Smarty Sponsor: Summit School

By Guest Blogger Suzanne Davis Campbell, Summit School, Class of ‘93

Summit is like family, and for me the beginning of this school year is like returning home for a family reunion. When I walked through the door on that first day of Junior Kindergarten my stomach had butterflies…What is it going to be like? Will it be fun? What will the teachers be like? This time, though, the experience was not for me, but for my little girl entering the same doors I had 28 years ago for my first day of Junior Kindergarten. You know the feeling…starting school, graduation, a presentation…all of these things give us butterflies. But once I got through those doors I remembered my days at Summit as a young student and I sighed with relief.

As I walk into the entrance of Summit, I see both familiar and new faces ready to greet me as if I am the same little four-year-old girl so many years ago. But this time they are here to greet my daughter who is stepping into her Junior Kindergarten class, and they are thrilled to see her as well as her classmates, some familiar with the school and some new to the family of Summit.


To me, there are new faces and new facilities at Summit, but the heart and the principles of the school are the same and so is the stellar educational program that prepared me for advanced coursework in high school and at a nationally ranked university. To my daughter everyone is new and the classrooms are new. To me it is still the same comfy,cozy place where I spent 11 years of my life. During that time I was taught French and Spanish at age 4, I spent a day living and working as a pioneer, and I made a speech in ninth grade to the entire school. I had a starring role in OKLAHOMA! and I had a "Big Friend" who was in fifth grade. I participated in a wide range of sports, created amazing art projects, and, most of all, was taught to respect and love everyone for who they are.


So you see, even though everything is new to her, my daughter already sees Summit as family – not only because she knows I spent my childhood here, but also because of teachers like Mrs. Turner and Mrs. Breakstone who give her the biggest hugs when she arrives and when she leaves. They have already made her feel loved and supported, and it is only the third week of school. No matter how new or old you are to Summit, everyone here is family. The teachers are here with open arms from the first day of Jr. K until the day you graduate and even as you bring your own child back. As an alumna, I have been blessed with not only the opportunity to grow up in the Summit environment of strong ethics and education but now I also have the gift of seeing my child join the Summit family and experience the same wonderful opportunities.

Are you part of the Summit School family? Tell us what you like best about Summit!

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Surviving the Transition to Middle School

By Charlotte Smarty Pants Guest Blogger Robin Dumas

To finish up our "Back to School" week, we wanted to share this blog from middle school teacher, Robin Dumas. We hope it provides some tips for our parents of middle schoolers as well as some insight into the crazy world of tweens!

Middle school is scary for both parents and students. It’s bigger, more crowded, more complicated and can be very overwhelming. Sending your baby to elementary school is emotional but yet it feels safe because it seems to be cute, cuddly and nurturing. Middle school on the other hand can bring to mind all the worrisome things like lockers, changing for PE, tons of homework and hormones. Ugh. How do you prepare as a mom and how do you prepare your baby? (No matter what age or how tall they are…they’ll always be our “baby”!)

Having taught middle school for a very long time, I’ve learned a lot from my students and their parents. Now that I am a mom of a school aged child who will be heading off to middle school in two years, I have already started thinking about what I’ll do to help us both endure and even enjoy these potentially challenging middle years.

I write this post wearing two hats and after having conferenced and talked with hundreds of parents over the years, this is what I believe will be helpful to know as your child transitions to middle school.

What the students worry about and how to help:

Their Lockers: Oh how they worry, struggle and obsess about their lockers. The ability to master the left, right, left sequence is almost impossible for some. I always look forward to November because by then almost my entire homebase (homeroom for old schoolers) can get in their lockers. If you have a rotary lock at home let them practice or pick one up at the dollar store. It’s the first thing they ask about and not being able to open their locker has brought tears to many. Practicing on one at home just to learn the technique is a HUGE help!

Their Schedule: A day classes, B day classes, semester courses, quarter classes, elective wheels and a crazy computer printout that is hard even for the adults to decipher! Sixth grade teachers know how incredibly confusing reading their schedule can be so we strive to do our best to explain it. Over the years we’ve designed different charts and systems to help them understand it. When they bring it home make a few copies of it. Put one in their agenda or even in each notebook. Hang the A day/B day calendar on your fridge and get in the habit of identifying which “day” it is each morning so they’ll be clear on what classes they’ll have.

Homework & Their Agenda: There is more homework in middle school and typically it is more rigorous. Establish a homework routine and space before the year begins. Insist your student shares their agenda with you nightly and have them highlight each completed task. Even if the school doesn’t’ require it, sign their agenda. It is a phenomenal communication tool between home and school and it keeps an essential component in the mix….the student. In a time when parents can easily email the teacher and ask about the student’s homework or an assignment, the student’s role is often removed. Middle school is not just about grades, it’s more importantly a training ground for life. Middle school students need and must learn responsibility and organization. This prepares them for high school and college. Make it their job to copy their assignments in their agenda and to share communication between you and their teacher. I am so appalled when frequently my parents will say,”(their child) wont show me his/her agenda!” Seriously??? Since when do pre-teens have a choice??

Inevitably there is going to be a time when the homework has not been written down or is illegible. To again put the responsibility on the student, at the onset of school have them get the number of a buddy in each of their classes (especially math and language arts which meet every day) that they can call in such situations. The more you put the responsibility on them in sixth grade, the better off they’ll be and the saner you’ll be down the road.

The A day/B day schedule for Science and Social Studies makes it tempting to put off their homework until the next night. This is a huge mistake because they’re more likely to forget the assignment entirely and the relevance to the day’s lesson is lost.

School Rules: When we go over the rights and responsibilities handbook the first days of school my students bombard me with a zillion “what if” questions. They worry about knowing the rules and not getting in trouble. Really go over this with your student and talk about it. I stress to my son now about laser pointers being a weapon at school, which will get you, suspended and ruin your chances of going to college. (I exaggerate a bit to make sure it sets in good.) Having a boy I worry about him making an innocent but severe mistake. (Same goes with how to deal with fighting.)

The cell phone and dress code policies are huge too. We’ve had many upset moms who found out their baby’s cell phone would not be returned for five days because it went off in class (and quite a few times it was the mom who had called or texted!). Sixth graders are also eager to make friends and loan their cell phones to friends who get them confiscated. Again, an important reason to go over school and parental expectations early on before such a situation arises.

