August Newsletter- The Power of Play!

August Newsletter- The Power of Play!

View this email in your browser NEWSLETTER July 2019   WHAT'S INSIDE: THE POWER OF PARENTING SCHOOL CHOICE LEGISLATIVE UPDATES NEWS & EVENTS BACK TO SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY WEBINAR POWER2TEACH THE POWER OF PARENTING: "Play is often talked about as if were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning."  -Mr. Rogers What can we do to improve our children's academic success? Play with them! Sergio Pellis, a researcher at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada says  "The experience of play changes the connections of the neurons at the front end of your brain, and without play experience, those neurons aren't changed," Those changes in the prefrontal cortex help wire the brain regulate emotions, problem solve and making plans. So, according to Pellis, "Play is what prepares a young brain for life, love, and even schoolwork...the skills associated with play ultimately lead to better grades." Playing with our children can also strengthen family bonds. "Spending quality family time together strengthens family bonds and provides each family member with a sense of belonging," says Shannon Cromwell, M.A. Extension Assistant Professor, Family & Consumer Sciences at Utah State University. "When it comes to children, one of the most important things you can do to positively influence their development is spend time with them," says allforkids.org. With all the research being done on the importance of playing with our children, let's make it a point to have just a little more fun with them.   Click here for a list of card games and how to play them!  Thank you J&J Air Duct Cleaning for sponsoring this message! DONATE NOW Back to Top SCHOOL CHOICE SAVE THE DATE RENO!!! Power2Parent is hosting a School Choice Fair in RENO on Thursday, January 30th 2020 from 6:30pm - 9:00pm. More details to come. Introduction to Homeschooling Workshops   New to homeschooling, thinking about it, or just need some encouragement?  Come to this informal gathering, ask your questions and get your concerns answered.  Elissa Wahl, from Nevada Homeschool Network, will be on hand to answer all of your homeschooling questions. Thursday, August 22nd 7:00pm - 9:00pm REGISTER HERE  RISE Education Resource Center Open House RISE Resource Center provides an educational facility that offers ongoing classes, services, educational resources, and meeting space in order to support educational choice. Monday Aug 19th 10am-12pm  OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!  Come check out RISE and all the great instructors and upcoming classes offered this fall!   Instructors will have a table with their class description and examples for your perusal. Browse tables, mingle, meet the great community mentors we have, and plan your upcoming year!! RISE 580 E. St. Louis Ave. Las Vegas NV 89104 (Inside Reformation Lutheran…follow the signs)   Come see how RISE could supplement your child's education!  Opportunity 180: Are you looking for better school options for your child?  Are you new to Las Vegas? Come learn about free school options available for your child.  Senator Hammond, an experience teacher and principal, will be a special guest. Don Soifer, President of Nevada Actions and School Choice, will also be there. Free child care and snacks! PLEASE NOTE THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD IN SPANISH. An English meeting will be offered at a later time. Back to Top LEGISLATIVE UPDATES The 80th (2019) Session of the Nevada Legislature adjourned on June 4, 2019 and will resume again February 2021.   We are now in the interim period between legislative sessions, which means we're headed into the next election cycle. We'll prepare for the elections and the next session by looking for the best candidates who will support legislation that supports parents and helps strengthen families in Nevada. We will go through an endorsement process and keep you posted on the results. DONATE NOW Back to Top NEWS & EVENTS Public School Board of Trustee Meetings: Are you concerned about what is happening in your child's school? You have an elected Trustee to represent your voice in the school district. This includes procedural and financial decisions. These Trustees meet regularly and these meetings are open to the public for you to attend and voice your opinion. You can listen in online and email in a statement and express concerns! This is your chance to make your voice heard.   Visit your local school district's website to see the Board of Trustee Meeting Calendar.   CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT Thursday, August 8th and Thursday, August 22nd at 5:00pm and can be viewed here WASHOE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT    The Washoe County School District Trustee Meetings can be found here Back to Top BACK TO SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY WEBINAR Virtual Playground: School Edition!!   Be prepared to help your kids navigate the virtual school playground with confidence!   Presented By Chelsea Brown Cybersecurity Expert, CompTIA Security+ Certified, Certified Positive Parenting Coach Friday, August 9, 2019 10:00 AM PDT Topics covered include: School Network Policies School Social Media Actions School Issued Device Security Options Parental Control Apps & Software Screen Time Management And MORE!! The webinar will last 30-45 minutes depending on questions. A replay will be available for several weeks following the event.  REGISTER HERE! Free for parents! Chelsea Brown, of Digital Mom Talk, is a Certified Security Professional whose mission is to provide families with the complete tools to teach their kids how to survive and thrive in a digital world. Check out her Free Family Tech Plan here.  Use code ParentPower to get 10% off any product on her site! For more information on keeping your kids safe online visit:  POWER2PARENT PARENTING TOOLS DONATE NOW Back to Top POWER2PARENT IN THE NEWS Parents can increase school performance with game night May 13, 2019 KTNV Las Vegas   Are you interested in creating a game library at your school? Or, do you want help putting together a Family Game Night? Email us at info@power2parent.org! Back to Top POWER2TEACH   Congratulations Debra Jacobs!   Debra is this month's Power2Teach winner of a $50 Amazon gift card and will be entered into our end of year $500 grand prize. Debra was nominated by Elle Pittman who had this to say about her:   "I would like to Debra Jacobs. This will be her 30th year of teaching with CCSD. Thus, she has taught a lot of children. Many of these children are now adults with children of their own. It amazes me how she is still in contact with so many of her former students. It seems like everywhere we go she runs into them or their parents. It makes me smile to hear them tell stories about her being their teacher. The stories always focus on how much they loved her, and that they still love her even though they are all grown up!"   Debra teaches 2nd grade at Bonner Elementary School. Do you have a teacher who has gone the extra mile for your child, or who has had an amazing influence on students in the State of Nevada? Each month we will choose one teacher in Nevada who will be highlighted in our monthly P2P Newsletter and who will then be in the running to win our grand prize of $500 to use for the next school year! We love our Nevada teachers and we're excited to show our support in a big way!  Good Luck! NOMINATE A TEACHER TODAY Back to Top DONATE NOW We exist to inform, organize, and mobilize community members for the protection of fundamental parental rights. Sign Up! Text Message Updates Now Available! Copyright © 2019 Power2Parent, All rights reserved. POWER2PARENT.ORG   Our mailing address is: POWER2PARENT P.O. BOX 10030 W CHARLESTON BLVD LAS VEGAS, NV 89135 email us at info@power2parent.org Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.