EDUCATION MATTERS—SANFORD SCHOOL'S PRIVATE SCHOOL BLOG

We just celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22nd. Let’s continue to protect the environment every day to help the world to be a happier, healthier place to live. Check out the list below for ideas on how you can keep looking out for the Earth all year long.

Kids–and adults!–often turn to technology for both fun and learning. Whether kids are doing online research for a project, posting comments on social media, texting a friend, or watching a movie, it can sometimes be surprising just how much time they spend using screens. In fact, a report by Common Sense Media states that tweens (children aged 8-12 years old) consume about six hours of media time each day, and for teenagers (children aged 13-18) the daily average jumps up to nearly nine hours.

According to an article from the American Psychological Association (APA), nearly one-third of children have been diagnosed with anxiety and it is the most common mental health disorder in kids. Below are four facts that you should know as you explore the causes and effects of childhood anxiety.

When you decide to move to a new area, one of the first things to do is to explore schools for your children. Below are a few tips for how to tackle each stage of the school research and selection process so that your move to a new city will be complemented by a smooth transition to a new school!

What better gift than to give a child the gift of meeting new people and experiencing new places? Even better, there is no assembly required! Books are an investment in a child’s academic future and can be enjoyed over and over again.

If you have found a private school that was the right fit for your child but didn’t think it was the right fit for your wallet, think again. A private school education can be far more affordable than you might think. Here are some tips to make a private school tuition work within your budget:

Take a mental walk through a school music building. Listen to the stroke of a guitar, the rich harmonies from singing voices, and the dancing feet of preschoolers. Perhaps you can hear them all in succession as you walk down the hallway? A robust performing arts department welcomes a mixture of activities, a symphony of varying sounds, and a buzz of productive energy. Each and every student’s individual artistic journey can and should be supported by a performing arts program. As a music teacher in a department of which I am very proud, I hear students discussing their experiences in the performing arts, as well as prospective families trying to figure out the best place for their child. It is time to clarify some misconceptions and equip families with the right questions to ask.

Summer presents a whirlwind of choices for families including day camps, special interest camps, downtime, and family vacations. Students have the opportunity to pursue the interests they love, make social bonds at camps, and create family memories that will last a lifetime.

Throughout the school’s history, Sanford has celebrated and respected the unique talents of our community members. We continue to create an inclusive, nurturing environment that instills a healthy respect for differences. Sanford values diversity at our core, including, but not limited to: culture, ethnicity, race, spirituality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, learning styles, socio-economic status, and interests.

It is widely accepted that there are significant benefits for all who are immersed in a diverse community, from learning how to appreciate and respect differences to acquiring lifelong skills like communication and listening for understanding. Achieving a diverse community, though, does not inherently lead to a community which values inclusivity and equity. Within any organization that values differences, there is work to be done to help each individual feel important, valued, known, and respected. This requires high levels of empathy and a commitment to having difficult conversations. So, what are some ways to work towards this ideal? Where there exist challenges, there are also opportunities for education, self-reflection, and growth. Below are four suggestions to take advantage of the opportunity to be an active part of creating an inclusive community.