1000 cheers that summertime's here! Looking for ways to engage your children this summer? The quest can be more complicated when a child has a disability. So here's a quick list of ideas and resources that can help.
10 weeks of summer reading adventures for you and your kids.
http://www.readingrockets.org/articles/391 Fun things to do today.
You won't believe this list to choose from.
http://specialchildren.about.com/od/needinspiration/a/fivefunthings.htm You won't believe this list to choose from.
http://specialchildren.about.com/od/learningissues/tp/learnvacation.htm Summer Survival Kit.
http://specialchildren.about.com/od/holidays/p/summersurvival.htm?nl=1 Summer camps A-Z.
Talk about everything but the kitchen sink. Resources are organized by topics for easy hunting: special interest, age, overnight, art, academic, sports, special needs, state, you name it.
http://summercamps.com/ Choosing the right summer camp.
Which is best for your child -- a special needs camp, a mainstream camp in your own community, or a summer spent at home with you? Each has its pros and cons. Here's help in choosing the best option, and recommendations on how to get started when you do.
http://specialchildren.about.com/od/specialneedssummercamps/a/choosecamp.htm?nl=1 Going to summer camp with AT.
The Family Center on Technology and Disability (FCTD)'s May 2009 newsletter is entitled Summer Camp: Tents, Trees, and Technology and identifies resources to help families of children with disabilities who utilize AT for their child's camp experience.
http://www.fctd.info/resources/newsletters/index.php Special needs camps, by state and by disability.
http://www.veryspecialcamps.com/
PARENT AND COMMUNITY INPUT SOUGHT ON SCHOOL DISTRICT GRANTS
Each year, SAU #44, in conjunction with Northwood, Nottingham, Strafford Schools, and Coe-Brown Northwood Academy, prepares a Consolidated Grant Application which specifies how grant money from the NH Department of Education will be used in each school. Information and a description of these state grants may be found on the NH Department of Education's website at www.ed.state.nh.us/education. SAU #44 is interested in hearing from the public, especially parents of students enrolled in the schools, regarding the needs and activities funded by these grants. Comments regarding the grant applications may be sent to the principal of the Northwood, Nottingham and Strafford Schools, and the headmaster of Coe-Brown Northwood Academy. Grant applications may be viewed by contacting jraskin@nhsau44 or by calling the SAU at 942-1290 ext. 205 to set up an appointment to view the documents.
HELPING YOUR CHILD SERIES PUBLICATIONS
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The Helping Your Child publication series aims to provide parents with the tools and information necessary to help their children succeed in school and life. These booklets feature practical lessons and activities to help their school aged and preschool children master reading, understand the value of homework and develop the skills and values necessary to achieve and grow.
Helping Your Child Learn Science
Every day is filled with opportunities to learn science-without expensive chemistry sets or books. Parents don't need degrees in chemistry or physics to help their children learn science. All that is needed is a willingness to observe and learn with them, and, above all, to make an effort and take the time to nurture their natural curiosity. This booklet provides parents of children ages 3 through 10 with information, tools and activities they can use in the home and community to help their child develop an interest in the sciences and learn about the world around them. (March 2004)
Full Booklet: English | Spanish
Brochure: English | Spanish
Helping Your Child Learn Mathematics
Our increasingly technological world demands strong skills in mathematics, not only in the workforce but also in everyday life, and these demands will only increase over the lifetimes of our children. The major portion of this booklet is made up of fun activities that parents can use with children from preschool age through grade 5 to strengthen their math skills and build strong positive attitudes toward math. (March 2004)
Full Booklet: English | Spanish
Brochure: English | Spanish
Helping Your Child Become a Reader
Other than helping your children to grow up healthy and happy, the most important thing that you can do for them is to help them develop their reading skills. This booklet offers pointers on how to build the language skills of young children, and includes a list of typical language accomplishments for different age groups, suggestions for books, and resources for children with reading problems or learning disabilities. (August 2002)
Full Booklet: English | Spanish
Brochure: English | Spanish
Helping Your Child With Homework
Homework can help children to develop positive study skills and habits, improve their thinking and memory abilities, and encourage them to use time well, learn independently, and take responsibility for their work. This booklet helps parents of elementary and junior high school students understand why homework is important and makes suggestions for helping children complete assignments successfully. (August 2002)
Full Booklet: English | Spanish
Brochure: English | Spanish
Helping Your Preschool Child
