As I think back to my childhood, I remember the chores my brothers and I had to complete each day.  These simple tasks of making beds, hanging clothes on the clothes line, setting a table, doing the dishes are some of my favorite memories with my mother.  Back then it was work, but I fondly remember the conversations and time spent with my mom.

As an educator and former Kindergarten teacher, I could always predict if a child would be successful in math and reading in first grade.  The secret was whether the child learned to be helpless or was self-confident in their attempts at new situations.  The crying child that often uses words such as “I can’t” when doing simple routines such as cleaning up their supplies developed into irresponsible behaviors and transferred into their learning responsibilities.

My advice to families is to continue giving chores to your children on a regular basis even through their complaining.  It is important to model the training for them so it is done correctly.  It also builds great memories for your child(ren) of time spent together while learning steps to success.

If you are in need of some modeling tips, here are a few that you may want to consider:

1. You may have heard the phrase, “In one ear and out the other”.  This is true of some people, but other people learn through this auditory learning, so step #1 is to TELL THEM.
2. You may have heard the phrase, “A picture is worth a thousand words”.  This is true of some people because they learn best by seeing or through visual learning. Step #2 is to SHOW THEM.
3. You may have heard the phrase, “Learn by Doing”. This is also true of some people called kinesthetic learning. Step #3 is to have them DO IT before they forget.

Throughout this three step process, always remember to praise, prompt, and give positive constructive feedback.. Practice does NOT make perfect, only Perfect Practice gets the task done correctly. Your presence and time are essential.

You may wonder what to do if your child simply refuses to obey or throws a fit.  Remember that this will require persistence and time on your part, as well as some creative motivational techniques.  Your time together will be motivation enough for most young children.

Example:  You need to get your bath and brush your teeth and when you are in bed then we will have the rest of the time before 9:00 (keep your promises) to read stories together.

Remember that learning responsibility is not like a cold, you don’t catch it; it must be taught!

Summer memories are behind us now, and it’s that time of year again when we try to find a routine and start the new school year with enthusiasm and joy.  As a  teacher, mother, and grandmother of nine, I know the feeling of starting a new school year when the students do not seem to remember the foundational aspects of their previous school year.  Don’t fret if your own children start out the year with what educators refer to as the “summer slide”.  Remember that your child(ren)  are not just academic scholars.   Try seeing each child from a whole child perspective with many different areas of growth.  You have given your child(ren) learning experiences over the summer that incorporate much more than book facts.  The emotional learning, physical learning, and character learning are just a few important qualities that make up who your child(ren) will become as adults.  You are making a real difference in their future!

So instead of starting the school year with stress and doubts, think about where each student is in their growth journey and find ways to enhance and encourage continued learning and discovery in the new school year.  We do want our students to excel in their grades, but remember grades don’t determine the overall person.

Begin with a plan for each child by setting up a space, a time, and a goal.  Think of a goal as if you were programming a GPS system.  Without knowing where you want to go, a GPS system has no idea what course to plot.  It is like the saying, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” However, once you know your destination, many other decisions can be made: travel time, eating establishments, traffic conditions and more. Destination is everything when it comes to making purposeful choices.

Some possible goals this year may include some of the following:

• Be engaged and present everyday during study time.
• Focus on learning, not just grades
• Create a good balance between school and life
• Keep on pace with your work
• Eat healthy and get a good night's sleep

Remember to make the most of every moment. As the saying goes, “The days are long and the years are short.” Don’t get caught up in the day to day stress that you forget to make the most of the little moments that you are given each day.

Have a great year,

Debra J. Kennedy

QPA Superintendent

Dear Quaker Preparatory Family,

Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year!  It is a great honor to work beside our great staff to serve your family this school year.  Our vision is for your child to receive the best possible education while building strong family foundations.

Our priority at QPA is to foster resiliency, responsible decision-making, healthy relationship, and empathy through our constant coaching and mentoring sessions.  Our greatest hope is that we will provide your family with opportunities to reach out and connect with other families through Zoom Sessions and Field Trips.

If you are new to online learning, you can find resources throughout our student/family handbook to prepare yourself for a successful year.  By choosing to learn online, you will learn the skill of perseverance which leads to success in life.

Should you have any questions during the school year, please reach out to your child’s instructional supervisor, school counselor, principal, or any other staff member for assistance.  We are truly working together to provide you with the best possible experience and education at QPA.

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”  Robert Collier

Debra J. Kennedy, Superintendent