High Expectations
A Newsletter for Priddy Parents and Friends
July 2015
Calendar
First Day Summer Session
June 29
Dear Parents, Students and Friends,
Welcome to Summer Session 2015 at Priddy Learning
Academy! This summer marks our 19th year in Millburn. It’s
always thrilling the see the level of enthusiasm from parents
and students. We have many students who’ve been with us
during the school year, as well as those joining us for the first
time.
Early Bird Registration: Fall
August 6
First Day Fall Semester
September 4
Summer is a great opportunity to get ahead and work at your
own pace. Consistency and discipline are key toward meeting
your goals. Whether you're pursuing academics, sports, or art,
our mission is to help you foster these qualities.
Labor Day
September 7
Table of Contents
Early Bird Registration
2
Feature Profile
Letter from Communications
4
Creative Writing
Book Club
Jump Into Spanish
Our feature article on the Ganti family highlights what it takes
to be successful, not only in school, but also in life. Brothers
Vikram and Vishal exemplify learning habits that work. I’d
like to thank Mr. & Mrs. Ganti, Vikram and Vishal for sharing
their story.
5
We’re excited to announce our new team members. Carly
Susser is our Communications Assistant and Writing Coach.
Norma Camano is our new Spanish Instructor. Assisting Dr.
Fangjie Liu this summer are Sam Curtis and Elisa Dalton. Sam
teaches all levels of math, reading and test prep. Elisa is our
Administrative Assistant. To read their full bios, please visit
www.priddylearning.com.
Chinese Class
Singapore Math
Lastly, let's make EVERY DAY count! May each
student take full advantage of every learning opportunity to
mature, grow, and make a positive contribution to our
society and this world!
Fun with Numbers!
Sincerely,
Japanese Class
Study Tip
Grammar Lesson
© Priddy Learning Academy, Inc.
6
Michael Priddy
Director
266 Essex Street Millburn, NJ 07041
Ph. 973-564-7712 Fax 973-564-7714
1
Back to School
Early Bird Registration
We are now accepting registration for the upcoming school year!
“Early Bird" registration locks in your tuition at last year's rate for the
first semester. All pre-registration materials and payment must be received no
later than 5 PM on THURSDAY, August 6, to secure your rate. Feature Profile: The Ganti Family
When Mrs. Ganti enrolled her youngest son,
Vishal, into Priddy Learning Academy, she did
so for his enrichment. “He always had an
interest in math and enjoyed it,” she says. That
year, Vishal started third grade on a high note.
level. Mastery builds foundation, and
foundation builds mastery. This way, a child’s
potential is vast.
Meanwhile, Vikram, Mrs. Ganti’s eldest son,
then in fifth grade, would accompany Mrs.
Ganti to Vishal’s sessions. One afternoon, in
the PLA waiting room, Vikram turned to his
mother and asked, “How come I’m not doing it,
too?” Vikram had witnessed his brother’s
confidence soar, and wanted the same.
Mr. Priddy, founding director of Priddy
Learning Academy, invited Vikram to do a
preliminary test. “Let’s do a few questions!”
he waved with a smile.
Now, each boy completes his schoolwork with
gusto and continues to excel. They enjoy
helping each other at home and their classmates
at school.
What is it about Priddy Learning Academy
that makes learning so fun? “It’s a calm
environment,” says Mrs. Ganti. “The kids are
so focused. They come in like little soldiers
and feel good about themselves.” Such an
atmosphere provides the necessary structure to
facilitate positive, individualized learning. Unlike at school, where lesson plans can change
daily, the Priddy method has students master
every step without consideration of age or grade
© Priddy Learning Academy, Inc.
Vikram, Vishal, Mrs. Ganti
Both Vishal and Vikram are self-motivated,
though Mrs. Ganti admits, “I’m a stickler about
them finishing their Priddy homework every
night.” A child’s progress at Priddy’s depends
on a “three-way communication” between
teacher, parent, and child, says Mr. Priddy. “If
something about the homework is hard, I ask
parents to communicate with me directly, so that
we can adapt.”
“It’s teamwork,” says Dr. Fangjie, co-director
and teacher. “I’m like a cheerleader.” She motivates her students to apply and dedicate
themselves to themselves. “It’s not just math or
reading,” she explains. “It’s your whole life. If
you have the confidence, you can do anything
you want!”
