school year august 2015

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Rhody Beat presents View this section online @ www.rhodybeat.com Beacon Communications August 2015 A Special Supplement from Ease the struggle Recognizing the signs a tutor might be necessary Making a Smooth Transition How parents can help students transition to college life Mellow Your Mornings How to make school day mornings easier

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Page 1: School year august 2015

RhodyBeat presents

View this section online @ www.rhodybeat.com

BeaconCommunications

August 2015A Special Supplement from

Ease the struggleRecognizing the signs a tutor might be necessary

Making a Smooth TransitionHow parents can help students transition to college life

Mellow Your MorningsHow to make school day mornings easier

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l YearHow parents can simplify students’ transition to college life

Tips for choosing a major

Tips for adults returning to school

Tips to land a good internship

Outfitting students’ technology need

How to save on school supplies

Safety tips for school bus riders

Make school day mornings easier

Signs a tutor might be necessary

Strategies to help kids focus on their schoolwork

Add health screenings to back-to-school checklist

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Did you know?Before education reformists began to campaign for tax-funded schools in the late 1800s, only the very wealthy were able to get an education in the United States of America. Children whose parents could finance their education attended costly private schools. Education eventually became available to more youngsters, but it wasn’t until the 1930s that people attended school beyond the customary eight years. In fact, “high school” wasn’t even heard of before the Great Depression, when it was apparent that it was more productive to keep teenagers in the classroom so they wouldn’t be competing for the scarce jobs avail-able. Millions of kids now attend school each year, and public schools enable students of all socioeconomic backgrounds to earn an education.

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College is the first taste of true inde-pendence many young students experience. Whereas mom and

dad were always around to make sure kids were out the door on time and home-work was done, that safety blanket is no longer there once kids move into their dorm rooms.

The transition to college life can be excit-ing. But while students typically welcome that transition with open arms, parents often worry about how their children will handle their suddenly more independent life. Parents who want to help their kids make as smooth a transition to college life as possible can take steps during their children’s senior year of high school to help them adjust to their new surround-ings and responsibilities more easily.

Let kids fly solo on school day morn-ings. New college students have to make many adjustments upon moving into their dorms, and getting themselves out of bed each morning and off to class on time is one such change. Parents worried that their students will sleep in when mom and dad isn’t around to remind them to wake up can start letting kids fly solo on school day mornings during their final year of high school. Let kids set their alarms, pre-pare their own breakfasts and get out the door on time all on their own. By the time their freshman year of college arrives, kids will know how to handle their morn-ings by themselves.

Teach kids how to develop budgets. Another problem many first-year college

students encounter is an inability to effec-tively manage their money. Whether you plan to give kids an allowance while they are in school or intend for them to work part-time for their spending money, use senior year of high school as an opportu-nity to show kids how to budget their money. If they don’t have accounts already, open bank accounts in your youngster’s name, and insist that he or she start paying for his or her expenses via these accounts. Resist the urge to give high school kids gas money or money for shopping trips if they have already spent their allowances so they can learn how to effectively manage money between paydays. In addition, teach kids about the right and wrong ways to use credit cards, including the importance of paying balances in full and on time.

Let kids handle more standard respon-sibilities. Adults tend to take more mun-dane responsibilities like making doctor’s appointments or grocery shopping for granted. But kids likely have no idea how to handle such tasks. Parents can encourage their high school seniors to make their own medical appointments. In addition, take kids along on grocery shop-ping trips, explaining how to find sale items and which foods to buy and which to avoid. Nutrition is not always foremost on the minds of college freshmen, but those who understand the importance of healthy diets are more likely to buy nutri-tious meals than junk food.

Emphasize time management. Today’s high schoolers are busier than ever before, so many may already be prepared for the juggling act that is college life. But college students have more free time than their high school counterparts, so parents can emphasize the importance of managing that free time wisely as opposed to spending it lounging on the couch or napping.

