Download PDF - Education Update

DECEMBER 2006 ■ EDUCATION UPDATE ■ Children’s corner23FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT’S SEATWhen Your Child’s Friend Needs ComfortingBy Dr. Carole G. Hankinwith Randi T. SachsChildren are very oftena contradiction in terms.While they can seem to beoblivious to what is goingon outside their lives, theycan also be extremelyempathetic when someonethey love or care about isin pain.As parents, we tend towant to shield our children from the many differenttypes of pain that is all around us. But whenloss strikes your child’s best friend, or even justanother child in school, we have to be preparedto help them sort out their feelings about what hashappened, and also give them some guidance inhow they can help to give a friend some muchneededcomfort.When a student in our schools loses a parent ora sibling, the news travels quickly and teachersand administrators immediately try to reach outto that student and to all the students who areclose to that child. Even if your child doesn’twant to discuss it, you may want to offer themsome extra cuddling time and tell them that youare also saddened by their friend’s loss.Children cannot help but worry that if somethingso wrong could happen to their friend’sparent, then it could also happen to their own.If you can, assure your child that your health isgood, or if an accident was involved, that youpromise to always be very careful. Once theinitial shock has passed and you have done yourbest to calm your child’s fears that he or shewill suffer a similar loss, your child is likely toworry about how to talk to the friend, what tosay, what to do. Acknowledge that your child’sfeelings of hesitation and discomfort are normal,but encourage them to get past them and try toput their friend’s feelings first. Tell them that weremember acts of kindness from others long afterour pain subsides.The simplest words are always the best inexpressions of condolence. Explain to your childthat no matter what, their friend could be very sadfor a long time but that they can help by showingkindness and sympathy. “I’m sorry,” is always thecorrect thing to say. A hug, a hand squeeze, andkeeping their friend company or sitting togetherat lunch or recess can be the best comfort a childcan give to their friends.In the event that a close friend of your child’ssuffers a loss, you will want to give your owncomfort to that child and his or her family. Apolicy of “Justin is always welcome to join us fordinner, etc.” will be appreciated by your child andhis or her friend and will set a model of exampleon how to extend kindness to others.#Calendar of Events DECEMBER 2006Camp FairRESOURCES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, INC.,is sponsoring the Twenty Second Annual Special Camp Fairfeaturing day and sleepaway camps and summer programsspecifically for or accessible to children with special needs.The fair will take place at the Church of Saint Paul the Apostle,405 West 59th Street (Fair entrance on Columbus Avenue nearWest 60th Street), New York, New York, on Saturday, January 27,2007 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM (Set up 10 AM). We hope you willjoin us as a participant. Contact: Gary Shulman, (212) 677-4650ConferencesGILDER LEHRMAN INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN HISTORY19 West 44th Street, Suite 500New York, NY 10036History now looks at the american westThe institute is pleased to present the ninth issue of history now, aquarterly online journal for history teachers and students, available atwww.historynow.org. The issue examines the american west, withessays by some of the most eminent scholars in the field. As always,history now accompanies these scholarly essays with imaginativeand accessible supporting material and lesson plans. Don’t miss thisissue’s interactive feature -- “a view of the west” -- a photographictour of the late 19th and early 20th century american west.2006-07 Historians’ forums in new york cityFor the 11th straight year, the gilder lehrman institute presentsdistinguished scholars and historians to lecture on their most recentlypublished books and answer audience questions. The historians’forums are open to the public and are followed by a reception andbook signing. Check out the 2006-2007 schedule and buy tickets:www.gilderlehrman.org/institute/public_lectures.htmlFeatured documentThe institute regularly features documents from the gilder lehrmancollection. In the spotlight this week is a broadside, printed in 1805 innew york city, which illustrates the atrocious treatment of slaves.See the broadside and read the transcript:www.gilderlehrman.org/collection/docs_current.htmlWin an american history bookTake our weekly american history poll and enter to win a book bya noted historian! This week’s winner will receive a copy of lincoln:a life of purpose and power, by richard carwardine. In honor ofconstitution day, our current poll asks: “which is the most importantpost-civil war amendment to the u.S. Constitution?” Vote and enterto win on our homepage: www.gilderlehrman.orgEntertainmentTHREE Hot ShowsTarzan • Beauty & The Beast • The Lion King • Mary PoppinsCall: 212-703-1040 or 800-439-9000Fax: 212-703-1085disneyonbroadwaygroups@disneyonline.comwww.disneyonbroadway.com/groupsOpen HousesCOLLEGE oF NEW ROCHELLE29 Castle place in new rochelle, ny 10805(800) 933-5923 (SAS/SN) or (914) 654-5523 (SNR)for directions go to www.cnt.edu/CNR/cnr-directions.htmlOPEN HOUSE FOR TRANSFER STUDENTSMonday, December 11, 6:00 to 7:30 pmCome to a transfer open house