Latest news with #IEP
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Here's How Moms Are Making School Exciting Again After Summer School
Summer break is cut short for students who are required to do summer school. Here's how their parents are ramping up for the new school year a bit differently. For many kids, summer is a time to unwind but, for those who've spent it in summer school, the break may have felt more like an extension of the academic grind. As the new school year approaches, these children might feel burnt out, discouraged, or even unmotivated. Parents will play a crucial role in helping shift their mindset from fatigue to anticipation, helping their child rekindle their enthusiasm and build positive momentum for the months ahead. Making the Most of Free Time Vanessa Gordon, mom of two and Hamptons travel and lifestyle expert, explains that her daughter was diagnosed with ADHD, and summer school was offered complementarily by the school. Because of her ADHD and since she did not get her IEP until the latter half of the year (late April), her daughter would have struggled or potentially would have had to repeat the grade. Summer school was the most seamless solution. 'We felt it was a wonderful opportunity to help her stay academically inclined and focused during the summer months. It also gives her a chance to build better habits for success in a supportive environment. She genuinely loves learning, so we wanted to continue to foster that enthusiasm,' Gordon says. Although her daughter initially asked why she needed to attend summer school, Gordon says that she has become mature enough to process those feelings and understand that school, even during summer, is an important part of her growth. 'We talk openly about it, and she can see how her efforts pay off through her report cards and reading logs, which we keep to help measure progress and celebrate successes. This helps her feel proud of her hard work and see the value in staying engaged academically.' To help her child get excited for the new school year, Gordon plans to take advantage of the break in between sessions to recharge. 'Summer school hours are very manageable,' she notes. 'It runs only from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm, Monday through Thursday, so she still has a nice balance of structured learning and free time. We make sure there are plenty of opportunities for beach days and time outdoors.' After summer school has finished, Gordon also plans to continue to assist with reinforcing a consistent routine and positive learning habits to help her daughter feel confident and prepared. 'Over the summer, we set aside time to review her 5th-grade workbooks together, practice handwriting and cursive (skills that often get overlooked but are so important) and work on art projects both at home and outside at the local park and in other open-air settings.' Gordon says that spending time at the East Hampton Library is also part of their routine. It helps her mentally transition into a focused mindset and reminds her that learning can happen anywhere but still in a structured setting. The library offers plenty of additional structured activities like preteen nights, Saturday crafts, cooking classes, and team-building events – these fun experiences help keep her daughter motivated and looking forward to the school year ahead. 'We also take mini field trips to places like the local clam hatchery, pick-your-own farms, and our historical center, which keep her engaged and curious, especially as she always tells me how her mind is always so active,' Gordon says. 'These are also activities that she genuinely enjoys and they help her reconnect with the joy of learning. This also helps her start the new school year with a positive outlook and without that overwhelming feeling.' Building Excitement About School Nicole Pomije, mom of two and founder of The Cookie Cups, says that her daughter needed to attend summer school because her reading scores were below what they should be. 'I'm not sure what the actual number was but on the 'Fast Bridge Testing' that they do in Minnesota, she came up under the average for reading twice in her 1st grade year. Because of this, she was nominated by her teacher to be a part of 'Summer Explorers'—a 6 week program ending the week of July 25 that takes about 325 students from the district. After this program, Pomije says that her daughter has a week of art camp and some family traveling. 'It will be a good break to get ready for the fall back-to-school season that doesn't start until after Labor Day here. I believe the program not only will show that her test scores have improved, but has also helped her confidence with the skills she will need to succeed in 2nd grade.' Furthermore, she likes to do school supply shopping to get her daughter excited for the new school year. 'She's a 7-year-old girl, so shopping is always on the 'fun' list for her. I like to let her pick out what she wants, from cute headphones to pencil boxes. I have found that if she gets to pick her school supplies, she's excited to use them and show them off in school. It's not about price either – even the dollar tree has super cute items.' Fostering a Joy of Learning Nieka Richard, an assistant principal in California, explains that in her district, which serves approximately 5,600 students, they offer some families the option to enroll their children in a program called Extended School Year, or ESY. Unlike mandatory summer school, ESY is a targeted support and enrichment opportunity offered during the summer months to help reduce the learning loss that often occurs when students are out of school for an extended period. 