Reading Fun

Cat in the Hat Tree Topper for the Dr. Suess 1st Grade Tree

One of my favorite weeks at my children’s school is Read to me Week. They do all kinds of fun activities the whole week and have special guests come in and read to the children. In my oldest son’s class, they even had a special guest read to them over Skype from a different country. How cool is that? The kids get appearances from Mother Goose, news anchors and other fun characters and people throughout the whole week. The kids get to wear crazy socks one day, and mix-match outfits another, and the last day they all dress up like book characters. All the kids seem to really enjoy the week and it focuses on making reading fun. I love how the week uses all realms of learning from visuals to interactive storytelling. It is truly such a fun week with an academic focus!

Crazy Mismatched Beautiful Reading Day!

This year my children chose characters Waldo and The Cat in The Hat and little brother got in on the action as Woody! I can’t wait until next year’s Read to me Week.

What a Bunch of  Characters!!!

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!

“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.”
― Albert Einstein

The Heart Of A 1st Grade Teacher

I love my middle son's first grade teacher. She is everything I stay awake at night praying for. Her sweet nature, her ability to make learning fun in a bold way, her patient heart and her candid ability to look past everything Wesley is not and see straight to what he is. Mrs. Williams loves all of her students with a golden heart. Looking past the messy, often ickyness, that children so often are. Simply put, she is a beautiful person with a rare passion for what she does. She cares so much more about the joys of teaching, what those kids are learning and just loving on those children to ever think twice about the flaws that so many of them carry in their little lives!

Everyday I look at Wesley, my beautiful, sweet, kind hearted little boy and pray that the world can look past his inability to run fast or the fact he walks with a limp and that his severe allergies make it impossible to keep his nose clean. I also pray for love to shine like a bright beacon in Wesley's life and for protections over him in a cruel and sometimes unkind world. And what do I get? I get Mrs. Williams as his first grade teacher! How beautiful is that answered prayer! I am so grateful that Mrs. Williams is a part of this families lives.

Back To School

Walking to School On The First Day

 Well, the first full week of school is officially under our belts. I would say that this first week was measured only with success for both the Garrett family and Cole Elementary. The boys seem to be adapting to their new teachers and classrooms in a positive way. I personally enjoyed this week's open house meet and greet on Tuesday and Thursday. I left the school both afternoons feeling good about not only the boys amazing teachers, but the whole organization and operation of the school.

Cole Elementary has a student body of 854 students this year and 97 well equipped staff members. The students, faculty, and volunteers are the framework to which the school sets it's high standards. Those standards are what makes this elementary school team celebrated by my family. I appreciate that Cole Elementary believes in every student's ability to achieve big things not only in school, but in their lives, and they are not afraid of holding the children to those standards.

I am expecting a challenging school year for my 1st and 4th grader. However, I feel confident that under Cole Faculty's vision for education and lots of parental involvement both of my students will make first-class gains in their academic achievements, while developing skills they will carry with them for a lifetime. I really do believe in and love this school. I am truly convinced that Cole Elementary's staff, in it's entirety, care about my children's education and dreams almost as much as I do!

ING Kids Rock Marathon

The Cole Team

Back on April 29th my oldest son Carter participated in the ING Kids Rock Marathon in Nashville, TN. I know April 29th was several months ago, I am running a little behind when it comes to my blog. Summer has turned out to be a little busier than I had expected. Anyway, back to the subject of the marathon.

The marathon was formerly known as the YMCA Country Music Marathon and this year it was sporting a new sponsor and new name. This year the ING Kids Rock Marathon celebrated 10 years with 4,700 participants ranging from Kindergarteners to seventh graders. The goal of the Marathon is to introduce kids to physical fitness and its importance, while helping children achieve team goals to stay fit and healthy with the motto “ING run for something better”.

The race itself is a modified marathon meaning that each student completes 25.2 miles prior to the final mile. Most children taking part in the race train in a group or in their physical education class at their respective schools. Completing a few miles at a time prepares them to run their final mile alongside other Nashville students in a Marathon style setup around LP field (home of the Titans).

