Can the Month Your Child Was Born Effect School Performance?

The new school year is about to begin. Does the month your child was born effect school performance? Are there natural academic and social differences between children born in the winter and children born in the fall? If your child was born in January, February, or March will she have an advantage compared to the child in the same class who was born in October, November, or December? Is there a January/December birthday barrier? The answer is yes. There is a birthday barrier, and the January kids are the winners.

Based on my years of experience, I think that this birthday barrier is most obvious and challenging during the early childhood years, from pre-school through 2nd grade, and for boys it is even more challenging. However, my experience is not new news. Research supports the fact that age matters.
So, if this isnt news, why do so many November and December children continue to get left back even in kindergarten? Why do these children continue to struggle through 2nd grade, and for some, even longer? The answer is: school administrators and teachers are quite aware of this problem, they just dont know how to fix it.

The Nightmare of Eating Disorders

Back to school means more than just new clothes, new classes and new friends. It can also mean worry about looks, image and weight. These worries can quickly turn into the nightmare of an eating disorder.

A new school year brings concerns to every youngster. She wants to fit in, be liked and feel accepted. She feels the pressure of performing up to standards expected of her by her parents, teachers and coaches. This can be a very stressful time even in a young life.

Part of fitting in these days, especially in New York where the fashion industry and theater play such a visible and influential role, is being thin. Messages to take it off and keep it off are not just heard by teenagers and adults, they create strong impressions and concern in children as young as five. The majority of 4th, 5th, and 6th grade girls have already been on at least one diet. This is during the growing years when restricting intake can severely affect the natural maturation of bones, muscles and hormonal processes.

Dieting too much and too early can lead to anorexia or bulimia, compulsive eating, weight problems, or an obsession with appearance at the expense of self-esteem. When ones focus on body image, thinness, weight and appearance becomes all-important, a young girl begins to define herself as likable or acceptable because of how she looks. This reinforces her need to stay thin at any cost. The next step is very easy.

The special sound of a newborns cry is unmatchable. Take a moment and think of it. It is miraculous and joyous and scary and beautiful, all at once. There is absolutely nothing like the freshness and innocence of a brand new life, eager for love. If by chance that child turns out to have special needs, something very unusual happens. That simple and sweet initial innocence just seems to linger. That need for love, that eagerness, that glory of possibility seems to grow and grow with special children.

In 1996 a couple of young girls, Jenine Shwekey and Chaya Bender, noticed how difficult it was for a mother to take care of her special needs child, and wanted to help. From the moment they became involved in this life, they knew that their help would become indispensableto the child, the mother, and to themselves. They were hooked.

Quickly the one child grew to six, ten, twenty and more. A simple rented apartment with second hand furniture housed sunny paintings and the laughter of these happy children. The parents would breathe easier knowing they had a helping hand after school and on weekends, and the children grew brighter with the added attention and love.

Mr. Gold said, Im a businessman. Thank G-d, I always have money in my pocket. I could easily buy myself lunch, but this isnt about a tuna fish sandwich. Its not about lunch. Its about caring. Its about being there when another Jew needs you. Its about the little things like an attractive garnish on a delicious hot meal that says: Were here for you. Were connected.

Mr. Golds eyes filled with tears. This hardened businessman continued, in a choked voice, My mother is in the hospital. My father is elderly and has many needs. I have a wife and kids that need me and my business doesnt stop because of family difficulties. All day I run from the hospital to business meetings and then to my father, who is lonely and doesnt understand why I cant sit and talk for hours.

My son needed my help with schoolwork. While we were working, the phone rang. The hospital needed me to fill out some forms. My wife didnt ask me to pick up milk but I knew we needed some, so I stopped off on the way back. When I got back, my son was in tears, trying to work on his own. There was a message on my cell phone from my father. He needed a light bulb changed. It couldnt wait. It would be dangerous for him to be walking around in the dark. And it was my turn to spend the night with my mother at the hospital.

This past January, my husband, kids and I were privileged to spend time with my Nono Jack, in Israel. He was so happy to see us. All of my life, his hugs and kisses were something to look forward to and this was no exception.

My Nono was always up to date about everything that was going on in our lives, even though he lived so far away. He made it his duty to be involved in the lives of all his children and grandchildren, near or far. On his living room wall, hung pictures of my siblings, myself and other  family members. It was wonderful to see.

Julia Jean Brown was born on April 29, 1922 on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. She had five brothers: Moe, Jack, Sam, Izzy and Eddie and two sisters, Grace Shelby and Mollie Hirsch. Although her name was Julia, everyone called her Jeanand she was my mother.

