It’s mid-August, and for recent high school graduates going off to college, that means it’s time to start packing. Deciding what to pack for college is undeniably a difficult process–what exactly will you need? How can you be sure that you brought enough of everything? This list doesn’t have everything you need by any means, but here are a few items that current college students have said they wish they’d packed for college. Safety pins.…
Summer is quickly approaching and you may have started to look for activities for your children to participate in during vacation. One of our recent newsletters talked about summer camps around Massachusetts. If summer camp is not something your child is interested in, summer enrichment programs are also an option. These programs focus on academics and many even provide college credit to high school students who participate. These programs can include a variety of classes…
With summer vacation quickly approaching, you may be starting to wonder about how to keep your child active and having fun over the break. We know this isn’t always an easy task, so if you’d like some ideas to kick off the summer, please see below our list of some June special-needs events in Massachusetts. Accessible & Adaptive Recreation Fair WHERE: Artesani Park/Herter Park, Brighton, MA WHEN: June 3rd, 2017, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.…
Some students begin counting down to break time as soon as a new school year begins, and even the ones who enjoy school are often excited to take an extended hiatus from their studies. As a parent, you may wonder how you can sneak in some learning during summer break. Balance summertime fun with educational activities this summer by trying the ideas below. Bring a Book Leave the iPads at home and encourage kids to…
One of my favorite memories from elementary school was the week long trip I took to Nature’s Classroom in Ocean Park, Maine. For those who have not heard of it, Nature’s Classroom is an outdoor learning facility that offers residential programs for schools and large groups in the New England area. During the time spent here, student get to learn about a variety of topics through hands on experience in nature. I fondly remember dissecting…
In an article for the New York Times titled, The Families That Can’t Afford Summer, DJ Dell’Antonia wrote about the reality many low-income American families face during the 10- to 11-week summer vacation. “For most parents,” DJ writes, “summer, that beloved institution, is a financial and logistical nightmare.” One reason why summer break is a nightmare for low-income families is its length: Summer vacation in America lasts longer than school breaks in many other developed…
With the summer season now at its end, that means the beginning of the school year is here for a lot of folks. Developing routines, meeting new teachers, and learning more difficult subjects can be a stressful time for students. Beat the back-to-school blues this September by making this transition into a positive and fun experience for your child. Begin your school routine early. Create a schedule during the last few weeks of summer to gently…
Get a jump start on establishing your career by applying for summer internships in your field of choice. While most student internships are based on college credit, there’s been a growing number of companies offering paid internship positions. The most valuable compensation, however, are the professional skills and real-life work experience you will acquire. Since college internships typically run a few months during the summer, maximize your time by taking advantage of the following opportunities: Developing…
Summer break is a perfect opportunity for students to gain experience through paid or volunteer jobs, internships and other summer activities — pursuits that can also demonstrate a student’s sense of responsibility to college admission officers. 1. Follow a passion Ask yourself, “If you could do anything this summer, what would it be?” For example, a student who enjoys the outdoors and hiking could look into working at a summer camp or national park. 2.…
As far as after-high-school plans go, many families and their children have college lined up as the go-to option. For most students, going right to college after graduating high school is a given, provided that their GPAs and SAT scores allow them acceptance. And, in my personal experience, no other options were ever truly offered as a plausible substitute for going to college. In this era of ever-expanding learning, taking a gap year can be…
