Eating with Nasty Hands: The Importance of Supplying the Supplies on the Supply list

Now that school is in session, I am sure that many people have received their specific itemized supply lists for their child's class.  It is extremely important that parents get everything on the supply list.  Although some things may seem trivial or unimportant, it is important that you supply everything on the list in the specified quantity.  The items listed are needed in order for your child to be considered properly prepared for the class.  Three common items that parents often skip or skimp on many supply lists are paper towels, liquid soap, and hand sanitizer.  If you would just take the time to think of everything your child touches throughout the day.  Take the time to imagine what they touch when they are on the playground and when they go to the bathroom.  Now think about them sitting down for their morning snack of grapes and crackers.  Grapes are wet so everything that is on their hands from digging up the nose or touching the bottom of their shoe, (that is what kids do) is going to rub off on their food and end up in their mouth. GROSS!!  All because mommy or daddy did not include hand sanitizer, soap, and paper towels from the supply list.  You can believe that if you do not supply the hand sanitizer, soap, and paper towels, your child will be eating with nasty hands.  If you provide less than the amount specified on the list, your child will be eating with nasty hands once your limited supply has been used.  More than likely, the teacher will be too busy during the school year to remind you to bring your child's missing supplies so he or she with just go without them.  I am making lite of the situation by using this example.  However, lack of proper supplies can truly cause problems and lead to children falling behind academically.  It can be quite frustrating for the teachers and students when all supplies from the list are not present.  So please make sure that you provide everything on the school supply list.


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FREE Backpacks, FREE school supplies, FREE Stuff

That's right, FREE!  If you live in the Baltimore MD area, visit the Back to School Festival  this Saturday August 24, 2013 for 12pm-4pm.  You might want to get there early while supplies last.  The festival is being healed at Security Square Mall 6901 Security Blvd. Baltimore MD 21244.  In addition to free school supplies, there will be many community resources available, as well as internship opportunities, and live entertainment.  Enjoy yourself while getting ready for school for FREE!

 

Please submit any questions you want answered by the Expert via the contact page at  http://www.theexperteducator.com/ or you can email smiller@theexperteducator.com

 



NO DRIVING ON THE GRASS

I never thought I would actually have to make this statement. However, it has been made quite clear that the following statement needs to be made.  DO NOT drive your vehicle on your daycare provider’s lawn.  It is rude and inconsiderate!  It is even worse if you do it and act like nothing happened or deny that you are the culprit (although you are guilty).  The provider knows and will quickly fill your daycare slot and terminate your contract.  Why would anyone think it is OK to create damage by driving on someone else’s lawn and not immediately apologize and offer to repair the damage?  The next question I have is if you did cause damage by driving on your provider’s lawn and did not feel the need to apologize and fix the damage, why would you still feel comfortable leaving your child in the care of that provider?  I mean really let’s just have some common sense and common courtesy.  DO NOT drive on the lawn!  In the case of an accident, apologize immediately AND pay for any damage caused.  DO NOT negligently damage property and then leave your child in the provider’s care.  Enough said!

Please submit any questions you want answered by the Expert via the contact page at  http://www.theexperteducator.com/ or you can email smiller@theexperteducator.com

Intern program deadlines are approaching soon

 

 

The General Assembly's Legislative Intern Program

The General Assembly's Legislative Intern Program offers approximately 100 of Maryland's college and university students the opportunity to provide research and staff assistance to legislators during each session and to have both an educational and practical work experience in the Legislative Branch of State government. Upon acceptance into the program, students interview for placement with legislators, committees, or caucuses of the Maryland General Assembly. 

Juniors and seniors presently enrolled in a public or independent Maryland college or university are eligible to apply.

Many of the interns are political science majors; however, students working toward degrees in other areas who are interested in learning firsthand about the process of State government are encouraged to apply.

http://dls.state.md.us/Content.aspx?page=66

Student Page Program for Maryland High School Seniors

Since 1970, Maryland's high school seniors have had the opportunity to learn about the legislative process by serving as student pages in the Senate and the House of Delegates during the annual session of the Maryland General Assembly. The program was begun by House Speaker Thomas Hunter Lowe and approved by the Maryland State Board of Education. Each year, 105 pages and 36 alternates are selected from across the State to represent their schools and counties in Annapolis.
The Page program is nonpatronage, and selection is done through the local school systems. Each county in Maryland has a county page coordinator who is appointed by the local superintendent of schools. This person is responsible for organizing and conducting the selection process used by the county's public and nonpublic schools to select the students who will serve as pages and alternates

Each county is allocated at least one page and one alternate position and receives additional positions based on its high school senior student population. Interested students apply through their schools in September of their senior year, and selection is completed by October 31 of each year.

http://dls.state.md.us/Content.aspx?page=65

Please submit any questions you want answered by the Expert via the contact page at  http://www.theexperteducator.com/ or you can email smiller@theexperteducator.com

First Day of School Blues

 

Dear Educational Expert,

Today is my child’s first day of school and I am in tears.  I cannot believe he is this old.  He is no longer my little boy.  How do I know he will be OK?  Will the other kids be nice to him?  What if he needs me?  I just can’t believe that this time has come.  I did not feel this way when he went to his daycare (in home family) but today I am having first day of school blues.   

