South Holland SD 151 Winter Magazine

WINTER 2021

SOUTH
HOLLAND
SCHOOL

SchoolsDISTRICT 151

Visite nuestro sitio web para
leer esta revista en Español.

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Jessica Buckner Administration Center
(District Office)

Dr. Teresa D. Hill, Superintendent
525 E. 162nd Street,

South Holland, Illinois 60473
708-339-1516 Main • 708-331-7600 Fax

TAFT SCHOOL MADISON SCHOOL
Mrs. Christine Wilson, Principal Dr. Jerald McNair, Principal

393 E. 163rd St. 15700 Orchid Dr.
Harvey, Illinois 60426 South Holland, Illinois 60473
708-339-2710 Main • 708-210-3254 Fax 708-339-2117 Main • 708-210-3250 Fax

EISENHOWER SCHOOL COOLIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Mr. Peter Kolinski, Principal Mrs. Patricia Payne, Principal
15500 & 7th Ave
16001 Minerva Phoenix, Illinois 60426
South Holland, Illinois 60473
708-339-5900 Main • 708-210-3252 Fax 708-339-5300 Main • 708-339-5327 Fax

South Holland School Distric 151 3

SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE

Real Talk
about Remote Learning

DR. TERESA D. HILL, SUPERINTENDENT

You are not going crazy (although it may feel like it sometimes). Remote Learning is HARD! If
you are like most parents, you may not have known how much your children do during a typical
school day. You may not have known how difficult it can be for children to sit still and pay
attention during all of their lessons. You may be one of our wonderful grandparents who are
learning more about technology than they ever wanted to know so that they can help multiple
grandchildren with remote learning. Perhaps you are wondering how in the world you can help
your Kindergartener learn to read. Or maybe you are looking at 5th grade math and wondering
what it has to do with the math you learned when you were in school. If you are like most
people, you are trying to handle all of this while also dealing with financial issues, stress and
possibly illness or loss all caused by this once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. Whatever you are going
through as your children experience remote learning, please cut yourself (and your children)
some slack. As hard as this is for everyone, we will get through it together.

As Superintendent of South Holland School District 151, I want you to know that our Board of
Education, administrators, teachers and support staff are grateful for the intense efforts that our
parents and families have put into supporting children through remote learning. As an educator
and a parent, I want you to know that it is OKAY. What is okay? It is okay that neither you nor
we have all of the answers. It is okay that you get frustrated at times. It is even okay that the
learning process is more difficult than usual.

4 JANUARY 2021

We will support you and your child throughout this time of remote learning. We have already
begun to plan how to help every child catch up and get ahead when we return to in-person
learning. In the meantime, here are some key things to remember as we deal with the realities
of education in the pandemic:

GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO TAKE A BREAK AND BREATHE. – We all have times when we are

feeling tired or overwhelmed. Children experience this too. In school, young children have
recess and breaks. They have fun activities and special events that allow them to de-stress
and relax. In remote learning, both children and adults often miss these opportunities to take
breaks. One of the skills of great teachers is being able to identify when everyone needs a break.
Teachers will sometimes schedule “movement breaks” during the school day to allow children to
move around or play a brief game. They may schedule “quiet time” to allow students to center
themselves as they listen to music, write or listen to a story. Movement breaks and quiet times
can benefit adults too.

REACH OUT TO YOUR CHILDREN’S TEACHERS FOR SUPPORT. – What teachers want most is for

your children to succeed. Teachers have changed a great deal about how they teach in remote
learning. They are constantly looking for ways to make remote learning work for all of their
students. If your child is struggling with a lesson or concept, or if your child is struggling with
remote learning in general, please reach out to the teacher. The teacher will plan ways to help
your child and talk with you about things your child can do to improve as well. Simply reach out
to them by phone or email or during Parent Teacher Conferences. If they cannot answer right
away because they are in class, they will get back to you to help your child succeed.

