Thursday, November 17, 2011
N/Warren Town and County News
Page Nine
PTO Donates iPads
OVIATT ELEMENTARY
By Dr. Laura Sivadge, Principal
and
Rodney Martinez, Dean of Students
Teaching Study Skills
A guide for parents from the National Association
of School Psychologists
Make Doing Homework a Positive Experience
• Provide support and praise for homework comple-
tion.
• Be available to provide non-critical assistance.
• Give children choice in when, where and how they
complete homework assignments.
• Encourage your children to complete homework
well enough that they have a sense of pride and control
Lee Randall
Norwalk Teacher
Receives Award
over their own learning and levels of competence.
• Maintain a positive and helpful attitude: avoid criti- Lee Randall o,f Nor-
walk, was recently selected
cism and anger.
• Help children understand what types of homework for a Professional Develop,
Allison Krichau, 5th grade teacher, is showing one of the iPads that were pur- they enjoy and encourage them to choose assignments ment Award given by Pro'
chased with PTO money. Photo submitted, accordingly. When given a choice, some students pre- fessional Educators of Iowa
fer written reports; others prefer hands-on projects. Foundation. Randall fur-
The holidays came early for 10 Lakewood Elementary classrooms. Norwalk PTO •Use homework preferences in developing a home- • thered her education at
donated 10 iPads for students and teachers to use. Lakewood principal, Jill Ander- work schedule' Some children prefer to complete the Drake University in the
son, commented, "The classroom teachers are providing opportunities for the stu- assignments they like least first, while others prefer to Summer Music Institute.
She has taught music for
eight years and currently is
in her sixth year of teach-
ing at St. Francis of Assisi
in Des Moines.
The scholarships are
given away annually and
can be used by the recipi-
ent to cover tuition, books,
conferences, workshops,
or even travel expenses for
dents to use iPad applications to help with the building goal of reading fluency. I
have seen increased engagement and motivation by the students and having the iPad
available has been an incredible asset to aid in instruction."
Money for the iPads, as well as other items, was raised during events held during
the 2010-11 school year. Through the generosity of Airport Signs and Graphics and
Made in Johnston, as well as parent volunteers, PTO has generated funds through
the sale of "N" Stepping stones this fall.
The PTO organization is committed to donating both time and money to the
Norwalk Elementary Schools, providing items that are not in the general.budget.
"Oviatt Elementary School's current goal is to outfit each classroom with a ceiling-
mounted interactive projector. This goal complements our professional development
do their easier or favorite work first.
• If a child dislikes a subject, find ways to make it less
frustrating. For example, set a goal of doing five math
problems and then taking a stretch, listening briefly to
music, or playing with a preferred game or toy.
• Encourage your children to participate in study
groups with friends. Research shows that children who
form study groups perform better than children who
always study alone. This is particularly appropriate with
middle school and high school students.
• Encourage your child to have fun, such as eating a
i¸,
focus of student engagement in their learning. This goal will be achieved by combin- snack, calling friends, starting an activity, playing acom- professional development.
ing Llae funds raisedby our tudent in recent fall student fundraisers, with this year's puter game, or watching a favorite show when home- Five teachers were se-
• lected from the state of
PTO Fundraiser efforts!" commented Oviatt Principal Dr. Laura Sivadge. work is finished.
If you would like to be involved, consider participating in Trivia Night Saturday, -Never use homework as a punishment. Iowa to receive this award, ii
Nov. 19. For more information about stepping stones, Trivia Night, Secret Santa Shop- •Be a good listener and encourage your child to ask Professional Educators i
ping or PTO in general, contact Lakewood Elementary, Oviatt Elementary or email questions about things that are hard to understand, of Iowa Foundation allot-
warriorpto@gmail.com. ,Set aside time for your children to share the skills ted over $8,000 in scholar-
• *** and information they are acquiring with you.ship money this year for
-Help children study for tests bv quizzing them on students, educators and
Baseball is the only field of endeavor where_a man can succeed three times out of the maternal m a ~nendly manner. ~)nve time m [lle statewicle association of-
ten and be considered a good performer.
-Ted Williams car is a great setting for this.
• Have your children imagine themselves as excel-
lent students. Then brainstorm what needs to be done
SCHOOL AND SPORTS PAGES to make that a reality. ' " .
SPONSORED BY" Make Homework a High Priority ....
• Make clear that you expect your children to com-
plete homework well.
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240-1075
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285-4900
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print - 953-6306
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Kevin Pearson - 285-1838
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981-1031
*NORWALK INSURANCE SERVICES
981-0434 or 981-4293
*NORWALK LIONS CLUB
981-0432
*OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATES
981-0224
*SCOTT'S FOODS
981-0606
*NEWTON STANDRIDGE
STANDRIDGE GROUP
229-5310
*N/WARREN TOWN & COUNTY NEWS
981-0406
fering independent educa-
tors a choice in represen-
tation. Their priority in
education is putting chil-
dren
first and they are de-
voted to restorin8 a sense
• Establish a study routine. Children should be in the of professionalism, dedi-
habit of studying at the same time and.in the same plaa se td the
each day. Children and parents should decide on the teaching career.
For further information
study routine together, taking into account other activi-
ties, family commitments and favorite TV shows. Als0,
concerning Professional
consider the child's ability to concentrate at different Educators of Iowa, you can
times of the day. Many elementary school children are go online to www.pe
too tired after dinner. They have trouble concentrating, iowa.org or contact the
are easily frustrated and are slow to complete tasks, state office at 515-221-
Ideall3 the family should agree upon a study hour when 2330.
the television and stereo are off, there are no phone calls
and the entire family studies, reads, or completes pa-
perwork.
• Establish a place to study with good lighting and a (NAPS)--When buying
table or desk. ~ome children prefer to study in their own back-to-school eloth~, e.hoo~
room. Others do better if they are studying at the kitchen similar color theme~ that can
table or other location near parental help. A computer be mixed and mashed to
ate several outfits. For exam-
may be helpful, or even required for some schoolwork, ple, Tea Collection's globally
Some children are able to study with a little background inspired sets are a great deal
noise such as music. Few students can study effectively .buy five pieces, get six
in front of the TV and most need uninterrupted quiet, complete outfits. For more
information, visit www.
Other children may prefer to work at the library and teacollection.com or call (866)
will need transportation. 374-8747.
• Have supplies/equipment on hand including bind-
ers, notebooks, paper, pencils, pens, assignment books,
erasers, dictionaries, a calculator, ruler, computer, tape,
glue, reference books and/or software programs. Par-
ents can avoid last-minute panic by askin8 before din-
ner whether ,_their child has all the supplies she needs
for that night s assignments.
• Demonstrate, and enforce, that completing home-
work is a higher priority than other activities. A child
should not watch TV and talk with friends before corn-
pleting homework, unless time later in the day has been Careful planning can help
set aside for homework completion, get your college student set-
•Reduce activities if a child has so many commit- fled comfortably in his or her
ments that there is insufficient time or energy for home- new roomL You can find many
work. useful moving tips at
• Have help available for every subject. This might Www.PenskeTruckRental.
corn and www.facebook.com/
Continued p.10 PenskeU.
