Monday, November 28, 2011

Love this LAST DAY idea from Karen Taylor.

I so loved the concept I just had to share this fabulous tradition with you, below, from Karen's guest post Thankful Thursday. Education & Teachers. on Denyse Whelan's blog.


"...Every school year has a Last Day as well. In the evening of the Last Day I send my husband and kids out to buy dinner while I very quickly blu-tac up a selection of their work, photos and awards from the year gone by. I set the table for dinner and just as I hear the family returning I put on some loud music and meet the kids at the door with blindfolds.




 They put them on and enjoy dancing around the house until they arrive at the dinner table where they remove the blindfolds and spend a few seconds in awed silence as their memories are revealed, spread out in triumph on the wall. 


Then they scoff their dinner and relive the year that was. It’s the best fun ever and a night that the kids look forward to all year."


John Dewey has stated, “We do not learn from experience…we learn from reflecting on experience.” 


I believe that this is a wonderful activity for all students to undertake and what makes it even more special is when it is done as a family. Reflecting is a very important skill that allows the person reflecting to develop deep meaning and understanding. 


Most people would agree, in order to continually learn and improve, individuals need to engage in regular reflection.


Two questions that you could prompt your children with include: 
What do you notice?
What do you feel?


Have fun and if you implement this activity with your children let me know how it goes. 

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Make your child's day.

Lunch box letters of encouragement to pop into your kids lunch box!! (from Bill Zimmerman) 
There are many other valuable treasure to explore @ Bill'z Treasure Chest


I am sure you can think of a few other letters to create that would put a
big smile on your child's dial!!

Kids' who read, succeed!!! Cheers :-)

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Better Start for Children with Disabilities


[Better Start for Children with Disabilities] This package was announced in the last budget and came into effect on July 1. Similar to the Helping Children with Autism package, but encompasses a wider range of disabilities. The bulk of the package is for kids aged 6 and under, but there are some offerings for kids up to 13.


Children with one of the listed disabilities will also be able to access new Medicare items under the Better Start for Children with Disability (Better Start) initiative.
The Better Start initiative includes the following components:
  • Funding for early intervention services and treatments for eligible children
  • Additional assistance for eligible children who live in outer-regional, rural or remote locations to help with the costs of accessing services
  • A Medicare item for the development of a treatment and management plan for eligible children up to the age of 13
  • Medicare items for up to four allied health diagnostic services, the results of which contribute to the development of the treatment and management plan, and
  • Medicare items for up to 20 relevant allied health services in total for each eligible child up to the age of 15 provided the treatment and management plan is in place before the age of 13.

What other services are available for children with disabilities and their parents or carers?

To register a child for the Better Start early intervention funding parents and carers must call the RIS on             1800 242 636      .

Keep collecting your Woolworths points!!





Extended to October 18.....Keep collecting....
banner1

When you shop in store at Woolworths the points    automatically appear on your shopping dockets, so all you need to do is bring those dockets to school.


The more points you bring in, the more we can redeem from a choice of more than 7,000 educational resources including library books, classroom equipment, art & crafts materials and much, much more!

Help Woolies to help our school. Collect as many Earn & Learn points as you can!

Did you know that now you can also collect Earn & Learn points for your local school just by placing an order with Woolworths online? My Woolies is helping my school
To ensure that Sandy Beach Public School gets your points:

Simply email Woolworths Online Customer service at shoponline@woolworths.com.au your nominated school name and suburb today with subject: "Earn and Learn with Woolworths online", and Woolworths will add the points to your nominated schools tally at the end of campaign.So, what are you waiting for? Instore or online shopping creates points for the school to use so we can redeem educational resources including library books, classroom equipment, art & crafts materials and more!
Kids' who read, succeed!!! Cheers :-)

Monday, September 12, 2011

Mum, here is a message for your kids.

Kids' who read, succeed!!! Cheers :-)

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Are you willing to help save our children from injury?


Please consider helping by becoming a bus seat belt advocate-
Our kids deserve to be safe!!
RE: Submissions due by Friday 23rd September to School Bus Safety Community Advisory Committee

Thousands of children are being hurt, maimed and sometimes killed, simply because they don't have a lap/sash or 3-point seat belt on their school bus - even when travelling on high speed, high risk roads and highways.

Safety is a high priority these days and we know seat belts save lives, so to prevent injuries and deaths on our roads, children on buses must be able to buckle up too.