TRUST YOUR CHILD’S RESILIENCE. – Childhood is a time of making mistakes and learning from

them. Sometimes children have difficulty in a particular grade or with a particular skills.
Sometimes they surprise us with challenging behaviors. They can struggle with health, social,
emotional, or mental health issues. They may go through difficult phases from the terrible two’s
through adolescence. Even if your child is struggling right now, please remember that children
have unlimited potential and the power of resilience. A child who struggles to read in first grade
can graduate at the top of his class in college. A ten year old who struggles to control her anger
in fifth grade can develop the skills to become a great leader as a young adult. A 7th grader
who thinks he “can’t do math” can land in class with a teacher who makes it all make sense. Your
child’s struggles do not define her/his destiny. Help your child understand the value of effort,
resilience and growth.

FOCUS ON THE THINGS YOUR CHILDREN (AND FAMILY) WILL REMEMBER MOST. – When your

children are grown, the most important thing they will remember about this time is not taking
classes on the laptop or iPad. Young children may not have any memory of this time at all. The
thing children will remember most vividly is the time they spent with the family. They will
remember how you supported them, how you told them you were proud of them, how you
listened to them, and how you made them feel. They will learn how to stick together during
difficult times by seeing how you do it.

South Holland School Distric 151 5

Helping Students

Socially andEmotionally

DR. MCNAIR, PRINCIPAL OF MADISON SCHOOL

As we reflect battling the virus. This impacts how students
on what our feel, who they confide in, how they see the
students have world, and who they trust. This uneasy feeling
been through, can contribute to psychological, emotional,
since March of and mental health related issues.
2020, when the
pandemic caused Caring schools, and effective school districts,
schools to move promote a connection between students’
towards remote academic achievement, along with their need
learning, it’s to feel valued and supported. If students
clear that they are not receiving emotional support, their
are witnessing and experiencing traumatic academic output is compromised. Research
events that we never thought possible. The shows that a clear theoretical base for
rising number of Covid-19 cases, which have connecting students’ feelings of emotional
surpassed 15 million in our country, means security, along with their ability to focus
there is a high likelihood that our students on learning exist. The challenge for schools
will have family members and friends who are is to find out what works and implement it

6 JANUARY 2021

with fidelity. We spend a great deal of our They are as follow:
time working to improve the academic
performance of our students. Legislative PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR
and federal programs such as the No CHILD TO EXERCISE. That can include
Child Left Behind Act, Race to the Stop,
PARCC (The Partnership for Assessment simply taking a walk or going to the park,
of Readiness for College and Careers), The while ensuring that social distancing is
Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR), taking place.
and now the Every Students Succeed Act
(ESSA), along with the development of EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF
Common Core Standards, are all focused on GETTING A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP. That may
improving the reading, math, science and
critical thinking skills of our students. That include removing the video games and
is essential, as we prepare our students to the television, from their rooms at night.
compete in the 21st century. At the same Children may wake up at night, see that
time, the emotional needs of our students their parents are sleep and decide to play
must be addressed. If students don’t feel video games. This negatively impacts their
supported emotionally, and socially, it’s sleeping patterns, causing them to be
difficult for them to achieve academically. sluggish and tired, during school hours.
South Holland School District One 151
understands the balance that must take ENCOURAGE AND PROVIDE SOCIAL
place. To this end, we have increased our AC TIVIT Y. “There are various forms of
awareness of how the emotional, social, and
psychological stability of our students are mediated social activity that may be
influencing their academic output and their appealing to students.” They can join on-
behavior. line book clubs, have outings at the park
and museum. They can also take part in
While teachers, administrators, and video-chat activities, which can include
practitioners continue to learn more playing board games, charades, taking part
about effectively engaging and assisting in scavenger hunts, and playing legos, to
students with social and emotional support, name a few.
through remote learning, we must include
parents and guardians in the process. This TAKE PART IN ON-LINE COUNSELING
starts first with providing our parents with SERVICES. Research and find some that
researched based strategies that aim to
mitigate some of the negative aspects may be free of charge.
of remote learning. While the tips below
are not an exhaustive list of the different PROMOTE HEALTHY EATING. Students may
interventions, strategies, and techniques
that can be implemented to help children, have the tendency to eat more unhealthy
they do provide some valuable information snacks during this time. This can cause them
that, if put in place on a routine basis, will to be more sluggish and less attentive.
help.
I call these the Thriving 5 Support
Strategies that help students stay engaged
and involved in learning, even as they work
remotely. Each strategy, intervention, or tip
does not have to be implemented together

South Holland School Distric 151 7

or separately. It depends on the child, their circumstances, and their needs. A one-size-fits
all approach does not work. We all know that the needs of students vary. As such, how their
needs should be addressed will also differ. The overriding aim is to ensure that students are
being supported socially and emotionally.

