Michigan PTA Money Saving Ideas and School Activity Budgeting Help

Michigan school PTA organizations across the state are working hard to maintain activities, projects, and enrichment assemblies programs at their schools, while working with shrinking parent involvement and Michigan state school budget cuts. Cuts in budgets for PTA groups, does not have to mean cutting back on the services and activities provided to your school community. There are many simple things that can be done to reduce costs and save money - without jeopardizing the goals and mission of your parent group.

Organize a Michigan PTA Buying Co-Op with Other Area Schools

Teaming up with other schools in your Michigan school district to form a buying co-op is one of the easiest and most effective ways to cut your costs. Having a co-op allows you to contract services and make purchases for supplies and school equipment in bulk, which gives you more negotiating power for a lower per unit price.

Michigan PTA co-ops work great for scheduling school assemblies in Michigan and family night enrichment programs, as many Michigan school assembly performers offer block booking discounts for shows at multiple schools booked on the same day or consecutive days.

Here is an example of how block booking discounts may work when your schools wants to schedule an assembly performance:

Imagine your school is interested in booking a science assembly program for your Michigan elementary students. The normal fee for such this science assembly program may be $650 for a performance at your Michigan school. If you were to have two other schools in your district that were interested in the same program, however, the assembly presenter could now perform a program at your school in the morning, another school in the afternoon, and the final school the next day. The presenter can now offer a discounted fee to all the schools because they are doing more shows and only have to travel to your area one time. The new "block booking" fee for this Michigan science assembly may now be $450 per school. That means all three schools in your district just saved $200 off their science assembly program.

Michigan PTA buying co-ops can be beneficial in negotiating the best price for almost any service or product. With email mailing lists and networking services such as Facebook and Twitter, it is easy to communicate with other Michigan PTA groups and find out who would be interested in participating in block booking an assembly program or making a group purchase of equipment or supplies.

Have Alternate Dates For Your PTA Event or Activity in Mind

Michigan magicians, speakers, DJ's, assembly presenters, caterers, and other businesses that provide services to Michigan schools are more likely to be negotiable on the prices for their services if your school event is during a "slow time". Friday nights, weekends, and holidays are prime days for most Michigan event services providers, and you should expect to pay full price for a school event on those days. There is little incentive for a business to give your school a discount on a date that they can easily get their full normal fee for. There are fewer events and parties held on a Monday - Wednesday, so the company may be more eager to offer discounted fees in order to fill in their schedule.

Always ask if there would be a discount if your event was on a different night of the week. You may be surprised at the savings you could be offered.

There is a common thought among Michigan PTA groups that they must have their PTA family night activities on a Friday night. But in reality, a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday night event can be even more successful because the event is not competing with other activities families may have planned for the weekend.

Get A Local Sponsor For Your Michigan PTA Event

Ask area Michigan businesses to donate money or products towards a school family night, school assembly program, or improvement project. In exchange for the donation, offer to feature the business in your Michigan school PTA bulletin, display a sign from the business at the event, and feature the business as a sponsor in all fliers and posters for the school event. It is important that the business feels as if they are getting proper recognition and/ or advertising for their donation as it will increase their willingness to participate in future PTA events. Chances are you will not have to look too far for a sponsor, as many of your existing PTA members are probably small business owners.

Small Grants Can Add Up To Big Savings For Your Michigan PTA School Group

There are many state, city, county and national grants and financial assistance programs available to Michigan schools who wish to bring in enrichment programs to their schools.

Local Police DARE organizations have access to funding for programs and enrichment that support drug prevention and positive self-esteem messages. The DARE chapter may be able to pay for all or part of an anti-drug, or no bullying assembly presentation for your school or sponsor a say no to drugs family night or red ribbon week event.
Arts and entertainment grants are available through Michigan Arts and Humanities Council for schools that are looking to bring a touring arts program to their students. This organization pays for up to 35% of the cost of select performing arts programs. The grant application has very specific requirements and deadlines that must be met, so read the application carefully!
School assembly presenter agencies such as Midwest School Assembly Presenters often list available Michigan school assembly grants on their website. These grants can save schools $50-$100 or more off the cost of an assembly program at their elementary school.

Getting a grant for a PTA program at your Michigan school can often require filling out applications and submitting proposals. It is best if you can get one volunteer from your Michigan PTA group, who is good at composition and business writing, to be in charge of all grant program applications.

Midwest School Assembly Presenters (http://www.michiganschoolshows.com) of Sterling Heights, Michigan is the most recommended school assembly resource for Michigan PTA groups and Michigan school principals who are looking to schedule quality school assemblies for their elementary or middle school students. The team of assembly planning specialists work directly with schools to make Michigan school assemblies affordable, while meeting school enrichment and programming goals.

The Michigan school assembly programs currently available to all Michigan school districts include science assemblies, no bullying programs, social studies game shows, assemblies for reading month, and PTA family night entertainment. Their online Michigan school assemblies directory lists descriptions and reviews for all the programs to make selecting the perfect assembly easy for your school.

Grants for Michigan assembly programs such as the Dollars and Sense School Show are available to most schools in Michigan. Ask for specific dates and availability for grant discounts available to your Michigan PTA group.

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School Furniture - Empowering the Learning Environment

One of the most crucial tasks school administrators face is establishing a positive atmosphere for learning, and school furniture plays a major role in the way a school looks and feels to the students learning within its walls. Classrooms that are cheerful and bright encourage a far more positive learning experience than ones that are colorless and drab.

On the other hand, school furniture that is too colorful and busy can actually present a distraction to students. Besides aesthetics, comfort, size, space, durability and - don't forget - budget, are all factors that need to be taken into account when planning furniture for schools. Whether you're designing a new school or upgrading an older one, the classroom furniture you choose will have a decisive impact on the way students feel about their studies.

Have a Seat!

Studies show that students between the ages of 13-18 years old spend about 78% of their time sitting down. But the truth is that even preschoolers spend a considerable amount of time in their chairs. So a lot of thought needs to go in to choosing the best school chair for your classrooms.

Say What? A Little Terminology...

First, a little school furniture terminology to help make things clear.

School chair seats are manufactured out of one of three materials: wood, soft plastic and hard plastic. Wood means just that, wood. Soft plastic is the colloquial name for polyethylene and polypropylene. Polyethylene has a lot of give; polypropylene, while not actually bendable, does conform somewhat so that students can lean back a bit in their chairs. Hard plastic is far more rigid than its soft counterpart and has no bend whatsoever.

The legs and supports of school chairs are usually made of one of three gauges of steel: 18, 16, and 14 gauge. Contrary to what one might assume, the lower the gauge the stronger the steel, so if you're looking for the strongest supports around, you would look for chairs with 14 gauge steel.

Down to Size - How High Should School Chairs Really Be?

Ideally, children should be able to plant their feet firmly on the floor even when sitting with their backs against their chairs. This position minimizes fidgeting and provides proper back support. Practically speaking, there will always be some children whose feet dangle when they sit all the way back, or who will have to lean forward if they want their feet to reach the floor. When measuring school chairs, the height is always measured from the floor to the highest point on the seat surface.

Table Talk - A Word About School Tables

As with chairs, here's a bit of school desk and table terminology you should be familiar with.

The top of school tables or desks is the part that gets the most use, and is the easiest to damage. There are two basic types of table/desk tops for schools. The first - and least expensive - is called a laminate, which is essentially a wood top with a processed surface that protects it from minor damage. Everyday splotches like pencil marks, fingerprints and white-out will come off easily; however, the desk will be vulnerable to dents and pen scratches, as well as damage from sharp objects.

The second kind of tabletop is a hard plastic top. This is just what it sounds like - a desk or table covered with a solid piece of hard plastic. These are extremely difficult to damage, as they are quite tough and can stand up to major student abuse. Although they can be significantly more expensive in the short run, their durability can make them worth their while in the long run.

There is, however, a third type of desk top called Woodstone. Manufactured exclusively by Hertz Furniture, Woodstone is made of a hard plastic surface with a core of wood and/or wood parts. It is just about as durable as regular hard plastic, but since it is less expensive to manufacture, its price is more or less the same as a laminate.

Now that you've got all the terminology you need, you're ready to actually think about the school furniture that will serve your students best. Since different grades have different needs, we'll break it up by age group.

Kiddie Korner

Gross motor skills in small children are still very much in the development stage; that's why they tend to trip and fall more often than older children. So when your budding students go down with a bang, you want to make sure that their chairs stay intact.

Despite the need for durability, though, soft plastic is a far more popular choice for this age than hard plastic. Small children's bodies are not yet fully developed (that's why they're so soft and cuddly); as a result, they are uncomfortable sitting in very rigid chairs. So look for chairs made of top-quality soft plastic.