at CNR’s Main Campus for our:School of Arts & Sciences (SAS)• Undergraduate liberal arts degree program• All-womenSchool of Nursing• Undergraduate, master’s, and post-master’s degree programs andcertificates in many nursing specialities• Co-edSchool of New Resources• Undergraduate liberal arts degree program designed for adults• Co-edJoin us to learn about:• How we evaluate credits and handle the transfer process;• Our internship and co-op programs;• Admissions requirements, assessments, scholarship and financial aid;• How we can help you earn a baccalaureate degree.It will be helpful to bring: the CNR application, sealed official high schooltranscripts, sealed official college transcripts and a current collegecatalogue. Find out why CNR is right for you!touro college new york school of career andapplied studies1870-86 Stillwell AvenueBrooklyn, NY 11223Phone: 718-265-6534 x1015Fax: 718-265-0614Every Tues. & Thurs. from 10:00 am - 7:00 pm, Sun. 11:00 am - 5:00pm. at 27-33 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010, 212-463-0400ext.500WorkshopsSARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGEJudith SchwartzsteinDirector of Media & Community RelationsPhone: (914) 395-2219E-Mail: judiths@sarahlawrence.eduMonday, November 20, 2006NATIONAL HUMAN GENOME RESEARCH INSTITUTE DEPUTYDIRECTOR, ALAN EDWARD GUTTMACHER, M.D., SPEAKS ATSARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGEYonkers, NY–Alan Edward Guttmacher, M.D.“Family History: The Key that Opens the Genome Era” LectureWednesday, December 13Heimbold Visual Arts Center Donnelly Film Theater12:30 p.m.Yonkers, NY–To answer how we can use our families’ health historiesto promote personal health and prevent disease, the Sarah LawrenceCollege Human Genetics Program will bring Dr. Alan EdwardGuttmacher, to present his lecture “Family History: The Key that Opensthe Genome Era” on December 13 at 12:30 pm. in the Heimbold VisualArts Center auditorium. For more information, please call 914-395-2371or e-mail clieber@slc.edu.Dr. Guttmacher, a Baltimore native, is the deputy director of the NationalHuman Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and a leading expert onintegrating genomics into medical practice. He is an educator whooversees the NHGRI’s exploration of the ethical, legal, and socialimplications of human genomics. Dr. Guttmacher also serves as theDirector of the Office of Policy, Communications, and Education atthe NHGRI where he directs the institute’s health affairs, public policy,communications, community outreach and public education functions.He has helped guide the National Coalition for Health ProfessionalEducation in Genetics, and co-edited a series about the application ofadvances in genomics in medical care for The New England Journal ofMedicine titled Genomic Medicine. He is a graduate of Harvard MedicalSchool.Sarah Lawrence is a liberal arts college for men and women, foundedin 1926, with a distinctive system of education. It is known for havingone of the lowest (6:1) student/faculty ratios in the country. At the coreof the system are small classes, regular one-on-one student-facultyconferences, cross-disciplinary approaches and the integration of thecreative arts within the curriculum.Instituto Cervantes de Nueva YorkThe Spanish Cultural Center of New YorkPresents itsTeacher Development ProgramWorkshops for Spanish Language TeachersJANUARY 2007 – May 2007This series of workshops, led in Spanish, offers teachers practical andtheoretical strategies on how to teach Spanish as a foreign language.Next seminar: Friday, January 19, 2007 5:30 – 8:30pm“El uso de la Webquest en la enseñanza de español como lenguaextranjera: Una nueva forma de aprendizaje on-line”• Develop practical & theoretical teaching techniques• Learn to use Spanish culture in the classroom• Enjoy interactive seminars conducted in Spanish• Share experiences with other teachers• All levels of teaching experience welcome• Q & A to follow all seminarsFor more detailed information on all seminars, regular language courses,and cultural events please visit our website: www.cervantes.orgUpcoming seminars:February 2 & 9, March 2, 16 & 30, April 13 & 27, May 4 & 18All seminars are held at Instituto Cervantes on Fridays from 5:30– 8:30pmIndividual seminars: $15$10 for Instituto Cervantes MembersYou may register in advance by telephoneInstituto Cervantes at Amster Yard211 East 49th Street New York, NY 10017Tel: 212-308-7720 Fax: 212-308-7721classprogram@cervantes.orgWhat to consider when you want to getextended time on standardized testsSome parents have noticed that when their teenage child takes timed tests, many questions arenever reached— the time has run out. Perhaps the child is a slow reader, and when these darned timedtests are important, the score is lower than it should be. My kid is smarter than that! What may behappening is that your child reads much slower than the intelligence would predict. This is essentiallythe definition of a learning disability in reading. But can you get extra time on these standardized testslike the SAT and ACT?It used to be possible for a doctor to write a note for extra time, and the accommodation would begranted. That is no longer the case these days. In fact, the process is somewhat arduous, so if you areplanning to ask for extra time, well, tighten your seat belt. Part of the process involves getting a relativelythorough psycho-educational evaluation or a neuropsychological evaluation. Such evaluationscost about $3000, and take about eight hours of testing, plus about seven more hours of