Staying home sick; when is it time

     Usually this time of the year our weather is more unpredictable than ever… hot one minute then cold and pouring rain the next. It takes us all that we can possibly do to keep our children from getting sick, as well as ourselves. While I have always had faith in local 'island remedies' such as Bush tea's, Aloe vera, and coconut oil there is only so much we can do in terms of preventing what may seem inevitable, a cold or even worse the flu. While most preschols and primary schools do inform parents of certain circumstances in which children shouldn't attend school, many don't and as a result the classroom becomes contaminated and germs are spread to other students and teachers. Once all members of the classroom are sick it is only logical that academic  progression will be slowed as an result,  and all kids, including those who aren't sick for their concentration will be on not getting sick, as well as how miserable their peers and teacher's are.

     To sum things up here are some simple guidelines to follow to ensure the safety of your child and their peers, after all when we are sick our immune system is weaker and exposing such a weakened system to a sea of contaminants could be very harmful to the health and well being of your child as well as their education. Lengthy absences can harm a child's self esteem after returning to class to find out that they're so far behind. Children who have vomited, experienced diareheria, high fevers and cold sweats shouldn't be allowed to go to school immediately following such symptoms as they will require time for their bodies to recover, which means plenty of rest (or at least 24 hours). Other sicknesses that are contagious including red/pink eye, the cold, influenza, chicken pox, and ringworm's  should be taken special care of from home where other outside contaminants aren't allowed. This new year we hope and wish for the best for all pupil's within our territory and abroad!!

Ms. Child Advocate

Schools Aren't As Behind As We Make Them Seem

     While visiting my old alma mater I found that they had indeed made many changes with regards to educational teaching methods, materials, procedures and technology. Technological materials ranging from ipads, laptops, desktops, overhead projectors, various learning centers and many more resources to spark engagement among pupils. While many of those materials were available to us, student's of the 90's, they are much more abundant. In every classroom I visited, second and third grades, these materials where spotted with age appropriate applications and adequate instruction for usage. These materials coupled with other various learning manipulatives are a great recipe for the engagement of pupils!!

     It has unfortunately been a long time for me since I've seen so many students engaged within a school/academic setting; during my own school days I can recall only a hand full of students that were engaged with learning academics, including myself, the most popular/engaging subject lessons where those that involved physical activity ( a wide contrast from many students today). The materials and manipulatives utilized by students ensure student participation by engaging them through various subjects compelling them to use their creativity in many forms. Such a thing is a great asset for any educator and pupil to have since all students learn differenly in a variety of ways. While many of the apps and games being utilized sticks to general academics it can also be altered to fit any age group. In this case, a group of first graders, utilized these apps and manipulatives for enrichment, fun, and creativity.

     Including games like hungry fish and Hickory Dickory Dock for mathematics, bejeweled for matching n sorting, candy count for mathematics and matching/sorting. Apps like Paper Snow, that promote artistic creativity through drawing, music and even virtual paper decorations and origami. I don't understand the academic benefits of Angry Birds having indugled in the game myself, nor Barbie,wedding, and model make up: both promote stigmas rampant within the nation, violence (angry birds)  and 'poster girls' i. e. models, actresses, girls wearing size zero and a lot of makeup (Barbie) . Other apps utilized by students for engagement, enrichment, and creativity include Word solitaire, Spanish free,iword juggle, and Sudoku.

     With all that I have seen so far it excites me to think of how in depth this engaging learning will become once we implement the Common Core Standards. Student's will become much more equipped to compete with their peers, locally and abroad,  as well as become more prepared to live within the ever changing world of today rather than their parents yesterdays.

Ms. Child Advocate