School choices available to parents for their children

Photo: AP/News & Record, Lynn Hey


One of the toughest decisions for parents to make involves which schools to have their children attend.

Parents want the best for their children and want to make sure the “school investments” they make will yield excellent educational dividends in the long-term.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Innovation & Improvement has published English and Spanish editions of a helpful booklet to help guide parents who might be trying to select the right schools for their children’s specific learning styles, learning needs, and interests.

In the 41-page booklet, a description is given of the various types of school choices available to parents:

***Neighborhood Public Schools

***Other Public Schools such as: Charter Schools ~ Magnet Schools ~ Virtual Schools ~ Advanced Placement & International Baccalaureate Programs

***Nonpublic Schools such as: Religious Private Schools ~ Secular Private Schools ~ Home Schools





Pages of details, parent tips, and available resources are noted throughout the booklet as the U.S. Department of Education takes parents through four basic steps in the school selection process:

1.    Consider your child and your family.
2.    Gather information about schools.
3.    Visit and observe schools.
4.    Apply to the school(s) you choose.

To order a FREE copy of the booklet in either English or Spanish:

*order on-line at http://www.edpubs.org/
*order on-line at http://www.ed.gov/parents/schools/find/choose
*request by e-mail to edpubs@inet.ed.gov
*fax request to 301-470-1244
*call in request to 1-877-433-7827 or 1-800-872-5327

In addition to requesting either English or Spanish editions of the publication, special requests can also be made for Braille, large print, or computer disk versions.  Direct all special requests to 202-260-0852.

Good luck as you make this very important decision and choice for your child’s future.


Sharon M. Biggs, M.A., is a wife, mother, and 21st Century educational leader who serves as Co-Chair & President of Lifeline Foundation, Inc.  This 23-year educator is also Founder, Editor, and Chief Writer of LifelineExtensions.blog.  View Sharon's other published works at http://www.examiner.com/x-23402-Newark-Parenting--Education-Examiner.

Contact Sharon directly for more information: sharonbiggs@mylifelinefoundation.org

"Children are the globe's most precious commodity." (Terence H. Biggs, Jr. ~ 2009)

That SAHM I am! That SAHM I am! Back-to-School Thoughts

Title: Professional SAHM & SAHD 

Key Accomplishments:   Provide senior leadership in the collaborative and coordinated logistics; public relations; activities; security; medical treatment;  meal preparation; facility improvements, upgrades, and maintenance; budget development and administration; scheduling; goal-setting; daily instruction, and other varied functions as the need arises for the husband/wife and children I am happily responsible for.

Stay-At-Home-Moms & Dads (SAHMs & SAHDs) have no gaps in their work experience…

                                                               Photo:  Copyright PhotoXpress.com

My oldest daughter started kindergarten this month.

This is a whole new experience for all of us. While I'm glad to have a more consistent daily routine, I'm still not sure how I feel about her being away from us for 6 1/2+ hours each weekday.

Yes. I’m a new kindergarten mom.

A mom friend whose youngest also started kindergarten this year said she’s learned from her older children’s experiences that she should look at all of the new experiences her daughter is getting, instead of what she (the mom) may think she’s missing out on by not having her at home.

I'm thankful that my daughter loves school. She adores her teacher, is making friends, and goes to school and comes home happy each day.

Photo: Copyright PhotoXpress.com

But, in talking with other moms who are either new school moms like me, or they’ve already been down this road; there are a few things kindergarten parents seem to want and need from our school-based partners:

• Please remember that some parents have more than one school-aged child with emergency contact     paperwork needing to be completed. Getting this in digital form with the ability to list each child on one form would be great.

• We know things are checked and re-checked before being sent home, but please help us by making sure there isn’t conflicting information on a single document, etc.; and running additional spell-checks and grammar-checks is a good idea.

• If at all possible, kindergarten parents would probably enjoy speaking with the teacher for 5 minutes by phone before Back-to-School Night. So many questions to ask about so many new things…

Meanwhile, my three year old started preschool this month. She goes two days a week for 2 1/2 hours. While I also have mixed feelings about that arrangement, I must admit I'm looking forward to grocery shopping and running other errands with just my 15 month old.

I now know what my relatives and friends with older children mean when they say they feel as if they’re always in the car taking someone to an extra-curricular activity. In addition to school, my older two are also taking ballet once a week, and the kindergartener is playing soccer one hour a week for 10 weeks.

