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Middle Years

Could my daughter be a ‘mean girl’?

November 20, 2012 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

It’s not the kind of news you want to hear. Your daughter has been talking behind a friend’s back – and the things she’s saying are far from kind. You can’t figure out what’s going on, because that’s not how you raised her. You thought you taught her about compassion, empathy, acceptance and understanding. Now […]

Group projects are lesson in collaboration

November 20, 2012 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

There is an art to navigating a group, and it’s something we learn through practice. We’ve become more aware of this in recent weeks as we’ve listened to our high school-age daughter discuss several collaborative learning projects. The process has been frustrating for her as she has tried to find a balance between control freak […]

In a political season, students do the research, ask the questions, and hit the campaign trail!

In a political season, students do the research, ask the questions, and hit the campaign trail!

November 2, 2012 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

Election Day may be Tuesday, Nov. 6, but students across the country have already started heading to the polls in mock elections after a season of learning about how presidential elections work. Several online outlets, including the National Mock Election for Students and “Every Kid Votes” provide election resources for students and teachers and an […]

Storm stirs up questions, ideas

November 2, 2012 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

As “super storm” Sandy approached on Monday, we prepared as much as we felt was necessary. We didn’t anticipate that our area in upstate New York would be hard-hit. Some rain, lots of wind. Perhaps we’d lose power for a while. Our children didn’t appear particularly affected by the impending storm. Our two teenagers mulled […]

How do you approach political conversations with kids?

October 14, 2012 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

BOCES Communications Specialist Matt Leon weighs in on sharing the political process with children. Too often, the political debate in our country is negative, rigid, shallow, and even mean-spirited. We have radio hosts making crude remarks about young women; presidents and vice presidents using swear words near open microphones; and congressional representatives melting down on […]

Help the conversation get beyond ‘nothing’

October 14, 2012 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

Chances are you’ve had this conversation: You: How was your day at school? Your child: Good (or other uninformative one-word answer) You: What did you do at school today? Your child: Ummmmm…. Nothing. Whether your child is 4 or 14, you’re likely curious about what happens in the course of their day at school. Get […]

Health officials say best defense against flu season is vaccine

October 12, 2012 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

Health officials considered last year’s flu season mild, but they warn influenza is unpredictable and say the disease could take a toll in the 2012-13 season. Their advice: Get a flu vaccine. The CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older get vaccinated each year. This year’s flu vaccine consists of one H1N1 strain from […]

Nutrition is a vital piece of young athletes’ training plan

September 25, 2012 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

When it comes to our young athletes, we tend to focus on the physical paces they put themselves through as they train for their favorite sports. Equally important is nutritional training – making sure their bodies have enough fuel to make it through a race or game, not to mention to support growth in their […]

Celebrate citizenship and the Constitution on Sept. 17

September 14, 2012 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

When we think of important dates celebrating our country’s history, we tend to think first of Independence Day on July 4. A lesser known – but also important – date is Constitution Day on Sept. 17. Constitution Day is observed each year to commemorate the signing of the Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, and to […]

Talking about bus safety is time well spent

September 14, 2012 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

Our soon-to-be-8-year-old son insists he’s old enough to walk alone up our driveway at the end of the school day. We think differently. Since we can’t see the bus stop from the house and we live on a busy road, we have made it a habit to wait by the road for his bus at […]