If your kids have been in public school this year, it's probably been a rough year for you, as well as for them. Even teachers are complaining about everything from struggling with the material they've been given from the Common Core, to increased bullying problems in school. These issues are more than enough for parents to start looking for alternative education opportunities for their kids. The problem is that many parents don't want to homeschool their kids. In many families, both parents work full time jobs, and they're just not able to homeschool. If that sounds like you, we want you to know that you don't have to feel stuck.

If you live in Horseheads or Elmira, we would love for you to consider sending your kids to Foundations Christian School during the coming school year, and here are a few good reasons.

1. We'll help your kids build a strong, Christian foundation. 

There's a reason why our school is called Foundations Christian School, and it's because we believe that God is the foundation of everything we do. We take the time to pray with the kids, and we love worshiping together and studying the Bible. Each child participates in a Bible class, and we weave the Word of God through everything they learn. 

2. Say "goodbye" to bullying.

If your child has struggled with being bullied in school, Foundations Christian School will absolutely delight you! We are all like a great big family, and the kids truly have grown to love each other. We strive to promote their friendships with each other, and bullying has never been a problem. In public school, many kids develop anxiety over the fear of being bullied by their peers. How much better would your kids' grades be if they didn't have to worry about that anymore?

3. Your kids will be safe.

Each year, it seems as though the news is full of stories of kids bringing guns or other weapons to school. A parent can feel terrified even putting her children on the bus in the morning. Safety is a big concern here at Foundations Christian School, and you won't have to worry about your kids because they'll be in the caring hands of loving teachers, in a Christian atmosphere. 

If you're tired of public school, and you'd like to find an alternative form of education for your kids, we invite you to check out what we have to offer here at Foundations Christian School. We are growing, and we would love for your family to join ours! 

For more information, please contact us today! 

*Image courtesy of stockimages, www.freedigitalphotos.net*

Legislators were surprised last month when they received some negative feedback about the Common Core from prominent governmental officials. Even Governor Cuomo spoke out against the Common Core, saying that the state's execution of the new Common Core standards was "flawed," according to an article in the New York Times. 

The article goes on to quote Carol Burris, who is the principal of a high school on Long Island. She called the state's implementation of the Common Core a "disaster" and said that, "kids don't want to go to school anymore."

Perhaps your kids are in public school, and they're experiencing the same feelings. Many kids in public schools have come home from school feeling discouraged and even defeated because of their inability to understand many of the new Common Core standards. Teachers have become frustrated as well, and many of them don't like teaching the new material they've been given. As a parent, it's likely that you've looked at your kids' homework in an effort to offer them some help, but you can't make sense of it either. 

Those complaints are common among parents this year, and although Governor Cuomo has put a panel in place to recommend changes, that hasn't stopped some parents from seeking out alternative forms of education for their kids. Some parents have decided to homeschool, while others have started looking into private schools. 

If your child is struggling this year, perhaps Foundations Christian School in Horseheads, NY would be a good fit for your family. We would love to talk with you about how we can help your child learn to love school again, while getting a solid, Christian education. 

For more information on Foundations Christian School, please contact us today. 

*Image courtesy of koratmember, www.freedigitalphotos.net*

This time of year is really difficult for parents. 

It's almost as if the kids can sense that spring is just around the corner, and they're getting tired of being cooped up in the house all the time. Parents can get just as antsy, eagerly awaiting the nice weather to return so they can usher their little ones outside to play in the sunshine. 

The problem is that it's only the beginning of March. True to the old saying, this year March is, indeed, "Coming in like a lion." We've been dealing with wind chill temperatures that are below freezing, and most days we haven't seen much sunshine at all. So, what's a parent to do when their kids seem to be getting spring fever, and they're eager to get outside and play?

Indoor Activities

There are plenty of indoor activities you can do with your kids to keep their minds off venturing out in below zero degree weather. You might have to be a little bit creative, but if you put your mind to it, you can create some activities that they'll get excited about. Of course, you'll want to avoid too much exposure to video games, especially on school nights. Encourage your older children to pick up a good book, or you can even begin reading together as a family. Older kids might also enjoy a Bible reading challenge, where you encourage them to read through an entire book of the Bible during a specific month. 

For your younger kids, hands-on activities are always great for taking their attention off of riding their bikes in the snow. Play-Doh can be a lot of fun for them, and you can even build a miniature playground together. Puzzles, fingerpaints and preschool age board games are also really good to have on hand for those days when they can't seem to handle being inside any longer. 

Venturing Out

Keep a close eye on the weather during this time of year. Occasionally, the weather will be good to us, and we will get a few days when the temperature rises above freezing. On those days, don't be afraid to bundle the kids up and send them out to play. Just be prepared to do some muddy laundry when they come back inside!

You might also want to organize a few family day trips during this time of year. Kids really enjoy going to the library, and you can easily spend an afternoon there, taking part in story time, or just reading books together. Party Central in Horseheads, NY is also a favorite place for kids, and Twin Tiers Marketplace offers discount coupons for families so you don't have to spend a lot for a few hours of fun. 

Also, don't forget about our Flower Power fundraiser, which is going on right now! On those nicer days, why not visit your neighbors, close friends and family members to ask them to purchase some seeds for their flower garden this spring? 

Most of all, try to encourage your kids to be patient. Since March did "Come in like a lion," we can hope that it will "Go out like a lamb." 

If you are interested in Foundations Christian School for your child for the coming school year, we would love to talk with you. For more information on our application process, please contact us today!

*Photo courtesy of Evgeni Dinev, www.freedigitalphotos.net*