It feels busy, but I manage to accomplish more when I'm busier. Each day goes like this:

CCRRAAAAAAAAZZYY - caaaalm - CCRRAAAAAAAAZZYY - caaaalm -CCRRAAAAAAAAZZYY - caaaalm.

Then I talk to moms with older children and realize this really is calm compared to how it's going to be in five years or more. Parents with older children always tell Bill and me, "enjoy this time, it goes by too fast."

                                                                                                                                Photo:Copyright PhotoXpress.com

I believe that, so I'm working on living in the moment and just enjoying where I am and who I'm with at that moment.  Speak with you again in October.

Stephanie Evans
Professional SAHM

Stephanie Evans and her husband, Bill, live in New Jersey with their three daughters who are ages five, three, and one.  Stephanie has a B.S. degree in Music Education and taught Music for 11 years in the public school system.  She loves children and enjoyed being a teacher, but she loves being a SAHM even more!  Stephanie is a regular Contributing Writer for LifelineExtensions.blog.

**********************************************************************************

LifelineExtensions.blog
Sharon M. Biggs, M.A., is a wife, mother, and 21st Century educational leader who serves as Co-Chair & President of Lifeline Foundation, Inc.  This 23-year educator is also Founder, Editor, and Chief Writer of LifelineExtensions.blog. View Sharon's other published works at http://www.examiner.com/.

Contact Sharon directly for more information: sharonbiggs@mylifelinefoundation.org

"Children are the globe's most precious commodity."  (Terence H. Biggs, Jr. ~ 2009)

One easy strategy to help manage your time ~ Teen Girl's Perspective

Do you ever feel like all the clocks are against you and you want to crawl in a hole like White Rabbit in “Alice in Wonderland” did to hide from all of the scheduling chaos?

Instead of waiting to be in this kind of rut, just pull out your laptop and start scheduling on a digital calendar.

Microsoft created a tool called, Outlook, which lets you plan out your entire year – day by day, and minute by minute.

Each day, reminders pop up on your screen to let you know what’s in store for your upcoming day. This way you won’t have to worry about running out of time or getting off schedule.

If you have a PC, Microsoft Outlook is included in the computer system.  But, if you have a MAC, you’ll have to buy the calendar program for around $100.

This investment will really save you a lot of time and help avoid stress.

Danielle M. Biggs
High School Student
Trustee & Administrative Assistant ~ Lifeline Foundation, Inc.

Lifeline Foundation, Inc.
E-mail: info@mylifelinefoundation.org
Weblog: http://lifelineextensions.blogspot.com/
Website: www.mylifelinefoundation.org


Mailing Address for all tax-deductible donations:
301 N. Harrison Street
Suite 35
Princeton, NJ 08540
877.570.1237

"Children are the globe's most precious commodity." (Terence H. Biggs, Jr., 2009)

A child's brain fully develops by age 25

Photo:  AP/Ted S. Warren



Brain research shows that the human brain goes through a slow maturation process between ages 10 through 25.  The emotional make-up of a child is generally fully developed by age five.

A Dartmouth College study reveals  there is a significant shift in a person’s brain after age 18, when the individual is emerging into young adulthood.

The human brain reportedly becomes fully developed at age 25.

Prior to full brain development children exhibit the following more coincidentally vs. consistently:
•    Decision making
•    Use of appropriate judgment
•    Rational thinking
•    Integration of emotion & critical thinking
•    Ability to think clearly about long-term outcomes that stem from behaviors
•    Global thinking vs. self-centered thinking

A Baylor College of Medicine study shows that babies who receive nurturing, consistent, and positive childcare from early on develop larger brains.

    

                          Photo:  AP/L.G. Patterson                                                                Photo:  AP/Gerald Herbert

Multiple Intelligences’ empirical brain research conducted by Dr. Howard Gardner of Harvard University describes specific areas of human intelligence. 

Dr. Gardner urges educators (those in schools and those in the home) to pay close attention to, and regularly invest in nurturing these areas in the children they are responsible for:

•    Linguistic Intelligence–spoken & written language
•    Logical-Mathematical Intelligence–analysis, logic, computation, calculation, scientific investigation,
      problem-solving
•    Musical Intelligence–perform, compose, appreciate musical patterns
•    Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence–use body to solve problems
•    Spatial Intelligence–recognize & use patterns
•    Interpersonal Intelligence–understand intentions, motivations, desires of other people
•    Intrapersonal Intelligence–understand & appreciate oneself

                                                                                                       
Photo:  AP/Akira Suemori

Additional intelligences noted by Howard Gardner are:

-    Naturalist Intelligence –recognize, categorize, and
     draw upon features of the environment
-    Spiritual Intelligence –spiritual or religious matters
-    Existential Intelligence – “ultimate issues”
-    Moral Intelligence –rules, behaviors, attitudes

Studies conducted by Dr. Gardner, Dartmouth College, The Baylor College of Medicine, etc; remind caregivers about the important role adults play in helping children “use their developing brains wisely”  to make good decisions and use appropriate  judgment.