The transition from high school to college can be both exciting and difficult. But par-ents can get a head start on that transi-tion by encouraging their youngsters to be more independent during their final year of high school.

How parents can simplify students’ transition to college life

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Tips for choosing a major

Choosing a major is an important decision for college students. The right major can set students on a

path to a rewarding and successful career, which can lead to a more fulfilling life.

The gravity of such a decision is one reason many college students delay choosing their majors until after they enter college. Students often find enter-ing college as an undecided affords them the opportunity to explore various courses of study without committing themselves to any particular subject. Though that approach can work while students are still underclassmen, many advisors recommend students choose a major before their third year of college. The following tips can help students ensure they make the right decision about which path to take for the remain-der of their college careers.

Visit your school’s career center. College career centers are a great resource for college students as they narrow down their options concerning a major. Many career centers have pro-grams in place designed to match stu-dents’ interests and personalities with courses of study. Utilize these programs

if you are having trouble matching an interest with a major.

Take action. Classrooms can be great places to discover a passion for a partic-ular field of study, but lectures or entry-level courses are not always enough to spark interest. If there are particular fields of study that interest you, find extracurricular clubs that are associated with those majors. Such clubs may host speakers or seminars that can give you greater insight into the field than you might glean from the classroom. Attend such events when possible, and bring any questions you might have about the course of study they are associated with.

Speak to upperclassmen. Underclassmen may make up the major-ity of students in entry-level courses, but you may encounter some upperclass-men who have already chosen their majors in such classes from time to time. Such students can be valuable resourc-es for other students looking to gain greater insight into courses of study. Ask about particular classes and professors who upperclassmen found particularly engaging and encouraging.

Pursue an internship. The hands-on experience provided by an internship is a great way for students to learn if a partic-ular line of work is for them. Internships can provide an insider’s look into particu-lar professions and industries. While internships might once have been desig-nated for older students, many business-es now have more relaxed eligibility requirements regarding their internship programs, making it possible for students of all grade levels to gain some practical professional experience while still in school.

Choosing a major is one of the most important decisions young students will make. Taking a careful and thoughtful approach to such a decision can help students select majors that leads to rewarding careers.

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Adults return to school for a variety of reasons. Some might be spurred by a desire to pursue a new career, while others might go back to school

to learn more about their existing field and improve their career prospects. While their reasons for returning to school may differ, many adults find themselves battling some nerves as they begin the process of going back to the classroom.

Feelings of doubt are common among adults returning to school. But there are steps all adult students can take to reduce their anxiety and make the most of the often exciting experience of going back to school.

Start slow. Unlike more traditional college students, adults returning to school tend to have significant responsibilities, including families and careers. Juggling work and family is difficult on its own, but doing so along with college coursework is even harder. Adult students returning to school after a long layoff would be wise to take things slowly at first so they and their families can gradually adjust to their new schedules. Many schools now offer online courses, which can be especially benefi-cial for working professionals.

Have a plan. Many adults only return to school when they know exactly what they want to study or which courses they need to take to complete a degree or earn a certificate. If you have not already mapped out such a plan, do so before enrolling in any classes. The cost of a college education has no doubt increased considerably since you last stepped foot on campus, so you don’t want to be signing up for costly classes that will not help you accomplish what you hope to accomplish by returning to school.

Research your options. Just because you are an adult returning to school does not mean you are ineligible for scholarships or other forms of financial aid. The United

States Department of Labor maintains a scholarship search engine at www.careerinfonet.org where students of all ages and academic levels can search for scholar-ships, grants and other financial aid opportunities to determine if they are eligible for some help paying for tuition. In addition, adults returning to school may want to discuss their plans with their employers, especially if they are looking to continue working in their current fields. Employers may have programs in place to subsi-dize employees looking to continue their education.

Don’t be discouraged. Many adults mulling a return to school are hesitant to do so because they feel as if they will be the only older students in classrooms filled with millennials. However, the National Center for Education Statistics predicts a 14 percent increase in enrollment of students 25 and older between 2011 and 2021, suggest-ing that adults going back to school are unlikely to be the only graybeards in their classrooms.

