hudson

Whether your children are in the Hudson School District or the Akron School District, Middle School is a difficult time for kids because it is a big adjustment.

The grammar stage of the elementary school child begins to give way to the logic stage of their learning by the middle school years. Your child cannot be satisfied with parroting facts and figures anymore without questioning the logic behind it.  These are very fun years as parents because our children are beginning to question our knowledge and our answers to the questions they ask.  Taking that into consideration, they still need our help in school and will seek help from us and from teachers alike.

What can you do at this stage to help them prepare for high school and beyond?

Here is a list to help your middle schooler achieve her/his potential.

1. Make sure they have a place to study, keep materials handy, and have a comfortable chair and lighting available to them. Some children prefer having a quiet space, while others do not mind doing their homework on the kitchen table. Ask them their preference.
2. Labeled folders for all their classes where they can keep materials organized is imperative. Homework, handouts, and quizzes, and tests should be kept in that folder.  They can use them as study guides later in the year.
3. A planner where they can keep their assignments’ due dates is so important for them. Make sure they write when homework due on their planners as the teacher assigns them. Forgetting it at the bottom of their backpack won’t help them at all, ask them to use it
4. Time management. If they have a 10-page paper to write and is due in three weeks, what can they do?  Ask them and make sure they do a bit every day. It will ensure that the paper will be done and ready by the time is due. Begin by taking a trip to the library to check out books to research the topic, ask them to read about it, and then begin writing an outline. A bit of writing every day will make it easier and less daunting for them, and perhaps they will start understanding the power of preparation.
5. Regardless of what their assignment is for the day, ask them to read. Remember that the more they read, the more they know.

I hope this list gives you, and your child a starting point to develop better skills to succeed in their middle school years and beyond.

The end of summer is fast approaching, school supply lists have been released, and you’re on the hunt for the best deals on back to school items for your kids. These days, just equipping your kids for the first day can be overwhelming, but with a few cost-cutting tips, you can save yourself money while providing great things for the upcoming school year.

1. Be prepared.

Go over your list of needs and be careful of what “wants” get added to the list by your child or teen. Better yet, give your older student a back to school budget, and have him or her work out how to use the allotted money to purchase the needed items. Do your research to find what items are on sale at which stores, and don’t shy away from shopping several different stores if needed.

2. Shop the sales.

It almost goes without saying, but August is the best time to by any school supplies. Stock up for the year on pens, paper, notebooks, crayons, etc. Staples, Office Depot, Wal-mart and Target are retailers that will have great prices now. In addition to great sales, you can also take advantage of other store loyalty programs such as Staples Rewards (5% off most purchases), Target RedCard (5% off) and Target Cartwheel offers. Target will also have store coupons that you can “stack” to get the most for your money. For example, purchase $30 in school supplies or backpacks and get a $5 gift card.

3. Go through all clothes and shoes before shopping for new ones.

With your child, go through all items in the closet and dresser. Donate any items that are too small or that your child no longer wears. Toss out any that are too old or beat up to be useful to anyone. Then make a list with your child of items that you’re searching for on your clothes shopping trip. It may help to do a little online window shopping in advance to see what stores have the best prices and styles for your budget.

4. Accept help if needed.

If finances are really tight, there are places in Akron, Ohio to get some free school supplies. St. Mary Catholic Church offers free school supplies to low-income students in the Hudson City School District, and Catholic Charities Community Services of Summit County provides supplies free of charge for students up to 8th grade and living in Summit County.

On Saturday, August 20, 2016, the John S. Knight Center hosts the Summit for Kids Family Expo with free admission, fun and educational activities, free back to school supplies and more.

Don’t let the stress of back-to-school shopping get to you. Team up with your student to have a plan of attack and enjoy the extra time together before another school year begins.