Some school chairs come with a plastic back and seat, but metal frames and legs for added strength and support. These are great for durability, but smaller children might stick their fingers into the space between the metal and plastic and get them pinched or even stuck. If that's a concern for you, look for soft plastic chairs made of one piece, solid construction, as these will have no spaces for curious little fingers. They are also much less expensive.

If you're looking for the strength of the metal-plastic combination but want the safety of a one-piece unit, you might want to try a school chair made of a mixture of soft and hard plastic. These chairs are made of a one-piece, soft plastic shell (meaning the back and seat) that is ultrasonically welded to a hard plastic base.

In most P-K classrooms, the same general areas are used for such varying activities as circle time, arts and crafts, eating and even sleeping. That makes it necessary to have chairs that can be moved and stored easily. So look for chairs that stack easily and in quantity. Make sure that they can be pushed or pulled without too much effort as well. This is especially important for 5-6 year olds, who will be expected to clear away the chairs when they're "on duty".

Tables

For preschoolers to kindergarten, you want to look for tables that measure from about 19-23 inches in height. Some tables come with adjustable legs, so you can raise and lower them to suit your needs.

Generally speaking, children up to kindergarten age sit between four and eight to a table. If you're looking at a rectangular table, calculate approximately 20 inches for each child. For round tables, figure that between eight and ten children can fit around a table with a 48 inch diameter.

Although small children are not necessarily harsh on their school furniture - even their scissors tend to have round edges - they can be pretty messy. Glue, crayons, markers, glitter and paint will all "decorate" your tables liberally. So, although you may not need tables with hard plastic tops, make sure you buy ones with a high quality laminate to make clean-up as hassle-free as possible.

The shape of your school tables will depend a great deal on the structure of your classroom. While many schools use standard round or rectangular tables, there are others that prefer kidney-shaped tables, which allow all the children to have an equal view of the teacher. If it is important to you to be able to push tables together, then consider trapezoidal tables. Some companies, like Hertz Furniture, carry specialty tables, like clove or flower-shaped.

The Next Stage - Elementary School Chairs

Starting with first grade, young students are expected to sit and concentrate for far longer periods of time. Therefore, ensuring maximum comfort and minimum fidgeting is a top priority.

Most standard elementary school chairs are made from soft plastic. These are both more comfortable and less expensive; however, they are not as durable as their hard counterparts. If you're operating under budget constraints - or it's important to you that students have school chairs they can lean back in - then here are a few features to that will give your soft plastic chairs an added boost of durability:

* Back supports - These are steel supports that run all the way up the back to offer extra back support. * Underseat brackets - These supporting brackets under the chair seat. * 16 gauge steel - Ideally, the steel supports should be made of at least 16 gauge steel. * Long-term warranty - Make sure that the manufacturer is willing to stand behind its products. Some brands, like Academia from Hertz Furniture, actually offer a limited lifetime warranty on their school chairs.

Wood chairs are extremely durable and give a beautiful, classic look to school room furniture. They are considerably more expensive than either soft or hard plastic, though, which is one of the main reasons you don't see them too often.

School Chairs - Leg Options

A standard, four legged school chair is the best choice for schools with hard floors. The chair rests on four legs that are usually made of tubular steel and capped with glides to keep the chairs level and prevent scratches on hard surface floors. Nylon or plastic glides are softer on hard floors, and prevent students from making distracting noises when they move around.

Sled-based chairs are also made of tubular steel; however, rather than splitting into four legs, the chair is supported on each side by a base that resembles a sled. This type of school chair doesn't move easily across hard floors, but it glides softly and easily on carpeted surfaces.

The third option is school chairs on casters. These are four-legged chairs with little wheels attached so that students can turn around with ease, and are highly recommended for classrooms like computer labs or art rooms. They can, however, be hazardous for students in younger grades, and are usually reserved for either teachers or for middle school and up.

Turning the Tables

Once children enter first grade, they no longer sit four, six or eight to a table; rather, they sit either in pairs or at individual desks. They use their tables more and more for writing and less and less for activities such as arts and crafts, and, as their studies become departmentalized, they have more materials to keep track of. The older the students get, the more frequently they write with pens (as opposed to pencils), and they need sharp-edged school supplies like sharp scissors and compasses.

So when planning elementary school furniture, you should be looking for tables that 1) accommodate two students comfortably; 2) provide a storage solution for school materials and supplies; and, 3) will stand up to intense daily wear and tear.

For younger grades, height adjustable activity tables are great. They have plenty of room for young students to have all their materials on the table without invading their tablemate's space. Although these work well for older grades, too, many schools prefer school desks at this stage. If you're interested in desks for grades 5 and up but still want your students to be able to work comfortably in pairs, then look for double desks such as those manufactured by Hertz Furniture.

As far as school supplies, consider chairs with attached book baskets, or desks with open view book boxes. It can be important for the teacher to see what the students have under their desks, both to facilitate neatness and order and to prevent undesirable objects (or pets!) from creating discipline problems. Definitely look for school tables with hard plastic tops, or at least a very high quality laminate. Best-quality desk and tabletops will save you both money and time-consuming maintenance.

If your school has wheelchair-bound students, make sure that at least some of your tables are wheelchair accessible. Some schools purchase only wheelchair accessible tables so that all students have the same school furniture, regardless of physical ability.

Growing and Growing and...Some Tips for 7th-12th Grade Chairs and Tables

Generally speaking, just about everything that applies to elementary school furniture applies to junior high and high school as well. There are, however, a few exceptions and additions.

The first is that, at this point, height is no longer an issue. All your students will need 18"-19" inch school chairs.

Secondly, 7th-12th graders can be tough on their school furniture. Besides regular wear and tear, they also have a tendency to write (and occasionally engrave) messages on their chairs. So hard plastic chairs are highly recommended. Ditto for desk tops. If budget constraints don't allow for that, make sure that the desks you purchase have a very high quality laminate or Woodstone top.

Thirdly, unlike the elementary grades, most schools provide individual desks from 7th grade and up. These come in a variety of shapes and sizes, depending largely on whether your school is geared for independent learning, cooperative learning or a combination of both. Double desks, mentioned earlier, make it easy for students to organize into partners. Trapezoidal desks allow students to sit individually, but can be conveniently joined together to form semi-circles, hexagons or octagons for group learning. Individual desks, which you see in most classrooms, promote independent learning. Some have an enlarged surface to fit large textbooks, laptops, and to provide additional working space for study partners.

Last, students in 7th-12th grades have a lot more school materials for each class, as well as school supplies. That means that it is crucial to have school furniture that provides a storage solution for all their stuff. Some schools prefer chairs with attached bookshelves or baskets for a convenient place to store things yet eliminates the tendency of students to fidget with them, as they are safely under the seats. Other schools prefer under-the-desk storage, which allows students easy access to whatever they may need.

If you have wheelchair-bound students, make sure to take them into consideration when purchasing school desks. There are a number of wheelchair-accessible desks available in a variety of styles, many of which are appropriate for the non-wheelchair bound as well.

An economical choice - both in terms of money and space - is a chair-desk combination unit. Used mostly in high schools, these come with a choice of both soft and hard plastic chairs, and desktops.

School furniture comes in a variety of colors. Navy blue and burgundy are currently the most popular, but you can find chairs in unique colors as well as in all the primary colors. For classrooms with a color scheme that is both classy and consistent, Educational Edge(TM) offers a line of completely color-coordinated furniture. And if you're looking for school furniture that is both unusually strong and uniquely designed, try the Inspiration line by Hertz Furniture.

The Finishing Touch - School Chair Frame Finishes

Now that you've selected the height, material, and type of leg you want your school chairs to have, it's time to decide on the frame finish. There are three types of frame finishes for school chairs:

1) Chrome - This is the popular, very shiny silver finish you see on many chairs. It is very easy to maintain.

2) Powder Coat - Powder coat is a paint finish that is electro-statically applied to steel components such as a frame, leaving a highly durable finish. It can be ordered in a number of colors, so if color-coordinating the frame and the seat is important to you, this is the finish you would choose.

3) Mirage - Mirage is also a powder coat, but it is colored to look like the classic chrome.

All are rust-resistant, unless of course you leave them out in the rain.

For over 40 years, businesses, schools and religious institutions have been turning to Hertz Furniture for top quality commercial and school furniture.

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Ten Tips For a Fantastic School Website

I stumbled upon a school website that exemplifies the exact qualities of a fantastic school website. If you go to the website for Bishop Heelan School in Sioux City, IA, you will see what I am talking about.

