Happy Halloween!

From all of us at the Flemington and Clinton Sylvans, we would like to wish all of the little monsters a delightful Halloween haunting!

It's almost time for the First Report Card of the Year!

The first report card of the year can create feelings of pride, happiness and excitement for many parents. It can also produce feelings of anxiety and frustration for those who are surprised by their child’s grades. However, effective and continuous communication among teachers, parents and students can help minimize the “report card surprise.”

Report cards are part of every child’s academic experience, and don’t need to be a surprise to parents. If a parent is surprised by a “poor” report card, it often means that they haven’t been effectively communicating with their child or their child’s teacher throughout the school year. Maintaining open and continuous lines of communication with children and teachers throughout the school year, and not just when report cards are issued, will help parents stay informed about their child’s progress and help them avoid the report card surprise.

Students who are surprised by their own report cards also need to improve their communication and organization patterns. A student who surprisingly receives a “D” or a failing grade on his report card learns the hard way that he needs to regularly talk with his teachers and stay on top of school work, homework and test results. Students should never be surprised by their report card grades.

Organization is an essential part of a student’s education. By tracking test scores and all other assignments throughout the year and speaking regularly with teachers and parents, students are prepared for their grades come report card time, and can work to improve their performance prior to report cards.

It shouldn’t take a surprise report card for parents and teachers to communicate effectively. Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels, offers the following advice to help parents maintain clear communications with their children and teachers:

Tips for Talking To Children
• Talk about school every day. Make it a regular part of the family’s routine.
• Don’t wait until report cards are issued to talk about school and grades. Frequently discuss with her how she is doing in each subject and what grade she anticipates receiving.
• Encourage your child to tell you about his day. Find out what he learned and what are his favorite activities.
• Teach your child that education is important to your family.
• Discuss goals and objectives for the school year. This may be a great way to learn about difficulties your child is having in specific subject areas.
• If your child is having trouble in school, talk about a method to help organize her schedule, subjects and activities. A calendar can be a great way to track tests, homework, activities and study plans.
• Talk with your child about his extracurricular activities, such as team sports or after-school jobs. Being overscheduled may affect his grades.
• Set improvement goals for your child. This will help her work towards an attainable grade for each class.
• Talk with your child about his study habits and develop a study plan. Set aside specific time for studying, projects and activities each evening and make sure that he has a properly equipped and well-lit area to work.
• Communicate with your child about her school experiences. Know what she is thinking and feeling. Also, openly talk with her about her worries and concerns as well as her joys and achievements.

Tips for Talking to Teachers
• Develop a parent/teacher relationship with your child’s teacher and talk with this teacher at least once a month throughout the year. Remember that your child’s teacher has direct contact with your child every school day and can offer invaluable insight into your child’s day.
• Your child’s teacher can benefit from background information about him – talk about activities he likes, special needs, close friends, motivation and things going on at home.
• Find out what the teacher’s expectations are for the year and what type of curriculum he or she has set for the students. Have this insight at the start of school and keep track of it throughout the year.
• Talk to the teacher about any major programs or activities that are set for the year. Is there an annual science fair? A field trip schedule? Major papers? Tests?
• Remember – teachers are busy people, too. Find out the easiest way to communicate – by email, phone or in-person. Finding the right communication method will make it easier to speak on a regular basis.

College Competition Means New Stress for Today’s Teens

To compete in today’s global economy, which includes international students attending North American colleges in record numbers, U.S. teenagers must obtain collegiate degrees now more than ever. According to the latest research of the U.S. Department of Education, college enrollment grew 16 percent between 1985 and 1995. Between 1995 and 2005, enrollment increased at a faster rate (23 percent), from 14.3 million to 17.5 million. The number of graduating high school seniors is expected to peak in 2011, with 67% trying to gain admission to an institution of higher learning.

What does this mean for students with college aspirations? Acing the college entrance exam is critical. Most students applying to competitive colleges now take the SAT*/ACT® more than once, and as early as sophomore year.

Our growing global economy has made it necessary for more students to attend college in order to obtain good paying jobs. New tools, such as the common application, encourage students to apply to more schools - which increases the competition. Thus, making it more difficult for students to gain acceptance into the top institutions and colleges that were once seen as “safeties.”

More students and parents today are learning the secret that top colleges have known for years - systematically preparing for the SAT/ACT gives students more confidence and more confidence can lead to higher SAT/ACT scores.

New college admissions rules now allow students to score their best by taking the SAT/ACT as many times as they like, but educators suggest taking the tests no more than two or three times. Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of in-center and live, online tutoring, offers the following advice to ensure students properly prepare for their college entrance exams – Sylvan’s 10 STRESSFREE Steps to Reduce the Stress and Ace The Test!

