2013 Education

JULY

HERSAM ACORN NEWSPAPERS

Special Section to: The Valley Gazette

The Stratford Star

The Milford Mirror

The Amity Observer

The Trumbull Times

Faireld Sun

The Shelton Herald

The Monroe Courier

The Easton Courier

To be, or not to be

an actor

Photos courtesy Performing Arts Center of Connecticut

How performing arts schools can help

by Julie Butler
Do you have a budding thespian in your
household, a child with a burning desire and a
passion to be on the stage, television and/or the
silver screen? Although participating in their
school or communitys theatrical productions
can certainly help them explore their perfoming abilities, you might want to also consider
enrolling him/her in a performing arts acting
program at a local studio so that they can hone
and harness their talent under the supervision

of professional actors.
Its important for aspiring actors to be part of
productions, as this is part of the process of the
craft, Catherine Lachioma, executive director
of the Performing Arts Center of Connecticut in
Trumbull, said. Just as crucial is taking classes
... what you learn through scene study, improvisation, diction, monologues, and interaction
with fellow students and instructors can then
be applied to your roles for each character and
performance. As in all things, there is a process
for learning, practice and application that make
for a more sound, versatile and secure actor.
Acting is an important part of the holistic
theater education offered at the PACC. The
learning and creative process never stops at
PACC, Lachioma said.
The faculty encompasses educated professionals who are active in the theater business,
as well as being passionate about teaching eager
young thespians their craft. PAW (Performing
Artists Workshop) combines acting, voice and
musical theater dance training in a fall and
spring session that culminate in informal performances for family and friends for students
ages 7 through high school who are striving for
the triple threat status. For the more single-

Making Every Day A Good Day !

Since 1955, St. Vincents Special Needs Services
has been educating individuals
with significant developmental
disabilities and complex
medical needs.
This is our speciality.
And, with nearly 60 years
of experience, we have
continued to evolve
and to create unique
individual learning
opportunities for
our students.

minded focus, PACCs acting

classes are held on Tuesday evenings and present monologue
and scene studies at the end of
their sessions.
The Performing Arts
Conservatory of New Canaan,
now in its 10th year, also offers
experiences and programs that
introduce children of all ages and
builds proficiencies, life skills
and appreciation of the performing arts, according to Ed
Libonati, owner, whose wife,
Melody founded the studio
and is its director.
Melody Libonati has performed lead roles on Broadway,
regional theaters, TV and radio,
written music for childrens TV
shows, and created children performance programs.
All conservatory instructors are
experienced teachers and skilled
professional performing art-

Other local performing arts

programs include:
Curtain Call, Stamford; 203-329-8207
Music Theatre of Connecticut,
Westport; 203-434-3883
The Studio of Performing Arts,
New Canaan; 203-966-7056
Wire Mill Academy,
Georgetown/Redding;
203-544-9494

Performing Arts on page 11

Call 203-375-6400

for more information or

to visit our program.

www.StVincentsSpecialNeeds.org

 Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

July 25, 2013

Enhancing communication and socialization through music and art

by Karen Nisenson, MM, MA, MT-BC
Why are music and art the best vehicles of
communication between people who dont
speak the same language or between people
who dont speak at all? Music is processed by
the whole brain and the emotional system
simultaneously, and requires no cognitive work
in order to participate in an interactive experience.
Arts for Healing a nonprofit organization based in New Canaan, serving clients with
emotional, physical, developmental, and social
needs throughout Fairfield and Westchester
counties has been providing therapeutic
experiences and adaptive music lessons since
2000 with this fact in mind. Socialization
groups for various age groups are now offered,
in which children and teens may explore creative expression while enhancing social skills in
the most natural way.
In a comfortable, nurturing environment,
language is facilitated using an improvisational
approach to music making, one in which every
individuals part is incorporated into the whole,
whether the activity is songwriting, interactive
music making, or playwriting. Motivation for
further interaction is encouraged by fostering
independent thought, creativity and the recognition of ones own ideas as important to the
experience as a whole. Self consciousness and
discomfort are eliminated by the desire to create
something new.
Art activities are added to the program in
order to provide additional channels for verbal
expression. According to parents of children
who participated at Arts for Healing, 100% felt
their childrens self-confidence improved, and
93% had improved their communication skills.
The growing field of research in neurology and
music has increased public awareness of the
need for more arts-based programs. It has been
proven over and over again that music helps
students focus and attention, while improving
academic performance.
All of these opportunities are offered to children, teens and adults. This meaningful socialization experience may be incorporated for a
smoother transition into the greater community.
Fall groups are now being formed in
ArtWorks and MusicWorks. Arts for Healing
also offers individual music therapy, art therapy
and dance/movement therapy as well as adaptive music lessons.
More info: 203-972-2982, artsforhealing.org

Therapist, founder and

director Karen Nisenson
with client Ellen Price. In
back is Gail Donovan from
The Bank of New Canaan.
Left, Participants in Arts for
Healings music making program.

 Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

July 25, 2013

 Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

July 25, 2013

K-12 Open House

Sunday, Nov. 10 at 2:00 p.m.

Mandarin Chinese starting

in Kindergarten

starting this year for all

students in grades 9-12

Committed to Christian values

 Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

July 25, 2013

Free study skills

booklet offered
by Michelle Sagalyn
President and Founder, Successful Study Skills 4 Students
There is no doubt that there are myriad
demands placed upon students these
days. Between new and rigorous academic
goals set forth by the Common Core State
Standards (CCSS), state testing pressures,
concerns over getting into college, requirements of schools, and extracurricular commitments, it is a wonder that students can
even find the time to think.
How can parents do their part to support
and make sure their student is less burdened
by stress and better able to succeed happily
in todays competitive academic landscape?
One answer seems very simple at first
glance perhaps too simple: teach them
study skills. In other words, make sure
that they know how to study, process and
remember what they learn.

This shift will require teachers to learn

new strategies and approaches to teaching,
adds Glass.
Key skills needed to succeed
While teachers are busy organizing lessons
to meet CCSS, they likely will not have the
bandwith to teach basic study skills, if they
ever did before. But imagine how much easier life would be for teachers, students, parents and districts, if students arrived in class
already knowing how to approach, learn and
delve deeper into their studies.
By focusing on key learning methods, processes, and strategies, students can establish
a foundation for high-level thought, greater
retention and deeper understanding of their
academic material. To have the best chance
at success in todays classrooms, students
need a collection of skills, strategies, and sysCommon Core State Standards and
tems, which can be classified into three main
your student: Going deeper
categories.
The Common Core State Standards are
1. Active reading and listening: note-takset of academic goals adopted by 46 state
ing, self-assessment techniques, building on
departments of education and, voluntarily,
knowledge, determining main ideas and supby a number of private and parochial schools porting
across the country. They are shared, measur2. Time management: planning out assignable goals and provide consistency in expec- ments and study time, using a planner, settations for student achievement and prepare ting goals, setting priorities
students for success in college and careers.
3. Executive functioning: breaking down
The goals are ambitious; they set an intenlarge tasks into smaller pieces, self-evaluation for students to become adept at critical tion, choosing the right strategy for the task
thinking and analysis.
at hand, making decisions
The CCSS are not a curriculum, nor do
When practiced, good study skills can lead
they require or provide curriculum. What,
to better:
specifically, is taught to reach the aims of
Classroom engagement
the CCSS is left up to teachers and districts.
Preparation for class, tests and projects
However, the standards require students to
Information synthesis
approach their studies in a different way and
Understanding of the material
teachers to teach material in a different way.
Independent learning
For example, students have always been
Learning key study systems provides a
taught that they need to invert before
sturdy scaffold upon which students are able
dividing fractions (for example, 1/2 + 1/4
to build their learning. With practice, these
becomes 1/2 x 4/1). Now, under CCSS, they study methods become habits that provide a
will need to understand and explain the
platform for achieving academic success, and
concepts behind the procedure of inverting, eventually, career goals and opportunities.
says Dr. Bill Glass, deputy superintendent
With a well-equipped toolbox, students are
of schools in Danbury. In other words, they
able to take ownership of their learning and
must be able to explain why inverting is
are more confident, independent, and sucnecessary, rather than simply memorizing the cessful in their academic work and their lives
idea that a fraction must be flipped before
beyond.
it can be divided. This is a different level of
More info: corestandards.org
teaching and learning.

More info: S4StudySkills.com/Upcoming_

Workshops.html

School is out, but that doesnt mean

that parents shouldnt start preparing their student for the next
grade. Both parents and their
students may be nervous about
making the transition from elementary to middle school, or middle
school to high school. Or, perhaps
theyre excited, but just unsure of
what, exactly, to expect. Each transition takes students to a new level of
responsibility and expectations-as well
as great opportunities and experiences.
To help ease these transitions, S4
(Successful Study Skills 4 Students,
LLC, located in Southport) is offering two complimentary e-books:
S4s Successfully Transitioning to
Middle School, and S4s Successfully
Transitioning to High School.. In each
guide, parents and students will learn
about key skills that will help students
succeed in a new school:
Self-advocacy
Active learning
Planning
Time management
Confidence
Responsibility
The strategies are adapted from
S4s study-skills workshops,
which will in July and August in
Connecticut and Westchester counties. The workshops offer a more
in-depth approach to studying,
note-taking, time management,
project management, and selfadvocacy, according to a release.
Parents may download the
free e-books at S4StudySkills.
com.
S4 partners with public,
independent, charter and
parochial schools to offer an
accessible, logical, and easyto-implement study-skills system. The
program is designed to work with all curricula. To date, more than 1,000 students
have participated in the S4 program to
learn valuable skills for better classroom
engagement, increased focus, and better
preparation for class, tests, and projects,
according to a release. In addition to
hosting student workshops, the company
also offers professional development and
parent workshops.

 Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

July 25, 2013

by Julie Butler

As the parent of a rising high school senior

starting his journey on the whole college
admissions process, I am finding it all a tad
daunting. Although I have three older children, one entered the military right out of
high school and the other two applied to nontraditional colleges with a simple admitting
process, so this is really my first time at the
rodeo, as they say, of helping a child apply to
a traditional four-year college.
Exactly what constitutes a good and appealing essay? Should he be sending emails of
thanks for the tour to the prospective colleges he may want to attend? How should he
go about presenting himself in the best possible light to the admission decision-makers?
To help me with these questions and more, I
have decided to go the route of hiring a college consultant.
According to Jed Applerouth, a teacher and
nationally certified counselor, the world of
college admissions is complex; with the high
costs and broad range of choices, the need for
reliable information is more important now
than ever. Parents frequently need help to find
their child a true college fit academically,
socially and financially among the 2,750 or
so four-year colleges in the United States. To
navigate the incredible variety of programs,
academic departments, student services, and
potential financial aid packages available, tens
of thousands of families are seeking the support of independent educational consultants,
he said.
The growth in the field of independent
consulting has been staggering, Applerouth
said. According to the Independent
Educational Consultants Association (IECA),
in 1994 there were scarcely 150 independents in the U.S., and most of them focused
on boarding and day schools. Today there are

FoxBusiness.com. So, if the consultant

charges on the upper end of the spectrum,
thats the bad news. On the other hand, If it
helps your child realize their dreams, then its
easy to have a money is no object mentality,
says Kevin Worthley, a certified financial planner in Rhode Island, who advises clients on
spending for college. But if you have a smart
child who has already proven themselves
capable in school and you dont have the
money, then maybe its not the best decision,
The consultant should have detailed information about his or her background readily
available. Inquire about professional credentials, like the certified educational planner
(CEP) designation, and recognized affiliations,
like membership in the National Association
for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC),
the Higher Education Consultants Association
(HECA) or the Independent Educational
Consultants Association (IECA). These professional membership organizations demand
certain qualifications, including counseling or
cess. My role supplements the work of the
more than 6,000 full-time and 15,000 partadmissions experience and documented colstudents school counselor, who remains an
time independent educational consultants in
lege knowledge and campus visits.
integral and vital part of the college applicathe U.S. and another 3,000 or so working
You and your family are about to make
tion process.
internationally.
a very significant investment in your educaZales, like other college consultants, acts as tion, Zales says to a potential client (the
One such college consultant is Cathy Barton
an objective, unbiased source, and customizes student) of the decision to use a college conZales, a member of NACAC and associate
NCCCs work to the student.
member of IECA. Her firm, Next Chapter
sultant. It is understandable that you not
No consultant can guarantee admission,
College Consulting, is based in New Canaan,
only want but need to make sure that you go
because the decision to admit is in the hands through the process of selecting and applybut she works with students regardless of
of the college, she said. What I can do is
their location.
ing to schools in an informed and intelligent
help students to present themselves in the
Given the high cost of a college educamanner in order to maximize the chances of
tion and the ever-increasing complexity and
best way possible, to demonstrate to admisan outcome that is best for you.
competitive nature of the admissions process, sions committees why they should be admitAnd that maximizing the chances of an
professional guidance is more important than ted.
outcome that is best for your child is a
ever, Zales said. I act as a students profesgood enough reason to use a consultant.
Pros and cons
sional guide, personal resource and chief
It costs money to hire a college consulFor more information on Next Chapter College
cheerleader throughout the college planning,
Consulting, call 203-966-6891, or email Zales at
search, application and decision-making pro- tant and prices can range between $250
cathy@nextchaptercc.com.
and $40,000, according to a report from

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 Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

July 25, 2013

by Melissa Ezarik
With a bachelor of science in finance from
Fairfield University, Jennifer Marchesseault was
a mom of two putting in 40- to 50-hour weeks
in the corporate world which was all the
more challenging because one of her children
requires special education and the other has
faced medical issues.
Juggling childcare and their appointments
became increasingly difficult, so I resigned,
explained Marchesseault, whose family lives in
Milford. Two part-time jobs one at a dentists office and the other in real estate made
managing school meetings and speech and
occupational therapy appointments outside of
school much easier.
But now, Marchessaeault is mulling over
returning to school to complete a certificate
program and enter a new field, something
more lucrative and autonomous than administrative part-time work. The possibilities include
becoming a paraprofessional or pre-K teacher
to marry my work schedule with their school
schedule, she said. Or medical coding, that
would lend itself to part-time in health care, a
growing field and where I already have experience as a business systems analyst. Ive also
thought about becoming an ultrasound tech.
Marchessaeault is hardly alone in being
attracted to the idea of a certificate program.

