We woke up to snow flurries this morning and the promise of the accumulation of several inches of snow as the day goes on. As you prepare to enjoy a snow day (or two) with your children, here are 

 Five Important Snow Day Rules

courtesy of Parents Magazine

1. Dress for Visibility. Be sure everyone is wearing bright colors and/or reflective materials before going out to enjoy the snow. Slippery road and bright snow or midwinter gloom can cause visibility problems. Read the research on this phenomena here.
2. Protect Their Skin. Just because you're not out at the swimming pool doesn't mean that you're safe from sun damage. Snow reflects 80% of UV rays, which can cause a bad burn if unprotected skin is exposed for prolonged periods. Use a water-proof sunscreen and SPF lip balm in addition to sunglasses while building your snow man or ice fort.
3. Prevent Frostbite. Frostbite is a dangerous effect of prolonged exposure to cold. Children should go back inside if they notice pain, decreased sensation, tingling, or numbness (the tell-tale frostbite blister is often a sign that damage has already been done). Dr. Holly Benjamin recommends using the acronym C.O.L.D:
C - Cover hotspots with a hat and gloves or mittens to preserve heat.
O - Avoid overexertion. Bring kids in for periodic breaks.
L - Layers. Think loose-fitting, lightweight, and water-repellent.
D - Stay dry. If kids are sweating profusely or get snow in their shoes or boots, change them into dry clothes, socks, and foot gear immediately.
4. Push Fluids. It's especially difficult to gauge hydration needs during the winter (cold temperatures actually alter thirst sensation). We lose a great deal of water breathing outside in chilly air, which dries us out even more. Encourage water and other fluids throughout the day.
5. Take a Breather. Cold, dry air can be problematic for children who suffer from asthma. "Just as the cold dries and chaps your hands, it can also be drying to the lungs, causing tightening of the bronchial muscles," says Amy Burack. Pull a neck warmer over the mouth to warm the air before it's inhaled and monitor children for shortness of breath, wheezing, dizziness, or chest pain. Should these signs occur, treat with moist heat (like a warm shower or a cup of hot cocoa).

Have you completed the FAFSA yet?

The FAFSA is a form parents should complete each year for children going to and in college. "Federal Student Aid, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation. At the office of Federal Student Aid, 1,200 employees help make college education possible for every dedicated mind by providing more than $150 billion in federal grants, loans, and work-study funds each year to more than 13 million students paying for college or career school." (https://studentaid.ed.gov/about) 

Five Things to Remember about FAFSA:
1. FAFSA is free. There are sites out there that mimic the FAFSA site, but they require a fee. FAFSA is all about FREE student aid.
2. There are deadlines. Be sure to file your taxes early and complete the FAFSA by the stated deadlines. 
3. You can file early. Even if you haven't filed taxes for this year, you can complete the FAFSA based on last year's taxes and then update once you have filed the current year's tax returns.
4. Don't fall for the myths. ALL students attending college should file regardless of financial status EACH year the student will be attending college.
5. FAFSA isn't just for federal aid. "Many states and colleges use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for state and school aid, and some private financial aid providers may use your FAFSA information to determine whether you qualify for their aid." (https://fafsa.ed.gov/help.htm)

Learn more about FAFSA here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FAFSA

Get started today by filing on-line at https://fafsa.ed.gov/index.htm

The power and responsibility of social media

Several articles about students and social media have been in the forefront lately. Blogger/author/mom Lysa Terkeurst recently offered advice to adults who are active online based on her reading of Karen Ehman's work regarding social media presence and interaction. In a USAToday article, Marymount University coach Brandon Chambers is quoted for tweeting this on August 25, 2014: "Never let a 140 character tweet cost you a $140,000 scholarship." 

Colleges and employers are reviewing students' social media accounts. Are we ensuring that our students are representing themselves appropriately online?

Five Suggestions for Students Who Use Social Media

1. Pause before you post. Think about the message you're sending and how it reflects on you and the subject of the post. Nothing is ever truly private online and posting is instantaneous.
2. Imagine the audience sitting with you. Would you say the same things you're about to type if the person were sitting in the room with you? If all of your followers and FB friends were in the room?
3. Remember: When you're on-line, you're also on stage. Online words are available for others to see. If you say something in person and later realize your error, you can go back apologize. However, something posted on social media is archived - it can be retracted/taken down, but there is no way to find all of the people who might have seen the original comment...and it can sometimes be found again.
4. Ask yourself if you have the right to speak on the subject. Do you have expertise in the area about which you are commenting? Do you have proof to verify your assertions?
5. If you retweet it or share it, you own it. And the consequences of it.

Social media provides excellent opportunities for interaction, sharing and learning. It is causing more people to read and write more often than they ever have in the past. The benefits - and the responsibilities - are innumerable.

Getting Rid of Clutter

After a holiday hiatus, we are back and ready for an exciting new year! Now that the decorations have been stored away, everyone has enjoyed time with family and friends, and we've made a few resolutions to make 2015 one of the best years yet, it's time to start putting those resolutions into action. Many families resolve to declutter their homes at the beginning of the year, but getting started can be an overwhelming and daunting thought.

Getting everyone in the family on board is one of the first steps. Setting goals together can also be a useful way to motivate the family (Do we want to repurpose a space? Do we want to redecorate? Do we want to make room for something new?).

