fall education 2014 - eastern edition

It may begin with a bad report card, a call from the teacher or tears during homework. In Michele Isenberg’s experi-ence as CEO of Wise Learning Centers in Ridgefield, Fairfield, Stamford and Madison, to some parents it simply looks as if their child is being lazy about learning.

When parents contact her for help, she will explain that it’s “completely against human nature to be lazy, defi-ant or not want to please others. If your child is presenting with any of these in relation to school, then there is clearly an underlying learning difficulty that needs to be addressed,” she said. Students facing learning challenges are often much smarter than average stu-

dents, and they will learn to compensate for their deficiencies and, as a result, will “develop foundation skill holes. Over time, these holes get larger and they develop more and more holes until they can no longer compensate and they just shut down,” Isenberg said.

That’s a big reason to seek academic support sooner rather than later. Here are experts’ answers to common ques-tions parents have about private tutoring for struggling students.

Q: Where do I find a tutor?Google “Connecticut tutoring” and

there’s no shortage of hits. “The market is filled with supplemental education companies, but not all of them have a solid approach which is individualized

for each child,” said Dr. Mary Mokris, a senior adviser and education specialist for Kumon North America, which oper-ates more than 2,000 centers, including 28 in Connecticut.

Also, the tutoring industry is unregulated. “Anyone can post an ad on craigslist and advertise tutoring ser-vices,” said Brian Stewart, president of Columbus, Ohio-based BWS Education Consulting and creator of freetestprep.com. “Be grateful there are so many tutoring options, but skeptical when hir-ing a tutor.”

There are centers such as Kumon, Sylvan Learning and the Tutoring Club;

Common questions about seeking tutoring supportby Melissa Ezarik

HERSAM ACORN NEWSPAPERS

Continued on page 5

Special Section to: The Valley Gazette I The Stratford Star I The Milford Mirror I The Trumbull Times I Fairfield Sun I Shelton Herald I The Monroe Courier I The Easton Courier

One-on-one tutoring, though more expensive, is useful with certain learning disabilities and for students who do well with adaptive learning techniques

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The newly published book, The SMART Playbook: Game-Changing Life Skills for A Modern World, by Suzanne M. Wind, has become one of those “must have” resource for parents to keep around the house to help them impart to their kids the art of social graces.

Aimed at teaching children confi-dence, integrity and empathy, the book is chock-full of some game-changing life skills that every child needs to know so as to truly under-stand the rules and know how to gracefully play the game of life in this mod-ern world.

Five of the SMART top-ics covered in the book, and designed to help chil-dren succeed, include:

• Social skill basics: The principles of modern manners

• Mealtime manners: A guide to mealtime etiquette

• Art of conversation: Eloquent face-to-face conversational skills

• Restaurant behavior: The finer points of restaurant conduct

• Technology talk: Internet safety and responsible usage

“The ‘gamification’ methods included in The SMARTPlaybook will help chil-dren ages 6-12 gain confidence, charac-ter, integrity and empathy in face-to-face situations and technology usage,” said Wind, a Connecticut mom of three, who considers the book a “must have” for families, especially those with young children.

As the creator of The SMART Playbook, Wind said the book comes

with more than 100 games and chal-lenges to choose from. “The result: A happy and confident child thriving in a modern world.”

Before kids, Wind was an interna-tional marketing executive in New York City. With a multi-cultural background, she was raised in more than six coun-tries with four languages. Her career and

living overseas taught her “the importance of know-ing and using the common language of manners and social skills to being your best,” she said. Today, she is a mom with a mission, inspired to communicate social skills in a modern world to a new generation.

Arguing that the world is changing faster than ever before has led Wind to believe parents and

children are busier today than ever, and as a result, technology has and will continue to present new challenges they must face.

“But with all the texting, emailing and posting, are children developing the social skills that will be required for lifelong happiness, confidence and suc-cess?” she questioned, but added, “That’s where The SMART Playbook comes into the picture.”

The book is available as one complete book or by topic only. It is available at thesmartplaybook.com or Amazon.com. For a limited time only, receive 20% off when ordering directly from the website; use the code “summerspecial.”

