Gloom Changes to Glee

As Central Starts School    

By Pat Friedrich

It’s that time of year again.   The kids may have been feeling a little sad that summer is over. But gloom quickly gives way to glee as they meet new teachers, connect with old and new friends, and maybe even enter a new (or newly-renovated) school building.

Yes, Central’s students have headed back to school.

The students aren’t the only ones feeling excited.   Teachers and principals have spent their summer planning and getting everything ready.   All agree that this year is off to a great start!

 

Positive Behavior Rules

Bellingrath Elementary School is in year two of their Positive Behavior Support (PBS) program. Students “caught” being good during the day receive Top Cat Cash dollars redeemable at the Top Cat Cash store.

 

Good behavior also earns an invitation to PBS parties every six weeks.   The “CATS” Positive Expectations are: Come Prepared; Act Responsibly; Target Success; and Show Respect for All.

During the upcoming school year, students at Tanglewood Elementary School will all have the opportunity to view science in a whole new way.   With the help of a fully equipped science lab and a certified science teacher, every student will experience science through exciting hands-on labs and lessons.   Full time science lab instructor, Cyndi Farris is busy writing innovative lesson plans that are sure to peak the interest of every junior scientist.

Rockin’ Reader

As one of four Louisiana schools selected to participate in the Rockin' Reader program, Central Intermediate School is striving to build a reading culture throughout their campus.  

 

Rockin’ Reader is a national literacy program started by the Cracker Barrel Restaurant Corporation in 2008. With Central Intermediate School added to its list of partner schools, Rockin’ Reader now operates in 225 elementary schools in 29 states.   Its goal is to encourage volunteers to visit elementary schools and read with children.

 

Cracker Barrel has donated two double-rocking chairs, a bookcase shaped like a barrel, and thirty hardcover books.

 

Central Intermediate School is encouraging everyone to volunteer in making the Rockin’ Reader program a success.   Librarian Cindy Blanchard says, “Our goal is to have over 150 volunteer reading hours this year.”   If you would like to volunteer to “Rock and Read,” please call Blanchard at 261-1390, or email her at cblanchard@centralcss.org

 

Central Intermediate’s focus on reading also includes parents. Prime Time Family Reading Time is another reading grant, funded through the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.  

 

Prime Time is a unique six-week humanities-based program of reading, discussion, and storytelling.   Its emphasis is on the importance of families reading together to discuss significant cultural and ethical themes. Created in 1991 by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, this family literacy program empowers parents and guardians to help their children enjoy reading and improve their reading abilities.

Things are rolling along this year for the students at Central Middle School. In addition to twenty-five new computers, the school has also added four rolling labs.   Each lab holds twenty-four laptop computers.  

In addition, the school is continuing its focus on literacy through the nationally acclaimed Accelerated Reader(AR) Program. The AR program lets teachers monitor both the quantity and quality of their students’ reading.

 

Looking Good

Central High School has gotten a new facelift.   Most of the high school has been renovated.   The school received new lighting, air conditioning, heating and new flooring.   “The renovations have not only made our school look better, but they made it a safer school,” says an excited Principal Bob Wales.

 

Five Helpful Tips For  

Easing Back Into School

 

Tip #1 – A Nutritious Breakfast

Although frozen waffles and toaster treats are fast and fine occasionally, there are better options that include a mix of protein, carbs, and fat that kids need to focus and stay full.   Experts suggest easy to-fix food like a bagel with cream cheese or a peanut butter and banana sandwich if there are no peanut allergies.

 

Tip #2- Get a Good Night’s Sleep

According to one of the National Institutes of Health, plenty of sleep for school age kids means up to at least nine hours for elementary school kids, and eight for high school kids, Sleep is essential for kids to feel well and do well.

 

Tip #3- Maintain a Routine

Make sure your child wakes up early enough for school to arrive well ahead of time. Before your children go to bed each night, make sure to help them lay out their clothes for the next day.   Spend time each day helping your child prepare a “to do” list for tomorrow. By doing this, your child will know exactly what tasks he or she will need to accomplish the next day.

 

Tip #4- Create an Effective Study Area

It may be a bedroom, home office, or as is often the case, a designated “homework zone” in the kitchen, dining or family room. But whatever the space, it should be visually appealing, properly furnished and lit and as distraction-free as humanly possible.

Tip #5- Ease Anxieties

Talk to your kids about what to expect, emphasizing the positives.  And, be sure to stay tuned in throughout the year. Make sure you keep the dialogue going.   If you notice anything that's different in their behaviour; make sure you ask, “What happened today?  Is there something bothering you?”