Parent Perusals
July 29, 2019
Opportunity to Support Teachers!
United Way Write Start Project
The United Way Write Start Project is a back-to-school initiative targeting those who make a difference in the lives of our children, the individuals who spend their days ensuring that our students succeed in the school...teachers.
Join us and help support 88 schools and 5,000 teachers in our community! #WriteStart
There is still time to help through August 2, 2019
Below is a list of the most NEEDED items
Pens (Black and Blue) 5,000
Wide Ruled Notebook Paper 10,000
Composition Books 20,000
Hand Sanitizer 3,000
Zip Lock Bags (Quart and Gallon Size) 3,000
Clorox Wipes 3,000
Post-It Notes 2,000
Please drop off your supplies at Cavender Auto Dealerships or United Way!
Click the image below to learn how you can volunteer with the Back to School Drive!
Learning Opportunities at the Grocery Store
Child Trends shares some research about how you can make a routine grocery shopping trip full of learning opportunities for your young child and make it more pleasurable for you!
Watch the video below to see it in action!
New research suggests that engaging preschoolers in routine activities, like a trip to the grocery store, can improve a child’s academic achievement when they enter first grade. How can parents use errand time to help their child improve literacy and math skills?
When you take a shopping trip with your preschooler or toddler, think about the learning opportunities in every aisle. Diana Leyva, PhD, a developmental psychologist at Davidson College, studied 200 Latino, black, and Asian moms and their kids in a lab stocked with play food. Researchers wanted to know what kind of interactions between parent and child best helped the child learn. Researchers asked moms to help their child make a pretend grocery list. Then, they watched to see how the moms assisted the child with forming letters and sounding out words and if the mom took over the task.
“Parents who allowed their child to make the list and to read the list, rather than taking over and making the list for the child or reading for the child, have children who one year later have better reading skills,” Leyva told Ivanhoe.
Read the full article: Grocery Store Math and Reading Add Up!
July is National Ice Cream Month!
Making Ice Cream in a Bag is a fun and simple family activity! There is actually a lot of interesting chemistry that goes on behind making ice cream.
While you do this with your family, take advantage of the opportunity to has some "HOW" and "WHY: questions to engage your child's brain! Read below for guidance!
Ask these questions before you begin:
- What is the freezing point of water?
A: 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius
- What is the freezing point of salt water?
A: It depends on how salty it is.
- Is the freezing point of salt water warmer or colder than plain water?
A: Colder
- What happens when you put salt on ice, like on an icy road in winter?
A: The salt melts the ice.
- So why do we mix salt with ice to freeze ice-cream?
A: Let’s make it and find out!
Watch the video below for steps to make Ice Cream in a Bag OR Click the button below!
Discussion Points
- Salt makes ice melt. That’s why people sprinkle it on icy roads and driveways in cold climates. How does salt do this? It actually lowers the freezing point of the ice. Water normally freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, or 0 degrees Celsius.
- Salt water is harder to freeze than plain water. You have to make it colder than 32 degrees Fahrenheit in order to freeze it. That’s one of the reasons why a freshwater pond will freeze before one that’s mixed with salt water from a nearby ocean. If you put two ice cube trays in the freezer, one with plain water and the other with a salt water solution, the plain water will freeze first.
- Do some experiments and test solutions with different concentrations of salt to see how freezing points compare. Practice your math skills to figure out proportional measurements (in cups and ounces) of salt and water. For instance:
- water w/ 10% salt freezes at 20 degrees Fahrenheit
- water w/ 20% salt freezes at 2 degrees Fahrenheit
- Not all types of salt work the same. The larger the salt crystals, the more time it takes to dissolve. This keeps it colder, longer. You could experiment with table salt, kosher salt and rock salt to test this.
- As salt melts, the compound (NaCl) breaks into two parts—Na and Cl. These particles then disrupt the arrangement of the ice crystals. This process changes the state of matter. For example, the liquid (milk mixture)turns into a solid (ice-cream). As the liquid gets colder it expands. (Have you ever put a soda bottle in the freezer and forgotten about it? The liquid expands and then explodes!) The molecules in the liquid slow down and eventually freeze in place.