'ESY is typically offered to students who meet specific criteria. These include students with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities who require consistent support to retain skills and maintain academic progress. Additionally, ESY is extended to students who participated in our after-school intervention programs during the year, many of whom come from low-income households or have parents working extended hours,' she focus in her district is on targeted intervention and enrichment rather than retention. ESY is designed to support continued growth, close learning gaps, and prevent regression, especially for the most vulnerable student populations. Rather than being seen as a consequence of failure, it's a proactive approach to equity and academic support. Richard says that there are many ways that parents can get their child excited for the new school year after having to work through the summer. 'Families can engage in conversations that help students look forward to new beginnings such as new teachers, new friends, and new goals. Shopping for school supplies, updating backpacks and clothing items, or even setting small academic or personal goals together can build anticipation in a positive way.' She also recommends visiting the school campus before the year starts (if possible), attending fun orientations, and talking about favorite school subjects or clubs to help create a sense of connection and curiosity. Even if students have spent the summer in ESY, Richard sees it as a part of her job as an assistant principal to help students connect with the joy of learning. In collaboration with her teachers and staff, they do this by creating welcoming environments that feel safe, inspiring, and student-centered from day one. 'This includes offering choice in assignments, highlighting student strengths early on, and building relationships before diving deep into content,' she says. 'Most importantly, we remind students that school isn't just about grades, it's about collaboration, social and emotional learning, and growing into the best version of themselves. When students feel seen and supported, they find joy in learning, even after a summer of hard work.' Read the original article on Parents Solve the daily Crossword
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Lucy Letby ‘acts like Queen Bee in jail' and ‘gets hair & nails done in salon with killer pal Sara Sharif's step-mum'
BABY killer nurse Lucy Letby acts like the "Queen Bee" in prison due to the level of privileges she's afforded - angering other prisoners, it is claimed. The 35-year-old is Advertisement 5 Baby killer nurse Lucy Letby is serving 15 life sentences Credit: PA 5 Beinash Batool murdered her 10-year-old stepdaughter Sara Sharif Credit: AP 5 The pair are on Unit 4 of HMP Bronzefield Credit: Rex Letby is reported to have struck up a bizarre friendship with Beinash Batool, who murdered her 10-year-old stepdaughter Sara Sharif. The ex-neo natal nurse is said to be chaperoned by prison guards wherever she goes, and special areas have to be cleared whenever she wants to visit - due to the high risk of her being attacked by fellow lags. given 'enhanced' privileges at HMP Bronzefield, Surrey. They also have "a lot of freedom" and can buy foods that others can't - often in the kitchen making cheese toasties together. Advertisement Read more news Letby allegedly moans Sources have since told They say the government's Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme, which is designed to encourage good behaviour among prisoners, is being used by Letby who manipulates prison officers to get what she wants. The source said: "She turns on the tears at the drop of a hat, she gets all her visits in the family room which is really lovely even though she doesn't have children, it's meant to be for children and they've made it really nice. Her parents come to see her," our source said. Advertisement Most read in The Sun "She walks around like she's Queen Bee, she stops other enhanced prisoners going to the library because she says 'I'm scared, I'm scared, I don't know what they'll do to me' but what about other people who are enhanced and want to use that library, they can't. "When she and Beinash go to the salon, the whole salon has to be shut down, because they are scared that other prisoners will attack them and obviously there are scissors and stuff there." The source said the pair go to the salon "at least once a month" and Letby is "always getting" her hair and nails done, adding the wing is "like an upside down world". Lucy Letby cops arrest 3 senior members of leadership team at hospital where killer nurse murdered 7 babies Letby and Batool, 31, have also reportedly been awarded "positive behaviour comments" by prison officers as part of the IEP scheme. Advertisement This means they get extra perks like visiting the prison staff restaurant, called Vita Nova, which has two qualified chefs, and inmates can be trained barista and knife skills, it's claimed. And when Letby attends the likes of the salon or Vita Nova, it is closed to others to protect her, but she chooses to take Batool as her plus one guest, according to reports. One prisoner told The Mirror, there is "so much hatred for her" because she's "treated like she's Queen Bee". As reported by The Sun previously, the killer nurse works three different prison jobs and blows her wages on sweets and crisps. Advertisement Letby has jobs as a laundry worker, earning £8 a week, a kitchen worker - another £8 a week - and a library worker. Lag sources say she's put on so much weight "you wouldn't recognise her". Unit 4 of 527-inmate Bronzefield, which is run by private firm Sodexo. Letby and Batool both have TVs with Freeview channels and a DVD player, along with books and films, which they can order from the library. Advertisement Others on the unit include Shamed prison officer Letby — Batool was Advertisement Sara's dad, Urfan Sharif, is 5 Ten-year-old Sara Sharif was murdered by her parents Credit: PA 5 Letby and Batool love card game Uno Credit: Stewart Williams