How well children will learn and develop and how well they will do in school depends on a number of things, including their health and physical well-being, social and emotional preparation, and language skills and general knowledge of the world. This booklet highlights techniques parents can use to encourage their children to develop the skills necessary for success in school and life by focusing on activities that make learning fun. (August 2002)
Full Booklet: English | Spanish
Brochure: English | Spanish
Helping Your Child Succeed in School
Every child has the power to succeed in school and in life and every parent, family member and caregiver can help. This booklet provides parents with information, tools and activities they can use in the home to help their child develop the skills critical to academic success. (September 2002)
Full Booklet: English | Spanish
Brochure: English | Spanish
Helping Your Child Through Early Adolescence
Learning as much as you can about the world of early adolescents is an important step towards helping your child through the fascinating, confusing and wonderful years from ages 10 through 14. Based on the latest research in adolescent development and learning, this booklet addresses questions, provides suggestions and tackles issues that parents of young teens generally find most challenging. (September 2002)
Full Booklet: English | Spanish
Brochure: English | Spanish
Helping Your Child Become a Responsible Citizen
Just as children must be taught to read and write, solve math problems, and understand science concepts and events in history, so must they be guided in developing the qualities of character that are valued by their families and by the communities in which they live. This booklet provides information about the values and skills that make up character and good citizenship and what you can do to help your child develop strong character. It suggests activities that you and your school-aged children can do to put those values to work in your daily lives and tips for working with teachers and schools to ensure that you act together to promote the basic values that you want your child to learn and use. (March 2003)
Full Booklet: English | Spanish
Brochure: English | Spanish
Helping Your Child Learn History
History PDF(2M)
The booklet is designed to help families prepare their children to achieve the lifelong task of finding their place in history by helping them learn what shaped the world into which they were born. Employing the latest research, the booklet is largely comprised of activities that can be experienced at home or in the community for children in preschool through grade 5, yet also features information about the basics of history; practical suggestions for how to work with teachers and schools to help children succeed in school; and a list of federal sources, helpful Web sites and suggested books for parents and children. (June 2004)
Available from the U.S. Department of Education, www.ED.gov
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR CHILD'S NEW TEACHER
- What are my child's strengths?
- What concerns do you have about my child?
- How does my child work with others?
- What information can I share with you about my child?
- I want to be involved in my child?s education. How can we work together?
PARENT INPUT NEEDED BY SAU #44
SAU #44 values parental input, and is always interested in hearing ideas, suggestions, and comments from parents and family members of students in the district. Periodically, we also need parents to serve on committees, task forces or work groups to provide input on the parent perspective. These are short term group meetings, usually lasting a few hours in the afternoon. Currently, we are looking for parents to provide input to the Northwood and Nottingham School Improvement Teams. If you are interested in learning more about this, please contact Dr. Michael Ludwell at mludwell@nhsau44.org.
STUDENT WORK PERMITS
The SAU receives many requests for information regarding ?work permits? to enable students to work while they are in school. Minors under the age of 16 employed in NH must get a NH Youth Employment Certificate from the Superintendent?s office (where they attend school) within three (3) business days of their first day of employment.
The student should get the form ?Employer?s Request for Child Labor? from the employer, Superintendent?s office, or the NH Department of Labor (click below to download this form).
Take the form to your prospective employer for his/her signature and a description of the proposed employment.
The student?s parent must sign a ?Verification of Adequate Health of Child? form, stating that their son/daughter is in adequate health (click below to download this form).
Take the signed, completed forms to the Superintendent?s office with proof of age, such as a copy of your birth certificate.
The Superintendent?s office will review:
the student?s birth certificate, passport, immigration record, or other proof of age;
the employer?s request to ensure the minor?s employment is permitted by law; and
the student?s school record to ensure that the academic performance level established by the district has been met.
If all of the requirements have been met, the Superintendent?s office will issue the student a Youth Employment Certificate, and provide the necessary documentation to the NH Department of Labor.
Click here for a copy of the Employer?s Request for Child Labor and Verification of Adequate Health of Child forms.
