Now that April 15th is over and we've all paid our taxes,  the next big thing on a teachers list is State Testing, April 21st-25. The students have all worked so hard all year learning the ABC's, how to add, subtract, read and write. Now it is their time to shine and show off what they know for the great state of California.  The students are ready, the teachers are ready, the principals are frantically organizing tests materials...and the administrators are already waiting for the results.

As a parent, what can YOU do to best prepare your child for the State Test from home regardless of age, grade, school or district? 

As you may already know, studies have shown that sleep and nutrition are the two most important factors that can influence test taking beyond the knowledge of subject matter. 

So to start your students day off right, by getting them to bed as early as they'll sleep.  I know for me a good nights sleep can make all the difference in the world on a daily basis regaurdless of state testing.  Recommendations for your childs bedtime from ME: (by grade level)  K-2 by 8:00, 3-5 no later than 9:00, and everyone else by 9:30.  Personally my ten year old, fourth grade boy goes to bed at 8:00 and reads for thirty minutes with lights out at 8:30, all school year.  During the week of testing we push everything a half hour earlier.  Yes, he is in bed by 7:30 for the week of testing.  I know, you have baseball and three other kids and an entire list of errands that need to be done, we do too.  The nights he has baseball he does all his reading and homework before the game, so he can go to bed right after his shower.  The point is... to make it work for your family and the student to get into bed (to sleep) as soon as possible during testing week. 

The second and maybe even more important thing you can do for your student is make sure they eat a "HEALTHY" breakfast and pack them a good snack too.  Breakfast is the fuel that turns on our brains in the morning.  Without this fuel we humans are subject to unstable levels of glucose in the body.  Our brains work much better when our body is functioning at optimum levels.  Breakfast helps this happen. We've all heard, "breakfast is the most important meal of the day."  Healthy breakfast ideas from ME: eggs and toast, oatmeal and fruit, yogurt and fruit, french toast,  fruit salad, smoothies, Last and my LEAST favorite, cereals.  If cereal is your only option make sure that they don't have a lot of added sugar, like Cheerios, Rice Krispies, add fruit AND try to avoid sugar coated cereals like Trix, and Captain Crunch.

This week of "State Testing"  is really no more important than any other week of school in a students life, in my opinion. However, this is "the week" that everyone looks at. The state, the administrators, the boards, the papers, the teachers, the parents.  No matter what YOU think about state testing: right, wrong, just, unjust, too high pressure, no big deal, an accurate measure of student ability or a huge farce...the fact is, "IT IS, WHAT IT IS". This IS, the way it is done in education at this time. Why not make the best of it and give your student every chance to be as successful as they can be.  That's just what I think...HAPPY TESTING!

larger view larger view

First and for-most I want to personally and publicly Thank Tamara Combs and Carlos Sardo for taking such wonderful care of the Virtual Business Team while away. I never once worried about Liz, knowing she was in such great hands.  THANK YOU BOTH!

My seventeen year old daughter had an amazing opportunity to travel last week to New York to compete at a national level in "Virtual Business".  This is a high school class offered through KHSD.  I posted a piece on the N.W . Voice.com about this trip, a week and a half ago, congratulating the team on their trip.  They earned it by winning fourth at the state competition in November.

Now I wanted to follow up with some photos and share some of the academic & non academic highlights and "once in a life time opportunities" this trip provided.  A small group of students (5) were accompanied by two adults, Teacher, Tamara Combs and Administrator, Carlos Sardo for a week long adventure to New York.  While there, the team took fourth place nationally for the business plan they created and presented.  They participated in the New York City International Trade Fair with "companies" from around the world.  Although the money is fake, everything else was as real as could be.  Set up, break down, long hours, hard work, selling and purchasing from others, to name a few of the activities they did.  Their own presentation in front of eight judges and questions after, by far, brought on the most pressure. 

But to let off some steam this team also had a great time!  At the top of the list the group got to see the outstanding Broadway Musical, "Wicked", they went ice skating at Rockefeller Center, took a trip to Ellis Island, toured the financial district, went to the top of the Empire State Building, shopped, ate at amazing restaurants and delis and all in all had an unforgettable trip.

This is not only an amazing class and program, it is a great way for high school students to learn about what the real world is like.  If your high school students are at all interested in Business, get them hooked up and in this class.  Even if they're not, they may take the class and change their lives forever.  That's what happened for my daughter.  The lawyer, turned International Business.

To read more on Virtual Business SEE "Games Are More Important Than You Think" a posted blog by Tim Goree on the home page of this site.