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Lucy Letby ‘acts like Queen Bee in jail' and ‘gets hair & nails done in salon with killer pal Sara Sharif's step-mum'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BABY killer nurse Lucy Letby acts like the "Queen Bee" in prison due to the level of privileges she's afforded - angering other prisoners, it is claimed. The 35-year-old is serving 15 life sentences after being convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven more at the Countess of Chester Hospital. 5 Baby killer nurse Lucy Letby is serving 15 life sentences Credit: PA 5 Beinash Batool murdered her 10-year-old stepdaughter Sara Sharif Credit: AP 5 The pair are on Unit 4 of HMP Bronzefield Credit: Rex Letby is reported to have struck up a bizarre friendship with Beinash Batool, who murdered her 10-year-old stepdaughter Sara Sharif. The ex-neo natal nurse is said to be chaperoned by prison guards wherever she goes, and special areas have to be cleared whenever she wants to visit - due to the high risk of her being attacked by fellow lags. The Sun reported last week how the evil pair play card game Uno for hours in their cushy jail unit after being given 'enhanced' privileges at HMP Bronzefield, Surrey. They also have "a lot of freedom" and can buy foods that others can't - often in the kitchen making cheese toasties together. Letby allegedly moans she's the "fattest I've ever been" due to her diet of junk food, including chocolate. Sources have since told The Mirror other female murderers in Houseblock Four are fed up with Letby and Batool - who is serving 33 years - getting special treatment. They say the government's Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme, which is designed to encourage good behaviour among prisoners, is being used by Letby who manipulates prison officers to get what she wants. The source said: "She turns on the tears at the drop of a hat, she gets all her visits in the family room which is really lovely even though she doesn't have children, it's meant to be for children and they've made it really nice. Her parents come to see her," our source said. "She walks around like she's Queen Bee, she stops other enhanced prisoners going to the library because she says 'I'm scared, I'm scared, I don't know what they'll do to me' but what about other people who are enhanced and want to use that library, they can't. "When she and Beinash go to the salon, the whole salon has to be shut down, because they are scared that other prisoners will attack them and obviously there are scissors and stuff there." The source said the pair go to the salon "at least once a month" and Letby is "always getting" her hair and nails done, adding the wing is "like an upside down world". Lucy Letby cops arrest 3 senior members of leadership team at hospital where killer nurse murdered 7 babies Letby and Batool, 31, have also reportedly been awarded "positive behaviour comments" by prison officers as part of the IEP scheme. This means they get extra perks like visiting the prison staff restaurant, called Vita Nova, which has two qualified chefs, and inmates can be trained barista and knife skills, it's claimed. And when Letby attends the likes of the salon or Vita Nova, it is closed to others to protect her, but she chooses to take Batool as her plus one guest, according to reports. One prisoner told The Mirror, there is "so much hatred for her" because she's "treated like she's Queen Bee". As reported by The Sun previously, the killer nurse works three different prison jobs and blows her wages on sweets and crisps. Letby has jobs as a laundry worker, earning £8 a week, a kitchen worker - another £8 a week - and a library worker. Lag sources say she's put on so much weight "you wouldn't recognise her". Unit 4 of 527-inmate Bronzefield, which is run by private firm Sodexo. Letby and Batool both have TVs with Freeview channels and a DVD player, along with books and films, which they can order from the library. Others on the unit include Sian Hedges, jailed for life in 2024 for killing 18-month-old son Alfie Phillips. Shamed prison officer Linda de Sousa Abreu, who romped with a lag, was also held there until her release last month. Letby — convicted of the murders of seven babies and attempted murders of seven more while a neonatal nurse — has regular legal meetings as she plans her appeal. Batool was sentenced last December for the murder of her tortured stepdaughter. Sara's dad, Urfan Sharif, is serving at least 40 years for murder after she was beaten to death at the couple's home in Woking, Surrey. 5 Ten-year-old Sara Sharif was murdered by her parents Credit: PA
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Daily Record
Lucy Letby and child killer pal enjoy private use of prison salon and café
Furious female lags at the 550-strong HMP Bronzefield are angry that the creepy child killer best pals are "swanning around like they own the place". Lucy Letby and Beinash Batool are causing fury inside prison by getting areas "they want to visit" closed off to other inmates, according to reports. Furious female lags at the 550-strong HMP Bronzefield are angry that the creepy child killer best pals are "swanning around like they own the place". As reported by the Mirror, the pair have been getting special private visits to the hair and nail salon, and the prisoner officers' café, over fears they will be attacked by other women serving time. Letby, who worked as a neo-natal nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital, is facing 15 whole life sentences for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more. She is caged with the country's most dangerous female prisoners and has become best mates with Batool, who tortured her step daughter Sara Sharif to death. Speaking to our sister title from Houseblock Four where the female murderers are locked up, a source has said the other women are fed up with Letby and Batool getting special treatment. She says the government's Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme which is designed to encourage good behaviour among prisoners, is