Returning to college as an adult can be both exciting and overwhelming. But adults need not be nervous about returning to the classroom, even if it has been quite some time since they last stepped on a college campus.

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Many college students recognize the value of internships. Internships can help college stu-dents start building their resumes before they

even earn their degrees, and those experiences can give them an edge in a competitive postgraduate job market.

Landing internships gives students some firsthand experience within a given profession, and that expo-sure can help them decide if a projected career path is right for them or if it’s good to go back to the drawing board. The following are a few tips to help college students land an internship and make the most of the opportunity.

Don’t hesitate. Though many internships are tai-lored to students with a year or two of college under their belt, that doesn’t mean freshman can’t begin to explore potential opportunities. Even if you don’t intend to get an internship in the coming school year or during summer break, you can begin to explore potential opportunities that might interest you when the time to start seeking internships does arrive. Looking early may yield valuable information, such as courses that would improve your chances of landing an internship, that your fellow students who hesitate or procrastinate won’t have.

Speak with the career placement specialists at your school. Career placement departments at col-

leges and universities are an increasingly valuable resource for today’s college students, many of whom will graduate and face an uncertain and crowded job market. But career placement depart-ments are not just a resource for grads. Such departments can be valuable tools for current stu-dents interested in landing internships. If you don’t know where to begin your internship search or sim-ply want to see if any opportunities have opened up, speak with representatives at the career placement department at your school. Look the part on such visits, dressing nicely and bringing a resume. Doing so might just separate you from your fellow stu-dents, and that can only help as you begin your search for an internship.

Ask around among friends and family members. Sometimes you need a little help to land a good internship, so don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family members if they’re aware of any opportuni-ties. Adult relatives might be aware of internship opportunities at their companies before the general public, and there’s no shame in seeking help as you try to take the first step toward a rewarding career. In addition to friends and family members, inquire about your college or university’s alumni network. Many alumni look to hire students from their univer-sities for internships or even entry-level positions, so make the most of this potentially valuable resource.

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Visit www.bridge.jobs today.Read the blog, post your profile and start your search today.

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5 • 8 Outfitting students’ technology needs

Nowadays, school supplies differ greatly from the markers, protractors and pencil cases required just a few decades ago. Many classrooms are now geared toward digital

learning, and items such as tablets, smartboards and laptop computers are essential to enhancing students’ classroom experiences. It’s no surprise then that many students require a long list of tech products and applications to keep up with their studies.

According to a Project Tomorrow report titled “The New Digital Playbook: Understanding the Spectrum of Students’ Activities and Aspirations,” a large percentage of students have access to various mobile devices in the classroom. Smartphones, laptops, tablets, and digital readers are some of the more commonly used devices in modern classrooms, and such usage is not lim-ited to older students, as the report noted significant penetration of mobile devices among the primary grades, even in K-2.

To enhance the learning experience found in school, parents may want to allow access to such devices at home. The follow-ing are some tech items to consider.

Tablet: Android and Apple-based tablets give students easy access to a variety of applications and web connectivity. Their portability makes them a convenient way of staying connected both inside and outside the home. Many tablets can be enhanced with plug-in keyboards that make typing easier. Tablets can be used to take notes, browse the Internet, check email, and maintain correspondence with classmates via mes-saging applications.

Smartphone: Smartphones now have many of the same capa-bilities of tablets, albeit in smaller packages. Parents may need to customize safety settings on phones to keep students secure, but the devices can be valuable tools in keeping tabs on kids’ whereabouts.

Laptop: Tablets and smartphones may have reduced consumer dependency on laptop and desktop computers, but traditional computers remain a valuable learning tool. Their larger screen sizes and mouse/keyboard features can make it easier for stu-dents to spend more time working on projects that require a lot of typing. Since many teachers now require assignments be typewritten or completed online, students may need to have a computer at home. Peripherals, such as a printer and an exter-nal hard drive, may prove useful as well.

