National PTA Weekly
August 16, 2002

The following articles are excerpted from the National PTA Weekly, August 16th.

National PTA And Microsoft Offer Homework 
Resources For Parents And Students

Could you pass an 8th grade history test? In July, Microsoft surveyed parents to learn more about their views on homework. Turns out parents often feel unable to help because their children are better at using computer-related resources!

Other interesting results include:

• 51 percent of parents assisting their children with homework are unable to remember information about the subject matter.

• Less than 10 percent of parents know the answers to all of their kid's homework questions.

• CD-ROM resources were the most-mentioned resource parents say they need to help their children with homework, but which they do not already have at home.

• More than one-third of parents claim time is the biggest factor affecting their ability to help on homework.

Do you battle with your kids over getting their homework done? Use the helpful tips found at http://www.microsoft.com/pta to turn the struggle into something positive. Access homework resources, information about helpful software, and complete details about the Microsoft 5 percent back to National PTA program. Visit http://www.microsoft.com/pta today for the inside scoop.

VTECH XLENCE Awards To Recognize Well-Rounded Elementary Students

Recognize "Xlence" and help a child win a $25,000 scholarship!

The XLence Awards program recognizes children ages 5 to 11 who excel both in and out of school by maintaining good grades, participating in extracurricular activities, and contributing to their community.

VTech will recognize the overall award winner with a $25,000 scholarship.  Five first-place award winners will receive a $1,000 scholarship from VTech and a personal computer from Gateway. Twenty-five second-place winners will receive a product from VTech's new XL Series.

The XLence Awards began August 12 and the deadline to nominate a child is November 15. For details and official rules, pick up a nomination form at Toys "R" Us, between August 26 and November 15, visit www.vtechkids.com.

National Summit On Parent Involvement In Teacher Education

On November 13-15, attend the Partners for Student Success 2002 National Summit on Parent Involvement in Teacher Education. Held in Washington, DC, educators, deans, parents, policy advocates, as well as a panel of U.S. senators and representatives will gather to discuss means to promote parent involvement in the teacher education process. Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., M.D., director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, is a confirmed keynote speaker.

The summit is sponsored by National PTA and the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. Online registration will begin September 3.  www.pta.org/summit

National PTA President To Appear On Court TV'S "Safety Challenge" And Web Chat

National PTA President Shirley Igo will be featured on Court TV's "Safety Challenge: Back to School," an interactive TV special about how best to keep your child safe. The show will air on Court TV (check local listings) August 21 at 10 p.m. EST/PST, and will be rebroadcasted on August 25 at 10 p.m. EST/PST.

Igo will speak about bullying and answer questions about how a parent can help a child who has been bullied. She will also discuss how to help a child open up and talk with you, and signs that a child may be the victim of a
bully. The program is hosted by Cynthia McFadden, correspondent for ABC's "Primetime Thursday." Other topics that will be addressed include bus safety, teen driving, talking to strangers, and children alone at home.

For more information and to view a video segment of Igo's interview, log on to www.courttv.com/safety (Note: RealOne Player is required to view the online segment. To download a free trial version of RealOne Player, visit www.real.com.)

Court TV is supporting the television special with online discussions with experts the week of August 19. Log on and chat with National PTA's president during a live web chat on Tuesday, August 20 at 3:00 p.m. EST. Igo will be
answering questions related to bullying and other issues as students and parents get ready for going back to school. The chat will last approximately 30 minutes. Visit www.courttv.com/talk and select the "click here to chat now" link at the top of the page and talk with Igo live online.

The After-School Care Option

As you're preparing your kids for the start of a new school year, it's very likely you'll want to consider the after-school care option. A quality after-school care program can be the perfect way to keep your kids safe,
happy, and occupied during those afternoon and early-evening hours when there would be no one at home to watch over them.

After-school care programs provide essential benefits for children in the following areas:

• Safety: After-school programs will keep kids off the street, and provide safe and constructive alternatives to risky behavior like sex, drugs, and alcohol.

• Academic: Quality programs can noticeably improve children's work habits, school attendance, and interpersonal skills, as well as offer help with homework and provide time and space for quiet study.

• Social: Good programs allow children to interact with other children, some of whom they might not normally associate with, as well as adult teachers and caregivers.

There are many logistical factors to consider, such as accessibility from school and home, and cost. In finding an after-school program, parents might first inquire at their child's school about what options the school offers,
or contact a local child-care referral service (find a local referral service online at www.childcareaware.org, or
call [800] 424-2246).

For more information, and for a checklist on criteria you should look for in a quality after-school program, read the article on after-school care on National PTA's Back-to-School website.  
http://www.pta.org/parentinvolvement/bts/a8_afterschool.asp.

Also be sure to check out the article "The After-School Care Option: Finding and Supporting Quality Programs."
http://www.pta.org/parentinvolvement/helpchild/oc_afterschool.asp.