Family Focus

Getting Organized

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Creating routines helps students
stay on top of assignments.

ustion: I am in need of
Q: I am new to my school and haven't
some strategies
been able to make any new
that will help my
friends yet. Do you have
elementary and middle
any ideas?
school children be better
A: Sometimes it is a little
organized. Any sugges-
scary to be "new" in a place
tions?
where it seems like everyone
Answer: There are sev-
else already has friends.
eral things that you can do
Often there are gatherings
to assist your child:
for new students or clubs you
• Color code folders, note-
can join. You or your parents
books and binders for each
can check with your teacher
Suzi Epstein
subject area, choosing one
or counselor to see if your
Specia I to the
color for each subject and
school
has these kinds of
Jewis h News
keeping that consistent for
programs.
each item associated with
You might also ask some-
that subject.
one if you can join him or
• Have an assignment notebook
her at lunchtime. Sometimes making
that comes home every night. (Many
friends with just one new person opens
schools provide one for their stu-
the door to meeting their friends as well.
dents.) Make sure that you check the
You might want to ask your parents if
notebook daily with your student to
you are able to invite someone to do
make sure the assignments are com-
something. Going to a movie or an event
pleted and returned to school.
is a good way to begin a friendship with-
• Determine a convenient and safe
out too much pressure on you to enter-
spot where your child can put his/her
tain that friend at your house.
completed homework so that you and
Remember, building friendships may
your child can make sure it gets into
often take a little time and effort; but a
the backpack for the next day. This
lasting friendship can develop when you
can be a tremendous help for those
are patient, kind and open to new expe-
students who tend to do the work, but riences. ❑
never seem to turn it in the next day.
• Work with the teacher to follow
Suzi Epstein of West Bloomfield is a
up on incomplete or missing assign-
longtime elementary counselor in the
ments. Help your child stay organized
Birmingham Public Schools. She earned a
by going through his/her backpack on master's in guidance and counseling and
a regular basis, throwing out, sorting
also has a private practice. Direct ques-
and returning papers as needed.
tions to SuziEpstein@gmail.com

Q

Lecture Features Historian
On Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m., the
Rabbi Leo M. Franklin Archives of
Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Township
and the Mary Einstein Shapero
Memorial Lecture Series will present
historian Marc Leepson in a discussion
of his book Saving Monticello.
The book traces the story of Uriah
Phillips Levy, the United States' first
Jewish-American Naval war hero, and
his role in saving Thomas Jefferson's
beloved home — Monticello. In the
book, Leepson chronicles the Levy
family's commitment to the preservation
of this national monument.
Leepson was a staff writer for the

Congressional Quarterly in Washington,
D.C., until 1986 when he began his
freelance career. Since that time, he has
authored six books and appeared on
radio and television programs.
The presentation is open to the
community. Admission is $7. There is
no charge for Friends of the Rabbi Leo
M. Franklin Archives. Leepson's book
will be available for purchase.
Those who join the Friends of the
Rabbi Leo M. Franklin Archives at the
Family Level ($72) will receive a copy
of Saving Monticell and admission to
the lecture at no additional charge. For
reservations or information, call Jan
Durecki, (248) 851-1100, ext. 3137.

6881 Orchard Lake Rd,
on the Boardwalk
(248) 851-5030

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October 9 • 2008

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