The final section of this article focuses on what parents should not do, during remote learning,
which could have a negative impact on their child’s social and emotional state, even if it is
unintentional. These tips communicate and demonstrate an understanding that the lives of
parents and guardians have also changed, as they do their best to support not only their child,
but the teacher who is providing the lessons and working to meet the needs of their students:

DON’T PUT TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON YOUR DON’T BE AFRAID TO PUT SOME DEMANDS
CHILD. Recognize that this is a unique ON YOUR CHILD, AS THEY LEARN REMOTELY.

situation. If you see your child is getting too Try to find that balance. It can come about
emotional at times, please back off and try a through trial and error.
different approach.
DON’T OVERLOOK THE IMPORTANCE OF
DON’T BE RELUCTANT TO HAVE YOUR CHILD STAYING IN CONTACT WITH YOUR CHILD’S
SEE A THERAPIST OR SIMPLY TALK TO A TEACHER. Sometimes teachers see things,
FAMILY MEMBER FOR SUPPORT. It’s not
or recognize changes in their students’
unusual for them to be experiencing some behavior, at the same time the parent does.
difficulty, as they adjust to a different way of Establishing quality dialogue with your child’s
learning. teacher benefits everyone involved.

As I conclude, let me state that I hope the information above provides an acceptance and an
awareness that the lives of our students have changed significantly. It is beyond debate that
in-person learning is best. At the same time, in order to keep students, parents, educators,
ancillary staff, and all the support personnel that work in schools safe, it must take place
remotely right now. That does not mean positive benefits can’t come about. With the right
support and awareness our students, your children, can thrive.

8 JANUARY 2021

MR. PETER KOLINSKI, PRINCIPAL OF EISENHOWER SCHOOL

TIPS FOR MAKING

successfulREMOTE LEARNING

FOR YOUR CHILD

Shifting to remote learning can feel overwhelming for
teachers, students, and parents alike. In the blink of an eye, we
have gone from what we would typically view as traditional
education to something brand new for all of us. It has been 7
months since we were thrown into this educational adventure.
At this point, we now have a good deal of information on how
best to approach remote learning and we are better prepared
to support students’ academic and social-emotional growth.

As we have improved our practices for remote learning, we
have also been thinking of ways that parents can help make
remote learning a successful experience for their children.
Here are some tips that you can incorporate into your daily
routines during remote learning that will keep kids focused
and interested while learning from a distance.

South Holland School Distric 151 9

1. SET A ROUTINE: We have found that students

who have a set routine have been more
successful at starting their day strong and
staying focused as learning progresses. Creating
a visual schedule that they can follow can help
them keep track of what is happening each
day. It is important to have your child follow a
routine as if they are going to school in person.
Getting plenty of sleep, getting dressed for
school, eating breakfast, and having their school
supplies at their disposal have a massive impact
on a child’s remote learning success. When
students are lying in bed wearing their pajamas
during the school day they have a greater
likelihood of being less engaged and missing
out on important learning opportunities.

2. CREATE A PRODUCTIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Creating an optimal workspace at home for your
child isn’t always easy, but it is important to try
to find a place in your home that has a good
balance between adult supervision and a quiet,
distraction-free environment. We have seen
that when children are too isolated, they can
become distracted or they may lack the support
necessary to be successful. If the child is in a
location with too much going on, they can be
overstimulated and again become distracted.
The workspace should be clear of any tech
devices, TVs, or toys so that students can focus
on the important instructional activities their
teacher has planned for them each day. Make
sure their workspace includes a table, chair, and
any necessary learning supplies.