being used by Letby who manipulates prison officers to get what she wants. "She turns on the tears at the drop of a hat, she gets all her visits in the family room which is really lovely even though she doesn't have children, it's meant to be for children and they've made it really nice. Her parents come to see her," our source said. "She walks around like she's Queen Bee, she stops other enhanced prisoners going to the library because she says 'I'm scared, I'm scared, I don't know what they'll do to me' but what about other people who are enhanced and want to use that library, they can't. "When she and Beinash go to the salon, the whole salon has to be shut down, because they are scared that other prisoners will attack them and obviously there are scissors and stuff there. "They go at least once a month, she's always getting her nails done and always getting her hair done, Beinash is always up there with her. This place is like an upside down world." Letby and Batool have also been awarded "positive behaviour comments" by prison officers as part of the IEP scheme which means they get extra perks like visiting the prison staff restaurant, Vita Nova. Vita Nova is a posh cafe run by two qualified chefs, where prisoners can learn restaurant skills and Sodexo, the private company that runs HMP Bronzefield, says it trains inmates in barista and knife skills as well as food hygiene and allergy awareness. Sodexo boasts on its website that at Vita Nova, "in addition to serving staff meals daily, the restaurant team caters special functions too, producing buffet food for high profile guests". Enhanced prisoners can earn perks so they can visit the heavily-subsidised cafe and be treated like customers in the real world, but because of the high risk of attack, if Letby attends it is closed to any other visitors. She chooses to take Batool as her guest with the pair showing off that they've been out for a slap-up meal together, before returning to play cards or stuff their faces with sweets and chocolate from their "canteen". Our source said: "There is so much hatred for her, she's treated like a princess and she's treated like she's Queen Bee. "She was in Vita Nova last week. She managed to get positive comments from these officers, which is so wrong on every level. If you get positive comments then you can go to Vita Nova, which is a really nice cafe they've got, like a training restaurant for prisoners. "She was up there with her earned privileges and the prisoners are just furious about it. She goes with Beinash, she sucked up to the officers and got positive comments too. "It's like a really privilege thing to go, it's where all the officers go. It's hugely subsidised. They collect their little Brownie points and go up there. Lucy had a full veggie breakfast and Beinash had some sort of breakfast thing and posh cakes. "They're just flaunting it, they are letting other prisoners know and it's really p*****g people off because when they are in those places like the chapel, the salon or Vita Nova no-one else can use it. It's just really sick. "Why are they even allowed out of their cells, why are they allowed to go there and have it all closed off. If they want to protect them put them in segregation, where they will be completely on their own. They won't be attacked then." It was revealed Earlier this month that Letby could face new charges after police sent a further file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service relating to baby deaths and collapses at other hospitals where she worked. The allegations are now being considered by lawyers at the CPS. The number and exact nature of the potential new offences has not been made public yet and it could take weeks before a decision is made on whether to charge Letby with more offences. A spokeswoman for Cheshire Police said: "We can confirm that Cheshire Constabulary has submitted a full file of evidence to the CPS for charging advice regarding the ongoing investigation into deaths and non-fatal collapses of babies at the neo-natal units of both the Countess of Chester Hospital and the Liverpool Women's Hospital as part of Operation Hummingbird." In a statement, a CPS spokesman said: "We can confirm that we have received a full file of evidence from Cheshire Constabulary asking us to consider further allegations in relation to deaths and non-fatal collapses of babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital and Liverpool Women's Hospital. "We will now carefully consider the evidence to determine whether any further criminal charges should be brought. As always, we will make that decision independently, based on the evidence and in line with our legal test." In the meantime, Letby's own legal team, led by barrister Mark McDonald, submitted evidence from a panel of international experts to the Criminal Cases Review Commission in April this year, in a bid to have her convictions overturned. The CCRC examines miscarriages of justice. Letby's team of 14 world-renowned experts claim no murders took place, but assert that the babies died or collapsed due to natural causes or poor care. A spokeswoman for Sodexo, the private firm that runs HMP Bronzefield told the Mirror they do not comment on individual prisoners.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Lucy Letby and jail pal Beinash Batool get private use of prison salon and cafe