The marquee programs at Housatonic

Community College in Bridgeport are in
advanced manufacturing, said Public Relations
Certificate Program Links
Coordinator Anson Smith. Launched last
year, the two-certificate program (six months
Fairfield University: fairfield.edu/gradad Sacred Heart University (Fairfield): sacredfor each part) prepares students for positions
mission/ga_programs.html
heart.edu/academics
such as machine operators, computer number
Gateway Community College in New
Southern Connecticut State University:
control operator, assembler or quality control
Haven: gatewayct.edu/Programs-Courses/
southernct.edu/ (certificate listings within
inspector.
Certificate-Programs
each academic school)
Manufacturing is coming back to the
Housatonic Community College in
University of New Haven: newhaven.edu/
United States and to Connecticut, albeit in a
Bridgeport: hcc.commnet.edu (certificate
academics/10836/
high-tech form, Smith said.
listings within each academic school)
Western Connecticut State University:
Housatonic offers 25 certificate programs
Norwalk Community College: ncc.comwcsu.edu/academics/ (listings within each
in business, computer information, criminal
mnet.edu/dept/extstudies/
academic school)
justice, early childhood education, English as
a Second Language, graphics, health careers,
human services, manufacturing, and math/science.
Four-year colleges and universities offer a
of post-secondary credentials in the U.S. In
Community colleges are good places to
variety of certificate programs as well. Fairfield
1980, certificates made up 6% of all post-seccheck out for affordable certificate programs.
ondary awards, but now that number is 22%.
Take Gateway Community College, which has University, for example, has 26 certificate
programs at the graduate and continuing eduIn 2010, one million certificates were awarded, a new campus in downtown New Haven, for
cation levels, spanning the arts and sciences,
up from 300,000 in 1994.
example. There are 46 programs to choose
business, education, engineering, nursing,
Whats the big attraction? Certificate profrom, with fast track certifications through
and other fields, plus non-credit occupational
grams are generally affordable and can be com- the Workforce Development division (offering
pleted in less than a year. There can also be a
continuing education credits and in some cases certificate programs. And through University
College at Sacred Heart University, there are
big return on investment, particularly for those cost nothing, but theyre not always able to
11 certificate options, both for-credit and nonwho choose in-demand fields.
apply toward a higher degree) and traditional
credit.
Certificate holders may even earn more than track programs such as business and early
The intensity and time commitment of local
those with degrees. For example, the study
childhood education (where credits earned
Seeking certificates
certificate programs also varies. At Gateway, for
found that men with certificates earn more
can be applied toward a degree). For us, the
A 2012 Georgetown University Center on
example, some programs require internships or
than 40% of men who have associates degrees hottest programs are connected to the mediEducation and the Workforce study found cer- and 24% of men with bachelors degrees; for
cal and technical industries, said Evelyn Gard, clinicals, and some have online components,
tificate programs to be the fastest growing form women, those numbers are 34% and 24%.
for anytime/anywhere learning and study.
director of public affairs and marketing.

148 Beach Road Fairfield, CT 06824

Preschool and
Elementary
Programs

Please contact us at: greatmontessori@aol.com

or call 203-254-8208
Visit our website at: www.greatmontessori.com

 Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

July 25, 2013

Parents and students who want to

improve grades and classroom performance may want to look to extracurricular
activities. There is evidence that some afterschool activities can actually help promote
better results inside of the classroom
even helping to mediate symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Activities like sports, band, cheerleading,
martial arts, among other extracurriculars,
can promote good feelings about school
and offer lessons that carry over into the
classroom environment, helping students
become more successful.
A study by the U.S. Department of
Education revealed that students who participate in co-curricular activities are three
times more likely to have a grade point
average of 3.0 or better than students who
do not participate in cocurricular activities.
Extracurricular activities also may be
able to correct behaviors associated with
boisterous children or those who have been
diagnosed with a clinical medical condition, such as ADHD. In a study titled, The
Effects of Mixed Martial Arts on Behavior
of Male Children with Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder, researchers found
that a martial arts program two times per
week helped increase the percentage of
completed homework, frequency of following specific classroom rules, improved
academic performance and improved classroom preparation of male children ages 8 to
11 with ADHD.
There is also evidence that simple physi- After school sports can help promote better opportunities for learning. Tracy Scarfi photo
cal activity can promote better opportunities for learning. Studies largely conducted
by the California Department of Education
have found a correlation between physical activity and increased performance.
Physically active youths tend to show
improved attributes such as increased brain
function and nourishment, higher energy/
concentration levels, increased self-esteem,
and better behavior, each of which can help
a student perform better in the classroom.
Beyond this, there are many ways that
extracurricular activities can support
improvements in the classroom.
Most activities promote physical stamina and patience.
Students develop self-esteem and good
Children are able to exert energy in a
A healthy measure of competition is
relationships.
constructive way.
developed.
Students are able to apply theories
Extracurriculars promote good atten Students learn to value teamwork and
learned in the classroom in a real-world
dance
and participation in order to excel.
achieve
a
goal
through
common
values.
context.