Children can’t do this with consistency on their own until they are about 25 years  old, so they need helpful and mentoring adults to guide them to make good decisions and avoid risky behaviors.

Photo: AP/Business Wire



Sharon M. Biggs, M.A.
Co-Chair & President

Lifeline Foundation, Inc.
E-mail: sharonbiggs@mylifelinefoundation.org
Weblog: http://lifelineextensions.blogspot.com/
Website: www.mylifelinefoundation.org

Mailing Address for all tax-deductible donations:
301 N. Harrison Street
Suite 35
Princeton, NJ 08540
877.570.1237

"Children are the globe's most precious commodity." (Terence H. Biggs, Jr., 2009)

Children laugh a lot every day even if no one is telling a joke

                                                       Photo: AP/Matt Sayles

Studies focused on children and laughter reveal that many children laugh an average of 300 to 400 times a day, particularly when they are getting their needs met; and feeling joyful and happy.


Adults, on the other hand, are reported to laugh an average of 15 times per day; with a noticeable increase during positive social interactions that invite or encourage laughter.

Children are said to laugh as much as they do primarily during play, regardless of whether or not someone has told a joke or said something funny.      
                                                                                                                                                                                             These frequent “body laughs” as they're called, are released without filtering through a child's brain.

When children laugh there is an automatic release of endorphins, or natural pain killers, in the body. The endorphins released in the body can naturally help fight illness, disease, and depression.

Adults on average do not release "body laughs" with great frequency throughout the day; and adult laughter is reported to process through the intellectual filter of the brain before being released.

Photo: AP/Mikhail Metzel

A child’s laughter can make the earth stand still momentarily to enjoy the sound.   “Children’s laughter is the magic of the world.”™ (T. Biggs, Jr.)

Laughter Therapy and Laughter Yoga are being used by some parents to help guide their sick children to health and wellness.

Although most children reportedly don’t need any provocation in order to laugh, adult educators and caregivers are encouraged to create ongoing opportunities for children to enjoy their average 300 to 400 laughs per day.

Laughter may be one area where children take on the role of teacher and mentor to the adults who educate and care for them.








Sharon M. Biggs, M.A.
Co-Chair & President

Lifeline Foundation, Inc.
E-mail: sharonbiggs@mylifelinefoundation.org
Weblog: http://lifelineextensions.blogspot.com/
Website: http://www.mylifelinefoundation.org/


Mailing Address for all tax-deductible donations:
301 N. Harrison Street
Suite 35
Princeton, NJ 08540
877.570.1237

"Children are the globe's most precious commodity." (Terence H. Biggs, Jr., 2009)

Reading and writing readiness ideas for parents to use at home

                                                      

Some parents teach their children to read and write even before the children enter Pre-School or Kindergarten.

Pre-School and Kindergarten teachers put a lot of focus and time into helping their students become better readers and writers before they enter the first grade; the time when the academics kick in.

Several organizations provide FREE helpful            information or resources to assist parents in developing their children’s reading and writing skills at home.


In addition to obtaining any of the available free information or resources, parents are encouraged to:

• Expose your child to books at an early age – let your child handle and hold the books

• Let your child see you having fun reading and writing – this will help him or her copy the same behavior

• Teach and practice the alphabet – alphabet sounds and letters first -- then, practice writing the letters

• Read at home with your child each day, spending time talking about what’s happening in the story  
   illustrations

• After reading a story, you and your child can draw illustrations or write a few sentences about your favorite
   part of the story

• Teach and practice writing your child’s name and other sight words

• Make visits to the library together often – some days stay there to read and write, and other days check
   books out and enjoy them at home – get library cards for you and your child


Helping New Jersey children increase literacy skills during the early years usually makes it easier for them to excel and succeed in middle school, high school, college, and in the workplace.

Sharon M. Biggs, M.A.

Co-Chair & President

Lifeline Foundation, Inc.

