Arlington Family Page

Parents can really impact their child’s learning.  Research has shown that the more parents understand what their children are learning and the more parents know how to help at home the better children do in school. 

This web page is one way that Arlington is working to help parents support their children.  It provides parents with information and resources that can support children in a variety of ways.

The page will be updated monthly during the school year.  We would appreciate your suggestions and comments.

CONTENTS

• Community Calendar
• Learning at Home
• Family Resources
• Education and Learning web sites

MARCH 2010 COMMUNITY CALENDAR

 Note:  Special programming during Spring Break is listed.  These Family Programs are free or low cost.  These agencies also have preschool age programming.  Check their websites for more information.

Wonderlab, 308 W. 4th Street

First Friday – Reduced Admission:  $3.00 per person.                    March 5, 5 – 8:30pm.

Monroe County Public Library, Downtown

Music for Little Folks with Bobbie Lancaster   Join this local singer/songwriter for a program of original children’s music featuring a short story time, an exercise in tempo with rhythm instruments, and musical games that encourage learning, movement and imagination.  FREE.  Call to register – 349-3100.

            March 1, 10 – 10:45am.

Make Cards!  Make and take beautiful greeting cards for all the special occasions of spring and summer.  Learn how to make marbleized paper, pop-ups and more.  FREE.  Call to register – 349-3100.

March 4, 4 – 5pm

Seusspicious Behavior. Celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday at the library. Watch a lively theatrical production by Bloomington High School North students, and enjoy Seuss-tacular games and hands-on activities all brought to you by Bloomington Parks and Recreation, and your MCPL Children's Services. For children ages 3 to 9 years old, and their families. No registration necessary.  FREE.

            March 6, 1 – 4pm

SPRING BREAK AT THE LIBRARY

Birds and the Air.  Find out where some birds have gone in this season that addresses the importance of birds, their habitat, and the importance of keeping our environment, air, water, and soil, free of pollution. A migration game can be played with or without a reuse craft. Please bring a milk/water jug with cap, to create bird feeders.  FREE.  Call to register – 349-3100.

            March 16, 2 – 3pm

Amazing Flower Pots.  Create a lovely flower pot out of old magazine pages. Participants will choose their magazine pages, learn how to fold them to build a mini flower pot. We will discuss other ways to re-use household items instead of throwing them away. Dress to mess.  FREE for ages 7 – 12.  Call to register – 349-3100.

            March 17, 2 – 4pm

Movie Program, ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs’.  For all ages.  No registration needed, just drop in.  FREE.

            March 19, 2 – 4pm

LEGO Day.  Drop in and bring your LEGO sets to create and share during day. Our LEGO creations will be on display in the Childrens Department through April 21. For children in grades K-6. No sign-up necessary, just drop in with your LEGO-type blocks.  FREE.

            March 21, 2 – 3pm

CITY OF BLOOMINGTON

Note:  the programs below require registration.  Children under 12 must be accompanied by a registered adult.

Map and Compass Egg Hunt.  Take a new bearing on the traditional egg hunt. Learn the art of orienteering while searching for eggs filled with candy. Maps and compasses are provided for use during the program. An instructional session takes place before the hunt.  All ages.         

March 30, 5:30 – 7:30pm at Griffey Lake Nature Preserve. $5/in-city, $6/non-city.  Register by 3/24.     

LEARNING AT HOME

WHAT PARENTS CAN DO

• Ask your child about their day at school.  Avoid questions that require a yes/no or one word answer.  Start with a phrase such as ‘Tell me about…’
• Have your child teach you.  This reinforces their learning and is a fun way for parents to find out about what their child is learning.  It also can help you pinpoint problem areas.
• Set up a specific space and time each day for homework.
• Do not hesitate to talk with your child’s teacher if your child is having trouble finishing homework or does not understand it.  If you have your teacher’s home phone number, don’t hesitate to call. 
• Stay nearby in case your child needs help or has questions.

HOMEWORK HELP

• Talk with your child’s teacher.  E-mail your teacher if you have any questions. Their e-mail can be found on our 'Staff' page.
• The Homework Center at the Monroe County Public Library.  FREE Drop-in Homework Help.  3:30-7:30pm, Monday – Thursday, 1:30 – 4:30pm, Sunday.
• Ask Rose.  Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's Homework Hotline.  FREE math and science homework help to students in grades 6-12. Homework Hotline from 7 pm – 10 pm, September through May toll free at 1-877-ASK-ROSE or on-line at www.AskRose.org.

FAMILY LEARNING NIGHT HANDOUTS (click to download)

• Keys to Reading Comprehension
• Reading Comprehension: retelling a story

6 things to think about when reading at home with your child.

• Reading stimulates creativity in children.  Allow your child to select books that they like.
• For younger students, choose a book with pictures and simple words.  Pictures help children figure out words they do not know.  Do not cover the pictures.
• If you can – commit to 15 minutes several times a week to read with your child.  Make reading time fun.
• Talk about the story with your child.  Click the link, Family Learning Night Handouts for reading comprehension information.
• Retell the story together.  Click the link, Family Learning Night Handouts for retelling information.
• Read to your child.  Even children in grades 3-6 like this!  Reading to a child helps them build their vocabulary.

TUTORING

• FREE Reading Tutoring sessions at the Monroe County Public Library.  Weekly one-on-one 30 minute sessions. Call 349-3100 for more information.  Registration is required.

