An eighth grader in New Haven Connecticut was suspended for buying a bag of Skittles. In addition Michael Sheridan, an honors student, was removed as class vice president.

Why?

Apparently he violated a school “wellness” policy banning sales of junk food and fundraisers such as bake sales. (original article at the New Haven register)

So what’s the deal? Is buying candy an offense worthy of such severe punishment. Once again, I think making an example of Michael is misguided justice.

What is the purpose of the “no candy” rule? What is the school district hoping to accomplish? If they are encouraging healthy eating habits then why don’t they police lunches and snacks brought from home? Apparently it is ok to bring candy from home and even share it  - as long as no money changes hands.

It is obvious that the school district is discouraging sales, they don’t want money changing hands at school. I can understand this. School is about learning not shopping. If students are selling things on school property then that opens a whole new set of issues.

So shouldn’t the policy be a straightforward - No Sales or Fundraisers in school period. Why hide behind a confusing “wellness” policy. Kids are kids after all and Skittles are not an illegal substance. As a parent, this is the type of policy that I fear the most. Most kids know what is right and wrong - and Skittles or candy is generally not a “wrong”.

To have a child’s future marred because they bought candy makes the school district look silly. It is high time to revamp the “wellness” policy.

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Randa Clay at Free Stuff 4 Kids writes about an Online Tetris Map Game called Statetris.

It is is similar to Tetris in that state shaped blocks fall from the top of the screen and you have to move your arrow keys to postition the state so that it will land in its correct position. There are 3 levels - easy, medium, and hard. Not only can you play the game using the US map but choices include other countries and the State of South Carolina as well.

This is one computer game that you will encourage your children to play!

As children everywhere prepare for a new school year, a new controversy is brewing. According to USA Today, several states have or are proposing to require that school should start after Labor Day. This is in response to pressure from the Tourism industry and from parents that would like to plan vacations in August.

However, school boards across the nation want the authority to determine the start date on an individual basis. With standardized tests on the horizon, schools need to scramble to make sure that students are prepared. Teachers also want to squeeze in as much learning as possible before the winter holidays.

Today is the first day of school in our school district - the Wednesday before Labor Day. For me this is perfect. It takes children a few days to get settled into their classrooms and their new routines so I look at this 3 day week as an adjustment period. When the children return to school next week (after Labor Day), they will already know what to expect and be ready to learn.

When do/did your kids go back to school? Are you satisfied with the start date?

Every summer, I always plan to really work with the kids on academic areas that they had trouble with the previous year. Maybe get some workbooks, do a few flashcards - just so they don’t get too “rusty”.

And every summer usually flies by without much academic work happening. Some would argue (my children being the most vocal) that that is how it should be.

But now with school just around the corner, I pulled out those trusty old flash cards, and was very surprised at how much “rust” could arise in a few short months.

To get the kids back on track, I found some great workbooks filled with math drills. Math Speed Tests, Grades 1-3 and Math Speed Tests, Grades 3-6 provide pages of drills on math facts. Each page only takes a few minutes, so the kids don’t mind too much. I time them and each day they try to beat their previous time. These are also good resources to use as the school year gets under way.

What are you doing during these last, lazy days of summer?

We are trying not to have much of a schedule. But between back to school physicals, eye doctor visits (my second son needs glasses - as determined in the back to school physical), dentist appointments, and the like, we are still pretty busy!

I don’t think my oldest child watched TV until he was two years old. As a fanatic new parent, I wanted to stimulate his mind every minute of every day and was wary of the evils of the “tube”. All that changed when baby #2 came along.

Now #4 is three years old and I NEED her to watch TV - at least a little bit. How else will I get everything done?

However I don’t feel as guilty leaving her with the “electronic babysitter” if she is watching something educational. I have discovered two wonderful DVD’s from LeapFrog that she loves to watch. One is the Letter Factory and the other is the Talking Words Factory.

To my amazement she can now recognize all of the letters in the alphabet and she knows the sounds that they make! I think she is a genius but LeapFrog may have had something to do with that.

So when she comes running to ask me if she can watch the Letter Factory for the third time I say OK with a clear conscience.