I have been consulting for schools for over ten years and I have found that many schools have a website and this is great...but there are still some schools that do not have a website, nor do they have the qualities of what makes a fantastic school website! Parents and potential parents are visiting your website whether you like it or not and if you want to impress them one of the things that you need to have is a quality website that offers valuable information. The great part about this is that it is not hard to do at all!!! Just follow the steps below and you will be on your way to giving parents and potential parents what they need and want when they are researching schools!

Here are the top ten items a school website must have to provide the most valuable information for parents and prospective parents searching your school.

1) About Us Page: It is great to have an about us page on your website. This gives people an overview about your school and website. It is kind of like a summary of everything that your website and school consists of. You will be going into more detail in the pages of your website, but people can just look at this at first glance to see what your school is all about; hence About Us. Make the about us page desirable to keep parents intrigued to keep looking at your website. Make it interesting and unique.

2) Pictures: Everyone loves pictures. Provide pictures of the students in sporting events, science fairs, dances, plays - anything you can think of! Provide pictures of the school itself like the grounds of the school, the buildings, and classrooms. Portray anything new that you would like to showcase. These are all very important so that people can get a nice visual aspect without ever seeing your school in person. Providing faculty pictures is also a nice enhancement as you will see below.

3) Faculty / Staff Directory: Make it simple and easy to find the faculty and staff that work at your school. This is important for many reasons. It makes the staff and faculty members feel more important when they see their name and title on the website. It is also very helpful for parents that might be searching for a teacher and wants quick and easy access to their phone number and email address. If you want to take this a step further and really up the quality of your website, then add pictures of the faculty members. This makes it much more presentable and fun for everyone when they can put a face to a name.

4) Admissions Policy: It is always nice to tell people what the school's admission policy is. Providing information in a step by step, spelled out format is the best thing that you can do. Also, provide any forms that the families might need to register their kids. This makes the information easily accessible for the parents. Most schools have their tuition information in the admissions section of the website. Describe all registration fees, payment plans, payment methods, additional fees, and tuition. A nice calendar of events might be helpful too in the admissions section: First day of school, registration day, open houses, etc

5) Ways to Donate to the School: Even in this downturn economy, there are still people out there that are willing to donate to schools. Referring to our example school, Bishop Heelan, if you look at the navigation heading at the very end, you will see "Ways to Give". Listed there are different campaigns that people can donate to. This is excellent because people can donate towards a specific cause. If someone wanted to help out a family in need of tuition assistance, they can click on the Monsignor Lafferty Tuition Foundation and their money would go to a family in need. This is one of the most important ways for a school to raise money. It is easier than most fundraising efforts! Put it on your website!

6) At least two descriptions (in detail) of what makes your school different: There are many options for places for parents to send their kids to school. There are public schools, charter schools, online schools, religious schools, Montessori schools, and many more! You have to outline the qualitative that your school has to stand out from the crowd! If your school has a great drama program, or a great music program, or an award winning science team, or an awesome performing musical band - you must showcase that on your website! Anything that you can do to 1) add information and content to your site and 2) make your school standout and answer the question "what makes your school unique". The more you do this, the more compelled parents will be to keep looking at your school as a viable option for their children, instead of another school!

7) School History: People searching your school's website like to see details of how long the school has been around for, what updates the school has gone through throughout the years, and other valuable information associated with the school that made it what it is today. Things like renovations the school has gone through and changes throughout the years are what shape a school and creates more value. I always like to read a school's website before I go into a meeting. If I find out that the school I am visiting has a school and parish that have been around for over 100 years - that is very valuable information and it just makes me respect a school that much more!

8) Mission Statement: A school Mission Statement gives people a good idea of the philosophy and ideology of what the power behind the school is. The mission statement answers the question of what fuels and motivates the school to be the best it can be for the children it educates. A clear cut mission is important because parents want to see the thought process of the people running the school. Of course, the more time and energy that is put into the mission statement, the better the quality your school and website will become.

9) Headmaster / Director / Principal's Message: A message from the person at the top goes a long way for a school's website! This makes the website more personal and it also is a way for the parents to get a good sense of who the commander in chief is at the school. The more you personalize the website, the better it will be. Just imagine what you would want to see on a website - you want it welcoming, you want to meet the people in charge and you want to see firsthand information and images to make a well informed decision.

10) Contact information: It is imperative that the school has a contact us page with the formal address of the school and the main phone number of the school, a fax number and an email address. You can have a contact form, but most people feel more comfortable writing an email if that is their preferred way of communicating with the school. You must have an open outlet of communication so there are no barriers of people contacting your school. Directions to the school are also helpful on the contact us page. These days, it is very easy to add a picture of a map pinpointing the exact location of your school.

If you go ahead and follow these basic guidelines, you too will have a fantastic website for your school. The economy will not stay bad like this forever! Make sure you are ready for the rebound!

From the folks at Raise Enrollment - website coming soon!

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Top Nine High School Tips

When you are first starting high school, getting used to all the changes from previous schools can be daunting. Fortunately, keeping in mind a few simple things can alleviate most of the stress that comes with attending high school. I wrote this article less than a year after I graduated high school to pass on some of the most important lessons I learned during my schooling experience.

9. Life isn't fair

Unless you've been living in a cave, you've probably been warned that life isn't fair. The saying is uttered so much that everyone begins to forget exactly what it means, and nobody stops to consider its meaning. Is life not fair when you're passed up for that promotion for which you've worked for months? Is life not fair when your neighbor can afford to buy a more expensive car than you can? Or, is life not fair when a close friend or relative is stricken by a serious illness but you are left unscathed?

In all of the above circumstances, life certainly isn't fair, and this statement applies to high school as well. Life isn't fair when you're rejected from the National Honor Society because you participated in more out-of-school activities than in-school. Life isn't fair when someone sitting next to you can solve an equation in two seconds, while you ponder over it for two hours. Life isn't fair when athletes receive all the recognition while other clubs and activities are forgotten.

Not only is life not fair, but no matter what you do, you can't make life fair. Most of the important decisions are completely out of your control and you have no power whatsoever to change them. There are those who are gifted in every respect, and there are certain people who fail utterly even though they've tried their hardest. And finally, even though several teachers told me that they disagreed with many of the school's policies, their efforts to change them were in vain.

So therefore, in such an unequal world, how can one strive to succeed against all the odds? Some people would say to "try hard," but sometimes trying hard is not enough in such an unforgiving environment. As long as you've tried your hardest, however, what does it matter to everyone else? Sure, you could worry about what happened, but as an English professor once told her class, regret is an empty emotion. If things don't go your way, there's only one action you can take:

Accept defeat, and try again.

8. Take a wide variety of courses

Whereas many of the top ten on this list were prompted by my regrets or by experiences that I didn't have, one of the positive decisions I made during my high school career was to take a variety of courses.

I would recommend that everyone take a wide range of courses, regardless of intended college major. For example, my parents and I were browsing through the course catalog in eighth grade and we stumbled upon a woodworking course. Even though I had no intention of becoming a carpenter when I graduated, I had enjoyed "industrial arts," as it was then called at the Upper Moreland Middle School. While I was nervous on the first day of class as to whether I would benefit from the course, by January I had produced several pieces, all of which are still in use in our and other family members' homes four years later.

I was also hesitant about putting AP Government on my roster at the end of my junior year. Again, I didn't know whether I would benefit from taking a government class when I could have taken any number of easier courses. While I had some luck in that I took the course during what could have quite possibly been the most eventful presidential election in history, I enjoyed the class thoroughly and learned much general knowledge about political systems that will help me in the future as an American citizen and voter.

AP courses are also a great benefit. Through these courses and the related tests, I was able to accrue 18 credits before attending college and will be able to graduate in seven semesters. With the exception of one course (which didn't even count for college credit at Penn State), I would recommend highly all of the AP courses that I took. Be cautious though - some of these courses do require quite a bit of work, and those who don't think they can keep up would probably be best with a lighter schedule.

In conclusion, if you see a course you might enjoy or think might be of benefit in the future, take a chance and schedule it. AP courses are also a great chance to earn college credit in high school, so take advantage of these opportunities!

7. Keep your grades up in 9th grade

The Upper Moreland School District has a very good "transitional" program for helping students succeed in their freshman year of high school after attending the middle school for three years. Unfortunately, when I arrived at the high school, I didn't have any idea of how difficult the workload would be.

For reasons that escape me now, I somewhat slacked off during 9th grade, earning a B average. While some of the courses I took were very difficult, I should have been able to earn better grades if I had tried harder. After I was ranked 59th in the class (in about the 22nd percentile), I decided to pull everything together and work harder, eventually graduating in 10th place. While a final GPA of 99.59 wasn't bad by many standards, it wasn't good enough to earn scholarships at Penn State or (even though I had decided against it before I received their final decision) to attend the University of Pennsylvania.