App access: Students may require different apps to complete their assignments and stay organized. Calendar functions, newspaper apps and calculators can provide the boosts kids need to perform well and stay organized. Mobile devices are pre-loaded with stores where users can purchase applications, such as the App Store on Apple devices and Google Play on Google-based mobile products. However, users will still need to establish an account, which is typically linked to a credit card. If parents do not feel comfortable giving children free rein, they can set parameters on app purchases or buy pre-paid app gift cards to avoid excessive charges on credit cards.

Technology is pervasive in the classroom, and students may need various digital devices to make the grade.

Did you know?According to the College Board Annual Survey of Colleges, the aver-age published tuition and fee price for full-time, in-state students at public four-year colleges during the 2014-15 school year was $9,139. That marks a nearly 3 percent increase from the preceding year, but it’s still a considerable bargain when compared to the tuition and fee costs full-time, out-of-state students attending four-year public colleg-es will have to pay. Such students paid $22,958 for the 2014-15 school year, a 3.3 percent hike from the year before. Such figures do not include the cost of room and board, which averaged roughly $9,800 for the 2014-15 school year at public four-year colleges (in-state and out-of-state). Private, non-profit, four-year colleges remained considerably more expensive than their public counterparts, costing students an average of more than $42,000 per year for tuition, fees and room and board during the 2014-15 school year. The 3.7 percent rise in tuition and fees at such institutions also represented the highest average increase of any four-year colleges or universities.

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Back to school season can be as expensive for parents as it is excit-ing for students. Once the initial

letdown of the end of summer vacation wears off, many kids are excited to return to school, where they can see their friends, study their favorite subjects and participate in extracurricular activi-ties.

Parents of school-aged youngsters may share in that excitement while also knowing that back to school season can stretch their budgets. One of the ways to salvage those budgets is to save on school supplies. Fortunately, there are several ways parents can do just that.

Be patient. Shopping early can save shoppers money in many instances, but parents may benefit by exercising patience when it comes to buying school supplies for their children. Teachers often give students lists of supplies they will need for each class, and parents who wait to receive such lists can avoid spending money on items their kids won’t need. Even if you wait it out, you may be able to get a head start, as some teachers may post supply lists on school websites, while others might email lists to parents before back to school season hits full swing.

Take inventory. If you have more than one child, chances are you already have lots of school supplies around the house. Dust off kids’ backpacks and study areas from last school year to determine which supplies you need to buy and which you already have. Going forward, encourage

kids to store their supplies in a predeter-mined area once the school year ends, as this will make next year’s inventory that much easier to examine and assess.

Spend more now to save later. While inexpensive supplies can be hard to resist, such items likely won’t withstand the test of time, forcing you to spend time and money each year buying replacement supplies. Paying more now for certain items, including stronger backpacks and more highly rated calcu-lators, may end up saving you money in the long run, even if the initial pill is somewhat tough to swallow.

Use technology to your advantage. Department stores and businesses that sell school supplies, such as pharmacies and office stores, may or may not dis-count too many items once back to school season hits full swing. But savvy parents can still find deals by using tech-nology to their advantage when shop-ping for school supplies. Download apps like RetailMeNot to your smartphone and enable its updates so your phone essen-tially notifies you of any discounts the moment you walk into a given store. If you don’t receive any updates, search for discounts via the app or the Internet as you shop. Chances are strong that there are deals to be had, even if you don’t learn of the deals until you arrive at the store.

School supplies can be expensive, but parents can employ several strate-gies to save on school supplies now and in the future.

