In This Issue:
- CATS Is Here
- April Is Poetry Month
- PTA Newsletter
- Inside Kentucky Schools
- Earth Day 2006
- College Prep and more
CATS Is Here
Don’t forget that the Commonwealth Accountability Testing System assessments for Kentucky public schools will be conducted during April 17-28. These tests are used to measure the progress by students and schools and will be used to help make decisions about student learning. Make sure your child is ready – for a list of tips on ways to prepare your child, see the March 15 issue of ParentInfo.
Time To Rhyme
Here’s one we bet you did not know: April is National Poetry Month. The folks at Reading is Fundamental have some great ideas how parents and teachers can help children learn more about poetry, which the Greek historian and writer Plutarch called “speaking painting.” To get the details, visit the Reading is Fundamental Web site.
PTA Newsletter
The national PTA publishes a newsletter that’s full of great ideas and suggestions for any parent. The March 28 issue covered these topics: Internet safety, teenage drinking related to proms and graduation parties, and “Drop Everything and Read Day.” To view the latest newsletter, click here. To sign up for the newsletter, go to the PTA’s Web site and look for the “newsletter” heading on the right side.
Inside Kentucky Schools
“Inside Kentucky Schools,” a television program produced by the Kentucky Department of Education, is now available through the department’s Web site. The program gives parents a closer look at what’s going on in Kentucky schools. The program will continue to be aired on Kentucky Educational Television and local cable stations. Check your local listings for times.
Earth Day 2006
Earth Day will be celebrated on April 22 and the state Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet is asking this question: “What can you do to protect the environment?”
It just so happens that the cabinet is offering some suggestions for students of all ages at its Earth Day Web site. Click on the “Earth Day for Kids” link. The subjects range from recycling to indoor air quality. There are great ideas that can be used year-round.
Go Higher And Win An iPod
More and more Kentucky students are turning to the new GoHigherKy.org Web site for information to help them plan, prepare and pay for college. Students who create accounts this year also have a chance to win an iPod Shuffle.
Each month, The Student Loan People and the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), the agencies that sponsor GoHigherKY.org, are giving away a portable MP3 player that can store up to 240 songs. The name of each winner is drawn from the list of students who set up GoHigherKY.org accounts during the previous month.
GoHigherKY.org is a one-step Web site for college and career planning. A cooperative effort among colleges, state agencies and other organizations, the site can be used by students, parents, college students, adult students and guidance counselors. Students can run free scholarship searches, transfer information to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), take virtual tours of colleges, find colleges that match their preferences and apply to colleges online.
Service-Scholarship Opportunity
State Farm Insurance is establishing a Youth Advisory Board that will help design and implement a service learning initiative. State Farm is seeking applicants ages 17-20 for this initiative, which includes opportunities for scholarships. The deadline is April 28 (The application requires recommendations, so don’t delay). Details and an application form can be viewed at: http://www.statefarm.com/sfyboard.htm