Students learn self-motivation.

Students can realize success that is not
measured by test scores.
Many extracurricular activities have
a basis in rules that can keep students in
check.
Students participate in a social setting,
learning through activities that they truly
enjoy.
Its important to note that, in some
instances, too much of a good thing may be
detrimental. If a student is so busy with a
packed schedule of extracurricular activities, he or she may fall behind in school
work. Therefore, its vital to keep a balance
so that students may successfully manage
what goes on inside of school and outside
of school.

T R U M B U L L L OV E S C H I L D R E N
Trumbull Loves Children, Inc (TLC), is one
of Connecticuts best before and afterschool care programs. With locations in
Trumbulls elementary schools, as well as
in our own Fun Zone Center for 4th and 5th
graders, TLCs mission is to provide quality
childcare for Trumbulls working parents.

providing a safe and fun learning environment
for the children of Trumbulls working parents.
Each child and parent is an important part of
our TLC family.

programs designed to meet your
familys busy schedule and childs
needs:

TLC Preschool
Half-Day Preschool
Before Care Program
After School Program (ASP)
Attend 2,3, or 5 days a week

Coming in the fall of 2013 is TLCs

Infant and Toddler Program:

Brand new building
Highly trained staff
TLC Preschool gives families
the option of a full-day or halfday curriculum. TLC Preschool

What does your child do at a TLC
center? Have fun. Socialize. Make
friends. Read a good book. Join
others in a game. Make crafts.
Spend lots of time outside. Get help
with homework. Enjoy a healthy
snack. More importantly - be a
child. TLC centers provide a safe
and caring place for your child.
Throughout the summer TLC is
here for your family. We invite your
child to spend their summer days
at TLC engaged in many activities

places in one our camps:
TLC Pre-School Camp
Camp TLC (age appropriate
camps for children in
kindergarten through 8th grade)

Trumbull Loves Children

| |
TLC accepts applications on-line. Visit us on the
web to learn more:

www.tlctrumbull.com

TLC . . . where children come to learn and play!!!

 Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

July 25, 2013

by Polly Tafrate
Its Sunday evening. Owen asks his mother
where he can find a shoebox.
Why do you need it? she asks.
I need to make a diorama for a book
report, he says. Its due tomorrow.
Kaitlin creeps downstairs after her mother
thinks shes asleep to tell her that she forgot
to study for a spelling test the next day. Aiden
accuses his dad of picking on him when
repeatedly reminded to clean out the gerbil
cage or empty the garbage. I told you, Ill
do it after dinner, he snarls, but he doesnt.
Tomorrow, he promises when prodded
again. But that doesnt happen either.
What are these kids hoping to accomplish by postponing these tasks? Do they
think theyll go away? Or that youll forget to
remind them? Or do they hope that if they
delay doing them long enough youll give in
and do it for them?
If any of this sounds familiar, then youre
living with procrastinators. Theyve learned
how to play for time and substitute something
theyd rather do for a not-so-fun responsibility. Unless channeled, this stalling will become
worse as they get older and add unnecessary
pressure to their lives.
There is no procrastination gene although
it can develop into a personality trait. This is
a learned behavior and one doesnt need to
wander too far from that tree with the falling
apples to discover where they learned it.
It gives kids a wonderful sense of
power, says Rita Emmett, author of The
Procrastinating Child. As they grow, they begin
to learn they have choices, not all of which
are dictated by their parents. Procrastinating
becomes just one way kids express their
dawning sense of independence.
What can you, as a parent, do to help your