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Many students take the bus to school twice a day, five days a week. Approximately 26 million

elementary and secondary school

children ride school buses daily in the United States, and the U.S. Department of Transportation says more than 50 percent of all K-12 students in the coun-try ride yellow school buses, traveling approximately 4 billion miles each year.The vast majority of these miles are traveled without incident. In fact, accord-ing to the National Safety Council, the national school bus accident rate is 0.01 per 100 miles traveled, compared to 0.96 for other passenger vehicles, which makes school buses considerably safer than other passenger vehicles.Though school buses are safe, there are other ways to make them even safer. Children, especially those new to school buses, may find the bus fun and unique and not pay attention to simple safety rules. But parents should take steps to ensure that youngsters always heed the following school bus safety guidelines.

Safety tips for school bus riders

•Waitforthebusinasafelocationthat is away from traffic, ideally staying in a designated school bus stop until the bus arrives.•Dressforoptimalvisibility,especiallyin inclement weather when it can be difficult for the school bus driver and other motorists to see pedestrians.•Donotboardthebusuntilitcomestoa complete stop. Wait for the driver to open the door, which engages the “Stop” sign for oncoming motorists.•Usethehandrailandenterthebusin an orderly manner.

•Promptlyfindaseat,sitdownand buckle the safety belt if there is one available. Students assigned seats on the bus should take their seat without making a fuss.•Keepbackpacksandotherbelongings out of the center aisle. Store them under your seat or on your lap.•Remainseatedatalltimeswhilethe bus is in motion.•Keeparms,hands,legs,andheads inside of the bus at all times.•Alwaysfollowthedriver’sinstructions and avoid situations that will cause driver distraction.•Waitforthebustostopcompletely before standing up or attempting to exit.•Exitthebusinanorderlymanner, without pushing fellow passengers.•Onlycrossthestreetinfrontofthebus. It is very difficult for the driver to see students crossing behind the bus.•Waitforthedrivertochecktrafficbefore crossing the street and be on the lookout for inattentive motorists.

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School day mornings can be hectic, as getting kids ready for school and out the door on time is not

always easy. Working parents may find school day mornings especially difficult, as their own work schedules can make mornings feel even more rushed. Fortunately, parents can employ several strategies to free up time in the morning so everyone starts their days off in a more relaxing atmosphere.

Wake up earlier. Sleep might seem like a precious commodity, but waking up just 10 to 15 minutes earlier can remove some of the stress from weekday morn-ings without costing you a lot of sack time. Let kids sleep in until their normal wakeup time, using your extra 10 or 15 minutes to shower or enjoy your morning cup of coffee before the house is abuzz with activity.

Tackle certain chores the night before. Delaying certain chores until you wake up makes for a hectic morning, so tackle as many morning chores as pos-sible before you go to bed for the night. Prepare school lunches, lay clothes out for yourself and your children, and make sure kids have their backpacks packed and ready to go before they go to bed. Each of these things may only take a few minutes, but when left for the morn-ing, they can add up to a substantial amount of time.

Encourage youngsters to pick up the pace. Some people are morning people, while others dread setting their alarms for early morning hours. Kids who fall into the latter group may drag their feet in the morning, but parents should offer encouragement when kids are moving slowly in the morning. Allowing your frus-tration to show may only make kids less fond of mornings, so remind them as nicely as possible that everyone has a schedule to stick to if they seem to be dragging their feet.

Keep the television off. If watching the television is ingrained in your morning routine, try going a few days without it to see if this makes it easier to get out the door on time. Kids might grow distracted by morning cartoons, and even adults may get caught up in morning news shows or other forecasts. Eliminating television from your morning routine can save time and also may help your family grow closer, as you will have more dis-traction-free time to speak to one anoth-er. In addition to turning off the televi-sion, resist the urge to turn on your devices or scan work emails when get-ting ready in the morning.

Parents know that school day mornings can be hectic. But there are several ways to make such mornings go more smoothly so everyone gets where they need to be on time.

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Signs a tutor mightbe necessarySchool is not always easy, and some students

struggle as they transition from grade to grade. As students get older, some who may have experi-

enced smooth sailing as youngsters may find they need some extra help grasping the material as coursework becomes more complicated.

