July 15, 2008

Parent Info

Last Updated on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 5:01 AM

In this issue

*Conservation art and writing contest

*New rules for Governor’s Cup

*Help kids manage their time

*Flying advice for parents of toddlers, teens

*New superintendents on board

Conservation art and writing contest

The Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts and Kentucky Farm Bureau will be hosting the annual Writing and Jim Claypool Conservation Art contests.

There won’t be a print version this year, as has been the case in years past, but the publication has been placed on the two organizations’ Web sites, which also provide a teacher’s guide, contest entry form and principal and district report forms.

This year’s theme is “Working Trees: Kentucky’s Renewable Future.” The writing contest is for students in grades 6-12 and the art contest for students in grades 1-5.

For more information, go to www.conservation.ky.gov or www.kyfb.com.

New rules for Governor’s Cup

As Governor’s Cup enters its 23rd year of competition, several changes are being made to enhance the event, founded in 1986 as a way to promote and recognize outstanding academic achievement.

Governor’s Cup has served over a quarter of a million students, according to the Kentucky Association for Academic Competition (KAAC) Web site.

In Kentucky, more than 20,000 students, nearly 1,200 schools, and thousands of coaches, administrators, parents and community leaders participate in Governor’s Cup.

Some of the changes in Governor’s Cup rules include:

1. If a student competing in a Governor’s Cup event uses a cell phone or other electronic communication device during a Quick Recall match, that match is forfeited. If a student uses such a device during Future Problem Solving (FPS), the team booklet is disqualified. If a student uses such a device during Composition or Written Assessment, that student is disqualified from that event.

2. Students who wish to take part in Governor’s Cup must be enrolled in the school for which they wish to compete on January 15 of that competition year. Students who have made a bona fide residence change after that date may petition KAAC in writing for an exemption. If a student transfers to School B after competing for School A and advancing to regional or state competition, that student may compete under the name of School A for personal recognition only and is not eligible to earn an official award or team points.

3. Administrators from schools that are closed for flu or other public health reasons may insist that a Governor’s Cup event be postponed. If that school, however, does not cancel all activities, including athletic events, the administrator’s request will not be honored.

4. The FPS date for elementary, and the FPS/Composition date for middle and high school, will be moved to Tuesday of each respective competition week.

For a complete list of rules changes, go to the link provided above and click on rules update. To view Governor’s Cup results from the 2007-08 school year, click here then click on “past results” and then click on “2008 results.”

Help kids manage their time

Between summer camps, friends, sports and all the many choices out there these days for children, it’s important to make sure yours know how to make the most of their time. Helping your children keep up with a busy schedule will only help when the school year starts up and a whole new list of activities (not to mention homework) pop up.

A Web site that can help is pbskids.org. It encourages children to know the difference between “have to do” and “want to do.” Choosing these priorities will take them far.

Parents also are encouraged to guide children with routines, planning ahead via a daily or weekly schedule and budgeting time wisely.

Flying advice for parents of toddlers, teens

For those of you trying to squeeze in a last-minute vacation before school starts back up, it can be a stressful time, especially if you’ve never flown with your young child before. Planning ahead can greatly increase your chances of having a less stressful time getting to your destination.

CNN.com offers these suggestions on flying with an infant or toddler:

· Bring new toys or toys your child hasn’t seen for awhile. These will keep them entertained longer.

· Bring an ample amount of snacks.

· If two parents are flying with a child, have one get on the plane early to stow away carry-on luggage. The other parent can wait with the child and board as late as possible.

· Don’t strap a single seat belt around you and a baby or toddler. It’s unsafe.

· Keep a portable changing pad handy so you can change a diaper anywhere.

· Bring plastic bags from home or use the air sickness bag to put dirty diapers in before throwing them away in the bathroom trash.

· Bring extra clothes for kids and parents. If the child gets motion sickness and throws up on a parent, they’ll have to endure the smelly clothes the rest of the flight otherwise.

Is your teen flying alone? Facing the airport alone can be a confusing time for a young flyer. There are some ways parents can get peace of mind when their teens are traveling unsupervised.

Many parents don’t know it’s usually possible to accompany a teen through the airport if he or she is flying alone. These “gate passes” are still issued in most U.S. airports, and allow a parent to accompany teens traveling alone to the gate.

This way, you’ll know your teen successfully made it on the flight.

Remember to give your teen some extra cash for unexpected emergencies and delays, as well as a calling card or cell phone so he or she can reach you in case something goes wrong.

New superintendents on board

The 2008-09 school year will bring many new superintendents to Kentucky’s 174 public school districts. Nearly 30 open positions have been filled by local boards of education over the past few months, and the individuals who will serve represent a wide range of experience and backgrounds.

Here’s a roster of the most recent superintendent hirings for the upcoming school year.

Ashland Independent, Steve Gilmore

Boone County, Randy Poe

Bullitt County, Keith Davis

Butler County, Scott Howard

Carlisle County, Keith Shoulders

Carroll County, Lisa James

Cloverport Independent, John Millay

Covington Independent, Lynda Jackson

Crittenden County, Rachel Yarbrough

Floyd County, Henry Webb

Frankfort Independent, Rich Crowe