Mathnasium - March 2021

Mathnasium - March 2021

MARCH 2021

Mathnasium of Cherry Creek [email protected] mathnasium.com/cherrycreek

Mathnasium of Cherry Hills [email protected] mathnasium.com/cherryhills

Mathnasium of Littleton [email protected] mathnasium.com/littleton

Mathnasium of Parker [email protected] mathnasium.com/parker

WHY OUR CENTER IS THE NO. 1 RATED MATHNASIUM IN COLORADO

Taking the Time to Appreciate My Incredible Team

At the Littleton Mathnasium center, I have two employees who have been with me since shortly after I opened. One of them is my daughter, Reyna, who kind of became an employee by default as she came along with me every day after school, and the other is a young man named Zach. I hired Zach on as a tutor when he was 14, just at the end of his sophomore year of high school. That was in 2015. Sometime during the fall of that year, he showed his appreciation for his job in maybe one of the most memorable ways I’ve ever seen. Zach took the time to put together a scavenger hunt for me that took me all around the office, and at the end of the hunt was a two-page, handwritten note about how much he loved working at the center and working for me. Reading it made me cry! It was so sweet and heartfelt. I try to find every opportunity to make Mathnasium a great place to work. For most of the team, I’m their first boss. I hire a lot of high school and college students for part-time positions. At that age, they have much fresher knowledge on the subjects they’ll be helping students learn, and they need flexible schedules so they can have time for classes and homework. Before I even hire them, though, they have to pass a couple of math tests to prove they’re competent in the subjects they’ll be teaching, and they have to show they actually enjoy working with children of all ages and are willing to instruct all levels of math (not just the higher levels). With all of that in mind, finding instructors who fit with our team isn’t always easy. It not only takes very special people and talented mathematicians, but coordinating their work schedules with their school and sports schedules gives me gray hairs. I think it’s worth it. I look to find the best possible people for the job, and I strive for them to have the best possible experience working here.

Thoughtful gestures like Zach’s note and scavenger hunt let me know that I’m on the right track to doing that. Over the years, I’ve also received meaningful cards, flowers, and other gifts from employees as a way to show their appreciation, and while the gifts are nice, I love receiving them all the more because of what they mean — that I’ve succeeded at finding a team who loves their work and, therefore, will do everything they can to help our students succeed. This past year has been hard on our center, like it has for a lot of businesses. We had to grapple with how to continue helping our students while also keeping in mind the state’s restrictions on meeting in person, and we also had to try a lot harder to stay connected as a team because our meetings all went virtual. Before the pandemic, we had a monthly “instructor of the month” vote, where students could vote for their favorite tutor and the winner would get a gift card. I am bringing back a version of that this year that includes credit for parent shout-outs and recommendations from their peers on the team. It’s one small way that, even considering the unprecedented circumstances, I want to show my team that I appreciate them as much as they appreciate me. I have the best team in Colorado, and that’s why we’re the No. 1 rated Mathnasium in the state. That’s why I make it my mission to show my appreciation for their hard work. When everyone feels appreciated, we continue to give the best possible help to every student who needs it.

“It not only takes very special people and talented mathematicians, but coordinating their work schedules with their school and sports schedules gives me gray hairs. I think it’s worth it.”

-Suzie Shride

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Cherry Creek 303-333-MATH (6284) • Cherry Hills 720-474-1878 • Littleton 303-979-9077 • Parker 303-840-1184

IMPROVE YOUR ATTENTION SPAN And Transform Your Life!

Since the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world last year, many things have gotten shorter, like school days and our patience. But perhaps the main thing that’s grown shorter for all of us is our attention spans. In 2019, researchers from the Technical University of Denmark reported that our collective attention span is indeed narrowing — and it may be because we’re bombarded with tons of information that we don’t want to “miss out” on, whether we’re scrolling through Facebook or finding new videos on YouTube. Unfortunately, a poor attention span can affect us in many ways. It may risk our performance at school or work or cause communication difficulties in relationships. It may even result in poor health related to self-neglect and an inability to practice healthy habits.

How do you fix it? Is it even possible to improve your attention span? Yes, you can! But it will take time. Here are a few ways you can get started.

First, accept that you may make yourself a little mentally uncomfortable while expanding your attention span. It simply won’t feel natural to focus on a single task for a longer period of time than normal, but, with a routine, it’ll get more comfortable as time goes on.

Second, give the Pomodoro method a try. Named after a tomato- shaped timer that its creator used, the Pomodoro method has gained a lot of attention over the years as a brain workout, and it’s a great way to slowly expand your attention span while accomplishing tasks. To get started, think of a small task. Then, adjust a timer to 25 minutes (or longer, if your attention span will allow). Work on your task for 25 minutes straight. Then, take a five-minute break. After you break, repeat the process. After four rounds, take a break of 15–20 minutes. Congratulations, you’ve used the Pomodoro method, which you can repeat as many times as you want. It’s very handy for getting your tasks finished in a flash, despite any attention span issues! Third, meditate, work out, or adopt new, educational interests. Anything that keeps your brain, body, and spirit engaged can help you learn how to focus better. There’s plenty of research that shows the benefits of meditation and exercise to your focus — the trick is exploration. Not every form of meditation, exercise routine, or hobby will work for you, so don’t give up right away! Stay curious and keep exploring. We’re living in a technological age where we can learn almost anything and reach almost anyone at the tap of a button, so we have to learn how to create opportunities for ourselves. We hope these tips help you get started!

