If you judge the experience of being a “band geek” by pop culture references in movies and television it can seem like a generally unpleasant experience, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Being part of band culture is a richly rewarding experience that your student will always treasure. Cultivating music appreciation begins at an early age and can stay with your child for the rest of their life.

There are many reasons why parents would choose a private education over a public one. In many cases, the feeling that their child’s education is of the utmost importance to their school can be the driving force behind this decision.

The term “self-advocacy” simply means that a person is able to speak up for themselves and articulate their needs. Parents of children with special needs are likely familiar with the importance of their child being able to self-advocate, but it’s a skill every child should learn regardless of whether or not they have special needs.

Outside of school, most fourth graders are consumed with various activities such as sports, playing with friends or the latest video games. Most aren't thinking about raising money to purchase a cow for an impoverished village someplace in the world. This is exactly the thing that is on the minds of Mrs. Ruston and Mrs. Kaidor's fourth grade classes at St. Barnabas Episcopal School in DeLand, Florida. The class members are soliciting anyone and everyone to sponsor their reading program to help raise money to purchase a cow for an impoverished village through the organization Heifer International. Class members have sought out sponsors that will pledge money to the cause based upon an agreed amount per page read. The class read over 6,000 pages!

A common thread in arts education across the country is the constant de-funding of these programs in public schools. Programs are cut entirely or receive so little funding that it’s difficult for them to function, which is indicative of the priorities of local school boards considering that standardized testing is always fully funded. People say that arts education can be the highlight of a child’s school years by giving them skills and experiences they will always treasure, but what are these skills exactly?

1. Have a visual goal

With anything big that you want to accomplish in life, saving money requires having a goal. How can your child get where he/she wants to go without a finish line?

This will most likely be the easiest part of saving for your child. They want things all the time! The tough part will be narrowing their focus down to one thing. Also as a parent, it can be easy to just step in and buy something so you don’t have to listen to the complaining. However, this won’t help your child learn the value of saving and buying something on their own.