Lismore Heights Public School

Aim High

Useful Tips

Helpful links for parent communication
Great parent resources can be found at the newsstand on the Public Schools website. www.schools.nsw.edu.au/news/ Here you will find:School Parents ezine www.schools.nsw.edu.au/ezine

Click ezine www.schools.nsw.edu.au/click

K-12TV-vodcasts for parents www.schools.nsw.edu.au/news/k12tv/index.php

Parent folder information sheets www.schools.nsw.edu.au/news/schooldays/index.php

Homework help online Parents and carers can access age-appropriate material to help with your child’s homework assignments at the Teaching and Learning Exchange: www.tale.edu.au/tale/live/index.jsp
Information ranges from ages 4-9 which includes pages to help you follow your child’s early learning and to help you talk with teachers about your child’s progress to Beyond School, which includes links to TAFE, university and other further learning opportunities such as apprenticeships and traineeships.The content of each age group area is organised into these sections:·

What they learn ·
Helping your child learn
About stages of learning
From the navigation bar you can also access links to educational organisations and news.
The site also includes a Jargon Buster, a selection of translated documents and links to DET parent newsletters such as the Click! technology guide and School Parent’s magazine.

Leaving your kids home alone

Every parent fears it but has to do it sooner or later - leave their child home alone. Although you may have visions of knives in the toaster most kids will be fine on their own when the appropriate time comes so long as some guidelines are followed. Know your child's level of maturity and trust their instincts. In making decisions about this consider the following:

Can they look after themselves and other siblings in any situation that may arise
Will they know what to do and how to get help
Can they play outside
Are they allowed to answer the phone if it rings
Can they swim in the pool
Are they allowed to use the microwave, toaster or oven
Can they leave the house to go to a shop
Can they use the telephone, watch TV or use the internet.
Kids do make mistakes and this is all part of learning. Reassure your child that learning to be on their own is a big step in taking responsibility for themselves.

For more information visit: www.schools.nsw.edu.au/schoolparents

What are kids really doing online?

In this month’s Click technology guide for parents, one of Australia’s leading teen bloggers, Tom Wood, discusses the dangers – and the precautions - that parents and children should keep in mind when going online. Click is online now at www.schools.nsw.edu.au/click .

Cycling safety

Young people aged 11 to 15 are more likely to be killed or seriously injured as a pedestrian or cyclist than any other age group. Encourage your child to enjoy cycling safely by following these suggestions:
Make sure your child's bike is the right size and well maintained with reflectors
Ensure your child always wears a fitted helmet and reflective clothing when riding
Encourage your child to use special cycle routes, paths and lanes if they are available
Encourage your child not to use mobile phones or personal stereos when cycling - distractions cause accidents.
For more information visit: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Yourchildshealthandsafety/Roadandtravelsafety/DG_4002995

Homework

Homework reinforces work done at school and helps develop skills such as research and time management. Parents and carers have the opportunity to help their child through a positive and supportive approach to homework.
Some homework tips include:

setting a regular time and a quiet place for homework
planning the work to be done and the time to be spent on each task
taking short breaks between homework tasks
praising your child for their efforts, not just their results
if problems occur, talk to your child's teacher.

More help at www.schools.nsw.edu.au

Helping your child with subtraction homework

The way subtraction is taught in schools now is probably different to how you may have been taught some years ago and you may sometimes feel at a loss about how to help your child.

The latest School Parents online magazine has just the answer - with a new video you can click on and watch how subtraction is taught today. Instead of the old “carry the one” technique, the newer method is based on children understanding that 10 ‘units’ equals 10, and 10 tens equals 100.
It’s all explained here at www.schools.nsw.edu.au/news/ezine/yr2009/issue02/index.php

Helping your child with spelling

At home, have your child write as often as possible. Ask your child to write anything from shopping lists to birthday request lists, to filling in forms and writing phone messages.
More great tips at: www.southcoogeepublic.com.au

Reading

· Encourage your child to read books at home rather than watching TV. Take them to a library to borrow books they are interested in reading and discuss the story line with them.

Counting

Count with your child the number of buttons as you do up a cardigan or shirt
Encourage your child to count the number of pegs used to hang out the washing
Count the number of steps from the front door to the letterbox
Count the number of eggs in a carton, and again after some have been removed
Count the number of times you and your child can throw a ball to each other without dropping it
Read and talk about stories and rhymes that use numbers
Sing songs and nursery rhymes that include numbers such as Five Little Ducks and Baa Baa Black Sheep.
Source: www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au

How to avoid spam (junk mail in your inbox):

Keep your email address private! Only give out your email address to people and groups that you know and trust
Don’t reply to any emails if you don’t know who they are from.
Source: www.cybersmartkids.com..au

Writing and spelling

It's easier to get into good handwriting habits early on than to correct poor writing later, when the pressure of schoolwork is greater. The same goes for spelling. Help your child to see writing and spelling skills not only as fun, but as something important and to be proud of:

help younger children by writing words and sentences for them to copy
emphasise the links between drawing and writing, and make sure your child always signs finished artwork
encourage your child to be inspired by examples of beautiful handwriting in museums, galleries and books
older children can develop their writing and social skills together by finding pen friends through school or Australia Post, or keeping in touch with friends met on holiday.

