Let's Build Success!!

Our Winter Tuition Sale has started and continues through February 12th.  Call now to get further details and see how we can help your student improve one grade level within 36 hours!

Unlimited Learning at Sylvan

We’re excited to announce a very special promotion for January! For this month only, parents can purchase unlimited tutoring from now until the end of June.

Unlimited tutoring includes:

• Unlimited Tutoring in any Sylvan Subject
• Unlimited Homework Support
• Unlimited Use of BookAdventure.org
• Unlimited Skills Assessments
• School Conferences
• Parent Conferences
• Unlimited Sibling Skills Assessments
• Unlimited Practice SAT or ACT Tests
• Unlimited Test Prep (SAT, ACT or ASVAB)
• Unlimited Early Learning Academy
• Unlimited College Prep (College Writing and Advanced Reading)

Choose the payment option that works for you:

• Financing
• Prepayment
• Four Monthly Installments

This is a great time of the year to get students into Sylvan and a great opportunity to help students finish the year strong! We have never done this before and are very much looking forward to seeing students more often in the center. Call us today to get started!
1-800-EDUCATE

Surviving the Teen Years - pt 2

Facing Academic and Emotional Challenges
As students make the transition into middle and high school, many adolescents encounter a larger-than-life, more impersonal, more competitive, and grade-oriented environment than they experienced in the primary grades. The National Association of Secondary School Principals states, “In this environment many students’ grades decline, and they do not attend school as regularly as they should. They also develop a more negative view of themselves and feel an increased need for friendships.”
Studies have shown students’ perceptions concerning high school reveal both excitement and fear. According to the National Middle School Association, “They look forward to more freedom and more personal choice. However, they also admit to being ‘nervous’ and ‘scared’ about older students teasing them; getting lost in a larger and unfamiliar school; and, most troubling to teens, is making bad grades.”

What Parents Can Do
Teach your children how to develop the skills, habits, and attitudes that lead to lifelong success. That means recognizing the importance of higher education, actively supporting the goals of the school, and encouraging/requiring school attendance.

You can help your child in many ways:

• Set a good example and turn off the television, iPod or cell phone – and read or write.
• Understand your child’s personal learning style and work with him or her in ways that complement the individual learning process. To determine your child’s learning style, visit the “Parent Resources” area of www.SylvanLearning.com and take the Learning Styles Quiz.
• Keep open communication with your child’s teachers to ensure you are aware if struggles arise.
• Be aware of academic requirements needed for future classes. Does one version of middle or high school algebra lead to college preparatory math, whereas another version fulfills the math requirement but does not prepare the student for more advanced courses in math and science? Help your child keep his or her college and career options open by helping to select the “right” courses.
• Foster your teen’s strengths, talents and interests. Give praise for increased effort and celebrate successes.

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Getting in Gear: A Back To School Survival Guide - part 2

Despite the warm temperatures and sunny skies, many students are feeling a shadow looming as back to school season creeps closer. After weeks of lazy, summer days, late nights, varying routines and minimal mental stimulation, the return to school can seem overwhelming to students of all ages.

To help students get ready for the new school year, here are several tips to ease the transition from the beach to the classroom and jumpstart sluggish summer brains.

For many students, the first day of school doesn’t only bring new teachers and new friends - it can also be a source of anxiety with homework assignments and tests just around the corner. Starting the school year off on the right foot can help minimize students’ stress levels throughout the year.

Get Cleaning. A dirty, cluttered room is not conducive to studying. Get organized before homework starts piling up.
• Remove seldom-worn clothing.
• Pack away belongings not used on a regular basis.
• For smaller children, label areas so they can easily see where belongings should go.

Carve Out A Homework Spot. Whether it is in your bedroom, the basement, or a family office, find an area where you can work distraction-free and claim it as your official workspace.
• Pick a place that is always available and where you feel comfortable doing schoolwork.
• Stock the area with all of the supplies and tools that are needed to complete homework.

Get Organized. Organization is key to ensure you stay on top of the requirements for each subject.
• Use separate, labeled notebooks for each class.
• Create files for each subject. The folders can hold assignments, essays, handouts and notes taken during classes.
• Purchase a planner or calendar to keep track of important dates and deadlines.

Set Educational Goals. Whether it is striving for an A in a certain subject, handing in all homework on time or preparing for tests well in advance, setting goals can help establish a routine for the new year.
• Set goals that are measurable, specific, reasonable and have personal value.

Stay On Schedule. Minimize last minute cramming or deadline mix-ups by creating a detailed school schedule.
• Include all classes, assignments and key dates, such as project deadlines and test dates. Fill in new dates as they arise.
• Schedule specific times for studying, projects and extracurricular activities. The more thorough the schedule, the more helpful it will be to you.