More info: 203-992-1146, [email protected], or thesmartplaybook.com

Combines ‘gamification’ with life skills

• 2 • • Education • Hersam Acorn Newspapers • • July 31, 2014 •

Suzanne Wind

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• July 31, 2014 • • Education • Hersam Acorn Newspapers • • 3 •

Students learn many important lessons while in middle school and high school. Assignments get progressively more difficult, and they grow accustomed to being indepen-dent thinkers and largely responsible for their educational accomplishments. In addition, students may learn other lessons, such as how organization can play a critical role in success and benefit them both in the classroom and out of it.

Children are typically introduced to lock-ers during high school or middle school. As elementary school students, kids use class-room desks to store books and supplies, and how desks are organized is often governed by teachers who have firm rules regarding the condition of desks. Lockers are an entirely dif-ferent story. Students are solely responsible for organizing and maintaining their lockers and may be tasked with following a few rules set forth by the school.

Students may overlook the importance of organized lockers, and in such instances lock-ers can easily become disaster areas. But a messy locker can add unnecessary stress to a school day. Getting lockers organized requires some effort and upkeep.

• Color code the locker. Grouping subjects by color can make it easier to find notebooks, textbooks and folders in a locker. If materials necessary for math class are colored in red, students can quickly find these materials en route to class.

• Remove trash. Remove anything that does not belong in the locker, including gar-bage and old projects. Students should not use their lockers to store items they don’t

need for school. That only takes away space for the stuff kids do need for class.

• Group according to schedule. In addi-tion to employing a color-coding system, stu-dents also can group books by daily schedule. Organize the locker based on which classes are held in the morning and afternoon. This makes it less likely that students will forget

supplies they need for class.• Think about extra accessories. Lockers

have the basics, which are usually a shelf and a hook for coats. All sorts of locker accessories exist to customize the interior. An extra shelf may be helpful for storing books or smaller supplies. Look into a message board or more hooks that can be hung on the inside of the

door. Figure out what your child can use to keep items from piling up on the floor.

• Develop a maintenance plan. Old assign-ments may begin to accumulate inside a locker. This can be remedied by maintaining a cleaning schedule for a locker. A few minutes each week can keep a locker clean and clear of clutter.


A messy locker can add unnecessary stress to a school day.

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Please contact us at: [email protected] or call 203-254-8208

When dinosaurs roamed the CT earthOn Tuesday, Aug. 12, dinosaurs will be brought

alive at a special presentation at the Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby.

Did you know that dinosaurs once roamed the very ground that you walk on today? Come by the center, 500 Hawthorne Ave., between 10 and 11 a.m. to see what kinds of dinosaurs roamed Connecticut and the United States. Learn about the evidence of these animals in our fossil record and how a fossil is made. At the end, participants may make their own fossils.

Children are required to be accompanied by an adult. For more information, directions or to register, call 203-734-2513 or email [email protected].

Back-to-school supply drive in Valley The call has been sent out again this year: Back-to-

school supplies are needed to help Valley students in need.

Between now and Aug. 30, book bags and school supplies are being collected around the Valley for the annual Book Bag & School Supply drive.

Jennifer Sneider, owner of J Cuts at 505 Howe Ave., is again heading this drive. Her business will be the main dropoff point for items.

Supplies may include book bags, book covers, rul-ers, pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, binders, glue, crayons, calculators, pencil sharpeners, paper, and folders. Supplies are collected for all school-aged chil-dren from pre-school to high school. All book bags and supplies must be brand new.

Local businesses and organizations are invited and encouraged to join in by holding collections of their own to add to the donations.

For more information on either community drive, call Sneider at 203-924-4107.

EducationBriefs

services such as Club Z! Tutoring that match families with in-home tutors; and then full-time private tutors (certi-fied and not) and teachers who tutor on the side, mainly through word-of-mouth.

One-on-one tutoring, though more expensive, is useful with certain learning disabilities and for students who do well with adaptive learning techniques, “where the tutor responds immediately to student needs, tailoring the learn-ing experience appropriately,” said Mokris.