No one 16 or 17 years old may be employed unless the employer maintains on file a signed written document from the student?s parent or legal guardian permitting the youth?s employment. Minors ages 16 or 17 years old must only provide a copy of the ?State of New Hampshire Proof of Permission for the Employment of a Youth Age 16 or 17?. This form must be signed by the parent or legal guardian and given to the employer to keep on file. Click here for a copy of this form.
Employers must keep a record of the date of birth for all minors under the age of 19 on file.
Please note that student volunteers, or students who wish to volunteer, must obtain the same forms, even though they will not receive payment for their volunteer work.
In order to make sure that students are protected, there are a number of time, hour and occupation restrictions on employment. Click here for this and other important information.
Secretary Spellings Announces New Tool to Help Families Plan for College
U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings has unveiled a new online tool to help students and families financially prepare and plan for college before a student's senior year of high school. Called the FAFSA4caster, it provides students with an early estimate of their eligibility for federal financial aid, which could include a Pell grant of up to $4,310.
"Improving college access and affordability are key to giving more Americans a chance at higher education and keeping America competitive," said Secretary Spellings. "Families need more information?sooner?about students' federal aid eligibility so that they can plan ahead for college. The FAFSA4caster gives families an important tool they can use to make decisions about the future."
The FAFSA4caster will
- instantly calculate a student's eligibility for federal student aid, including grants;
- reduce the time it will take to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); and
- simplify the financial aid process for students and families.
In addition to helping families make informed decisions as they plan for college, the FAFSA4caster will also reduce the application time when students file their FAFSA in their senior year in high school.
The FAFSA4caster will be available April 1 at www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov. In September, the Department will release the next version of the FAFSA4caster, which will estimate a student's entire federal aid package, including eligibility for federal student loans.
Additional information about the FAFSA4caster is available now at www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov..
Source: U.S. Department of Education. Used with permission.
Less Television and More Gathering Around the Dinner Table Prevents Kids from Becoming Overweight
Sitting down to a family meal more often and cutting down on television watching can help keep children from becoming overweight, according to a new University of Missouri-Columbia study.
After following 8,000 children from kindergarten to third grade, researchers concluded that kids who watched the most TV were at the greatest risk of being or becoming overweight. Children who ate fewer meals with their families also were at risk for becoming overweight.
"Other research has shown that children who eat meals with their families eat more healthy foods than children who don't eat as many meals with their families," said Sara Gable, associate professor of human development and family studies in the MU College of Human Environmental Studies. "I suspect there are other benefits of family meal times that protect children from developing some of the habits that could lead to weight problems."
The researchers grouped children into three categories to determine the factors associated with becoming overweight: children who were not overweight during kindergarten and first grade but were overweight by the third grade; children who became overweight during kindergarten and stayed that way through the third grade; children who were never overweight.
"Children who were never overweight between kindergarten and third grade were watching, as per parent reports, roughly two hours of television per day, or about 14 hours during a typical week," Gable said. "The children who were persistently overweight were watching about 16 hours of television per week."
Members of the persistently overweight groups also lived in neighborhoods that parents perceived as less safe for outdoor play. "These results suggest that some overweight children have fewer options for active play when they are at home," Gable said.
The study, which was funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, was published in this month's issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
Published by the MU News Bureau, 329 Jesse Hall, Columbia MO 65211
© 2004 - Curators of the University of Missouri ? DMCA. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.
HELPING YOUR CHILD SERIES AVAILABLE FOR PARENTS
The U.S. Department of Education has developed a series of Helping Your Child publications aimed at providing parents with the tools and information necessary to help their children succeed in school and life. These booklets feature practical lessons and activities to help preschool and school aged children master reading, understand the value of homework and develop the skills and values they will need to grow and succeed. These books are available in English or Spanish at http://www.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/hyc.html.
PARENTS ARE THEIR CHILD?S FIRST TEACHERS
We hear from many sources that parents are their child?s first teachers, and that learning begins in the home. Parents often don?t think about all the ways they are teaching their children during their interactions throughout the day and evening. The National Education Association (NEA) has developed a brief booklet of Home Learning Recipes for children at various grade levels. ?Think of it as the educational equivalent of those cookbooks that provide quick, nutritious recipes. These recipes are designed for parents to help boost their child?s learning in reading, writing, math and science, as well as the broader aspects of responsibility, perseverance, teamwork and problem solving.? The Home Learning Recipes, as well as other helpful information for parents, can be found at http://www.nea.org/parents/ppower.html.