Kwanzaa gives African families the opportunity to gather together and celebrate their African heritage and the true meaning of Kwanzaa. The name Kwanzaa is borrowed by the Swahili phrase, “matunda ya kwanza.” This phrase means “first fruits,” which symbolizes a harvest celebration and hard work. Kwanzaa celebrates unity, life, self-determination, hope and success. Most families celebrate with music, including African drums and dancing. In addition, families tell stories, read poetry, give gifts, and of course…
Staying Motivated In School When schools first start in the fall, students are eager to learn, and happily come to class, armed with new school supplies. As the year goes on however, staying motivated in school can become a challenge. Use the following tips to help keep your student motivated throughout the entire year! Set goals: A frequent cause for lack of motivation in the classroom is due to the fact that there is…
While there are many differences between high school and college, one thing the two have in common is that both will have required classes which must be taken in order to graduate. In high school these classes made up the majority of your schedule, but in college may only be a small portion of classes taken. Many freshman requirements also serve as prerequisites for other classes, meaning without taking them, you will be limited on…
On Tuesday, November 17th, a new hybrid test, nicknamed the next generation MCAS was approved by Board of Elementary and Secondary Education by vote of 8 to 3. After 2 years of piloting the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers(PARCC) exam, a proposal was made by Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Mitchell Chester to administer a test which combined the best elements of the original Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System(MCAS) and the…
The greatest part about learning outside the classroom is exploring your own interests. The best way to do this is to get involved with school! Some students are committed to their school’s sports teams, others can be a member or even a leader of a club, while some may be out volunteering with their classmates. Dedicating your time to any school activity can benefit students in many different ways. No matter what you do to…
Matt Reid is the creator of The In Place, where he takes a behavioral approach to ADHD and Executive Functioning Management. He is a Certified ADHD Coach (AACC), Certified Life Coach (ACC), Professional Organizer, Executive Function Specialist, and a Speaker & Teacher. He works with parents of 9-12 year olds, with the whole family for 12-15 year olds, and one-on-one with students 15 and up. He spoke with us about his services and his success…
As fall approaches, the days get darker, the weather colder, and a new class tackles the Common App, and gets a jumpstart on college applications. While choosing which schools to apply to can be an exciting time, anyone who has been through it will tell you that it is also overwhelming and at times confusing. Which is the perfect school? What is the school where I will be the happiest? Where should I go? There…
Incorporating some educational Thanksgiving activities will make learning much more fun and festive, for both adults and children! Here are some ideas that can make the week leading up to Thanksgiving much more exciting, but still educational! A great way to get students excited about Thanksgiving for reasons other than the great food is by teaching them how it all began! It is likely that they do not know much besides the fact that…
With hundreds of options for college majors, it’s a difficult to commit to a single choice. Determining your future career path is a monumental decision, but remember, you can always pursue a different line of work after you graduate. Don’t feel trapped by your major! Explore careers that may not be directly related to your field of study. Once you begin narrowing your focus on subjects that interest you, consider a few of these important…
Traditionally, the college experience began when a student graduated high school. Now, thanks to dual enrollment opportunities in Massachusetts, students can begin to partake in this experience while still in high school. The Commonwealth Dual Enrollment Partnership (CDEP), offers a chance for students in high school to take college courses at selected community colleges or public universities free of cost. This allows them to work towards a high school diploma, and an Associate’s Degree simultaneously,…
