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Back to School 2011 Cont'd

Written by Southwest Orlando Bulletin Staff

Investing in Academics During the Summer Pays Off

by Scott Bergin
Huntington Learning Center
407-522-4477
www.huntingtonlearning.com

 Taking a complete break from academic activities during the summer can be hugely detrimental to students. Not only can they forget much of what they learned the previous school year, but they also can establish poor habits that can hurt them during the upcoming school year.

Summertime is a great time for parents to reflect on the past school year and take action against any areas of concern. Doing so sends the student into the new school year with the skills, confidence and motivation to handle the more challenging work. Failure to do so may cause students to struggle, or even regress, when faced with the challenges of the next grade level.

Students who struggled with class work, homework and maintaining acceptable grades are likely to continue that trend the following year, when the stakes are even higher. An accredited learning center can conduct a thorough academic assessment that identifies a student’s strengths and weaknesses and prepare a personalized program of instruction to fix the areas of concern before the new school year starts.

Summertime is also an ideal time for any student taking an important entrance exam, such as the SAT, ACT, PSAT or FCAT, during the next school year to begin a personalized preparation program. Qualified learning centers can properly assess a student’s raw ability on such tests and create an individualized test prep program designed to help the student achieve the highest personal score possible.

Parents and children should enjoy all the treats of summer, but also remember to take some time to keep academic skills sharp and invest a little time preparing for the challenges of the new school year.

Looking Too Cool for School

by Amanda Stebbins, O.D.
The Spectacle Shoppe
407-409-8123
www.thespecshoppe.com		 Cool clothes and hairstyles may be in line for school, but what about glasses? Many children are excited to get back to school to show off exciting new clothes and haircuts. But when are children excited to wear glasses? Some may fear being called “four-eyes” and other names.

A child’s vision correction should not be something that is feared, but something to get excited about. There are many new options to help ease children into something trendier and out of those old “coke bottles.”

Contact lenses are an alternative for most visual corrections and, with daily disposables, a great alternative for all ages. Many children are now eager to wear their glasses if they are Transitions and turn into sunglasses outside. Not only are their eyes protected from harmful ultraviolet rays, but they also look cool.

When making a back-to-school checklist, parents should be sure to include a comprehensive visual exam, not just a screening, for their children. Many vision disorders are mistakenly diagnosed as learning disorders, hindering a child’s progress throughout the school year.

Pointers to Keep Teens at the Head of the Class

by Jane Caruso McCullen, owner
LatherLounge at Salon Salon
407-447-9898
www.latherloungehair.com		 The first thing many teens worry about is how they will look on that first day back to school. From great skin to great hair, making a great impression is easy. Aveda has all the tools needed to help teens look and feel their best, including the hottest trend in hair accessories — the feather extension.

Those thinking about a new look for fall should consider the toll summer has had on their hair. The sun, beach, pool and frequent styling all cause damage, dehydration and buildup. From strength to hydration, an Aveda stylist can help determine what products are needed to keep hair ready to impress. Aveda stylists are up-to-date on the latest trends and fashion-forward advice.

It also is important to remember skin care. Aveda’s Outer Peace Acne Relief line boasts a proven 92 percent success rate. After use, skin is clean, clear and acne-free. Young ladies also should get advice on makeup. A makeup lesson with a chart teaches age-appropriate trends and basics that can keep young women ahead of the class.

Learning From a Child

by Chani Konikov, director
Chai Preschool
407-354-3660
www.chaiorlando.com		 There are no one-way streets in the world. And there is no way to give without getting; just as there is no one who gets but cannot give.

So it is with children. Just as an adult gives a child the knowledge and wisdom of life, so a child can give an adult the keys of how to live it.

Although little children may seem helpless at times and seem so dependent on others, the simplicity, trust and faith of a little child must be emulated by mature adults and educators.

Everyone should wish that all can pray with the simple faith of a small child.

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