How To Help Your Child Manage Anxiety
Post by Sal Becerra, Elite Academic Academy Counselor
It is natural for anxiety to rise during pandemic events and Elite Academic Academy is taking every measure to ensure the safety of all of our students is kept a priority. In working with our families and the greater community, Elite would like to provide all of our stakeholders with some helpful tips on managing anxiety during times of crisis.
Be open with it
Talking about fears and concerns can help reduce anxiety from building up. It also allows the individual to identify what is making him/her anxious.
Take Breaks
Take a break from watching, reading and listening to news stories. Dedicating personal time to pandemic events can be very upsetting. Allow yourself to disconnect from upsetting situations. Take time to read a book, play family games, listen to music, journal or create art.
Practice Self-Care
There are several different ways to focus on self-care, many of which involve making time to get enough sleep, prioritizing healthy meals, ensuring a balance of leisure time in your schedule, and making time for friends. A simple but often overlooked form of self-care is having a self-pampering experience on a regular basis in your own home. Here some ways to practice self-care:
- Meditation improves a wide range of willpower skills, including attention, focus, stress management, impulse control, self-awareness, and reduce anxiety.
- Scientists have found that regular participation in aerobic exercise has been shown to decrease overall levels of tension, elevate and stabilize mood, improve sleep, and improve self-esteem. About five minutes of aerobic exercise can begin to stimulate anti-anxiety effects.
- Getting enough sleep recharges your brain and improves your focus, concentration, and mood reducing anxiety levels.
- Eating Healthy has many benefits. Sugar is associated with depression and anxiety. Emerging science shows gut health plays a role in anxiety. Eating healthy foods is a great way to practice self-care, important in CBT. Taking active steps to eat a nutritious diet can increase motivation
Let it simply be a part of you that you manage daily
It’s truly OK to be anxious or to have anxiety. We all feel that from time to time. If your child is someone who frequently experiences high levels of anxiety, just treat it as something you have to manage daily.
Personalized support from teachers, counselors, and advisors
We know that anxiety can be very overwhelming to a student. Our teachers and staff are ready to provide the support necessary to help reduce anxiety levels in our students. Students can ask questions through email, phone calls and instant messaging. If they need extra support, our staff can hold a 1-1 online session. Feel free to contact our school counselor at 866-354-8302 Ext. 711 or by email at [email protected]
Please note: this article is not a medical diagnosis, nor are the tips provided above a cure. If you feel your child is experiencing signs or symptoms of anxiety, seek the help of a medical professional.
Five Questions About Online School Answered
There was a time when education was limited to either attending the school you’re assigned to or being homeschooled. Even then, homeschooling was foreign to many and surrounded with misconceptions.
We’ve shifted to an era with practically multitudinous options in education. Charter, private, in-person, online, blended: the list goes on.
Which begs the question, “What’s best for my child?”
Elite Academic Academy offers a couple different programs, including homeschooling and blended learning.
To those of you who are new to the online high school environment, welcome. Online high school can be unfamiliar, and naturally with that comes many questions. That’s why we’ve gathered the five most commonly asked questions to help you get better acquainted.
Check them out below.
1. How Do I Transfer From Another School?
Switching your child to another school might sound daunting, but transferring to Elite is actually more doable than you might think. It’s as simple as applying online and talking with an advisor to get the necessary documents submitted.
Don’t worry about contacting your school for transcripts; we will help every step of the way.
Switching to the online environment does mean you’ll need a workspace at home, along with a computer and internet connection. But you’ll also have guidance counselors available to help make the switch as quick and easy as possible.
2. What Will My Child Learn and How?
Elite Academic Academy is a public charter school. That means students are taught the same curriculum as a traditional school. The “how” students learn is what differs.
Students are not burdened with heavy textbooks or long hours crammed in a chaotic classroom. Instead, they study from the comfort of home or enjoy fresh air at a coffee shop! As long as there’s access to a computer (or laptop) and the internet, online students can study wherever they choose.
