We have a NEW newsletter format! You will find that all of the red items are also links and if you scroll down, you will see a highlight of events for the week. ENJOY! Tecleo para ver el boletín de noticias en español.

Yesterday when I was registering my kids for sports, I noticed I was not the only parent looking overwhelmed and exhausted. Why did I think I would be gaining more time when my kids started back at school?

I think we are all busier than ever... first there are the packets of forms that come home from school that need to be filled out. Then there are the back to school nights, signing kids up for afterschool programs and sports, helping in the classroom, PTA meetings and more. We have had to create a policy this week in our house of no play dates until their homework is finished because then we still need to fit in showers, dinner and possibly finishing up a few chores.

It has been a strange feeling to know my oldest daughters are entering their last year of elementary school and even stranger to see some of the other kids from our toddler play groups that started junior high this year. I never thought my kids would be this old. I think from the time your baby is born, life is about constantly re-adjusting... routines, rules, activities, family time... Just when I think we have gotten into a groove, we get another curve-ball that makes me realize what worked before is not necessarily going to continue. This year the homework has significantly increased but so have the distractions with friends and their social life. Sports also get more serious and intense the older your kids get which again is an adjustment for the whole family.

How is the school routine going? Do you have a successful family routine or helpful product you use to get out the door? How about homework-time rules? If not, you may want to read the articles below by local professionals Dr. Dan Brennan & Beth Kanne-Casselman, MEd, LMFT.

We hope you will all share your tips on our Parent Chat for how your family gets back in the groove for the new school year. What do you do to get the kids out of the house on time, pack lunches, complete homework, juggle afterschool programs, etc. You can WIN by sharing... Tickets to Golf N Stuff - Entry to the Sandcastle Festival - Tickets to the SB Museum of Natural History or the Sea Center and more!

For those of you that may have been on vacation, click to view our BACK TO SCHOOL Guide and the PRINTABLE list of after school classes, sports, tutors and more. Many businesses are offering free open houses where you can come see their facilities and try introductory classes. Check the calendar for dates and locations.

What are your kids eating for lunch? Parents can do their part in supporting healthy food in our schools by reading the food policies and respecting the rules on what is allowed to be sent in your child's lunches. Many schools have adopted a "no sugar policy Click on PRINTABLE SNACK & LUNCH LIST to give you and your children fun and fresh ideas.

Reduce lunchtime waste and stop spending money on baggies by using reusable products! Isla Vista Food Co-op has Lunch-To-Go kits and Laptop Lunch Systems.  KidsKonserve.com also has waste-free products and they posed some great ideas on how to motivate your school to GO GREEN on SBParent.com.

Support your kids and support your teachers. Attend Back To School Night to meet teachers and stay informed. Bonus points if you make it to the first PTA/PTO meeting! Find tips on and ideas on SBParent.com to get your year off to a great start...

* Fundraising Ideas for schools
* Support your teacher, school and PTA
* Internet Safety & Cyberbullying Tips
* Backpack Safety Tips
* Walk/Bike to School Safety Tips
* Sports, Tutoring, Classes & After-school Care

Check out this month's Youth Spotlight to see the latest news written by kids about local performing arts.

We wish all of you a great new school year whether your kids are starting preschool or leaving for college.

~ By Dr. Dan Brennan, Pediatrics in Paradise

An American Studies teacher at Goleta Valley Junior High used to tell us, "I can teach you, but I can't learn you." It is obvious that this statement did not come from a grammar teacher, but I remember the message very clearly after all of these years.

The classroom may be the place where a teacher teaches, but the home is where a student really learns. With so many subjects and so much to learn, there are not enough hours in the school day for a student to master all of his reading, writing and arithmetic at school.

Homework
Homework assignments reinforce the lessons of the day. It is critical that students keep track of their assignments and turn them in on time. Parents can help their children keep track of their homework and make sure that it is...  continue article >>

~ By Beth Kanne-Casselman, MEd, LMFT

As a therapist working with many school-aged children (and their families) and as a second grade teacher this year, I am constantly thinking about homework and strategies that will make this often inconvenient tradition run smoothly!

In writing this article, I talked with teaching colleagues to get a sense of the overall purpose for homework. In addition, I did research based on current studies to discover what conditions are optimal so that homework is a successful and meaningful activity for children and their families.

Here is what I discovered:  Homework is assigned to create a home-school connection...  >> continue article

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