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Cherry Creek 303-333-MATH (6284) • Cherry Hills 720-47

DO SOMETHING BETTER IN THE GARDEN 3 Ways to Improve Your Harvest

Go With the Flow

There’s something beautiful about cultivating your own harvest, but you can grow more than simple backyard vegetables. Help your garden “grow up” by trying something unique this spring.

Creating a year-round garden that practically takes care of itself means using principles of permaculture, a philosophy of working with, rather than against, nature. Start by analyzing your space and yard. Determine your soil type and layer mulch or cover crops to protect it. Then, begin planting the same way that’s found in nature — trees grow at the top, shrubs and bushes are below, and other small plants and vines intermingle within. Choose crops that help each other grow (like corn, beans, and squash), and offer aid to your garden without digging up too much soil or disturbing its natural process. Permaculture gardening requires thoughtful planning, but once your crops are in place, nature will take its course.

Plant for Your Health

Mass production of your favorite fruits and vegetables reduces their key nutrients. Instead, choose fresh, home-grown varieties to yield greater health benefits. This is good news for those living with heart disease, joint disorders, or other chronic conditions. You can grow a garden chock full of nutrient-rich foods! Colorful fruits, root veggies, onions, and beans are great for joint health, while leafy greens can boost heart health. Grow pumpkins so you can harvest the seeds for better brain function, while berries can support your liver.

Grow Fun Foods

We plant gardens for a purpose, so why not make it fun! Plant fresh basil, tomatoes, onions, peppers, oregano, and more to create a garden worthy of your next homemade pizza. All you will need to buy is the crust! Pumpkin plants can offer fresh gourds for any Halloween fanatic, while new species of fruits and vegetables can create an exciting home-cooking experience. Try the silver cucumber for a sweet taste or pineberries for a mix between strawberries and pineapples. You just might find a new flavor you love. TAKE A BREAK

Before you dig into these new gardening methods, consult with an expert at a nursery or greenhouse to get the best possible results.

ASPARAGUS AND SMOKED MOZZARELLA PIZZETTES

Ingredients

Directions

• 1 lb prepared whole-wheat pizza dough, divided into 6 equal portions • 12 oz asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 1/4 tsp salt • 1 cup shredded smoked mozzarella cheese • 1/3 cup scallions, thinly sliced • 2 tbsp walnuts, toasted and chopped • 1 sprig of fresh mint leaves, torn • Zest of 1 orange

1. Preheat oven to 500 F and ensure there are two racks in your oven. 2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, stretch each piece of dough into a 7-by-3-inch oval and arrange evenly on the pan. 3. On a second baking sheet, toss asparagus with oil and 1/4 tsp salt. 4. Place dough on top rack and asparagus on bottom and bake for 3 minutes. 5. Remove both trays from the oven, sprinkle cheese over the dough, then top with asparagus and scallions. 6. Return pizzettes to oven and bake until the crusts’ edges are golden, about 8–10 minutes. 7. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with walnuts, mint, and orange zest before serving.

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74-1878 • Littleton 303-979-9077 • Parker 303-840-1184

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

11211 Dransfeldt Rd. #149 | Parker, CO 80134

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Why Our Center Is the No. 1 Rated Mathnasium in Colorado

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How to Improve Your Attention Span!

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Make Gardening Better With These 3 Ideas Asparagus & Smoked Mozzarella Pizzettes

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3 Simple Hand Exercises to Avoid Cramps

STOP CRAMPING PALMS With 3 Simple Hand Exercises

Hand health is so easy to take for granted — but the minute we start to lose it, we realize just how important it is. If you’re using your hands to type, scroll on your phone, or do other repetitive motions every single day, this can cause problems later on. Luckily there are some simple hand exercises you can do to keep your joints healthy! A quick tip before we get started: If your hands are feeling painful or stiff, try warming them up with heating pads or soaking them in warm water before your exercises. This will make it easier to stretch and move them. No. 1: Finger Stretch You want to be able to use your hands pain-free and with flexibility. Finger stretches help ensure that’s the case for a lifetime. To relieve pain and improve the range of motion in your hands, first, place the heels of your hands on a flat surface. Then, gently straighten your fingers until they are as flat as possible — but don’t force your joints. Hold for 30–60 seconds. Repeat at least four times with each hand. No. 2: Finger Lift To increase your range of motion and flexibility in your fingers, put your hand in a flat, finger stretch position. But instead of focusing on keeping

your hand as flat as possible, try gently lifting one finger at a time

before slowly lowering them. You can also lift all your fingers and thumbs at once, then lower. Repeat for 8–12 times on each hand.

No. 3: Thumb Touch Almost all of our tasks require some coordination between our fingers and thumbs. That’s what this exercise is all about. Press the tips of your thumb and index finger to form an “o” shape with your hand. Create the same shape with your thumb and middle finger. Hold for 30–60 seconds. Repeat this with the rest of your fingers, then do the whole exercise for a total of four times. Going through this workout routine might seem unusual at first, but considering how important our hands are to our daily lives and communication, you certainly won’t regret keeping them in shape. Happy stretching!

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