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2020 - Pandemic, Unemployment, Racial Tension

6/6/2020

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On March 13, 2020, the routine we have known for 5+ years at the center, suddenly came to a halt.  We said good night to our "homework help" kids, our students, teachers, and closed the door, turned off the lights - never realizing the good night would actually be a 4 month goodbye.  We are still relying significantly on virtual sessions, as the governor of New Jersey has not yet opened small businesses.  It has been a strange 90+ days in "quarantine."  
Meditation and writing have always been my breath, peace in times of craziness.  But also the first two things to be dropped in times of busyness and stress.  With stay-at-home orders allowing a deep "slow down," I have been blessed with the time for daily reflection, through both quiet and words.  

Canceled ceremonies, postponed standardized tests, rescheduled assignments...
my thoughts.... 
Everyone loves to be recognized for the work they have done, the successes they have met.  But what happens when our children are "waiting" for the prize FOR learning, instead of recognizing the learning IS the trophy.  When my oldest was 5, she entered a public school Kindergarten class with the nature of a philosopher.  She asked questions, she wondered, she observed.  She was driven by her own ideas, her own ponderings. 

The teachers were amazing. 
An experience I am thankful for.
It was the same district that I received my entire public school education.
An experience I am thankful for. 
It was a five minute drive to the public school I taught at for five years.
An experience I am thankful for.

​But within a few months, my tiny philosopher stopped asking questions about the moon or the Italian word or the animal habitat.  Instead, she wondered what "theme day" would be on Friday, which sticker was atop her writing piece, or whether her homework was neat enough.  The learning wasn't enough anymore.  My 5 year old had quickly adopted this language of education.  It wasn't about what she learned or her ideas on the topic.  No.  Now she wanted to know what she would get for finishing her homework.  What kind of party would she have at the end of the school year? Could she get a toy if her teacher gave her a good grade?!  We started homeschooling my 5 year old in first grade.  We were on a journey to be learners.  Not to get the learning "done."

I am saddened for the students that feel like the Corona-Virus stole something from them.  They may not have their graduation ceremony or may not have that final A plastered across a report card.  Many feel as though they have completed remote learning "for nothing."  When learning loses its power of being the award, learning loses its magic.  It loses its worth.  The Corona-Virus did not steal the experience.  It did not steal the journey.  The pandemic did not steal the knowledge that WAS meant to be the goal. 

These past 13 weeks have changed so much.  I pray that the value of learning will change too.  Maybe the loss of the ceremonies and the grades and the stickers will allow our students to recognize the gift that is knowledge alone.  Pandemics, Unemployment, and Racial Tension may just force a reevaluation.   
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Mental Health versus Play Time

10/20/2015

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What has happened since April, 2013 that I have not written anything on this blog??  A baby, a business move, and 5 million other things, I am sure!!!

My sister emailed this amazing article today concerning the decrease in play time being positively correlated to the increase in mental illness in our children.  Mental Illness!!!??  The amount of play that our children are exposed to on a daily basis may effect their mental health for the rest of their lives??!!  Dramatic...???  My experience has been that a child with mental illness turns into an adult with mental illness, and usually with even greater severity.  Are we honestly willing to take the chance that more of our children turn into broken adults??  What do we fear in playtime - disorder? curiosity? imagination?

My 4 children have been sick with a long-lasting stomach virus.  Today they wrote for about 10 minutes, read for maybe 5, and visited the library for a bit.  Afterwards, I wanted nothing more than to get them outside breathing the crisp Autumn air and to crunch leaves and play!  I fear we are wasting something beautiful by waiting for the calendar to read summer vacation!  2 months will never make up for the 10 months of ignored childhood! 

www.psychologytoday.com/blog/freedom-learn/201001/the-decline-play-and-rise-in-childrens-mental-disorders


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My Boys. My Boys. My Boys!

4/1/2013

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Monday morning....played legos, built a tent, read some books.....Monday afternoon.....lassoed eachother (yes - around the neck...agghhh), went swinging, drove some trucks, built a Mayan pyramid, had a picnic, played tag (mama was IT).....Monday evening....more swinging, more lassoing, a lot more running, some reading....ahhhh....sleep!! 

Imagine trying to contain all that energy for 6 hours within 4 walls....NEVER!!

But some people try and the results are detrimental!  Read this article about children being diagnosed with ADD and ADHD.  Learning issue or suppressed energy?...I have my theories....