More information: www.direct.gov.uk

Coping skills for children

Children need to feel loved and lovable just for themselves, not only when they do things well.

Children need to feel they have some control in their lives.
Children need to feel that they can be successful at something.
Children need a sense of belonging.
Children are helped by having people apart from their parents who care about them and support them.
Grandparents can be a special support for children and teenagers

More information: www.community.nsw.gov.au

Writing School Notes

Don't Forget if your child is absent from school you will need to write a note within seven days. It must explain why your child missed school and how many days your child was absent. Remember to include the date.
If your child is going to be away for more than three days please call the office and let them know on 6624 3344.

Tips For Tackling Headlice

Use hair conditioner and a fine head lice comb.
Apply conditioner to the hair and comb through with a wide toothed comb to remove the tangles.
Then use a fine metal lice comb to remove the lice and pull the nits off the hair.
The conditioner helps slow down the louse and makes it easier to comb out.

For more information go to the "Nitbusters" Website www.health.nsw.gov.au/headlice/

Road Safety

Remember that watching children is never enough. Keep your children safe by holding their hands as you cross any road.
For the safety of all school children please do not stop or park your car on or near any pedestrian crossing, and observe all safety and no stopping signs. For more details on road safety go to www.rta.nsw.gov.au

Sandwich Suggestions

If using tomato, slice thinly and place between other fillings to stop the sandwich going soggy.
Freeze banana bread and muffins ready for the school lunch box - they're great for a snack.
Stuck trying to think of healthy tast options for sandwiches? Try these:
1.Avocado, celery, tomato and lettuce
2.Avocado, grated carrot, and bean sprouts
3.Lean ham and fruit chutney
4.Salad sandwich with pastrami
5.Chopped egg, cucumber and lettuce.
6.Light cream cheese, grated carrot and sultanas.
7. Low fat cheese, pineapple and lettuce.
8.Cottage cheese, celery, tuna and sprouts.
9.Cottage cheese, chopped dates, pineapple and sprouts.
10. Baked beans (drained) and grated low fat cheese.
11.Chopped skinless chicken, cottage cheese and lettuce.
12.Tabouli salad, lettuce and feta cheese.
13.Bananas mashed with ricotta cheese.
14. Hummus, sliced tomato and sprouts.
15.Hummus, avocado and skinless chicken.

Healthy Recess Snacks

While your child is growing, healthy snacks for the recess break are essential. Some great ideas include:
Cherry tomatoes - littke kids love the burst of tomato when they pop them into their mouths. Cherry tomatoes won't go soggy like normal tomatoes do.
Celery with light cream cheese - spread some light cream cheese down the middle of celery sticks for a yummy snack.
Frozen pieces of fruit - oranges, bananas, pineapple are all great sources of energy and freezing them overnight makes them a novelty snack that your child will enjoy.
Peel an orange in ine long strip and replace the peel to protect the orange.
Cut vegetables such as carrots, celery and cucumber and store them in a small container or snap-lock plastic bag. Add dips such as yoghurt, hummus or soft cheese in a separate container.
More advice at www.schools.nsw.edu.au

Keeping snacks healthy

When preparing snacks for children, ensure you:
choose plant-based foods, for example fruit, bread, vegetables
encourage children to understand a treat is an occasional rather than an everyday item
make water a regular drink, with soft drink or juice as an occasional option
keep in mind that taste and interest are important factors in encouraging children to eat healthy snacks (offer snacks of varying colours, textures and flavours).
More information: www.heartfoundation.org.au

In case of emergency

Make sure the whole family knows to call 000 in an emergency, for the ambulance, police or the fire brigade.

Stop, Drop and Roll

Remind your children about fire safety:
If your clothes catch on fire, don't try to run away - this will only make the fire hotter and faster.
Instead:
STOP immediately where you are
DROP quickly to the ground and cover your face with your hands
ROLL over and over to put out the flames.

Eco Tips

Use energy efficient light globes to reduce your greenhouse pollution.
They use less electricity than standard globes, last up to eight times longer and can be used in most light fittings.
Recycling is important for saving energy and water, and reducing pollution and waste. Some easy ways you can recycle your household waste include:

Sort everything, check and remove any contaminants – non-recyclables such as plastic bags, hangers, lids, cigarette butts and crockery can ruin an entire kerbside collection or waste transfer bin load
Collect and deposit recyclable materials in the correct kerbside recycling bin – or take them directly to a waste recovery or recycling facility
Reject plastic bags – take your own bag with you when shopping
Start composting and set-up a worm farm
Return unwanted medicines and used printer cartridges
Give unwanted items to charity or local second-hand shops
Have a garage sale or advertise unwanted items on community noticeboards.

To learn more visit: www.livingthing.net.au

No hat, play in the shade

In the hot summer months remember to encourage your child to protect themselves from the sun by:

Always applying sunscreen before they go outside
Always wearing a hat and long sleeve/collar top when playing outside
Try to stay in the shade during peak UV forecasts
Always bring a bottle of water to school to keep hydrated.

For more information visit: www.schools.nsw.edu.au/gotoschool/a-z/sunsense.php