School Breakfast for Hungry Students in Illinois

The state of Illinois launched a campaign to reduce the number of kids going to school without breakfast.  Research shows kids going without breakfast do worse in school than kids who have a regular breakfast.  The campaign is called Rise and Shine Illinois.  You can find out more about free breakfast for needy kids at http://riseandshineillinois.org/

How to Study - What Everyone Should Know

How to Study:

Probably one of the more important things to do in school is studying and taking tests.  It all starts with taking good notes.  If you take good notes you're half way there (the other half is understanding the topic). 

Every Day

1. Keep a separate notebook for each topic.  Spiral notebooks or a computer are good ways to keep things organized.  If your school allows the use of a laptop or tablet then download an app like Evernote (free) or Penultimate (my favorites) to take notes.   

2. Date each note. 

3. Buy notebooks with dividers so you can divide the subject by school quarters or subjects.

4. When you take notes do not write every word down.  Write ideas down.  New words should be carefully spelled out.  

5. Anything your teacher writes on the blackboard (some schools now use white and smart boards).  If you use Evernote you can photograph the board with your phone and insert the note into Evernote.  If your teacher took the time to write it on the board then you should write it into your notebook.

6. Try to take notes in an outline form.  It is easier to go back and reread your notes and find the important information in an outline form.  

7. If you can use a highlighter to underline important information.

Parent Involvement - Secret to Education Success

Parent involvement is important in your child's education no matter what level of education you may have.  Parents that are involved shows their children that education is important.  The bottom line is to remove as many obstacles from your child doing well in school. Here are some examples on how you can get involved:

At Home Basics:

• Make sure they do their homework;
• Make sure they go to sleep early every night;
• Create a routine where the entire family reads every night (link);
• Control the amount of TV and video games they play during the school week;
• Remove the TV from their bedrooms;
• Eat dinner together as a family and discuss current events; 

Homework Help:
Never do your child's homework, instead help them understand the homework assignment. Also focus on what your child is doing and learning instead of being only focused on performance.  There’s a big difference between a parent who’s focused on what the child is doing — that is, on the learning itself — and a parent who’s focused on how well the child is doing.  To ask “So, what’s your theory about why World War One started?” or “If you had written that story, would you have left the character wondering what happened, the way the author did?” represents a kind of engagement that promotes critical thinking and enthusiasm about learning.  To ask “Why only a B+ is a kind of engagement that undermines both of these things.

• Help them understand the homework;
• Get them a tutor to catch up and get ahead;

At school:
Many parents work so it is not possible to volunteer at the local school.  Parents should go to the school for meetings and get information.  No question is stupid.  Ask as many questions as you can until you understand.  Here are some examples:

• Attend parent teacher conferences;
• Pick up report cards;
• Meet with a counselor;
• Get help for your child;
• Sign up for free breakfast and lunch (must be income qualified);
• Attend workshops like "how to get into college.";
• Help your child enroll into a community college or university (especially if its your first child);