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/01/health/more-diagnoses-of-hyperactivity-causing-concern.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130401&_r=0
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Wednesday Commute

2/13/2013

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I love my Wednesdays! You may think it is crazy, but I love my Wednesday for the long commute.  My normal every day drive is 5 minutes (in traffic).  On Wednesdays, I drive for over a half hour and it is one of the only times during my week that I can "think."  I mean really think - minus rapid fire questions from 3 very curious kids.  So on my commute today, I was beating myself up - worried about how little time I spent reading with my 6 year old, how quickly I flew out the door at the sight of my babysitter, and worried that maybe, just maybe, the rushing isn't worth it!  

My story was different on the way home! To see the look on that little boy's face today when I told him what a great reader he is - that's worth it.  To receive not one, but two hugs from Mommies who are frustrated with their school system - that is worth it.  To know that I may one day be a part of something so much bigger than a small center in a tiny town - that has to be worth it!  On the Wednesday commute home, I reaffirmed that CHANGE is definitely worth my time.  The conversation cannot end - join Your Village - continue the conversation! 

          View A Race to Nowhere - February 19, 7:00 pm -  Tutor's Link Learning Center.
                                                       Call to reserve your spot!
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Where's the love....the love of learning???

2/5/2013

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As Valentine's Day quickly approaches, I cannot stop thinking of our reason for homeschooling.  I have always wanted my children to LOVE learning, not be forced to do it.  I want them to LOVE discovering something new, LOVE the feeling of hard work paying off, and LOVE where learning takes them.  One day my children will LOVE their jobs, not work at something they were supposed to be good at! 

It is a scary time when A's mean more than happiness! You must read this one, too!

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/03/us/concerns-about-adhd-practices-and-amphetamine-addiction.html?_r=1&
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Remember when...

2/3/2013

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Remember when....
   
                              Kindergarten meant......
- learning to tie your shoes
- meeting friends
- learning to share
- writing your name
- experiencing art and music and centers
- voicing your opinion clearly

Those days are over.  Welcome to the life of 6 year olds stuck in the professional world! You must read this article.  Share your own experiences with your children and kindergarten. 

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/playtime_over_kindergartners_ItkfEkiosY3UOa8KpXwj8K

 
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Just Bore Them All Day....that'll teach them to sit!!

1/17/2013

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As a tutor, no longer the TEACHER, I still make myself part of the team - teacher, parent, child, and ME!  I speak with my team members often, seeing what I can do better and how they can support my efforts.  After a brief phone conversation concerning a 1st grade student, the teacher told me that my "hands-on activities in the home may be making it even harder for the student to sit quietly in the classroom."  Uhhhh.....!!!!  I am sorry??!!  Do you not get enough hours each day to force a VERY active, VERY inquisitive little boy into silence?  May I allow him to experience learning as learning should be experienced?  May I allow him to laugh and sing and be silly?  Just for 1 hour....then I swear he will sit quietly and finish the 2 hours of homework you sent home. 

Let us not forget what being a student is about - a true student of learning!
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Winter Workshops 2013!  Register Now!!

1/4/2013

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The workshops are scheduled!  Take a look at what we are offering.  Our goal is to help make students life-long learners!  "Learning by experience" is our philosophy at Tutor's Link Learning Center.  Call today to register!
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Tutor's Link Learning Center Grand Opening

1/2/2013

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Join us for a celebration of learning! 
           Schedule of Events
     1:00  Winter Story and Craft Time
     1:45   Lizard  Learning
     2:30  Math Fun
     3:00  Book Reading by  local author Zai Illyas
                 ...more fun to be
announced!!!

7:00 pm  Disneynature's  Chimpanzee movie - come back for a movie and some popcorn! 
Wear your pjs and bring blankets and pillows ...FUN!!
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Thank you Troop 5225!

12/16/2012

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Picture
Thank you Troop 5225 for the outstanding artwork outside Tutor's Link Learning Center!  You are all so talented and add such beauty to a very lonely window!  It will be the perfect backdrop for a night of caroling.  Would love to see everyone for a night of festive tunes and hot cocoa!  Please bring gluten-free, peanut-free candies to add to our gingerbread house!
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    Stephanie Petriello

    My mind is flooded with all the topics in education and thought a blog may help getting the information out to our clients.  As an elementary/special education teacher, Literacy Specialist, and mama of 4 young children, I never stop learning!  My students are always my teachers.

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