This Full House Reviews

Power A Bright Future - Help Schools Win Grants and Develop More Art-Focused Programs

My middle girl (she's 16) attends one of four magnet public high schools and career academies that are a part of our county's vocational school district, here in New Jersey.

Kids in Heather's school are studying for careers in the communications field and, thanks to grants and many generous donations, students have access to advanced photo gear, hi-tech computers typically used in graphic design and even a television studio with state of the art equipment being used in media today.

Heather loves photography (she's pretty good at it, too)  so, we are very thankful for the opportunity of our daughter being able to attend a specialized academy, within the public school system, that allows her access to equipment that would typically NOT be in our family's budget.

That's why I'm working with Clorox's Power A Bright Future K-12 school grant program to get parents and their teens (13 and older) to vote and help schools in need win grants up to $50,000. 

Care to help a school out?!?  EXCELLENT!!!  

Schools Need Stay Up-to-Date With Technology (Parents, too!)

Photo credit:  AAUGH.com

I remember listening to tape cassettes during stenography (a.k.a. shorthand) , a style of writing that allowed students to write words as quickly as they are spoken, and being one of a very few who COULD NOT WAIT to get to this class.

(refer to cartoon on left)

The recordings were dictated by, well, I don't quite remember who (it was a long time ago, shuddup!)  on a funky little contraption called a dictaphone (I think)  and then my classmates and I would transcribe our notes onto a typewriter.

Yes, it was an electric typewriter (I'm not THAT old!) and I was the one...way in the back...with the stupid grin on my face.

Keep in mind, it was the 1970's, technology was still in it's tween years and computers were for super-secret governmental type stuff.

Yes, a great many of my teachers were also conspiracy theorists.

Kids are allowed to use my laptop for homework ONLY: edited with this really cool Polaroid effect on Picmonkey! #igeek

It’s no secret, kids today are much more technologically advanced than their parents and my kids are no exception.  A majority of homework involves researching stuff on the internet and two of my tween's text books are now available online.

I think this is a wonderful thing:  less books to carry home (seriously, their backpacks can get heavy!) and, having 4 kids in school for the last 13 years, I am ALL for going paperless.

I know how important school programs are to a child's experience.  That's why I'm working with Clorox's Power A Bright Future K-12 school grant program to get parents and their teens (13 and older) to vote and help schools win grants up to $50,000.  

Care to help a school out?!?  EXCELLENT!!!  

Here's how you AND YOUR TEEN can help:  from November 12 to December 19, 2012, anyone 13 and older can vote online and via text -- a great way to get your older kids involved in helping their classmates and/or younger kids out, yes?

Visit www.powerabrightfuture.com from a computer or mobile phone to do it, or visit the site to find your favorite school's text to vote code.  You can vote once online and once by text every day.  Voting ends December 19, 2012 and the winners will be announced later this year.

Previous grant winners created new computer labs, digital white boards and many schools submit grant requests for iPads and updated technology systems.

Sadly, we don't have an iPad (YET!)  and most local libraries are equipped with an awesome reference lab for those folks who don't have computers at home.

So you see, not ALL technology is evil and I really do believe growing up in the age of the internet can be a wonderful thing (when used properly, of course, common sense helps)  YOLO!!! 

What?  YOLO = you only learn once (just trying to keep it young and fresh, for you youngsters!) and I am all for programs that help enrich and enhance our children's education.

Oh, and be sure to check out Clorox on Facebook and Clorox on Twitter or #yolopabf if you are a hashtag-enthusiast...like me...minus the stupid grin, of course!

© 2003 - 2012 This Full House 

Disclosure: I am being compensated by The Clorox Company to talk about the Power A Bright Future school grant program.  As always, all opinions are mine and I am more than happy to participate in stuff to help schools.

Power A Bright Future - Help Schools Win Grants for School Programs

Raising four children (ages 19, 17, 13 and 11)  and having had a child attend all 4 schools in our district (sometimes, ALL at the same time)  my husband and I are very supportive of public education.  

I feel it safe to say that (next to being a parent)  teaching is one of the hardest jobs that everyone else thinks they can do....better.

I have volunteered for many school programs over the last 13 years, my favorite being:  working with the Art Appreciation Committee as a Picture Parent, introducing children to famous works of art, artists and their preferred mediums.  

Unfortunately, volunteering opportunities have declined as my children entered the middle grades (even more so in high school):  and cutbacks to school budgets are often eliminating the types of innovative programming (like art and music)  that help enrich and enhance our children's education.

Thankfully, the kids in our school district benefit through generous donations and grants which fund educational programs:  such as, learning through the use of Promethean presenters (an interactive white board)  and helping to expand music appreciation with Instruments Out of the Attic, where teachers collect and refurbish old musical instruments and provide them to economically disadvantaged students.

Aaaaand, 3 out of 4 are holding a tech-related device of some sort...YO!

As a mother 3 teens (and one soon-to-be-teen), I know how important school programs are to a child's experience.  That's why I'm working with Clorox's Power A Bright Future K-12 school grant program to get parents and their teens (13 and older) to vote and help schools win grants up to $50,000.  