Taken from Young Scientist Lab.
Parent Leader Opportunity
Maribel Gardea is a 2018 Spring Parent Leadership Academy graduate and has an open invitation to families all across Region 20 to gather together to create a strong, positive voice for supporting education in Region 20. Read more below.
Hello Parent Leaders of San Antonio,
I am a parent here in San Antonio who cares deeply about education in our community. I’m lucky to be a part of a parent group this summer that is trying to determine if San Antonio needs a Parent Advocacy Group focused on a bold Vision for all of Our Children.
I’m reaching out to everyone to talk about the schools in our community. I’m interested in hearing about any issues that are important to you when it comes to the public education system, charter or private schools.
I will be holding a Community event on August 1st 2019 at 6pm at Maverick Elementary 107 Raleigh Pl, San Antonio, TX 78201 to share some resources and listen to your education journey and any ideas and visions our may have for our future.
Please RSVP to Maribel Gardea 956.206.8617 or at maribelrdz@gmail.com or on the Parents with Power Facebook page.
I’d like to share the vision I’ve been creating for the future of education in our city. I imagine a day where OUR community is empowered by leadership and quality education. Where parents have support, resources and guidance to make the best decisions for their child’s education. I’d love to hear any reactions you have to the vision I’ve shared.
I am deeply committed to fighting for a the best education for OUR community...Our children’s future depends on it. I hope you can make it our next Thursday at 6pm.
Back to School EXPO!
August 3rd, 2019 the Freeman Expo Hall will be the headquarters for all things back to school including:
- Free immunizations, free haircuts, free school supplies!
- Information on all schools from daycares to colleges and universities, nutrition ideas for kids and adults, clubs and sports, financial information for continued education, healthcare Information from doctors & dentists and more!
- Fun games, free samples, character and mascot appearances, live entertainment!
- Free parking!!
The Freeman Expo Hall is located on the grounds of the AT&T Center, home to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, NBA basketball, major concerts and events.
POOL PARTY FOR Students with Multiple Disabilities
YOU’RE INVITED! The Children’s Program will be collaborating with TEAMability to host it’s first-ever Pool Party! This event is for students with multiple disabilities and their families.
TEAMability will provide pool equipment and extra swim diapers for children and families.
When: Saturday, August 3, 2019 @ 10:00am-1:00pm
Where: The Arc of San Antonio, 6530 Wurzbach, San Antonio, TX 78240
Space is limited!
RSVP to Sabrina at sarismendez@salighthouse.org or 210-531-1537.
Only snacks and water will be provided. Feel free to bring lunch/snacks.
Please Note: Seating is limited inside the pool area, so please bring your own lawn chair/folding chairs. TEAMability will provide pool equipment and extra swim diapers.
Contact The Arc at 210-682-4200 with pool related questions.
RSVP Deadline: Wednesday, July 31, 2019 @ NOON
Download the Flyer Below!
KLRN Back to School Bash with Curious George!
Swing into the new school year on Friday, August 9th at 6pm as you visit exhibits within the DoSeum like Going Places and Force Course! While you’re there, meet Curious George and go on a big adventure with your friends!
ESC-20's 2019-2020 Parent Training & Webinar Catalog!
Download the Catalog Below!
Consultant, Family Engagement, Education Service Center, Region 20
Kimberly has become quite passionate about empowering families to be more involved in their child's education and future as well as challenging and supporting schools to increase their efforts to involve families in their child's educational journey and focus on Family Engagement as an instructional tool that improves student's academic outcomes.
Kimberly enjoys living out in the country with her husband, Tyson and two daughters, Lynette & Lucy Sue.
Email: kimberly.baumgardner@esc20.net
Website: www.esc20.net/parentresources
Location: 1314 Hines, San Antonio, TX, United States
Phone: 210-370-5431
Facebook: facebook.com/escregion20
Twitter: @ESCRegion20