Centers usually offer a group learning approach. Students work at their own pace and independently at least part of the time. When able to complete an exercise on their own, they “can finish with a unique sense of accom-plishment that only comes from doing it yourself” Mokris said.

Q: How can you help my child?“Every child’s tutoring needs are different,” said Peter

Bartoli, director of Sylvan Learning of Southbury, one of seven Sylvan centers in Connecticut. There, an assessment test pinpoints strengths and needs. “Figuring out what a child knows and doesn’t know about a particular topic helps Sylvan create the most effective tutoring plan with clear goals and objectives,” Bartoli said.

Mokris advises approaching a potential service with information from your child’s teacher on “what exactly is happening, and whether it’s happening with one subject or more, with one test or more.”

At Tutoring Club, with locations in Ridgefield and Stamford, after an initial discussion with the parent and testing, an individualized plan that works for the family gets created, said Maria Markus, owner of both locations.

And at Wise Learning, the approach is to figure out how a child learns, “fill in the foundation holes that have devel-oped and custom design a set of skills and strategies based on learned style and personality for a lifetime of learning success,” said Isenberg. The plans also address “executive function” skills such as time management and note-taking that may not be taught in schools.

In terms of outcomes, Stewart cautioned, beware of “tutors who make grand predictions of miraculous score increases or grade improvements.” Choose instead someone with a successful track record who does not over-promise.

The tutor should be able to show measurable — that is, quantifiable — results, added Mokris.

Q: What kind of time commitment must we make?The answer will depend on the program, Bartoli said of

Sylvan’s approach. In Markus’s experience, twice a week is the minimum

needed. “I know that families are very busy nowadays, and kids have a lot going on after school. However, the students need to get the message from their parents that education is a first priority,” she said.

Avoid places that insist on an up-front commitment of several hours of tutoring or more, Stewart said. At least one session with no further financial commitment, to make sure the child and tutor click, is a good idea.

Q: How will I know when progress is made?Check in regularly with teachers at school to see how

new skills are crossing over into the classroom, Bartoli said. Because Sylvan students work through their lessons on iPads, parents can access progress on an online portal. Children can also be encouraged to share how they feel they’re doing in school and at tutoring.

Many tutors will want to have regular communication with teachers about progress both inside and outside the classroom.

Q: How can I support my child at home?Don’t underestimate the power of positive reinforce-

ment. Applaud your child’s efforts and accomplishments as you’re informed of tutoring successes, celebrating improve-ments in a special way, Bartoli said. Also remark how the tutoring is really helping in mastering new skills.

Encourage believing they can overcome obstacles and learn something new, even when it’s a challenge, Mokris said. “Don’t ever underestimate the value of inspiring chil-dren toward a goal and working toward it with them.”

Melissa Ezarik is a Stratford-based writer and managing editor of a national education magazine.

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Academic SOSContinued from page 1

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Norwalk Community College is helping students fin-ish what they start with a new success initiative called Start2Finish@NCC.

Available to incoming full-time freshmen students, Start2Finish@NCC offers a wide range of support services and incentives to ensure completion of an associate degree or certificate in three years or less.

Students will enjoy small class sizes, personal support and access to special scholarships. They’ll be matched with dedicated coaches, advisers and career specialists who will help them stay on track to graduate. The initiative offers resources from orientation to graduation and a supportive network of peers, faculty and staff.

Start2Finish@NCC:

Norwalk Community College has a new initiutive, Start2Finish@NCC

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6LOCATIONS

MONDAY to FRIDAY6:30AM - 6:00PM

203-494-9205 • newenglandballet.orgBridgeport studio now open!Bijou Performing Arts Center

277 Fairfield Avenue, 2nd Floor, Bridgeport, CTRegistration for classes:

August 17 3:00 to 5:30 pm • August 24 3:00 to 5:30 pmor by appointment at The Bijou Performing Arts Center

Ballet • Point • Pas de DeuxTap • Jazz • Musical Theatre • Contemporary • Hip Hop

