Rancho Cucamonga Tutors > Intervention to get them back on track

The school year is now well underway.  Most children have been in school now for at least one and a half months.  They’ve adapted to their new environments, and by now you have a good idea where they’re at with things.  Schools send out progress reports so parents can see where their children are excelling and also areas they may need extra help.  A progress report is a very helpful tool for parents.  It can alert us that our child is struggling in a subject (or maybe more than one subject) before it affects the student’s grade for the semester.  

With class sizes larger than we would like, kids just don’t get enough one-on-one attention.  That might work for some kids, but if your child needs more individualized instruction you’re going to have to find something to fill the gap.  It’s important to realize the issues early on and get help right away.  A child frustrated with school is going to begin fostering negative feelings toward school and experience lowering confidence with their learning abilities.  We all want our children to succeed and there are a number of available resources to aid in that goal. 

When you’ve decided that your child needs some type of intervention to get them back on track with their academics, there are many places to look for help.  This site has many great suggestions where to look including after school programs, online servies and private tutors.  You’ll need to investigate your options and then decide on something that works for your family.  

Most of us want our kids to have personalized attention in a one-on-one tutoring session to help kids improve their grades.  Some may worry that they can’t afford this type of tutoring.  This is particularly true in our current economic atmosphere where most everyone is trying to find ways to cut costs and reduce expenses.  Finding a low cost private tutor doesn’t have to mean giving up quality educational service for your child.  

Once you’ve reached a decision about tutoring options for your child, you’ll want to come up with a plan.  Sit down with your child and help she or he set goals.  Let your child know your expectations and that you believe in their ability to succeed.  Help your child get motivated by setting up a reward system.  This is particularly helpful in the beginning to give your child a boost.  Once they start seeing the results, they’ll feel good about their progress and that will be reward enough!         

You can contact Accent on Basic Skills tutoring:

Marcus Solomon
ACCENT ON BASIC SKILLS
8560 Vineyard Ave. #507
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91764
(909) 980-5388

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California homeschool > San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga > Private Schools and cost

When families suffer financial strain as they are in today’s economic crisis, they look for places they can cut back in order to make ends meet. Paying the mortgage on time, getting food on the table, and keeping gas in the cars are all basic obligations that take priority. Some families are just walking away from their homes because they can’t afford to make the payments. So many homes are going into foreclosure, there are vacant homes in many of our neighborhoods and a lot of talk of bailouts. Unemployment rates are rising. The stock market is in a precarious state. Americans are feeling the uncertainty in our economy. And we’re just weeks away from a Presidential election that looks too close to call.

Education is an important issue with families. As parents, we want our kids to get the best education possible and to go to the best school we can provide. In these difficult times, many folks who put their kids through costly private school education are unable to continue paying and are looking for alternatives. For many of these parents, private school offered more to their children. The student to teacher ratio is better, class sizes are smaller, there is a belief that learning standards are higher, and the parents can choose an environment that reflects their home values. Whatever your reasons are for sending your child to private school, no longer being able to afford private school doesn’t mean you have to give up on your educational plans for your children.

Homeschooling is a perfect alternative to private school education. As your child’s first teacher, you were made for the job. You know your child better than anyone else, you can provide her/him with one-on-one attention, and you have the flexibility to teach your child in the style you feel best fits your collective needs. Sometimes taking the leap into home education is a little nerve wracking and you may question your ability to properly educate your child. The best ways to quell those fears are to read (so much is available online, here’s a start and join a homeschooling group. Our family is part of a homelearners group in the Inland Empire and the kids get to socialize with other home schooling children (and the parents get to socialize with other homeschooling families!).

The other night I was searching for top reasons parents choose homeschooling.  Choosing their own curriculum, teaching to their children’s specific needs and interests, and providing a solid foundation for them all rank high on the list. Strengthening the family unit is another key reason people choose homeschool. Along those lines, you also gain more control over your household, the influences that affect your children and ultimately the future of your child. 

We started homeschooling a few years ago when our oldest daughter was going into kindergarten. She has excelled beyond our expectations and has had the opportunity to explore her musical and educational passions. We were thrilled to discover that the Etiwanda School District has a homeschool program. The transition was smooth, we received educational materials at no cost, and met with a California credentialed teacher.

With homeschool you don’t need to live in the area to be part.  In most cases you only visit once a week or even once every two weeks.  With that in mind a 45 minute drive is really not a big deal.

Recommended Homeschool Program:

Etiwanda Homeschool Program and Curriculum
Contact: Michele Jacks
Email: michele_jacks@etiwanda.org
 

 

Kids healthy snacks > Victoria Gardens Mall > Rancho Cucamonga

Victoria Gardens Mall, Rancho Cucamonga
Cultural Center, Rancho Cucamonga
Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt (across from Living Spaces Furniture)
12709 Foothill Blvd.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA  91739
p.  (909) 899-7599
interactive map and directions

Finding time for family activities is important for everyone in the family. The kids need to have a consistent routine so they can look forward to special time together. The length of time isn’t really the crucial part of this, just regularity. Creating family traditions helps kids feel a sense of belonging which is key to their self-worth and confidence. These traditions and activities can be more or less structured based on your personality styles and rhythms. The main factors for successful family time are being there, being “plugged in,” and living in and enjoying the moment.

Creating a tradition can be as simple as having a designated game night, going on a family walk after dinner, celebrating special occasions in a certain manner, or just having consistent bedtime routine. The actual activity isn’t as significant as connecting with one another and providing an opportunity for dialogue and communication. This is the best time to get in touch with the kids and your spouse.

Summertime is perfect for starting some new family traditions. We enjoy the longer days by taking a family walk after dinner with the kids and dog. The heat of the day has subsided but there is still enough light to be outside. We usually pack up the baby in her stroller and bring the soccer ball along on our walk. Our neighborhood is very conducive to walking with scenic pathways and large common grassy areas. Perfect for a quick game of soccer.

Other times we walk, or the kids ride their bikes, to our neighborhood Golden Spoon. Our kids enjoy having some type of dessert after dinner, but I don’t always feel they need something loaded with calories and fat. Part of the reason we walk together is to set a good example of healthy living. So having a hot fudge sundae afterwards is pretty counterproductive. The frozen yogurt at Golden Spoon is a special treat that the kids love and that I feel good about giving them.

Besides the frozen yogurt being low in fat, sugar and calories it’s also high in the good stuff like calcium and protein.  It also aids in digestion with the healthy, active yogurt cultures all while taking care of that 3 glasses of milk per day recommendation.

After we’ve ordered our favorite yogurt concoctions, mine is a mixture of Strawberry and Cake Batter with fresh blueberries, we head outside and eat together. Even the baby gets her cup of fresh strawberries to enjoy. Once we’re finished we make our way back home. It’s an especially great day when we meet someone who wants to pet our new dog - this makes the kids’ day!

Victoria Gardens Mall, Rancho Cucamonga
Cultural Center, Rancho Cucamonga
Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt (across from Living Spaces Furniture)
12709 Foothill Blvd.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA  91739
p.  (909) 899-7599
interactive map and directions