EDUCATION MATTERS—SANFORD SCHOOL'S PRIVATE SCHOOL BLOG

Technology is a big part of life today, especially given that many students are spending at least some portion of the school year doing remote learning, as well as connecting with friends and family over social media. In the past, the goal was to keep screen time under two hours per day, but in 2015 the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) media recommendations were updated to be less focused on a specific number and more focused on having balance. Below we walk through the six steps that the AAP encourages families to take to support the development of healthy media behaviors.

With many schools learning completely online or hybrid, it is important to make sure you are creating a safe and reliable virtual learning environment for your child. Your child may need to attend virtual meetings and to complete assignments for class daily. Remind your child about internet safety and expectations to act appropriately online. If your child’s school is using virtual learning, consider these best practices:

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on the lives of teenagers. For children in 7th through 12th grade, going to school, interacting with friends, and engaging with family all look very different today than they did a year ago. Often, this drastic level of sudden change in a teenager’s lifestyle can give rise to feelings of uncertainty and stress. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing stress, there are a number of strategies you can implement to promote positive mental health habits with your teen. Here are some tips to help manage stress in 7th-12th graders:

The stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted nearly everyone, yet it can be difficult to pinpoint how the pandemic has affected the mental and emotional health of young children. Children manifest feelings of stress and anxiety in different ways than adults, and as a result, their mental health needs may often go overlooked. Here are some tips for promoting your child’s mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic:

The COVID-19 pandemic presented many questions for the futures of institutions and individuals alike. For independent schools in the summer of 2020, questions surfaced about how to safely reopen during the pandemic, what safety procedures to implement, and how to manage the additional labor needed to make reopening a reality.

Individuals, too, were plunged into uncertainty. In particular, college seniors graduating in 2020 found their plans drastically altered as a result of the pandemic. For those looking to enter the workforce, employers delayed or revoked job offers to recent graduates. Other graduates hoping to pursue advanced degrees were forced to relocate as many universities closed their campuses for the 2020-2021 school year. My own plans were no exception. The Fulbright Fellowship I was planning to begin the summer after graduating was postponed and postponed again before finally being cancelled due to the pandemic.

Winter Break is a great time to cuddle up with your kids and do some reading! Below we have a list of holiday reads for young children that celebrate holiday traditions from all over the world. Use these books to revisit holidays that you know and love or to learn about a new celebration.

At Sanford, we understand that private school tuition costs may cause families to not consider this educational opportunity. This video offers a brief, clear explanation of how tuition assistance works at Sanford School. We approach tuition assistance in a personalized way —if your child is the right fit for our school, we want to help make a Sanford education affordable. Check out the video. You can't afford to miss it!

The college search process can seem daunting even in the best of times. This year, there are even more questions and unknowns for parents, as well as for admissions officers and college counselors. With an open mind and a degree of patience, you can still navigate this milestone with your students.

Here are six tips to guide you through the college process:

The relationship between home and school is pivotal to the success of your child. As parent-teacher conferences are announced, the way you approach this relationship can help shape important outcomes for your child. It is important to bring patience, understanding, and compassion to the conversation, especially now during the pandemic. Although conferences will be virtual, the content of the meeting is just as meaningful and essential. Use this unique one-on-one time to explore how you can support the “formal” learning process and get a fresh perspective on your child’s development. Planning ahead can help you establish a solid partnership with your child’s teacher.

Here are a few tips to make your parent-teacher conference more productive:

During the pandemic, most schools have asked families to make their own lunches for their children. If you’ve been making the same old lunches every week, then it’s time to spice things up a bit! Below are three ways to pump up the fun and the nutrition the next time you pack your child’s lunch.