School days: What's best for kids?
A couple topics that always interest me are in the news: Whether high school should start later in the day and whether summer vacation hurts learning gains.
The answer to both is: Yes.
Science prevails on the side of a later starting hour for teens. My colleagues on our education blog recently posted on the topic.
And Time magazine has an intriguing story this week on the learning that's lost, particularly among low-income children, during summer recess.
What strikes me is that both situations are antiquated and certainly not child-centered. And yet, it's seemingly impossible to change these traditions.
Broward School Board member Stephanie Kraft commented that when changing school start times was proposed, students and parents rejected the idea, citing after school work and activity schedules, as well as child care for the youngest.
I don't buy that argument entirely because there's always a work-around. Sure, families would have to adjust, but don't we do that anyway with every new school year. People just don't like change. Why can't we start a little at a time? Start the shift, 15 or 30 minutes each year to high school starts later and elementary starts earlier.
As for summer vacation: Students in this country average 180 days in school. In Japan, the number is 243. 216 in Israel, 192 in England, 190 in Nigeria.
And we wonder what's wrong with American education. There's not enough of it!
What is it about boys and bodily functions?
From guest blogger Maria Bailey: 
I put the questions to my Mommy Friends who offered up a few gems. Feel free to use these tactics with your own children. And, wise mamas and papas, be sure to share your Words of Encouragement with us.
Maggie Cary, a national board certified teacher has been an educator for more than 17 years. She is certified in secondary education and holds a master’s degree in early childhood education.
The next day, talk show host Rush Limbaugh stepped in it (actually, 
Keerin is a delightful ten year old girl who enjoys being outdoors. She is an active youth who enjoys most outdoor games and also drawing and coloring. With her bubbly personality, Keerin can make friends almost instantly. Her favorite food is McDonald’s French fries. This loving child is in need of a home that will provide structure and gentle guidance. Currently, Keerin is receiving special education services. She would benefit greatly from a family that will provide her with the encouragement and support she need to excel academically. 
Let’s clarify: I intended to share what I think and what I'm doing with my conversations and my household. Yes, I hope you agree with me and do the same, but I don't advocate the counterproductive approach taken in one of the public service announcements I posted (comedienne Wanda Sykes berates a group of teenagers at a pizzeria who use the expression, reinforcing the stereotype of 'voluntarily indignant' p.c. police barging into other people’s conversations, uninvited, to tell them what they can and cannot say).
Our particular stretch of beach in South Florida is still clear and clean, fortunately. Still, coastal counties are preparing for what to do in case Deep Water Horizon tar balls start washing up on our shores.
If your house is anything like mine, then you suffer from the same dilema: Where do we put all of those awesome crayon, glitter and popsicle-stick masterpieces? Obviously, they start on the refrigerator...or at least they do at our house. Overflow space is the kitchen cupboards, but that starts to drive me crazy after a few days. Here are a few ideas on 
Even die hard fans of the franchise can be forgiven, somewhat, for blowing this one. At the beginning of the movie, Doc does say he's planning to travel 25 years into the future. And 25 years from 1985 is 2010. Doc also shows Marty McFly some key dates. Why wouldn't he have shown Marty the date he was planning to visit?
air – all in one smooth motion. In fact it’s downright dangerous – adults – professionals - have perished doing just that. (I’m still very cautious when I light the BBQ grill)
I think wee ones look their cutest in onesies or jeans. 
Gretchen Day-Bryant has a son in high school and a daughter in middle school. She’s lived to tell about the struggles of juggling little kids and work.
Joy Oglesby has a preschooler...
Cindy Kent Fort Lauderdale mother of three. Her kids span in ages from teenager to 20s.
Rafael Olmeda and his wife welcomed their first son in Feb. 2009, and he's helping raise two teenage stepdaughters.
Lois Solomon lives in Boca Raton with her husband and three daughters.
Georgia East is the parent of a five-year-old girl, who came into the world weighing 1 pound, 13 ounces.
Brittany Wallman is the mother of Creed, 15, and Lily, 7, and is married to a journalist, Bob Norman. She covers Broward County government, which is filled with almost as much drama as the Norman household. Almost.
Chris Tiedje is the Social Media Coordinator and the father of a 7-year-old girl, and two boys ages 4 and 3.
Kyara Lomer Camarena has a 2-year-old son, Copelan, and a brand new baby. 
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