Most likely, I was misled into believing that 9th grade wasn't important because of what some seniors said at an orientation day the year before I began high school. On the contrary, a poor performance in your freshman year will haunt you for the next three (or possibly even seven) years. Therefore, treat each course as if it could determine the rest of your life.

Depending on your goals, it could.

6. Ask around before taking courses

One of the worst mistakes I made in the past four years was not investigating the courses I was taking. Having no information on what a course was actually like or how it would benefit me in the future, I was blindly thrown into situations for which I could have been better prepared.

Three courses in particular come to mind when I look back at experiences I may have been better off without. While I won't go into details, I will say that I gained little or no lasting benefit from these courses and could have better spent my time doing something else. However, looking at the past, I now realize that courses in which teachers attempt to "prepare students for college" are most likely not worth taking.

Throughout high school, I continuously heard certain teachers state their goals to "prepare students for college." As far back as 9th grade, I took a class where the teacher asked students in the class to define hundreds of terms in a single weekend. While I spent hours completing the assignments and "preparing myself for college," I remember very few of the terms now and have realized that college is actually easier than those teachers would have students believe. College teachers don't require students to define hundreds of terms for homework credit.

I encountered the last and worst class of my high school career in my senior year. At times, the teacher of this course assigned over 10-15 hours of homework in a single weekend, and I received the lowest grades of my twelve years of school. In short, what I didn't know was that most colleges, including Penn State, didn't accept the AP credit for this particular course (even though I scored a four on the test), and that scholarships were awarded for higher grades as opposed to tougher courses. Therefore, my work was in vain - but I could have discovered all of this information by simply doing a little research before creating my schedule.

Therefore, while I'd like to say that the attitude of the teacher of a particular course shouldn't have an impact on whether you roster the class, there are certain courses that simply aren't worth the effort. Becoming an informed student is another step on the road to success.

5. Don't be intimidated by college planning

In today's world, successful people plan well ahead of the times. The typical retail chain, for example, begins ordering Christmas inventory in early January. Look at any celebrity's success story and you'll discover a hidden story where someone was outstanding in some activity at a very young age. Therefore, it's not surprising that high school students are flooded by college propaganda. Somewhere in a pile of old papers I have a college admissions "road map," which details how students can prepare for college as early as seventh grade!

Obviously, such a flood of information can be overwhelming. Between preparation for the SATs, decisions about which college to attend, and the pressure to keep the grades up, those I know who were inundated with this information took one of two paths of action: began their college search as early as tenth grade or put off the process until the last minute.

First, don't check the box on the SAT's which gives you the option of receiving information directly from colleges. Not only will you receive a thousand useless pamphlets that will require hours of your time to review, but you're probably more likely to make the wrong decision because of a nice looking picture or an unsubstantiated promise.

Believe it or not, you probably already know where you want to continue your education. As early as the beginning of eleventh grade, my dad first brought up the idea of my attending Penn State. I pushed it aside, figuring I would look through all the pamphlets, attend visitations, and eventually make a grueling decision in crunch time. As a result, I visited ten colleges and spent a hundred hours or more of my time writing nearly twenty essays, having them proofread, and completing application after application.

In the end, I decided to attend Penn State anyway, which required no essays, and from which I had already received a decision before I even began applying to the other colleges.

I also took an SAT preparation course, but in truth, statistics agree that SAT preparation programs rarely, if ever, improve a student's scores. Finally, as I discovered, attending an ivy league school doesn't assure success in the real world - as I've heard from stories involving those who attended such schools. In most cases, a more reasonably-priced university will be as good as, if not superior to, the education offered at an ivy league school. One of my teachers at UMHS once told his students that the only reason private high schools appear prestigious is because they can afford to reject those who won't succeed no matter how much guidance is offered. The same applies to ivy league universities - they appear exceptional because their reputation allows them to reject less capable students from their larger pool of applicants.

So, in essence, the college admissions process is simpler than you might think. Ignore all the rhetoric and decide where you think you would succeed and be happy, and stick to your decision.

4. Learn to drive at 16

The headline for this tip is somewhat misleading. Let me state that if I were the dictator of the world, the legal driving age would be 18. Since the driving age in Pennsylvania is 16, however, I have to include advice to learn to drive as soon as reasonably possible.

With the enaction of the new six month wait laws, however, I waited until I was 18 to learn how to drive. It wasn't until after I knew how that I realized how important the skill of driving is to everyday life. It had never occurred to me how many seemingly insignificant tasks that would normally require days to be completed could be finished in a short time when one has the ability to drive to obtain whatever is needed. More importantly, I discovered that many of the commonplace activities in which many young people participate frequently (such as going to the movies), while not all that difficult before, become infinitely easier with the freedom to come and go as I choose.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not suggesting that everyone obtain a license to drive back and forth from school every day. Driving to school is one activity I strongly recommend against. However, if you have the money to hold a license after you are 16 1/2, then do so. While it might not seem important in the beginning, having a license earlier rather than later will save a lot of hassle when you really need one.

3. Don't be afraid to pursue romantic relationships

Of all the tips I've included in this feature, this one is by far the most difficult to comprehend. Not only is it an awkward topic to discuss, but you probably won't listen to what I have to say anyway. Hey, I didn't listen to what anyone else had to say either.

While a number of experiences shaped my opinion on romance, one that stands out occurred during the fall of my senior year. Someone with whom I was enamored suddenly began making idle conversation and showing all the traditional signs of flirting. As the person in question was quite possibly one of the most "popular" students at UMHS, had won about every award imaginable, and most importantly had at least two other guys I knew swooning over her, I figured that what was happening was impossible. For weeks, I battled within myself as others attempted to convince me to ask her out, but eventually decided to give up because the embarrassment of rejection would be too great because of her "social status."

It wasn't until well after these events (and a conversation with some fellow students) that I was able to remove the dust from my eyes and realize what had actually been happening. Contrary to my belief, I wouldn't have died had I decided to take a chance, and so-called "popular" people aren't any different than anyone else. A girl doesn't stare at a guy throughout an entire AP Government class for no reason!

On a side note, I was never very enthusiastic about attending school dances. While I had danced somewhat in the past, I ridiculously assumed that dancing was a laborious task that required years of practice to master. Therefore, I was nervous that by dancing, I would make an idiot out of myself. To make a long story short, since I hadn't danced much before the senior prom, I believed that my lack of experience would be painfully obvious. As you can see by the picture of me that somehow made its way into the 2001 yearbook to be preserved for all eternity, it wasn't that hard after all.

I should also note that I know someone whose parents "strongly recommended" against dating until the junior or even senior year of high school. This person was forced to reject four girls' questions during his freshman year and not attend the annual dances and formals. As a result, this person was completely unprepared for later experiences when many of his peers had been associating with members of the opposite sex since they began high school.

And finally, one last tangent - if you're stuck in a bind and a major dance is approaching, ask a friend. I made an entire weekend out of the senior prom to meet old friends, and I can say (as my "date" probably can as well) I had much more fun doing the things with the group that weekend than I would have looking across the table and smiling at a first date.

So in conclusion, if you're in doubt, just ask. This statement applies to a number of life's lessons, and it applies to relationships as well.

2. Be your own person

College, like many universities boast in their propaganda, is a place where you will meet people with a variety of interests. In high school, by contrast, everyone is (or appears to be) startlingly like each other.

Peer pressure is referenced constantly by the media. For example, parents are urged to talk to their children at a very early age to prevent them from being talked into taking drugs by their peers. All of this attention is given for a simple reason: peer pressure plays a huge role in high school life.

In college, however, the pressure vanishes overnight. There aren't any popular "cliques" that are exclusive to certain people, nor is there a group of forgotten academics who put their grades above everything else. Whereas a student who sits alone at a cafeteria table in high school preparing for the next day's classes would be labeled "weird" by those who care more about sports during high school, college students make no such divisions because there is one purpose to attending a university - to get good grades and graduate.

A fellow student and I joked about the state of the world's affairs one day during my senior year. The premise was simple: one day, the jocks, who were the most "popular" kids in the school, would be the average joe, while the "nerds," scorned by a large number of people for their studiousness, would be running the world.

At your fiftieth high school reunion, nobody will remember who was the most popular or who was involved in the most activities. Even Mr. Daher recognizes the impact of these social "cliques" when he said that each class tends to "pull together" around the time of the senior prom. It's true - the social divisions vanish, and everyone is left with a realization that the "in" group wasn't much different than everyone else who was trying to be accepted.