professionaltime, at a minimum. One bright spot came out recently, however, and that is these evaluations aredeductible, according to recent IRS ruling.The requirements of applying for extended time on standardized tests are demanding, and varyfrom one testing organization to another. It is your responsibility to know these requirements andgather the proper materials within the given time constraints. Testing, which is the psychologist’sor neuropsychologist’s primary role, is central to obtaining extended time, but it is not enough.Historical documentation is also very important. Be advised that there is no guarantee that the testingresults will result in a diagnosis of having a learning disability. As for gathering documentation, followthe procedures outlined next.Arrange to have school records, dating from grammar school through high school, sent directly tothe person doing the evaluation, usually a licensed psychologist. These days, the evaluator must belicensed and have all the proper credentials. It is very important to bring or mail to the psychologisttest reports and letters which document learning problems in your child’s past. Letters from doctors,teachers, school officials, even relatives and parents, attesting to the learning problems are veryimportant (and make sure they are signed and dated). Highlight the problems on the copies for thepsychologist; keep originals in your own file.You need to appreciate the view that it is difficult and inconvenient for testing services to grant youextra time. Because of this, it is essential to make a very strong case. In addition to historical documentation,it is required that the testing be current, within the last several years.You may be asked to write a personal statement, telling the story of the learning problems throughoutthe child’s life; this should be about 1 page and e mailed to the psychologist so that this informationcan be put into the report. If you have little or no formal proof of learning difficulties, you needto explain why there were no official accommodations. This narrative should include medical anddevelopmental (childhood) history, which is also required.Also important to note is that these reports take time to write, as they often end up being over 15pages long. Do not expect the report to be done quickly after submitting the final materials; a reportwithout complications will take about 10 business days to write.James Lawrence Thomas, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist & Neuropsychologist19 West 34th Street, New York, New York 10001212-268-8900 fax: 212-629-7475e: nurosvcs@aol.com www.thebrainclinic.comFaculty, NYU Medical Center & Albert Einstein College of MedicineRESOURCE & REFERENCE GUIDEBOOKSBank Street Bookstore112th St. & Broadway ; (212) 678-1654Exceptional selection of books forchildren, teachers and parents.Knowledgeable staff. Free monthlynewsletter. Open Mon-Thurs 10-8 PM,Fri & Sat 10–6 PM, Sun 12–5 PM.Logos Books1575 York Ave. (@84th Street);(212) 517-7292A charming neighborhood bookstorelocated in Yorkville featuring qualityselections of classics, fiction, poetry,philosophy, religion, bibles andchildren’s books, and greeting cards,gifts and music. Books can be mailed.Outdoor terrace.DEVELOP YOUR GIFTEDCHILD’S MIND!In as little as 10-30 minutes a day, ourbooks and software will sharpen your giftedchild’s mind. We have products for students,Pre-K–12+. Shop online www.brightminds.us/web/bklyn1. Not online? Call GawainClarke (718) 595-2813. To order from ourcatalog or for more information.High Marks In Chemistry1-877-600-7466;www.HighMarksInSchool.comOver 95,000 books sold. HIGH MARKS:REGENTS CHEMISTRY MADE EASYBY SHARON WELCHER (CollegeTeacher, Chairperson and teacher ofhigh school review courses). This bookis your private tutor-Easy review bookfor NEW regents (second edition) withhundreds of questions and solutions,Get HIGH MARKS $10.95. Available atLeading book stores or call (718)271-7466.SPECIAL EDUCATIONThe Sterling School(718) 625-3502Brooklyn’s private elementaryschool for Dyslexic children offersa rigorous curriculum, Orton -Gillingham methodology and handsonmulti-sensory learning. One-to-oneremediation is also provided. If yourbright Language Learning Disabled childcould benefit from our program pleasedo not hesitate to contact Director: RuthArberman at 718-625-3502.SchoolsLycée Français De New York505 East 75th Street; NY, NY 10021212-439-3834;Admissions@LFNY.org www.LFNY.orgThe Lycée Français de New York is amulticultural, bilingual institution withstudents from sixty nations (preschool-12th grade). The school is an American,private, non-profit school chartered bythe NY State Board of Regents, andaccredited by the French Ministry ofEducation.The Kew-Forest School119-17 Union TurnpikeForest Hills, New York 11375(718) 268-4667www.kewforest.orgThe Kew-Forest School is one ofQueen’s oldest and finest independentday schools located in a residentialneighborhood. Since 1918, this coed,college preparatory institution hasprovided students from Kindergartenthrough Grade 12 with an academicallychallenging curriculum in a small, caringenvironment. Among its hallmarksare small classes, a teacher/studentratio of 1:8, and an outstanding recordof admissions to top colleges and universities.To tour the school or learn more, call(718) 268-4667 ext. 125 or log on towww.kewforest.org.TherapyThe Brain ClinicNeuropsychological, LearningDisability And Attention Deficit DisorderEvaluations and Treatment19 West 34th St, PenthouseNY, NY 10001; 212-268-8900NUROSVCS@AOL.COM.WWW.THEBRAINCLINIC.COM