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Academic Success Partner of the Month
This month we highlight Sandra Dupont, a licensed family/teen counselor who specializes in parent coaching and therapy for adolescents and their families. Sandra has a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology with over a decade's experience in helping teens solidify their sense of self and negotiate the path toward adulthood. She adopts many strategies in bridging the gap that can emerge between parents and their kids, focusing on building communication, resolving past issues and helping teens to cope with the pressures in ther lives. Sandra is also an accomplished writer, having written a teen coaching book in addition to being a contribuuting editor for a teen magazine directed toward at-risk youth. For more info, email Sandra, call (310) 951-5678 or visit her website.
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Looking for a Student Community Service Opportunity?
 Meet Rickey Smith, social entrepreneur and owner of the sustainable food business Urban Green. He's started a community education venture called the Urban Green Kids Row program, creating opportunities for kids from diverse backgrounds to participate in many activities related to food sustainability, from planting seeds to learning about how organic food is grown and harvested. For more info on a terrific community service and volunteering opportunity for kids, email Rickey, visit the website at www.urbangreenla.com
or call (800) 200 3320.
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Check out Our YouTube Video!
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How Academic Success Can Support You
At Academic Success we take great pride in finding the right coach to support the unique needs of each student we help. Please check out the areas where we work on our web site and let us know how we can support you.
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 | | Looking for a College Counselor or Ed Therapist? | We work and partner with excellent Educational Therapists and College Counselors throughout the L.A. area. Give us a call and we can recommend the right fit for your child.
310-823-4398 |
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Greetings for the Fall!
Although some students attain high levels of physical  fitness through heavy involvement in school sports programs, a more holistic approach to health and physical/mental wellbeing can be of great benefit to our kids' academic and personal lives.
The return to full-time school life after summer break can be a shock to the system for many students. A by-product of this adjustment can often be high levels of stress which can impede work flow.
The facts are clear: most students are not exercising or sleeping enough and are over-consuming sugary drinks that negatively effect energy levels.
In this month's issue, we'll take a look at the health-and-wellness terrain for our kids. We'll offer exciting ideas for parents to take to their local school boards in addition to providing tips which may prove transformational in our students' daily lives.
At Academic Success, we're focused on building healthy, solid foundations that will support our students in their quest to attain their goals.
Please call with any questions at (310) 823 4398 or
All the best,
Jamie
"What is called genius is the abundance of life and health."
- Henry David Thoreau
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It All Begins With Sleep
No matter how good a student's intentions may be during  their waking hours, we now know that lack of sleep can be a debilitating factor in students' academic performance. Dr.Michael Breus, better known as "The Sleep Doctor", has some strategies for improving the quality of your child's rest. Yoga In The Classroom  As school physical education budgets tighten, one alternative that some schools are exploring is basic yoga instruction. Whether it be in the classroom, led by teachers with yoga accreditation or in affordable community-based classes, students and parents are beginning to discover the advantages a yoga practice may provide in relieving stress and focusing the mind. Spiced-Up School Lunches  One of the most effective antidotes to poor eating habits during school time is to equip our kids with fantastic school lunches. This Today Show video report offers some tantalizing ideas for our kids' daily diets. The White House Weighs In  In Part II of our school lunch exploration, we hear from the White House's assistant chef and senior policy advisor on healthy food initiatives, Sam Kass. And he's got something to tell us: research shows that students who eat healthy, nutritious food do better than those who don't.
Health & Wellness At The Forefront In what may be a sign of things to come south of the  border, a Toronto public school has chosen to become one of two 'Health & Wellness Academies' that have been created by its school district board. The new focus will be on healthy living, physical activity and social and emotional wellness as the basis for academic achievement. |
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A S.M.A.R.T Goal For Wellness
Amidst the pressure of a gruelling  academic program, heavy involvement in school activities and maintaining social ties with fellow students, it can be difficult finding the time for inner health and wellbeing.
This is where creating a SMART goal for wellness can be hugely beneficial, helping students to make clear, effective choices within a crowded schedule.
The first element is to be Specific. Students (and parents) can decide exactly what area of health needs improvement - sleep/rest, fitness, diet, meditation, etc.
Next is that the goal must be Measurable. That may mean a certain amount of hours rest, weight lost, meditations done, fresh meals replacing fast food.
The A stands for Attainable: The student must believe that they can reach their goal, otherwise it will be difficult to stick with it.
Alongside that is the R, meaning Relevant. Half of the battle is being selective in what results students are seeking when planning their goal.
And finally, their goal must have a Time Element: The student needs to have a particular date in mind on which their goal must be attained. This will enable them to have a clear target to work towards.
Setting this kind of goal for health and wellness will not only make kids feel better, it can be great practice for improving every area of their lives.
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Meet John Boonin,
Coach Profile of The Month
 Born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, John started acting in plays at an early age, performing in dozens of community theatre productions throughout his adolescence. Upon graduation from high school, John obtained a BFA from the prestigious New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. John then moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as an actor; it was at this point that he discovered his passion for tutoring. John uses many of the skills he gained in acting school in his approach to tutoring. One of the keys to effective coaching is the ability to listen and to adapt to new and evolving situations. Communication is paramount, and he gets to know each of his students well in order to better cater his approach to their individual needs. Executive functioning skills like organization and time-management are among his specialties. In his spare time, John enjoys traveling, listening to live music and playing basketball. He is delighted to be working with Academic Success.
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We consider it a privilege and an honor to support students and their families throughout the Los Angeles area. Please call us at any time; we welcome your thoughts and input. We are available at 310-823-4398.
Sincerely,
Jamie Altshule
Academic Success, Inc.
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