ADULT EDUCATION

• Broadview Learning Center.  FREE classes in Basic Skills, Preparation for the GED, English as a Second Language and Computers.  330-7731.  Office hours:  Monday – Friday, 7:30am – 3:30pm.

FAMILY RESOURCES

ARLINGTON SOCIAL WORKER

• Mrs. Autry, 320-7747

RESOURCE GUIDES

• The City of Bloomington provides comprehensive resource guides in English and Spanish. Click for info here.

2-1-1 SOCIAL SERVICES HOTLINE

• Don’t see what you need below?  Call 2-1-1.  A representative can provide you with the information you need.

CHILDCARE

• For a list of local childcare providers, refer to the Bloomington and Monroe County Childcare Directory.  Click here for info.
• Childcare Voucher Program.  Toll free: 1-800-886-3952, ext. 0.  Income based support through the Community Alliance and Services for Young Children (CASY).

FOOD ASSISTANCE

• Arlington Back Pack Buddies.  Arlington students bring home free food each Friday.  Contact Mrs. Autry at Arlington for more information.  320-7747
• Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard.  1010 S. Walnut.  FREE Food Pantry.  Open Monday – Friday, 4-6pm.
• Monroe County Community Kitchen.  FREE Evening Meals.

Two locations.

917 S. Rogers Street.  FREE Sit down meals, 4 – 6pm, Monday – Saturday.  Cold carryout meals available.  No income guidelines. 

Community Kitchen Express – 1100 W. 11th Street.  4 – 6pm, Monday – Saturday.  FREE hot and cold carryout meals.  No income guidelines.

• Refer to the ‘Food’ section of the Bloomington Family Resources Guide for more information.

HOUSING

• Bloomington Housing Authority.  Low income and section 8 housing.  339-3491.  Office hours:  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday:  8am – 4pm, Wednesday:  8am – Noon
• Refer to the ‘Housing’ section of the Bloomington Family Resources Guide for more information.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

• Hoosier Healthwise Program.   For low income families, pregnant women, and children. The program covers such medical care as doctor visits, prescription drugs, mental health care, dental care, hospitalizations, surgeries, and family planning at little or no cost.  Apply at Monroe County Division of Family Resources, 1787 W. Third Street.
• Volunteers in Medicine.  811 W. 2nd Street.  353-3533.  FREE adult medical clinic, includes dental and vision care.  Open Monday and Thursday: 8am – 8pm.  Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday:  8am – 5pm.
• Refer to the ‘Healthcare’ section of the Bloomington Family Resources Guide for more information.

COUNSELING

• Catholic Charities. 635 N. College.  332-1262.  Counseling for children and families.  Parent education and support programs.  Sliding fee scale based on income.
• Refer to the ‘Healthcare’ section of the Bloomington Family Resources Guide for more information.

UTILITIES HELP

• South Central Community Action Program.  1500 W. 15th Street.  339-3447.  Energy assistance, home weatherization and free trash stickers or garbage bags.
• Refer to the ‘Financial Assistance’ section of the Bloomington Family Resources Guide for information.

     EDUCATION and LEARNING web sites

Here are some links to potentially helpful educational sites. Enjoy the links....

Learning to Read Links

Helping children learn about reading - from the National Association for the Education of Young Children

Helping your child learn to read - A parent's guide

Helping Children with Learning Disabilities to Succeed - Learning To Read/Reading To Learn

Literacy and numeracy tip sheets for parents - From the Peel school district in Ontario, Canada

Parental Involvement - 100 home/school activities at the kindergarten level.  Organized by reading and literacy skills for kindergarteners. These help children develop their ability to read and write;  from the U.S. Department of Education.  first grade parents,  second grade parents,  third grade parents

Research on how parents help children to read:  by Irvine Unified School District in California

1.     Tips for Reading to Your Child

2.    Phrases that Encourage

3.    Questions that Encourage Conversation about Reading

4.    Concepts about Print

5.    Phonemic Awareness Activities For 4-5-6 Year Olds

6.    Phonemic Awareness Activities For 6-7 Year Olds

7.    Bibliography: K-3 Phonemic Awareness

8.    Ten Tips: Helping Your Child Read Effectively

9.    Breaking the Sound-It-Out Barrier

10.     Reading Tips for Parents, Primary Caregivers, and Educators

Simple Things You Can Do To Help All Children Read Well and Independently by the End of the Third Grade.

Math Help Links

Cool Math for Parents.

Drilling Multiplication Tables of 2, 3, 10, and 5 - teaching guide from HomeschoolMath

FunBrain links to math games

Helping Children Learn at Home - math and science tips for children

Helping Your Child Learn Math

Helping your child learn math - A parent guide

Math and Young Children - a list of links by age level

Math for Elementary School Kids - from Teach R Kids

Math for the Fun of It

Discipline Help Links

Discipline Help - models for handling lots of misbehaviors.

Discipline for Young Children

Positive Discipline

General Links

SafeKids Helps parents and teachers to teach children to learn to explore the Internet safely; from Microsoft.

Funbrain.com  Educational games…  

Fact Monster.com

Safe Surfing with your family from yahooligans

Parent & Child Magazine
By Scholastic; this is an online version of the magazine  

Bradford Woods – Indiana University Outdoor Center

Fifth graders at Arlington Elementary attend an overnight camping trip to Bradford Woods for 2 ½ days during the school year.  This outdoor education facility has been a part of the MCCSC curriculum since the 1950s.

Children’s Literature Links for Parents

EduHound
K-12 resources on all subject areas!

Kid Info