E-mail: sharonbiggs@mylifelinefoundation.org

Weblog: http://lifelineextensions.blogspot.com/

Website: http://www.mylifelinefoundation.org/

Mailing Address for all tax-deductible donations:

301 N. Harrison Street

Suite 35

Princeton, NJ 08540

877.570.1237

"Children are the globe's most precious commodity." (Terence H. Biggs, Jr., 2009)

Back-to-School Night: curriculum or conferences?

Shopping for new school clothes and supplies and the first day of school are important events, however; Back-to-School Night in New Jersey schools is one of the most important events of the school year.

The events are scheduled anywhere from early September through late October, depending on other events placed on a district calendar. Back-to-School Night is the time when general information about curriculum, teaching practices/styles, assessment practices, and general classroom expectations can be highlighted and shared by teachers. It’s also the time when parents can ask open-forum, general questions about these same things.

Usually, parents are asked not to bring children to Back-to-School Night – this is an adult discussion evening.

Tremendous planning and coordination goes into scheduling Back-to-School Night. Administrators and support staff coordinate and organize the tightly-packed schedule/agenda and the logistics for the evening. Teachers plan classroom presentations and sometimes activities for their students’ parents.

Many teachers provide handouts for the parents to take home to review with their children, and teacher contact information is also shared so parents may discuss individual student concerns with the teacher at a later date.

Parents are asked not to engage teachers in specific conference-like conversations during Back-to-School Night – the forum is too open to have this kind of private discussion about a student. Parents with school-wide issues of concern are asked to be directed to the administrator to have a discussion.

Teachers are asked by administrators to focus on giving the parents a general overview about classroom work, procedures, and expectations.

Back-to-School Night provides the opportunity to build and strengthen overall trust and collaboration between parents, teachers, and administrators. When the event flows successfully and everyone “sticks to the plan,” the tone set for the school year can easily be one of high trust and ongoing collaboration.

New Jersey students benefit from this kind of relationship-building.

Sharon M. Biggs, M.A.

Co-Chair & President

Lifeline Foundation, Inc.

E-mail:    sharonbiggs@mylifelinefoundation.org

Weblog:  http://lifelineextensions.blogspot.com/

Website: http://www.mylifelinefoundation.org/

Mailing Address for all tax-deductible donations:

301 N. Harrison Street

Suite 35

Princeton, NJ 08540

877.570.1237

"Children are the globe's most precious commodity." (Terence H. Biggs, Jr., 2009)

Easy 30-minute healthy dinner choice for the busy school year

3-S Healthy 30-minute Busy School Year Dinner ~ 2009

 

"I'm late.  I'm late.  For a very important date.  No time to say Hello. Goodbye.  I'm late, I'm late,
I'm late."™  (White Rabbit in “Alice in Wonderland” ~ 1951)

Whether parents work inside or outside of the home, a typical school year comes with scheduling challenges and constraints that can make preparing a healthy dinner for the family seem like an impossible task.

This healthy recipe from one busy New Jersey dad, whose work outside of the home includes travel during certain weeks, will satisfy the palette and the pocketbook.  The delicious meal goes well with water, juice, or red wine, and a good appetite!

Bon Appetit!

3-S Healthy 30-Minute Busy School Year Dinner ~
stuffed red pepper, spaghetti & salad

Ingredients:
red bell peppers
fresh basil
fresh garlic
ground black pepper
ground paprika
fresh oregano
olive oil (sautéing and grilling kind)
ground turkey
grated three-cheese mix
Spring Mix salad
fresh baby carrots
fresh onions
fresh tomatoes
whole wheat spaghetti
Cannellini beans
 
Preparation:
•    Cook the whole wheat spaghetti & drain (follow cooking directions on box).  Be ready to re-heat if 

      necessary before eating the meal.
•    Put small amount of olive oil in large frying pan and allow to heat.  Add ground turkey, minced fresh garlic,

      and all other seasonings.  Medium flame until completely brown.
•    Hollow out red peppers and add cooked ground turkey, minced garlic, and grated cheese mix.  Bake in

      oven for about 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
•    Make colorful salad in large bowl using washed Spring Mix, chopped baby carrots, sliced onions, fresh

      tomatoes – this takes about 5 minutes.
•    Simmer Cannellini beans in small pot, then drain juice.
•    Spend the next 10 minutes garnishing the meal and the dinner table with this scrumptious and very healthy

      meal!  Be sure to add fresh basil leaves in the center of the baked peppers to give it an “apple” look, and

      add Cannellini beans around the spaghetti in plates.

Then, add great music in the background, and enjoy your family time together!