I have had several reports today of parents having first day of school blues.  You are not the first person to experience this and I am sure you will not be the last.  It is perfectly normal to get a little emotional when children hit milestones like attending the first day of school.  Attending school is different than attending a family daycare because the school it is much larger.  You do not know everyone in the entire school and thus giving you the feeling of less control.  It is important to remember that attending school is a normal part of growing up and it means that you have a healthy properly developing child.  Set your mind at ease by meeting with your child’s teacher and administrators.  Talk to him about his day when he gets home and you will probably be relieved to see that he is excited and wants to go back to school tomorrow.  The anxiety that you feel is stemming from you THINKING that your child might have a bad first day, somehow won’t be OK, will not be able to reach you if needed, will not make friends, etc. Where are these negative thoughts coming from?  This may have something to do with your past experiences.  If your son is the nice young man I am sure you raised him to be, he will be able to make friends.  If he needs anything, he has a teacher and administrators that can assist with anything he needs while in school and if you are NEEDED at any time, believe me, they will contact you.  So try to relax. I am sure your child is at school enjoying his friends. 

 

 

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Back to School Supplies Stress

 

Dear Expert Educator,

I think learning is important but the first day of school is coming up soon and I have NO money for school supplies.   We just have enough money to live and there is no money in my budget for anything else.  What am I supposed to do?  Stressed single mom of two. 

Dear Single Mom of Two,

You are right, the first day of school is quickly approaching, in some areas the first day of school is actually today.  All students should be prepared for their FIRST day of school.  However, before you stress out or rush to the store to purchase items take some time to look at the required list of supplies (most schools post them online).  Next, take inventory of what you already have at the house.  You would be surprised how many pens, pencils, folders, paper, eraser, markers, crayons, lunch boxes, etc. that you already have.  Copy down or print the supply list and check off all the items you have around the house.  Next check Grandma's house (friends, neighbors, other family members).  People usually have a plethora of unneeded stationary that they would be more than happy to give to you.  They get to de-clutter their homes all while donating the stationary towards a good cause.  Now that you have gathered all of the supplies you already have at your disposal, check to see what local school supply drives are taking place and when they plan to distribute.  I am sure once you follow these steps you will find that your children will be ready for the first day of school at little to no cost to you.  So go get those children ready for school so that they can succeed academically and you can hear people say "Your children are So Smart"! 

Contact us with questions or comments via  http://www.theexperteducator.com/ or you can email smiller@theexperteducator.com.

Non-licensed Childcare

I often receive questions from parents in regards to using licensed VS non-licensed childcare providers.  As both have their pros and cons, I would not completely lean towards one side.  I will however state that licensed childcare providers must adhere to regular inspections, training, specified standards, and background checks.  This is generally why licensed providers are more expensive.  Licensed childcare centers have even more regulations to follow and are thus usually more expensive than in-home licensed providers, who are usually more expensive than unlicensed providers.

Let’s explore this topic a little more.  It is extremely rare to find an unlicensed childcare center.  It would be almost impossible to remain undetected being as though the center would be large and unable to move.  Thus, easily discovered and shut down.  Non-licensed childcare providers are different.  Since, they are small and mobile, it is more difficult to discover and enforce regulations upon them.  Non-licensed childcare providers come in many forms.  The neighbor down the street, the high school baby sitter earning some extra cash, nanny share or person who rotates homes watching several unrelated children at once and receiving payment, etc.  In my experience as an educator, I have heard both good and bad stories regarding non-licensed childcare providers.  So I will just say be extremely careful in your search for childcare.  Do not ignore any warning signs, and take a very hands-on approach. I do not care how many “assistance” the provider has, it is important for you to know the child adult ratio.  You need to know who interacts with your child and in what manor? Who takes them to the bathroom?  Are the children ever left alone with the assistants?  How does the main provider know the assistants? Are they related to the provider or did they answer a help wanted ad?  If something were to go wrong, who would be held responsible?

This Topic is considered taboo because in general, practicing childcare without a license is illegal (there are some exceptions).  However, the truth is that people use unregistered, unlicensed, illegal childcare everyday.  It is truly a booming business.  If you do choose to use a non-licensed provider, it is important to do your due diligence when it comes to research to insure that you are making the proper choice for your child.  Always remember safety first when it comes to choosing a childcare provider.    

*Note* Nannies and the baby sitter you call to watch your child when you go out, are not considered illegal providers.     
   

 

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The So Smart Movement is Born.

Ask the expert is an advice column dedicated to help readers solve their educational issues.  I am introducing the SO SMART movement.  I have often heard parents and students blame the schools system for academic deficiencies.  Too often we are faced with kindergartners unprepared to enter school system and high school seniors unprepared to exit.  This is a movement focused on helping parents and students take charge of their education.  No more waiting for the school system to do it, we are focused on empowering people to take the reins in guiding their education and the education of their children. Thus maximizing  academic potential and total personal success.   Please contact us with questions and comments via  http://www.theexperteducator.com/