Did you notice that we changed our website address? When you came to our site today you were automatically redirected to our new URL, www.impactlearningcenter.com.

So, update your bookmarks and check back often for news about our upcoming workshops, tutoring opportunities and new products!

Summer is almost here!  School will be out for the season and students will be ‘free’ for over two months.  Time for relaxing, vacations, and play.  I think it is a wonderful time for students to recharge their learning batteries, but learning doesn’t need to stop over the summer. At this point I find many adults saying that the kids need a break.  I agree with them 100%.  But a two month break?

Unfortunately, the arrival of summer reminds many educators of the lack of focused learning time during the vacation months.  This break can exacerbate student achievement gaps. Studies have shown that students can loose a month or more of learning during the summer, requiring teachers to waste valuable learning time in the fall reviewing content that children learned the previous year but lost over the summer. Some researchers describe this loss using a “faucet” analogy: During the school year the faucet is on, and all children are receiving instruction. But during the summer, when school is out, the faucet switches off.

Impact Learning Center is offering affordable, flexible summer sessions to help you keep the faucet on.  An hour or two of focused learning/practice will help your child retain learning from the past school year.  Stop in and talk to me about what we can do together to make your child’s education a lasting experience.

If your student has never been to a workshop at IMPACT Learning Center, you don’t know what you’re missing. Fortunately, you have a chance to sign up for our upcoming Summer Workshops. Whether you choose Math Mornings or Reading and Writing Afternoons, your student will experience fun and challenging workshops that are tailored to the individual needs of the student. Our brief “needs assessment” will determine the course the workshop takes.

Sessions start on June 15th and schedules are extremely flexible. Pricing and more info is available here. Sessions fill up fast, so sign up now!

2009 is going to be a GREAT year at Impact Learning Center!  Thank you to everyone who has supported us thus far.  We are excited about our plans for 2009!  WOW Workshops will be starting soon…more information coming shortly. We would like to build more small group enrichment and tutoring sessions.  If you and/or your friends are interested please contact Neil at ILC [Impact Learning Center].

We hope you enjoyed your holiday and spent quality time with family and friends.  Hopefully one of your 2009 goals is to make and Impact on education!  I know that’s my top one!

Just wanted to let everyone know that Impact Learning Center has added educational toys/products from Melissa and Doug.  I think you’ll be impressed with the quality and price of the items I have ordered.  Stop in and take a look!

I observed something recently that I thought I would share with you.

Hand your child a calculator and ask them to add, subtract, or multiply any two numbers. Now stand back and watch.  How are they holding the calculator and inputting the numbers?  Did they place the calculator down on a solid surface?  Or did they hold it like a Gameboy and input with their thumbs?  I have been amazed watching the majority of students I meet use their thumbs.  Now I’m all for hand held video games and cheer how they assist with hand/eye coordination, but…

Please don’t take it for granted that students know how to work a calculator.  Take a couple of minutes and show your child how to do use them properly. 

Expect bumps in the road as you all [students, parents, and teachers] settle into the routines of the new school year.  It may have been only ten or so weeks since the summer break started, but in ‘education land’ that can be a lifetime!  Cut each other a break as everyone gets used to the new faces.  Throw your preconceived notions and ‘hear say’ out the window and form your own opinions.  Communicate, communicate, communicate.  There is no reason why this school year cannot be a successful, fun-filled, educational experience for all parties involved if you do one simple thing.  Talk to each other – not about each other.

I truly hope everyone takes this suggestion to heart.  Remember, we are all in this for one reason…the future leaders of the world!

Welcome to the Principal’s Advice Blog. Besides learning what’s going on at IMPACT Learning Center, you’ll find educational information, tips, and IMPACT Views that we hope will help you (or your child) with your educational endeavor. Perhaps you may think about education in new and exciting ways.

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