More important, Elite’s online students benefit from an award-winning curriculum designed specifically for the adolescent learner. Students are not stuck reading a boring textbook, they are engaged with practice workbooks, animated lessons and much more to help them actually enjoy learning.
You can learn more about Elite’s curriculum here.
3. How Do Teachers Communicate With Online Students?
Elite has qualified, state-certified teachers who are dedicated to not only helping our students earn their diplomas, but truly master concepts along the way.
While it could appear as though online schooling creates a barrier, we actually find that it opens the portal to more communication and personalized support.
Students can easily contact teachers via email, phone calls or instant messaging within the online classroom itself. For those students who are ‘too shy’ to raise their hand, this method of communication can reduce anxieties and make them more willing to ask for help.
It’s not fully dependent on the student to ask for help. Teachers stay in touch with their students regularly to make sure they pinpoint struggles and help them excel academically wherever possible.
In many cases, our students report that they communicate with their teachers more here than in a traditional school setting.
4. How Do Online Students Socialize?
As a parent, you know that socialization is key to a teen’s development, and you might worry that an online school is isolating.
And perhaps a decade ago, that would have been true. In this digital world, teens are most comfortable with communicating online. Even with their closest friends, they are most often ‘talking’ via SnapChat, Instagram, etc.
Elite has its own ‘social’ platform called the community, where students can find classmates and chat in a staff-monitored, safe environment. This allows students to comfortably make friends.
Online socialization is great, but it’s merely an avenue; not the main form of interaction. Because face-to-face socialization is just as important for teens, we hold school events throughout the year. These are not required, and they allow students the opportunity to come together and chat with friends in person.
5. How Much Does Online School Cost?
Whether an online school charges tuition depends on the type of institution.
For example, a private school will likely charge tuition. Charter or public schools, on the other hand, will not.
Elite Academies is a charter school, which means we charge no tuition. Whether you enroll in the homeschool program, the blended learning or online school, your cost will be the same: free.
To learn more about our online school with Elite, head to <link>
Online school doesn't mean lack of teachers, it actually means more individualized attention. Here's why:
As the famous English author Terry Pratchett so eloquently stated, “A lie can run round the world before the truth has got its boots on.”
There is an ongoing myth that online school cannot provide students with any support. The lack of a physical classroom is seen to create a barrier.
But at Elite Academic Academy, this is far from the case.
In fact, we’ve developed a proven working model that allows for more individualized student-teacher interaction than a traditional school. Rather than a barrier, we believe it creates a pathway for better communication.
Elite Virtual Academy’s Supportive Student-Teacher Communication Model
If you had one hour to help 30 people, who would you go to first? Likely the ones who grab your attention first and ask for help. That’s the barrier a traditional classroom can create. With such large class sizes, students must be vocal in order to receive any sort of help. Those who aren’t oftentimes fall through the cracks.
At Elite, teachers take care of each student individually. There are real-time online lectures similar to that of the traditional classroom, but that’s merely one point of contact–not the main form of interaction.
Ways to Communicate With Elite Online Instructors
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1. Phone Call
Students can talk with teachers via phone for individual support.
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2. Instant Messaging
Within the virtual classroom is a chat message center for students to get quick answers to questions.
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3. Email
For a smaller, less urgent question, teachers also have emails that they check regularly to respond to students within a 48-hour period.
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4. Online Personal Appointments
Students needing more personalized support can arrange a real-time online appointment with their teachers to get extra help on homework.
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5. In-person appointments
Those students who live near the office are welcome to schedule an appointment with their instructor for in-person support.
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The five points of contact listed above are all easily accessible to students. In many ways, this model is better for the students who are not as outspoken. Raising a hand can be intimidating, especially when coupled with the fear of asking a “stupid” question. Having quick access to teacher support in many ways helps provides more personalized attention.
Personalized Support With Elite Homeschool Academy
Whether you enroll in online school or go the homeschool route, the level of personalized support is the same. With the parent as the main educator in homeschool, the way individualized attention is provided varies.
With all homeschool students, Elite’s role is to encourage, support and guide their educational journey.
Each student is assigned a credentialed educator, who will:
To learn more about homeschooling, check out this article.
