Back to School

As Dean of Admissions at Central College, Carol Williamson has seen many thousands of applications from students wishing to get into Central. She loves her job, and it is clear that she doesn’t just “rubber-stamp” applications. She has some great recommendations and insights.

1. Parents and students need to work hand in hand to find the best fit for the student. Plan to visit at least six colleges.

2. In general, the best predictor of success at Central is high school grade point average. The better the grade point average, the more likely the student will do well.

3. Make sure that students take all of the core classes in school, and all of the college prep classes that they can.

4. Community Colleges have open enrollment, the Regents institutions have higher standards, and in general private institutions have the highest standards. Competition is higher in Iowa than in other states.

5. Parents need to follow their children’s high school academic career very closely to make sure that they are positioned to get into the college of their dreams.

Dr. Jason Maasdam with Eye Health Solutions, Knoxville sees the big picture when he talks about the relationship between eye health and learning. His extensive education, continuing research and experience yields practical and useful advice. Here are some points I took away from our meeting.

1. Kids need their eyes checked before kindergarten. One or two children in every classroom has an issue with vision.

2. Approximately 80% of all learning has a visual component. If a child’s vision isn’t as good as it can be, they are at a disadvantage in the classroom.

3. Studies show that students learn best if they sit in the first two rows in class, or down the center line. The reason for this is uncertain.

4. Children need to get their vision checked every one or two years.

5. Watch for any changes in your students grades that are not positive. They may have a vision issue.

6. Don’t worry if children don’t need the same light you do to read. Their eyes adapt to low light quite easily.

7. In general, staring at the television, the computer, or small hand held electronic devices isn’t a problem for their vision. However, if these devices are keeping them from playing outside, it is bad for their general health.

It’s always nice to sit down and talk with successful students. Austin Rinehart, Lacie Lambert, and Brooke Chrisman of the Knoxville High School had some very blunt messages for students and for parents regarding success in high school.

1. Show up to school. You can’t learn if you aren’t there.

2. Do your homework. Study. You can’t learn if you don’t do your homework or study.

3. Be respectful. Don’t make a teacher angry. It doesn’t do anyone any good.

4. Set aside time to study.

5. Parents need to be involved. Help your kids. That you worked hard all day and are tired isn’t a good excuse for not helping with homework.

6. For kids who don’t have support at home, there are several programs at school that will help, if kids take advantage of them.

7. Parents need to monitor grades and homework constantly. If there is a problem, then it can be remedied early.

8. Punishments and threats of punishment work. Kids don’t want to lose their cell phone or cars.

Three great kids, some simple advice.

I love to see passion in teachers. And I sure saw it when I interviewed Jackie Duffy, Megan Phillips, and Ben Varner, music teachers in the Knoxville school district. They love music, and love to share it with kids. I’ve been lucky enough to watch Jackie and Megan interact with children before (Ben is new to the district), and if they aren’t born teachers it sure looks like it. They have many interesting things to say about the importance of children learning music, and I’d like to share a few.

1. Learning music helps kids be smarter.

2. Music helps kids in all disciplines. They learn disciplines in music that translate into other fields of study, including math, reading, languages, and social studies.

3. Music is a discipline in and of itself that deserves study and appreciation.

4. Music and other arts are frequently seen as a starting point when budgets need to be cut. This is a mistake. Kids need music.

5. Music is everywhere; try to go a day without hearing it.

Music is a gift that we can give to our children that will help them forever. I hope you enjoy the interview–there is much more in it. And listen if only to hear their passion!

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Ben Van Wyk, physical education instructor at Pella Christian Grade School has a great job–helping kids do their best to exercise and have fun while doing it. His office is adjacent to the school gym, and I just bet that when he needs a break from his desk, he shoots a few baskets. He had lots of good advice for parents on how to keep their kids physically fit. Here are some major points that I learned.

1. The most important thing is to just keep kids moving and having fun. The more they move, the more fit they will be as they learn to use their bodies.

2. Kids develop at different speeds. Make sure that activities address the differing development of individuals. That is, give them many physical activities that they can choose from.

