MYSS Virtual Tutoring: Help us Help you!
YOU: Parent that needs to work done, get on calls and meetings
WE: Want to help and need work!
SOLUTION: Let is virtually tutor your child!
Available by appointment for your scheduled calls/meetings over FaceTime, WhatsApp, Google Hangouts or Zoom.
We hear you and know you need help. Let’s set up some time to tutor your child. For as long or as a short as you need. We are all licensed school teachers, ready to help!
We recently saw the viral video going around of a newscaster trying to teleconference in for work and his toddler and baby busting into the background on a live interview, followed by the mom chasing after the children. In case you missed it, it’s here: https://youtu.be/zC9GYxrBZ2Q
We want to help this not be you! But we know the reality is that this was you last week. We are here to help!
We also know that being a home-based teacher for your child may not be your expertise, or you may not be able to assist as much as you’d like. This is what we do for a living; although a little pivoted from the in-real-time-interaction in the in-person classroom, but we’ve got this! We won’t let your child fall behind. Let us do what we love to do!
Our team of MYSS Teacher Counselors are licensed teachers (Pre-K through Grade 12) and we can match you up with the right teacher-tutor for your child. Show your #smallbusinesssupport by using our MYSS Virtual Tutoring service and working together with us!
Questions? Comment? Send us a message!
Recreate Your Favorite Travel Spot
Y’all! It’s Fri-YAY! We made it through the first week. Give yourself a high five, your partner, your child, your dog, your image in the mirror (Did you watch that guy cheers-ing himself in the mirror on social?! 😀 )
For today’s tips and tricks, we teamed up with Colleen, a travel consultant from It’s a Wonderful Trip and while we were sharing stories about funner times that are behind us, we came up with this idea!
Ready for a fun weekend project?! We are ready for it and to look forward to where our minds can take us. Love to draw or paint? What about your kiddos, do they? Make it a family affair!
Here’s your tip list:
1. Go through old vacation photos and find your favorite one. Where do your/ your family love vacationing to? OR go online and find a photo of a dream destination you haven’t yet gone to on the internet. (Maybe it’s a dream gal-only-vacay, think self-care, with other momma’s and leaving everyone behind for a night or a weekend getaway after all this! Ha!)
2. Draw and paint your own interpretation of that photo draw, past or future!
3. After you finish your drawings & paintings, post your artwork in the comments below or on your social stories and tag us @missyvonneswimschool. This will give everyone an opportunity to enjoy a gallery full of artwork that inspires the dream of travel!
Looking so forward to seeing both parents and children’s artwork to brighten our days while we are staying indoors. Not looking for perfection, just inspiration!
If you need a photo to get you started, here’s Miss Yvonne’s- Aruba this past Jan! Being a swim instructor, you know her favorite vacation spot would include a beautiful beach.
More of a touristy type of traveler? Here’s Colleen with her fav spot in Ireland!
5 Holistic Things That You Can do to Keep Our Family Happy and Relaxed
Now more than ever, we are all wanting to keep our kids safe, healthy and happy. In this time of uncertainty, having the know-how to keep the family safe, healthy, and happy is one of the things we can do to feel in control and that we’re contributing to the family’s well being. We teamed up with Heather, a chemical-free lifestyle educator from Holistic Lifestyle + Wellness, to bring you today’s tips and tricks.
1. Make sleep a priority
Regular routines and bedtimes allow the body to regenerate and heal. Remember our post earlier this week about staying on a schedule for adults and children? That’s key to having a smooth bedtime routine. Kids may be having trouble settling down (and us too!). A calming essential oil blend can be diffused or massaged in for a soothing slumber routine. Lavender is always a favorite or Young Living’s Peace & Calming or Stress Away, to settle racing minds.
2. Get Good Gut Health
Did you know that gut is packed with some 60 to 70 percent of the body’s immune cells, meaning it functions as the immune system’s “control tower” while still serving as a digestive organ? Taking a high-quality probiotic or prebiotic daily keeps the good friendly bacteria in the digestive tract which may crowd out invading germs. Food such a kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha are also excellent pre and probiotic foods.