In short, if someone thinks you're "strange" because you are unique among everyone else, it's not the end of the world. Just because you aren't part of the group that everyone looks up to doesn't signify that you're any less intelligent, attractive, or "cool" than they are. Be your own person and do what you want to do.

1. Get involved

"That's the number one tip?" you ask. That's right - my number one pointer is something that your teachers, parents, older siblings, and just about everyone else says every day. I must have heard this phrase at least a hundred times during my high school orientation process.

Unfortunately, I didn't listen, at least in the beginning.

One of the biggest changes I swore that I would make when starting college was that I would become involved from the beginning. For some reason or another, in 9th grade I limited myself to the school orchestra. What high school orchestra, you ask? Actually, the orchestra fell apart at the end of the year, leaving me out of the loop in tenth grade.

During that summer, I had a revelation that I was missing one of the most important parts of high school life. As a result, I came back sworn to become involved, and that was one of the best decisions I ever made. I discovered an entirely new aspect to high school life. Why is it important to become involved early? Most of the upper positions in clubs are chosen from those already involved in the clubs, as one would expect. If you want to be the captain of the football team, join the team in 9th grade. If you want to be class president, join class council in 6th (!) grade. In short, as is true in the working world, the important positions are reserved for those who have been with an organization the longest.

I should note, however, that while I joined activities that I enjoyed, I also joined a few organizations for the sole purpose of being accepted to colleges. Attending meetings of these clubs was a chore that I didn't enjoy, but I persisted because I believed that my resume would look more impressive to college admissions officers and employers.

I found out too late that most admissions officers would prefer a fewer number of activities toward which a prospective student dedicates him- or herself rather than participation in every club imaginable. And even though I participated in so many activities, I still was unable to obtain a paying job during the summer of my senior year. Therefore, I recommend participation in activities that you enjoy to add a new dimension to your life, but don't join clubs because some college in Indiana told you to "participate."

Also, becoming involved in out-of-school activities isn't a bad idea either. Myself, I was involved in more out-of-school activities than in-school organizations, and I enjoyed both equally. However, don't expect to be nominated as Student of the Month or be accepted to the National Honor Society if you're involved in out-of-school activities, simply because many of the awards at UMHS are given to those closely associated with school clubs.

Speaking of the NHS, however, I should add a word of caution. In eleventh grade, I was rejected from the society because I had concentrated on my out-of-school involvements. I immediately decided that I would get involved in so many clubs that they couldn't possibly turn me down the following year. Surely enough, I was accepted, but into an organization that met once a month for five minutes and held one event during the entire year. Universities, for some reason, boast of the NHS as a club for the best of the best, while in reality the only goal in which it succeeded was to provide another means of further separating the all-around students from those who were more reserved in their participation.

In conclusion, get involved early. If you don't, you're missing out on exciting experiences that could never be had otherwise. But be involved because you want to be involved, not because you want to satisfy an admissions requirement.

Steve Sokolowski holds a Masters' degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Penn State University and is a professional software engineer at a large engineering firm. He created lifecentral, the world's first lifestyle database, which allows users to track how different aspects of their lives affect their health. Data entry and reporting at lifecentral is free of charge, completely anonymous, and the aggregate data is used to further medical research.

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Choosing the Right Private School Education

You have made the decision to give your child a private school education. With so many options, how do find the right one to fit your child's needs? The first steps are to consider your priorities, arm yourself with a lengthy list of questions and start setting up appointments. Your child's education is too important not to take the time to choose the perfect fit.

Why Choose a Private School Education?

Those sending their children to private schools have a variety of motives behind their decision. For some the decision is based on moral values and religion. Others feel that a private education offers better academics and want their child in a smaller class that will offer the benefit of more personal attention.

It is important to have a list of education priorities before you start looking for a school. For example, if academics are more important to you than religion, but religion is more important to you than extracurricular activities, have academics be number one on your list, religion be number two on your list and extracurricular activities be number three on your list.

Private School Considerations

As part of choosing the right private school for your child, you will have to go through a process of elimination to get the number of schools you are considering down to a manageable number.

You might want to consider:



Finances. What can you afford to pay for an education at a private school? Ask if there are any financial aid or scholarship programs available to you. In addition, some states, including Arizona, Florida and Minnesota, offer breaks on income taxes if you send your kids to a private school.

Grade Levels. Do you want your child to have the option to stay through high school? Not all private schools offer grades kindergarten through 12.

Location. You will have to decide how far you are willing to drive. As you get closer to selecting a school, you can also inquire if there are any other students at the school who live in your area. You may then be able to carpool.

Questions to Ask

Additional questions to ask include:



Accreditation. Is the school accredited? If so, who is the accreditation body?

Instruction Model. What is the school's education philosophy? Does it have a traditional or alternative approach to education? What is the school's policy on homework, grading and testing?

Service Staff. What kind of staff does the school have? Is there a school nurse on location? Does the school have a psychologist or counselor? Is there a librarian on staff?

Principal or Headmaster Turnover. If the school burns through principals, the school may have a problem.

Teacher Turnover. What is the teacher turnover rate at the school? Typically speaking, private schools have higher teacher turnover rates than do public schools. In addition, smaller private schools have larger turnover than do larger private schools. However, a teacher turnover rate of 40% or more may be an indication of problems at the school.

Plan a Visit

As you get closer to choosing a private school, you should schedule an appointment with your candidate schools' headmaster or principal.


Ask about student attrition. The longer that students stay at a school, the more likely the school is to be well-run.
Ask for names of parents who have children at the school for references.
Are the school's textbooks up to date?
Does the school have enough computers? Does the school use the latest in technology in teaching?
Does the school have programs for parent involvement?
How does the school feel? Are children interacting, smiling and participating?
How does the school qualify their teachers? Does the school offer teachers additional training?
If your child has special needs, what types of programs does the school offer that will help?
Look at the grounds and facilities. How new are the facilities? How well are the facilities and grounds maintained? Is the library well-stocked with books?
What type of relationship does the school have with local businesses and the local community?
When are applications accepted? Is there a waiting list? If so, how long is the waiting list?

Making the Choice

You will have to narrow down your choices to a select few and then visit each school before you make a final decision. Do not get discouraged if the process takes a little longer than you would like. It is important to get an education for your child that matches the your requirements as closely as possible.

For more information on private school, visit the parenting section of Life123.com.

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The Fastest Growing Unified School Districts

A School District or school division is an organization of public schools in a particular state that gives the residents their basic educational needs. It is headed by a school committee or school board. They are usually called school administrators. They ensure that all policies are implemented and that school activities, functions and even student-employee activities are carried out smoothly.

Most of the school districts support and participate in the city's business operations, including television stations, public libraries, kitchens, medical clinics, school bus yard, school laundries, warehouses and police departments. There are also recreational areas available in a school district. Oftentimes, school districts become a contributing factor to the success or the recession of the city's economic and political status.

The performance of a school district can be equated to the performance of the schools itself. Schools are not just for students. Schools are community centers. They cater to a number of different people and different businesses. Therefore, a good school should include a good learning environment. Discover why these unified district schools are making a reputable name.

Flagstaff Unified School District

The success of Flagstaff in Arizona is through the collaboration and commitment of parents, educators and its community. They have qualified teachers, wherein, most of them have a master's degree, are certified counselors, librarians and administrators. A number of their teachers are also recipients of citations and awards.

In 2002, the National Principal of the Year came from their district. Flagstaff Middle School received the Golden Bell award, the highest commendation for innovative instruction in Arizona. This district, founded in a log cabin, has now 6 elementary schools, 3 high schools, 4 middle schools and 1 alternative combination of high school and middle school. It also has a number of school buildings, libraries and recreational areas. Magnet schools were also opened to concentrate on academics, especially in Science, Arts and Citizenship and Character Education and Technology.

Flagstaff has a rich mix culture, excellent tourist destinations along with a scientific but family-oriented community that knows how to established good schools and a good quality of life. The community supports the districts' entire program by opening opportunities for both faculty and students alike. Some companies that provide it include a Lowell Observatory, W.L. Gore & Associates, a number of museums and symphony orchestras.

For the schools comfortable and safe environment, the community provides bus fleets, food services, health services and basic social services. In return, the students consistently score above national average on achievement exams, in which, drop out rates are lower than the state average. They garner gold medals in state and national competitions. They are also well prepared for careers in technology, trade and business. Graduates have been accepted at prestige universities including Princeton, Stanford and Yale.

Lake Elsinore Unified School District

Lake Elsinore in California is fast growing when it comes to commerce, retails, residential and light industry. The city provides excellent public service programs that include fire and police protection, public and commercial transportation and job opportunities in industries like tourism, computer animation, telecommunication, machining, aero sports and construction products. This school division provides students opportunities for academic excellence, extra curricular and athletic programs along with scholarship and employment opportunities.

