BACK TO SCHOOL

The Back 2 School issue | 2013

School is back in session

MOMAZINE

&

E D I T O R S

We are so excited to bring you our back to school online edition! Summer is coming to an end and to help get all you mommas ready for early mornings and homework we’re sharing some excellent information... Apps to connect you to school and homework, an

article by Kristen Cook, alocal school psychologist, school schedules and some great printables from Anders • Ruff.

Are you ready?

It’s officially time to go

2

jaime comptonjaime@momazine.com

lauryn crowleylauryn@momazine.com

What You’ll Find & Wheredon’t get lost on the first day of school

GET APP HAPPY pg 4/5

Preparing for Back 2 School pg 6/7

School Calendars pg 10/11

PRINTABLES pg 10/11

Photography by Kristie Griggs of Pure Joy Photographymodels | Peighton & Parker Labagh

SCHOOL CONNECTwww.schoolconnectservices.com

COST: free

Stay connected to your child’s school with the School Connect App. This app is available on any device with a web browser, including: iphone, ipad, blackberry, windows phone, kindle fire and your home computer.

GET APP HAPPYWe’ve hunted online for some of the best apps for going back to school. These in-clude apps to keep you connected to school, stay organized, help your students study and

COZIwww.cozi.com

COST: free | upgrade available

Organizing app to manage the family schedule, shopping lists, to do lists, journal and meal planning. Available for iphone, blackberry, android, kindle and nook.

A+ SPELLING TESTitunes storeCOST: free

Great way to learn spelling words. Set up spelling tests, multiple play modes for practice, track progress and even submit results to the teacher instantly.

MORE APPS TO CHECK OUT

MY GRADEBOOKitunes store

COST: $0.99

track and calculate grades

WORLD ATLAS 2013itunes store

COST: $0.99

atlas

DICTIONARY.comitunes store

COST: FREE

dictionary

Summer….a time of less hectic schedules, family vacations, bare feet and bathing suits, popsicles, staying up late, and carefree spirits! In fact, it seems that the only positive thing to summer’s end is the anticipation of football season - well, football season and the start of a brand new exciting school year! (insert children’s groans of lament here). While we hate to bid the laid-back lifestyle of summer adieu, we, as parents, also strive to ensure that the transition from summer to a new school year is as painless as possible. Getting a new school year off to a great start can directly influence your child’s confidence, attitude, and level of success both academically and socially.

So….what can you do to promote a successful academic experience?

Here are a few recommendations that can contribute to a positive and productive school year for you and your family.

1. Re-establish the bedtime and mealtime routines.

Plan to begin reinforcing the bedtime and mealtime routines (especially breakfast!) at least one week before school begins - - that initial early morning wake-up on the first day of school won’t be quite as shocking! Make lunches the night before and have older children help or make their own. Be sure to leave plenty of extra time in the morning so children – and parents – don’t feel rushed, and clear your own schedule of extraneous projects during that first week of school in order to help acclimate your child to the new routine.

Preparing For Back 2Schoolby Kristen Cook | School PsychologistMother of Caroline | age 6 & Weston | age 10

2. Ensure good physical and mental health.

Schedule dental and physical checkups early in the school year and discuss any concerns you have regarding your child’s emotional or psychological health with your pediatrician. Your doctor can help determine if concerns are normal and age-appropriate or if your child may benefit from further assessment. Early intervention is in your child’s best interest for both his academic performance and social adjustment.

3. Be ready with school supplies and other materials.

Most of us attempt to address the ever growing classroom supplies lists while stores are stocked and less crowded over the summer. Gather and organize all materials before school begins and be ready to ei-ther bring them in during meet-the-teacher day or on the first day of school. Review the dress code for your child’s school and ask questions of school staff ahead of time before you purchase questionable items. Additionally, some teachers require specific supplies so save receipts for items that may need to be returned or exchanged.

4. Designate a homework area and schedule.

So important – for both younger and older students! Tasks are easiest to accomplish when attached to specific routines, and observing this daily routine can help develop habits of planning and organizing tasks, managing time, making choices, and problem solving. Determine a location in the house where homework will be done – for younger children this should be in an area that facilitates adult monitoring, supervision, and encouragement. Set up a “homework center” of frequently needed supplies such as pencils, pens, markers, crayons, glue, ruler, calculator, paper, etc.

Establish a consistent homework time – if possible, or a time attached to specific days of the week if after school activities are part of the schedule. Build in rewards or incentives for those children who are less intrinsically motivated as well as short breaks if necessary. Let your child do the work!!! Assist, guide, and provide necessary materials, but let the product reflect their own work.

(cont’d pg 6)

5. Review backpack materials on a daily basis.

Talk about what your child did that day and show your enthusiasm for upcoming units and projects. Review homework assigned and papers returned, and pay attention to items that require a signature for return to teacher. Pay attention to upcoming meetings, field trips, assemblies, other important dates and mark them in your calendar immediately – this is especially important if you have children in more than one school and need to juggle obligations.