10 JANUARY 2021

3. PROMOTE A GROWTH MINDSET: Studies show

that promoting a growth mindset in children
creates a love of learning and resiliency to
academic struggles. Every student has different
educational strengths and weaknesses. The
growth mindset is the belief that even the most
basic abilities can be developed through hard
work and dedication. Setting and achieving
academic and social-emotional goals is one of
the most effective ways to create engagement
in learning for children. Kids who grow up in a
growth mindset home environment typically
believe that they can grow their intelligence and
talent with practice, effort, and hard work. They
understand that mistakes lead to learning; even
though they may not achieve success right away
if they persevere, they can grow and succeed
(Ricci & Lee 2016).

4. ENCOURAGE THE PRODUCTIVE STRUGGLE:

The majority of teachers and parents have the
urge to rescue students who may be struggling
in completing a learning task. However, this
serves as a quick fix for the student and
creates a learning dependence that can keep
them from reaching their academic potential.
Developing learning independence in your child
is very important. Students need to learn the
productive struggle of education. This not only
teaches students how to persevere and become
problem solvers, but it also allows teachers
to get an accurate picture of your child’s
true academic progress. Without academic
struggle, students cannot progress or grow
and oftentimes shut down when they struggle
with a learning task. Parents can reinforce
the productive struggle by encouraging their
children to press forward through difficult tasks,
giving extra time, and acknowledging their
successes - not by giving answers!

South Holland School Distric 151 11

D E B T5. STAY CONNECTED TO THE SCHOOL: Your child’s

educational success is also dependent on
keeping a strong connection with their school

O Fduring remote learning. It is important that you

read any messages sent home by the teacher
or other school personnel. Reach out to the
school with any questions or concerns. Check
your school’s website and social media accounts
to stay up to date with the most current
information regarding your child’s school.
With the overwhelming parental support
and evolving instructional practices, school
communities are doing their very best to
overcome the many obstacles of remote
learning. The more families and schools work
together, the more effective we will be at
meeting the needs of our students during this
challenging time.

Virtual Band Concert

Each December, South Holland School District 151’s award winning band performs
the spectacular Winter Band Concert at Thornton High School. Grandparents,

parents, teachers, friends and other family members pack the auditorium to hear
the student’s performance However, this year the band concert was held virtually.

View the concert on the district’s website,
www.shsd151.org and Facebook page, soho151.

As always, the students did a fantastic job! Please watch and share!

12 JANUARY 2021

In a world
where you can be

ANYTHING,

Be
Kind .

ENGLISH as a
SL AE CNOGNUDA G E

and Bilingual

MR. ANTHONY PALOMO, ELL PROGRAM DIRECTOR

In the state of Illinois, English as a Second Language (ESL) programs are English support
programs. These programs are based on English Language Development Standards.
These standards were developed to help and support English Learners (ELs) with school
language to be successful in education. The first standard is called Social Instructional
language. It reflects the way in which all students interact socially to build community
and to establish working relationships with peers and the teacher in ways that support
learning. The other four standards are the languages of Arts, Mathematics, Science, and
Social Studies. These subject area standards are needed by English language learners to
communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success.

Likewise, our bilingual students are learning both Spanish and English Language
Development Standards. Our bilingual program is a type of One-way Dual Language
Program. Research has shown teaching students in their native language helps them
to develop their language while learning new ideas and concepts. When students are
transitioning into English, students understand concepts and are focused on learning
English. Learning specific concepts and ideas while learning English is often difficult.
Learning in a Dual Language program promotes both languages and better prepares
students for a multilingual world.

