Signs your Child May be Falling through the "Educational Crack"
Making sure today's children receive a quality education can be challenging no matter the child, but it's especially difficult when you're the parent of a kid with special needs. Not having a clear diagnosis can make things even harder; you may feel like something's not connecting for your child but don't know what's wrong.

"After years of teaching, I have discovered certain signs to help identify a child who may require special help," says Karen Weil-Morrison, director of CalKids Learning Academy.

If your child has trouble remembering recent events, they may have challenges with short term memory. Try reading them a short story or, if your child can read, have them read to you and see if they can remember the beginning, middle and ending of the story. When your child is reading, notice if their eyes wander off the page - focus can be difficult for some children and even a clicking pen can distract them.

Does your school-age child write or see numbers backwards? If this happens frequently, your child may need to be evaluated for dyslexia.

There may be different areas where children may require special help and, even with an IEP, you must meet certain standards to qualify for help. Resources like CalKids Learning Academy can give you the direction you need.
CalKids Learning Academy 600-6121

How to Teach Kids to Keep their Teeth Healthy
BE A ROLE MODEL. Kids like to imitate those around them, so be a good role model and demonstrate proper oral health habits for them. Brush and floss with your kids, rather than sending them into the bathroom on their own. Instead of treating it as a chore, make it part of the daily routine.

TEACH THEM. Show kids under age 3 how to use a rice-size amount of toothpaste. Once kids are able to understand how to spit, rather than swallow the paste, they can use a pea-size amount. When teeth have grown to touch each other, kids can floss and rinse with mouthwash daily.

KEEP DENTAL APPOINTMENTS. Keep a regular routine of visiting the dentist twice a year and involve your children. By keeping your appointments, you make it a normal activity and they will make it a ritual. Your child should have their first dental appointment within 6 months of their first tooth or their first birthday, whichever comes first, and then twice a year after that.

USE REWARDS. Let kids choose their own toothbrush and consider a goal chart to track their progress on a goal that leads to a reward such as going to a movie, or taking a trip to the toy store.
Santa Clarita Children's Dental 735-1500

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Thrivent, a Unique Financial Organization, Offering College-planning Workshop
This month, Thrivent is offering a college-planning strategies workshop - because planning for college is complex. Join them on Tuesday, September 17 at 6:30pm in Valencia. Learn how to help provide for your child's education without sacrificing retirement savings or overburdening them with student-loan debt. Refreshments will be served and the event is free. Call to RSVP!

Thrivent is a unique kind of membership organization called a fraternal benefit society. By definition, a fraternal benefit society is a not-for-profit organization that provides insurance to its members and - this is key - has to carry out social, intellectual, educational, charitable, benevolent, moral, fraternal, patriotic or religious purposes for the benefit of its members and the public. So Thrivent doesn't simply sell insurance - and they don't simply do charitable work, either. As a fraternal benefit society, they do both as they help Thrivent members on their wise-with-money journeys.
Thrivent 799-0230


Legacy Alum Tia Bakhaya Heading to Emory University
Tia Bakhaya, 2019 Hart grad and Legacy Christian Academy alum, has a long list of accolades that earned her a spot at Emory University in the fall. "Tia was always a star student at Legacy," says Head of School Matt Millett, "and continued to support our community. In fact, she recently traveled to our sister school in Uganda with solar ovens she made for a high-school project."

The ASB publicity commissioner who earned awards like "Heart of Hart," AP Scholar with Distinction, the Principal's Award and more, Bakhaya left high school with a 4.58 GPA - and a well-developed sense of self. "Growing up in such a nurturing environment at Legacy allowed Tia to grow in her character while growing as a student," says parents Dr. Saad and Farah Bakhaya. "We are so grateful for Tia's Legacy experience; it has shaped her in all areas of her life. Going to Legacy awakened a drive in Tia; she became motivated to always do her best and complete everything she set her mind to. We have watched this motivation blossom in Tia from her first year at Legacy to her eighth grade graduation as valedictorian and even years later, as she graduated high school, this drive is ever so present."

According to her parents, attending Legacy prepared Tia for the transition to high school, making the process go smoothly. "Thanks to the learning habits and curiosity that Legacy instilled in Tia, she has been able to succeed in all her courses. As she prepares to further her education at Emory, we are confident that Legacy played a large role in getting her there and we know she will continue to use all the skills she obtained in her Legacy years."
Legacy Christian Academy 257-7377

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What Makes Sunshine Learning Centers Different
Sunshine Learning Centers are dedicated to the social, emotional and academic development of every child in their care. Three distinctions set the Sunshine experience apart.

Ascend Curriculum
Sunshine's Ascend Curriculum develops children's cognitive, physical, social-emotional and creative abilities through skill-targeted learning. Their skill-based approach helps children reach important developmental milestones and teaches them how to solve problems, think critically and become more independent.

Kindergarten Club
Sunshine teachers progressively introduce essential skills at every age level and fine-tune the skills needed for success in Kindergarten.

Kind Child
Kind Child is a key part of Sunshine's curriculum and the foundation of the school's culture. Kind Child coursework helps children develop valuable character traits and focuses on social-emotional skills like responsibility, thankfulness, forgiveness and a positive self-image. The staff practices kindness in their daily interactions with each child and with each other to create a nurturing environment where everyone feels welcome and valued.
Sunshine Learning Centers 294-1970

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Save the Date for Touch-A-Truck!
The SCV Senior Center's Touch-A-Truck event is a landmark event for children and adults who are intrigued with vehicles of all sorts and uses. What child, or adult for that matter, wouldn't want to climb on a fire engine, turn on a Sheriff's or CHP vehicle siren or take a photo with a favorite movie vehicle? That's the premise behind Touch-A-Truck, coming to Santa Clarita on Saturday, October 5, from 9am to 1pm at Central Park.
Admission will be a family-friendly $5 per person. All proceeds will benefit the SCV Senior Center, which offers such programs as Home Delivered Meals, Senior Respite Day Care, Handyworker construction and Supportive Services to local seniors.

"Kids love vehicles," commented Santa Clarita Mayor Marsha McLean, who is serving as the event chair, "and now they will be able to touch their favorite things on wheels." She noted that the event will offer a close-up look at a cavalcade of construction rigs, fire engines, sheriff's cars, military vehicles, famous film industry cars, emergency vehicles, "nearly anything you can think of!"

In addition, the committee is working on kid-friendly activities like face painting, arts and crafts, bubbles, model building and more - all free with event admission. Food trucks will offer meals and delicious treats to purchase and several booths will offer free ice cream. At noon, a City dump truck will unload its bed full of free beach balls for children in the audience to scoop up and take home.
myscvcoa.org/touch-a-truck