PlanetKid » school

Summer’s Sneaking Up

Jacki Donaldson — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 03:53:02 +0000

Summer is fast approaching, and you know what that means—school’s almost out. Just nine weeks left for us—yikes!. Now, we’ve got one great idea for keeping your kids entertained for a few months—sign them up for PlanetKid. Still, it’s always good to have a list of activities for the “Mom, I have nothing to do” blues. Part of our family plan is to beautify our backyard, and I want to teach my kiddos to type, and, just like I do every year pre-summer, I vow to have the whole family read more, and there’s always the pool, the beach, and fishing excursions. OK, now we need your help—tell us in the comments what’s in your summer line-up.

Clever Kids Carnival

Jacki Donaldson — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 05:00:58 +0000

We attended the school carnival this past weekend, and, I must say, I had a lot of fun. Not that I did anything, really, except watch my kids, but that’s the thrill for me — watching my boys have a great time. It was also pretty cool to check out the clever stops that kept all the kids engaged. The No. 1 hit for my kids was the soda ring toss. Parents donated 2L bottles of you-name-it sodas, and a long line of elementary school kiddos wrapped around the school grounds. Each turn came with five chances to ring a bottle, and, somehow, we ended up with eight (EIGHT!) bottles. Yikes. There was also the ever-popular color hair spray — one of my boys chose red; the other went with white. Inflatable bouncy events (obstacle course!), snow cones, fishing game, cake walk, football toss, silent auction, and more filled our morning, and, if your school does not yet host a carnival, you should spearhead the project and make it happen. The kids have fun, the parents do, too, and the point is to raise a little money (armbands sold for $12 pre-sale and $15 at the door for all-you-can-play fun — no tickets to mess with at all). Let us know if you’ve got a fancy school carnival or if you’re planning to bring one to fruition!

Morning Mile Is Magnificent

Jacki Donaldson — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:33 +0000

There’s this really great program spreading through schools across the country, and it’s guaranteed to improve students’ overall fitness, energy levels, moods, and more. It’s called the Morning Mile, and if it’s not up and running at your kids’ schools, you should be the one to get the ball rolling. It’s easy to sign up, and all the materials you’ll need to get started will be sent to you or your school (including necklaces and foot charms for the runners who accomplish a certain number of miles!), and you’ll even have access to a nifty database for tracking the laps your kiddos run (or walk — walking is fine, too). It’s really a great program for all involved, and if you don’t believe me, just read more about the benefits of a little morning exercise!

School Lunch Before 10 a.m.

Jacki Donaldson — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:00:16 +0000

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Overnight Camping Kid

Jacki Donaldson — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 04:00:59 +0000

My kid left home. Well, just for a few days, in order to pursue an overnight camp adventure with all the other fifth-graders in his school. Two nights and three days, he’ll be gone, and it’s proving to be quite a profound experience for us at home. For one, it’s lonely — we really miss our big kid — and, two, it’s really fun for the little kid, who is loving all the solo parent love and attention. Three, I’ve realized I depend on the 10-year-old as a back-up alarm (he hops right up in the morning, dresses, reads, and I know that if I oversleep, he’ll come get me), and right now, I have no safety net. Four, we are absolutely thrilled that our oldest child has the chance to be totally independent and on his own. And finally, we hope he and his little bro both want to do a summer sleep-away camp, because they’ve both been resistant to participate in summers past, and maybe this intro to camp will be the push they need. It’s just been, overall, a great awakening for all of us. How about you? Have your kids ever left home?

Back-to-School Basics

Jacki Donaldson — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 04:00:55 +0000

Like every year, the summer that seemed so long and daunting at the beginning of the season is coming to a quick close, which means it’s time to get those ducks in a row for another academic year. I think we’re pretty ready here in our household. We’ve purchased our dress code polo shirts and cargo shorts, way-too-expensive athletic shoes, loads of school supplies, backpacks (we’re recycling this year, because I just can’t stomach buying another pair of packs), and new lunch boxes are in route to our front door! We’ll score some fresh haircuts just before the first day of the 3rd and 5th grades, and we’re planning a backyard boy bash for the last Friday before the big day. I think we’re set. How about you?

Summer Plans for Bored Boys

Jacki Donaldson — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 04:00:45 +0000

So, I came up with my own plan for summer at home with kids, and if all goes according to plan (I’m sure it won’t, but, hey, a girl can dream, right?), the next 10+ weeks with two boys (and an at-home job) should be ripe with fun and adventure. Here’s how I plan to make the most of no-school days — Summer Plans for Bored Boys.

The Magnificent Mile

Jacki Donaldson — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 04:00:53 +0000

The Morning Mile is the kind of event that gives you goosebumps, said my friend and fitness maven Fitz Koehler today at a Hidden Oak Elementary School post-run press conference, where she addressed parents, school officials, and partner executives from AvMed, all of whom were gathered to marvel at the success of this school exercise program.

Goosebumps is right. I felt them when student Michael stepped up to the podium to be honored for running a grand total of 100 miles since the program launched at Hidden Oak this past November, and I felt them as I watched hundreds and hundreds of kids, their moms and dads, and the officials and execs, too, log laps on the field behind the school at 7:15 this morning. The day was foggy and gray, but the spirit that filled the outdoor space was not — the energy was electric as camera men snapped away and shouts of excitement were captured for TV. It was inspiring.

Fitzness International’s Morning Mile is a before-school walking/running program offering children the chance to actively start their days while enjoying fitness, fun, and friends. There’s some competition, too, because that just makes life more exciting, and kids earn necklaces, plus a colorful sneaker charm for every five miles completed. It’s a big deal, and it could be exactly the fresh start you need at your school. Think focused energy, positive self esteem, obesity prevention, and in-shape kiddos, and this program should be just a little bit enticing — right?

Time to explore your Morning Mile options. Goosebumps, remember? Goosebumps.

Backpacks – Lighten the Load

Jacki Donaldson — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:43:23 +0000

Chances are, you have a kid, who has a back pack, which ends up stuffed full of books, folders, papers, lunches, snacks and more. Clearly, the backpack load can get pretty heavy, but the folks at Woman’s Day magazine (September 1, 2009) can help you lighten things up to minimize the aches and pains your little ones might experience.

Before you buy (or after you realize the pack you purchased isn’t the right one), shop for wide shoulder straps, a padded back, a waist strap and side pockets. And use both shoulder straps and the waist strap.
Find a size that fits snugly on your child’s back and at least two inches above the waist.
Put heavier items in the bottom and closer to the center of the back.
Make sure the bag doesn’t weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of your child’s body weight.
Teach kids to squat and use their legs to pick up the pack.
Encourage kiddos to use their lockers and not carry around books all day.
If your child complains of back, neck or shoulder pain, or tingling or numbness in the arms, rethink the backpack, and pay a visit to the doc, too.

Photo: M.Lubinski, Flickr