Betty is the mother of teens. I used to be a

procrastinator, she says, but not anymore.
Every Sunday she sits down at the kitchen
table and makes three lists on three different
pieces of paper prioritizing what she needs
to accomplish that week. On the A list she
puts things that must be done the next day;
on the B list go the ones that need to be done
within a few days and on the C list are those
that should be accomplished by weeks end.
As she completes each one she takes a Sharpie
marker and crosses it off the list.
Often Ill walk to the other end of the
house just to do that, she says. It gives
me such a sense of completion. If for some
reason there are a few still on the C list the
following Sunday, she transfers them to next
weeks B list. Her kids have watched her do
this and have become list makers of their own
although they sometimes have fun kidding
her about which job goes on which list.
Another mother was desperate about her
sons increasing stalling and dawdling whenever he was asked to do something. When
especially frustrated, she stooped to calling
him lazy, a loafer or a goof-off and made unrekids break this habit? The following are a few hear, but the bell.
alistic threats. He felt she was always picking
suggestions.
As a working mother of three, Laura joking- on him and became moody whenever a mustFirst of all, when expecting your child to
ly calls herself the Queen of Procrastination.
do subject arose. While shopping at Staples
do something, make it age appropriate. For
Throughout the years shes developed a work- one day she saw the That Was Easy button.
able strategy to help her overcome this tenexample, telling a five-year old to clean up
She bought it and gave it to him suggesting
her room is unrealistic, but listing three things dency, which shes passing on to her kids.
that he push it when he finished a chore.
I call it the reward system, she says. If
to make this happen works: Put your dirty
Hearing That Was Easy eliminated her nagI start the laundry, empty the dishwasher
clothes in the hamper, put your shoes in the
ging and gave him a sense of accomplishment.
and change the sheets on the beds, then Ill
closet, put your books on the shelf.
Breaking the procrastination habit isnt easy,
treat myself to a phone chat with Rita. Larger but when you see success lavish your kids
Giving kids a warning can be helpful as it
lets them finish what theyre doing and gives chores get larger rewards, she adds. If I
with praise. As a positive take-away from all
clean the bathrooms until they sparkle, then I your supportive coaching, you may find that
them a sense of control. In 15 minutes I
want to see you start your homework. If nec- will sit down and read the next chapter in my youre less likely to procrastinate yourself.
book.
essary, set a timer so its not your voice they

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August 12th 10am 2pm
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August 15th 1pm 5pm
Boot Camp Stretch and Tone
August 20th 4pm 7pm
August 21st 10am 2pm
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 Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

10

July 25, 2013

Teen leaders discover same passions as Kiberian teens

Breakfast has long been referred to as the

most important meal of the day and it is
beneficial for students heading off to school
to enjoy a meal before they catch the bus.
Studies have found that children who eat
a healthy breakfast have higher energy levels and better learning abilities than similar
students who do not eat breakfast. Harvard
University researchers found that those who
eat breakfast are significantly more attentive
in the classroom and have fewer behavioral
and emotional problems.
Many families find that time is not in
abundance in the morning when they are
getting ready for school or work. As a result,
breakfast might be skipped in an effort to get
to work or school on time. But families can
solve the issue of time with a few on-the-go
foods all can enjoy.
Individually packaged yogurts make a
healthy and quick meal for anyone in the
family. A good source of protein and calcium, yogurt is also filled with helpful bacteria
that promote digestive health.
Microwaveable convenience foods
come in various shapes and sizes. Choose
the healthiest options among them, such as
whole wheat or multigrain waffles or pancakes. These foods are easy to heat and eat
on-the-go.
Keep a container of fresh fruit salad in
the refrigerator. A bowl of mixed fruit is
refreshing and healthy.

Whole grain granola bars that feature

fruit and nuts can be a quick meal and a satisfying snack.
Smoothies made from fruit and yogurt
are fast and can be stored in portable cups to
take in the car on the way to school.
The cereal aisle at the local grocery
store is filled with healthy breakfast options.
Cereal manufacturers are increasingly reducing the sugar and boosting the fiber content
of popular brands. It doesnt take long to
enjoy a bowl of cereal, even one topped with
banana slices or a few strawberries.
Whip up a fast egg sandwich. Saut egg
whites in a frying pan and place between
two slices of toasted whole wheat bread.
Make a batch of low-fat, high-fiber muffins over the weekend. Grabbing a muffin
and a banana is an easy breakfast.
Instant oatmeal is available in a number
of flavors and is a very healthy and filling
breakfast option.
Create parfaits with layers of vanilla
yogurt, fruit and granola.
Use a sandwich or panini maker to create homemade breakfast tarts. Fill bread or
pitas with fresh fruit or peanut butter and
use the cooker to seal them shut.
For families who simply cant get in the
breakfast swing of things, many schools participate in breakfast programs or offer breakfast items in the schools cafeteria, specifically
in middle and high school.

What do diverse kids from Fairfield County

and the Kibera slum in Nairobi have in common? At first glance, you might say very little.
But LEAP (Leaders Educated and Prepared)
students from both communities didnt have
to dig too deep to find that they face some of
the same issues and are passionate about finding solutions to them.
Based in Darien, LEAP trains culturally
competent leaders and entrepreneurs in
diverse teams from two local and one global
community. LEAP to Kibera is comprised
of students from New Canaan, Stamford
and Kibera who have committed to two
significant initiatives to change their world
together, according to a release.
The LEAP program originated as collaboration between the New Canaan YMCA, the
Boys and Girls Club in Stamford and FAFU
student center in Kibera, Kenya. During the
first six months together, the team identified two common issues in both Kenya and
Fairfield County: first, a surge in bullying
that elicits insecurity, self-abuse and fear
of attending school; and second, a need to
focus on environmental issues such as how to
transform garbage to energy in order to foster
healthier lives.
LEAP in Kibera
In June 2010, students from Stamford traveled to Kibera to meet their partners and further galvanize their mission for change. Two
and a half years later, the high school students
continue to meet weekly, have connected 75
people around their vision and worked hard
to break down cultural barriers of distrust
in order to build a partnership of equals.
Today, still committed to develop successful programs to meet their goals, these LEAP
students have inspired three NGOs Africa
AHEAD, Peepoople and Ubuntu to share
needed expertise in associative partnerships.
LEAP aims to empower people in a community to make collaborative change rather
than raise funds to donate to the cause,
Lauren Calahan, founder and executive director, said.
Normal outreach teaches us that we, as the
more affluent community, can solve problems
with money, Calahan said. LEAP, however,
teaches students that real change comes as
a result of our personal connections, a commitment to a vision and respectful, weekly

