Thursday, April 4, 2013 N/Warren Town and County News Page Nine
Putting School Work First
Never before has home-
work been so controver-
sial. Busy parents and
overscheduled children
argue that either there is
too much homework or
that schoolwork should be
done in school. Teachers
and principals, however,
view homework as a way
to reinforce classroom les-
sons or give students
needed extra practice.
There are many ways that
parents, schools and stu-
dents, working together,
can put homework first
while making it seem like
less of a burden.
What is the policy? Ask
about the district, school,
or teacher's homework
policy. Is there a set
amount of time your chil-
dren are expected to spend
on homework each night?
Ask how often there will
be special assignments or
long-term home-based
projects. Knowing the an-
swers to these questions
can help you and your
child schedule the neces-
sary time to complete the
work.
Watch the time. Some
children work faster than
others and some assign-
OVIATT ELEMENTARY
By Dr. Laura Sivadge, Principal
and
Rodney Martinez, Dean of Students
ments are longer than oth- fine, but 50 is excessive.
ers are. However, if your •Brain busters. Talk
child is spending hours with the teacher if your
every night on homework, children consistently do
check for: not understand their as-
•Distractions. Is yoursignments.
child studying in a quiet, • Brainless. Is every-
well-lit place? Do not let thing just too easy? Does
television, phone calls, or your child mock the sim-
siblings distract him or her plicity of the assignments?
from completing the work. Let the teacher know.
• Advice. Is there some- • Unpredictable. If your
one available to answer child is overwhelmed with
quick-questions about as- homework one day and
signments? has none the next, find out
• Tools. Does your child why. Sometimes, kids put
have the tools (i.e., paper, off projects until the last
pen, calculator, dictionary) minute- which means you
needed to complete theneed to work with them on
assignment? organizing their study
• Attitude. The atti- time. Families should ex-
tudes of children are often pect a relatively consistent
affected by the attitudes of homework load during
parents and caregivers, theweek.
Children need to see that Scale back. If your
you support your child's child's life is so full of af-
need to complete both ter-school and weekend
schoolwork and home- activities that he or she has
work. no time or energy for
Share concerns. An oc-homework, perhaps it is
casional homework over- time to reevaluate. These
load is not grounds for a activities should never re-
heart-to-heart with the place school as the pri-
teacher. Below are some mary focus of a child's life.
signs that it is time for a Stop yourself. Many
conference or a note. parents "help" their chil-
• Busywork. 15-20mul- dren by doing some of
tiplication problems or their homework. This is
spelling words at a time is never OK. It is far better to
SCHOOL AND SPORTS PAGES
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send a note to the teacher
explaining why your child
did not finish the assign-
ment.
Stay involved. Show
your children Y0u care
about what they are doing
in s eck their as-
signment books every day
to help them keep track of
what's due next and what
projects are coming up.
Review their homework,
even checking in with
them while they are work-
ing on it.
Most importanfl give
your child credit. Praise
the work they do. Compli-
ment their study habits.
Stay on them if they slack
off, but give them credit
for all they are doing and
learning. Nothing could be
more important.
RAILROAD
FUNDRAISER
The Iowa Railroad His-
torical Society is hosting a
fundraiser auction at the
]ames H. Andrew Railroad
Museum and History Cen-
ter Sunday, April 7, at 1
p.m. Proceeds to benefit
the historical society. Th, e
auction's theme is Planes,
Trains and Automobiles.
Silent auction from 1 p.m.
at the
NORWALK
],IBI
1051Noat h Ave. 981-0217
Monday, April 8
Tiny Tots with Debbie Doo Wop, 9:30 a.m. Mon-
days until April 8, "we welcome Debbie Doo Wop back
to the library to lead the Tiny Tots Music Class. Join us-
for songs, instruments and fun! Ages 1-5. Registration
is required (space is limited).
Book Buddies, 6-7 p.m. Monday nights through
April 22, high school and elementary school students
pair up for an hour of reading and crafts. High school
students can earn up to 5+ hours of volunteering credit.
Registration is required.
Tuesday, April 9
Pre-School Story Time, 10:30-11 a.m. For 3-6 year-
olds, join us for stories, finger plays, songs and flannel
boards! Parents, expect some interaction with your little
ones and some helpful tips on early literacy skills you
can use at home. This storytime is also a good fit for
parents attending with several children and for daycare
groups.
Novel Year Book Club, 6-8 p.m. This bi-monthly
adult book club consists of three sessions, including a
book discussion and extension activities such as films,
speakers or social events related to the text. Tonight we'll
have an extension activity related to the book The Life of
Pi, by Yann Martel.
Wednesday, April 10
Wee Ones Story Time, 10:30-11 a.m. For infants to
18 months, join us for lapsit stories, finger plays "and
songs! Parents: expect full interaction with your little
ones and some helpful tips on early literacy skills you
can use at home. This storytime is designed for a one-
one or one-two parent to child ratio.
Thursday, April 11
Toddler Time, 10:30-11 a.m. Join us for-stories, fin-
ger plays, songs and flannel boards! Parents: expect lots
to 3:30 p.m. and the Live of interaction with your little ones and some helpful
b auction at 2:30 p.m. Auc- tips on early literacy skills you can use at home.
tion services to be pro- NCAA DivisionI
: vided by Sunstrom Auc- Wres nng unamp,onsmps:'"--t ....
tion Service. There will be
a Live Auction as well as
Silent Auction. Admission
is $8, Advanced tickets
available at the Boone and
Scenic Valley website and
by phone.
Light fare provided by
HyVee Boone, wine
samples from Snus Hill
Winery, beer samples from
Boone Valley Brewing and
delicious desserts from the
Village Inn, Ames. There
are auction items for all
price ranges with items
ranging from airplane
rides, a Boone and Scenic
Valley Dinner Train ride
for up to 48, Disney World
tickets, antique car rides,
Green Bay Packers signed
football two dinners at a
variety of excellent central
Iowa area restaurants as
well as many more items
listed online.
For list of auction items,
see the Boone and Scenic
Valley Railroad website at
www.scenic-valleyrr.com,
or call 1-800-626-0319.
Des Moines Breaks Fan Fest Records
Preliminary: calculations show that Greater Des
Moines experienced a $15 million economic impact from
NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships that were
held at Wells Fargo Arena, March 21-23. i
"We've received consid able pos'!ti/ve eedback fyol?3
our community partners and the hospitality industry,"
said Greg Edwards, Greater Des Moines Convention and
Visitors Bureau/Des Moines Area Sports Commission
President & CEO. "It was a team effort and we couldn't
be more'proud."
Notable successes surrounding the week's event in-
dude: The Iowa Hall of Pride saw 2,458 people through
their doors; free admission was provided by Atlantic
Bottling and Farm Bureau. Des Moines broke overall
recorded Fan Fest attendance records, with attendance
growing each day.
"Breaking the NCAA Wrestling Fan Festival atten-
dance record is a true testament to the hard work the
LOC and NCAA put in to add additional programming,
including the addition of screens showing live wresting
action," stated Global Spectrum's Chris Connolly, Gen-
eral Manager of the Iowa Evenfs Center. "Providing a
first-class experience to all student-athletes and fans was
a high priority for the LOC and Fan Festivai was a prime
example of that."
The LOC (Local Organizing Committee) was made
up of Iowa State University, Polk County, Global Spec-
trum (Iowa Events Center) and the Greater Des Moines
Convention and Visitors Bureau/Des Moines Area
Sports Commission.
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