Thankfully, there are many helpful resources on decluttering available to help us plan. Depending on your organizational style and time designated for the project, one of these Five Resources for a Decluttering Plan of Attack 

may be helpful to your family:

1. Blogger and author Jen Hatmaker took on a project in 2012 to eliminate excess from her family's life. In her book on the experience, she details her family's journey to "fight back against the modern-day diseases of greed, materialism, and overindulgence." Our take on this project included getting rid of seven items each day for a month. Think it can't be done? Challenge your family to give it a try!
2. Parents Magazine (Parents.com) provides a day-by-day guide for Conquer[ing] Clutter in 31 Days this month. Our take on this project is actually happening in bursts due to time and we've been pleasantly surprised at how manageable it is to actually accomplish several of the suggestions in one day.
3. Blogger Joshua Becker offers a variety of challenges that could be issued within the home to motivate family members to declutter. Our favorites include the 5 Minute challenge, the 12-12-12 challenge, and the Fill 1 Trash Bag challenge.
4. Real Simple's Stephanie Sisco appeared on Today Show recently to offer some tips to Purge the Clutter as well. We like her suggestion to move through one area/category at a time, which makes the big task much more manageable for children.
5. Organized 101 shares strategies for Staying Clutter-Free once we've tackled the job of removing items we no longer need. Their ideas for building good habits will help our families stay clutter free this year...we're committing to establishing clutter preserves for a start.

Let us know if you have helpful decluttering strategies to share!

The School Improvement Network's featured Strategy of the Week last week was on maintaining discipline. The author stated, "There’s no magic wand for helping [children] maintain discipline...And if you think about it, such a magic wand would probably do more harm than good. Effective discipline is less about keeping [children] in line and more about helping [them] understand their behavior, their priorities, and the value of their relationship with you."

It has often been said that discipline is really more about self control and making wise choices. Our job as parents is to guide children in their journey to making wise choices - and to allow them to experience both the positive and negative consequences of the choices they make. "Rather than being methods of control or punishment, they should be seen as learning opportunities that help students understand the relationship of behavior and outcomes." (SRI)

 

Five Key Ideas About Consequences 

from School Reform Initiative

1. There are no punishments, just consequences
Punishments don’t teach the truly valuable lessons, especially when they demean, demoralize, or shame. On the other hand, if we keep in mind that we’re providing consequences, it’s easier to approach every step of discipline as a learning experience.
2. Consequences are used as a pause to get our [children's] attention
Sometimes a quiet conversation is all it takes to get a child’s attention. Other times, it takes a more severe consequence. Either way, a consequence should serve to give a child a pause to reflect on his/her choices.
3. Consequences should be organized in a tiered hierarchy
Use a hierarchy of consequences, starting with the mildest first. Then slowly and calmly increase the consequences as necessary, stopping with the first one that gives the child the pause you’re seeking.
4. We have no control over our [children]
It’s important to remember that, ultimately, we have no control over our children and following the rules is their decision to make. Yes, we have the power of suggestion. Yes, we can influence decisions with our voice, our tone, the redirection strategies we employ, and the consequences that follow. But, in the end, the decision is theirs. The deeper our respect for this, the easier it is for us to remain calm and supportive in moments when we might wish we had more control.
5. Consequences teach students that they have the power of choice
When your consequences provide children an opportunity to pause and reflect, it affirms to them that they have the power of choice. They become aware that how they choose to behave determines the consequences (good or bad) that follow. They have the choice to misbehave, accept consequences, and calm down. Or, they have the choice to abide by rules and experience the positive consequences.

How do you feel about these ideas? What might you add to or alter in this list?

It's #AmericanEducationWeek!

"American Education Week—November 17-21, presents a wonderful opportunity to celebrate public education and honor individuals who are making a difference in ensuring that every child receives a quality education." (NEA Today)

2014 marks 93 years of American Education Week, an annual observance that honors students, teachers, support professionals, parents, and community members who help students succeed.

"AEW was born out of national concern over illiteracy and was first celebrated in 1921 with NEA and the American Legion as cosponsors. Events take place the week before Thanksgiving and are designed to honor the hard work of students, recognize the professionalism and commitment of educators, and appreciate parents and community members who work toward quality public schools for every student." (National Education Association)

Read President Obama's Proclamation.

So what do we do about it? Here are 

Five Ways to Celebrate American Education Week:

1. Send a thank you note to a teacher or school staff member.
2. Talk about the importance of education with your children. Share your education experience and have them share their education hopes.
3. Learn something new about the schools in your zone. Talk with the school staff about what they do and how they're working to educate our children.
4. Volunteer your time. Share your expertise with students in the area!
5. Support educational activities and events in your area by attending and participating.

It's in our social media feeds...our friends are thankful and sharing their gratitude with the world. We may even be participating in this on-line demonstration of gratefulness ourselves. Are we sharing our gratitude with our kids? As our social communities focus on Days of Thanks, here are 

Five Ways to Help Our Kids Express Gratitude

1. Write a Thank You note to a neighbor. Talk about the neighbors who have demonstrated acts of kindness or friendliness to your child and help him/her write a thank you note - by hand. 
2. Perform a random act of kindness. After talking about the things that people have done for your child, encourage him/her to share kindness to someone who may not expect it.
3. Leave a treat for the mail carrier/newspaper delivery person. Encourage your child to leave a note or help make a treat to leave in the mail/paper box for the delivery person to thank him/her for being a constant servant to the public.
4. Share a hot beverage. There are many people who work outside this time of year to keep our electricity on, ensure the Red Kettle Campaign is running, etc. Join with your child in thanking them for braving the elements to make our world more comfortable by gifting them a hot chocolate or warm coffee.
5. Thank a Teacher. Our teachers sacrifice time with their own families and work tirelessly to ensure that every child receives the best quality education possible. Talk with your child about what you can do to honor his/her teacher (November 17-21 is Teacher Appreciation Week...here are some ideas on how to participate: http://www.nea.org/grants/teacherday.html).