Sharon M. Biggs, M.A.
Co-Chair & President

Lifeline Foundation, Inc.
E-mail: sharonbiggs@mylifelinefoundation.org
Weblog: http://lifelineextensions.blogspot.com/
Website: www.mylifelinefoundation.org

Mailing Address for all tax-deductible donations:
301 N. Harrison Street
Suite 35
Princeton, NJ 08540
877.570.1237


"Children are the globe's most precious commodity." (Terence H. Biggs, Jr., 2009)

The Candle vs. the Torch

"Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations." ~ George Bernard Shaw

If you are living your life holding a candle, you need to put it down and pick up the torch that has your name on it.

Once you pick up the torch, things will become much clearer to you and you will be able to begin to live your life and fulfill your purpose to the fullest.

Remember, you will only be holding the torch but for a moment before the time comes for you to hand it over to the next generation of "torch bearers.”

Children are the next generation of "torch bearers” in the 21st Century and some of them are in dire need of your HELP and my HELP.

Please join our foundation in helping so that our kids will all be ready to move forward successfully when their individual torches are passed on to them.

Visit http://www.mylifelinefoundation.org/ today to learn more about one easy way you can help.  You can also click one of the children’s book links right on this page to provide quick assistance to a group of children in need.

Together we can help our future “torch bearers"access what they will need to succeed and excel in life.

"Children are the globe's most precious commodity." (Terence H. Biggs, Jr., 2009)

Terence Biggs, Jr.

Lifeline Foundation, Inc.

Co-Chair & CEO

info@mylifelinefoundation.org

Terence H. Biggs, Jr. has a degree in Managerial Accounting, and worked on Wall Street as a managerial accountant for many years before pursuing his entrepreneurial dream to own his own business.  Terence’s thriving retail men’s clothing and tuxedo business was at its peak when he decided to retire from the world of self-employment to begin a third career.  He is currently a Marketing & Sales executive with the primary east coast tuxedo wholesaler, where he is now in the position to guide and mentor other small business owners to achieve the same level of excellence and success he achieved in his business.  In addition, Terence recently founded Marketplace Dynamics, LLC; a marketing firm that specializes in the formalwear industry.  Terence is the husband of LifelineExtensions.blog’s author, Sharon, and the couple live in New Jersey with their 15-year old daughter, Danielle.  He also serves as Lifeline Foundation, Inc.'s Co-Chair & CEO.

http://www.mylfelinefoundation.org/

http://lifelineextensions.blogspot.com/

MAIL ALL TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS DIRECTLY TO:

Lifeline Foundation, Inc.

301 N. Harrison Street

Suite 35

Princeton, NJ 08540

Improving The Community & Your College Resume ~ A Teen Girl's Perspective

                           Danielle M. Biggs ~ 2009



Community Service image from the Iola Chamber of Commerce Website, '09.

As soon as freshman year begins in high school, parents, teachers, and administrators tell all students to not only work hard in school, but to help out and volunteer around the community, as well.

We learn that colleges look not only at grades, GPAs, and student behavior; but Admissions Officers also pay attention to our community service logs. 

Even though some states do not have a high school graduation requirement for community service or volunteer hours, the experiences will teach you so much and last a lifetime.

A student who does extremely well in school, but does no community service may have a harder time getting accepted into certain colleges than a student who got both good grades and participated in a variety of community service activities.

Students are involved in some form of community service nonchalantly almost every day.  Things such as helping others with homework, or helping out a younger sports team; and babysitting are all acceptable community service work.

By creating a Community Service Log, we can log in times and dates so that when colleges ask about our Community Service History we can just hand over our log along with our college resume.

Although some students tend to think that community service and volunteer work is complicated and confusing, it’s actually pretty easy once you get started.  You just have to get involved and look for places to volunteer.

Not only will you have a great and fun time; but, you will learn new life lessons, leadership skills, and you will be one step closer to becoming a well-rounded and magnificent young adult.

With that, I'd like to personally invite all high school and middle school students to join me in a great Community Service Project! 

Lifeline Foundation, Inc. is coordinating a 2009 Book Collection & Donation Drive between September 1 through October 30, 2009; and I'm working with the Activities Advisor at my high school to promote and run a Book Drive at my high school to help the 501 (c) (3) non-profit charitable organization collect 1,000 new or used children's storybooks and chapter books to donate to a needy school in The Republic of Panama. 

The books will help Lifeline Foundation, Inc. establish the first Clifford & Ivy Greaves Library in a poor community in Panama.  Right now, the students at the needy school in Panama are taught only in Spanish. 

