HERSAM ACORN NEWSPAPERS

Special Section to: The Valley Gazette

The Stratford Star

The Milford Mirror

The Trumbull Times

Faireld Sun

Shelton Herald

The Monroe Courier

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

Common questions about seeking tutoring support

by Melissa Ezarik
It may begin with a bad report card,
a call from the teacher or tears during
homework. In Michele Isenbergs experience 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 its completely
against human nature to be lazy, defiant 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.
Thats a big reason to seek academic
support sooner rather than later. Here
are experts answers to common questions parents have about private tutoring
for struggling students.
Q: Where do I find a tutor?
Google Connecticut tutoring and
theres 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 operates 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 services, 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 hiring a tutor.
There are centers such as Kumon,
Sylvan Learning and the Tutoring Club;

Continued on page 5

 Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

July 31, 2014

Combines gamification with life skills

with more than 100 games and chalThe newly published book, The
SMART Playbook: Game-Changing Life
lenges to choose from. The result: A
Skills for A Modern World, by Suzanne
happy and confident child thriving in a
M. Wind, has become one of those
modern world.
must have resource for parents to keep
Before kids, Wind was an internaaround the house to help them impart to tional marketing executive in New York
their kids the art of social graces.
City. With a multi-cultural background,
Aimed at teaching children confishe was raised in more than six coundence, integrity and empathy, the book
tries with four languages. Her career and
is chock-full of some
living overseas taught her
game-changing life skills
the importance of knowthat every child needs to
ing and using the common
know so as to truly underlanguage of manners and
stand the rules and know
social skills to being your
how to gracefully play the
best, she said. Today, she
game of life in this modis a mom with a mission,
ern world.
inspired to communicate
Five of the SMART topsocial skills in a modern
ics covered in the book,
world to a new generation.
and designed to help chilArguing that the world
dren succeed, include:
is changing faster than
Suzanne Wind
Social skill basics:
ever before has led Wind
The principles of modern
to believe parents and
manners
children are busier today than ever,
Mealtime manners: A guide to
and as a result, technology has and will
mealtime etiquette
continue to present new challenges they
Art of conversation: Eloquent face- must face.
to-face conversational skills
But with all the texting, emailing
Restaurant behavior: The finer
and posting, are children developing
points of restaurant conduct
the social skills that will be required for
Technology talk: Internet safety and lifelong happiness, confidence and sucresponsible usage
cess? she questioned, but added, Thats
The gamification methods included where The SMART Playbook comes into
in The SMARTPlaybook will help chilthe picture.
dren ages 6-12 gain confidence, characThe book is available as one complete
ter, integrity and empathy in face-to-face book or by topic only. It is available at
situations and technology usage, said
thesmartplaybook.com or Amazon.com.
Wind, a Connecticut mom of three,
For a limited time only, receive 20% off
who considers the book a must have
when ordering directly from the website;
for families, especially those with young use the code summerspecial.
children.
More info: 203-992-1146,
As the creator of The SMART
thesmartplaybook@gmail.com, or
Playbook, Wind said the book comes
thesmartplaybook.com

 July 31, 2014

Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

 Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

Students learn many important lessons

while in middle school and high school.
Assignments get progressively more difficult,
and they grow accustomed to being independent 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 lockers during high school or middle school. As
elementary school students, kids use classroom 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 different 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 lockers 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 garbage and old projects. Students should not
use their lockers to store items they dont

July 31, 2014

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

need for school. That only takes away space

for the stuff kids do need for class.
Group according to schedule. In addition to employing a color-coding system, students 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 assignments 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.

Please
contact us at: admin@greatmontessori.com or call 203-254-8208

 Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

July 31, 2014

Academic SOS

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.
Continued from page 1
The tutor should be able to show measurable that is,
services such as Club Z! Tutoring that match families with
quantifiable results, added Mokris.
in-home tutors; and then full-time private tutors (certiQ: What kind of time commitment must we make?
fied and not) and teachers who tutor on the side, mainly
The answer will depend on the program, Bartoli said of
through word-of-mouth.
Sylvans approach.
One-on-one tutoring, though more expensive, is useful
In Markuss experience, twice a week is the minimum
with certain learning disabilities and for students who do
needed. I know that families are very busy nowadays, and
well with adaptive learning techniques, where the tutor
kids have a lot going on after school. However, the students
responds immediately to student needs, tailoring the learnneed to get the message from their parents that education is
ing experience appropriately, said Mokris.
a first priority, she said.
Centers usually offer a group learning approach.
Avoid places that insist on an up-front commitment of
Students work at their own pace and independently at least
several hours of tutoring or more, Stewart said. At least one
part of the time. When able to complete an exercise on
session with no further financial commitment, to make sure
their own, they can finish with a unique sense of accomthe child and tutor click, is a good idea.
plishment that only comes from doing it yourself Mokris
Q: How will I know when progress is made?
said.
Check in regularly with teachers at school to see how
Q: How can you help my child?
new skills are crossing over into the classroom, Bartoli
Every childs tutoring needs are different, said Peter
said. Because Sylvan students work through their lessons
Bartoli, director of Sylvan Learning of Southbury, one of
on iPads, parents can access progress on an online portal.
seven Sylvan centers in Connecticut. There, an assessment
Children can also be encouraged to share how they feel
test pinpoints strengths and needs. Figuring out what a
theyre doing in school and at tutoring.
child knows and doesnt know about a particular topic
Many tutors will want to have regular communication
helps Sylvan create the most effective tutoring plan with
with teachers about progress both inside and outside the
clear goals and objectives, Bartoli said.
classroom.
Mokris advises approaching a potential service with
Q: How can I support my child at home?
information from your childs teacher on what exactly is
Dont underestimate the power of positive reinforcehappening, and whether its happening with one subject or
ment. Applaud your childs efforts and accomplishments as
more, with one test or more.
youre informed of tutoring successes, celebrating improveAt Tutoring Club, with locations in Ridgefield and
ments in a special way, Bartoli said. Also remark how the
Stamford, after an initial discussion with the parent and
tutoring is really helping in mastering new skills.
testing, an individualized plan that works for the family
Encourage believing they can overcome obstacles and
gets created, said Maria Markus, owner of both locations.
learn something new, even when its a challenge, Mokris
And at Wise Learning, the approach is to figure out how
said. Dont ever underestimate the value of inspiring chila child learns, fill in the foundation holes that have develdren toward a goal and working toward it with them.
oped and custom design a set of skills and strategies based
on learned style and personality for a lifetime of learning
Melissa Ezarik is a Stratford-based writer and managing
success, said Isenberg. The plans also address executive
editor of a national education magazine.
function skills such as time management and note-taking
that may not be taught in schools.

