Granny Ranny's Coming Attractions

It is back-to-school time, and if your student’s summer has been filled with trips to the pool, hanging out with friends, television and video games, and other leisurely activities, now is the time to transition from summer to school mode. “We always encourage families to relax and enjoy the less structured pace of summertime,” says Eileen Huntington, co-founder of Huntington Learning Center. “However, there are several things you can do toward the end of summer break that are immensely helpful in getting students ready to return to the classroom.” Huntington offers these six back-to-school tips:

1. Set goals. Goal-setting is a great way to help your child reflect on last school year and think ahead about what he or she wants to accomplish and avoid this year. Talk with your child about the things he or she is excited and anxious about and have him or her set several goals and measurable milestones. You can do this just before classes start or during the first week of school.
2. Organize the desk and home. Get your house back into “school shape” by designating spots for important school papers that come home, a family calendar, backpacks, shoes and jackets, and a homework station. Your child’s homework station could be a desk in a bedroom or other room. Make sure it is stocked with the supplies he or she will need for the school year, and have your child help get the space ready.
3. Reestablish a schedule. Talk with your child about the school-day routine, including wake-up time, school hours, homework time, dinner time and any extracurricular activities in which he or she will participate during the week. In the week or two before school, try to have your child go to bed and wake up at approximately the same times as during the school year.
4. Review school work and information. Being prepared will help your child ease into the first weeks of school. Review assignments, spelling words and other work from the previous school year. Amp up the reading these final few weeks of summer. And find out as much as possible about what is to come: your child’s teacher, class schedule, classroom locations and more.
5. Set a positive tone. A child who struggled last year might dread going back to school, so it is important to help him or her get into the right mindset for school success. Let your child know that you are there to support him or her no matter what. Talk about things he or she is looking forward to this year—and offer ideas if he or she needs some encouragement—and point out some of the good parts of last year. Be optimistic and encourage your child to embrace the same outlook.
6.  Arrange for tutoring help if needed. If last year was difficult, don’t wait to reach out for help this year. Help your child build his or her skills, preparedness and confidence with a customized, one-to-one tutoring program. Call Huntington today to discuss your child’s needs and schedule a diagnostic evaluation before the new school year begins. We’re here to help your student.

For information on franchise opportunities, visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com.

Apple Inc. (AAPL) is nearing a deal with Time Warner Cable Inc. (TWC) to give subscribers of the cable television service access to channels via Apple TV, people with knowledge of the negotiations said.

The companies plan to announce an agreement within a few months, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private. The iPhone maker is also hiring Pete Distad from online-video service Hulu LLC, where he was senior vice president in charge of marketing and distribution, to help Apple executives in negotiations with media and cable companies, two people with familiar with the matter said.

A deal with Time Warner Cable would be a first with a cable company for Apple, which said last month that it’s also adding content from Time Warner Inc. (TWX)’s HBO and Walt Disney Co. (DIS)’s ESPN. Apple is aiming to bolster sales of the $99 set-top box amid competition from Roku Inc.’s device andMicrosoft Corp. (MSFT)’s Xbox. Meanwhile, media and service providers have been seeking more outlets to deliver shows to customers, who are opting for on-demand viewing and watching fewer scheduled shows. For details, go to  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-02/apple-said-to-near-time-warner-cable-deal-for-tv-programs.html