If you have any further questions about Elite’s instruction model, our advisors are happy to help! Give us a call at (866) 354-8302
Computer Science in Education Week
Written by Laura Spencer, Ed.D | Director of Instructional Technology Integration
This week is Computer Science in Education week. Its purpose is to draw awareness to the growing careers in computer science and encourage K-12 students to pursue computer science in school. So what is computer science? Most assume it’s just computer programmers typing code in a cubicle, but it’s so much more! It encompasses a broad range of computer fields, to include computer theory, hardware systems, software systems, and scientific computing. And the field is growing!
Careers in Computer Science include jobs like Hardware Engineer; Database Administrator; Video Game Developer; and CyberSecurity Analyst. And for most of these fields, California is a great place to get hired.
If you’re curious to learn a bit more about computer coding, which is one aspect of computer science, check out all the fun activities on https://csedweek.org/learn
Learn About What Careers are Available in Computer Science
https://www.computerscience.org/careers/
Infographics from https://code.org/promote
A few great study spots for online and homeschool students
One of the biggest differences between traditional school vs online school or homeschool is the capability to study at the location of choice. As an online student, you are not limited to a classroom; you can study wherever you feel most comfortable. That could be a coffee shop. It could even be a barn.
With so many choices on where to study, making sure your child enjoys the freedom while still staying disciplined can be a concern. We get that.
That’s why we compiled a few ideas to get you deciding where your student will best learn.
Quiz: Which Place is Best for Your Student to Study?
You have options, but if you’d like to see which might work best for your child’s personality, take the quiz! Or check out some great ideas below.
1. The Favorite Spot on the Couch
With some favorite cozy socks, of course.
Starting the morning stress free can be a huge benefit of online school, you can read more on that here.
There’s no rushing to make they catch the bus or stress of receiving yet another tardy slip. Your student can log in and start coursework on their own time. Of course, starting schoolwork later means finishing work later, but you have that choice!
Sometimes mornings call for leisure. If your child often needs time to ‘wake up’ in the mornings, then we recommend they head to a favorite spot on the couch. Get those favorite cozy socks out, grab a morning snack, log in and get working.
While on break during work or practice
Knock out some homework during downtime.
If your student has a busy schedule, you know all too well that spare time doesn’t come easily. That’s why we suggest seeing how they can monetize their time. When you have a lunch break, try to knock out a small assignment.
It will help your student get that much further ahead in classes once they finally arrive home for the day.
3. In the living room
It’s hard to get distracted when mom sees what you’re working on.
Sometimes the living room isn’t a smart choice. It can be one of the noisiest places in your home. But the nice part about that noisy family is that they can be a great support group too.
But if it is the right environment, the living room is a place where your student feels comfortable, yet you can easily help them stay on track. After all, it’d be difficult to spend time on social media and YouTube when mom sees what you’re doing. That way, you can help them stay disciplined to get homework done for the day.
4. At a desk or table
Somewhere designated is best when the brain doesn’t feel motivated.
While studying on the couch is always cozy, you should also consider finding a desktop or table for the times that require more focus. Here’s why:
The brain makes associations with each place you go. For example, when you go to your bed, your brain associates that with sleeping. When you go to the couch, your brain associates that with relaxing.
That means if your student needs more help focusing, you should have them study somewhere they usually work. A table and desktop are great places to help your brain know it’s time to work.
As one online instructor, Ms. Day said:
“If you do homework in your bed where you sleep, it’s likely going to make you want to take a nap rather than do math homework. Go somewhere you know you won’t get distracted (or leave) until you finish homework. Make that your routine and doing homework there will become as natural as taking a nap in your bed is.”
5. The great outdoors
Nothing recharges the brain like fresh air.
You would still need an internet connection. But studying outdoors is a great way to get a change of atmosphere while learning.
Sometimes switching up the environment can make a huge impact on your child’s motivation to study. It can be much better than sitting in a classroom seat, at least!
Whether that be your backyard, the park, the beach or even a barn (sure, why not?) have them try studying there.