EducationBriefs
When dinosaurs roamed the CT earth
On 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 donna.kingston@ct.gov.

Back-to-school supply drive in Valley

The call has been sent out again this year: Back-toschool 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, rulers, pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, binders, glue,
crayons, calculators, pencil sharpeners, paper, and
folders. Supplies are collected for all school-aged children 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.

 Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

July 31, 2014

Start2Finish@NCC:

Norwalk Community College is helping students finish 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. Theyll 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.

Norwalk Community College has a new initiutive, Start2Finish@NCC

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Bridgeport studio now open!
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Registration for classes:

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August 30 10 am to 2 pm
or by appointment

newenglandballetschool.com
200 Boston Post Road Suite #8 Orange, CT

6
LOCATIONS

 Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

July 31, 2014

Research shows that students who successfully complete the first semester of college 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 countries in the world, it now lags behind
other nations in the percentage of college
graduates. President Obama has asked the
nations 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 fulltime freshmen.
On the first day of class, freshman students will be matched with coaches to help
them navigate the academic and social transition 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 academic 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, assignments 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.

Its About More than Dance...

Its About Enriching Lives

Registration Dates

Fall Classes
Jazz
Ballet/Pointe/Pre-Pointe
Break Dancing/Hip Hop
Musical Theatre
Contemporary
Rhythm Tap
Acro
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Lyrical
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Modern (Graham-based)

August 11th
5-7pm

August 12th
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at registration
Classes begin Sept. 15th
Limited Spaces Available!

On-going
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Small Class Size
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Sprung Dance Floors
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Pre-School Programs
Mornings & Afternoons
Mommy & Me
Yoga Play
Pre-Acro
Pre-Dance

2014-2015 Fall Schedule

Dance Birthday Parties

Master Classes
Free Trial Classes

www.MonroeDance.com

203-268-1200

MONROE DANCE ACADEMY

838 Main Street Monroe

LAW OFFICE OF
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200 Katonah Avenue Katonah, NY 10536

(914) 232-2242

Peter D. Hoffman, Esq. Jamie Mattice, Esq. Catherine Laney, Esq.

www.pdhoffmanlaw.com
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Our law firm represents special needs children and their parents. All children with special needs have the right to a free and appropriate public
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At The LAW OFFICE OF PETER D. HOFFMAN, P.C. located in Katonah, N.Y., we work with the laws concerning students, schools, and
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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.

 Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

July 31, 2014

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 injuries 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 walking 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 forefoot or rear foot
The wear pattern on the childs shoes
appears to be worn down on the outside or
inside
If some, or even a few, of these signs are

Bunny Village

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 disturbance 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 strengthening 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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 Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

July 31, 2014

Students learn lessons each day. While many of these lessons 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, wellmannered 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 sustaining eye contact and making small talk may find it easy to
make friends.
Take the friendship lead. As parents, you can improve
your childs chances of making friends by getting friendly with

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

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. Its also
a prime opportunity for kids to develop their personal skills
and make new friends.

 Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

10

July 31, 2014

Ease transitions

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 students 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 positive academic outcomes.

The evidence-based
strategies are adapted
from S4s study-skills
workshops, which are
running in Fairfield,
Hartford and
Westchester counties this summer.
The workshops offer
a more in-depth
approach to studying, note taking, time management, project management, and selfadvocacy.
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

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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 students
career.
In publishing the transitioning ebooks, S4 draws not only from its
experience working with more than
1,800 students, but also on its professional development and parenting
programs.
S4 partners with public, independent, 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,
info@s4studyskills.com, or S4StudySkills.
com.

 Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

July 31, 2014

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 youngsters 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 purchasing uniforms for their kids.

Be an active parent
As with any other school-related decision, uniform brand selection 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 doesnt 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-downs
Become friendly with other parents and students who attend the
same school. Older students who have outgrown their uniforms can

11

pass them down to younger students. This can save parents significant 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. Dont overlook 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 bottoms 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 clothing. 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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Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

July 31, 2014