Welcome back!  We are excited to have the opportunity to work with your family during the 2009-2010 school year! 

Back-to-School Tips:

Organizational Systems.  Each child should create a system that works for him/her but also meets the criteria of the school and individual teachers.  Not such an easy task!  Our best recommendation is to try a system for 6 weeks and then re-evaluate its effectiveness. You have to be willing to try different systems and/or approaches. Your On-Track tutor has various systems in his/her toolbox of organizational strategies or you may contact us directly for more ideas.

Assignment Calendars.  There are many different types of calendaring systems and, once again, you have to find which one works for your child.  Options include:

1. School-provided agenda
2. PALM Pilot or Portable PC (compatible with Microsoft Outlook)
3. Cell phone calendar (also may be compatible with Outlook)
4. Daytimer/other portable day planner systems
5. Customized, color-coded agenda available for $15 through On-Track

The key with calendars is to find something that the child will USE.  If you have a child who is resistant to writing things down, create a short-term incentive program that rewards him/her for using the system for X-number of days.  As the goal is met, be sure to extend the contract term.  Remember that most things take 6 weeks to become a habit!

Homework. If homework completion has been a problem in previous years, a plan for the new school year must be in place from the get-go.  First, instead of relying on grades as an indication of success or failure, place emphasis on homework completion.  No missing assignments in one week = X-Reward.  The truth is that students with missing assignments have lower grades because of missing work.  Grades should improve as work is handed-in.

Test-Preparation.  Waiting until the last minute to study for a test is not actually studying.  Ask most teenagers and they will gladly argue that point!  Research shows that studying 15 minutes per night for 3-4 nights is far superior to cramming.  We have tested this theory and found it to be true.  If your teenager complains about 15 minutes/night, remind them of the 2 hour cramming alternative!

Time Management.  Students with busy sports and other extracurricular activities need to be aware of their weekly schedule.  As one brilliant student said to Dana in a mentoring session, “I wish my parents would tell me about doctor’s appointments, etc. so that I could prepare myself.”  He said it best – inform your child of every activity and appointment, in writing, so that they can plan accordingly.  The ability to multitask is a life skill that everyone must have to be successful in our fast-paced world!

IEP and 504 Plans. If your child has an IEP or 504 Plan that has not been updated for the new school year, be sure to make an appointment with the school psychologist or counselor.  It is important to discuss your child’s needs with each of his/her new teachers.

Meet Several On-Track's Staff Members:

We are pleased to introduce our newest team member: Erica Schwartz! With a B.A. in Psychology and an M.S. in Social Work, Erica’s focus has always been on youth and families. Passionate about working with individuals with AD/HD and Executive Function Deficits, she currently facilitates a local support group for CHADD (Children & Adults With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and has been trained in CHADD’s renowned Parent-to-Parent training program. We are excited to have Erica manage On-Track’s Executive Function Training Program and other special programs.

Amanda Burke is back from maternity leave as On-Track's Director of Client Relations and coordinator of our school-based programs. She is now proud mommy of TWO gorgeous children: Kadence, almost 2, and Jake Jr., now almost 3 months old! She looks forward to working with each of you again this year as she facilitates the student-tutor matching process.

Jill Drowne, an outstanding masters-level educator with On-Track since 2002, has been successfully running our SES tutoring program. Jill will also be back in the office this year helping with assessments and special programs. In addition to her management responsibilities, Jill has contributed strategies to our study skills curriculum, Foundations™, and has developed a unique, multisensory approach to teaching mathematics.

On-Track is Proud to be a Provider for the SES (Supplemental Education Services) Program

In an effort to serve ALL students, On-Track became a federally-funded SES tutoring provider to provide free after-school  tutoring to qualifying students in Title 1 schools.  During the 2008-2009 school year, On-Track served students in twelve schools throughout five Districts.  Keeping with the On-Track philosophy, SES students receive tutoring in their area of need (reading/math), and receive 1:1 or small group services.  Each student receives tutoring for a set duration, which is an average of about twelve weeks.  As with our private students, we have aggressive growth goals for every student in the SES program.  Even in a short period of time, this intensive, hands-on approach with SES students has enabled most students to grow close to a full grade-level in just a few short months.  We look forward to continued work with our SES students and the gains they will make! 

Earn a $25 credit with On-Track's NEW Referral Program!

Tell your friends and family about On-Track Tutoring and receive a $25 credit for every new student you refer!

Help us spread the word! From now through the end of the semester, we are offering a $25 credit to your account for any new student that you refer to On-Track. It's that simple: they give us your name when they sign up for a minimum of 4 sessions, and you receive the credit. There is no limit to this offer - you receive an additional $25 credit for each new student that signs up and gives you as their reference! We can't wait to thank you! :)

 

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