conversations.
LEAP trains students to connect with
experts to reach their goals. The LEAP to
Kibera team established their first partnership
with a Swedish company called Peepoople.
They negotiated an agreement to train the
LEAP community to build a business that will
simultaneously transform sanitary behavior of
thousands of slum dwellers, generate income
and transform the human waste on the streets
to fertilizer that will healthfully grow the food
they need.
Their second partnership is being developed with Africa AHEAD to provide the needed materials to train the facilitators in Kibera
to identify the sanitation issues that spread
disease and effect a cultural change in behavior throughout the community. In return for
their materials, Africa AHEAD wants to share
the LEAP to Lead leadership curriculum with
their communities to offer further impact
throughout the world.
The third NGO to offer support, Ubuntu,
has developed successful health programs in
South Africa, and invited the LEAP team to
meet with them to use components of their
model as a prototype for success in Kibera.
The LEAP with Peepoople team is committed
to develop health clubs in Kibera, first with
50 students, and then, once established, scale
the programs to 12,000 students in the slum.
In the meantime, all their knowledge will be
shared with still more LEAP teams in Uganda,
Sierra Leone, India and across the globe,
according to a release.
LEAP at home
Closer to home, the LEAP students commitment to understand why people bully
and how to remain confident in the face of
adversity has led them to write five skits,
which were performed on May 24, Diversity
Day, at Dolan Middle School in Stamford. The
team from New Canaan, Darien, Norwalk and
Stamford chose topics that negatively impact
communities in the U.S., as well as in Kibera
topics like physical and verbal aggression, suicide, cyber bullying, clique and gang
behavior, and anorexia.
LEAP to Lead leadership workshops will
begin in August for new students and weekly
meetings will begin again in September.
More info: leap-edu.org, or Lauren@leap-edu.org

 July 25, 2013

Continued from page 1

ists trained to nurture each student to have
fun, build skills and develop an appreciation
of the performing arts, Melody said. Our
teachers are exceptionally talented professionals each dedicated to their students growth
and enjoyment in the arts.
PACs faculty also includes professionals
who hold degrees not only in their area of
expertise, but also many as educators.
Their goal is to inspire and nurture the
talent and desire of their students on both a
technical and performance level while recognizing each individuals unique abilities,
Lachioma said. Whether the students aspirations are to be a professional or just recreational, our desire is still the same: to give
each person who comes to PACC a positive

Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

experience in the arts.

In addition to group classes at the
Peforming Arts Conservatory of New Canaan,
there are also private acting, dance and voice
classes offered to help students prepare for
school, college and professional auditions.
Our goal is to awaken, nurture and
expand each students creative potential by
offering professional training, workshops and
performance opportunities, Libonati said.
I will always be grateful to the acting
teachers I worked with at a studio during
high school, Jess Evans, 20, an acting major
at a peforming arts college in Los Angeles,
said. Acting is a hard profession to break
into, but if you are persistent and hold onto
your dreams you can be a working actor.
This is the belief those teachers instilled in
me.

11

More info: PACC 203-372-ARTS, PACofCT.org;

Peforming Arts Conservatory 203-966-6177,
PerformingArtsConservatory.com

Bridgeport Central High

holds 52nd reunion
The Bridgeport Central High School class
of 1961 will be gathering for its 70th birthday
party (and 52nd graduation anniversary) on
Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Mill River Country
Club in Stratford.
The 70th birthday party organizers have
spent the past year reaching out to the 525
members of the 1961 Central High graduating
class.
The weekend will also include a pizza
party, on Aug. 16, at Marisas Restaurant in
Trumbull. There will be an informal breakfast

on Aug. 18 at the Shelton Courtyard Marriott.

Theres still time for those that havent
responded, or couldnt be reached, to join
classmates for the festivities, which will
include high school memorabilia, a soloist and
keyboard player, food and drink, and sharing
memories.
For more information, and the opportunity
to sign up for the events, visit the Central
High 61 website, bridgeportcentral61.org. The
registration deadline for all events is July 30.