Annual NutcrackerOpen Auditions • September 14 & September 21

All Levels • Ages 3 & up Call 203-799-7950 for details

newenglandballetschool.com200 Boston Post Road • Suite #8 • Orange, CT

203-799-7950200 Boston Post Road • Suite #8

Orange, CT

DANCE ARTS

Ongoing registration:August 4 through August 22

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August 20 & 27 • 5:30 to 7:30 pmAugust 30 • 10 am to 2 pm

or by appointment

LITTLE BLUE BIRD DAYCARE

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Certified Teacher

State Licensed

MONDAY - FRIDAY 7:30-5:00 203-377-7735SEPTEMBER OPENINGS AVAILABLE


Research shows that students who suc-cessfully complete the first semester of col-lege are more likely to persist and reach the graduation finish line.

Boosting the college graduation rate is an issue of national importance. While America is one of the best educated coun-tries in the world, it now lags behind other nations in the percentage of college graduates. President Obama has asked the nation’s colleges and universities to produce five million additional college graduates by 2020.

Start2Finish@NCC will begin this fall; enrollment is limited to the first 600 full-time freshmen.

On the first day of class, freshman stu-dents will be matched with coaches to help them navigate the academic and social tran-sition from high school to college.

Students will complete a First-Year Success Workshop and attend classes in small groups or learning communities of

20-24 students. They will participate in an advisement program supported by an aca-demic plan, skills assessment, coaching and tutoring.

Students will learn how to create an e-portfolio (a digital showcase of their achievements) and to use a student success software called Symplicity to help them keep track of classes, attendance, assign-ments and activities. Start2Finish@NCC also will include success seminars, career exploration workshops, and a Summer Bridge program.

NCC offers more than 45 associate degree and 26 certificate programs. Register now for fall classes. The fall semester begins Sept. 4.

This program is funded by the NCC Foundation, with significant support from the Dalio Foundation.

For information, contact the NCC Academic Enrichment and First-Year Program at 203-857-3380.


LAW OFFICE OF PETER D. HOFFMAN, P.C.

200 Katonah Avenue Katonah, NY 10536(914) 232-2242

Peter D. Hoffman, Esq. Jamie Mattice, Esq. Catherine Laney, Esq.www.pdhoffmanlaw.com

www.peterhoffmanlaw.com

Special Education Law Our law firm represents special needs children and their parents. All children with special needs have the right to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). Unfortunately, receiving it may be a struggle.

At The LAW OFFICE OF PETER D. HOFFMAN, P.C. located in Katonah, N.Y., we work with the laws concerning students, schools, and parents in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and the District of Columbia. We can help you navigate through the perplexity of special education law.

Our firm has succeeded in assisting families place their children in special education school district programs and therapeutic private school programs that can serve the needs of special education students, and a FAPE at the expense of the school district. Furthermore, we can help you try to obtain attorneys fees when we have been successful in litigation.

We have worked with families and children with a wide range of educational and emotional disorders. Now is the time to prepare for PPT and CSE meetings and develop the proper IEP.

Please contact us to learn about your and your child’s rights.

This is not intended as legal advice. This does not create or constitute an attorney-clientrelationship, or an offer to establish such a relationship. No attorney-client relationship can be established without a fully executed professional services agreement andretainer signed by both the attorney and the client.

FREE IN-OFFICE INITIAL CONSULTATION

Mr. Hoffman is licensed in NY, NJ and DC [email protected]. Mattice is licensed in NY and CT [email protected]. Laney is licensed in NY [email protected]

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It’s About Enriching Lives”Registration Dates

August 11th5-7pm

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Master ClassesFree Trial Classes2014-2015 Fall Schedule

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203-268-1200838 Main Street • Monroe

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Small Class Size3 Spacious Studios

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Athletic injuries in children

by Dr. Robert F. Weiss

In many cases, there is a predisposition for injuries that occur in adolescent athletes. The following list mentions some telltale signs that may help to prevent future inju-ries in a child:

• The child tends to stumble or even trip while walking or running

• One shoulder is lower than the other• The hips are asymmetrical when walk-

ing or running• The knees point inward or outward

rather than straight ahead•The feet turn in or out while walking or

running•There is an early heel-off with all the

weight going to the ball of the foot• When the child stands, the arches are

very high or extremely flat• The child complains of night cramps

that wake him or her in the night or muscle spasms in the feet and legs

• The child has noticeable hammertoes, bunions or bony enlargements in the fore-foot or rear foot

• The wear pattern on the child’s shoes appears to be worn down on the outside or inside

If some, or even a few, of these signs are

present, the child should be professionally evaluated, as prevention is the best form of treatment.