This district consists of 15 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, 3 high schools, and 4 alternative education schools. For the last two years, this school district is making a name in academic achievement and was even placed in the top 10 in riverside County ranking. Schools in this area are also known for its community involvement doing charitable works.

This school district has implemented a magnet program called Visual and Performing Arts and is now proving to be a success specifically in Butterfield Elementary School. It is making a name for arts and theaters in its 14 yrs of successful performances. They have received a number of honors and awards including Golden Bell, Los Angeles Music Center "BRAVO" award, healthy Start Grant and as a Treatment School for Reading and Arts Integrated for Student Excellence.

This school alone offers great amenities which make the school district unique. These include computer labs with eMacs for research, a theater fully equipped with lighting and sound system and BESTv green-screen, Reader's theater and classrooms with document cameras; plus Internet access.

For more information on School Districts List and Long Beach Unified School District please visit our website.

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Childhood Obesity and School Lunches - How to Put Your Child's Lunch Under Remote Control

The School Lunch Program: Parents Surrender Control of the Children's Food to The Federal Government and the School Boards

"The reason that children are currently too fat is, in part, because they used to be too thin"- The School Lunch Programs

School time, including going and coming home from school dominates a child or teen's day. The control the parents have at home evaporates once the school bus leaves and does not return for eight or more hours. The after school hours become dangerous times for eating and drinking because of the fatigue and low blood sugar experienced by many children and teens. It is easy for the parent who is also fatigued and often overwhelmed to give the child one of the bad snacks that he has seen on television. Whether it's the wrong school breakfast, bad school lunches and school sponsored vending machine the parents have relinquished control of the child and teen's food and drinks not only to the school but to their 7 year old!

School lunches offered to your children may differ among school districts, areas of the country or whether the school is public or private. Some schools have only cafeterias and provide the standardized school lunches while other schools also have a la carte food items, fast food kiosks or even student stores. Comparing what large groups of children end up eating for lunch, reveals twice as much fat from cafeteria lunches compared to bag (lunches brought from home.) Total fat and calories are even greater when students buy meals on an a la carte basis because they often pick two, three or more items and often the "wrong" items.

Where School Lunch Programs Began:

Undernourished and malnourished families and children began to be widespread across the U.S. in the 1930's. Draftees during World War II were regularly turned away because they were undernourished. Seeing this problem, President Harry S. Truman in 1946, pushed through the School Lunch Program, guaranteeing a hot lunch for every schoolchild who could not afford one. Thus began a plan that would contribute 60 years latter to the obesity epidemic we see today!

Changing School Lunch Programs:

The programs have changed over the years, adding free and reduced-cost breakfast during the 1960's. The government is in the school-food-supply business, buying surplus products from farmers and sending it along to the schools. School lunches tend to exceed the national recommendations for fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and calories. While the quality has improved somewhat in recent years, fresh fruits and vegetables usually are lacking. A sample of 24 public middle schools in San Diego County, CA. found that almost 50% of students in a school that has a student store or a la carte facility bought mostly candy, cakes and cookies and significantly fewer servings of fruit, and vegetables.

Scoop of the School Lunch Program:

Here is the 2005 USDA Food and Nutrition's Service presentation entitled "School Meal Program Performance: What Do We Know?

o 94,622 schools (90% of public schools) participated in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) which served 49 million students

o School cafeterias served 4.8 billion lunches.

o NSLP serves over 29 million lunches, 9 million breakfasts and 154 million after school snacks

o About half of all lunches and 3/4 of all breakfasts are served free.

Children from low-income families may receive more than half of their daily caloric intake for from these meals. Fresh fruits and vegetables are not common place at homes can be come a stable of school lunches. Nutrition education could give students the tools they need to make healthy choices regarding eating and physical activity.

Mindless School Lunches vs. Packing a Lunch from Home:

Children, teens and their parents can buy their lunch at school or bring it from home. The choice should depend upon which results in the children obtaining the right foods at lunch. The typical school lunch is often much higher in calories, carbs and fat than it should be. It means that the parent needs to look closely at the cafeteria lunch menus which in most school districts are available for a week or two ahead. Here is what to look for in the school lunch:

What to Eat: Sandwiches, subs, wraps, vegetables, fresh fruits, yogurts

What to Drink: water, low fat or no fat milk, zero calories, fruit flavored waters

What NOT to eat: fried foods, meat, pasta, pizza, rice or potatoes

What NOT to drink: whole milk, sugar filled juices, soft drinks, sport drinks

On the other hand a lunch prepared by the parents is not always automatically healthier than one bought at school. If parents pack cookies, cake or potato chips, that's not a nutritious meal! But a packed lunch, if the parent does it right, does have a clear advantage. When you pack your children's lunch, you know your children and teens are eating the "right foods" - stuff you know they like. Remember you are not around at lunch, so you must direct their food almost by remote control.

Talk to your child or teen:

Make sure what you send for lunch is what they like. Even better, take them shopping and listen to their input. Stock up on their favorite healthy foods, you can save some money and end up with a healthy child.

Here are some quick lunchbox tips:

o Easy to open small packs which children like. It needs to be made quick. Remember, lunch time may be no more than 15-20 minutes.

o Small children may not eat very much at one sitting. Think about packing appetizers instead of a large sandwich and whole banana. You can also include more choices if the quantity of each is smaller.

o Small foods are not only easier for children to handle, but they are more fun to eat. Cut sandwiches into smaller pieces, small sandwich buns, and fruits or vegetables in small bags. Don't overwhelm the child with a large portion of anything.

o Some kids are content to eat the same thing day after day. It often can drive you crazy about the habits they get into. Don't worry as long as the food is healthy

o Instead of making sandwiches, consider packing individual sandwich ingredients to let your child make their own sandwich at lunch, or eat the ingredients separately.

o Cereal bars can pack a lot of nutrition into a food kids love to eat.

High tech insulated lunch boxes and bags on the market that have built in food safety features: thermoses, a space to slip a pre frozen gel pack, even pockets for wet wipes

Children and teens need to make good choices at lunch:

Whether the better choices are accomplished by taking food from home or by careful selections from school cafeterias, it's really unimportant. Parents need to understand they have little control of their child's food from the time the school bus pulls away until 8 hours latter. School menus need to be reviewed constantly and the parent needs to watch the selections. If eating a school lunch, child needs to learn how to make the best selections from what is available.

Richard Lipman M.D.a board certified internist and endocrinologist has been treating weight and metabolic problems for 25 years in his Miami office. His recent book, The 100 Calorie Secret, describes how thousands of his patients lost weight and kept it off. Learn more weight loss and tips from a doctor who actually takes care of metabolic problems and obesity problems at http://www.the100caloriesecret.com.

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Changing Scenario of School Shoes

In recession time companies are taking all possible initiative to increase the business volume. Naturally how they may lag behind in school shoes segment.

Education in India has been provided more importance since the beginning of human civilisation. It is mentioned in epics that in ancient times the kids were sent to Gurukul for education for a fix period of time where their all arrangements from education to their food, lodging, etc. were done by the Gurukul administration.

The structures of these educational institutions have been changed with time. Different religions opened study centers according to their faith and traditions. In present time too, there many educational institutions are there according to income diversity in society. These institutions are not only different according to income level but there is many other basis of segmentation. They are government, private, nursery, primary, junior, senior, kendriya vidyalaya, navodaya vidyalaya, etc.

Peoples from different income groups send their children according to their income potential to these institutions. These institutions have their own dress code which is mandatory to fulfill. One of them is shoe. Shoes are the most important part of their dress code.

In ancient times where children use khdaun made from wood for their feet, now many kinds of schools shoes are worn in schools today. In fact a school shoe has its own industry. The diversity of these school shoes are decided by the location, status and rules-regulation of the management of the schools. As in metro cities, fee of the school starts with somewhere Rs. 1500 per month which is Rs. 10,000 per month too in some cases. Often in such schools have rule to wear two-three types' shoes in a week, for example, regular school shoes, PT shoes, sports shoes, etc.

Similarly, in small cities or town areas too there are different schools which can be diversified easily. The fee of such schools is in range of Rs. 200 per month to Rs. 700-800 per month. Naturally, the guardians of children of such schools will be from different income groups. Also the dress code of such schools will be different. However, in most of such school too there are trend of at least two pair shoes per week.

Also, the schools can be classified according to their administration pattern and financial arrangements, as in private schools the financial arrangement lies in their formulated boards and they fulfill their financial needs by fees. In government schools the financial arrangement and administration are done by the government representatives. It is perception that fee of government schools is not much which is correct to larger extent. Most of the government schools are navodaya vidyalaya, kendriya vidyalaya, inter college, primary schools, etc. which are exists from villages to metro cities. These schools too have their own dress code. However, guardians of the children studying in these belong to lower income group except some exceptions. Shoes of their dress are also accordingly.

