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 Once in a while everyone needs a little help with school. So here are some
some links that might be of help. And some helpful tips that may be of use to
the frustrated parents. Trust me I have been there or should I say I am still
there only now I am dealing with a college student. This page is everything from
homework through getting to the sites for college grants and loans, which
everyone can use. I really hope this help!
www.homeworkhelp.com - This site cost
about $30 a month unless the school or your local library has an account. You
can get a one day free pass to check out the site. Then you will have to have a
password to enter again. So, check with your school to see if they already have
a membership.
www.tutorvista.com - I'm not sure how
good this site is but it has pretty good reviews from some of the parents that I
spoke to. I included it in this article just in case someone else would want to
try it. Please give me some feedback on this site so I know whether to leave it
on or not. I don't want to have a site listed that is not going to help the
kids.
www.refdesk.com/homework.html
- This site references about anything from K-College.
www.studentquestions.com - This
site is very unique. If you like to give help instead of getting help this site
is for you. You can go online and get paid to help other students. Check it out!
www.ipl.org/div/kidspace - (Illinois Public Library) An
exhaustive roundup of educational links, developed colleges and universities,
complete with homework help sections. Including links to projects for science
fair ideas with instructions.
www.factmonster.com - From the folks
at Information Please/Pearson Education comes an attractive, easy to navigate
reference site. Flash cards, multiplication tables, history timelines,
biographies of U.S. Presidents, etc. everything is there.
www.kidinfo.com - Created by retired
teacher Linda Guterba, this site categorizes links according to the curriculum
covered in most schools. You can find online atlases, dictionaries and
encyclopedias.
www.math.com/parentshelpyourkids.html - From
the basic addition and subtraction to ratios, algebra and geometry, it takes you
through the steps of finding a solution.
www.kids.nationalgeographic.com -
Take a virtual tour of the natural world,
including its people and places, flora and fauna. When your third-grader asks
you the name of the red-eyed tree frog you can go here for the answer.
www.bjpinchbeck.com - The site was
created by a 9-year old and his dad in about 1996 to help kids with their
homework and they are still offering over 800 updated links to subject matters
from art to social studies. You'll also find a link to
studygs.net, that can help your child with
time management and other learning skills.
Checklist
for Helping Your Child With
Homework
Taken from www.ed.gov
1. Show That You
Think Education and Homework Are
Important
___ Do you set a regular time every day for
homework?
___ Does your child have the papers, books,
pencils and other things needed to do assignments?
___ Does your child have a well-lit, fairly quiet
place to study?
___ Do you set a good example by showing your
child that the skills he is learning are an important
part of the things he will do as an
adult?
___ Do you stay in touch with your child’s
teacher?
2. Monitor Assignments
___ Do you know what your child’s homework
assignments are? How long they should take?
How the teacher wants you to be
involved in them?
___ Do you see that your child starts and
completes assignments?
___ Do you read the teacher’s comments on
assignments that are returned?
___ Is TV viewing or video game playing cutting
into your child’s homework time?
3. Provide Guidance
___ Do you help your child to get organized? Does
your child need a schedule or assignment book?
A book bag or backpack and a folder
for papers?
___ Do you encourage your child to develop good
study habits (for example, scheduling enough time
for big assignments; making up
practice tests)?
___ Do you talk with your child about homework
assignments? Does she understand them?
4. Talk with Teachers to Resolve Problems
___ Do you meet with the teacher early in the
year before
any problems arise?
___ If a problem comes up, do you meet with the
teacher?
___ Do you cooperate with the teacher to work out
a plan and a schedule to solve homework problems?
___ Do you follow up with the teacher and with
your child to make sure the plan is working?
College Assistance
I know that parents not only have to worry about helping their kids get from
grade thru high school but they also have to worry about college so I am
including a few of the sites that we put in our newsletter a year or so ago,
plus some loans and scholarships that students can apply for that are available
locally. Hopefully this will
help parents out as well.
www.fafsa.ed.gov -Go to What are my
options to get all the explanations before you start. Then make sure that you
have your tax return for the year before you start fill out the form. This site
applies you for several grants all at one time so make sure that you read the
grants that is applies to.
www.ed.gov - This is also a good site to check
out for possible eligible grants.
www.edfund.org - This is the next one that I
think is one to really check out. Go to my child in college link.
Ella G. McKee Foundation Loans - Mrs. McKee was a Fayette County
resident who chose to bequeath a large sum of money to establish an on going
program whereby qualified people could obtain a post-high school education. Mrs.
McKee directed that the income be used "solely for educational purposes and no
other." The first loan was made in December, 1971. Mrs. McKee has created an
opportunity for serious students to broaden their horizons, to develop
abilities, and to live more fulfilling lives.
Qualified applicants must have been residents of Fayette County for at least
four years prior to the date of applying for financial assistance, and must be
without adequate funds or sources to meet the costs of securing a college,
university, or other form of post-high school education.
This assistance is in the form of an interest-free loan, with only the
principal needing to be repaid. The Foundation is administered by the First
National Bank in Vandalia.
If you have any other grants that you feel should be added to the website please
let me know.
Golda
Shulman Scholarship - this scholarship is awarded to a gradating
Vandalia high school student each spring. This is a $1,000 per year, renewable
scholarship.
Douglas
R. Rames Scholarship - This is a $1,000 one time award to a
graduating Vandalia student each spring. This award will be bestowed upon the
high school senior who exemplifies the person traits and character of Dr. Doug
Rames (who graduated in (1971).
Patoka American Legion Post #543
Scholarship - This provides two $500 scholarships to a graduating senior who
is either a child or grandchild of a member of the Edgard R. Rogier Post # 543.
If there is not such applicant, the scholarship may then be awarded to an
applicant who is a graduating senior at Patoka high School.
The recipient of a one-year scholarship who maintains at least a C average may
apply for a second-year scholarship.
Charles Evans Scholarship -
The Charles Evans Fund provides a $500 scholarship to a Vandalia High School
graduate. The applicant must live in or within ten miles of the city of
Vandalia. Also must have a genuine financial need and display exceptional
scholastic ability.
Hazel Simma-Kelly Restricted Fund
- Mrs. Kelly generously provided funding to establish educational
scholarship for Fayette county residents who seek education beyond high school.
She expressed an overriding belief in the importance of education to both the
individual and the community, together with a desire to help those who wished to
continue their education.
Up to $2,000 multiple awards are given annually. These are renewable upon
maintaining a GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (B-minus average). Applicant must be a
resident of Fayette County for at least one calendar year prior to application.
Mary Peyton Meyer VCS Scholarship
- Mrs. Meyer was a long time educator in Fayette County. Upon her death, she
bequeathed funds to provide for an annual scholarship to be given to a VCHS
gradating senior who intends to pursue a career in education. The first award
will be given for the Fall term, 2010.
Thomas J. Epplin Scholarship -
Applicant must be a high school graduate or current high school senior at
Pickneyville High School, Pickneyville, Illinois, St. Anthony High School,
Effingham, Illinois, or Vandalia High School, Vandalia, Illinois. this
scholarship is awarded annually to dental hygiene, pre-dental, dental students.
At least one scholarship will be given each year. Applicants may reapply in
subsequent years if maintaining at least a "B" average.
VFW Post
#3862 Scholarship Fund - This is a $1,000 scholarship awarded
annually to a child or grandchild of a VFW Post #3862 member. If there is no
such applicant, the scholarship may then be awarded to an applicant who is a
Fayette County Resident.
The applicant must possess and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average
of 2.0 (C Average).
Check back for updates!
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