Our community service volunteer work on this project will help the kids at La Escuela Farallon become readers and writers of English so that they have a lot of opportunities after they graduate from high school and college like we do in the United States.

***Please e-mail me at info@mylifelinefoundation.org by September 15th if you would like to promote and run a Book Drive at your high school or middle school.  We'd love to have you join us, and you'll receive Community Service Volunteer Hours to be added to your log! 

(Lifeline Foundation, Inc. will provide all volunteers with a letter on their letterhead to confirm the number of community service hours completed.)

-Danielle-

"It's not where you came from, it's where you're going that counts."  (Ella Fitzgerald)

Danielle M. Biggs

High School Student & Community Service Volunteer

Lifeline Foundation, Inc. ~ Trustee, Administrative Assistant

Lifeline Foundation, Inc.

E-mail: info@mylifelinefoundation.org
Weblog: http://lifelineextensions.blogspot.com/
Website: http://www.mylifelinefoundation.org/


Mailing Address for all tax-deductible donations:
301 N. Harrison Street
Suite 35
Princeton, NJ 08540
877.570.1237

"Children are the globe's most precious commodity." (Terence H. Biggs, Jr., 2009)

Happy Labor Day ~ September 2009

Although different school districts around the United States start the new school year at different times from anywhere between the end of August through early September; Labor Day generally signifies the end of a summer, and the start of another hectic and busy school year.

Labor Day, however, means different things to different people in the U.S.

To many the day means a day off of work and school. To some it means the final family barbecue or party of the summer. Others may spend the day participating in festive parades or festivals. And, you'll find some people in malls and stores catching last-minute Back-to-School sales.

Labor Day began in Canada as what was called the "Nine-Hour Movement" in the 1870s. Labor disputes triggered this movement in Canada, with the outcome being the development of the Trade Union Act; which legalized union activity.

Once the Trade Union Act was put into effect, annual Canadian parades to honor and recognize the legalization of union activity started taking place.

When the American labor leader, Peter J. McGuire, saw one of the parades in Toronto, Canada in 1872; he brought the idea back to New York and organized the first "Labor Day" in America on September 5, 1872. The celebration then became an annual event in all of America.

LifelineExtensions.blog wishes all of its readers a happy, healthy, enjoyable, and safe Labor Day 2009. Have fun with your family & friends on this last official day of the summer!

SPECIAL NOTE about LifelineExtensions.blog's Publication Schedule During the School Year:

LifelineExtensions.blog will begin its new publication schedule this week (9/7 - 9/11), with blog posts being published on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays of each week. We will continue to feature articles written by guest writers.

***LIFELINE FOUNDATION, INC.'S 2009 BOOK COLLECTION & DONATION DRIVE:

***We thank all who have begun to support Lifeline Foundation, Inc.'s 2009 Book Collection & Donation Drive to collect 1,000 children's storybooks & chapter books to donate to a needy school in The Republic of Panama!

***Keep those book donations of new and/or used books coming in between September through October 30, 2009! (Mail them to our Princeton address -- see below.)

***Remember to use the "Book Wish List" links right on this weblog to help you make book donation choices!

***If making your tax-deductible donation by check, all checks should be made payable to "Lifeline Foundation, Inc."

***SHIPMENT (from Central NJ to Panama) of the book donation collections will be scheduled for early November 2009.

As a reminder, the collected books will be part of the first Clifford & Ivy Greaves Library that Lifeline Foundation, Inc. will establish in a poor community in The Republic of Panama.

THANK YOU for your continued support!

Sharon M. Biggs, M.A.

Co-Chair & President

Lifeline Foundation, Inc.

301 North Harrison Street

Suite 35

Princeton, NJ 08540-3512

877.570.1237

http://www.mylifelinefoundation.org/

info@mylifelinefoundation.org

"Children are the globe's most precious commodity." (Terence H. Biggs, Jr., 2009)

That SAHM I am! Back-to-School Sept. 2009...

Title: Professional SAHM (or SAHD)

Key Accomplishments: Provide senior leadership in the collaborative and coordinated logistics; public relations; activities; security; medical treatment; meal preparation; facility improvements, upgrades, and maintenance; budget development and administration; scheduling; goal-setting; daily instruction, and other varied functions as the need arises for the husband (or wife) and children I am happily responsible for.

Stay-At-Home-Moms (SAHMs) and Stay-at-Home-Dads (SAHDs) have no gaps in their work experience…

Back to School

I think many parents might find back-to-school a bittersweet time of year.