266 Essex Street Millburn, NJ 07041
Ph. 973-564-7712 Fax 973-564-7714
2
Communication, combined with the discipline
of daily study, ingrains foundational skills that
allow children to set and accomplish goals.
Mr. Priddy and Dr. Fangjie provide immediate
feedback to each student, which “shortens the
time between mistake and correction,” explains
Mr. Priddy. “The shorter the time, the quicker
the learning.”
“The beauty is in the intimacy,” says Mrs.
Ganti, “the way they teach the kids.”
“As far as I’m concerned,” she adds, “we’re
lifers!”
“We’re a very close
family,” says Mrs.
Ganti, who volunteers
as PTO president and
also owns a small tea
company called, Simply Melange LLC, which
sells to local boutiques. “Even if it’s just
running errands together, that time is valuable.” Though weekdays can be busy, on weekends,
she and her husband put their phones away and
talk with their sons. “I want my kids to learn
how to talk. If you’re head is down constantly,
life’s going to pass you by!”
you love, because when you love something
you’re going to work hard at it.”
It just so happens that Vishal and Vikram love
working together. In substitute of a pre-made
game or activity, Mrs. Ganti gives them tools,
such as extra-large cardboard boxes, scissors,
and glue. “They love to build houses and cars,”
she says. “I let them spend time together so
they can create. Creativity teaches them so
many little skills they don’t even realize they’re
learning.” They engage in abstract thinking, as
evidenced by their elaborate structures and
designs.
“If you have confidence,
you can do anything you want!”
Mrs. Ganti recounts long car rides chatting,
singing, and counting cars with her sons as she
and her family drive through the countryside. On vacation, her sons bring video game
consoles but don’t use them. They prefer to
gaze out the window, notice the world. And
even though Millburn, NJ may be miles away,
“we take our Priddy folders…on airplanes,
wherever we go!”
Playtime, it seems, is
also learning-time, and
vice-versa. When a
child is given the time
and space to be
creative, whether in an academic setting with
mathematics, science, or language; or outdoors
with a stick, a ball and a friend, he or she is
gaining the invaluable confidence that anything
is possible; their capacity for knowledge,
limitless.
Vishal, now in the 5th grade, has dreams of
becoming a doctor. Vikram, a gifted cellist,
wishes to pursue music. No matter what, says
Mrs. Ganti, “I want them to be the owners of
their own destiny.”
Carly Susser is the Communications Assistant and
Writing Coach at Priddy Learning Academy. To share
your story, e-mail [email protected].
This summer, Vishal and Vikram are looking
forward to the math program at Priddy Learning
Academy, playing sports, and having fun. “I try
not to over-schedule my kids,” says Mrs. Ganti. “I’ve always believed that if you enjoy
something and it becomes your passion, you’re
going to be successful. It has to be something
© Priddy Learning Academy, Inc.
266 Essex Street Millburn, NJ 07041
Ph. 973-564-7712 Fax 973-564-7714
3
A Letter from Communications
Dear members of the Priddy community,
I am honored and thrilled to be a part of the team here
at Priddy Learning Academy. As one of its first
students, I remember Mr. Priddy walking me to the St.
Stephen's church lot with a thumbs up, cheering, "Keep
up the good work, Carly!” My confidence blossomed.
Learning felt good. I'm proud to help continue this tradition of positive,
one-on-one learning that is unique to Priddy Academy.
If you have any questions, or would like to provide comments or suggestions, please e-mail me
at [email protected]. I look forward to meeting you!
Best regards,
Carly Susser
Communications Assistant
Writing Coach
Creative Writing Workshop
The elements of creative writing will be available in two sections:
Grades 4-6, & 7-8. Taught by Ms. Suzanne Snyder, English teacher
at Millburn High School, this summer's workshop will explore
poetry and short fiction. Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays at
2:30 (4-6) and 3:30 (7-8). Class size is limited to 5 students. If
more students would like to attend, we will add sections.
Book Club
As careful readers, we will engage in 4-5 books separately and then as
a unit. Genres including Fiction and Science Fiction. Learn to locate
key passages and express unique interpretations based on personal
analysis. With attention to detail, students create their own meaning.
Record what strikes you, so that as a group we may collaborate.
Taught by Ms. Carly Susser.
© Priddy Learning Academy, Inc.
