The Classical Academies Partnering With Parents

The Centers for Disease Control now estimate that 1 in 13 children has a food allergy. While we do not precisely know why, doctors like Dr. Tracy Clark, a lead physician with the Food Allergy Institute, believe that environment, diet, early viral exposure, and antibiotics may play a significant role. Dr. Clark explains how to recognize overt and subtle allergy symptoms parents should watch for and...

Resilience is the capacity to go through diversity and emerge stronger. Kevin Hammond is a Resilience First Aid trainer with First Watch Advanced Data Services. Kevin shares how the 6 Domains of Resilience, including one's sense of purpose, composure, reasoning, health, tenacity, and collaboration, can determine overall health and wellness. He explains how learning to self-regulate can strengthen...

Hearing and vision play a pivotal role in a student’s growth and learning; problems often go unnoticed until issues arise. The Classical Academies test hearing and vision in K, 2nd, 5th, and 8th grade. They also test hearing in 10th grade and test boys for color blindness. School Nurse John Fitzgerald highlights the significance of proactive testing during these formative years, shedding light on...

Behavior Analysts work proactively in the classroom, with Independent Study Plans, and with parent partners to lower behavior disruption and increase engagement. Special Education Teacher and Behavior Analyst Dave Urban shares tools and strategies such as scheduling breaks, encouraging exercise, contingency management, and planning rewards to minimize negative behavior and set students up for succ...

TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Youtube, Discord, Minecraft, Fortnight, and Roblox... the list of social apps, games, and video apps are ever-changing. Teens spend an average of 7 hours daily on screens, and many of these apps are designed to be physically and psychologically addictive. School Counselors Alyssa Atkins and Lisa Taylor share how parents can be more aware and involved in their teen's on...

Jumpstart your school year with nationally renowned psychotherapist, school counselor, and parenting expert, Tom Kersting. Author of the books Raising Healthy Teenagers and Disconnected, Tom explains that he sees a mental health epidemic among teens. He shares how to break the cycle of anxiety and depression and hopes to provide impactful strategies and tools parents can implement to raise healthy...

Dr. Judy White is a retired Superintendent and educator and is now a master trainer for The Third Option. Dr. White explains how The Third Option celebrates our commonalities and addresses blind spots and labeling, She feels meaningful conversations create positive group interactions that value and honor our humanity.

Nutrition profoundly impacts learning and cognitive function. Poor nutrition can impact brain development, cognitive function, memory and recall, behavior, and focus. School nurse John Fitzgerald explains the importance of a well-balanced and nutrient-rich diet. He shares the importance of eating foods rich in complex carbohydrates and protein to stabilize blood sugar levels, prevent energy crashe...

Research shows that incorporating moving and movement breaks throughout the day while studying has numerous benefits for our brains, memories, and academic performance. Adaptive Physical Education Teacher Sarah Thomas shares creative strategies and ideas to encourage activity and incentivize movement breaks during the school day. Incorporating movement into daily lessons keeps students engaged, ex...

Parents understand the importance of equipping their children with essential life skills. But when discussing substance use, many parents feel they need more time to prepare. Raechelle Rodriguez is a lifelong learner, homeschooling parent, and founder of Choose Health. She shares her expertise and empowers families with a health education curriculum and the knowledge to engage in meaningful conver...

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people learn, interact, communicate, and behave. Symptoms generally appear within the first 2 years of life, but many do not receive a final diagnosis until much older. The Classical Academies’ Special Education team members, Lauren Geis and Alicia Luschei share early childhood signs of ASD and provide hel...

Principal Dr. Stacey Perez shares ideas for having meaningful conversations with your teen and the importance of modeling positive behavior. She discusses balancing love, discipline, and creating boundaries to ensure more connection and engagement.

SOCAL is a collaborative program between education and industry created by Tri-City Medical Center, the San Diego North Economic Development Council and Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, Greater Escondido, San Marcos, and Encinitas Chambers of Commerce. The vision is to give middle school, high school, post-secondary students and transitioning adults an opportunity to gain insights into career pathways....

Dane White is the Mayor of Escondido and a former board member of the Escondido Union High School District. Elected in November 2022, his primary focus and goals are to address homelessness and public safety. He encourages individuals to attend city council meetings and share their views on these issues to help create a better Escondido.

For many years, charter schools were supported by both political parties. This position changed with the Biden administration as the teachers' unions decided charter public schools were a fundamental threat to their power and influence. Jim Blew co-founded the Defense of Freedom Institute and has spent his career dedicated to education reform. He served as the Assistant of Education Policy under t...

Coach Josiah Cruz led the Classical Academy High School (CAHS) football team to the state championship win, earning Escondido's first football state title in 100 years. He shares how Carpe Diem and Semper Fi were valuable themes and challenges throughout the season. His winning formula included hard work, discipline, and dedication, all lessons that will serve this group of players now and in the...

Say Something Program In 2019, The Classical Academies and neighboring school districts adopted the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS) as a part of a community-wide initiative to prevent school violence. This program teaches students and team members to recognize and report warning signs and threats from individuals who may be dangerous to themselves or others. The Classical Academi...

Super STEM Saturday is a free science festival held on March 11, 2023, at California State University San Marcos. Daren Wade is the Director of General Atomics' Aeronautical Systems Integration Group (EIG) and has been involved with the event since 2010. Daren shares how the event engages young engineers and students curious about learning more about how the world works. General Atomics is an even...

Students today are taught to go to college, choose a specialty, and hopefully land a career. Oftentimes, they discover they don’t like their career path and feel trapped. Executive Coach Dr. Elizabeth Fried recommends the book Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein . Dr. Fried challenges the statement that “quitters never win and winners never quit” and encourages u...

Many teens applying for their first job are unprepared for the verbal communication skills needed to succeed. Elaine Swann and Amy Hart from the Elaine Swann School of Protocol, share how children, teens, and adults can learn and practice essential skills to be successful. She offers tips for reducing screen time and encouraging conversation at home. For a complete list of workshops offered, visit...

The pandemic may be behind us, but school counselors are seeing students with decreased social skills, less emotional regulation, and trouble understanding their place on campus. Krista Gravelle is a school counselor who shares how parents can approach these challenges by providing care, consistency, and consequences with love. She explains how insulating our children negatively impacts their emot...

The Classical Academies will be making changes to high school math beginning in Fall 2023. Math Coordinator Andrew Shields explains how Data Science, Financial Algebra, and AP Pre Calculus will provide more opportunities for students to be prepared for college and career pathways. These changes will help students develop critical thinking,problem-solving, and quantitative reasoning skills.

San Diego County has the 5th largest homeless population in America, making it the most pressing issue in our region. In 2017, the Lucky Duck Foundation (LDF) began its mission of alleviating the suffering of homelessness throughout San Diego County. Lucky Duck Foundation Executive Director Drew Moser shares how the foundation funds, activates and leads high-impact programs, creates innovative par...

Stephanie Brown always knew she wanted to be a teacher. She is passionate about utilizing new technology and creativity to collaborate with students. Stephanie is a Virtual Teacher at The Classical Academies and explains how this program supports homeschooling families, provides meaningful connections, and engages students in a flexible environment. Currently serving grades 1-8, the Virtual Progra...

Executive dysfunction disrupts the brain's ability to control thoughts, emotions, and behavior and is related to conditions like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Korrine Hilgeman, a teacher at e3 Consulting, works closely with students with ADHD. She offers resources and tips to help students stay focused, more organized, positive, and engaged. She shares how diet, exercise, and mi...