She and my father, Morris, were married on August 2, 1941 and had six children: Sandra, Marilyn, Elliot AH, Stanley, Dennis and me (Allen). As a bonus, she had Joyce Brown, Rachel Brown, and Audi Brown, her daughters-in-law, a son-in-law, Charlie Botton and 15 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

She loved life, her family and friends, but most of all she loved Hashem. Mom was a giver. She always helped the underdog. When I was about 15 years old, I asked her how I was going to make it in this world. She replied, Dont worry, Hashem will be with you, and she was so right.

With much anticipation and excitement, the winners of the 4th Annual Haim Dweck Hesed Competition were announced in front of their families and classmates. The competition challenged MDYs 6th graders to come up with ways to reach out to others in need of help and extend kindness to them.

It has been a pleasure to honor the memory of my husband, Haim Dweck AH. The Dweck family is happy to award the winners and to help further their Torah education. Thank you to my grandson Hymie Dweck for starting this foundation and to all my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, said Mrs. Julie Dweck.

On a recent rainy day, it was all sunshine and gardens in Magen David Yeshivah as parents and  children experienced literacy lessons side-by-side in their classrooms.

With the successful introduction of the new reading program, Journeys, MDY wanted to give students the opportunity to share with their parents all that they had learned throughout the year. In addition to students sharing with their parents, the goal of literacy day was to reiterate the importance of reading and how parents can join their children on the path to leading lives of literacy.

Parents were delighted as they entered the lobby to find gardens of paper flowers created by their children. Each child had a flower with his/her photo planted in the lobby. Complete with butterflies, chirping crickets and a John Deere tractor, the lobby was thoroughly transformed.

Strivright/The Auditory Oral School of New York (AOSNY) recently celebrated their grand opening with a spectacular ribbon cutting ceremony. Nearly 300 people gathered in their brand new, state-of-the-art facility to rejoice.

Strivright is a unique school that focuses on teaching children with characteristics of Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD), speech delays and hearing impairment. The Center provides physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, counseling, music therapy, social skills groups and other services that provide children with the tools to attend mainstream schools and thrive.

Founded in 1999 by Dr. Pnina Bravmann, an audiologist, speech language pathologist, teacher and the mother of a hearing impaired child, Strivright/AOSNY has serviced and changed the lives of thousands of children and their families. After having filled three temporary locations, the school is now finally consolidated under one roof, on the corner of Avenue M and East 34th Street.

How often do you get the chance to help children in need, while taking a break from work with a lively group of friends, plus the opportunity to spend time outdoors amid spectacular scenery? In addition there were amazing health and fitness benefits, and the chance to bring people together for a common goal. Bike4Chais charity bike ride offered all these things plus a grand finale guaranteed to tug on your heartstrings.

Bike4Chai raises funds so seriously ill children can spend two carefree weeks at Camp Simcha, a medically supervised overnight summer camp in Glen Spey, New York.

Abie Maleh and Alan Shamah helped to spark community interest in Bike4Chai two years ago. Now in its third year, the ride has grown from two dozen to 200 cyclists. In order to participate in the ride, bicyclists from the tri-state area, across the country and Canada, commit to raising a minimum of $3,600.

The Yeshivah of Flatbush celebrated its 85th anniversary of educational excellence recently and paid tribute to four teachers who have positively influenced countless students and families over the years: Rabbi Zelig Prag, Chairman of the YOF Joel Braverman High School Talmud Department; Rabbi Naftali Besser, Dean of Students at the Joel Braverman High School; Rabbi Dr. David Hertzberg, Middle Division Principal; and Mrs. Leah Breski, Lower Division Torah Studies teacher. Over 500 people turned out to recognize the honorees deep commitment to education and Jewish life.

The event at Shaare Zion also celebrated the installation of a new roster of lay leaders at YOF. Ladies Auxiliary 2011-2012 President Ami Sasson welcomed Melissa Tbeile as her successor together with Nathalie Vilinsky as President-Elect. Current President Mark Goldstein will head the yeshivahs lay leadership board for a second term, ensuring continuity in a time of growth and innovation. He spoke of this summers major improvements, which include a new auditorium and much more, thanks to the Khezrie, Ben-Haim and Laboz families. He also announced the launch of a major capital campaign to build a state-of-the-art facility adjacent to the high school building, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the Al and Sonny Gindi families.