3. Immune Support with Essential Oils
There are thousands of essential oil uses, from sleep support to immune system support. Our recommendation, use one with exceptional quality. Use them in a diffuser, apply topically and in supplement form for yourself and for the kids.
IMMUNITY ESSENTIAL OIL BLEND RECIPE: Young Living Thieves oil roll-on is a go-to when using the Young Living brand because it is a great blend of 5 oils that boost the immune system. It includes lemon essential oil, as well as eucalyptus essential oil, and rosemary.
4. Keep it Moving
As we find ourselves spending time in social distancing – it is still a good idea to keep things moving. Dancing, walking the dogs, taking a lap around the block or even going up and down the stairs will keep your energy up and shake out the sillies at the same time. Grab that play list and go for 30 minutes of activity if possible (keeping your social distance of course!).
5. Stay Hydrated!
Even if your little fish not in the pool with us at Miss Yvonne Swim School, doesn’t mean that they need to stay away from water – on the contrary! Keeping ourselves and our kids hydrated with clean water is key and will help keep the body functioning. Half of our body weight in ounces is recommended for optimal health. Find water boring? Try squeezing fresh lemon juice or slice cucumbers to keep the water refreshing and tasty without unwanted calories. Hydration is key to keeping those little swimmers healthy and ready for their next swim adventures at MYSS!
What can I talk to my loved ones about?! My kids?! My Partner?! Parents?!
To aid with going stir crazy, we are giving you any and all info to help you get through these times. Be patient, enjoy the time with your family, and stay positive! These ideas are all our own.
It is a young child’s job to play! Play is also how kids learn how things in their world work. A child’s language skills parallels their play skills. To improve language and help kids use more words they have to play more, and they need a reason to communicate. If you have young kids and you are worried about improving their language outside of school- play, play, play, and then play some more!!! Below are some ideas from FUNctional Speech + Language, LLC., to help you structure your child’s play and provide you examples of vocabulary you and your child can use during the play activity.
NOTE: These are meant for you to do with the child so they have someone to communicate with.
Babies 18 months to 2.5 years old
1. Potato Head with variety of accessories and sizes
Target words/phrases: Body parts, put on, push, take off, big, little, colors, jump, dance, give high- five, wave, give me
2. Bubbles (in the bath even!)
Target words/ phrases: blow, pop, again, more, clap, jump, stomp, big, little
3. Balls with different colors and textures
Target words/ phrases: ball, colors, throw, catch, kick, roll, big, little, my turn, ready
4. Blocks or any building toy (magna tiles, mega blocks, legos, cardboard boxes, tissue boxes
Target words/ phrases: colors, put on, up, knock down, boom, build, tall, big, mine, yours, again
5. Train set with bridge, track, tunnel
Target words/ phrases: train, color, long, short, big, little, more, fast, slow, push, put together, in, out, over, stuck, help, fell off, go, stop
Children 2.5 to 4 years old
1. Play doh/ Kinetic sand
Target words/ phrases: squish, roll, make, push down, look, I did it, colors, shapes,
2. Magnetic Puzzle
Target words/ phrases: got it, I caught, item name, help, put in
3. Dolls/ stuffed animals with accessories brush, food, bed, blanket, clothes
Target words/ phrases: Eat, sleep, drink, brush, dress, shirt, pants, hat, blanket, rock, night night, wake up
4. Doctor kit
Target words/ phrases: body parts, all better, open your mouth, check your ears, got a boobo
5. Melissa and Doug Color Wow books
Target words/ phrases: color, names of items you are coloring, I found, look, I see
Remember interaction with another person while playing with the toys are key to improve a child’s language skills.
Children 4 and up
To keep conversations going we need to ask questions, answer questions, and make comments. For children, having the conversations about recent experiences or activities like about a book they read, craft they made, picture they drew, or show they watched will keep them engaged and ensure that they understand the vocabulary they need to have a conversation. Questions can either be closed-ended or open-ended.