266 Essex Street Millburn, NJ 07041
Ph. 973-564-7712 Fax 973-564-7714
4
¡Saltar! En Español
Jump into Spanish with Señora Camano, a native speaker who teaches all levels through
AP. Individual tutorials meet Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (Summer); Saturday
(Fall).
Chinese Class
Japanese Class
Now accepting
enrollment for Summer
and Fall. Classes meet
Tuesday and Thursday
at 6:30 PM; Saturday at
11:00 AM.
This fall we are planning to add
Japanese to our language program. This
class will introduce the basic levels of
conversation and written language.
Class meets on Saturday.
Singapore Math
The Millburn-Short Hills school district has adopted Singapore Math "Math in Focus" program.
This summer, Priddy Learning Academy is busy reviewing the curriculum for the upcoming
school year. Beginning this fall, for students in Singapore Math, we will be following the
curriculum from school as well as our own, to maximize student performance.
Fun with Numbers!
A Schoolboy's Dream
A boy who had trouble remembering his multiplication tables once had a wonderful dream. He
dreamed that his arithmetic teacher told him he did not have to study addition or multiplication
tables for any numbers higher than 1. He learned the answers for 0 + 0, 0 + 1, 1 + 0, and 1 + 1.
Then he learned the answers for 0 x 0, 0 x 1, 1 x 0, and 1 x 1. With these eight answers he was
able to do any example in addition or multiplication. The strangest part about this dream is that it
could be true! We can make it true by writing our numbers in two-scale instead of ten-scale.
To write numbers in the scale based on groups of two, we need only two digits, the figures 0 and
1. We don't need a separate digit for the number two, because two makes a full group, and we
show a group of two by putting a 1 in the second column from the right. Then 10 means 1 group
of two plus 0, or two. The written number 11 would mean 1 group of two plus 1, or three. A 1 in
the third column from the right would mean two times two, or four. A 1 in the fourth column
would mean eight, in the fifth column it would mean sixteen, and so on.
The numbers below are written in the two-scale. How would the same numbers be written in the
ten-scale?
© Priddy Learning Academy, Inc.
266 Essex Street Millburn, NJ 07041
Ph. 973-564-7712 Fax 973-564-7714
5
100 101 110 1010 1111
Answers: 1 x 4 + 0 x 2 + 0 = 4; 1 x 4 + 0 x 2 + 1 = 5; 1 x 4 + 1 x 2 + 0 = 6;
1 x 8 + 0 x 4 + 1 x 2 + 0 = 10; 1 x 8 + 1 x 4 + 1 x 2 + 1 = 15
Adler, Irving. Magic House of Numbers. New York: First Printing,1958.
Study Tip
Instead of "cramming" the night before a test, do "sprints" of studying throughout the week. For
example, in the morning, practice the material for fifteen minutes. Then, switch gears! Go for a
walk--which boosts creativity--or draw. Do something completely different for at least an hour.
Time between "sprints" allows your brain to digest the material so it's refreshed for the next round,
which could be later that day or in the evening.
Grammar Lesson
"Due to"
I. Due is an adjective and a noun.
1. "This homework is due." [adjective]
2. "She pays yearly membership dues." [noun]
II. The phrase due to can be used as an adjective.
1. "His fall was due to the icy sidewalk." [due is an adjective that modifies a
noun, fall]
2. "Class was cancelled due to the holiday." [due is an adjective that modifies a
noun clause, class was cancelled]
III. Due to is often used as a prepositional phrase that means because of.
1. "He fell due to the icy sidewalk."
2. "Due to the holiday, class was cancelled."
This usage of due to originates from the prepositional phrase owing to, which
dates back to the 14th century. As a general rule, due to is reserved for use as and
adjective, after a form of the verb be, in conscientious writing (as in section II). When
in doubt, if you can't substitute because, don't use due to.
Bernstein, Theodore M., The Careful Writer. New York: Atheneum, 1965.
H. Ramsey Fowler and Jane E. Aaron, The Little, Brown Handbook. New York: HarperCollins College
Publishers, 1995.
Would YOU like to submit a math puzzle, grammar question, study tip, or vocabulary?
E-mail [email protected].
© Priddy Learning Academy, Inc.
266 Essex Street Millburn, NJ 07041
Ph. 973-564-7712 Fax 973-564-7714
6
© Priddy Learning Academy, Inc.
266 Essex Street Millburn, NJ 07041
Ph. 973-564-7712 Fax 973-564-7714
7