READING AT HOME TO BUILD LANGUAGE

Remote learning has forced educators and parents to think differently about education
during the pandemic. We continue to work hard for English and Spanish speaking
families of our community. Communication in both languages has been a big part
of our success in keeping everyone informed. As educators and parents of school
age children, we all know learning on a computer or iPad has its advantages and
disadvantages. Especially for our younger students when it comes to teaching letters

14 JANUARY 2021

and sounds that build language. We are have been teaching through an on-line
trying to provide our youngest learners platform since the start of this school year.
with routines and procedures at school Parents understand the challenges. Our
while we are laying down the foundations parents have been asking what can they do
for school language. We can only provide at home to help students stay engaged in
so much with technology when we are learning? We know time is limited for many
teaching students through a computer. of our parents so one simple answer is read
The physical aspect of being in a classroom to your children. Reading is one of the best
teaching is much more powerful. ways to increase vocabulary and supports
Therefore, during the time of remote language development.
learning, parents should not underestimate
the teaching power they have to build For younger students, picture books are
language with their child. Afterall, children very important in a child’s reading and
come to school with the language that was language development. The pictures
taught at home before they step through provide the visual stimulation to
the doors of a classroom. understand the spoken words. As students
learn to read, they use what they know
In our district our English as a Second about letters and sounds to decode the
Language (ESL) educators and parents words. They also use the pictures to
seem to have a better appreciation for help them and understand what they are
each other. There has always been a reading. Children are often introduced to
partnership between home and school, new words and concepts when someone is
but the importance of that partnership has reading with them. It is important that we
been magnified due to COVID19. Teachers ask questions and help to explain what is

South Holland School Distric 151 15

happening in the words and pictures of a story. Children at a young age love being read to. It
is a very valuable time because this becomes the moment of learning and building language.
At the primary years, Prekindergarten thru 3rd grade, children strengthen their language when
reading with their parents and reading independently.

For our older students it sometimes is difficult to keep them reading at home. Sometimes
reading at an older age can be a turnoff because at school, most of our reading has to do with
academic reading and the language of science or literature becomes more difficult. Now that
students are home, it provides for more opportunity to read for pleasure. Reading for pleasure
also helps students to learn new words and concepts. The only difference is, they are building

HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO
PROMOTE READING AT HOME

FOR OLDER STUDENTS.

• Be a positive role model for reading. • Ask the teacher about future reading or
Let your kids see you read routinely such related topics your child enjoyed at school
as reviewing letters, recipes, instructions, and build on that.
newspapers, and magazines.
• Ask your child about what they like to read
• Turn off the electronics and grab something and put your efforts in collecting reading
to read. If you do this with your child, it materials that you know your child is
makes it more meaningful. interested in.

• Be sure to have a variety of reading • Reading to your child. Many picture books
materials at home. These books or may see too easy to read for older readers,
magazines can come from book sales, garage but they usually come with a message. After
sales, or even as a gift from a magazine reading, ask them “What is the moral to
subscription for a special occasion. the story?” Even adults can learn valuable
lessons from a children’s book.
• Take your child to the library and help him
get his own library card. The library will • If your child is a bilingual reader, let them
be a place where a variety of topics will be choose to read in English or Spanish. In
available for your child to find something either language, reading will help to build
they may like. on language and reading skills.

• Look for reading materials related to your
family’s history or culture.

16 JANUARY 2021

on the language of whatever interests them. websites connect educators and parents
These are just a few ideas to start with. If you with ideas for reading for all ages. Colorin
start reading with your family for pleasure, Colorado is a site that helps educators and
it will become habit that children will grow parents with readers that speak English or
up remembering. Although these are Spanish. Simply click “En Espanol” at the top
difficult times, we need to make the most of the webpage to change everything into
of it by creating new learning and language Spanish. The Illinois Early Learning website
experiences at home through reading. Our provides developmental information on
ESL program support English and Spanish but children from birth to three. Please visit these
if your child knows and understands other websites for more helpful information.
language it is important to continue reading
at home in the language that is comfortable COLORIN COLORADO:
to the reader.
https://www.colorincolorado.org/

If you are interested in more parental READING ROCKETS:
supports with reading for your child, please
visit the following websites. These sites https://www.readingrockets.org/
come highly recommended by educators
throughout the state and country. These ILLINOIS EARLY LEARNING:

https://illinoisearlylearning.org/ielg/

South Holland School Distric 151 17

HELPFUL MATH + READING

tips for parents

OF OLDER STUDENTS

MRS. PATRICIA PAYNE, PRINCIPAL OF COOLIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Many of us think that Math is a daunting subject. We think that because we as parents,
weren’t “good” in math, our children somehow inherited that same math gene. Nothing
can be further from the truth. These are some helpful healthy tips to our math parents.