Please see the attached fact sheet & web links below to help with your submission:
www.transport.nsw.gov.au/school-bus-safety-community-advisory-committee (this has list of ideas to include in your submission)
In part from the Media Release:
“We want our recommendations to the Government to be practical and to be drawn from feedback we receive from the community.
The closing date for submissions is 23 September 2011.
All submissions will be published unless there is a request from the author that they remain confidential.
Submissions can be submitted via email to: carolynwalshnsw@gmail.com or mailed to:
Carolyn Walsh
Independent Chair
School Bus Safety Community Advisory Committee
C/- Department of Transport
PO Box K659
HAYMARKET NSW 1240
Further information about the Committee and information about making a submission
can be obtained from the Committee Secretariat on (02) 9689 8838.
More information is also available at:
www.transport.nsw.gov.au/school-bus-safety-community-advisory-committee"
Submissions don't need to be lengthy - the more submissions about the need for seat belts, the better chance we have of success.
If you'd like any help or have questions, just ring me.
Thanks for your help.
Regards, Glenda
Glenda Staniford
Belt Up for Safety (B.U.S.) Action Group
F1468 Princes Highway, Termeil NSW 2539
02 4457 1124
www.beltupforsafety.org
ferngullywinery@bigpond.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Belt-Up-for-Safety-BUS/173343869343472?v


Thursday, July 21, 2011

Physical as anything goes online!



"Supporting students with medical, developmental 

or psychological conditions at school!"


The Department of Education and Communities presents their new website: Welcome to Physical as anything.com.
This new website contains both medical and educational information on more than 50 medical, developmental and psychological
 conditions.
There is a special  Parents and carers section:

Familles play a major role in their child’s learning at school. Parents, carers and families can easily find:

* health information and resources


* school information and resources


* useful websites




"Children learn best when parents and carers and teachers work together.
  • Working together can increase the level of students’ participation and engagement in learning.
  • Working together can raise the expectations of students, teachers, school executive, parents and caregivers.
  • Working together can strengthen partnerships between schools, parents and caregivers and community agencies.Working together can help develop and sustain a positive and inclusive school culture.
  • Working together can strengthen partnerships between schools, parents and caregivers and community agencies
  • Working together can help develop and sustain a positive and inclusive school culture."


The A-Z of medical, developmental and psychological disorders:


You will find information on more than 50 conditions. 

All the information has been contributed by a panel of medical and educational experts.All the conditions are peer-reviewed to ensure accuracy, reliability, currency and endorsed by the NSW Kids' who read, succeed!!! Cheers :-)

Monday, July 11, 2011

Ensure your kids can enjoy the fun and games without the dangers.


Click the Whatta Blast! logo to go to the home page
Resources for Parents includes:This simple agreement for Parents and Kids can help keep all of you safe.
   Whatta Blast!
The Internet can be a wonderful resource for your child. 

Unfortunately the Internet can also be a dangerous place...

Check out the 10 Commandments for Kids so you can help them stay safe and enjoy the benefits of the internet. 




Wednesday, July 6, 2011

What a difference a school library makes!




I recommend you take the time to visit The Australian Library and Information Association and Australian School Library Association wiki: What a difference a school library makes? ALIA and ASLA created this wiki to enable parents, students, teachers, and everyone else who is concerned about the state of school libraries, to find out more information about this highly topical issue and to join in the discussion.

"The role of the school library and teacher librarians is more about creating a culture that values the written word as a meaningful, fulfilling and inclusive social tool and means for human development, than it is simply about providing a conduit to books per se. They are a necessary ingredient for developing healthy, well-rounded minds and should be embraced by communities of forward thinking people everywhere." Archie Fusillo.

On the wiki ASLA and ALIA presentChecklist for Parents 


Kids' who read, succeed!!! 
Cheers :-)

Monday, June 13, 2011

Face your facebook fears and find a balance.

This edition of the Parents magazine has much to offer concerned parents of young children. It is well worth browsing through and considering some of the recommendations for your family.


 Every family is different, so you need to develop an awareness and an action plan that your family are happy with. There is no one glove fits all for this wide ranging area.