Those who need some extra clarification and reinforce-ment may first turn to their parents. But parents may not be familiar with certain subjects or capable of explaining certain concepts in terms kids can understand. In such situations, tutors can prove to be valuable resources to get kids back on the right academic track.

One-on-one attention from a tutor can benefit all types of learners. Students who discover newfound success under the guidance of a tutor may have more self-confi-dence in the classroom. Parents wondering if a tutor can help their children may want to consider the follow-ing indicators that students may need tutors.

Consistently falling grades: Tutors may be necessary for students whose grades are gradually on the decline. First speak with your child’s teachers, who may recom-mend tutors that specialize in certain subjects.

Confusion in and out of the classroom: Some kids struggle to grasp certain concepts, and such confusion can sometimes be remedied with the kind of intense study available in tutoring sessions.

Low confidence: Some kids’ confidence wanes when their grades suffer. Kids whose grades have been on the decline may feel a sense of defeat even before they take a test or work on an assignment. Tutors can help restore confidence by creating small victories that slow-ly build up to larger successes.

Indifference to coursework: No student will be capti-vated by every subject he or she studies, but there should be some subjects that students find engaging. Students battling indifference toward their coursework may benefit from a dynamic tutor who can present sub-ject matter in new ways and revive students’ interest.

Students who are struggling in the classroom may need some extra help outside the classroom, and many tutors are adept at reviving interest in subjects kids are studying at school. Some teachers may recommend certain tutors, while others may do some tutoring work themselves.

Tutors can fill voids and help students get back on a successful track.

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Some youngsters experience diffi-culty when the time comes to focus on their schoolwork. Such

difficulties may be linked to a variety of factors, and parents can be over-whelmed as they attempt to identify the root cause of their youngsters’ struggles in the classroom.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 6.4 mil-lion American children between the ages of four and 17 have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. ADHD most often occurs in chil-dren, and these children may have diffi-culty with concentrating, paying atten-tion, staying organized, and remember-ing details. But not all children struggling to focus on their studies have ADHD. Parents who want to help their kids overcome their issues with regard to focusing can consider a host of approaches and strategies.

Speak with a qualified healthcare pro-fessional. Because ADHD is so com-mon, parents should seek the opinion of a licensed healthcare professional to determine if their child has the disorder. According to the National Resource Center on ADHD (www.help4adhd.org), psychiatrists, pediatricians, neurologists, psychologists, and certain licensed counselors or therapists are qualified to diagnose ADHD. Determining if a child has ADHD is a great first step toward helping that youngster overcome his or

her struggles in the classroom. A quali-fied healthcare professional can help develop a strategy to improve focus, and that may include prescribing medication to improve the child’s ability to concen-trate.

Speak with your child’s teacher. Students who don’t have ADHD can still have trouble focusing on their school-work, and parents of such students may want to speak to their children’s teachers to solve the problem. Educators have significant experience dealing with stu-dents who have trouble focusing, and they may be able to make certain sug-gestions to help kids focus on their work.

Minimize distractions at home. Some kids may do well in class but find it hard to focus once they arrive home. That’s because home often has far more dis-tractions than the classroom. Once the time comes for your child to do his or her homework, minimize distractions that can compromise his or her ability to focus. Turn off the television and take kids’ phones away if they have their own phones. During homework time, only allow them to use their computers for their lessons and not to connect with friends via social media. Parents also should make sure they aren’t the distrac-tion. Let kids do their work in peace and quiet, offering to help if need be, but steering clear of kids work areas so they are encouraged to focus and not strike up conversations with mom or dad.

Make lists. Some kids focus better when they know exactly what they have to do. Encourage such youngsters to make lists of their assignments and check items off as they are completed. Checking items off can give kids a sense of accomplishment, which can motivate them to stay focused on their schoolwork going forward.