There's the hustle and bustle of back-to-school shopping the weeks before that anticipated first day; there's (as some of my friends have shared) looking forward to the summertime sibling rivalry ceasing, even if only for a few hours a day; the children's excitement as they meet new friends and teachers, and the list goes on.

For us, school starts this coming week for our 5 year old entering Kindergarten (I think I'm more nervous than she is), and next week for our 3 year old who starts nursery school on a part-time basis each week.

Part of my back-to-school excitement has included potty training my 3 year old, who, until this week, has had no interest whatsoever in using the potty.

She would all but throw a temper tantrum when I would cheerfully say:
"C'mon! Let's go use the potty!!!"

Thankfully this week she's used the potty successfully three times in one day!

Just as I was thinking about what to write for this week's blog, I got an e-mail from my cousin. Normally I don’t read those “Fwd” e-mails, and I certainly don’t forward them; but this one seems to be so appropriate for this transitional and busy time of year.

So here goes…

Mayonnaise Jar & Two Sodas...©

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 golf balls.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.

When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar.

He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two sodas from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

“Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided; “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.”

"The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full."

"The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car."

"The sand is everything else---the small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.”

"The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you."

'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Spend time with your children.
Spend time with your parents.
Visit with grandparents.

Take time to get medical checkups.

Take your spouse out to dinner.

Play another 18.'

"There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities.The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired about what the sodas represented.

The professor smiled and said, “I'm glad you asked.”

“The sodas just show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of sodas with a friend.”

Stephanie Evans
Professional SAHM


Stephanie Evans and her husband, Bill, live in New Jersey with their three daughters who are ages five, three, and one. Stephanie has a B.S. degree in Music Education and taught Music for 11 years in the public school system. She loves children and enjoyed being a teacher, but she loves being a SAHM even more!

What DO Today’s TEENS Want From Us?!

As a middle-aged Baby Boomer I can vividly recall great memories from my high school teenage days. Those were the days when my peers and I thought we had discovered the answers to all of life’s profound and critical issues, and we didn’t quite grasp why the adults around us didn’t seem to have a clue about even simple things.
Simple things like, what it was that we teens wanted, needed, and expected from them…
I can remember the big question mark looks teens “back in the day” would get from our adult caregivers – those from both inside and outside of the home.
You know, that look of “what do today’s teens want from us?!”
And, the look we’d usually reciprocate was one of respectful annoyance; as we wondered why they couldn’t tell from our selective verbal cues, ongoing nonverbal cues, and daily mood swings…
Teens wondered and talked openly with each other (usually not with the adults) about what we wanted and expected from adults. We just could not comprehend why the adults around us couldn’t and didn’t just KNOW what these things were.
A whole e-generation later, identical age-appropriate questions continue to reverberate in the atmosphere.
Baby Boomer parents and Silent Generation grandparents may sometimes look at our teens in sheer wonderment and complete confusion when we can’t easily figure them out.
And, our digital-native teens will sometimes look back at us with a very familiar respectful annoyance; wondering why their adult caregivers both inside and outside of the home can’t and don’t just KNOW what they want, need, and expect from us at any time, on any given day, and depending upon what mood they (teens) are in.

Balance.

Knowing how to balance just what our teens want from us on any given day and at any given moment requires a lot of listening, watching, observing, questioning, a terrific sense of humor; and maybe even a bit of “blood, sweat, and tears” at times.
The kind of questioning teens seem to want from us can’t resemble nagging in any way, shape, or form. Instead, it’s the kind that speaks to our teen’s transition from children and transition into adulthood – all at the same time. Some of the questioning needs to be done via the Internet in an e-mail or an instant message, even if both you and the teen are in the same space at the time.
We also need a keen sense of humor, which will need to be activated every time the teen provides an answer to one of our targeted and teen-appropriate questions.
Since teens speak so loudly to us through their nonverbal actions, we have to be able to “speak mime” as we watch and observe their actions if we really want to get to understand them.
Adults also have to be excellent at conducting parental espionage operations.
The kind that allows us to respectfully listen in on a group of teenage friends having a summer swim party at one of their homes a few days before the new school year begins. And, where adults only occasionally surface to either provide transportation or more food; or to take a group photo to be posted on a social network site the teens regularly use to communicate with each other.
Also, the kind of espionage that uses a cell phone to text message something to that teen hosting the summer party; despite the fact that the parent is inside the house, and the teenage group is just several yards away enjoying their fun time together.
Frankly, the adults in the lives of today’s teens can in fact figure out what our teens want and need from us once we “virtually” learn to e-speak their e-language and their frequently mimed behaviors.
This ability to e-communicate in the e-world with today's digital native teens is of the utmost importance for a number of reasons, including the fact that they are not only our future leaders; they are also our future senior care providers.

