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School Newsletter APRIL 2015

7400 Wayside Drive, Houston, Texas 77028

www.intelligentmindsdc.com T: 713-631-3500

Upcoming Events

April 15-16, 2015 PORTRAIT VIEWING w/Teddy Bear Portraits 3-6 pm

April 17, 2015 Houston Fire Department

Truck Tour

April 20-24, 2015 Free Dress Week! $5

May 15-20, 2015 Kindergarten Activities

MAY 29, 2015 End of Year Program &

Kindergarten Graduation

School Announcements

Dear Parent:

We are excited to present the latest issue of Intelligent Minds

Newsletter. The forum serves as another way to communicate to

you about your child’s school, school updates, and new initiatives.

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P.A.C.E. (Parents for Academic Culture Enrichment) Corner

UPCOMING P.A.C.E. EVENTS

Date Event

April 20-24

May 18-22, 2015

Free Dress Week in 2015

$5 per week

Tuesday, May 5, 2015 P.A.C.E. Regular Meeting 6:00 pm

All parents are encouraged to attend every first

Tuesday of each month! Why attend? Engage,

Collaborate, and Grow with IMDC! Bring your ideas,

passion for education, love for your child, and support

for IMDC in order to take our school to the next level. For more information on how you can get involved with P.A.C.E., pace@intelligentmindsdc.com or reach out to

your designated PACE Parent in your child’s classroom.

The objective of P.A.C.E. is to support the educational foundation of Intelligent Minds Development Center and

Intelligent Minds Hybrid School (1st and 2nd grade) students by establishing a network of parents to collaborate

collectively for the continual support and engagement for the school in the areas of academics, culture,

enrichment, and leadership. The desired outcomes of this organization are to create a consortium of

individuals committed to the ongoing academic programming and events through joint efforts for sustaining

viability of the brand of Intelligent Minds.

Director’s Note – Mrs. Kyles

Wow! Time flies when you are having fun! Parents, we sure hope that you are treasuring all of these

precious moments with your little scholars because they are growing and changing fast. We are

constantly working to ensure that we continue to have a fantastic year at IMDC. There is such positive

energy here as we continue to focus on giving your child the very best learning experience.

What’s new at Intelligent Minds:

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Kindergarteners’ are 1st Grade Bound! – We are excited about our graduates. Kindergarten parents more

information to come. Stay tuned for a list of activities that we’ve planned in celebration of all the hard

work our graduates have done to reach this milestone.

At the beginning of the 2015 semester, we invited each kindergarten parent to find out more about

extended educational opportunities for your child with Intelligent Minds Hybrid School (1st and 2nd Grade).

We are requesting each kindergarten parent to notify Ms. Fowler of your intent for your child prior to

Friday, April 24, 2015. Limited space available.

Summer Programming – We will resume our regular operating schedule this summer and want to make

sure parents are aware of business as usual. We are extremely excited to present in this edition the

Summer S.T.E.M. (Science. Technology Engineering and Math) Discover Camp for your child. Please see

all the detailed, exciting plans we have in store for your child’s fun-filled, learning experience. The summer

camp is an 11 week program that allows for a one-week vacation without pay for each student during

camp. Please notify your classroom teacher of your registration. If you have any questions, please do not

hesitate to let me know.

Character Enrichment Time – In preparation for our Annual Schoool Program and Kindergarten

Graduation, we are asking that all students arrive no later than 8:00 am. Your cooperation is greatly

appreciated in helping us prepare for a dynamic program.

4th & Final fundraiser for this school year – The time has come, for the 4th and final fundraiser of the school

year. Each paren is required to sell a minimum of 2 bundles of raffle tickets, wich consist of 25 books; you

are welcome to sell more. The raffle tickets are in books of six (6). Individual tickets are $1.00. You may

also sell a book of six(6) for $5.00, therefore you get the 6th chance FREE! All money for raffle tickets is due

on Wednesday, May 6, 2015.

All fundraising efforts starting with the first fundraiser Waterville Candles will be recorded and combined for

a grand total for (1) Kind and Queen and five (5) Princes and Princesses in the IMDC Royal Court Contest.

At the end of the school year program, we will crown the top sellers of the school and each classroom.

Remember parents, you have the option to raise the minimum requirement requested or pay $125.00 per

fundraiser, per your contractual agreement. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to to

contact me.

How Your Investment Creates a Learning Experience for Our Scholars

The mission of Intelligent Minds Development Center is to be the premiere early learning center for young

minds. We major in supporting the young to learn and grow through cognitive, social-emotional, and

language and literacy development. What we teach today will be the foundation of a lifetime love for

learning for successful tomorrows. In order to fulfill our purpose, we must develop a positive learning

experience for our scholars. This learning experience is further heightened by the financial support and

active involvement of our parents.