6. Become familiar with your child’s teacher and other school professionals.

Let teachers know you’re interested in receiving feedback on your child’s performance and respond to queries or comments in a timely manner. Find out individual teacher com-munication preferences (e.g., email, phone calls, notes in planners) and convey a sincere desire to partner with them in your child’s educational experience. Relay any specific concerns you have and provide information that will help them help your child learn. Become familiar with other school staff including ad-ministration, guidance counselor,

speech/language pathologist, school nurse, school psychologist and school social worker, and reading coach as they can be valuable resources for you and your child.

7. Be mindful of extracurricular overkill.

More than likely your children are involved in at least one if not several after school activities, but often times too many is too much! Go for qual-ity and not quantity, with one to two activities per child that are fun, pro-mote physical and social development, and teach new skills. When schedules become bogged down with overlapping times and difficult locations, it can be stressful for you and your child and may make it harder to concentrate on school-work. Pay attention to your family schedule and personal energy level, as well as that of your child.

Most importantly, be mindful of the impression you are giving your child. Avoid exposing your children to adult conversations related to frustrations you may have regarding homework, teachers, school staff, or school poli-cies and refrain from making nega-tive comments about teachers in front of your child. If school-related conflicts or disagreements do occur, set up an appointment to meet with

your child’s teacher and/or school personnel in order to foster positive home-school collaboration. Model a team approach with your child’s best interest in mind, and demonstrate

that learning and academic success are valued in your family. Have a wonderful upcoming school year – it’s going to be a great one!

August 19 Monday Students Report - First Day of School

September 2 Monday Labor Day (No School)Setpember 11 Wednesday Early Release | Teacher Inservice DaySeptember 25 Wednesday Early Release | Teacher Inservice Day

October 16 Wednesday Early Release | Teacher Inservice DayOctober 18 Friday End of First Grading PeriodOctober 21 Monday No School | Teacher Workday/Inservice DayOctober 22 Tuesday No School | Teacher Workday/Inservice Day

November 6 Wednesday Early Release | Teacher Inservice DayNovember 27 Wednesday No School | Weather Emergency Makeup Day November 28 Thursday No School | ThanksgivingNovember 29 Friday No School

December 11 Wednesday Early Release | Teacher Inservice DayDecember 20 Friday Winter Break Begins at End of Day

January 6 Monday Classes ResumeJanuary 15 Wednesday End of First SemesterJanuary 16 Thursday No School | Teacher Workday/Inservice DayJanuary 17 Friday No School | Teacher Workday/Inservice DayJanuary 20 Monday No School | Martin Luther King Jr. Day

February 5 Wednesday Early Release | Teacher Inservice DayFebruary 17 Monday No School | Presidents’ Day

March 5 Wednesday Early Release | Teacher Inservice DayMarch 20 Thursday End of 3rd Grading PeriodMarch 21 Friday No School | Teacher WorkdayMarch 24 - 28 Mon - Fri No School | Spring Break

April 9 Wednesday No School | Teacher Workday/Inservice DayApril 18 Friday No School | Weather Emergency Makeup Day

May 26 Monday No School | Memorial Day

June 2, 3, 4 M Tu W Semester Exams (grades 6 - 9 and 9 - 12)June 4 Wednesday Last Day of School/End of SemesterJune 5 Thursday If Needed | Weather Emergency Makeup DayJune 4, 5, 6, 7 W Th Fr Sa Graduation Dates

Marion County Public Schools Calendar for 2013 - 2014

Private School Calendars for 2013 - 2014

Private School Calendars for 2013 - 2014

Blessed Trinity | K - 8

Cornerstone | K - 8

Grace School | K - 8

Meadowbrook Academy | K - 12

Ocala Christian Academy | K - 12

Redeemer | K - 8

St. Johns | K - 12

Trinity | 9 - 12

PRINTABLES

JAIME SHARES A FEW OF HER FAVORITE BACK 2 SCHOOL PRINTABLES FROM ANDERS • RUFF

& crafts Oh My!

You may have noticed that at Momazine we have a slight love affair with printables and all things crafty. We are always finding ways to bring the whimsical into our homes and one of the easiest ways is through pre-designed printables. Jaime is so excited to share a few of her favorites from Anders • Ruff so you can do the same!TEACHER GIFT | pencil holder & labelsandersruff.com

Tutorial and FREE Printables for converting a can into a cute pencil holder with labeled pencils.

TEACHER GIFT | notecards andersonruff.comTutorial and FREE Print-ables for classroom notecards for the teacher.

BACK 2 SCHOOL KIT | collectionandersruff.com$9.50 for kit of Back 2 School printables. (SAMPLE AT LEFT) Includes labels, alphabet pennants, papers, notecards, party flags, book plates, blank labels, name tags, etc.

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