Enrolling Now for Sept. 2013

At Beacon Hill Church
371 Old Zoar Rd.
Monroe, CT 06468

A loving Christian environment where children learn and grow! All are welcome!
Hours: Mon. Fri. 9:00am to 12:00pm
Dates: Sept. 3rd through June 17th (follows Monroe Public Schools calendar for Holiday closings)
Ages Served: 3 to 5 year olds (must be 3 by Dec. 31)

For more information or to enroll please call Beacon Hill Church at 203-268-8521 or
Email: office@beaconhillchurch.org

 Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

12

July 25, 2013

It doesnt have to be US versus THEM

by Polly Tafrate
Ideally, parents and teachers are partners in a
childs education. Unfortunately this isnt always
the case. The following suggestions are offered
from someone whos sat on both sides of the
desk.
Tips for parents
Choose your battles carefully. Give your
child time to sort out minor difficulties. Ask
yourself if this problem will have a long-lasting,
negative effect on him before confronting the
teacher.
Dont encourage tattletales. A child in Mrs.
Browns class was named Nicholas. Occasionally
shed slip and call him Nick. The following
day she knew to expect a note from his mother
pointing out her error. Wouldnt a private email

have been more discreet and not empowered her

son?
Send your teacher a short note of appreciation, especially if something made your child
happy.
If your childs at fault and its called to your
attention, dont defend him by switching the
blame to the teacher or other students. Recognize
your own possible blindness.
When your child hears or observes you criticizing his teacher, hell have no reason to respect
her either.
Dont go underground. Lizas mother had
constant complaints that she voiced regularly
to the teacher. She didnt stop there, but would
network her dissatisfaction with other parents.

Please join us for our
OPEN HOUSE in Shelton
Wednesday, August 7
and Milford
Wednesday, August 14
5-7pm!

SHELTON

MILFORD

Tour our school.

Get an enrollment
packet.
Then enroll.

Send the kids back to school with confidence

Call now for a FREE Consultation

 Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

July 25, 2013

These complaints often got back to the teacher

and made her laugh especially the criticism
about how she dressed. Lizas mother wanted
her to wear jeans and a sweatshirt like a few
other teachers so she could spend more time
on the floor with the kids.
When sending an email with a concern
to the teacher, dont copy the administrator or
principal on it. More blatant than that is arranging a conference with one of them without conferring with the teacher first. Chances are youll
be asked about this. Going over her head is disrespectful and may have a boomerang effect.
Tips for teachers
Parents know their child better than you
ever will, despite the number of classroom hours
you spend with them. Understand that many
kids behave differently in school than they do at
home.
Accept the fact that todays parents are a
little helicopter-ish, hyper-involved and tend to
overprogram their child.
Youre not going to love every child. At a
parent-teacher conference a mother confronted
her sons teacher: He thinks you dont like
him. She was right; the teacher didnt, but was
aghast that her feelings were transparent. From
then on, she faked it, praising him lavishly and
ignoring his irritating ways. He soon adored her,
and while this feeling wasnt reciprocal, she did
develop a fondness for him.
As a way of being friendly, a teacher mentions at curriculum night that she wants parents

to call her by her first name. Best wait for a similar invitation from them.
While its hard enough the first weeks of
school to remember your students names, its
important to spend time learning their last
names, how theyre pronounced and which parents have different or hyphenated surnames.
Purchase the praise cards in the teacher
store, or just take time to jot a short note to the
parents every so often citing something admirable their child did. Make certain that every
child gets about the same amount with the same
frequency.
Understand, but dont dwell on the fact,
that youre often the subject when parents get
together.
Some baggage children have isnt school
related but nevertheless too important to dismiss, as Sophies teacher did. Sophie was devastated not to be invited to Kirstens birthday
party. For weeks she started her day in tears.
When her mother mentioned this to the teacher,
she snapped, Thats not a school problem.
Know the limitations of communicating
with parents electronically. If a matter is of delicate nature pick up the phone, (dont leave a
message on the answering machine), or arrange
a conference. Inform the parents of your schedule and when you have time to respond to your
email.
Parents compare how their child measures
up to his classmates everything from handwriting, athletic ability, clothes worn, to choice

of backpack and contents of their lunches. Be

alert not to get hoodwinked into this trap when
talking with them.

With a smile and a positive and flexible attitude, this coming year will be a harmonious one
for you, your child and the teacher.

Learn German the FUN WAY

German School of Connecticut

bridging cultures

A Friendly Center for Language & Culture

All Levels: pre-K Adult
Dedicated, Professional Teachers
Classes: Saturdays 9:30am-12:15pm
Celebrating our 35th year!

REGISTER TODAY at GermanSchoolCT.org

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West Hartford Aug. 17, 9am-noon
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First Baptist Church
90 North Main Street
(860) 404-8838

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Stamford campus
Rippowam Middle School
381 High Ridge Road
(203) 548-0438

www.GermanSchoolCT.org

 Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

14

July 25, 2013

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