Moms Talk

Tips to Ease Kids' Fears When Starting School

How to successfully transition your kids to a new kindergarten, middle school or high school.

If your child is headed to kindergarten, middle school or high school this year, they may be nervous about what to expect. These are big transitions! Whether your child is excited and eager to go to the new school or anxious and unsure, here are some tips to smooth the transitions and start the year off right.   Don’t Miss Orientations. No matter what grade your kids are entering this year, be sure to attend Back-to-School Nights and Meet the Teacher(s) events before school starts. It makes a huge difference to see a friendly face on the first day of school. Be relaxed but excited. Kids can sense any anxiety you may be feeling, so be sure to talk positively about school. Don’t ask them if they are nervous if they haven’t even considered …

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Sue Kirchner

4:12 pm on Wednesday, August 3, 2011

That must make her feel good and totally in control of the situation. I love her enthusiasm. Bring your Kleenex to the bus stop on the first day, Mom. Trust me, you'll need it.   more ›

Students Explore and Restore Forest Preserves

Copeland Manor Elementary's Mighty Acorns cutting back invasive buckthorn.

Orginally brought to the United States by European settlers to use as hedges, buckthorn poses a threat to wildlife, and other plants. The thorny shrubs are not a foodsource for most local animals, however  some, including birds, will eat the berries, and then defecate, which helps buckthorn to spread. In addition, buckthorn inhibits the growth of other vegetation by sapping water and minerals from the earth. Students at Copeland Manor Elementary spent a few hours exploring the winter forest at Almond Marsh, and helping to cut back the invasive plant. Under careful supervision of parents, teachers, and forest preserve staff, the students used loppers and handsaws to trim the branches down. The students head out to local preserves three …

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Rockland Pilgrim Feast

Parents surprise students at the annual Thanksgiving feast.

Every fall, the students and faculty of Rockland School learn about the first year the pilgrims spent in the New World. They explore the ups and downs of the first Plymouth settlers, learning about the ships they built, the workings of their government, and how they survived on a new continent. The five week long study culminates in a recreation of the first Thanksgiving. Their parents make a surprise visit, dressed as Native Americans, and together, they enjoy games and a Thanksgiving feast complete with authentic recipes of the period.

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