Care to help a school out?!?  EXCELLENT!!!

Favorite Find of the Week: PBS KIDS and The Democracy Project - Election 2012 Tools for Kids

I just printed a voter registration application for my 18 year-old:  the voter registration deadline here in New Jersey is 21 days before an election. 

I remember applying for a voter registration card in high school and, well, they don't teach kids how to balance a bank statement, anymore, either:  voter registration deadlines for all 50 states can be found on the USA.gov website.

The good folks at PBS KIDS have created a really great online tool called The Democracy Project to help kids learn a little bit more about the election process:

Kellogg's Champions of Great Starts: Mom's Homeroom - Another Awesome Online Resource & Back-to-School Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing this awesome back-to-school kit with you Susie (comment #26) and Gerrie (comment #10) please check your email for further details, thanks!!!

I'm having a blast working with the Champions of Great Starts Bloggers in sharing stories on how Kellogg's is the cereal I grew up with and now is the breakfast that starts my family's day off right.

Check us out, we're ALL featured on Kellogg's website at:  http://www.kelloggs.com/en_US/champions-of-great-starts.html or feel free to catch up on ALL my Champions of Great Starts blog posts, here (when you have time, of course)!

Today, it is my pleasure to share with you a wonderful new online resource for parents called Mom's Homeroom, along with an awesome giveaway featuring Kellogg's products and a backpack filled with supplies, just in time for back-to-school.

POLLY-O/KRAFT String Cheese and Crayola B2S Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: Looking forward to sharing some really awesome back-to-school supplies with you, Betsy (comment #36) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

My family and I recently went on a hike at one of our favorite staycation destinations.  However, this year, my body gave out on me on the car ride up (stupid back, dumbass 40's) so, half my crew and I were chatting with an older couple while the other half tackled hiking the red trail.

"So, you kids excited about going back to school?"

[sound of crickets, chirping]

The older couple happened to be waiting for their grandchildren (stupid red trail) and, well, they already knew the answer to THAT question and what is it with grandparents riling up the kids like that?!?

Although my kids would NEVER admit it (out loud, anyways) they ARE looking forward to seeing their friends and getting back on a more normal routine (sort of) me, too!

I am excited to partner with the good folks at Kraft Foods and Crayola (two back-to-school staples at our house) in helping to spread the word about their “feed their hunger and creativity” campaign AND sharing an awesome package of back-to-school supplies.

Science Near You: An online tool to help families find fun science activities all over New Jersey!

My husband Garth (not his real name) and I are big-time science and history geeks, avid How It's Made fans and the History Channel is favorited (yes, it's a word) on our clicker.

Summer vacations have included:  visting with Pilgrims at Plimoth Plantation, hiking trails and chasing sand crabs at the Cape May Bird Observatory, and wondering just where in the heck they kept their potties at Mount Vernon and Monticello!?!?

Now that our kids are getting older and all school-ed out at this time of year (me, too!) convicing them to do something educational during the summer can be a little difficult.

Also, with my oldest daughter working and gas prices being what they are (UGH!) we're sticking close to home, this year.

Our good friends at the Liberty Science Center have launched Science Near You, a new online tool to help families find fun science activities in New Jersey, like:

Presidents' Day Fun Facts for Kids (and those of us suffering from mommy/daddy brain!)

Quite a few parenting experts have identified mealtime as perhaps one of the best opportunities to hold conversations with your family. 

I am NOT one of those experts. 

However, raising 3 teens and 1 tween, I can tell you that our dinner conversations can get quite, uh, interesting.

That is to say, once I am finally able to get my kids to, you know, actually talk.

Our friends at Kiddie Academy (just so you know, website has sound) a national education-based childcare provider came up with a list of fun and interesting facts about U.S. Presidents to help spark conversation with your kids.

Like, do  you know that George Washington NEVER had teeth made of wood?   Okay, fine, how about:

Happy Birthday Ranger Rick: Special Offer - Save 57% On 1 Year Subscription & Receive a FREE Ranger Rick Plush

Every year, my in-laws would send their grandchildren birthday and holiday gift subscriptions and Your Big Backyard and Ranger Rick were two of my kids' favorite magazines (mine, too!)

I was surprised to learn that the children's magazines offered by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) featured no advertising.

Ranger Rick is Celebrating its 45th Birthday:  by offering readers a FREE Ranger Rick plush with each subscription of their award-winning magazines!

Deal Alert:  Save 57% on a 1 year subscription (10 issues per year) for $19.95 (cover price is $35.00) also, all profits from the sale of their magazines support the National Wildlife Federation (BONUS!)

Happy Birthday, dude!

© 2003 - 2012 This Full House

Disclosure:  I'm a Founding Mother of NWF's Be Out There program - just helping families (like mine) get their kids outside and enjoy nature, more - no payment was received for this blog post.

There's Still Time to Apply for the Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program!

My oldest daughter is a senior in high school (SOB!) which means she gets way more mail than her father and I do.