According to Camsun College, “learning encompasses three broad domains—knowledge, behaviors and

attitudes. When we create a positive environment for learning, we set the conditions for students to move

through a range of behaviors in each domain, from simple to increasingly complex, until they achieve

mastery of learning outcomes” (http://edp.camosun.bc.ca/mod01/mod01.php).

At IMDC, we achieve each domain through our Scholar 360 curriculum - collaboration, achievement,

character, technology, and assessment - to ensure our students transcend from children to scholars. In

addition, we provide experienced, devoted teachers, enriched after school programming, meaningful

summer camps, integration of educational technology, experiential learning through field trips, increased

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parent communications, credible educational partners such as Texas Tech University Independent School

District, positive reinforcement, educational leadership from administrative staff, and nutritious meals.

From in the class to in the world, we design learning activities that will stimulate the growth of your child.

Yet, creating and maintaining a positive learning environment is an ongoing process. It requires

maintenance, upgrades, refinement, and enhancements to continue to deliver a process that fosters

positive learning experiences. In essence, we must grow each year as your child grows.

To foster growth in IMDC so that we may be the catalyst that sparks the cognitive, social-emotional, and

language and literacy development growth in your child, we must continue to make investments. Your

tuition and fees dollars are the investment you make in your child’s growth while also providing the

necssary support we need to sustain the learning experience.

Take a look at how your investment creates a positive learning experience here at IMDC:

Salaries & Benefits for Great Teachers & Staff

Awesome

supplies like food,

books, t-shirts,

worksheets, arts

and crafts, etc.

Lease, Utilities, Maintenance and

Repairs for the Cool Space

Insurance &

State License &

Fees to stay in

excellent

compliance

Technology

Licenses &

Upgrades to

integrate blended

learning

Marketing &

Advertising to

spread the

great brand of

IMDC

Staff

development to

enhance the skills

of our great

teachers and

staff

Professional services such as accounting,

legal, and consulting to ensure school

accountability

Other Operating

expenses such

as printing and

space rentals to

showcase our

students

We use every dollar and penny to create a positive learning

experience at IMDC. Sometimes we all experience budget

shortfalls because of the rising costs of food, supplies, and

technology. We are still in need of funds that will support a

contingency fund, expand technology, increase staff

development, and to account for additional supplies as

enrollment increases. As we seek to expand into the first,

second and possibly third grade, additional funds are

needed to make this growth happen. Every tuition payment,

fee, fundraiser, and donation all contribute to creating a

positive learning experience. We thank you for your support

and participation as we grow to transcend children into

scholars!

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Spring Program: Football, Leadership & Character Skills Camp

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Summer Program: Summer S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and

Math) Discovery Camp

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ARTS SP0TLIGHT: Chase in Dreams

Ms. Chase did it again…took the minds of our young to another

level and broadened their horizon through the insightful,

educating, toe-tapping, spirit-filled, moving production of

“Who Maya Angelou!” in March.

Parents were amazed of our stars’ stage presence, projection and power of speech displayed.

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Chase in Dreams has a strong commitment of service.

Ms. Chase confirms, “It is important that our children

are well-balanced and know that everything is not

about them. They must learn to give of themselves. It

is just as important to give and share as it is to family

come to see their performance on production night.

Photos below were taken at a performance at a

Houston Senior Living facility and the Houston Food

Bank.

"Chase in Dreams" is the Speech and Drama

Academy where the shy becomes charismatic and imaginations run wild. There are (4) 8-week

sessions available throughout the school year with each session ending with a BIG PRODUCTION!

During the session, students participate in a Group Theater outing and Community Service. Open to

Ages 3-12 years. A Registration fee and Weekly fee is required. Come let us catapult your child’s

dreams into reality!

Bring the entire family for

Chase In Dreams

Speech and Drama Academy’s

Last production

Of this school year will be:

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Education Tips for Parents: 15 Ways to Prevent Power Struggles with Your Child

15 Ways to Prevent Power Struggles with Your Child Ellen Mady / 04/28/2014

Your little one dig their heels in, crosses their arms and furrows their

brow. “I WON’T.” You look back at them right in the eye, perhaps

calmer, but just as determined. “Yes, you WILL.”

Or something to that effect. A power struggle. As the parent, you don’t

want to give in and give your child the idea that they can run circles

around you and disregard your expectations. But at the same time, you

really don’t want to get involved in these power struggles to begin with;

they are ineffective and usually leave a lot of hurt behind on both sides.

