Hi everyone, and welcome to the 1st edition of our “Brighter Futures” parent newsletter – a place to find out more about Kip McGrath and a place for fun, interesting and useful facts for families.
“Brighter Futures” will be posted to you in the first week of every month. We have regular columns we intend to publish, but we would also like to hear from you if there were other things you would like.
There is a lot happening this month with…
- NAPLAN results coming out
- End of third school term
- Our last day of Tutoring is Sat 19th Sept (returning Tue 6th October)
- Our normal Term 3 Student Progress Reports have been replaced with End of Level reports – see our previous email to you for details
I am very interested in hearing your feedback. I am always learning and the only way to improve is to have a go and then be open to constant improvement. So please don’t hesitate to call, email or post on facebook. Regards, Christine.
Teachers Tips : Help Your Child to Choose a Book
Teach them to use the FIVE FINGER TEST…
- Choose a page in the middle of the book with lots of words.
- Read silently. If you come to a word you don’t know put down your thumb.
- If you find another word you don’t know put down one finger.
- Keep doing this as you read.
If you use up all your fingers, the book is too hard.
How to Create Balance in Your Kid’s Life
The key to creating balance in your child’s life is to establish a sound support system at home where your child is satisfied with their achievements and where they can grow feeling confident and competent.
- Encourage special skills – Your child has skills and abilities that are unique to them. Learn to recognise what these are and then help your child to excel in these areas that come naturally to them. It might be music, it could be drawing, it doesn’t matter what it is, just encourage it to grow. It will be a powerful source of happiness and confidence for your child.
- Don’t over book your child – These day’s it’s a common practice to enrol our kids in many extracurricular activities. The problem is between school and these activities, children can begin to feel overwhelmed, and they can become stressed. Make sure your child has down time just to kick back, relax, and do unscripted activities.
- Eat dinner together – Eating dinner as a family is great family time. It’s not about what’s being served, but rather about the social interaction. It’s a time to hear about each other’s day, solve problems, learn family values, and encourage your child. One study done at the Columbia University found that kids who ate with their families at least five meals a week were far less likely to develop eating disorders. It doesn’t have to be dinner time. Find a meal where you can all be together and make that your special time together.
- Create a balanced bedtime – It is important to establish a bedtime and be consistent every night. Have a policy where all electronics have to be shut off 30 minutes before bedtime to help turn off the brain.
Creating balance in your child’s life will help to create a healthy, happy, less stressed child.
Monthly Joke : Who’s the Smart One ?
A little boy visited a small barbershop in his town every day. The barber liked to joke with his customers that the boy always fell for the same trick.
He’d put a one dollar coin in one hand and two 20c coins in the other and asked, “Which do you want, son?”
Every time, the boy picked the two 20c coins. “Two is better than one,” he’d say as he left the shop. One day a customer, fresh from his haircut, ran into the boy on the street. “Listen, son,” he said, “you ought to know that a one dollar coin is worth a lot more than two 20c coins.”
“I know,” the little boy said.
“Then why do you always pick the two 20c coins?”
“Because the day I pick the one dollar coin, the game is over!”
Student of the Month
Tyler’s hard work and positive attitude at tutoring has helped him make a great improvement in Maths.
Well Done Tyler!
“Kip McGrath has been a great experience for my son. Not only has his maths improved, but his confidence also. The staff are very friendly and provide regular updates for my son’s progress. Thanks.” Lisa, Tyler’s mum.
Child-made School Lunch
• Tortellini, leftover or freshly made
• Grape Tomatoes
• Cheese cut into chunks
• Blanched Broccoli florets
• Olive Oil
• Parmesan Cheese
Feel free to add other vegetables your kids prefer. Let them assemble the skewers, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and pack in a lunch container.
