Starfish
An old man walking along a beach one day, notices a youth picking up starfish and flinging them into the sea. The old man asks, “Why are you doing this?”
The young man responds, “If left on the beach ’til the noonday sun, they will die.”
“But,” protests the old man, “the beach goes on for miles and there are millions of starfish. How can your effort make any difference?”
Looking at the starfish in his hand, the young man replies, “It makes a very real difference to this one.”
– Source Unknown
And so began VSSO
Sandy Fleming saw beaches full of stranded starfish during her years in education. She saved as many as she could, but it wasn’t enough.
Tutoring gave her the ability to save more, but still, not enough.
Sandy dreamed of a way to reach those stranded starfish all along the educational beach. VSSO is the product of that dream… a way to reach and rescue every one of those stranded starfish.
Though VSSO runs year round, the atmosphere here is one of summer – relaxed, work at your own pace, no pressure, fun… Summer School!
VSSO’s purpose is not to provide core courses. VSSO aims to provide courses beyond and above the norm, to fill the gaps. We will be expanding in phases to do just that.
Phase 1 – Remedial Math and Writing courses for Middle School students
The middle school beach has more than its share of stranded starfish. The process of transitioning from child to young adult, elementary school to high school is rough and many get lost in the process. Excellent math and reading/writing skills are a must to make the transition successfully. Sandy has designed these two courses specifically for the student who isn’t “getting it” or who isn’t confident with these skills.
These courses are also suitable for a review to reinforce vital math and reading/writing skills for both the middle school and high school student.
For the younger student, these courses are excellent for enrichment and advanced study.
Phase 2 – Additional Remedial and Enrichment courses
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Phase 3 – Elective Courses
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Phase 4 – Adult Courses
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Phase 5 – Working on it
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Sandy Fleming
Sandy has been helping kids learn and grow for over thirty years now. She holds bachelor’s degrees in elementary education and special education from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, and has her master’s degree in special education with a certificate in learning disabilities from Indiana University, as well. After working for six years in a classroom for developmentally disabled children and earning her Master’s Degree in Learning Disabilities and Mental Retardation, Sandy resigned from her teaching position to raise a family. Three girls came along in short order, named Corinne, Gwen, and Nikki. The joys of family life were so tempting that Sandy never returned from her original maternity leave, but chose instead to stay at home and raise the girls.
But it’s tough to satisfy that deep-seated need to reach out to children, even when there are three handy around the house! Borrowing other people’s children becomes a habit. Sandy soon began a home business tutoring children who were struggling in school. With special education tools and skills at her fingertips, she finds ways to help nearly every child that stops into her office. The business has since expanded and grown into Learning Nook Educational Services, and now includes in-person, distance, and on-line tutorial services, online classes, workshops and adult training events for parents and caregivers, as well as a line of publications designed to help parents and caregivers find new and exciting ways to work with children.
Sandy believes that all adults have a responsibility to nurture children’s growth in all areas of life. She can help them meet this commitment by providing information, resources, and personal consultation. We all share responsibility for growing children and we all have gifts to use in this area.
If you’d like more information, please stop by Sandy’s other websites, including
Sandy Fleming Online (http://sandyflemingonline.com)
The Learning Nook (http://learningnook.com)