The dress code is more of a challenge for the girls. As the young ladies grow sometimes their legs are longer making their shorts shorter. It’s devastating for a young lady to have to call home because her shorts are too short. Get in the habit of doing a subtle check before they walk out the door. Two other aspects of the middle schooler’s dress to consider is the ladies’ need for a brazier and the importance of deodorant for both the gals and guys. As puberty rages in the middle school being proactive on both fronts avoids teasing or hurtful comments.

Making Friends: The social aspect of middle school is huge. You can’t pick your kid’s friends although it would be really nice but you can influence their decision by talking about what qualities make a good friend. Get them involved with other kids who share their same interests. Middle school clubs allow kids to shine in their comfort zone whether it is chess, beta or student council.

Remember middle schoolers don’t like to be grilled but if they know you’ll listen without passing judgment or giving a ton of advice, you’ll find they let you in their world more. Kind of like husbands…we like to tell them things/vent but we’re not looking for a solution (which they always seem to have). We just want to vent and have someone say…you’re right that was crummy or I can see how that hurt your feelings. Such validation is huge with a middle schooler when it comes to friendship dilemmas.

What moms worry about and how to help:

Communication: No more special day of the week folders with all the communication goods! You have to be much more proactive in middle school. Visit the school website and get on the fore front by joining the PTA. Most teachers have webpages that allow you to sign up for bulletins. This is a great tool for both parents and students. Middles schoolers are big on privacy so they wont love you going through their book bags but “overseeing” nightly clean outs is a great way to keep up with what is going on at the school and with your students grades.

Email is a phenomenal tool but use it wisely! Touch base with your student’s teacher but don’t haunt them. That is very counter -productive.

So Many Teachers: In elementary school you have that one special go to teacher who knows your child so well. You get to know them and in most cases love them. Now you have four core teachers (language arts, math, science and social studies) and then as many four to six elective teachers! You and your student now have so many names, faces, expectations and of course…email address to learn! GO TO OPEN HOUSE or any other parent nights offered by your child's school! Teachers may not remember you or your child quite yet but you’ll know them. If you have special concerns, contact the guidance counselor and schedule an appointment with the team (core teachers) early on. In middle school most conferences are with the core team not just one teacher. Don’t feel out numbered but realize it’s an opportunity to hear from everyone and share information. The guidance counselor is a phenomenal liaison between you and the team and in helping your child transition. Get to know them and encourage your child to as well.

Middle school teachers may not need you in their classroom to stuff folders and help with stations but they do appreciate your support. If you have the time to volunteer let them know and they may take you up on it but don’t be offended if they don’t ask. Typically the biggest help parents can provide is sending things in. You can never have enough tissue or hand-sanitizer in middle school. We have ninety plus kids a day coming through our door so our supplies dwindle much faster than in the elementary classroom.

It is so important to foster a collaborative relationship with your middle school teachers. Don’t be reactionary or quick to email with lots of emotion and always go to the teacher first. As a parent I’ve fallen into the quick to react and then felt foolish later trap. Middle school teachers interact with lots of parents. Don’t stick out to them because you email every time a grade is posted or question every assignment. Not only do I appreciate the parents who respect my role as the educator, check in on their student’s progress without obsessing, and who put responsibility on their student but as a mom, I strive to follow their example.

Grades: We hear so often from parents how their students earned straight As through elementary school and the same parents are outraged by a B or worse yet a C on a quiz or test or even the report card. Remember middle school is more challenging. Be careful not to put too much pressure on your student. Keep things in perspective. It is one test in sixth grade or one quarter out of four. If your student doesn’t earn the A, except it and help them devise a plan to do better.

Organization will be imperative to academic success. Help your student by keeping a calendar on the fridge with up coming due dates and when progress reports are coming home. Utilize the sites that supplement your student’s textbooks and make use of the set of textbooks that are sent home for the year. So often when they’re returned in June they spine hasn’t been broken. They’re great for nights when your student has no homework.

Middle school doesn’t have to be scary or overwhelming. I am always amazed how much my students grow and develop into teenagers. Enjoy your middle schooler and except them for the hormonal, grown-up wannabe that they are!

Have you gone through this transition? If you can add any more Smarty tips, please do so below!

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Preparing Children to Return to School

By Guest Blogger Latasha Denay Myers

When you think of summer break, you automatically think of swimming pools, family vacations, lot’s of sunshine, cook-outs, and NO SCHOOL. Many children take full advantage of the “school free” days that summer has to offer by spending little to no time on educational enrichment. Countless school teachers will tell you that the first few weeks of school are used to review skill sets that were learned the previous school year because children are not prepared to resume learning at the next level.

It is never too late to prepare children for a great school year. Just because summer is over doesn't mean you should stop preparing your child for school. Here are five "smarty" things you can continue to do:

1. Review the frequent word list from the previous grade level. If your child has mastered the words from the previous list, start on the list for this school year. Most school systems have these lists by grade level on their websites. Create games with the list to help challenge children. We keep the list posted on the refrigerator and whenever the kids ask for a snack they have to make a sentence using words from the list before they get the snack. They earn a little extra if they use multiple words in a single sentence.

2. Read, Read, Read – Reading over the summer is so important. It helps students stay in the habit of reading, helps increase vocabulary, and improves communication skills. Ask open ended questions about a book your child has read. If reading a book is not your child’s idea of summer fun then have them create their own book using free software such as storyboard. We use cooking as a way to brush up on math and reading skills. In order to create the recipe successfully children have to read and follow directions as well as use the correct measurements of the ingredients.

3. Journal – Keeping a journal is a fun way to remember summer activities and practice penmanship. Even young children can keep a journal by drawing pictures and dictating to parents what the picture represents. Parents can assist young children in writing the details for their pictures. If your child has not kept a summer journal now is still a good time to start. Children can reflect upon past events and write their expectations for the upcoming school year.

4. Be creative - Give your child an inexpensive digital camera or disposable camera and let them take pictures for a few days of the things they find interesting. Develop the pictures and/or up load them to a program like windows movie maker to make a movie with text about the pictures or put the pictures in a scrap book with details on each picture. Use the pictures to make a summer mobile or turn them into postcards for family and friends to tell them about the summer. (Grandparents love these!)

5. Virtual field trips – Many families are traveling less this year due to our economy and many other factors, but with the use of technology students can take virtual trips right from home. This site has a complete section of virtual fieldtrips to great places in our state. The trips are sorted by grade level and some trips also include activities and follow up questions.

Latasha has an extensive background in education and runs the summer camp Learning & Adventures in Winston-Salem, as well as Bright Light Enrichment, a special program for young boys with disabilities.

What are other ways you can help your child's school transition easier? What did you do over the summer?

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It's Back to School Week!