In government institutions there is another group i.e. state board of different states. Every state has its own education board operated by state administration and there are many institutions recognised by these boards. Many boards are operating at national level too, as CBSE, ICSE, NCERT, etc. The schools recognised by these schools have their own dress code of their kind. Generally in such schools too there are trend of two pair of shoes in a week.

Apart from all these, now especially in metro cities another kind of school is taking place significantly and that is play-school. The trend of play-school is rapid growing. Generally, in such schools two years old children got admitted where learn while playing. However such schools don't have the dress code but the children wear shoes which have their own identity in market.

Now many of the companies are engaged in the business implicit in shoes requirement of these schools. Not only tiny and cottage industries but multi nationals are in such companies. Some private institutions properly form a contract with these companies and the shoes of their dress code are available their stores only.

On the other side such government schools which arrange the education as well as fooding, lodging and dress of children, they purchase school shoes in bulk quantity by issuing the tender. Now the Government has implemented a law of mandatory education for children till age of 14 year. So, the Government itself arranges the other needs of the children apart from education. Government itself purchases and distributes the shoes to children.

Most of the footwear companies accept that business of school shoes has its own idenity which has dominance in footwear industry. Many companies announce their new range of school shoes from time to time. In most of these ranges belly shoes fulfill the requirements of girls while shoes made form leather, rexin and canvas cover the boys shoe necessity.

To tap the opportunities in school shoes segment not only small and national level companies but multi-nationals like Nike, Adidas, Bata, etc. are recording their presence. However, the centalisation of these big brands are limited to metro cities as these shoes can be bought by those guardians whose children are studying in highly paid schools. On the other side the shoe requirement of medium and low fee range schools is often filled by many small and national level companies like Relaxo, Lakhani, Paragon, Niio, Columbus, Lancer, etc.

But due to recession, school shoes business too hammered. According to an estimate from September 2008 to now the business volume of school shoes has been decreased. In these circumstances where small companies just follow the innovative and new designs by big international brands and they launch it lower price band in market. But the big companies have their separate research and development department. These departments continually innovate new designs with special features and facilities which are liked in market.

In recession time companies are taking all possible initiative to increase the business volume. Naturally how they may lag behind in school shoes segment. Hence every footwear company either big or small is launching new range of school shoes.

I am a business journalist.

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How to Choose a Martial Arts School

Have you seen how many martial arts schools are in your local phonebook? How do you know if you're choosing the right school? In this article we will feature advice on choosing the right martial arts school for your child.

Everywhere you turn there's a martial arts school! It is estimated there is 20,000 martial arts school in the U.S. alone. Chances are you have at least one school within a few miles of your home. Today's martial arts schools ranges from garage-based schools, to fancy mega-schools with multiple training floors and observation lounges. Based on national averages, martial arts schools charge about $125 per month, but schools can be found charging anywhere from $35.00 to more than $200/month.

Because most parents are not experts in martial arts they will typically choose a martial arts school based on either price or convenience of the location. Unfortunately, choosing a martial arts school is not as simple as comparing prices or the proximity from your home. It may be cliche, but if you compare martial arts schools, you're comparing apples to oranges. If you plan to enroll your child in martial arts school with goal of building his/her self-esteem or empowering him/her with the ability to defend his/herself it may take a minimum of one year of training, but likely more. That being said, choosing the wrong school can lead to your child wanting to quit before the goal is achieved. Choosing the right school can have a life-changing affect on your child.

Martial arts consultant, and a veteran school owner, Tom Callos, says, "You evaluate a martial arts school the same way you would evaluate any school you would take your child to. Just because you're thinking of joining a school that teaches the "ancient art of self defense," doesn't mean you don't apply modern day scrutiny to their professionalism, teachers, and facilities."

Here are six tips to finding the right martial arts school:

The Instructor

This should be your number one focus when choosing the right school. A few qualities to look for in an instructor is someone that possesses confidence, courtesy, a positive attitude, and professionalism. Look for an instructor that treats his/her students with respect, as you would like your child to treat you. Gone are the days of respect from intimidation. The instructor will hopefully be wearing a black belt, which should indicate that he/she has attained a high-level of proficiency within their school. The belt does not necessarily translate that he or she will be a great teacher. Watch a class or better yet have your child participate in a trial lesson to see how the instructor interacts with the students and/or your child. Not getting a good vibe, maybe this is not the school for you.

The Curriculum

Over 93% of parents polled in a national survey indicated they wanted their child to be more confident, focused, disciplined and respectful. Do you want the same for your child? These life-skills are what most martial arts schools tell you they teach. But how do they teach it? Ask to see how the school teaches character development. In some schools the process happens by osmosis. There is no set curriculum and it either happens or not. The top schools martial arts schools invest in a system for teaching personal development that ensures all students are equipped with the same values, regardless of which instructor is teaching the class. Make sure the character education program caters to your child's learning style. If the lessons are all auditory (i.e. reading stories in class) that may not work best for children who are more visual or kinesthetic (action-based) learners. If the school has no "system" for teaching character education then there are no guarantees your child will gain the values you desire.

The Students

Are there a lot of intermediate and advanced students in classes? Chances are you've found a school that knows how to enroll and keep its students; that's a good sign! If you go to a school that's been in business for a year or longer and it's still empty, something's not right with the school. Most martial arts teachers think their classes are the best classes -- the way that most restaurateurs think that their food is the best food. If the parking lot is empty, it's a sign that the customers have a different opinion. On a side note, big does not always equal best. Make sure that your child will receive the personal attention that he or she would receive in school. The student to teacher ratio should not exceed 25 to 1.

The Style

When shopping for the right martial arts school, the "style" the school teaches is not nearly as important as who teaches the class. A good instructor will inspire your child to be their best. There is not one style that is best for kids. Each style will offer something different. One may focus on kicks and strikes, one may emphasize throws and rolls, and another may concentrate on ground defense. A qualified instructor will not teach your child self-offense. Each style should and will, if taught by a good instructor, teach self-defense; so there is no need to worry that your child will become the next playground bully.

The Commitment

Most schools will give you and/or your child an opportunity to try martial arts before making a commitment. Martial arts schools typically will offer a free class, a free private lesson or an introductory course. This gives you an opportunity to evaluate the instructor and program and determine if what they promise and what they deliver are congruent. If there seems to be a deviation from what you've been promised or the instructor doesn't seem to "live up to the hype"; perhaps it's time to move on. If the school doesn't offer a trial program and wants to sign you up on a long-term commitment that should be a definite red flag.

Do Your Research

Most schools will have information that you can peruse on the Internet that should tell about the instructor, and the features and benefits of the school. The theme and content of the website may give you a good indication of whether this is a school you may want to consider. Remember why you want to enroll your child in martial arts and see if the website content addresses those needs. If instead the website is more focused on boasting the accomplishments of the instructor having won several championships, breaking bricks with the touch of his/her hand, or the instructor has high ranking degrees in several different martial arts, you may want to proceed with caution. Remember this quote, "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." Be impressed by the instructor, not the credentials.

For more tips, visit our website at http://www.success-centers.com.

Gary Martin has been a sought-after speaker within the martial arts industry. He has authored a book on personal development for kids and is the founder of Success Centers. Mr. Martin was also a competitor in 2006 World Championships. He can be reached at success@success-centers.com.

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A Guide to Choosing the Right School Program For Your Child

We are so fortunate to live in a country where we have so many educational programs to choose from for our children. However fortunate we are there's no denying that so many programs can cause our heads to spin. As a parent of three grown boys, a home-school mom, charter school founder and now the CEO of a Colorado tutoring center, I'd like to offer some guidelines that may help make this process a little easier for you.

Before you get started choosing a school, apply these four components to your decision making process:

1. School Philosophy - Is it traditional, progressive or other?
2. School Achievement Record - Information can be found at your State Department of Education website.
3. Safety - Information on a school's safety record can be found at your State Department of Education website and through your local police department.
4. Family Cohesiveness - Will the program work for all family members and the family budget?

By applying these four components to your selection process you will be able to come to a decision that is not only best for your child but will ensure educational stability which is important for student achievement. I know from personal experience, kids do not like to move from school to school as it puts too much strain on their social experience.

You will find that all schools, even though they are supposed to be created equal, are not. Should you make a change, you may find the new school is teaching a new type of math that differs from your old school. This could put your child behind right when they arrive hindering your child's progress and hurting their overall educational experience. Before you do anything, visit the school. Some schools require an appointment so you might want to call ahead and check. I also recommend visiting the classrooms. It's a red flag if a school won't let you observe a classroom. When a school doesn't require an appointment and will let you observe a classroom that's a real plus in my book.