Believe that every child can be successful in math. It takes good teaching, coaching,
encouragement and practice.

• Talk about math in a positive way. A positive attitude about math is infectious.
• Encourage persistence. Some problems take time to solve.
• Encourage your child to experiment with different approaches to mathematics.
There is often more than one way to solve a math problem.
• Encourage your child to talk about and show a math problem in a way that makes

sense (i.e., draw a picture or use material like macaroni).
• When your child is solving math problems ask questions such as: Why did you...?
What can you do next? Do you see any patterns? Does the answer make sense?

How do you know? This helps to encourage thinking about mathematics.
• Connect math to everyday life and help your child understand how math

influences them (i.e. shapes of traffic signs, walking distance to school,
telling time).

18 JANUARY 2021

Reading is the key that will open many doors for our children. There are simple things
we can do at home that will help our children develop into stronger readers. According
to Scholastic Parent newsletter, we should:

• Have our children read aloud to us and talk to us about what they read. Reading
aloud helps them to see and hear what they are reading. Talking about it helps
them remember what they read and retell what they read. Ask them questions
about what happened and why it happened.

• Have different types of books at the house that is at their child(ren’s) reading
level. Check with your child’s teacher to get their “Lexile Score”. This is his/her
reading level range. Go to the library or order books on line within their Lexile
score. This encourages them to read for pleasure. When students really enjoy a
book, they will treat it like a good movie and read it again! Which in turn increases
their comprehension and fluency level, thereby, increasing the Lexile scores.

• Always use your child’s Reading teacher as a resource. Ask your child’s teacher
what you can do at home to help your child with vocabulary, comprehension,
fluency, and other reading skills and where you can find resources.

TIPS FOR PARENTS OF MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

This is the age range where we as parents think that we can start letting go. This is
the time to try and develop as close a relationship with your children as you can; not
hovering, but being present and available in their lives.
• You want to be the stronger voice in their ear rather than their friends or what

they are seeing or hearing on social media.
• They are trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in. Give them a

sense of belonging and value within the family unit.
• They are very aware of themselves in terms of how they look to others. Give your

child positive affirmations of how they look inside and out.
• Give them space, not isolation from the household in closed unmonitored rooms.
• Talk to your middle school child about what’s going on around them and how they

fit in. Use facts in helping them form healthy opinions and beliefs. Let them know
how you feel about what’s going on; your fears, your concerns, your beliefs, your
affirmations.
• Show interest in what they’re doing in school by attending events they’re involved
in and attending school functions. Encourage them to be involved in school
activities and events.

Partner with your middle schooler and their school. These times encourage us to link
our hands together to provide as much safety, security, and comfort to our children as
possible. There should be no barriers to obtaining what we need to help our children
to thrive and be successful. We are here as your middle school and partner in educating
our children.

South Holland School Distric 151 19

AT HOMEEarly Learner Activities

MRS. CHRISTINE WILSON, PRINCIPAL OF TAFT SCHOOL

Remote learning with a classroom teacher is not the only time for young learners to
engage in literacy and math activities. When parents are spending time with their
children, they can be teachers too. With young children, parents can easily disguise
a learning activity as a fun game. Here are some valuable activities parents can do at

home to reinforce math and literacy skills being taught at school.