By Rachel H

All of us at Triad Smarty Pants hope your family had a summer to remember! Whether you are ready or not, it is time for school to begin! This week we are focusing on "Back to School" articles. We have some new blogs to share with you as well as previous blogs that we think are valuable reminders to make this school year successful for you and your children.

Today we are running a post from which we received a lot of positive feedback last year. Our guest blogger, Michelle Bostian, focuses on how you can help your children handle bullying. Be sure to check out the websites and recommended books at the end of the article for more information on this topic.


"Bullying - It's Not What It Used to Be"

By Guest Blogger
Michelle Bostian, LCSW
Lower School Counselor for Greensboro Day School


Bullying today is just not what it used to be ... We are always hearing that these days. “Well, when I was a kid we had to walk to school in the snow!” The same applies to bullying. It is not the tyranny of the big mean boy who steals lunch money. It’s the otherwise sweet girl that shares her candy with all the girls she likes in front of that one girl that she doesn’t. It’s the special clubs and exclusionary occurrences on the playground day after day. Sure, there are still instances of name calling and deliberate tripping. But now there are obvious and malicious emails intended to haunt and dominate. Today, the bullying we need to target and prevent with our children is the subtle, the covert and the as yet, uncensored.

Bullying prevention could be called something friendlier like “friendship skills”. Or it could be called something really basic, like “empathy”. Bottom line, the emotional impact from any type of bullying is the same. The psychological scarring implicit with this behavior is well known to be a common underlying factor in a child’s history who later commits acts of violence or other socially unacceptable behavior.

So here’s the deal. All kids can be bullies, or “wear the bully hat” as author Trudy Ludwig puts it when she travels the US and talks with school age kids about bullying. When someone hurts someone else, dominates them in some way, and they know it is hurting the other person, that is bullying. Plain and simple. It’s the group of girls at lunch who scooch over and fill up the empty space when your daughter comes to sit down. Then they quickly adjust to allow the girl behind her space to sit at their table. Bullying is when your son tells you he and his friends did sit ups in a goofy way just like “that weird boy”, and everyone laughed.

You know it when you hear it. As a parent you likely get that feeling in the pit of your stomach that you just ache for your child. You want to go grab that kid in the library and set a few things straight. You want to give that kid a piece of your mind, let her know that she can’t treat your kid that way and get away with it. But you can’t. When you intervene like this as a parent you render your child powerless and at greater risk of being victimized again.

The more powerful thing to do is to empower your kids. Equip them with the problem solving skills to assert themselves. Role play with your kids. They need to practice the skills to create those pathways in their brains. They need to practice until it is as automatic as “stop, drop and roll”. Please don’t tell them to ignore it. Every kid who has ever come to talk to me about this stuff has already tried that. Teach kids first to say, “Stop”. They also need skills like walking away, changing the subject and saying something ridiculously funny. Explain the difference between telling and tattling. Tattling is to get someone else in trouble: “He took two cookies instead of one”. Telling is to protect someone from getting hurt on the inside or on the outside: “She calls me Fatty Patty every day at recess and now two other girls call me that too.”

Books your children can read to help build the skills and social resilience they need to succeed are listed at the end of this article. There are lots of books you can read, too. Equally important, there are things you can do each and every day to reduce your child’s likelihood that they will be bullied or that they will bully. It boils down to empathy. Teach them to think about their feelings and the feelings of others. Teach them that their behavior has an impact on the feelings of others. Model this type of behavior at home through simple things like sharing your “lows and highs” each day. This gives kids a tool for talking about their feelings. And it gives adults a tool as well.

In our family, on the nights we sit down together for dinner, we share our lows and highs. One person starts with “My low is that Caitlyn broke my favorite pencil today. My high is that we had ice cream after school.” Each person has a turn, even parents. It’s important for parents to let kids know that not only do they have feelings, but that sometimes relationships have difficult elements. It might go something like this: “My low is that I had an argument with a friend today and I feel sad about that. My high is that we had a good talk at lunch and we worked it out.” You don’t need to share more about the disagreement. Just share that you have them and that they don’t feel good and that you DO work them out.

Last, be sure your school has an empathy building curriculum. (At Greensboro Day School we use a program called Second Step.) Ask your school how they build a child’s empathy, perspective taking and problem solving skills. These are the skills to success. Not just emotional success, but educational success as well. When kids are not preoccupied by their social world around them they are much more focused on their school work. And guess what? They are also more inclined to follow directions at home when they are not ruminating about social drama at school!

Books for adults:
*Faber, Adele and Mazlish, Elaine. Siblings Without Rivalry
*Rubin, Kenneth and Thompson, Andrea. The Friendship Factor: Helping Our Children Navigate Their Social World – And Why it Matters to their Success and Happiness
*Sheras, Peter. Your Child: Bully or Victim? Understanding and Ending School Yard Tyranny

Websites:
http://www.bullying.org/
http://www.operationrespect.com/

Books for Kids:
Burnett, Karen Gedig. Simon’s Hook; A story About Teases and Putdowns
Cohen-Posey, Kate. How to Handle Bullies, Teaser and Other Meanies: A Book That Takes the Nuisance Out of Name Calling and Other Nonsense
Crosby, Bill. The Meanest Thing to Say
Lester, Helen. Hooway for Wodney
Ludwig, Trudy. My Secret Bully
Ludwig, Trudy. Just Kidding
Ludwig, Trudy. Sorry
Moss, Peggy. Say Something
Munson, Derek. Enemy Pie
Polacco, Patricia. Mr. Lincoln’s Way

Michelle is a counselor at Greensboro Day School and has a private practice. I want to thank her for this very informative article today. I have made the mistake of telling my children to “ignore it” many times, so I was relieved to read the alternatives she suggested above. I already Googled a few of her suggested reading materials and they can easily be found on Amazon, as well as our local book stores such as Borders and Barnes and Noble.

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Graduate. It Pays. Program

By Guest Blogger Carol Montague-Davis, Assistant Superintendent for Middle Schools for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

Just remembering in my own life how many people supported me when I might have needed a mentor was my motivation for wanting to get involved.

This was my first opportunity of being part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program through Graduate. It pays. After an interview process, I was matched with my little sister who was a repeat 9th grader at North Forsyth High School. She wanted guidance and help academically to help her succeed and be promoted. This was the time to intervene if she wanted to graduate on time from high school. That’s exactly what this program is intended to do.

My little sister and I met faithfully once a week throughout the school year. Most of the time we would do schoolwork, but sometimes we found that we could just talk with each other about whatever she wanted to discuss.