Baby murderer Lucy Letby is using the prison's incentive scheme to earn special perks which she flaunts in front of her angry fellow inmates who think she should be locked in segregation Child killers Lucy Letby and Beinash Batool are causing fury inside prison by getting areas "they want to visit" closed off to other inmates. Angry female lags at the 550-strong HMP Bronzefield are angry that the creepy best pals are "swanning around like they own the place". They have been getting special private visits to the hair and nail salon, and the prisoner officers' cafe, over fears they will be attacked by other women serving time. Letby is facing 15 whole life sentences for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more while working as a neo-natal nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital. She is locked up with the country's most dangerous female prisoners and has become best mates with Batool, who tortured her step daughter Sara Sharif to death. Speaking to the Mirror from Houseblock Four where the female murderers are locked up, our source has said the other women are fed up with Letby and Batool getting special treatment. She says the government's Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme which is designed to encourage good behaviour among prisoners, is being used by Letby who manipulates prison officers to get what she wants. "She turns on the tears at the drop of a hat, she gets all her visits in the family room which is really lovely even though she doesn't have children, it's meant to be for children and they've made it really nice. Her parents come to see her," our source said. "She walks around like she's Queen Bee, she stops other enhanced prisoners going to the library because she says 'I'm scared, I'm scared, I don't know what they'll do to me' but what about other people who are enhanced and want to use that library, they can't. "When she and Beinash go to the salon, the whole salon has to be shut down, because they are scared that other prisoners will attack them and obviously there are scissors and stuff there. "They go at least once a month, she's always getting her nails done and always getting her hair done, Beinash is always up there with her. This place is like an upside down world." Letby and Batool have also been awarded "positive behaviour comments" by prison officers as part of the IEP scheme which means they get extra perks like visiting the prison staff restaurant, Vita Nova. Vita Nova is a posh cafe run by two qualified chefs, where prisoners can learn restaurant skills and Sodexo, the private company that runs HMP Bronzefield, says it trains inmates in barista and knife skills as well as food hygiene and allergy awareness. Sodexo boasts on its website that at Vita Nova, "in addition to serving staff meals daily, the restaurant team caters special functions too, producing buffet food for high profile guests". Enhanced prisoners can earn perks so they can visit the heavily-subsidised cafe and be treated like customers in the real world, but because of the high risk of attack, if Letby attends it is closed to any other visitors. She chooses to take Batool as her guest with the pair showing off that they've been out for a slap-up meal together, before returning to play cards or stuff their faces with sweets and chocolate from their "canteen". Our source said: "There is so much hatred for her, she's treated like a princess and she's treated like she's Queen Bee. "She was in Vita Nova last week. She managed to get positive comments from these officers, which is so wrong on every level. If you get positive comments then you can go to Vita Nova, which is a really nice cafe they've got, like a training restaurant for prisoners. "She was up there with her earned privileges and the prisoners are just furious about it. She goes with Beinash, she sucked up to the officers and got positive comments too. "It's like a really privilege thing to go, it's where all the officers go. It's hugely subsidised. They collect their little Brownie points and go up there. Lucy had a full veggie breakfast and Beinash had some sort of breakfast thing and posh cakes. "They're just flaunting it, they are letting other prisoners know and it's really p*****g people off because when they are in those places like the chapel, the salon or Vita Nova no-one else can use it. It's just really sick. "Why are they even allowed out of their cells, why are they allowed to go there and have it all closed off. If they want to protect them put them in segregation, where they will be completely on their own. They won't be attacked then." Earlier this month it was revealed that Letby could face new charges after police sent a further file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service relating to baby deaths and collapses at other hospitals where she worked. The allegations are now being considered by lawyers at the CPS. The number and exact nature of the potential new offences has not been made public yet and it could take weeks before a decision is made on whether to charge Letby with more offences. A spokeswoman for Cheshire Police said: "We can confirm that Cheshire Constabulary has submitted a full file of evidence to the CPS for charging advice regarding the ongoing investigation into deaths and non-fatal collapses of babies at the neo-natal units of both the Countess of Chester Hospital and the Liverpool Women's Hospital as part of Operation Hummingbird." In a statement, a CPS spokesman said: "We can confirm that we have received a full file of evidence from Cheshire Constabulary asking us to consider further allegations in relation to deaths and non-fatal collapses of babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital and Liverpool Women's Hospital. "We will now carefully consider the evidence to determine whether any further criminal charges should be brought. As always, we will make that decision independently, based on the evidence and in line with our legal test." In the meantime, Letby's own legal team, led by barrister Mark McDonald, submitted evidence from a panel of international experts to the Criminal Cases Review Commission in April this year, in a bid to have her convictions overturned. The CCRC examines miscarriages of justice. Letby's team of 14 world-renowned experts claim no murders took place, but assert that the babies died or collapsed due to natural causes or poor care. A spokeswoman for Sodexo, the private firm that runs HMP Bronzefield told the Mirror they do not comment on individual prisoners.
