Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences: San Bernardino

If you’re researching charter schools and considering enrolling your child, you’re not alone. Between the years 2000 and 2017, the total number of U.S. public school students enrolled at charter schools rose from 1 percent to 6 percent. This guide will break down some of the best aspects of a charter school education: https://ballingtonacademy.org//benefits-of-charter-schools/.

We recently hosted a supply drive at Ballington Academy San Bernardino to collect new materials to use during virtual class. We now have new pencils, notebooks, headphones, books and more! Thank you all so much for coming, and if your student still needs supplies, please contact their teacher! #DistanceLearning

March is #MusicInOurSchoolsMonth and we're so excited to be celebrating with brand new equipment for our music program! Thanks to the CARES Act, Ballington Academy San Bernardino placed a massive order of performance technology equipment. Our program will now have new speakers, wireless headphones, a mixer and recording equipment that will make it easier to host virtual concerts! This is very exciting for our student musicians, since we haven't been able to hold in-person performances. We can't wait to start using all of this amazing new equipment! #MIOSM #MusicAppreciation

Teachers work hard to make their classrooms the most inviting learning environments possible. But with distance learning in effect, that can be a challenge. Take a look at some of the beautiful at-home classrooms the teachers at Ballington Academy San Bernardino have come up with! #DistanceLearning

Scientists and engineers are critical to our society, so introduce engineering to your children early on with these tips from STEM Village! https://www.stemvillage.com//5-tips-to-introduce-engineeri

While families are staying home, kids are spending more time online than ever. Being online can be a great way to learn and connect, but it also presents challenges for parents. Here are four ways you can help keep children safe on the web: 1. Practice open communication: Make sure your children understand the value of kind and respectful interactions online, and let them know they can talk to you about any problems they may encounter. 2. Find activities to do together online...: Create opportunities for positive online experiences that you can share together, like playing a game or researching an interesting topic. 3. Protect them with technology: Make sure your child's computer is running on the latest software and antivirus programs. Consider privacy settings and parental controls. 4. Keep the computer centrally located: Your child is less likely to do something they are not allowed to do if the computer is kept in a high-traffic area. This also gives parents the ability to monitor computer activity and intervene if necessary. See more

Less than 30 percent of researchers worldwide are women, and only about 30 percent of all female students select STEM-related fields in higher education. Let's work together to inspire a new generation of young women to explore opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math. #InternationalDayofWomenandGirlsinScience #WomeninScience

Happy #SuperBowlSunday! Get your kiddos involved in the game day fun by helping them create their own foam finger to cheer on their favorite team! Materials: 1. Printable foam finger template 2. Foam sheets... 3. Glue gun 4. Puffy paint Steps: 1. Print the foam finger template and cut it out. 2. Trace the template on two foam sheets. 3. After tracing, cut out two foam fingers for the front and back. 4. Run the hot glue gun around the edge of the two foam fingers and glue them together, leaving space in the middle for the hand to slip inside. 5. Use puffy paint to decorate the outside of your foam finger and add a personal message if desired!

If your kids love burgers but you're looking to feed them a healthier option, try these delicious turkey burgers! Ingredients: 3 pounds of ground turkey cup seasoned bread crumbs... cup diced white onion 2 egg whites, lightly beaten cup chopped fresh parsley 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced 1 teaspoon salt teaspoon ground black pepper 1 tablespoon olive oil Directions: 1. In a large bowl, mix together all of the ingredients (except the olive oil) and form into patties. 2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. 3. Cook the patties, turning once, until they reach an internal temperature of 180 degrees. #TastyTuesday

Today is #NationalLEGODay! Celebrate by teaching your child science, technology, engineering, and math skills by building with LEGOS! Here are some great ideas from The STEM Laboratory! https://thestemlaboratory.com/lego-stem-activities/

The earliest years of a child’s development are arguably more impactful than any other stage of education. During the first eight years of life, children undergo essential neural development. To make the most of this critical time, you need to offer your child the right support. Enrolling them in a high-quality early childhood education program can set them up for a successful future. Learn more: ballingtonacademy.org//importance-of-early-childhood-educ/.

There isn’t a whole lot of snow in Southern California, so why not make your own? Kids will have so much fun making and playing with their own fake snow! Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make! All you need is two ingredients: 1. Cornstarch 2. Hair conditioner or lotion Mix one 16-ounce bag of cornstarch with one cup of conditioner. If your mixture is too sticky, add a little more cornstarch. If it’s too dry, add a little more conditioner. Have fun playing and creating your own snowballs!

This #GivingTuesday, please consider making a donation to Volunteers of America, Southwest. In addition to creating charter schools like Ballington Academy, VOASW also provides housing solutions for homeless veterans and low-income seniors, and treatment for adults with substance abuse disorders. Their mission is to inspire hope through their ministry of service by providing vulnerable individuals and families with tools to improve their quality of life.

What a cool resource! Elementari allows students to create and code their own interactive stories. Check it out! https://www.elementari.io/

Happy Thanksgiving! What are you thankful for this year? We are thankful for our wonderful Ballington Academy staff and students!