Studying for the SAT*/ACT® takes weeks, even months,
of review. Don’t try to cram overnight.
Trust yourself. Rely on your instincts. Never leave an
easy question blank.
Read the questions and answers critically.
Easy questions have easy answers.
Stop and check. Every few questions, ensure the
question number on the answer sheet
corresponds with the booklet.
Save time. Make sure you have enough time to
answer as many questions as possible, in order to
rack up as many points as possible.
Focus on what the question is really asking. If you
don’t fully understand the question, finding
the correct answer is going to be tough.
Rushing only hurts you. Keep track of the time
remaining for each section.
Eliminate answers. If you can eliminate at least two
incorrect answers, make an educated guess.
End each section by reviewing. If time permits, revisit
the questions you didn’t answer.

For more information about College Test Stress, please join us on Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 for a FREE Seminar about the SAT/ACT tests as well as financing a college education. Both parents and students are invited to attend this workshop.

When: November 9, 2010
Where: PNC Bank- 301 Walter E. Foran Blvd. Flemington, NJ
RSVP: By November 6 to sylvan4127@verizon.net or sylvan4123@gmail.com

Tips For Effective Parent/Teacher Conferences

Education is a shared responsibility. To help students learn the skills, habits and attitudes needed for lifelong success, teachers need your assistance and input. Working together, you and your child’s educator can ensure your child reaches his full potential this school year. As educators, we know that this communication is vital to seeing this success flourish this school year. This time also gives you the opportunity to develop a relationship with your child's teacher in a positive environment and in an open forum early in the year to address any concerns you may have now. It is better to air them early in the year than to wait until there is an issue later.


To celebrate National Education Association’s (NEA) American Education Week a little early (November 15-19, 2010), the educational experts at your Sylvan Learning are proud to provide resources that assist educators and parents in working together to complement the learning process.

Getting Ready:
• Ask your child if there are topics he or she would like discussed with the teacher.
• Write notes to yourself about your child’s personality, learning difficulties and study habits – aspects that you feel the teacher should know. Take these notes with you to the meeting.

Helpful Questions To Ask At The Meeting:
• What is your classroom homework policy? Is homework graded?
• What are the skills that you expect my child to master this year?
• How do you accommodate for learning styles?
• How can I stay involved in my child’s learning?

During The Conference:
• Be respectful of the teacher’s time and arrive promptly. Also be respectful of other parents. Often schools will have an open door conference night where you simply show up at the time most convenient for you and sign in. Other parents are waiting to have an equal amount of time with the teacher and they want to share equally about their child. If the teacher has a timer in the room, please do not be offended, set up another day and time that is mutually convenient to discuss major concerns.
• Discuss your notes concerning your child’s learning habits.
• Ask your most important questions first – in case time runs out.
• Ask the teacher for specific suggestions on ways to help your child reach his potential. This is the most important part of the meeting.
• Take notes so you can discuss the meeting with your child.
• End the meeting by reiterating the actions that will be taken by the teacher or you.
• If needed, schedule a time to meet again.

After the Conference:
• Begin your action plan and work with your child to make learning fun.
• Stay in contact with the teacher and continue to discuss your child’s progress.

Sylvan Learning would like to ensure EVERY parent in North America understands the importance of supplementing her child’s learning at home
and attending parent/teacher conferences. By working with local families to develop plans to efficiently prepare for educator meetings, parents and educators will see higher grades, fewer homework headaches and more confident students as a result.

Help your child discover a lifelong love of learning. Visit the “Resources for Parents” area on www.SylvanLearning.com or www.Nea.org/parents/parent-guides.html for free family activities.

Helping your Kids Prepare for Tests and School Success

More than three million college admissions tests are administered each year, making the SAT and the ACT two of the most important exams that a high school student will ever take. In order to perform at their best, students should become familiar with the style and types of questions on the tests. In addition, students should boost their reading and vocabulary skills and learn specific process of elimination strategies. Above all, students need to work through as many practice questions
and tests as possible in the weeks and months leading up to the actual exam.

It is essential for high schoolers to willingly choose to make “studying and test taking” major academic goals this year. Here are some simple tips for parents of middle and high school students to help their kids study for tests in school and to achieve success.

• Adolescents and teens look to adults for guidance, even though they’re often reluctant to admit it. So, let them know you’re monitoring their progress, that you’re aware of due dates for major reports and projects, and that you know when report cards are coming out. Be omniscient – or at least let them believe you are.

• Keep track of their homework, their reading assignments, and their preparation for tests. For most kids, you don’t need to look at every page of every assignment, but you do want them to know you’ll be checking in with them every evening at a specific time. This sets deadlines and a routine.

• Set goals for the short term and long term. Keep the pressure low but steady. Determine what rewards would be fair and reasonable.

• Insist, especially on days before major tests, performances, or projects, that your teenager gets plenty of restful sleep. Also, insist that he eats a good breakfast and avoids foods that could lead to grogginess just before a test.

• Regular conversations about school and school activities let students know not only that you’re interested in their daily lives but that you’re up-to-date on projects, tests, and report cards. This avoids anguished comments from you like, “Report cards are tomorrow? Why didn’t you tell me?”

• You went over all the assignments before your children turned them in. Now, go over tests, book reports, projects, and the like after they’ve been graded. Review any mistakes they made, areas where they could have been stronger, and all the red-ink comments the teacher made. Talk about how they can improve next time. We all make mistakes, but only the wisest of us learn from them.