You may not be aware of all the school choices you have available to you. I know from speaking with many or our tutoring families they are surprised to learn about the many options they have when choosing a school for their child. So let's go over the main ones and keep in mind the area where you live may have other choices so visit your state's Department of Education website to learn all about the different programs in your area. Listed below is a breakdown of school options using pros and cons. You can add your own pros and cons so it fits your personal needs.

Public Schools - I am listing items that are generally offered at public schools. There will be some differences depending on your area. Of course, you may see a con that to you is a pro so it's just a matter of opinion. If it fits with your philosophy and your family's needs then that's all that matters.

Pros:

1. Usually close to home.
2. Most kids in the neighborhood will be going, so your child will know the students.
3. May have buses to take your child to school.
4. Before and after school care offered.
5. School cafeteria (free school lunch in some areas).
6. Generally speaking, public schools have better funding then charters and private schools.
7. Extra-curricular activities available (band, sports, art, etc.).
8. PTO support.
9. Special education programs.
10. Open enrollment programs in some districts which allows you to choose a school that fits your own educational philosophy.
11. Some areas have a Track Calendar which allows for 3 week breaks during the year.
12. Usually have up-to-date curriculum and technology (Generally speaking when compared to Charter Schools).

Cons:

1. One-size- fits-all teaching methods.
2. Large class sizes.
3. Over crowding.
4. Long bus rides to school.
5. Includes areas of study you may oppose.
6. Student discipline issues due to over crowding.
7. Teacher Tenure - hard to remove ineffective teachers.
8. Some areas have a Track Calendar but you can't always have all siblings on the same track.
9. Curriculum not as rigorous as you may like.
10. Too much testing.

Charter Schools - (Pubic schools that operate autonomously)

Pros:

1. Smaller class sizes.
2. School uniforms.
3. Operates autonomously from the school district.
4. Many volunteer opportunities.
5. Parent Council.
6. A defined philosophy - You will know if the school is more traditional or progressive. Some charters are designed to be delivered outdoors only. Charters tend to inform their parents of their expectations of you and your child so you will know if it's a good match.
7. Most charters have smaller school populations.
8. Statistics are showing that charter schools out perform public schools after they have been established for 5 years or more.
9. These schools usually have a stricter code of conduct.
10. Grading scale is usually more difficult.

Cons:

1. Limited enrollment and siblings may not get in.
2. Sometimes there is a waiting list and it could take years for your child to be accepted.
3. No bus service.
4. Limited supplies and curriculum - especially if a new charter.
5. Many new charters won't have cafeteria services for the first few years.
6. Parent councils can operate poorly.
7. Teacher continuity can take a few years.
8. May not have before and after care.
9. Your child may not see their neighborhood friends.
10. These schools usually have stricter codes of conduct.
11. Grading scale is usually more difficult.
12. Won't always be able to switch to another teacher if you don't like the one your child has as most charters only have 2 classes per grade.
13. Although it is mandatory, many charters will have limited Special Ed services.
14. New charters often suffer growing pains. You'll be expected to volunteer a lot and donate as much money and supplies as you can.

Home Schools - Be sure to check with your Department of Education before you start a home school program. You usually are required to complete a form of notification and there are state guidelines and testing that must be followed as well.

Pros:

1. Freedom to choose your own curriculum and teaching methods.
2. Set your own schedule and calendar. You can hold classes 3 days a week or 6 days, whichever you prefer. Along with choosing your own curriculum this has got to be the best part of homeschooling. (180-185 days of school are usually required but you can choose to hold class in the mornings, stop at 12:00, and then come back at 3:00 and work another few hours.
3. Classes can be anywhere - at home, church, and on field trips with friends.
4. In many states your child can participate in specials (art, computer, music classes) at your local public school at no charge.
5. The joy of having more time with your kids.
6. Can establish outside playgroups and activities with other home-school moms.
7. You can join Home School Associations in your area for resources and assistance.
8. Depending on your school district, there are now online programs available free of charge that provides you with a computer, printer, curriculum and teacher contact. Your child is part of a school district program but they learn from home.

Cons:

1. Time commitment is sometimes overwhelming.
2. The cost can be underestimated. Some home school parents start from scratch and others purchase lesson plans and curriculum kits. There are so many resources now to choose from but there will be out of pocket expense.
3. Turning your home into a classroom - you may have limited space.
4. Time management.
5. Student management - your child may not always want to work with you.
6. Negative feedback from other parents. Let's face it, if you are thin skinned this may not be for you. Many parents tend to think you are doing your child a disservice by not allowing your child to go to school and have the social benefits of public school. Others will say you are trying to shelter them from the real world.

Private Schools: There are so many private schools with different programs that for me to try and list the pros and cons would not be helpful. This is one area that you really need to do your homework on to make sure the value given is worth the cost.

Hopefully you have gathered some useful information and ideas that will make your selection process easier. If you're like me there is nothing more important than a powerful education. Good, just isn't good enough!

Diane Kulback is CEO of Step to Success Community Learning Center in Parker, CO. You can visit their website at http://www.steptosuccesstutoring.com or call 1-877-744-4771.

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Is Boarding School Right For Your Child?

As a parent, making the decision to send your child to boarding school is very difficult. The first step is deciding if your child will thrive at one of these types of schools. To do this, you must first understand the differences between the two types of boarding schools: traditional and therapeutic.

Boarding School Options

A traditional boarding school is a good option for children who are already motivated to learn. Some of these schools have a specific subject focus, such as math or music.

A therapeutic boarding school is a good option for children who have behavior problems, such as skipping school or being disruptive in class. Most of these schools have classes every day about dealing with emotions. These classes are held in addition to regular school classes.

Understand that there is a big difference between therapeutic boarding schools and military schools. At a military school, the focus is on changing a child's attitude through rigid rules and discipline. At a behavior-focused boarding school, the focus is on teaching the child how to control his actions and deal with his emotions in a positive way. The one thing that both types of boarding schools have in common is that there are trained professionals who help children with their academic pursuits as well as their emotions. Many schools have adults on hand around the clock to help students.

The Pros and Cons of Boarding Schools

One of the main benefits of sending a child to boarding school is the quality of education that child will receive. Boarding schools, especially private boarding schools, focus on small class sizes so that the students can learn with the aid of the teacher instead of the teacher expecting the students to learn independently.

Students at boarding schools are often more challenged academically than students at traditional schools. This is something that most colleges and universities smile upon when they are considering applicants. Sending your child to a boarding school is a wonderful idea if she is ahead of her class, especially if she is in honors or advanced placement classes.

Subject-focused traditional boarding schools are a good choice for children who already know what they want to do with their lives. For example, a child who wants to become a doctor will thrive at a boarding school that focuses on science. Likewise, a child who wants to be a Broadway performer will be a good fit at a boarding school specializing in the arts.

One of the cons of sending your child to a boarding school is the guilt that you will probably feel when he leaves for school. This will be worsened if he does not want to go. When this happens, just remember the reasons you are sending him there in the first place. At most boarding schools, your child will come home for the holidays and other school vacations. Plus, most of the time you can go see him or bring him home for a weekend.

Is Your Child Ready?

When you decide that your child should go to a boarding school, you need to consider that child's maturity level. A child who is good at managing time and money will often thrive in an independent environment. Although there is a lot of supervision for children at boarding schools, the students are responsible for caring for their own possessions and managing their own money and time. The exception to this rule is military schools and some therapeutic schools, where free time and other privileges must be earned through good behavior.

A child who makes friends easily and gets along with a variety of people will usually thrive at a boarding school. A shy child will probably be miserable unless he already knows at least one child there.

Choosing a School

Plan to visit at least three schools before you make your choice. When you tour each school, bring a notebook for you and your child to take notes about the campus, the staff, the dormitories and any other notable features. Ask questions about the school's approach to education, what facilities are available and how their programs can benefit your child.

Find out what the graduation and college acceptance rates are. Some schools have earned a reputation for placing their graduates at prestigious colleges. Be sure that reputation is backed up with placements from the last graduating class.

Involve your child as much as possible in the decision-making process. This might not work if you're considering a military school, but it's essential for academic or therapeutic schools. Both you and your child should be as comfortable as possible with your choice.

If finances are a consideration, keep in mind that many boarding schools have scholarships for children who meet certain requirements. Excellence in academics or athletics could earn your child a free ride. There are also low-interest loans available to help parents pay boarding school costs.

For more information on boarding schools, visit the parenting section of Life123.com.

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