As a school administrator, I work with students every day so I knew there can be a lot beneath the surface. Besides academics, high school can present enormous pressures for students. It’s a very difficult and challenging time in their lives. These students may need some help academically but sometimes they just need a coach and a friend. Often just listening and being there can affect much more than school work alone…it helps build self-esteem and confidence…just encouraging her to understand her value and worth may have achieved much more than helping her with the academics.

Over the year, our friendship grew and we have expanded our activities so now we can see each other both in school and outside of school or what is known as a community-based relationship where we can go to dinner and do other activities in the community.


I had always considered being a mentor, however, I thought perhaps a younger student. Now, I realize the importance of helping a teenager. It was an exciting time to be part of a student’s life, having the opportunity to help her academically and personally. We celebrated her successes and how much she had improved in her classes. As much as I may have had an impact on her life, she impacted mine. She made all her credits and was promoted to her grade level joining her peers in the 11th grade.

Graduate. It pays. Needs YOUR help

Graduate. It pays. matches community volunteers with 9th graders or 12th graders through existing programs managed by Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce. This school year the organization plans to match 390 students and still needs 200 adults who are willing to make a one hour weekly commitment.


Teaching or tutoring is NOT a requirement for caring adults. Volunteers must open their hearts, listen with respect, inspire and support your student and be there every week.

For more information please contact Sheryll Strode at 728-9231 or graduateitpays@aol.com or visit www.graduateitpays.org.

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Smarty Back to School Gear!

By Jen P, Charlotte Smarty Pants

Back-to-school shopping always sneaks up on us just as we're enjoying the full swing of summer, doesn't it? No worries - in typical Smarty fashion, we've scoured the web and the QC for some of the coolest finds so your little bookworm will be decked out.

Backpack & Lunchpack Guide:
Pottery Barn Kids - PBK is again top of my list with durability and fashion in one fell shopping swoop. For girls and boys alike, the Mackenzie Collection delivers. That Star Wars theme rocks for the 'lil dudes. I would recommend the small backpack ($39) for kindergartners and the large backpack ($45) for 2nd grade and up. Don't even bother with a preschool backpack yet, because many preschools require a certain bag or bucket. Check out PBTeen if you don't see a pattern that you like. Very stylish and a little more grown up. PBK & PB Teen are both offering free shipping right now.



Garnet Hill Signature Backpack Collection has very fun backpacks and they tend to be made of lightweight material. I would highly recommend the Backpack Junior ($29.50) for kindergartners since it fits a standard folder and you don't want it too heavy on their backs. The Backpack collection for $39.50 is designed for ages 7 and up. Garnet Hill is offering a free lunch pack with the purchase of a patterned backpack or backpack Jr thru Oct 5th, these retail for $16.50.

L.L.Bean has had super cool backpacks for as long as I can remember and their Junior Original Book Pack for $18.36 will not disappoint and what a bargain. This bag is perfect for K-2. The Original Book Pack for $22.36 is perfect for ages 7 and up and the Deluxe Book Pack for $31.96 is good for 10 and up.

Lands End has been the backpack headquarters for some time now too, rivaling that of L.L.Bean. Their ClassMate line is what I would look at for elementary school kids. The ClassMate SmallHaul backpack for $24.50 is perfect for K-2. You can promote your kids to the ClassMate StudyHaul backpack for grades 3 and up. By this age, your kids will want to throw everything they can in their backpacks so it's important to have a little extra room. Lands End lunch boxes range from $14.50 to $19.50. I tend to think Lands End and L.L.Bean have a good boy backpack selection.

Go Green and Reuse:
Again, I'm loving PBK this year! They are now offering Klean Kanteen water bottles to match their backpack patterns. They also have cool Hot-Cold food containers. All of which you can get monogrammed so they don't end up in lost and found. Last year I was excited about the Crocodile Creek water bottles, but I was not impressed with how they held up. I'm never a fan of any children's item that requires hand-washing - I tried hard to stick to that rule, and they still peeled off.

I'm also digging the customized Sigg bottles at Cafe Press. Sigg is still my favorite reusable water bottle - the only thing that bugs me is the lid is too small to add ice. But my kids like everything room temp and that aluminum keeps your drinks naturally cold anyway.

Garnet Hill also has super cute personalized water bottles. Love their mono the best:-)

Peep this presh & Smarty reusable and washable snack bag from Itzy Ritzy - so cute and green too!
Happy shopping, Smarties and please, please, share your back-to-school tips!

Don't forget to register for our August Giveaway! You could be one of five lucky readers who will win a $20 gift card to Boutique of Couture in Winston-Salem. Think new fall clothes!!! Just click here to take a short survey. You must be a TSP newsletter subscriber to win. This giveaway promotion will run through Noon on Friday, August 13. Winners will be immediately notified and announced on TSP a few days later. Good luck, Smarties!

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Birthday Party Idea: Hotel Sleepover!!!

By Guest Blogger, Amy Takacs

My oldest daughter, Natalie, turned 10 this year. A decade of throwing kid birthday parties already under my belt, my goal was to come up with a celebration fit for a gaggle of tweens. We’ve done the park, bouncy tent in the backyard (twice), children’s museums, Bounce U, slumber party... you name it! Plus, the thought of hosting a bunch of kids coupled with the messy aftermath, I yearned for something with a lot less hassle.

My daughters’ birthdays are two days apart, so spring is the most stressful time for me trying to plan both of their celebrations. Sometimes I think I’d just love to take a vacation from it all. A vacation... in a hotel... where I don’t have to make beds, cook, clean...YES! That’s it! A hotel birthday party!!!

There it was. My ideal celebration for my 10-year-old daughter. She was especially excited as it meant having a special party at her favorite hotel without her younger sister tagging along. So, I made the reservation a few months in advance. A two-bedroom suite at the Embassy Suites was the perfect venue.

The party started with parents dropping off the girls at our house. Since I drive a minivan, transporting the girls to the hotel was a breeze. I had checked in a few hours prior and dropped off some supplies in advance.

We took advantage of valet parking, as the girls happily trudged through the lobby with their bags. The girls got settled into their suite, negotiated sleeping arrangements, then put on their bathing suits for a dip in the indoor pool. But first, a round of Shirley Temples in the lobby to start the party off! After a good swim, it was time for dinner. Pizza, of course! Instead of pizza delivery, I opted for Natalie’s favorite pizza joint - Mellow Mushroom. Luckily, I had a mom friend to help chaperone, as I snuck out to grab the pizza pies.