• It’s difficult sometimes, but keep your spirits up. Kids pick up on our moods and emotions, so stay encouraging and supportive. Share stories of times in your life when you’ve made mistakes or errors of judgment and what you’ve learned from those times. Teens want independence, they want to take control of their lives, but they surely need our guidance, perhaps at this time of life more than ever. Be there for them, show them the way, lead them, and give them increasing amounts of independence along the way when they show they’re ready for it. They’ll rise to our expectations.

How to Handle a Poor Report Card

Tips for Helping Your Children When They are Struggling to get Good Grades


It will soon be that time of the school year again – report card time. While many students will come home with good grades, others would rather stuff their report cards deep into their backpacks than show them to their parents. As parents, you want your child to do well in school, so what do you do when your child’s report card isn’t as good as it could be?

Children get frustrated and upset when their report cards show they are doing poorly. Understanding your child’s personal ability and determining if your expectations are too high will allow both you and your child to set appropriate goals for each class before report cards are distributed. It will also help establish an environment in which your child is not apprehensive about sharing his report card with you.

Sylvan Learning Center, would like to offer the following tips for parents on how to deal with a poor report card:

1. Set expectations. Not every child will earn all A’s, but that doesn’t mean your child should strive for less. Talk with your child before the school year starts and explain that you won’t be upset if he doesn’t bring home all A’s -- but that you will be upset if he doesn’t try his hardest and doesn’t ask for help.

2. Communicate with your child. Don’t wait until report cards are issued to talk with your child about school and grades. Talk with her every night and every week about homework. Ask how she is doing in school and what subjects she finds challenging.

3. Discuss your child’s performance with his teacher and/or guidance counselor. Your child’s teacher and/or guidance counselor is the best source for information about your child’s scholastic performance. Your child’s teacher can recommend ways to help your child or point out difficulties he is having. His guidance counselor can provide progress reports between reports cards or help set up additional parent-teacher conferences when necessary.

4. Set goals for improvement with your child. If your child is currently a C student -- then setting a goal of getting all A’s may not be reasonable. However, creating an improvement goal for each subject will help her work toward an attainable level for each class.

5. Establish a personalized study plan with your child. Your child should keep a schedule of all classes, assignments and key dates (e.g., project deadlines, big exams, etc). As part of that schedule, she should include specific time for studying, projects and extracurricular activities. The more comprehensive the schedule, the more efficient your child will be in completing her homework and the better she’ll do in school.

6. Seek outside help. Some children may need additional attention that can’t be provided in school. Speak with your child’s teacher about tutoring or supplemental education providers to help your child work towards better grades in school.

7. Praise your child’s successes. Praise your child for what he is doing well, whether it’s a specific academic subject or an extracurricular activity. If your child is not doing well in English, but loves to read the latest Harry Potter book, show him the connection between the two.


Remember, report card and progress report time does not have to be a stressful time! The first Marking Period is a great benchmark for your child's progress for the rest of the school year. If your child needs help in school, this is the perfect time to start getting help so that they can keep up with the rest of the class rather than slip behind!

Success Begins with the Homework Environment

Sensible Tips for Helping Children With Their Homework



Parents want their children to get good grades in school. Unfortunately, not every parent knows how best to help his or her children meet academic challenges, including completion of homework assignments. So, how do parents maximize their child’s chances for success in school? Start by creating a home environment that is conducive to homework and learning.

Sometimes, parents think helping their child complete their homework, or even doing their child’s homework for him, will help him achieve better grades in school. Often, it’s just the opposite, creating a situation where children have not learned the concepts they are later tested on in the classroom.

A simple way to help your child with homework is by creating an atmosphere that works with your child to efficiently tackle school tasks. Really get to know your child’s homework style and develop a personalized plan for school success.

Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels, offers parents the following tips and advice to develop a homework plan for school success:

1. Set Goals. Help your child set personal and attainable goals for each class and help her identify what will need to be done to reach each goal. For example, to get an A in American History, she will need to turn in all of her homework, participate in class, etc.

2. Know Your Child. Because each child is unique, with different learning styles and academic needs, it is important to personalize the learning process. People learn in at least eight different ways, according to the Multiple Intelligences Theory: visually, verbally, physically, mathematically, musically, naturalistically, through group activity or through quiet thinking time. If you help your child work within his personal style, he will work more effectively.

3. Create a Homework Zone. Set up an area in your home for studying, complete with a dictionary, paper and pens. Make sure the area is free from potential distractions and that study tools are at your child’s fingertips to keep him focused on homework.

4. Develop Class Files. Develop a color-coded file for each of your child’s classes. Make separate tabs for homework assignments, exams and projects, so your child can refer back to class materials when studying for comprehensive tests.

5. Set Weekly Milestones. For big projects or exams, get a large calendar for your child’s homework area and help him set short timelines to ensure projects and studying aren’t left until the night before. Celebrate your child’s success when each milestone is met.

By working with your child to develop a personalized plan to efficiently complete homework tasks, you will find higher grades, fewer homework headaches and a more confident child as a result.