The Connections Bernards-Ridge June 2019

www.theconnectionsnj.com 185 Mad i sonv i l l e Road | Ba s k i ng R i dge , NJ 07920 Golf Academy 908-766-8200 ext. 4 or email ddemarrais@baskingridgecc.com • www.baskingridgecc.com Junior clinics, camps and adult programs offered! We are proud to be hosting a series of camps throughout the summer for students age 7-16. Half Day and Full Day sessions are available. A variety of junior clinics are available starting at the age of 6. The golf academy also offers individual lessons for all ages and abilities that are formatted to suit individual student needs. Club membership is not required to participate in any of the Academy’s programs! TEACH YOUR CHILD THE VALUE OF GOLF LearningRx 34 Mountain Blvd. Warren, NJ 07059 learningrx.com/warren 908-222-7246 By: Katrina Musto LearningRx is a cognitive training center which offers specialty programs that strengthen the skills the brain uses to think and learn. Mike DiCristino, fran- chisee since November 2015 at the War- ren location, truly believes the Learn- ingRx slogan “brain training is life changing.” DiCristino, who has a professional background in finance, wanted to estab- lish meaningful customer relationships in a different setting other than corporate America. “I now am able to see students improve and watch their self-esteem grow,” he says. The LearningRx fran- chise system has 80 centers nationwide as well as international franchises. The Warren location opened in 2010. Pro- grams typically last 3-8 months. Trainers typically have education or psychology backgrounds, though other back- grounds, such as business, are also rep- resented. Prior to hire, candidates are screened for cognitive skills and then complete 36 hours of training in addition to up to 10 hours of observations. Train- ers are then certified after completing two tests. The most common difficulties for which students come to LearningRx include attention issues, reading and comprehension problems, memory loss, and even traumatic brain injury. Most families come to LearningRx by way of doctor recommendations or client refer- ral. Ages of students vary from 5-85, although children aged 8-13 are the majority. All programs provide one-on- one training, and typically meet three days a week. LearningRx staff is in con- stant contact with parents to discuss their children’s progress. “Building confi- dence is key and we want the students to walk out of here feeling better about themselves,“ DiCristino notes. There are a variety of programs which range from 12 weeks of training to as long as 32 weeks of training. Every pro- gram has designated check-ins so the parents and staff are able to discuss stu- dent progress in person. With today’s hectic scheduling however, alternative means of check-ins are also possible, either via phone or email. The feedback the center receives from parents and teachers is what truly brings a smile to the trainers’ faces. “They like seeing achievements being made and watching their students’ confidence lift,” he says. One student sticks out in his mind. “She was a fourth-grade student who had difficulty with math, reading comprehension, and directions,” he mentions, “She did our ReadRx program and had amazing results. When she com- pleted the program her mom comment- ed on how much her school grades had changed. She improved in reading com- prehension, her math test scores improved, and she could complete homework faster and with less supervi- sion.” Improvements don’t seem to stop in the classroom. Student athletes have told LearningRx trainers they can see the field better and perform better in their sports. LearningRx programs are wrapped up with a graduation celebration, after their post-program assessment is com- pleted. “The students receive letters from their trainers and parents often remark on how their children’s focus improved and they now have the ability to multi- task,” DiCristino proudly mentions. Warren Leads the Way With LearningRx Mike DiCristino PAGE 16 summer programs 2019