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HOW PRODUCTIVE IS YOUR 
AFTER-SCHOOL ROUTINE?
In This Issue:
How To Make The Right Choice After School
Study Tip: Creating An Effective After-School Routine
Coach of the Month: Henry Johnson
Quick Links

 
Academic Success Partner 
of the Month
This month we're excited to present a brand new Success Partner doing excellent work in the field of College Counseling, Nick Soper. Nick is the founder of Creative College Prep, and while
he works with students of all backgrounds, Nick specializes in guiding creative, artistic, and otherwise "out-of-the-box" sorts of students on the path to college. Nick brings a rich background to his work, drawing upon his experiences as a writer, actor, musician and athlete among many other endeavors. A graduate of Northwestern University's Creative Writing program, Nick trained in UCLA Extension's prestigious college counseling certificate program. He now visits dozens of campuses every year for his work and is an active member of three professional associations. Nick's highest priority is creating an atmosphere of trust that empowers teenagers to show their best, most authentic selves, while holding them accountable so that parents can rest assured every step is being covered along the way. For more information, visit Nick's website or request a free consultation. 
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, 

or call (800) 200 3320.

Check out Our  YouTube Video!
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Academic Success is very proud of the two-minute video we recently produced to give you a feel for who we are, our philosophy and the way we approach our work
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
Welcome To The 2nd 
and Final Part Of Our Daily Routine Series!

openerLast edition, we explored the Up-and-Out challenge and hopefully shed some light on the best ways to prime our kids for their school day. 
This month, we're turning our attention to the other end of the school day... the critical time after school.
In October, millions of kids and parents participated in the Lights On After School event, sponsored by the After School Alliance. With that as a backdrop, we thought it was the perfect time to emphasize the importance of having a productive after-school routine.
Recent data has confirmed what most of us have long suspected: Kids who engage in after-school programs usually improve their grades, stay out of trouble and have a better chance of getting into college.
Whether it's the arts, community service, sports or supplemental academic programs, having a daily after-school routine can make an enormous difference in a child's life.
This month, we'll dive into after-school options for our kids. We'll offer useful information and tips for developing or improving your child's after-school time. Finally, we'll also share opinions from experts who are passionate in their advocacy for after-school care and why it's so essential to the well-being of our kids. 
At Academic Success, we know how important it is for kids to establish a daily framework that nourishes their personal and academic development, in and out of the classroom.

Please call with any questions at (310) 823 4398 or

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All the best,

The Academic Success Team

"The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine."
 
                                                                         - Mike Murdock

Education News 

A World Beyond Sports
 
While after-school sports programs are clearly a force for good in our communities, they may not be the perfect fit for every child. This nuanced, informative piece explores other options for teens and offers advice for parents dealing with restless kids still seeking the right extracurricular activity.

  

How 
To Make The Right Choice

 
With all the choices available to parents and their kids, it's not always easy to know where to start. This helpful article, written by a PhD in Development Psychology features a list of options for parents while also laying out the important logistical factors to consider when choosing an after-school program that works for the whole family.  
 
Science Programs Creating Next Wave of Innovators
 
 

One only has to look at the debate over STEM (Science, Technology, Engineeering and Math) education to know how important the issue is to education officials and the general public. Fortunately, some school districts are leading by example: This new, innovative after-school science program in Tennessee could serve as an inspiring example for the rest of the country. Click here for information on After-School Science programs in the greater Los Angeles area.
After School
Programs Furnish Many Benefits
 
As mentioned in our opener, it's now accepted that After- School programs can make a major difference in a child's academic life. But it's the ancillary benefits to our children that may not be as well-known. This insightful piece details some of the many benefits experienced by kids involved in programs and offers a list of websites to visit for more information.  

Fighting For Our After-School Time

Although After-School programs are hugely popular, their existence in the current economic climate cannot be taken for granted. This passionate, intelligent Washington Post op-ed puts the case front and center that longer school hours may actually be an inferior option for kids, compared with keeping and strengthening our country's after-school networks. 

Study Tips 

Creating An Effective After-School Routine

Whether your kids are involved in stimulating, productive after-school programs or are coming home right after school, the routine they establish once they're through the door has a major impact on the quality of their study time and their state of mind. 
This is why creating an after- school routine that supports their academic goals is critical.
The first crucial moment is immediate: what they do upon arriving home.
Kids who throw off their backpack, flop on the couch and turn on the TV will not only have a hard time getting back to their homework- they also are not relaxing effectively.
Parents can prioritize 30 minutes of "unwinding". A simple posted reminder note might help, such as:
1. Change into comfortable clothes
2. Get something to eat
3. Do two assigned chores
While doing a chore may be the last thing a kid wants to do, it offers them the chance to get it out of the way. Parents can also assign chores that aren't demanding and can be relaxing, such as hanging out washing or sweeping the driveway. 
Having changed, eaten and completed chores, we arrive at what is often the best time to do homework.
Many educators suggest doing homework soon after the school day is over can be easiest for students because the information is still fresh. Having had half an hour to unwind, your child's mind should be clear. 
Although kids may be initially resistant to such a routine, over time they usually embrace it as a way of relaxing and letting go of stress. The secret is to keep refining and experimenting until the formula is just right.

Coach Profile 

 
Meet Henry Johnson,
  Coach Profile of The Month   

This month, we're excited to continue profiling some of the new blood on our coaching team. Allow us to introduce Henry Johnson. Originally from a small town in Illinois, Henry is now a student at Harvard University, where he's halfway through an AB in statistics. Henry already has many years of coaching experience, from kindergarteners all the way through to college students. Henry's philosophy in tutoring has its origins in his own experiences as a student, when he didn't always understand the concepts being taught. As a result, he developed patience and alternative ways of thinking and now helps his own students develop those qualities to discover what works best for them. When not tutoring, Henry enjoys working in comedy, both as a performer and writer. Like most Illinois natives, he's also is a rabid Chicago sports fan.
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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.