Besides providing the opportunity to explore the world of running and fitness for children of all ages, the marathon awards grants to school programs pouring back into the schools and their health education programs.

Next year's Marathon registration will open in Late September-Early October. It really is something great to be apart of.

Summer School Tips(Guest Writer)

Today's guest writer is Melissa Kowalewski an attorney in New Hampshire, and mother to a couple of beautiful children. Melissa is also the publisher of the Mommy Madness blog, and  today she was kind enough to share a few tips on the subject of summer school. Thanks Melissa for taking the time to write for  "Inside My Head".

Summer school is, perhaps, the most dreaded two words in any child's vocabulary, especially when combined. And for some parents, it may be the same, but for different reasons. Your child may be bummed that they have to spend a portion of, if not their entire, summer taking classes. And you may be concerned because you don't want them to get behind. The goal of this article is to give you ideas, places to start, in dealing with the situation in which your child is in summer school.


Please keep in mind that these tips are just general places to start. As with anything that relates to your child, you must tailor these suggestions to your own child, their personalities and their needs.

1. Good health – physical and mental. Make sure that your child is physically and mentally prepared to attend school that summer.

2. Review all the information – many times, summer school will send home a packet of information, including schedules and materials. Review it on your own and with your child.

3. Calendar, calendar, calendar. It pays to be organized and being organized yourself will teach your child how to be organized.

4. Make copies – of your schedule, all phone numbers and email addresses and other contact information for yourself and for your emergency contacts. Give copies to the principal, school nurse and anyone else that needs to be able to get a hold of you if something happens to your child at school.

5. Continue with the bedtime and mealtime routines. What is also particularly helpful is to turn off the television – do the flash cards, homework and any other things that will help your child excel. I find that using rewards is good motivation – half an hour of TV or video games once the work is done may work wonders for your child.

6. Find a place to do homework and stick to it, whether it is a quit room, bedroom or kitchen table.

7. Let your child know you care and don't overreact. Children pick up on our emotions very, very easily and respond to them. Breath, reassure them you love them and move on.

8. Do something fun – throw a party for them if they're doing well during the summer or get grades. It is positive reinforcement and might help your child emotionally in dealing with the fact that they have to attend summer school.

And remember that you will get through it!

Perspective of A Student

Students, it’s pretty much your career from the time you start your first day of Kindergarten until at least your senior year of high school. Maybe even an extended career if you choose the path of higher education. In today’s final interview in the education series we are talking to tenth grader Ian Flowers. To stop and listen to the opinions of those actually taking part in the education system is an important way to improve the system and better meet the needs of individual students. After all, education does ultimately effect the lives and the futures of the worlds young people.

Interview With A Student

Question: What are your feelings about school in general (think about the whole process you have been through, not just your current grade)?
Answer: content/comfortable


Question: Do you think we are expecting too much out of the student body these days? In other words, are we forcing them to grow up too fast and robbing them of some of their childhood?
Answer: No


Question: Are you for or against School uniforms and Why?
Answer: against, limits individuality and most of them look stupid


Question: Should teachers be expected to have an identical dress code to the ones students are required to follow?
Answer: Yes


Question: How involved do you think parents should be in the educational process?
Answer: Little to none


Question: What matters most to you about your education?
Answer: Having the ability to go on to college, and getting a degree in your desired trait.


Question: Where do you think the most focus should be when it comes to spending funds for education?
Answer: helping in the development of children's education


Question: What are your thoughts on healthier school lunches?
Answer: sounds good to me.


Question: Do you participate in after school functions? If yes how important are they to you?
Answer: No


Question: Do you think youth have changed over the years? If yes for better or worse?
Answer: yes, but neither toward better, or worse, just, different.


Question: Do you think the bad economy has an effect on a child's learning abilities?
Answer: Yes


Question: What do you find most annoying about the education system?
Answer: having to wake up so early.



Question: How has technology changed your education?
Answer: It has made it to where you can learn about virtually anything all from one spot.


Question: What do you expect out yourself when it comes to your education?
Answer: making good grades and actually learning from what you're taught


Question: What are your favorite subjects in school?
Answer: math/science


Question: Do you think foreign language should be taught starting at a much younger age?
Answer: yes, because it makes it easier to learn if you're taught at a younger age


Question: Do you have a big agenda planned out for your future, and does it involve higher education?
Answer: yes, and yes.