The group of pre-teens and teens who play two or more sports are a great cause of concern, as there is a greater chance of overuse injuries. There is also a greater chance of injury to the epiphysis, or growth center of bone. Injury to the epiphysis of the heel, knee or hip can cause a distur-bance in the bone formation. The growing pains of children are, at times, due to the pain of the apophyseal (heel growth plate) injury.

Many of the gait abnormalities can be helped by stretching and strengthen-ing exercises, conditioning programs, ice therapy, cross training and biomechanical orthotic shoe inserts, which should control the problem and allow the child to continue with his or her respective sport.

Dr. Robert F. Weiss is a sport podiatrist and was a member of the Medical Advisory Committee of the 1984 and 1988 Olympic marathon trials. He has a practice in Darien, The Foot & Ankle Institute of Darien. More info: therunningdoctor.net

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Students learn lessons each day. While many of these les-sons pertain to their coursework, kids pick up much more than book smarts from school. School is where kids first learn to cultivate friendships and build lasting relationships.

In addition to a new curriculum, new teachers and new schedules, kids also might make new friends once a school year begins. While some familiar faces carry through from grade to grade, chances are youngsters will meet new students who will soon become good friends. While many find it easy to make new friends, others might need some assistance so they can make the most of opportunities to socialize and form friendships that might last a lifetime.

• Offer opportunities for socialization. Children should be given the opportunity to explore friendships outside of the classroom where peer pressure might not be so prevalent. Establish a carpool or invite a classmate over for a play date. Unstructured time to play or get to know each other is a great way to establish friendships. Invite new children over each time to see which friendships are the strongest, but make sure you are not pushing a friendship on your child.

• Discover common interests. One of the quickest ways to build friendships is through common interests, says Kirk Martin, a behavioral therapist and author. Encourage your child to join a club or sports group where he or she can meet other kids with similar interests. Sometimes finding reasons to talk other children is the most difficult step to making new friends. Sharing a common interest removes this barrier.

• Teach proper manners. Children who are polite, well-mannered and know how to follow direction are better equipped to attract friends. Children who misbehave may be shunned by other kids and their parents who do not want the hassle of an unruly youngster coming over to play. Respectful children who are honest, trustworthy and capable of sustain-ing eye contact and making small talk may find it easy to make friends.

• Take the friendship lead. As parents, you can improve your child’s chances of making friends by getting friendly with

their classmates’ parents. You do not have to become bosom buddies with everyone, but making connections with fellow parents can reinforce the value of friendship to your children. Socializing as families also presents other opportunities to get together and solidify relationships.

• Boost confidence levels. As a parent you can talk to your children about their strengths and positive attributes. Emphasizing kids’ best traits will increase their self-esteem,

and that sense of self-worth can make it easier for them to make friends. A child who is shy and insecure may retreat when meeting new people, but a child who can proudly stand behind his or her accomplishments may attract friends easily.

School is about more than just hitting the books. It’s also a prime opportunity for kids to develop their personal skills and make new friends.

Children who spend time with youngsters who share similar interests may be more likely to develop lasting friendships.


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Even though summer is only halfway over, parents and their students may be nervous — or excited — about making the transition from elementary to middle school, or middle school to high school. Either way, there may be some uncertainty with exactly what to expect as each transition takes stu-dents to a new level of responsibility and expectations.

To help ease these transitions, and for a limited time, Successful Study Skills 4Students (S4) is making available two complimentary e-books to help parents and their students navigate the next, important step. “Successfully Transitioning to Middle School” and “Successfully Transitioning to High School” are free to download at S4StudySkills.com.