Know The School. If you ever feel swamped with back to school madness, ask for help. Schools assist students with transitioning from one grade to another. Meet with your guidance counselor and/or teachers. If you are still nervous, ask your mom or dad to drop you off at school on the first day of class.

Be Adventurous. Step out of your comfort zone this school year by trying new things academically and in terms of extracurricular activities.
• Try every type of class and/or activity. You never know what your strengths are until you experience as much as you can.
• Challenge yourself. If you have the opportunity, take the hardest classes - not the easiest subjects.
• Ask questions. There is nothing wrong with not always knowing the answer. Asking questions is the best way to learn!

Think Positive. Yes, going back to school means homework and early mornings. It also means reconnecting with old friends, meeting new people, resuming fun extracurricular activities, learning more about your favorite subjects and improving on your last year’s performance.

Take the Test......

Take a look and see how Book Adventure challenges its readers!

Charlotte's Web by White, E. B.

1: What did Fern like best about the fair?
She liked to eat the food with Avery.
She liked to watch the livestock competition with Lurvy.
She liked to ride the Ferris wheel with Henry.
She liked to sneak into the sideshows with Charlotte.

2: Why did Templeton agree to help save Wilbur's life?
Templeton owed Charlotte a favor.
Templeton liked Wilbur.
Templeton was known for his generosity.
Templeton's survival depended on Wilbur's survival.

3: Who heard the animals talking?
Avery
Lurvy
John Arable
Fern

4: What was the first message in the web?
"Terrific"
"Some pig"
"Radiant"
"Humble"

5: How did Wilbur get Charlotte's egg sac to the farm?
He buried it in the straw and wrapped his legs around it.
He put it in his mouth and carried it on his tongue.
He put it in his left ear and tilted his head to one side.
He put it on Templeton's back and slowly breathed on it.

6: What happened to Wilbur?
He ran away with Templeton to see the world.
He stayed in the Zuckerman's barn.
He went to live with Fern.
He became Christmas dinner for the Zuckermans.

7: Who was Homer Zuckerman?
Fern's boyfriend
the school teacher
the town doctor
Fern's uncle

8: Who was Lurvy?
Fern's brother
Homer Zuckerman's horse
Fern's dog
Homer Zuckerman's hired hand

9: What happened to Charlotte?
She stayed at the Zuckerman's farm until Wilbur died.
She died at the fair.
She made a balloon of silk and the wind blew her away.
She moved into the Arable's barn.

10: What did Wilbur win at the fair?
twenty-five dollars and a bronze medal
twenty-five dollars and a gold ring
twenty-five dollars and a blue ribbon
twenty-five dollars and a parchment certificate

Report Card Anxiety

Parents around the country will soon be receiving their children's report cards. The following tips, devised by the education professionals at Sylvan Learning Center, are designed to help parents provide their children with positive and constructive responses during what is often a challenging time.

1. Communicate with your child throughout the six or nine-week report period. Don't wait until the report cards are issued -- it's too late then.

2. Clearly communicate your expectations to your child. Also, determine if your expectations are realistic considering the student's ability level.

3. Establish academic goals together with your child. These should be both short and long range and must be appropriate to the age of the child.

4. Meet with your child's teachers. Explore what resources the school offers students such as tutors, homework centers, pre-school day classes or online subject support.

5. Discuss problem areas with your child's teacher. Any skill deficiencies that are causing performance problems must be correctly identified and addressed.

6. Establish a study plan with your child. He/she needs to develop regular study habits and to spend an adequate amount of time daily on homework and studying for tests.

7. Recognize and praise your child's successes. For example, with an elementary school age child, you might talk about how pleased you are about better behavior in class.

8. Get help immediately if you see a problem. Don't fall prey to your child's promise to do better. He may not be able to correct certain issues without help from the adults in his life.

9. Stay in touch with your child's school counselor. The link between home and school is vital. The counselor can request periodic progress reports between grading periods and set up conferences with teachers, parents and students when necessary.

10. Think about what motivates your child. Positive motivators include offering rewards, such as money, video games, CD's, a driver's license or driving privileges, for improved grades. Consequences include grounding your child, restricting phone/Internet time and taking away other privileges such as use of the family car.

11. Reward your child for a good report card. Rather than giving money, spend extra time with your child, go for a walk together, take a family excursion or go to a favorite restaurant.

12. Be sure to keep report cards in perspective. Remember that this is just one measure at one particular time of how your child is doing.

13. Follow these simple STUDY rules:

S - Stay on top of your child's study schedule. Be aware of assignments and whether your student is using time effectively to tackle homework.

T - Team with your child, the teacher and counselor. Work together to develop a meaningful contract that clearly outlines expectations and sets desired goals.

U - Use a daily assignment planner and project calendar.

D - Define your child's deficiencies and identify the skills that are needed to address the performance problems.

Y - You are your child's greatest advocate. Be a partner to help your student achieve his/her highest academic potential.