Is College Wasted On The Young?

Maybe we should go to college at an older age.

While most moms were shopping in the stores for back to school supplies in August for their children, I was doing the same thing, only for me.  That’s right, I was buying paper, pencils, notebooks, pens... All the "fun stuff" one needs to go to school. Only I had to buy books as well – “Ouch,” said my wallet, as I would take out my bank card from its leather clutches!  My decision to return to school was for many reasons, some more personal than others, but overall it was my decision.  Only my household and a select few knew of my plans to go back to school.  Why you might ask? Well, I felt a little embarrassed.  I mean, I just turned 40 and now I’m getting schoolbooks.  But really, is there an age limit?  Apparently not at CCRI. There is …

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Family Tides

I Thank My “Special Needs” Child for All That I Am

Back to school is always an exciting yet nerve wracking time for most families, especially those of us who have kids with special needs.

It’s the second day of this new school year, and I’m sitting in my house, alone, with the eerie sound of silence.  It’s never this quiet here, even when the kids aren’t home probably because we have two boisterous dogs.  One of those dogs, our Pomeranian puppy, Gracie, is not home today.  As soon as the bus rolled out of our hood, I dropped her off at our veterinarian’s office to prevent Spike from jumping the fence — she’s getting spayed. The sound of silence is an odd thing to behold. All summer long I dream of those few quiet moments when I can hear things like my own stomach growling or the rush I receive from inhaling that perplexing sound called white noise!  Now that I have it, it’s really pushing me into “think mode” —which …

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Mom's Talk

Build a Great Relationship with Your Child’s Teacher

School is back in session and kids, teachers and parents have a chance to start fresh. One of the most important relationships you can foster is the one with your child’s teacher. Here are a few A+ tips for doing so this year.

Toward the end of summer vacation, most kids find out who they will have for a teacher for the new school year.  In elementary school years most kids have just one teacher, but as they head off to middle school they belong to a teaching team, and high school means even more individual teachers for each subject.  Let’s face it, most of us have already decided who we really hope our child will get and who we hope he won’t get.  Sadly, many times this is based on hearsay by other parents and not from firsthand experience.  With a brand new school year on tap, we can all start fresh and build positive and strong parent-teacher relationships that will be beneficial for our student and in truth, the whole family. Our Gansett Moms’ Council, …

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Family Tides

New School Year - New Conversations!

Back-to-school is the perfect time to change up the "same old, same old" conversations we keep!

I will probably receive a lot of “hate mail” for admitting this aloud, but — I’m not one bit sorry that summer is coming to an end. (Wow, did that feel good to admit!) I enjoy hitting the beach and having non-scheduled days as much as the next guy, but let’s face it, how much nirvana can one mother take? One of the reasons I welcome back-to-school with such wide, open arms is not because my kids will no longer be attached to my hip 24/7 (you believe me, right?), although it does tie in with preserving my sanity.  After 10 summery weeks of kid-licious endeavors I start to get a little worn down by the conversations we’ve been exchanging with one another, or not!  Never mind the tedious waste of breath that utters, “I’m bored! Can’t we do …

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Mom's Talk

25 Things To Do Before Back To School!

Have you checked your calendar lately? Labor Day is nearing fast, but don’t panic. Our Moms’ Council has 25 suggestions of last minute things you can do before it’s back-to-school time.

It always amazes me that summer vacation goes by as quickly as it does.  When the kids get out in mid-June, it is almost daunting thinking that we will all have 10 unscheduled weeks together until it’s time for back-to-school.  Many of us have grandiose plans of how we will soak up the glorious sun, kick back and drink ice-cold Del’s Lemonade, or finally get to visit friends, family and places that we can’t seem to fit into our winter schedules.  Newsflash:  In less than four weeks, most South County schools will be back in session, and much to many of our moms’ council members' chagrin, we still haven’t done half of what we wanted to with our kids this summer. Here is a combined list of 25 things that several of our Gansett moms hope to …

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Back To School Specials

Back to School: Homework And Technology

Students are set up for success this year with South Kingstown's three libraries and many online homework help options.

Wading through the information-entrenched internet can sometimes be intimidating for today’s students, but South Kingstown’s returning scholars can conquer homework troubles at home or at the library this year, with a little extra help. South Kingstown’s three libraries hold a collection of popular reading materials for toddler-aged children through adults, it subscribes to seven local and national periodicals and for returning students, it maintains a homework help center featuring online databases and a statewide network of public libraries. “What I want to stress is that [students] do not need to know how to find the materials you need, you just have to find that reference desk, go there and ask the questions,” said Shirley Long, South …

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Back To School Specials

The Most Wonderful TIme Of The Year?

South Kingstown schools open up on Tuesday, August 30. Make sure you and your youngster(s) are ready for the school year, with a little last-minute help from the SK Patch of course.

It's about that time: The days are getting shorter, the nights just a little bit colder, the beaches a bit more barren. And on Tuesday, August 30, the doors of all South Kingstown public elementary, middle, and high schools will be open for the 2011-12 school year.  It came quick, right? So what's left on the agenda? For some of us it may be some back to school shopping, or perhaps one last week to squeeze in a summer reading book. For those of you new to the area, it may be that you're not familiar with the town's bus schedules or routes, and are in dire need of a schedule.   But what if you missed the all-important newspaper flyers with all of that information? Not to worry, reader.  We've got you covered this week with a new column …

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Back To School Specials

Back To School Shopping Debunked

The Parent's Council whipped up some back-to-school shopping advice to help alleviate stress, while saving time, money and energy.

This week was a scattered week with members of the Parent's Council trying their very best to conglomerate on the deck at Java Madness.  The subject this week was back-to-school shopping. You should be advised, when it comes to shopping, saving money and conserving energy, this group can just phone it in. Shopping on a Dime - Don't Take the Joneses Along for the Ride The Parent's Council advises you to consider your budget, family needs and future school expense concerns when heading out for supplies. Backpacking is for the Nature Trail Consider "Always" Supplies College Bound When your child heads off to a college dorm room this fall, the supplies list gets a little more complex. Most colleges provide incoming Freshman with supply lists. …

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