

Don’t rush. Just like adults, children need time to unwind and time for their imaginations to start working. Try to provide daily time for unstructured and

unscheduled play.

Be creative. Children don’t need the latest and greatest toys. All you really need are a few basic essentials such as crayons, dress-up clothes, books, and balls. Keep “open-ended” materials around—things that children can use for

more than one type of play.

Don’t believe the hype. Many educational toys tout benefits you might never see. While that electronic globe looks great and has a lot of features, puzzles or a craft kit might better serve your child’s needs.

Run around. Regardless of whether or not your child plays organized sports, make time several days a week for them to run around and exercise.

Play games. When children play games, they learn important social lessons. Team games help teach skills such as how to work together, how to handle conflict, and how to strategize. Board games teach skills such as sharing, taking turns, and the art of compromise. Playing games also teaches children how to be graceful winners and good losers.

Expect play. After-school can be wonderful opportunities for children to play—or they can be play busters. When looking at these programs, ask how much time your child will have to play and how much time is spent watching TV and playing computer or video games.

 

The most important thing is to allow your children to be children and learn through play.

 

Debbie Bohn, Principal

 

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From the Principal’s Desk

Dear Parents,

Everyone knows the importance of reading to their children. But how many parents realize that it’s equally essential to help their children understand math—both math concepts and how it’s part of their everyday lives? Here are some fun, easy ways to incorporate math learning into your family life—without a lot of time, effort, or expense.

In the kitchen.

At the grocery store.

In the garage or driveway.

When it’s time to relax.

On the road.

Money is a powerful teacher.

Above all, make sure not to pass any math phobias that you might have on to your children. It’s important for children to hear at home that what they’re learning is valuable—that all the work they’re doing trying to comprehend division or fractions or measurement will pay off their whole lives.

Debbie Bohn, Principal 

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