Use closed-ended questions for kids that need more support telling a story and giving details or with kids that can answer yes/no questions:
1. Is that a picture of our family you drew?
2. What are they doing in the show you are watching?
3. What do you need to make (craft item)?
Use open-ended questions for kids that can sequence events and tell a story with details:
1. Tell me about the book you read
2. How did you make this craft?
3. What should we do today?
Your partner, parents and other adults
When having a conversation with adults we often talk about personal events or current events. If you need a break from talking about the current event affecting us all now the Corona Virus, dig out some old family photos or interview a grandparent about their lives and all the changes they have seen during their life time.
1. What was the best part of your day?
2. What did you get to do today that you hadn’t had the time to do?
3. What are you most looking forward to doing once we go back to normalcy?
Check out FUNctional Speech + Language on Facebook and Instagram for more tips on speech, language, and other related areas. They are also offering therapy over video conferencing while social distance restrictions are in place. For more info on how to get your child therapy while they are out of school contact Amanda Kukis M.A., CCC-SLP directly at 908-227-4934 or amanda@functionalspeechnj.com.
Have fun making language FUNctional!
For your convenience, you can download and print the this blog as a PDF HERE.
Expressing Gratitude: Say Thank You!
With everything that is going on right now, I would like you to take a moment to stop and show gratefulness. It can be as quick as a smile, a text/call or as timely as a coloring in and hand writing a note. We created a downloadable printable template here for you to use. Brighten up the day of those around you. Take some time with your child and say thank you to the people working at the grocery store, the pharmacy, making your cup of coffee, the teachers who are sending you virtual assignments (so you are not sending your children to school until July), or anyone else in your life. We hope you enjoy this and put it to good use!
I LOVE writing thank you notes! It’s one of my ‘things’. But getting to it and actually honkering down and writing them, is so ‘not’ my thing. I don’t love getting words to paper, and I don’t feel like I use my words properly. It’s never been a strength of mine. But what I do LOVE is the feeling it gives me that I get to share my thoughts, feelings and love with the person I’m writing it for. I also love the reaction I get from the person I’ve written to. What’s even more special is when I send it snail mail. I strategically place it in their home bag and they reach for it unexpectedly because I know it’s brightened up their day.
Without further ado, THANK YOU to everyone who made it out Somewhere Over the Rainbow Open House two weeks ago as an organizer, leader, helper for the day, or attendee.
First, I’d like to thank my parents: Mami & Papi, I know that I am making you proud every single day even though my big, audacious dreams scare the bananas out of you. I know that your parents only wanted the best for you and your future (AKA my brother and I and future generations) when they made the decision to flee the communist government in our homeland. I have the freedom to live my American Dream because of my grandparents and the decisions you both have made that have enabled the opportunities I have today. Thanks for listening and being (scaredly) excited (I know you can’t help it!) every step of the way while I work endlessly to unfold this particular event and all things having to do with MYSS. And for your presence in the day off, I need as many hands-on deck as possible, it’s a family affair! <3
To my Circle: You all mean the world to me. Without you this event and MYSS Camps wouldn’t happen. When I hit the limit of how many students I could team swimming to every day, I never even fathomed the idea of having such an incredible team that follow through with my vision and helps to turn it into a reality. I am able to reach more children and have them become strong, safe, confident swimmers because of you. From the Starbucks meetings to set up the activities for the day, to planning for the year ahead in our annual training, to the virtual guru making things prettier from afar, to the helpers who assisted with the day-of activities, and even those who were not able to be present but listened in person and over the phone to the wheels turning in my head- Thank You, SO, SO much! When I write in my journal every morning, I write my 10 dreams and one that’s a constant is “I have an exceptional group of people who surround me.” And that’s each and every one of you! <3
To the Attendees: Thank you for giving us, a small business with huge dreams and goals a chance. When you choose to work with us, you are choosing to work with school teachers who have summers off and are not getting a paycheck throughout the time. Yes, our passion is working with kids. This is a job that does give us so many warms and fuzzies, and it fills our hearts, but we need you and your children to keep the ball rolling within our own lives. We put tons of time and effort into making this event come to life and making every single day of MYSS Camp come to life. We hope that we gave you an enjoyable, educational and information-filled afternoon, thank you for taking the time from your busy lives and choosing to spend some of it with us! <3
What do I do all day?! Family Time During COVID-19
They say that keeping to schedule helps to keep our mental health in check. You should be keeping to a schedule for yourself and keeping your child on a schedule. Here’s an example of the ideas we’ve found:
Source: MomTrends
Here is a template we created that you can use and edit to fill in for what works for you:
Here is a template you can use and fill in for what works for your child:
Wash your hands in between all activities, as much as you need!
