The nicer weather means it's a good time to familiarize yourself with Backyard & Garden Safety, Preschooler Street Safety and the number of outdoor Plants That Are Poisonous to children.

According to the Centers for Poison Control, a child is accidentally poisoned every 30 seconds. More than 90% of all poisonings occur at HOME. Each year thousands of children are poisoned by common household products such as insect sprays, cleaners, paints, bleach, perfumes and plants. To learn about more common hazards visit poisonprevention.org.

Be safe and enjoy the sunshine!
Jennifer@sbfamilies.com

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Use the PARENT PLANNER to keep you updated with all the family events, school holidays and more!

SCHOOL CALENDARS -- CLASSES & SPORTS

April is Autism Awareness Month!

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first 3 years of life. It is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a "spectrum disorder" that affects every child differently. Autism is diagnosed 1 in 166 children, affecting 4 times as many boys than girls. During the month of April, there are events that raise awareness and money for Autism. 

The Northwest Louisiana Autism Chapter is hosting an Autism Awareness Walk April 17th for Camp Rainman, a camp for Autistic children. 

Article provided by LearningRx of Shreveport and Bossier.

As a parent, you do everything you can to provide health, vision and dental care for your children, but what can you do about evaluating and cultivating their core mental skills? We all know how important it is for children to receive a good education. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, some children struggle to learn. Even stronger performing students may take longer to do homework than ideal and may not be living up to their full potential.

Why?

Why, despite our nation's best efforts, are so many children under performing in our schools? Although there has been limited improvement on many fronts, the problem persists. Given all the resources that have been allocated for teacher training, testing, reading programs, tutoring and curriculum, it seems there must be a missing link that traditional approaches are not addressing. Improving student learning capacity holds the potential of addressing this missing link.

EDUCATION = TEACHING X LEARNING   read more>>>

Additional Parent Tip Articles about Kids Learning Strategies:

• Making Smart Kids Smarter
• Raising Your Child's IQ
• Build Your Child's Brain Skills Without Breaking Your Budget

April means LEAP and GEE testing for students in the 4th, 8th, 10th & 11th grades.

Each year, Louisiana requires that children in specific grades to take standardized tests.  These tests measure how well a student has mastered the state content standards that are taught.  The Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP) is administered at grades 4 and 8 and measures whether these students have adequate knowledge and skills to progress to the next grade.  The Graduation Exit Examination (GEE), administered at grades 10 and 11, requires high school students to exhibit sufficient knowledge and skills to be eligible for a high school diploma.   

For more information, click here for a PDF about the process and purpose of both tests.

LEAP and GEE testing schedule: These tests will be given in 2 phases this year. It is the same test; however, it is divided into two testing times. Dividing the testing dates should allow districts to receive results about 10 days earlier on May 18, giving administrators more time to plan for summer remediation.

4th & 8th Grade Testing Schedule:
Phase 1: COMPLETED writing and math constructive response sections.
Phase 2: April 12-15 English/Language Arts - April 12; Mathematics - April 13; Science - April 14; Social Studies - April 15

10th & 11th High School GEE Testing Schedule
Phase 1:
10th Grade: COMPLETED writing and math constructive response sections. 11th grade 11th 11th Grade: COMPLETED science and social studies constructive sections.
Phase 2: April 12-15  
10th Grade: English/Language Arts - April 12; Mathematics - April 13
11th Grade: Science - April 14; Social Studies - April 15

Last year, 24 percent of fourth-graders did not pass the LEAP test in the spring and were eligible for summer school. 25 percent of eighth-graders did not pass the test.  Here are some tips you can do to help prepare your students at home!

Elementary/Middle School Students:

• Make sure your child is at school on time on testing dates
• Schedule a reading time for your child in a quiet place every day.
• Learn a new word with your child daily.
• Practice math facts together to develop speed.
• Get your child into a regular sleep routine.
• Create a calm home environment which will allow your child to "show what he or she knows" on the test.
• Encourage your child to do his or her best on the test.

High School Students:

• Homework counts - make sure your student does his/her homework every day.
• Practice math skills by applying those skills to real-life situations.
• Expect your student to expand his/her vocabulary daily.
• Schedule time for your student to read every day.
• Create a calm home environment which will allow your student to "show what he/she knows" on the test.
• Encourage your child to do his or her best on the test.