Benefits of Online High School or Homeschooling for Student Athletes
Sports and online school or homeschool might as strange a combo as a grilled apple cheese sandwich.
And yet somehow, that sandwich is actually a great combo.
There are a few online schools that offer special programs for student athletes. And it just so happens that Elite is one of those online and homeschools.
In many ways, online school is actually a better option for many competitive student athletes.
How Can a Student Play Sports and Attend School Online?
When your child participates in a time-demanding extracurricular activity of any type, that’s where online school has greater benefits.
Club sports, traveling teams, competitive leagues, they are all extremely time demanding. Depending on how competitive, your child probably spends several additional hours practicing daily. When on top of all that, they’re expected to be in a school building for seven hours a day, balancing life can be overwhelming.
Online high school allows students to work around their schedule. Your child could wake up extra early to exercise, do coursework, go to team practice and come back to study. Or they could wake up early and do schoolwork then spend the rest of your day in practice. Either way, online school works with your schedule.
For the College-Bound Athlete
Online and homeschool are in no way a hindrance to becoming a college athlete. You will need to make sure the school is NCAA approved. That is the only way you can be guaranteed to earn a college athletic scholarship.
Elite offers online and homeschool that’s pending NCAA approval. Come this fall, students will be able to attend high school and earn a college athletic scholarship.
About Elite’s Athletic Academy
The Elite Athletic Academy (EAA) offers homeschool, virtual and blended students a truly unique opportunity to customize their education while developing their athletic abilities.
In partnership with the nationally acclaimed Stars and Stripes program, this model provides student athletes of all levels the unique opportunity to benchmark, individualize and elevate their athletic development.
Most programs start up this Fall 2018, but there are a number of athletic summer programs occurring throughout Southern California as well! Check them out here.
Five School Morning Routines You Could Do Without
Getting your teen through high school is no easy task. That’s a given.
When you have to combine that with early, frantic mornings, high school can be brutal.
We’re not saying that the mornings will ever be glamorous. And we’re certainly not saying that there’s a magical place where all your cares can melt away (thanks to that California sun).
But sometimes the traditional route through high school just isn’t best for your student, especially if ‘morning person’ isn’t a descriptor you’d attribute to your family.
Online and homeschooling certainly have their benefits. For now, let’s focus on those mornings:
1. Every morning, day after day, you sit waiting
Nothing slows down a kid like having a place to be. It started on from early childhood, and it doesn’t get any better with age.
They may have all the energy in the world, they may be the fastest runner in their school. But when they have to get out the door in the morning, it’s a whole other world.
And so you sit, morning after morning, just waiting.
2. Slowly they emerge, with the famous eye roll
Waking up at the crack of dawn is tough for all ages, we admit it. But a little less attitude would be great, considering all you’re trying to do is help your teen not get in trouble for being late again, right?
3. You resort to the final warning call
That final warning call. It’s the ammo you save only for when absolutely necessary.
Because you’re a great parent, you believe in keeping your cool. But sometimes, that “I mean business” face is the only thing that gets your teen moving in those miserable, early mornings.
4. Finally, they pick up the pace and make it to the car
The toughest part is over. You’re finally able to drive to school.
Although, we won’t get into dealing with parent pickup….
5. When it’s all over, you look a little something like this
Another daily battle won and done. Whether you head home or straight to work after carpool, the feeling of getting your teen to school is the same.
Sound familiar? You might want to consider online or homeschool
You might be a morning person and don’t mind rushing around the minute you wake. If so, kudos to you, and we mean that.
But if this is sounding a little too relatable, you might want to look into online or homeschool. Your child can still earn a great education without you having to suffer through frantic mornings.
Both scenarios have quality teachers and guidance counselors readily available to support your family. Unique to Elite is an award-winning digital curriculum that’s fully aligned. With both homeschool and online school, you are in charge of your schedule. If you’d still like to wake up early, you certainly can. You’ll just get to enjoy some peace before starting school for the day.
You can learn more about Elite’s Virtual Academy (online school) here. For homeschooling, head here.
