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Grading Fitness Fit students perform better in class, study says Academic achievement and the physical fitness of California's public school students go hand in hand, a new study by the California Department of Education indicates. "We now have the proof we've been looking for: Students achieve best when they are physically fit," says State Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin. "Thousands of years ago, the Greeks understood the importance of improving spirit, mind, and body. The research presented here validates their philosophic approach with scientific validation." The study individually matched scores from the Spring 2001 Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-9), given as part of California's Standardized Testing and Reporting Program, with results of the state-mandated physical fitness test, known as the Fitnessgram, given in 2001 to students in grades 5, 7 and 9. In the study, reading and mathematics scores were matched with fitness scores of 353,000 fifth-graders, 322,000 seventh-graders, and 279,000 ninth-graders. Key findings: • Higher achievement was associated with higher levels of fitness at each of the three grade levels measured. • The relationship between academic achievement and fitness was greater in mathematics than in reading, particularly at higher fitness levels. • Students who met minimum fitness levels in three or more physical fitness areas showed the greatest gains in academic achievement at all three grade levels. • Females demonstrated higher achievement than males, particularly at higher fitness levels. Eastin pointed to physical education as a primary source for promoting physical fitness. "Every student in California should have quality physical education experiences from kindergarten through high school. The goal of these programs should be to provide students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to participate in health-enhancing physical activity throughout their lives." The California Education Code requires physical education for all students in grades 1-9, plus one additional year in high school. Families are encouraged to plan activities that include opportunities for all family members to be physically active together. Fitnessgram results from 2001 indicated that 23 percent of California's fifth-, seventh-, and ninth-graders tested could be considered physically fit. Specific recommendations for teachers, students, and their families are available on the CDE website at: www.cde.ca.gov/cyfsbranch/lsp/health/pecommunications.htm. Detailed 2001 physical fitness results for schools, districts, counties, and the state are available on the CDE website: www.cde.ca.gov/statetests/pe/pe.html. The Best Schools 10 tips to judge where your child should go By Patrick F. Bassett Deciding how to best educate your child cannot be boiled down to a number. You must first evaluate your child's needs and learning style and then examine all of the schooling options available to you. Instead of choosing a school that arbitrarily has been labeled "best," here is a list of 10 considerations (rooted in long-term research on student achievement) that will help you pick the school - public or private - that fits your child. No. 1: High-quality and committed teachers Look for a school that employs teachers who care about kids, who are experts in their subject areas, and who model a love of learning. A "quality" teacher has an academic "IQ" as well as emotional intelligence (or "EQ"). He or she is a professional who understands how students learn and can subtly alter teaching techniques if kids aren't getting it. No. 2: Small size and low student-to-teacher ratio Look for a school that is small enough so everyone knows everyone else. In small schools, no one is anonymous or gets lost. No. 3: Mission-driven Look for a school that is committed to a mission and philosophy that provides a source of ongoing curricular innovation. It doesn't matter which mission and philosophy, so long as there is one and it infuses the conversations at the school and motivates ongoing creativity and experimentation. No. 4: Partnerships with parents Look for a school where parents are expected to be involved, to volunteer, and to reinforce the lessons and values of the community. By talking to other parents whose children go to the school, you'll discover how the school welcomes their input and participation. No. 5: Focus on community Look for a school that is committed to both the internal and external community; a commitment to diversity and dialogue about differences and commonalities between and among other community members, and for a service-learning approach to community service. In good schools, children develop skills to understand and appreciate those who are not like themselves, and develop both empathy toward others and commitment to the larger community and world. No. 6: A good match Look for a school that best matches your child's abilities, needs and personality. If you visit three schools and sit in on several classes at each, you'll discover the quality of teaching, how adults interact with kids, and the way the children treat one another. No. 7: High expectations of the school Look for a school that expects all children to achieve. Determine whether or not the school tracks the success of its graduates. If so, you will discover the best measurement of a school's quality. No. 8: Healthy culture and climate Look for a school with a healthy student culture and climate. Are students excited about learning and motivated to excel? Do students feel welcomed into the community? No. 9: Extracurricular opportunities Look for a school that expects all students to participate in sports, arts, community service and other extracurricular activities. More than test scores and grades, sustained and committed involvement in extracurricular activities correlates with success in college and life. No.10: Vision Look for a school with visionary leadership. Talk to the head of the school or the principal to discover his or her means of measuring student and school success. Patrick F. Bassett is a former teacher and headmaster; he is president of the National Association of Independent Schools in Washington, DC. Valentine's Day 10 ways to shower your child with love The following 10 Valentine's Day tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics are a guideline on how to show love to your child this special day - and all year long. • Use plenty of positive words with your child. Nurture his self-esteem and self-confidence. • Help your child's early brain development by setting aside time for reading. • Talk with your pediatrician to be certain your child's records are up to date. • Provide safe transportation; check those car child seats. • Owning a pet is one way to enhance a child's overall attitude and provide companionship. Just be certain to plan ahead for a pet, and understand the ground rules. • Respond promptly and lovingly to your child's physical and emotional needs. Don't put her down. • Limit the kinds and amount of television she watches, as well as other media. Communicate directly with activities. • Make an extra effort