It includes a section on: DIGITAL PARENTING CHECKLIST                                                                                            HOW TO SET UP FACEBOOK® PRIVACY CONTROLS


Further support and advice:
Facebook Pages Manual

Safety on Facebook


It comes down to trust


Sunday, June 12, 2011

Let them play......let them spread their wings.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words...


I think that this little animation speaks volumes...
Give them the opportunity!!


What do you think? Are we heading in the right direction?

Born to Learn from Born to Learn on Vimeo.

Born to Learn (Teaser): Adolescence is an Opportunity from Born to Learn on Vimeo.

Born to Learn is a fascinating series of animations narrated by Damian Lewis providing easy-access to the exciting new discoveries being made about how humans learn.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Sessions for little ones and their parents & carers.


 Come along and join the fun
EARLY LITERACY EXTRAVOGANZA
WITH “MR JIM”
Coffs Harbour14 – 19 June 2001
Presented by Coffs Harbour City Library.

Dr James Thomas has over 20 years’ experience teaching and working to promote early literacy awareness with adults and their little ones.  He specializes in developing activities that encourage language and early literacy skills in under two’s. Coffs Harbour City Library is pleased to facilitate the following workshops & information sessions being conducted by “Mr Jim”. Parents, Carers, Community Workers, Child\care workers and Educators are most welcome to attend.


·         SESSIONS FOR LITTLE ONES & THEIR PARENTS / CARERS

Young & the RestlessFor Children 12 -24months and parent / carer.
Tuesday 14 June 2011 – 10.00 – 10.30 Coffs Harbour City Library
Language based program for Adult  caregivers and 12 – 24mnth old child. Adults will learn how to engage with their child in early literacy activities that foster development and understanding of concepts, language, movement, exercise, signing and interactive social play. (30 minutes parent/carer& child session)  Refreshments to follow

Itsy-Bitsy Babies (for mothers and others)For babies 0 – 12mth and their parent / carer.
Tuesday 14 June 2011 – 11.00 – 11.30 Coffs Harbour City Library
Unique language play program for adult caregivers and their newborns to 12 months The 30 minute activities demonstrate age-appropriate finger plays, songs, signing, body movements, and books for babies. (30 minutes parent/carer& child session) Refreshments to follow

Man in the Moon  (for male carers) For babies 0 – 12mth and their parent / carer.
Saturday 18 June 2011 10.00 – 10.30 Coffs Harbour City Library
Unique language play program for adult caregivers and their newborns to 12 months The 30 minute activities demonstrate age-appropriate finger plays, songs, signing, body movements, and books for babies. (30 minutes parent/carer& child session) Refreshments to follow

·         HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS – Suitable for parents, caregivers and child care workers

Language Play for Infants – WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS Suitable for parents, caregivers and child care workers
Tuesday 14 June 2011 – 12.30pm – 2.30pm – Cavanbah Centre, Room A & B
Activities and ideas for captivating and communicating with one year olds. This is a fast paced program of body movement, songs, yoga, and signing, demonstrated can be adapted to any home, library or childcare environment.  Participants will learn ways of organizing a setting that will be interesting & engaging for little ones.  Refreshments included.

Ready to Read early literacy workshop.WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS Suitable for parents, caregivers and child care workers.
Tuesday 14 June 2011 – 5.30 – 7.30pm– Cavanbah Centre, Room A & B (Also on Saturday)
Saturday 18 June 2011 – 11.00 – 1.00 – Coffs Harbour City Library
Early Literacy, what children need to know about reading and writing before they actually learn to read and write is crucial to success.  Participants will learn about the six early reading skills, how they relate to brain development, and how to integrate them into daily routines.

·         INFORMATION SESSION FOR ADULTS – Suitable for parents and educators.

Boys, Books and Reading:The REAL ChallengeSuitable for parents and educators.
Thursday 16 June –5.30 – 6.30 Cavanbah Centre, Rooms A & B
An informative one-hour presentation about ways to engage boys with reading including lots of recommended titles. Discussion will include the various genres that hold the greatest appeal, and identify appropriate programming ideas for boys.Refreshments to follow.


BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL for all sessions.
Reserve your place early to avoid disappointment.
All sessions are FREE.
Please contact Judy Atkinson for additional information.
Phn: 66484900

Mr Jim’s Web info 
itsybitsybabies.pbworks.com; 
rtor.pbworks.com
2s3s4s.pbworks.com
boysbooksreading.pbworks.com 
toddlericon.pbworks.com