Until, those tuition notices kick in and then, well, hello FAFSA!

Got a scholar athelete in your family?!? EXCELLENT!!!  Foot Locker and DoSomething.org have partnered to offer 20 college scholarships:

The Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program honors students who demonstrate academic excellence and show their strength of character and devotion to their sports, as well as their communities.  Students will be rewarded not because they scored the most touchdowns or ran the fastest mile, but because they have become strong leaders in the community, exemplifying sportsmanship both on and off the field.

Students can apply online or be nominated by teachers, coaches, friends and family by visiting www.dosomething.org/footlocker.  Application closes on January 9, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. (EST). 

Good luck and happy college shopping...YO!

© 2003 - 2012 This Full House

Disclosure:  No payment, product or any other consideration, besides a chance to share ways in which families (like mine) can perhaps save a little extra milk money was received for this blog post.

 

Wrapping Up the Season: Help Raise Funds for Educational Charities and Save on Last-Minute Gifts With Upromise

 

Last month, I got the chance to tell you about a terrific program to help folks (like us) save for college while getting your holiday shopping done.

With only 6 more shopping days left until Christmas (I know, how in the heck did THAT happen?!?) today, I'm excited to share some great last-minute savings tips from the good folks at Upromise:

Saving for College While Getting Your Holiday Shopping Done With Upromise

We took our 18 year-old to an open house at one of the local colleges here in Jersey, earlier this month.

Key words, rocking my world at the moment, in that last sentence being:  18 year-old and college.

However, with 3 more children following close behind, I feel it safe to say it's NEVER too late to save for college.

Looking for additional college funding or, perhaps you're like me and don't know of anyone who isn't sweating their kid's education, let alone, trying to figure out a way to pay for college, seriously?

Today, I am very excited to tell you about an awesome service that helps families (like ours) earn extra money for education while shopping for the holidays!

What is Upromise?  How Much Does It Cost Do Join?

Danimals Rally for Recess: Share Your Recess Memories For a Chance to Win $20,000 For Your Elementary School Playground

Hope, showing off her multi-tasking skills, picking up litter, while playing with her best friend on the monkey bars at their elementary school.

Luisa, Shirley and Wendy were some of my best friends in elementary school and we used to LOVE playing Charlie's Angels, together -- hiding behind corners, underneath benches and behind the dumpsters, keeping an eye out for the playground bullies.

We grew up in an urban neighborhood, in an industrial town, surrounded by factories and spent our mid-days, playing on the school yard, in the shadow of the Staten Island dumps.

Not very picturesque (I know) still, after a while, you sort of grew used to the smells and, well, quite frankly, we were too busy having fun, just being kids, to even notice that our playground was made of concrete.

A lot has changed since I was a kid. I still miss the old neighborhood (sort of) and, well, there's a teeny-tiny part of me that will always be partial to the smell of garbage.

Still, I believe it's important that kids be allowed to get outside and blow off a little steam -- most especially, during recess.

PBS Sneak Preview: Halloween, Wild Kratts and Science, OH MY!

PBS KIDS CELEBRATES HALLOWEEN WITH NEW EPISODES

Yep, I am one of those parents, who believe in the benefits of good quality television programs -- like, Sesame Street and the original Electric Company with Morgan Freeman -- especially, for families who perhaps lack access to educational resources we tend to take for granted.

For example, first generation American kids, who started kindergarten not being able to read, write, or speak a word of English -- just like my twin brother and me.

PBS KIDS is kicking off Fall with three exciting announcements including upcoming Halloween-themed programming, a new educational iPhone app, SID’s Science Fair and WILD KRATTS “Predator Week” programming!

WILD KRATTS features the Kratt Brothers from Zoboomafoo (now in syndication on PBS) and my kids absolutely LOVED watching this show (me, too!)

You and or your kids into Wildlife?  Dinosaurs?  How about Science?  EXCELLENT!!!

Check this out:

Elmer's Kids in Need Foundation: Still Time to Help Kids Get Back-to-School Supplies!

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: I am SO EXCITED to be sharing this awesome prize pack with you Jane H. (comment #99)  Yvonne Butler (comment #48) and Veronica Garrett (comment #110) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

We love Elmer's products and have been loyal customers for, um, how old is my oldest kid?!?

Anyway, I know that a lot of your kids are back-to-school (already!?!?) and most kids here in Jersey start up after Labor Day weekend (SOB!)

I recently learned that Elmer’s is partnering with the Kids In Need Foundation to provide essential school supplies to students who need them the most.

Here's two very simple ways in which we can ALL help:

• For every “like” on the Elmer’s Facebook page (through Sept. 1st) the company will donate one Elmer’s product.

• Plus, they will make an additional donation for every unique view the video receives on the Elmer’s Kids In Need tab.

Please like the Elmer’s Facebook page, watch the video, and share it with your friends and family. With just one click, you will help a child in need!

To help you (yes, maybe even YOU!) get back-to-school ready, the good folks at Elmers have offered to send three (3) of our online friends a lovely Back-to-School prize pack, including: