By Julie M. Armenta,

Educational Specialist, M.A.

With each New Year, we have the opportunity to reflect on our lives, and make ad-justments to our life goals and objectives. These adjust-ments are usually expressed as New Year’s Resolutions. This New Year, as you begin the journey down a new path, share this new beginning with your child. Listed below are a

few ideas.

Eat Healthier: Children be-tween the ages of six and twelve eat half of the recom-mended servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Dole Foods’ website (www.dole5aday.com) has suggestions on good eating habits and it gives great infor-mation on vitamins in fruits and vegetables. Try some healthy snack recipes from Better Recipes www.healthy.betterrecipes.com/healthysnackrecipes.html. Your child will feel, act, and

think better on a healthy diet.

Become More Physically Fit: With children choosing more often to play on comput-ers, and watch TV, many are becoming sedentary. Children and adults should get some kind of exercise daily. The best kind of exercise is one your child will do regularly.

Help him or her find activities that are fun and rewarding. Baseball, walking, soccer, jumping rope—anything is OK if it is enjoyable and done safely. Don’t push them to exercise. Instead join them in a fun, vigorous activity. Kids

are more likely to be active when they have someone to do activities with. Everyone in the family will feel better if

they are active every day.

Read More Books: The advantages of reading are endless. Help increase your child’s vocabulary and use of the English language, both verbal and written. I recom-mend 20-30 minutes per night. Check out websites like Reading Rainbow (www.pbskids.org/readingrainbow/index.html), World of Reading

(www.worldreading.org), and KidsReads.com (www.kidsreads.com) to help get your children involved and excited about reading. Your local library is always a

great place to visit.

Start A Journal: I cannot stress too much the im-portance of writing a journal. It is a wonderful self-reflection tool, and it helps to keep your child focused on daily/weekly goals and events. Journal writing will

improve

your child’s writing skills. I encourage children to have a private journal where they have a safe place to explore their feelings, thoughts, ide-as, and dreams. Or perhaps you could keep a family jour-nal for everyone to share in and read. Journaling helps your child to become a writer

at an early age.

Volunteer: Volunteerism is a great way to teach young children responsibility, not only to a particular task , but to the community in which they live. Volunteering is a

fantastic way to get children

involved. They can work with animals, other children, technology, etc. There are many opportunities out there.

(Continued on page 2)

Special points of interest:Special points of interest:Special points of interest:Special points of interest:

• December is National Drunk December is National Drunk December is National Drunk December is National Drunk

Driving Prevention MonthDriving Prevention MonthDriving Prevention MonthDriving Prevention Month

• Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

- December 7

• Human Rights Day Human Rights Day Human Rights Day Human Rights Day - December

10

• Winter Recess Winter Recess Winter Recess Winter Recess Monday Decem-

ber 22 - Friday January 2

• Happy New Year Happy New Year Happy New Year Happy New Year ---- January 1

• January is National Mentoring January is National Mentoring January is National Mentoring January is National Mentoring

MonthMonthMonthMonth

• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day ----

January 19 (Legal Holiday)

• February is Library Lovers MonthFebruary is Library Lovers MonthFebruary is Library Lovers MonthFebruary is Library Lovers Month

• Lincoln’s Day Lincoln’s Day Lincoln’s Day Lincoln’s Day ---- February 13

• Presidents’ Day Presidents’ Day Presidents’ Day Presidents’ Day - February

16(Legal Holidays)

A New Beginning 1

Success Stories 2

Student of the Quarter 3

Community Events 4

New Learning Options 5

Armenta Events & Programs 6

Back to School Photos 5

December 1, 2014

SECOND QUARTER NEWSLETTER Armenta Learning Academy

Happy Holidays Happy Holidays Happy Holidays Happy Holidays

A New Beginning ReminderReminderReminderReminder

The Academy will be closed for Winter Re-cess December 22nd through January 2nd. School resumes Mon-

day, January 5th.

December, January & February

have a specific agenda or planned ac-tivity. This time can be spontaneous and varied in length from a few minutes to several hours depending on the situ-ation. There are many activities that are enjoyable and can be of benefit to both you and your child. It is important to take advantage of quality time with your child. Take time to enjoy your fam-ily. Some great family geared websites are www.childslife.com,

www.momexchange.com, and

www.ockidsdirectory.com.

Study and Organization Time: Get in the habit of studying each night. Re-view and reinforce always! Get ahead on work and ask teachers for assign-

Page 2

A New Beginning

Success Stories

Here are some informative websites for

you and your family to check out:

Kids Care (www.kidscare.org)

Just Give Kids’ Corner (www.justgive.org/html/kidscorner/)

FamilyCares (www.pointsoflight.org) President’s Student Service Challenge

(www.presidentialserviceawards.org/tg/PSSA)

Creative Outlet: It is important for chil-dren to express themselves through music, dance, theatre, art, etc. Be cre-ative and have fun. For some online creativity, try www.TouchPaint.com, www.CyberCones.com, www.Crayloa.com, and Kaboose’s Kid’s Domain

(http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/).

Quality Family Time: I recommend no phones, no television, no friends, no distractions; have a family only night. Or, perhaps set aside a particular time daily. Try playing family board games, taking walks, or 20 questions games. Quality family time does not need to

(Continued from page 1) ments to get ahead or do for extra

credit.

Elementary should work one hour, middle school 1.5-2 hours and high school 2-3 hours daily. Get organized by making a schedule that works best for you and your family. Get started before you get too relaxed after com-

ing home from school/work.

When helping your child create goals and objectives, it is important to stress

realistic New Year’s resolutions. This advice also pertains to you, the parent. Your child will be looking up to you as a role model as you both share your new jour-ney. Soon, I will be asking my own students if they have any New Year’s resolutions, why they chose them, and how they will

achieve them. Here’s to the New Year—a new beginning for you and

your family! Happy New Year!

“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.”

Benjamin Franklin

"Thank you Mrs. Julie for starting this school. I love school now. You are the best teacher ever and you make me learn so fast. Thank you for

all your help. I love you very much"

-Maria

“Thank you for making my life take a U turn.”

- Ryan

“Mrs. Armenta, you are a great teacher and we are glad to

be your students!”

- Jacob and Isabella

“Thanks to the Armenta Learning Academy, I began taking Sign Language over a year ago. It is now one of my favorite classes and one day, I hope to get my degree in it. The Armenta Learn-ing Academy has been very helpful in my educa-tion and I have been coming here for over five years. Mrs. Armenta and Mr. Smith are both wonderful teachers, and are so fun to be

around.”

- Brianna

““Mrs. Armenta is one of the sweetest ladies

I’ve ever met! Her dogs are the

same way. Mr. Smith makes my lessons fun

and interes�ng. I love being here with both

of them!”

- Danielle

“Wow! I can’t believe I actually love Armenta so much, I

want to go to summer school!”

- Linda

“You are a blessing and so dear. I am so

happy you are in our lives and for the

contribution you are making! I have all the confidence in the galaxy that

you will greatly impact our child’s growth.”

- Jenny

Second quarter Newsletter

Maria Dzubian is our Student of the QuarterMaria Dzubian is our Student of the QuarterMaria Dzubian is our Student of the QuarterMaria Dzubian is our Student of the Quarter.

Maria is a hard worker and is an absolute joy to be around. She loves people and animals. She just celebrated her 60th birthday this year and had many wonderful celebrations in her honor. Maria is a

special member of our Academy and we love her dearly!

Page 3

Student of the Quarter

“If you can imagine it,

you can achieve it;

If you can dream it,

you can become it.”

William Arthur Ward

A note from Maria’s brother:

“Thank you so much for the ter-rific work you are doing with Ma-ria! What you are doing and how you are doing it is a huge force in improving the quality of her life.”

-Robert

Special Needs Success at Armenta

From Maria’s RN:

“ Julie Armenta has made the

world of difference in Maria’s life.

Maria has been reading for the

first time and her life has been

enriched beyond words. She is

reaching her absolute potential in

math, reading and her other aca-

demics and her self esteem and

her behaviors have all greatly im-

proved along with her amazingly

improved academic achieve-

ments/performance in less than

three months time.

Thank you Julie for truly making

the difference! We are so pleased

to have you as part of the team

and Maria loves you!”

Jennifer

“I’m so glad you’re helping

me out. You’re the BEST

teacher in this whole wide

world and I love you very,

very much.”

Maria

“Dear Julie,

Sending you feelings of true thankfulness and gratitude for who you’ve been and what you’ve done in Maria’s life. Your one on one teaching has made all the dif-ference in her reading, her math and significantly improving so many other areas of her life. Thank you for being a special and incredible role model for Maria.”

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Jennifer

Winter Festival and Tree LightingWinter Festival and Tree LightingWinter Festival and Tree LightingWinter Festival and Tree Lighting

Saturday, December 6th, 2014 12:00-7:30pm

Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of LightsDana Point Harbor Boat Parade of LightsDana Point Harbor Boat Parade of LightsDana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights

Saturday, December 6th, 2014 thru Saturday, December 13th, 2014 7:30pm-9:30pm each evening

The fun-filled day begins at La Plaza Park for the annual Winter Festival followed by tree lighting. The fun will continue at Dana Point Harbor where boaters from all around Orange County deco-rate their boats and vie for the awards of Judges Choice, Best Theme, Best Use of Lights, Best Animation, Most Colorful, Most Original, Best Sailboat, Best Powerboat and the Perpetual Trophy for the Yacht Club with the Most Entries, along with many other awards and cash prizes! You can view the parade free from anywhere in the Harbor, or make reservations at one of our restaurants to view it from a cozy and warm spot. Come on down and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season!

Christmas PlayChristmas PlayChristmas PlayChristmas Play

December 7th & 8th - 3:30 & 7:30pm, December 14th & 15th - 3:30 & 7:30pm

Bethany Church

2250 Clark Avenue

Long Beach, CA 90815

(562) 597-2411

Mrs. Armenta invites you to see “Christmas Joy” in Long Beach. Ticket are free of charge this year, please call to request. Christmas Joy is a musical drama produced by members of Bethany Church. The script is written in house and all production, lighting, choreography, costuming, set design, and music is the work of the church body. Each year there is a new script with new songs of the season, Traditional Christmas songs, both sacred and secular, as well as newly written pieces produced each year. Their stage is transformed into an 1860's Victorian Village with costumes to match. Doors open a half hour early with a Prelude presenta-tion you won't want to miss. Childcare is available for nursery through 5 years of age.

Page 4

Breakfast with SantaBreakfast with SantaBreakfast with SantaBreakfast with Santa

Sunday, December 14th at 8:00am

Laguna Cliffs Marriott Hotel 25135 Park Lantern Dana Point, CA

949-661-5000

Price: $15-$25

Join us in the Richard Henry Dana Ballroom for a morning filled with treats. Breakfast will be served and children will enjoy a fun-filled time as they do arts and crafts, decorate cookies,

or watch a movie. Face painting will also be available and don't forget a photo opportunity with Santa.

Volume 1, Issue 3

Community Events

Second quarter Newsletter

Phone & Online Tutoring

We currently offer a number of options to accommodate our students. We offer services from out of our academy or in your home. Now we have launched over phone tutoring & online services. Need extra help with an

exam last minute? Call us at (949)433-0898 for an emergency session!

Reading Specialist & Private Sessions

At Armenta, we have the resources to help students with more specific needs with private sessions. We can help raise a grade level within first 4 sessions. Counseling and play therapy is available for children, as well. We have skilled specialists to meet the needs of the whole child, including aca-demic emotional, behavioral and social. Our 90 day program with our Reading Specialist is guaranteed to raise the student’s reading ability one grade level. Mrs. Armenta is available on or offsite, 7 days a week to meet

your child’s needs! Holiday specials are available.

Page 5

Back to School Fun & Success!

New Learning Options At Armenta Learning Academy

“You must be the change “You must be the change “You must be the change “You must be the change

you wish to see in the you wish to see in the you wish to see in the you wish to see in the

world.”world.”world.”world.”

Mahatma Gandhi Mahatma Gandhi Mahatma Gandhi Mahatma Gandhi

Julie M. ArmentaJulie M. ArmentaJulie M. ArmentaJulie M. Armenta

Educational & Reading Specialist, MAEducational & Reading Specialist, MAEducational & Reading Specialist, MAEducational & Reading Specialist, MA

will win a lunch of their choice.

Toy & Clothing CollectionToy & Clothing CollectionToy & Clothing CollectionToy & Clothing Collection

ALA will be collecting donations of new, unopened toys, games, books, crayons, markers, clothing etc. to donate to needy children this year. This is the season of giving and not everyone is as for-tunate as we may be. Please share the gift of giving, and help a child feel the joy of this Holiday

season.

December ContestDecember ContestDecember ContestDecember Contest

This month ALA will be holding a contest to see which student will work the most volunteer hours. Students just need to log their service hours and have them signed by a supervisor or parent. We will tally up the hours at the end of the month, and whoever spent the most time volunteering

The Gift of Giving

Upcoming Events

Custom Care & Training Custom Care & Training Custom Care & Training Custom Care & Training

for your Petfor your Petfor your Petfor your Pet

∗ Basic Puppy Skills Train-

ing/Socialization

∗ Obedience/Problem Solving

Training

∗ Tricks & Performance Training

∗ And much, much more!

Call Armenta Pet Academy for all Call Armenta Pet Academy for all Call Armenta Pet Academy for all Call Armenta Pet Academy for all

your pet training needs.your pet training needs.your pet training needs.your pet training needs.

(949) 433(949) 433(949) 433(949) 433----0898089808980898

Jackets of LoveJackets of LoveJackets of LoveJackets of Love

This year we are collecting jack-ets, sweaters and sweatshirts for local homeless people. Winter can get very cold when a person is living on the streets. Jackets are a more expensive item that are fre-quently unavailable to the home-less. We will be collecting all the way up to Winter Recess then tak-ing all the jackets to Los Angeles

for distribution.

Book DriveBook DriveBook DriveBook Drive

Armenta is collecting books for the Million Books for Kids Cam-paign. We will help them with their goal to provide 1,000,000 books for needy children this year! Bring in your books in December, or go to the web site and make a mone-

tary donation.

We believe, at Armenta Learning Academy, in the importance of reaching out to the community and making a difference. We instill these values and principles to our students. We have cleaned up beaches, raised money and collect-ed food and toys for those less fortu-nate. This quarter, we will be bring-ing Jackets of Love to local commu-nities, sending a thank you letter to our soldiers, collecting food for the hungry and books for children. Let us know if we can help in any area in your communities or any causes you support. We love to make a dif-ference in your lives and the lives of

those around us all.

Page 6

New Year’s Resolution Essay Contest

♦ December - Books, Clothes &

Toys Drive

♦ December - Volunteering

Contest

♦ Dec. 1 - Secret Santa Begins

♦ Dec. 11 - Armenta Olympics &

Games

♦ Dec. 22 thru Jan. 2 - Winter

Recess

♦ Jan. 7 - Letters of Love to our

Soldiers

♦ Jan. 12 - New Year’s Resolu-

tion Essay Submissions Due

♦ Jan. 19 - Martin Luther King

Jr. Day Holiday

♦ Jan.30 - End of Semester

♦ Feb. 3 - Poetry Contest

♦ Feb. 13 - Lincoln Holiday

♦ Feb. 14 - Valentine’s Day

Party

♦ Feb. 16 - Washington Holiday

Mrs. Armenta,

Hannah & Brody

We will be having a New Year’s Resolution Essay Con-test! Let us know what you want to give up or change for your resolution this year and write an essay. The winner of the contest gets FREE LUNCH with Mrs. Armenta! Essays are

due by January 12, 2015.

Armenta Angels Armenta Pet Academy