For your convenience, you can download and print the this blog as a PDF HERE.
2019 Recap
Ending 2019 with a pic of my team. Without them I am nothing, and Miss Yvonne Swim School is nothing. I am so humbled to know that I have such a strong backbone that leads my vision and supports the crazy things I ask of them for the good of the “vision”. These are hardworking teachers and working with me is their side-gig because we all know, teaching is a passion but you know, bills.
A decade ago, I never thought, imagined or pictured that this side high school and college hustle would amount to anymore than vacation and sushi money. (It’s def still that!).
But it’s SO much more than than that! I have a mission, not just a job, not just a biz, not just a side hustle or a hobby (thanks ex bf, smell ya laters 🏻).
It is my mission, to make sure there aren’t 14 year olds getting themselves into unsafe situations like I did as a teen who didn’t know how to swim and was peer pressured at a pool party to jump in like I did. (Teens, if you’re reading this, you are NOT invincible, danger is real, don’t be me, AND thanks to KS for your life guarding skills and the rescue). Everyday I think about helping children and adults become safe, strong, confident swimmers.
This is a business to impact. Sometimes, I get side tracked by the followers, likes and comments that aren’t what I want them to be and then I find relief in remembering that hundreds of humans are safe, strong and confident around water because of one person. MOI. And that shakes me to my bones. And it makes me keep going.
I see you’re thankfulness feathers at Thanksgiving where your give thanks to MYSS. I see your collage of pics in your toddler’s bedroom where I’m a part of memories that are part of daily conversations. I see your holiday cards where your little ones are getting on the bus to join my camp and you’re sharing that with ALL your loved ones. AND last but certainly not least, equally as
importantly, I see your names in the registration forms as a referral to all your friends. It’s ME who reads each and every one of those forms and makes sure I have all the deets we need and I see the names of RAVING FANS! Thanks for the Likes, Shares, Comments, Reviews and Referrals!
Thank you all for trusting my team and I once again! To my team, to the supportive families and heck, to myself(don’t forget to thank yourselves- y’all are the backbones to SO much that y’all do too🏻). THANK YOU! I’m so glad I’m a part of your memories and I’m so glad you’re a part of mine. On behalf of my team and I, THANK YOU! Thank You for allowing us to be part of your family, whether it be a short time or year after year. It’s so fun to meet, work with and grow with your family in such a close way. We are so excited to continue this passion impact together and can’t wait to see you in the decade ahead!
MYSS Adult Swimmersion Clinic Head Instructor: Coach Lisa
As I was deciding to create our Adult Swimmersion Clinic pilot program, I immediately called my friend and former boss, Lisa Picek. Lisa was my boss for several years as Aquatic Director in Hoboken, she helped me start my very first website on Go Daddy many moons ago on a rainy afternoon in the Target Starbucks in Jersey City. Lisa held my hand as I strategized for camp, years before it was even a consideration in my mind to create as we just shot dreams into the universe over Tex-Mex, also in Jersey City. Needless to say, she’s been there, alongside of me, for almost as long as I’ve been teaching swimming, I’d guesstimate a solid 14-15 years. The first few years, me being totally star struck by her ability to teach swim, AND swim, I mean she was a D1 swimmer in college. So to say that I’m completely honored to have her work together with me on this project and with all of you, is a complete dream. She is coming in from Indiana to do this y’all!!!