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Parent Resource Newsletter
Tips for Enjoying the Holidays
By Ruth E Fett M.S.C.; Parent Coach and Author
Happy Holidays to each and every one of you and your families! This
month we simply wish you well and give a few tips for enjoying the holidays
with your children.
1. Try to keep children on a routine despite school being in recess and
the seemingly endless holiday get-togethers. If this cannot be avoided,
just be very conscious of the fact that the change in routine may
adversely affect your children and you need to be calm in responding to
their "out of sorts" behavior.
2. Get plenty of rest and exercise yourself to ensure that you are in a
good place to enjoy the children. Remember, your children will only be
this age once so take it in and cherish the moment.
3. Remember that you set the tone for your household. Be calm and try
to take on as little stress as possible. The children need you to focus on
them and enjoy them more than your friends and family need Christmas
cards. A good rule of thumb during the holiday season is, “if you cannot
do it with joy, don't do it”.
4. Cut down on gift giving to the children and instead, give them you
and your time. This should be all year round but especially during this
stressful time of the year. The whole family could use a night of games
and connection versus running from store to store. In addition, when you
give children an overabundance of gifts they tend to feel entitled to
raking in the presents instead of focusing on giving to others.
Family Fun for Christmas
Many people get so caught up in shopping and obligations that they have
no time left to have a good time. Remember, the holidays are supposed to
be fun. Below are ideas you and your family can do together to celebrate
this holiday.
1. Watch old Christmas movies together.
2. Read aloud "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens.
3. Make salt dough ornaments together. Even small children can have
fun molding the dough. Look for directions @
http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/christmas/
4. Take the kids to see Santa.
5. Gather a few friends together and take your family caroling.
6. Trim the tree together.
7. Celebrate Advent. It's a great way to bring the family together once a
week. After you light the candles, have a treat together.
8. Use an Advent/Christmas calendar. It's a fun way to count down to
Christmas.
9. Attend Christmas events as a family. See the Nutcracker ballet, go to
the local church choir performance, attend the lighting of a special
Christmas tree or go to a Christmas parade.
10. Capture Christmas fun with your video camera. The whole family will
enjoy watching Christmas videos for years to come.
Resource: Read more at: How to Have Family Fun at Christmas @ eHow.com;
http://www.ehow.com/how_3566_have-family-fun
WHAT PARENTS CAN DO
Helping Your Child Succeed in School
December Literacy Activity
Here are some activities to help reinforce your child's
writing/reading skills in a fun way during the holiday
break!
• Send holiday cards and/or letters. Let your child
include messages or drawings for loved ones.
• Use a calendar to keep track of your child's activities.
Have her note special dates and events.
• Ask for help with tasks your child will enjoy, such as
writing shopping or to-do lists.
• Make a scrapbook during break. Your child can
include photos, drawings and captions of family fun.
Source: parent-institute.com
Did You Know ?
The Tradition of Christmas Cards
Sending Christmas cards when the holidays
roll around is something people do all over the
world. Christmas cards are sent to touch base with those
we know and to give them special holiday greetings. It is a
tradition that has been around for a long time.
The custom of sending Christmas cards was started in
Britain in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole. Sir Henry had the idea
of Christmas cards with his friend John Horsley, who was
an artist. They designed the first card and sold them for 1
shilling each. The cards were a hit and England became the
first country to start the popularity of buying Christmas
cards.
Christmas Cards appeared in the United States in the late
1840s, but were very expensive and most people couldn't
afford them. In 1875, Louis Prang, a printer who was
originally from Germany but who had also worked on early
cards in England, started mass producing cards so more
people could afford to buy them.
Currently, two billion plus Christmas cards are sent each
year within the United States. More cards sell during the
Christmas season, than any other holiday. Sending a
Christmas card has become a steadfast tradition for many
people and will undoubtedly continue for years to come.
Parent Resource Newsletter Page 2
TITLE I NEWS
A Note from Title I
Where does the time go? Our Winter break is just around
the corner and so is the Christmas season and holidays. It is
hard to believe!!!
We had a great start to our Title I school year and our
excitement and enthusiasm continues to the end of the year.