Encourage breaks. A breather every so often can help kids avoid growing tired. Make sure kids don’t take up another task, such as playing video games or watching television, during their breaks. But keep in mind that standing up every so often to walk around or get a glass of water can help them stay sharp and energized over the long haul.

Strategies to help kids focus on their schoolwork

• Fully certifi ed Full Day Pre-K (3 & 4 year olds) 8am-5pm• Kindergarten to Grade 8 (8am-2:30pm)• Before School Care 7:00-7:45 a.m.• Extended After-School Care Program 2:30-5:30 p.m.• Drama Club• Offering Art, Computer, Library, Physical Education, Music and Spanish Classes• Resource Assistance Available• Middle School/Pre-Algebra/Algebra• Basketball, Cross-Country, Volleyball• Providence and Cranston bus• Nurturing Environment with an Academic Focus• Summer Camp 8:30am-5pm

Open House Friday, August 28 • 9AM-2:30PM

Pre-K – Grade 8. For new & existing parents...

Stop in to meet with your child’s teachers!

St. PaulSchool

1789 Broad Street, Cranston

401-941-2030Stop by to visit or call to schedule

an appointment at anytime. Summer Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30-2:30

Saint Paul School is a diverse community committed tochallenging all students academically, morally & spiritually.

www.saintpaulschoolcranston.org

First Day

of School

Monday,

Aug. 31

Now AcceptingEnrollments for the2015-2016 School Year!

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Schedule visits to the doctor, dentist and eye doctor so your child is up-to-date upon the dawn of a new school year.

As summer vacation winds down, thoughts turn from jaunts to the beach to readying for a new school

year. To-do lists include many of the typi-cal tasks that precede going back to the classroom, including shopping for new clothes, purchasing school supplies and finishing summer reading assignments.

Another essential requirement parents must find time for is completing their chil-dren’s health screenings and immuniza-tions so youngsters can return to school.

Health screenings may include, but may not be limited to, routine physical exams, eye exams and dental cleanings. Each school district may have its own set of health requirements that must be met in order for children to attend school.

Many schools require that children are up-to-date with all immunizations before they can begin a new school year. While the issue of vaccinations has inspired debate in recent years, parents should recognize that many schools will only exempt students from receiving certain vaccinations due to religious reasons. For a list of state vaccination requirements and possible exemptions for schools in the United States, visit www2a.cdc.gov/nip/schoolsurv/schImmRqmt.asp.

Students who have specific learning dis-abilities or medical conditions that require classroom modification should obtain recent documentation from any therapists or specialists prior to beginning a new

school year. Doing so facilitates the pro-cess of setting up procedures within the school while ensuring children have what they need to excel in the classroom. All parents may want to ask doctors to pro-vide copies of medical and immunization records so that schools will have the most recent copies on file.

Parents should schedule eye examina-tions well in advance of the first day of school so they have ample time to fill new prescriptions for youngsters before school begins. This ensures kids won’t be starting off on the wrong foot because of vision problems that could already have been addressed.

Parents of adolescents or students on the verge of adolescence may want to address the subject of bodily changes before the school year begins anew. Address which changes can be expected, including the start of menstruation for girls. This will help children better under-stand what is happening when they wit-ness changes in themselves and fellow classmates and give them a chance to receive accurate information rather than gossip from their peers.

Keep in mind that health screenings conducted in advance of the school year may not preclude students from school-sponsored screenings. Schools may offer their own vision and hearing screenings and may take physical measurements to ensure students are growing on sched-ules in line with normal development.

Add health screenings to back-to-school checklist

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College Preparatory Courses | Visual & Performing Arts

Waterfront Classrooms | Infused Technology

Rocky Hill School Small School | Big Opportunities

OPEN HOUSE

Sunday, October 25

1:00-3:00 PM

www.rockyhill.org/openhousePreschool - Grade 12 | East Greenwich | 401.884.9070

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PROGRAMS FOR

3, 4 & 5year olds

Emergent Curriculum based on RIELDS standards.

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