to set a good example at home and in public. You, too, can say words such as "I'm sorry," "Please," and "Thank you." • When your child is angry, argumentative or in a bad mood, give him a hug, pat or other gesture of affection. • Mark family game nights on your calendar and follow through. Getting Started...with Michele Piazzoni Having a hard time getting your newborn to sleep? Swaddling may help. A recent article reports that infants sleep longer when swaddled. Even more important, safe swaddling - where hip or chest movement is restricted and breaking free is limited - may help parents keep infants on their backs when sleeping. Sleeping on the back reduces a baby's risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). • Speaking of back sleeping...It seems that the push to put babies to sleep on their backs has resulted in delayed development of head control and crawling as compared with previous generations. But never fear, the latest baby product fad is here - toys designed to enhance "tummy time." Just don't be surprised if your baby doesn't actually enjoy tummy time at first, since most don't. Confirm with your pediatrician if it's really necessary (most babies catch up developmentally by 18 months). And make certain your baby sleeps on his back. • A new language development program for children ages 3 and under is available through the American Academy of Pediatrics. "Bright Beginnings" is a two-book series based on research showing that the amount of talking and encouragement that children experience during the first three years of life makes a difference in their development and academic success. To order: "Language Power" and "My First Picture Book" for $9.95 each at www.aap.org/bookstore. Wash Hands One study shows preschoolers don't scrub. Nearly 75 percent of preschoolers don't wash their hands properly because they don't know how to, a new study notes. Clean hands are a major deterrent to illness, particularly in the winter season. The study, released in October, indicates that children as young as age 3 can wash their hands properly, with a little education. Softsoap, which paid for the study of 133 preschool children, conducted by New Jersey-based research firm Q Research Solutions, has created a website to offer tips and ideas for parents. The site helps reinforce handwashing techniques that can be passed along to the very young. One of the most striking details is that adults need to do a better job themselves. A study in 2000 by the American Society for Microbiology indicated that 95 percent of adults reported they always wash their hands after using public restrooms, but only 67 percent of those observed actually did. "This new research is important because it demonstrates that helping even very young children understand the link between handwashing and eliminating germs can offer a big payoff in how effectively they wash their hands," says Barbara J. Hatcher, director of scientific and professional affairs for the American Public Health Association. "Since handwashing is the best weapon for controlling the spread of germs, teaching kids early about this important health habit should positively impact their behavior as they grow into adults." Information: www.latherupforgoodhealth.com. Here are statistics regarding clean hands hygiene: • According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), handwashing is the best defense against the spread of infectious diseases, including colds and the flu. • A study conducted at a Michigan school concluded that mandatory handwashing will reduce acute communicable illnesses in elementary school-age children. • Colds are more common among children under age 5 than in any other age group, according to the National Center for Health Statistics at the CDC. • 22 million school days are lost each year because of colds. • Each year, Americans under the age of 17 suffer from 52.5 million colds. • The CDC also reports that children under 5 have a higher incidence of influenza than any other age group; the incidence rate of the flu for children under 5 is 53.7 per 100, compared to 36 per 100 for the population as a whole. - Among the sources: American Academy of Family Physicians, 1996 Scientific Assembly and WebMD, http://my.webmd.com/content/article/1728.85243 FAMILY NEWS BITES GIVING THANKS Some very grateful elementary students in Southern California have proven they have the "write stuff" as winners of an essay contest sponsored by Mimi's Caf÷ in Costa Mesa. Of 1,500 students who submitted essays on "What I have to be most thankful for, "15 finalists were chosen. The $1,000 top prize was awarded to Megan Barnett, a third-grader at Lomarena Elementary School in Laguna Hills, thankful for a disabled boy who sits next to her in class because he's taught her to be "patient, caring and compassionate," and to accept the differences in people. Second place ($500) was awarded to Gabrielle Wong, a sixth-grader at Cordillera School who regards her father as a personal hero. Zachary Bogner, a second-grader at Highland Elementary who is grateful for surviving a premature birth, won $250 for third place. The "Write Stuff" event was established by Mimi's to help cultivate the writing skills of today's youth. OC TEEN ARTIST Once again, Californians have something to be proud of as 11 homegrown teenagers were recently named in the list of Top 100 young artists in the country. Among the cream of this artistic crop is Jackson Corey Tobiska, an actor from South Pasadena who attends Orange County High School of the Arts. Winners were chosen from a national pool of 6,544 applicants and will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to attend ARTS Week 2003 in Miami, Fla., the national finals of the Arts Recognition and Talent Search (ARTS) sponsored by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. The talented 17- to 18-year-old artists who participate in ARTS week 2003 will showcase their work for a panel of judges, who will distribute cash awards up to $800,000 and $3 million in scholarship opportunities. MONTESSORI SCHOOL IN LADERA RANCH Children in Ladera Ranch have a new place to play and learn at the community's newly opened Montessori school, located at 2101 Corporate Drive. This 10,000-square-foot private preschool serves as both a child care and learning center for children ages 2 to 6. It houses an administration office, seven classrooms, two playgrounds with play equipment, a turf lawn, basketball court and a bicycle/tricycle course. Information: 949.218.6990. MAKE WAY FOR MORE LIBRARY BOOKS The state has sent a $9.13 million check to the city of Orange to expand the Main Library, thanks to funding from the Library Bond Act. Library expansion in Orange is long overdue. In the past 20 years, the city's population has increased about 40 percent but no new libraries have been built since 1978. The Main Library will add 28,000 square feet to its existing facility, allowing for twice as many books, a homework center, a literacy center, a local history room, a Friends' bookstore, community meeting space and several more computers. Now you'll have more legroom to relax and get lost in your favorite book. |
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