Special Note: This article also appears in the Cookevilletimes.com

First Day

Today I had to keep whispering to myself that being brave doesn't mean your not afraid. It means your afraid and you do it anyways. I tell this often to my middle son Wesley during all the shots, surgeries, and doctor appointments he endures. Today I am telling it to myself. Because letting him go of to school alone without me is a little terrifying for me. Today I started a whole new journey of sending not one, but two of my children off to school. While I am excited about this new stage in our lives. I must admit I am a little afraid and even sad. The journey of letting go is filled me with a lot more emotion than I was anticipating. This day came rushing in faster than I was expecting. My children just aren't suppose to be growing up this fast. I am however after this morning filled with a level of comfort from the bond that is being formed between my two older children. While they may fuss, fight, and claim to dislike one another(this even happen this afternoon, even after all the sweetness this morning). The truth is I am confident they will look after each other. Carter showed a beautiful maturity today in helping prepare his younger brother for the school years ahead them both. I am proud of them both!!! Now if Mommy could take this new stage as well as the boys are we would be golden =)....Hey what can I say my babies are growing up, and it's bitter sweet, and I am aloud to cry right???



They are important to me, and to each other even if they don't fully grasp just how important yet.


"You may never have proof of your importance but you are more important than you think. There are always those who couldn’t do without you. The rub is that you don’t always know who."
— Robert Fulghum (All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten)


Wesley's First Day of Kindergarten 2010 ready to go and full of a beaming imagination.

"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death."
— Robert Fulghum (All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten)

Bonds are being formed today. It brings me to tears.

Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero. ~Marc Brown

More Than A Matter of Style

About 20% of public schools have made the jump to some sort of school uniform, standardized attire or strict dress code. The debate has been somewhat of a hot subject for several years now. The debate on whether the uniform system has a direct impact on improving student behavior, or whether it actually does create a better environment for students and teachers is still on going. Both sides of this debate have some valid points.

Starting with the pros of the uniform system. Some parents simply enjoy the guess work being removed from the pre-school shopping and even the their morning routines. A percentage of parents just agree that is makes their household run smoother in the morning rush. This seems to be particularly true in households with older children. The experts for the Pro side of the debate believe that uniforms within the school system help children to focus more on learning and less on who is wearing what. School standardized attire may also relieve the pressure students feel trying to fit in. Thus improving the social environment in the school atmosphere. School officials also say that uniform systems improve safety. For example students all dressed in similar clothing helps school officials and teachers recognize if someone comes on campus who doesn't belong. Experts also believe mandatory use of such a dress code reduces violence/bullying with the school.

Now lets move over to the other side of the debate, the cons. One of the largest arguments on the con side is self expression and individuality. Since self expression is an important part of a child's developmental process, some experts believe that forcing uniforms is detrimental to a child's development. The results of this system are often forcing students to find other, often less appropriate ways to express themselves. Experts also conclude the stripping children of individuality with the use of uniforms is another way to force all students into one mold, when they should be celebrating and embracing individuality. They believe that school uniforms does not truly prepare children for the real world in which they will continue to be judged by their appearances and the choices they make within their own lives.

Experts on the Con side also argue over the fact that they believe that the Pros are not really Pros. Advocates of school uniforms say that freeing a student of fashion pressures will allow them to focus on school studies, but there is little conclusive evidence to back up this argument. The experts on the con side of the debate argue that there are more influential factors than what a student wears like study habits, parental support, classroom material, and instructional quality. Cost of school uniform systems is actually argued on both sides. Pro side saying it saves families money since the school attire is sold at discounted prices and is much cheaper than fashionable name brand clothing. While the Con side says it cost families more because most families will buy two sets of clothing for their children one being the school attire and the other a more fashionable set of clothing that suit their children's personalities for nonschool hours.


It is true that both sides of this debate have great valid points with expert opinions. To which side of the school uniform debate do you and your family tend to lean?



Special note: This article was also published in the Cookevilletimes.com