The girls devoured the pizza in the suite, then it was time to sing “Happy Birthday,” eat cookie cake and open presents. THEN time for more swimming! By 10p.m. the girls were tired and ready to settle down in the suite. Donning their cute PJs, they separated into their bedrooms to gossip, do nails, watch a movie, or doze off to sleep. Having a two bedroom suite, Natalie was able to invite 7 friends, for a total of 8 girls. Four girls to a room, my chaperone friend and I slept on the pull-out couch.

The next morning we all woke up hungry, ready for the yummy breakfast buffet downstairs. Afterwards, the girls had one more quick swim in the indoor pool, then back up to the room to check out and head home.

Natalie’s hotel party was a hit, and sure to be remembered by her and her friends for many years to come.


Tips:
• Limit the group to a manageable amount. 4 kids per room is plenty.

• Suites are a must, as the adult(s) need a place to stay! If a two bedroom suite is not available at your hotel of choice, you can request a suite with an adjoining room.

• Assure the parents that the children will have adequate supervision, and not be allowed to roam the hotel corridors and play on the elevators.

• Pack plenty of snacks and drinks!

Amy is a work-at-home-Mom to two daughters, Natalie (10) and Claire (7). When not caring for her daughters, you can find her at her Macintosh designing brochures, magazines, ads and whatnot for her clients.


Our June Giveaway started yesterday! Register to win a free birthday party for your child at Funigan's! Please be sure you are first a newsletter subscriber (enter email address in the box in the upper right corner). Then you can click here to read about the giveaway and register!

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Bus Riding Blues

By Katie M

It was only one year ago that I swore I would never put my child on a school bus. Then came the sale of our house and the purchase of a new one. And with the new house came a great school zone, the convenience of a bus stop steps from our home, the freedom from early morning drives (and pick-ups during my son’s nap time), and one very excited little Kindergartner. So, I caved. And I have to admit, it’s been a really nice perk to have what is practically a door-to-door service at my disposal for free.

Yet, I still can’t completely ignore the concerns (see list below) I had just months ago. That coupled with comments from other parents who also swore against the bus. They have said things like, “I can’t believe you’re letting her take the bus. I remember what it was like when I rode the bus, and I don’t want my child exposed to that.” And not to mention some of the things I’ve heard my daughter recite and repeat since being a bus-rider. The worst of which was questioning the existence of Santa Claus! So, does the convenience of this free bus service come with a cost, or am I being crazy?

So here were my reasons for not ever wanting my child to ride a bus:

1.) There are no seat belts. Wearing a seat belt is a basic “rule” in our car that we worked hard to establish and have no exceptions for. Needless to say explaining the lack of seat belts on the bus was not an easy conversation.

2.) My mother’s fear which has been my inherited fear since giving birth. See my past blog on How To Talk to Your Kids About Talking to Strangers.

3.) The occasional news reports of bus accidents. Yea, lots of times they are minor accidents that happen due to very rare circumstances and usually happen somewhere far, far away. But still, they are impossible to ignore and forget.

4.) The conversations you can’t control. Everyone knows lots of things are learned on the bus! I honestly think my first discussion on the “birds and bees” happened on my elementary school bus, and the fact that my five-year-old questioned Santa Claus after just one month on riding the bus did not sit well with me.

5.) The bullies in the back of the bus. They were there when I rode the bus (mainly in middle school) and I know they are still around. They may be a different kind of bully from when I went to school, but they still exist. Thankfully my child is young enough that she doesn’t even consider sitting anywhere but right behind the bus driver. Ok, and I also might have hinted that the “cool” kids sit in the front. So, maybe I'm raising a geek, but at least she’s she'll be a safe, protected geek!

All that being said, I recognize that millions of children ride the bus every day and school systems take every measure possible to keep our kids safe. And like I said earlier, my daughter is thrilled to be a “bus rider” and I’m excited about the many friendships she has already developed because of her bus stop and bus rides. I rode the bus for 10 years straight (Kindergarten – 10th grade) and some of my funniest memories from school happened either on the bus or at the bus stop. I feel like it’s a “rite of passage” every school age child should get to experience at least at some point. So, despite my concerns outlined above, we will continue to use the bus service (maybe not every day, but often anyway) and I’ll continue to keep my fingers crossed that all goes well.

Is your child a “bus rider”? Why, or why not? Do you share the same concerns? Or better yet, what can you add to this post to support my bus riding decision?

If you are unsure how to leave a comment below, click here to find out the simple steps!

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Is a Magnet School the right fit for my child?

By Guest Blogger Theo Helm, Director of Marketing and Communications, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

Along with the start of the new year, January brings the chance for students of all ages to make a fresh start at one of 15 magnet programs in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.

What makes a magnet school different from other schools? Two things, mainly – unique programs that in turn draw students from all over the county. The schools offer the same standard course of study as all schools in the state, but students benefit from extra attention to themes such as the arts, technology, engineering and the International Baccalaureate program.

The programs are divided into strands designed for students to move from one level to the next, but students can begin a magnet program at any time. Students can follow the renowned International Baccalaureate program from Ashley Elementary to Paisley Middle to Parkland High, or jump in at some point in between. Philo Middle’s international program feeds into Parkland as well. Visual and performing arts programs are offered at Diggs-Latham and Mineral Springs elementary schools, Hill and Mineral Springs middle schools and Parkland and Reynolds high schools. Innovative engineering programs at Hanes Middle can lead to one of three schools at Atkins High: Biotechnology, Computer Technology and Pre-Engineering. Attending a magnet program at one level does not require you to continue at the next level.

The schools are open for tours so students and their families can visit and see which school is the right fit. Please call the school you’re interested in to arrange a time. All of the schools will be represented at our annual Magnet Fair this Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the South Main Hall at the Benton Convention Center. Current magnet students will be performing and showing off their work, and principals and teachers will be there to answer questions.

Students are admitted to a magnet school by application. Applications are due Jan. 22 and can be filled out online or at each school. Students are accepted as long as space is available, and lotteries are held if more students apply than the school has space. Students find out if they are accepted by the end of January, and they will start attending the school in August 2010.

Transportation is provided to each student in the county to any magnet school except the Downtown School through our Magnet Express bus program. Parents take students to a supervised drop-off point – usually the school closest to the family’s home – and buses take the students from there to the magnet school.

More information can be found at www.wsfcsmagnets.net or by calling 727-2519, ext. 4.