Usually kids initiate power struggles either because they feel challenged,

they want negative attention, or they are looking to control a situation. Taking these possible causes

into account, here are 15 ways to uphold your standards without engaging in a power struggle with

your child.

1. If your child is making a decision that you disagree with, but won’t cause long term harm,

allow them to experience the natural consequences of their choice. Make your suggestion,

but let them make the choice. They will learn their lesson from the consequences themselves,

without you becoming an enemy in the process. Note: This is not advisable if you foresee any

consequences that could actually harm your child or anyone else.

2. Implement consequences consistently. Make sure your child knows your expectations and

what consequences will result if they go against those expectations. Then, implement those

consequences when necessary without engaging in verbal arguments over whether or not

they will be implemented. Your child is less likely to challenge you if they feel secure that 1)

they understand the expectations and 2) you are consistent in the way you handle both

compliance and infractions.

3. Involve your children as much as possible in their lives. Ask them to participate in deciding

what they do, what chores and responsibilities they take on, etc. If you take their input into

account whenever possible and only reject it for important reasons, they will be less likely to

challenge you when they’re told “no”.

4. Ask the child to help find solutions to their difficulty. Instead of approaching the child with a

pre-defined punishment, which automatically places you “against” them and gives them the

opportunity to challenge you, point out the problem they have caused, and ask THEM how

they can fix it. See if your child can suggest two or three solutions to remedy the situation, and

then ask them which they think would be best. This approach places you on your child’s team

as someone helping them with their problem, instead of as someone blaming or challenging

them.

5. LISTEN. The more you understand what your child is thinking and feeling, the more you can

help them. Children that feel understood, loved and supported are less likely to challenge their

parents and more likely to turn to them for help.

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6. Give your children choices as much as possible. Even when you do need to step in and set

parameters, try to give them one or two ways that they could proceed forward. When a child

makes a choice, it’s easier for them to recognize why they must follow through responsibly and

accept any associated consequences.

7. Give your child lots of affirmation (effective praise, hugs or pats on the back, etc.) when they

are respecting the expectations you’ve set. The more they feel they are succeeding, the more

likely your child is to repeat their positive behavior.

8. Put the issue off until after they have time to calm down. If you, your child, or both are too

upset, it’s hard to have a reasonable interchange and much easier to fall into a power

struggle. If you sense that emotions on one or both sides are too high, stop, and continue the

discussion later when it’s easier for both you and your child to address the issue logically

instead of personally.

9. Model conflict management. No one naturally knows how to handle conflict. No matter how

close you and your children are, it’s natural for kids to challenge their parents at one point or

another both as a way of testing the relationship and because they don’t always know how

else to react. When you foresee a potential power conflict you want to avoid, or have been

through an argument you don’t want to repeat again in the future, practice the conversation

with your child. Model acceptable forms of speech they can use to express their opinions,

desires and even disagreements without challenging you or being disrespectful.

10. Show your child that you understand them. You might not agree with them, and you might not

change your mind, but you do understand them. This relieves a lot of tension. When your child

feels understood, they are more likely to listen objectively and try to understand your point of

view instead of challenging it.

11. Don’t talk or act out in anger. When you reward your child’s behavior with attention, even if it’s

negative attention, and show them that they have upset you, their likeliness of repeating their

behavior the next time they want to upset you or get your attention increases. Keeping your

calm encourages your child to find other (positive) ways to get your attention because the

negative strategies aren’t succeeding.

12. Rephrase the same expectation in a way that could distract your child. Let’s say it is bedtime

and you aren’t going to change your mind, but you can tell your child is going to fight it.

Instead of engaging in a discussion about it, ask them what pajamas they want to wear, or

what book they want to read. This approach 1) gives them a choice, 2) clearly indicates that

you will not change your decision and 3) distracts your child from focusing on their own

dissatisfaction.

13. Give the child responsibilities. If your child is starting power struggles because they want

control or want to be in charge, giving them responsibilities empowers them to challenge their

desire for control in a legitimate direction.

14. Give lots of positive attention. When power struggles are the result of a child craving attention,

providing more positive attention at other times is an easy way to mitigate clashes and

establish a closer, more trusting relationship at the same time.

15. Pray, both for yourself as a parent, and for your child. God is all powerful and loving; He is able

to help you and your child. He often answers prayers in unexpected ways, but He always

answers, so turn to Him for help!

Bear in mind that even if you do everything you can to avoid power struggles with your child, your child

will still challenge you once in a while. It’s part of growing up and learning boundaries. Be firm and

guiding, but also patient and forgiving. All of us were children once!