There is so much learning here at Kent City Schools and in our
Title I program. Our students have been working extremely
hard on their reading and math skills. We are so proud of them
and are happy for all their successes thus far. At this time of
year, we remember how lucky we are here at Kent Schools. We
remember how fortunate we are to have extra educational
alternatives such as Title I. We are fortunate to have great
students and talented teachers. We are also fortunate to have
incredible parents who support our work and help in many
different ways. Thanks to all you wonderful parents who are
helping their children succeed!!!
Have a wonderful and relaxing Winter Break, however; keep
up with those reading and math skills throughout. The Title I
staff from each of our elementary schools would like to wish you
and your family best wishes for success and happiness in the
New Year.
School News
Our last day of school is Wednesday, December 19th. School will be
closed from Thursday, December 20th and resume again on Monday,
January 7th. During this winter break we hope your child keeps up with
his/her reading. Remember just 20 minutes a day reading aloud
with young children strengthens relationships, encourages listening and
language skills, promotes attention and curiosity, and establishes a
strong reading foundation. These skills are essential for success in
school and in life. Have fun this holiday season and keep reading!
Site Review
Resources available for Parents and Families:
Website for learning and fun—for kids and parents together—Check
out this month’s HOLIDAY websites:
http://www.newseum.org/yesvirginia/ Everyone has heard the
famous line from Francis Pharcellus Church's famous editorial. "Yes,
Virginia, there is a Santa Claus." Now your kids can read the complete
text and even see the original newspaper clipping. The Virginia editorial
is a timeless Christmas tradition that every child is sure to love.
http://storynory.com Story Nory offers free audio stories for kids.
Their beautifully read tales include A Visit from St. Nicholas, A
Christmas Carol, A Christmas Nutcracker, and more. The stories are
captivating for young and old alike and can be streamed or downloaded
for anytime listening.
Kids’ Corner – Family Activity
Recycled Christmas Crafts
Personalize Christmas presents for grandparents, teachers and
friends with handmade cards, gift tags or bookmarks. Use
recycled materials of old used Christmas cards, paper or basic
craft supplies like card stock, stickers, scissors and glue
to design simple, festive tags that identify gifts or send
personalized cards to celebrate the spirit of the season.
• Using Recycled Cards: Make easy Christmas gift tags or
cards from old greeting cards and wrapping paper. Use scissors
(straight edge or scrapbook kind with special edges) to trim
seasonal images, designs or sentiments from old holiday cards,
or cut swatches from pieces of recycled wrapping paper. Mat to
coordinating card stock. For the tags, write the "to" and "from"
information on the back of the card stock with a colorful marker.
Punch a hole at the top of the tag and attach it to the gift with a
piece of ribbon or jute. Plain envelopes can be found at many
discount stores to deliver your personalized cards in.
• Making Bookmarks: Make Christmas tags that can be used
as bookmarks once the holiday is over. Cut pieces of card
stock or construction paper into 2-by-6-inch rectangles.
Decorate with pictures, a pattern or abstract images with glitter
glue, crayons, markers or paints. Add your signature, along
with the "to" and "from" details on the back of the bookmark.
Punch a hole at the top of the gift tag and tie a piece of ribbon
through it. As a deluxe touch, thread four crystal or pony
beads onto the ribbon and knot the end.
• Photo Shape Tags: Make simple holiday gift tags with your
less-than-perfect family photos. If you have old Christmas,
vacation or school pictures sitting in a box because they're too
blurry, dark or off-center, crop them into 2-by-2-inch squares to
use as gift tags. You can also cut photos into shapes like stars
or circles. Mat to cardstock. Write the gift information on the
back of the trimmed photos, punch a hole at their tops and hang
them from gift bags with ribbon.
Here are the 2011-2012 Title I Contacts
for our Title Program at
at Your School:
Consultant, Mrs. Jeanie Hiestand:
Davey School (330-676-7462)
Walls School (330-676-8300)
Consultant, Mrs. Katrina Kelling:
Holden School (330-676-8433)
Longcoy School (330-676-8350)
Principal, Todd Poole:
Franklin School (330-676-8450)
Parent Involvement Coordinator,
Ms. Pam Bose: All Schools (330-676-7425)
Federal Grants Coordinator, Mrs. Lori Slattery,
Director of Instructional Program:
All Schools (330-676-7600)
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