Additional Resources:

List of magnet schools (includes descriptions to each, phone numbers and links to each school’s Web site): http://www.wsfcsmagnets.net/schools.asp
Online application: http://www.wsfcsmagnets.net/schools.asp
International Baccalaureate site: http://www.ibo.org/

Don't forget to register for our fabulous giveaway from Andrea Halsey Photography! Click here to learn more about her business and register.

We also have a bonus giveaway this week! You can win tickets to the Monster Jam on January 15th. Congratulations to today's winner, Jayna Patterson! We will be contacting you with details.

To register for the Monster Jam giveaway, click here. Don't forget that you must be a newsletter subscriber in order to qualify for either giveaway. Good luck!

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Athena's Path and Hero's Pursuit

By Rachel H

If there is one thing that scares me beyond belief, it is sending my kids to Middle School. I mentioned this last week in our Smarty Mom profile with Jenny Harris, and she had a good explanation of how children at this age are expected to be such adults, yet they really are still children. Hence, the “tweens”. If you have a middle school student now, or will have one in the future, you will find this article so inspiring.

Michelle Icard was featured as a Smarty Mom on Charlotte Smarty Pants, and ironically enough, her husband attended Middle School with me, back in the day when it was called “Junior High”! Those times were tough, but Michelle has developed two programs that I think are absolutely incredible and I truly hope we can implement them in our Triad middle schools by the time my children get there, if not much sooner.

Does it seem that the only equation you remember from middle school is: social stress + adolescence = major DRAMA? Times have changed, but this formula has not. The social stress of middle school continues to be a problem and can even diminish academic performance.

Athena’s Path and Hero’s Pursuit are middle school curriculums that teach kids how to manage those social situations that tend to dominate their thoughts, emotions and academic efforts. The programs gives boys and girls tools to tackle gossip, exclusion, bullying and peer pressure.


The program does not preach “right from wrong.” Instead, it teaches kids how to lead their own lives and make their own decisions, based on the values they’ve been taught. The program develops character, leadership and problem-solving skills by showing children how to reach their own conclusions.

You can read more about the programs from their websites at: www.athenaspath.com and www.herospursuit.com. You will see many great letters on the websites written by students who have experiences these programs first hand. I loved this one by Annie, “I probably liked the Happiness Journals most of Athena’s Path. They made me take time during the day to appreciate things that make me happy. I also liked the role playing we did along with actually practicing what we were learning. I learned how to exit an unhealthy relationship, the importance of self-confidence, what my values are, and who I should look up to (role models). I also learned the proper way of shaking hands, giving and receiving compliments, and how to respond when something negative is said right to your face. I learned so many valuable lessons at Athena’s Path that will last me a lifetime.”

Athena’s Path and Hero’s Pursuit have been taught in schools and summer camps in Charlotte for the last five years. They have also been taught in elementary schools to fifth graders, in anticipation of middle school. Trinity Academy is the first in the Raleigh area to implement the curriculum. How awesome would it be to have this program in the Triad?

The principal, Will Leach, at Alexander Graham Middle School in Charlotte had this to say, "What brought Athena's Path to Alexander Graham was during my first two years here. I really saw a need for this type of program. Middle School can be a very difficult time for adolescents, especially girls. If we can provide the social support, it will no doubt help academically. I had also heard great things about the program from my colleagues. Once I had the opportunity the meet Michelle and hear her passion and commitment, I was sold. The response from our parents has been tremendous! Our PTA was sold immediately and chose to fully fund the program. We originally decided to just offer the program for 6th and 7th grade students. But, the demand was so great that we added it to the 8th grade schedule."

If you would like your school to offer Athena’s Path and/or Hero’s Pursuit, contact Michelle Icard at michelle@athenaspath.com. I think this curriculum is one that is so important. Let’s give our kids a Middle School experience that they can enjoy and remember as a wonderful one.

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Smarty Sponsor: ERG Kids - Education Resource Group

By Katie M

Now that school is back in session, we can all relax with confidence that our children are moving forward with their academics as expected, right? Not always so. For those of us who know our children are struggling with certain skills or test scores, the start of school can be an extremely stressful time for parents and children, alike. We send our children to schools we believe in – to teachers we have faith in – but sometimes the challenges our children face are not a result of the schools or the teachers. Sometimes these challenges begin before they enter school; sometimes these challenges continue despite the school.

That’s where ERG Kids comes in. Since its founding in 2003, Education Resource Group has been committed to improving the lives of all learners – no matter their challenges. ERG Kids focuses on students and not the teachers. From one-on-one tutoring to qualitative assessments and to its superior preschool advantage program, ERG Kids integrates the latest teaching ideas so your child can be an individual and succeed.

If you have a child who is challenged in the classroom, you are not alone. Take, for instance, Triad locals Alan and Janette Frazier. They discovered their son’s confidence in math was at an all-time low, and with their busy schedules, it was difficult to find the time – and the patience – to tutor him at home. “ERG provided our son with the confidence and the competence to complete the standard course of study taught in the schools, and his end of grade Math test was excellent!”

ERG Kids’ tutors are professional, highly qualified and easy to work with. They are trained to tutor side-by-side with students in reading and/or math. Founders Hope Reagan and Alice Oakley pride themselves on being able to meet students where they are while supporting their progress and providing consistent feedback. Their biographies, along with the bio of Erica Frost, office manager, can be found by clicking here.

The team has not only earned outstanding educational credentials, but also rave reviews from its clients. “Our daughter was a rising second grader who was testing below grade level when we began working with ERG Kids. After only one month of working with Hope, we started noticing dramatic improvement in her reading and writing skills,” says Mindy Johnson. “We have now been working with Hope for eight months, and our daughter has almost completely closed the gap in these skill-sets. Hope's extensive knowledge of how children learn and her ability to develop learning strategies to meet each child where they are has been a Godsend to our daughter. Over the time we have worked with Hope, our daughter has grown in her confidence, self-esteem, and has developed a love for reading and writing.”

Sarah McCollum, another ERG Kids client echoes the same enthusiam. “Partnering with ERG Kids for my son Tommy exceeded my hopes and expectations. Thanks to Ann (Tommy’s tutor) and all the staff at ERG KIDS, Tommy’s self confidence and test scores dramatically improved during the school year. ERG Kids promoted Tommy’s strengths while focusing and encouraging him (and me). We’re continuing our journey with ERG Kids this year, and I’m excited to witness the progress Tommy will make with the help and support of this team,” she said.

Assessments at ERG Kids cost $150, and tutoring/support sessions are offered at $50/hour. Once your child has been assigned to an individual tutor you will be provided with their contact information.

