Education

Promoting your child’s communication skills is the single most effective means of improving behaviors, play, and socialization. Children who can communicate their needs, wants, likes, and dislikes, are much less likely to cry, scream, or protest. While most parents recognize the value of promoting communication skills, many are unaware of the multitude of ways to shape these skills long before children use intelligible speech.

The reasons for homeschooling are as diverse as the families who choose this option.  The ultimate goal, however, is the same – to provide an outstanding education that meets the needs of each individual child.  Saugus Union School District shares this goal.  A little known fact is that Saugus Union School District has been supporting the homeschooling community in the Santa Clarita Valley for over twenty-five years.

Can students have fun and learn at the same time?  The answer is yes!  Studies have shown a positive correlation between arts integration and student achievement.  Pinetree Community School, in the Sulphur Springs School District, ensures that all students are given the opportunity to explore and experience the arts, not only with their teacher but also with specialized instructors.

Walk into any Sulphur Springs classroom today and you are witnessing student learning in a 21st century school district.  In Mrs. Marcus’s kindergarten class, at Fair Oaks Ranch Community School, kindergartners are creating their own blogs on iPads and then sharing them with their fellow classmates.  

You’ve probably heard the phrase “kids are like sponges” when it comes to early learning. It’s true, and new scientific research makes it clear that a child’s brain develops in very important ways during the first three years of life. Exercising your baby’s brain in these early years is like strength-training for the mind. By talking, reading and singing, you’re helping to build connections in the brain that will affect your child’s life forever.

High School students entering 11th and 12th grade in the fall are invited to attend the Hart School District’s 4th Annual College & Career Fair on Wednesday, September 17, from 6:30 p.m. until 9 pm, at the Hyatt Regency Valencia. More than 110 colleges and universities from across the country, career technical schools and apprenticeship programs will be available in an exhibit-style format to answer questions about admissions, campus life and financial aid.

Is your child easily distracted?  A constant daydreamer?  Just plain unfocused?  If you’re concerned about your student’s ability to concentrate when it matters most – at school or during homework time – don’t wait to intervene.  Here are six tips to support your child at home:

When is the last time your child talked to you about the great artistic masters who lived before our time?  Do you remember them talking about how exciting it is that the creations of Michelangelo, DaVinci, Velasquez, Goya, Renoir, Degas are still in existence and can be seen in art books, museums, and galleries?  It is most likely that few, if any, parents have had a discussion like this with their children. 

For preschool age children the outdoors is the best place to work on their physical skills. While jumping, running, and leaping they learn large motor skills. It is also a perfect time for practicing ball-handling skills like throwing and catching. These skills improve hand eye coordination. Other manipulative skills work as well while children are playing with different objects on wheels or toys in the sandbox.

When over 400 Legacy Christian Academy students in grades kindergarten through eighth arrived on campus this school year, they were greeted by more than just their dedicated, warm teachers and devoted administration staff. A new assistant principal was also there, eager to greet parents and students.
Dr. Matthew Northrop has joined the Legacy admin team in the role of assistant principal - and the community of staff, students and families couldn’t be more excited!

As a concerned parent, you are aware of many ways to help your child succeed in school. One opportunity for involvement that you might not have thought of is classroom observation.
Although it may seem difficult to arrange to attend your child’s classes, the benefits can be immense. You have the right to observe any of your child’s public school classes whenever you want, and without notice.

Eight years ago I had an idea. An idea that there needed to be a consortium of mental health professionals with knowledge of the educational system and a desire to provide the highest quality counseling, assessment and consultation services to the Santa Clarita Valley.  From that idea came Dynamic Interventions.  The first incorporation of Licensed Educational Psychologists in the history of California.

Every parent knows: Academic success is important to the opportunities our children will have in the future, but in order to gain that success their child must want it.  Students must be willing to go to school and work hard.  They must strive for success and have a vision for their future.  The trick for parents and educators is to figure out how to help them be motivated!

The Santa Clarita Valley SELPA actively encourages parents or community members who know of a child (birth to age 22) who may have special needs to contact their local school district office. The Santa Clarita Valley Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) is a consortium of 5 school districts: Castaic, Newhall, Saugus, Sulphur Springs, and William S. Hart Union High School District.

Five years ago, a group of parents set out on a dream. We wanted more for our students. We wanted an educational experience that provided each student with critical thinking skills, excellent academic preparation, and comprehensive cross-cultural awareness.
Through perseverance and a relentless commitment to our students, we created the Albert Einstein Academy for Letters, Arts and Sciences (AEA).

The transition back to school can be full of excitement and trepidation for both parents and children. For children who struggle with learning issues, attention difficulties, or developmental delays, there can be many hurdles that exist in addition to the typical challenges of a school day. The following tips may be helpful in setting up your child for a more successful school year.

On July 25, 2014 proud parents Christopher and Courtney Hodge along with Big Sisters Everly and Ellington welcomed a handsome baby boy into the world. 

Many parents and students are turning to college planners for a lifeline in navigating the stressful process of researching and applying to colleges.  Private counselors help alleviate stress for students and parents by providing information, helping them find the best fit colleges for their kids, and then guiding them through the process, all while being their biggest advocate.