March
Get ready for test day
Many schools will begin standardized testing. We will administer Illuminate FastBridge in April and TCAP in May. Make a note of the SCS testing schedule on your family calendar so you can be sure your children get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast on test days.
Read some more
National Read Across America Day is March 2. Take time at home to read aloud on this day with your kids, and have them take turns reading to you. Encourage older children to read on their own and to their younger siblings. Anything that interests them—from comic books to the classics—counts! And if you haven't taken the pledge to have your kids read at least 20 minutes a day, go to parenting.com/pledge and make the promise now!
Get art smart
Exposure to art and music can help your children excel in math, problem solving, and reading, and help them develop teamwork skills and self-esteem. Check out the resources on free.ed.gov, and then do your part at home. Replenish your arts-andcrafts supplies. Let your kids experiment with inexpensive music-makers like a harmonica, a recorder, or an old guitar. Check out child-friendly music CDs and art books from your library. Urge older siblings to join their school's choir, band, or drama program.
Plant a garden
Kids learn firsthand about weather, plant life cycles, and nutrition when they help grow their own garden.
Department of Education Countdown to Success