If you think your child needs one-on-one tutoring, why wait? To get to ERG Kids, take Business I40 in downtown Winston-Salem and exit onto Broad Street. Go left on 4th Street, and ERG Kids is located at 942 West Fourth Street in Winston-Salem (two houses past West End Cafe).

ERG also works with parents to help them understand what students are expected to know and be able to do in today's classroom. More information on adult learning support can be found on the main web site at www.myedresource.com.

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The Benefits of Sports for Children

By Guest Blogger Heather Bjork

September – school starting back and the start of soccer and football season. Fans of both sports are passionate in their love of these games. One does not have to look very far to spot people wearing football or soccer apparel around the Triad. Sports are an important part of most people’s lives, and they are commonly discussed at home, with friends, in the workplace, in cyber space and through any form of media that we come in contact with on a daily basis. As such, it seems we would be doing our children a disservice to not expose them to different sports and give them an opportunity to experience playing different sports. If you have not yet provided your child with the chance to get involved in a sport, think again. Even if you are not a “sports” person yourself, there are multiple benefits to allowing your child to play sports.

•Physical activity - With the rising rate of childhood obesity in today’s generation of children, this takes on additional significance. Research shows that children that consistently participate in sports are less likely to be overweight. Children that receive regular exercise are more likely to continue this practice in adulthood. Additionally physical activity improves mood and releases “endorphins” which make us feel good.

•Enhanced social skills -Your child will practice sharing, supporting, befriending, and helping others. All of these are important skills needed to establish and build healthy relationships with other people.

•Increased self confidence -Research also shows that children that play sports, especially girls, are more likely to have higher self-esteem and a better body image.

•Improved self-discipline skills -Children need to commit to attending practice, being a “good team player” which means sometimes having to put their needs and interests at a lower priority than their teammates and it requires hard work to achieve one’s goals.

•More effective time management skills -Children learn how to manage their schedules so that they can complete their homework, attend practices and games and still have discretionary time to spend as they would like.

•Better teamwork skills -Children begin to understand the part that each person plays in the team’s success/failure while learning how to effectively communicate with a wide variety of other children with styles different from their own.

•“Life skills” -It’s never too early to learn that sometimes things work out the way you want in life. How you play the game is even more important than winning or losing. Character and behavior count and matter, especially when it comes to relationships.

•Academic success -Research shows that children involved in sports tend to perform better in school than children not involved in sports, possibly because of self-discipline and time management skills.

•Refined problem solving skills -Sports frequently require strategy and there are obstacles to one’s goals given the nature of competition. Thus, children need to figure out how to deal with challenges that arise within the framework that exists.

•Better flexibility -The changing nature of most sports requires children to learn how to adapt and respond quickly to new situations. As a result, children become better able to anticipate change and quickly determine the best course of action.

•FUN -With the high importance placed on achievement, particularly academic accomplishments, it’s important for children to have the chance to just be in the moment and enjoy themselves. As long as there is not overriding pressure and an emphasis on winning, children will enjoy the experience they have playing sports and being part of a team.

Don’t miss out on the chance to get your child involved today. There are lots of great options out there – martial arts, basketball, lacrosse, baseball, swimming, tennis, and many, many more. Ask your child what he/she enjoys and help your child match his/her interest to a sport. If your child loves to be in the water, swimming or diving would be an excellent choice. Does your have good eye-hand coordination or even need to develop it more? Then baseball, tennis, golf, or tennis might be a great starting point. Does your child love to catch? Consider lacrosse. It is not too late to sign up for these activites. If you missed the blog on SoccerTots, this is a great option for young children and they you can enroll at any time. There may also be spots left in your school's Girls On the Run Program. The options are plentiful and the Internet is a great resource to identify different options available to your child.

By helping your child experience sports in a “safe and non-judgmental” environment, you will be providing many great benefits to your child. Who knows, your child could end up becoming the next Tiger Woods!

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Back to School: Educational Games and Toys

By Rachel H and Allison T

Just a quick shout out to all our Smarty friends who tuned in to watch us yesterday morning on Fox 8, and a special thanks to loyal reader and guest blogger Jenni M who agreed to wake up at that ungodly hour to help us out! - KM

Although children usually do not want more work after surviving a long day at school, completing homework, and playing sports, we have some tried and true after-school activities that will help boost brain power without the kids even knowing it! These are also great ideas on how to keep your child’s brain active on snow days, long car rides, or rainy Saturday or Sunday afternoons. These have all been child tested and mother approved in our houses! We have a variety of ideas for toddlers and up. Read below for ideas to keep brains active for children of all ages without them even knowing that they are … shhhhh … learning!

Alex Little Hands Lacing Cards

These are perfect for young preschool children and toddlers who are beginning to learn to work with their hands. These lacing activities help develop the fine motor skills and are the perfect size for little hands. This developmental stage is important when children are learning about their world through their sense of touch. The lacing cards are colorful and bright and come in a variety of themes.

Leapster

I can’t remember who told me about the Leapster when my son was 3 years old, but I want to give them a big hug. My son and daughter both have their own Leapsters with age appropriate, interactive educational games. The Leapster is recommended for children ages 4-10, and depending on where you purchase it, it can cost anywhere from $50 to $60.

Brain Quest Cards and Brain Quest Workbooks

My son received his first set of Brain Quest cards for Christmas when he was four years old. I had no idea that this would be the first of about twenty sets of cards we would eventually own. This is one product that I rarely say no to when he asks me to buy him a new set. We’ve spent hours quizzing each other at night and in the car – math, reading, American and Presidential history. Also, great birthday presents for your kids’ friends! You can find them in any bookstore. We buy the sets at Costco because they are a little bit cheaper.
The Brain Quest Workbooks are equally as awesome. Though, they are more expensive than most workbooks, usually around $11, they are worth the money. They are also in bookstores, Costco and online. The age range for the cards and workbooks are ages 2 to 12.

Leap Frog Math Desk

This is a great tool for children ages 3 and up. Not only does it help children recognize numbers, but it has different levels for higher learning abilities. When my children first started to play with this, they would play the game where they were simply recognizing numbers. Then they moved on to find “what number comes before 14 and after 12”, etc. There is also a board for them to practice writing the numbers themselves. The skills build on one another. It is amazing how much my children learned from this game and it is the perfect size to fit in their lap on a car trip.

