What is it that each of us wants for our children? Of course, we want them to be happy and we want them to succeed. So, here are some completely free gifts to give your children to help them be winner each day.

• Give SUPPORT to your children, in all that they do. This especially applies to what they do in school. Help them with their homework. Sometimes they may not even need your help, but showing them that you are interested in what they are doing will mean lots to them. And, you might even learn something!

• Sit down and actually look at the drawing they made today, and even if you do not recognize what it is, say, “That’s awesome.”

• Speak in a POSITIVE way about your child’s accomplishments. It is especially important to do this in front of them, where they can hear what you are saying and see the pride on your face. Positive reinforcement is a major key to a successful student.

• Become involved in what you child does at school – whether it is coming to school to celebrate her birthday, or being a chaperone on a field trip. If you can give even one hour a week, it will make a difference.

• ENCOURAGE your child to take a risk – not a physical one, but a mental one. DARE them to read a chapter a night in a book, or to read a book even more difficult than the last. Or, dare them to play with a fellow student that they don’t always get along with. Taking these kinds of risks will stimulate their minds and give them greater positive character.

• Have your child take some RESPONSIBILITY for himself, or even for a younger brother or sister. He won’t break if you make him clean up his mess, or even help change the baby’s diaper. And it wouldn’t hurt if you tie in a reward system – NO MONEY INVOLVED. When you clean your room, you can play your video game, and when you say thank you, you will get more ice cream.

The RULES for the GAME

1. Give the gifts as often as possible. Remember, there is no cost.
2. Give the gift with a big smile and a tight hug, so they know you mean business.
3. If they don’t understand you, do it again and again until it is perfectly clear!

Good luck! Perhaps you might even design a report card, and your child can give you a grade, so you can see how that feels!

The Family that costumes together, stays together. Ms. Malvies and Nekold Jones pose with Shyla Rucker in their "Favorite Book" costumes

So, maybe the day wasn’t a typical YDLA school day, as the halls were filled with students this Halloween, 2011. It was a little difficult to know who was who! Dressed as a character from their favorite book, the children came to school as fairy princesses and Dora’s; there were plenty of Batmen and Supermen protecting the school grounds, and someone says they spotted a dinosaur, but we could not confirm this allegation.

Not to be outdone by their students, teachers came appropriately attired. Ms. McCauley lost her her wings for a few hours, but she found them for this picture. Thankfully, she did not use her magic wand to turn any students into toads!                                                                                                                                                                         And that bow tie sported by Ms. Harris-Hawthone – well, we donated that to Mr. Roper for his tie collection!

Even teachers got into the festivities. Pictured here (in case you cannot recognize them), Ms. Stephanie McCauley & Ms. Pam Harris Hawthorne