You know when you’ve come up with the right e-communication formula when instead of you busting in on your teen’s harmless summer swim party to check out what’s going on; your teen comes into the house every so often to check on you…and, to invite you out to the party area for a brief time of enjoyment.
And, when all of the party guests have gone home, that same teen gives you a bear hug and says something like: "Hey, Mom...let's hang out for a while in the backyard before we clean up."

Sharon M. Biggs, M.A.
Co-Chair & President
Lifeline Foundation, Inc.

"Children are the globe's most precious commodity." (Terence H. Biggs, Jr., 2009)

Contact Information & Mailing Address –
Lifeline Foundation, Inc.
301 North Harrison Street

Suite 35
Princeton, New Jersey 08540
877.570.1237


***Please make all Book Donation Drive checks payable to: Lifeline Foundation, Inc.
***See children's book ideas advertised on this weblog***



Website: http://www.mylifelinefoundation.org/
Weblog: http://lifelineextensions.blogspot.com/
E-mail: info@MyLifelineFoundation.org



Please direct all inquiries or charitable donations to ~

Lifeline Foundation Inc.'s President:
Sharon M. Biggs, M.A.
SharonBiggs@MyLifelineFoundation.org

Don’t Shut Down ~ Re-Start & Re-Boot So You Can Network...

With all of the options made available for anyone and everyone to effectively and consistently network, there is no longer a good excuse for us to not be able to make quick connections and contacts with individuals, groups, and organizations we need to reach out to.

We can also access information and other kinds of data at a very rapid speed, which is just the way many people living and functioning in the 21st Century like it.

Although snail mail, faxes, and handwritten notes are still used and even recommended in some cases; networks on the World Wide Web (which is accessed through the Internet) have most certainly become the order of the day during modern times.
Between work, school, community service volunteer or charitable activities, family gatherings and vacations, extra-curricular activities, appointments, and other “schedule grabbers;” many citizens around the globe have come to rely heavily on the Internet to help out with our sometimes over-scheduled lives.

But, as rushed and busy as a good number of folks are; we still have to remain diligent about and cognizant of the fact that the Internet will do for us only as much as we allow it to.

In other words, the time we spend getting to understand and practice the tremendous magnitude of just some of the perhaps millions or billions of things the World Wide Web (a.k.a. the Internet) can really do; will help determine just how effective our individual networking and computer skills can be nurtured to become.

And, just how effective those networking and computer skills become will generally drive how effectively and quickly we are empowered to affect real and targeted change of some kind – all the while keeping in mind the “real-time” fact that Internet changes and upgrades seem to be occurring every day, if not every minute.

It’s no wonder that the more Internet knowledge someone acquires, the more the person may begin to feel like “the hamster on the wheel,” which eventually becomes tired and shuts down from running.

This experience alone causes some Internet networkers to “shut down” or quit the race, while others may feel somewhat “hyper-motivated” to remain “hyper-linked” to the Net; perhaps even spending time to “browse around” to find out what led to the “near shutdown.”
However, all who are fervent Internet users eventually have to slow down long enough to admit that there will always be a fast-moving learning curve during our acquisition of “e-knowledge.”
Thankfully, once this very brief downtime has ended and we speed back up to catch up with the needs of our committed schedules; the faithful Internet awaits us with embracing “world-wide-web-arms” to pull us back into portions of its capability we may already have mastered.

Also awaiting us is undoubtedly another good heap of new learning for us to run after, access, acquire, and become “e-exhausted” by.
That is, before the next brief downtime kicks in and the cycle re-starts.

Sharon M. Biggs, M.A.
Co-Chair & President
Lifeline Foundation, Inc.

"Children are the globe's most precious commodity." (Terence H. Biggs, Jr., 2009)

Contact Information & Mailing Address –
Lifeline Foundation, Inc.
301 North Harrison Street

Suite 35

Princeton, New Jersey 08540

Website: http://www.mylifelinefoundation.org/

E-mail: info@MyLifelineFoundation.org
Weblog: http://lifelineextensions.blogspot.com/


Please direct all inquiries or charitable donations to ~

Lifeline Foundation Inc.'s President:
Sharon M. Biggs, M.A.
SharonBiggs@MyLifelineFoundation.org