Each guide offers insight into the key skills and tools that are essential for a

smooth transition, and posi-tive academic outcomes.

The evidence-based strategies are adapted from S4’s study-skills workshops, which are running in Fairfield, Hartford and Westchester coun-ties this summer. The workshops offer a more in-depth approach to study-ing, note taking, time man-agement, project management, and self-advocacy.

Sue Pratt, a Ridgefield mother of three, said she saw a “sea shift” in the caliber of work that local schools expected from her kids when they moved up a level from

elementary to middle school, and then again to high school. In particular, Pratt said that having study skills is essential for easing the transition jitters.

Educators agree that moving up into mid-

dle or high school rank among the most difficult transition points in a student’s career.

In publishing the transitioning e-books, S4 draws not only from its experience working with more than 1,800 students, but also on its profes-sional development and parenting programs.

S4 partners with public, indepen-dent, charter and parochial schools to offer “an accessible, logical and easy-to-implement study skills

system.” The program is specifically designed and customizable to dovetail with all school and student curriculum.

For more information about S4 and the free e-books, contact them 203-307-5455, [email protected], or S4StudySkills.com.

Ease transitions

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SAINTGABRIELSCHOOL

REGISTER TODAY

Educating all children, including those with special needs,because EVERY child deserves a quality education.

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Some of the goals of school uniforms is to unify students and reduce the distractions they face in the classroom. Uniforms also make it easier to identify students of a particular school or grade level, which can add to the sense of security parents feel when sending their young-sters off to school each morning.

Supporters of school uniforms also tout their cost savings. Rather than having to purchase numerous pieces of clothing for the school year, uniforms allow parents to pick up a few staples that stay constant throughout the school year. But school uniforms are not free, although there are ways for savvy moms and dads to save money when purchas-ing uniforms for their kids.

Be an active parent As with any other school-related decision, uniform brand selec-

tion may be governed by school officials and parent volunteers. Uniforms that are commissioned from a particular company may be more expensive than uniforms that are widely available in many retail chains. Involved parents can help shape many important decisions at their kids’ schools, including which uniforms students wear. Petition for lower-price uniform providers or uniforms that can be bought at area stores. The students still will look cohesive, and families can save money in the process.

Shop sales Keeping costs down on clothing means watching for sales.

Uniforms may not go on sale as often as more popular clothing, but that doesn’t mean sales are nonexistent. Stores may discount unforms during slow times, such as October, when school is already in session and items must be moved to make room for the following school year. They also may run specials on seasonal items, such as long-sleeved shirts at the end of the winter. Consider buying in bulk when sales are announced to offset uniform costs for the rest of the year.

Accept hand-me-downsBecome friendly with other parents and students who attend the

same school. Older students who have outgrown their uniforms can

pass them down to younger students. This can save parents sig-nificant amounts of money on new uniforms.

Sign up for school blogs or social media groups so that you can chat with other parents and arrange for clothing swaps. Other families may be looking to clear out supplies of older uniforms and will offer them at low or no cost. Area thrift and consignment shops also may have some of the local school uniforms in stock. Don’t over-look these stores as you look to trim costs. Buy only what is needed.

Resist the temptation to buy multiple uniforms so that kids can wear a fresh outfit every day. Many uniform pieces can be mixed and matched to extend the life of the tops and bot-toms and reduce the need to purchase multiples of each item. Instead, buy only two to three shirts and slacks and wash as needed. While you may spend more time in the laundry room, your bottom line will be a little more robust.

Find out if it is acceptable for students to accessorize uniforms with their own cloth-ing. For example, do they need to purchase a school sweater or can they wear one from home over the uniform? Mixing in added wardrobe pieces is another way to extend the lifespan of uniforms.

Buy a size up Again, this is where sewing skills can be

helpful. Purchase uniforms slightly larger so that kids will get more use out of them through the years. Waists and hemlines can be let out as needed when children grow.

Most private and parochial schools in Fairfield County will let you know where to purchase their uniforms and many use the site, schooluniformz.com.


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fall education 2014 - eastern edition

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