NAME WRITING – Write the child’s name LETTER IDENTIFICATION – Write the

with a highlighter on a sheet of paper. letters of the alphabet in order on two
The child can trace the letters with sheets of paper. Cut up one sheet to
another writing utensil. make small letter cards. Have your child
match the letter card to the letter on
CUTTING PRACTICE – Draw lines across the other paper. Together chant the
letter name as they match. As the child
a sheet of paper and have your child becomes more confident with letter
practice cutting along the line. To add a names you can call out the letter and
challenge, you can make the lines have your child place a token (such
zig-zag or draw hills. as cereal, small block, etc) over the
letter. This activity can be made more
1:1 CORRESPONDENCE – Write a numeral challenging by writing the letters out
of order or by having your child match
(examples: 5, 2) on a sheet of paper. The uppercase to lowercase letters.
child can count the quantity of items
(examples: cereal, marshmallows, blocks, SIGHT WORD PRACTICE – Read the sight
toys) and place it on the number.
word aloud. The child can write the
ADDITION PRACTICE – Using a deck of word with their finger on a cookie sheet
covered with shaving cream (whipped
cards, flip over two cards. Prompt the cream, salt or rice works as well).
child to add the two numbers. Children
can use the images on the cards to
help them count if the facts are not
memorized yet. Dice can be substituted
for cards for a similar game.

20 JANUARY 2021

HOW TO SUPPORT
YOUR CHILD WHEN

movementTHEY NEED
IN THEIR DAY
DR. KAREN ANDERSON, SPECIAL SERVICES

Here are some tips for be successful with your child during remote learning. Many
students have difficulty staying focused at home and need some help. Here are just a
few tips to help alleviate some pressure and make it easier to learn at home.

1. ESTABLISH YOUR ROUTINE

Students need structure and predictability it is important to establish a routine as soon
as possible. It doesn’t have to be a rigid routine but something that helps your child
stay on schedule. Set a bedtime. Just like regular school, your child needs adequate
sleep to function in the morning. Take all electronic devices away at night including
television, tablets, and phones away at night.

South Holland School Distric 151 21

2. DON’T STACK HARD OR UNPREFERRED ACTIVITIES.

For most children home is a place that is relaxing and enjoyable but now it is a place
where they must do there learning but that can be fun too.
• Always schedule something fun after doing challenging work. Don’t expect
them to do two hard things right after the other.
• Schedule a snack or lunch in between schedules.
• Let them do a fun preferred activity during breaks and make sure you plan what
it is before you start.

3. KIDS NEED A LOT OF ACTIVITY

Kids need at least 1.5 to 2 hours a day of play or more but if your child is active they
may need more. Some suggestions to keep them active are:
• Do a walk around the neighborhood
• Do a bike ride
• Let your child run around the yard
• Try a mini trampoline if have one
• Have a dance party
• Heavy Work: Have your child carry a heavy object across the room like a laundry
basket to tired those busy muscles out
• Rake up the leaves in the yard

4. DO THE HARDEST WORK IN THE MORNING

Children work best when in the morning when they are well rested. If they find
something to be hard do it in the morning and save the easier work for later.

5. ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS

Let your child use their headphones to drown out household noise. Make sure they are
doing their remote work away from the T.V. and places where there is a lot of people
coming in and out. When you have multiple children working you may want to have
them work in different rooms if possible. Also, let them work in a room where their
toys, video games, and other things that can distract them are not in the room.

Looking for more support try https://hes-extraordinary.com/. There are a lot of
resources available to make calming corners, videos to help get the wiggles out.

22 JANUARY 2021

OUR BUILDINGS ARE

EMwPTYeWmITHiOsUsT YyOoUu. !

********ECRWSSEDDM**** PRSRT STD
LOCAL POSTAL CUSTOMER ECRWSS

U.S. Postage

PAID

Homewood, IL
Permit No. 130

FREE SCHOOL

LUNCHES

On September 14, 2020, School District 151
began participating in the Summer Food

Service Program at Taft, Eisenhower, Madison
and Coolidge schools.

Free meals will be made available to all
children 18 years of age and under, and to
person over 18 years of age, who are enrolled
in a State approved educational program for
the mentally or physically handicapped. Meals
are made available to all eligible participants
without regard to race, color, handicap, sex, or
age. Any person who believes he/she has been
discriminated against in the USDA related

activity should immediately write to the
Administrator of Food Nutrition Service.

Meals are available
for pickup only on
Monday, Wednesday,

and Friday
from 9am – 1pm.