3. Make sure kids learn how to be good winners and losers.

4. If a child doesn’t want to do sports, don’t force them. Try to find other ways for them to be active.

5. There is a strong effort in our schools to make sure that kids have an opportunity to do sports that can provide them with something they can do their entire life. While one can’t be a football player in middle age, tennis or golf, for example, are fine for any age.

6. Parents should lead by example. Be active WITH your kids. Walk, run, or bike together. It builds good health and strong families.

There is much more in this interview. I hope you enjoy it.

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Lieutenant Paul Haase with the Pella Police Department has ten years of experience in law enforcement. I did a ride alone with him a few years ago as parents were dropping kids off at school, and new teen drivers were arriving. He and the rest of the law enforcement officers that I have gotten to know over the years are very concerned about the safety of our children. I spoke with him about general safety issues as well as some things to remember as school starts again. Among the things I learned include the following:

1. Even good kids can get into trouble, and make bad decisions. He says that parental involvement is the key to help kids not make bad decisions. Keep communication lines open.

2. Child abductions are on the minds of many. He says that it is best for parents or another trusted person to drop kids off and pick them up from school. If kids are going to walk to and from school, walking in a group is best.

3. Teach your children to never get into the car with people they don’t know, under any circumstances.

4. Almost every child uses the internet these days. He suggests that parents monitor their children’s activity, regularly check the history of the websites visited, and put computers in common spaces. It’s best for children not to have computers in their rooms.

5. Cell phones are wonderful tools for safety. Make sure that your children are using them appropriately, given that they too have internet access. Teach your children that sending or receiving inappropriate photos is a very bad idea.

6. Teach your children to never, under any circumstances, share personal information online with someone they don’t know.

These are just a few of the things that I learned. Enjoy the interview.

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How do we keep our children healthy? I sought out a couple of experts to find out. Dr. Mike Van Natta and Emily Ciula with the Knoxville Hospital and Clinics care passionately about the health of our children. One of the more interesting thing that I learned from them is how doctors look at the big picture these days–all aspects of a child’s behavior not just their physical systems. Here are some major points:

1. Do you know what the five major health problems are that may result in the death of a child? I sure didn’t. They are, in order of significance, accidents (most often related to drugs or alcohol), homicide, suicide, fire, and drowning.

2. Keep an eye on your children. The more open and positive your communication is, the better off they probably are. A child that shuts down is probably in trouble.

3. Sports and other activities are important for kids, as they give them goals, direction and teach them teamwork. If a kid isn’t involved in something–is just “hanging out”–that kid may be in trouble.

4. Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep–keep the computer out of the bedroom. In general, make sure that your child uses good health practices, like washing their hands and coughing into their sleeves.

5. There is more teenage sex going on than we know about. Make sure that you communicate with your teen, and that you are in control of the information they receive about sex in order to minimize misinformation.

There is much more valuable information in the interview. If you are a parent, or grandparent, you will enjoy it very much.

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Debbie Mock knows sleep. She also believes in it, and making sure that all of us get enough of it. How hard is that, in this day and age? As we all know, getting enough sleep is very difficult with our modern busy lives. With respect to our kids getting enough sleep, Debbie’s approach is no-nonsense. Here are a few things that I learned during our interview:

1. Our kids are smarter with sleep. Without good sleep, they won’t realize their full potential.

2. Everyone needs a bedtime. Kids up to ten or eleven need to get to bed by 8PM. Parents need to be strict and consistent. Talk with your kids.

3. It would be better for our teenagers if school started at 9 or 10AM. But since it doesn’t, they too need to be sure that they go to bed early, to get a minimum of nine hours of sleep.

4. Our teenager shouldn’t take their cell phone to bed with them. Some teens text intermittently all night long–which is very bad for them.

5. Caffeine is very bad for our kids. According to Debbie, it is the most abused drug in the country. Absolutely no energy drinks, no coffee at all. If one wants a hot beverage, green tea is fine. Water is best.

Debbie says that to be successful in getting your children the appropriate amount of sleep–be a good role model, and talk with your kids about the importance of sleep. Debbie speaks with conviction, authority, and has some great information. I hope you enjoy the interview.

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