Board Games

Memory – There are so many different versions of Memory that you will be able to find one that fits the age and gender of your child. My daughter loves the Dora Memory game, which is for 3 years and up, while my son loves to play my husband’s VERY old Memory game that is for 7 years and up. This is one of my all-time favorite games to play with my children.
Boggle and Boggle Jr. - A great family game to help your child learn how to spell and search for words. Boggle is for age 8 and up. Boggle Jr. is for age 3 and up.
Guess Who – terrific for memorization, questioning strategies, and logic. Good for ages 4 and up.
Scrabble – obviously for a little older, but this is a game that is challenging even for adults, so you won’t get bored playing this with your children!
Bananagrams – for ages 7 and up. Really cute game that is fun for adults as well. Teaches spelling and vocabulary. Think Scrabble times two!

Leap Frog DVD’s

I should not admit this, but both of my children learned all their letters and sounds from this DVD! No kidding! They loved, loved, loved the Letter Factory DVD and picked up on letter recognition and sounds so easily at a very young age. (I think age 2 is where most kids will usually sit still for this.) Then we moved on to the Word Factory DVD, which teaches children to put letters together to make sounds. The next level is the Storybook Factory, which is also really cute and educational. The other one we have is the Math Circus, which teaches numbers, skip counting, and addition. I highly recommend these videos for all ages. It makes you feel a little more justified in throwing in a video for the kids.

Free Educational Web Sites
My absolute favorite – www.starfall.com, plus www.noggin.com, www.pbskids.org, and www.seussville.com. Also, check out our blog here for many more web site ideas!

Other things to keep in mind when wanting to keep brains active at home: many children learn through different senses, so if your child is having trouble learning the alphabet, have them shape a letter out of playdough or practice writing it with chalk or a wipe-off board. Also, if you have your children write letters to family members, make cards, or keep a journal, It is an easy way to practice writing skills without making it such a daunting task.

And, certainly last but not least ... READ, READ, READ!!! Make it a habit early on and stick to it!

Share some of your favorite educational toys and games below.

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Back to School: Smart and Trendy School Supplies

By Katie M

Ok, it's been a loooong time since I've been in school, and wow have things changed! So in an effort to find out what's cool in school these days (even my kids don't know because they are only five and two), I did some research online and headed out to Target (everything there is considered cool, right?) to do all my shopping and chatted it up with some students who happened to be shopping there as well. Despite the fact that every county publishes lists of essential school supplies (you can find these lists online for Forsyth, Guilford and Randolph school districts), below are some other items that I think make the grade!

Big Bags
My first eye-opener with back-to-school shopping is that backpacks are definitely not considered cool for girls in high school. Big bags are all the rage, and I'm talking about the cute oversized totes we moms like to carry around! Target has a great selection (the above photo is one example) for very affordable prices. And the rising high school junior I talked to took me right to a super cute animal print canvas tote ($12.99) that she says is a typical bag you'd see in the halls of her school. Some girls, however, go for real designer bags. Regardless of what brand you choose, it has to be big enough to hold binders, calculators, pens, highlighters, make-up and other accessories. Be sure to pick ones with the reinforced gromets where the strap meets the bag so you can be sure it will hold all the weight.

Pencil Pouches
Another must have (mainly for girls) but for girls of all ages are cute pencil pouches. Target has a great selection and the pouches I picked up were each under $2. And while Target's selection might be better suited for girls in elementary school, just about any clutch would work for teens. A useful trend in pencil cases is the three-tiered version to organize and store pencils, pens, paper clips, erasers and any other items. Other stores that carry cute and useful pencil pouches include Barnes and Noble, and if you search online for "tiered pencil cases" you can find a variety in Disney themes too.

Recycled Notebooks
Notebooks and three-ring binders are a no-brainer, but have you ever considered recycled notebooks? (Recycled pencil bags and totes are popular too!). Target carries a nice selection of 3-ring binders and other notebooks in a variety of designs. You will know they are recycled because it will have the "greenroom" sticker on the notebook. The one-inch binder I picked up was only $5.99.

I also picked up a super cute notebook (not recycled, however) that has the "periodic text message table" on its cover! I love it. It shows all the different text abbreviations and what they stand for. These include "BFF" for "Best Friend Forever," or "B15" for "Back in Five," or "POS" for "Parents Over Shoulder." And here's one all mothers should take note of: "BTWITIAILWU" for "By the Way I Think I Am In Love With You." Ok - I need to devote a whole day's blog to decoding these abbreviations!

Book and Locker Designs
Target also carries a great assortment of book covers in all colors, designs and sizes. Gone are the days of covering your text books in brown paper bags; these covers are too cute to pass up and just a few bucks.

Kids not only like to spruce up their book covers, but their lockers too. I never knew there was a whole line of products devoted to locker decorations. Magnets are a hit in this category, and Target also carries magnetic wall paper and accessories (like mirrors) for minimal price too.

Pencils
Also, did you know that #2 pencils are not cool anymore? Yep, a student at Target told me that fact as well. Mechancial pencils (the kind where you can click the top of the pencil to advance the lead) are now all the rage. Why? I have no idea, but they can be fashionable! Again, you can find this kind of supply super cheap at Target. A pack of five mechanical pencils in a variety of colors retails for $2.

USB Flash Drives
Now here is an item I definitely never shopped for when I was going back-to-school: USB Flash Drives. Apparentely they are required for high school students, but luckily they are less than $5 at Target (which is good because I can see them getting lost easily) and these also come in a variety of colors. These are an important purchase too because you don't want to have to drive your student back and forth between computers (one at school, one at home, one at a friend's house) to download documents. Flash (or thumb) drives let you store all your information onto these little gadgets.

Electronic Label Makers
Another gadget that is a smart purchase is an electronic label maker. (Moms can also borrow them for labeling items around the house too!) Electronic label makers make it easy for students to stay organized by labeling notebook dividers, binders, and paper notes. You can even print in different colors and fonts for more organization. I found a Dymo Personal Label Maker at Target for just $17.90. (You also need to purchase replacement tape).

Wordlock
Finally, if your child needs a pad lock for his/her locker, you might want to check out Wordlock. These locks uses letters instead of numbers, and allows your children to select their own four or five letter password. This is helpful for kids who might forget random number codes, and they look so much cooler (see picture above) than the typical turn-style locks you are used to seeing. Target sells them for $9.79, and you can also find them at Kmart and Sears.

Calculators
(A word of note: all high schoolers are responsible for purchasing TI-83+, 84+ and Nspire Graphing calculators. These retail for about $100 at Target, but the rising junior who was so nice in helping me find a trendy tote bag says a lot of students find these same calculators at half price at pawn shops. Just a tip I thought I'd throw out there).

I am sure there are a million other smart and trendy supplies on the market worth mentioning. If you have any other suggestions, please add them below!

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