Q: My kids are 6 and 9. We eat fast food too often, so this summer, I want to help them eat better. My goal is to have fewer fights over food and good lunchbox ideas for school. How can we make this a fun learning experience?

A: This is a perfect summer project, says Emily Ziedman, a Seattle-based certified nutritionist who introduces children in area schools to nutritious foods and healthy choices through a Flagship Foundation program (a nonprofit that "inspires and empowers children to make smart, healthy eating choices").

"My teaching is influenced by nutritionist Ellyn Satter's pioneering work," she says. "It emphasizes competency, rather than deficiency, providing rather than depriving, and trust rather than control."

Ziedman helps children understand that parents are in charge of the "what, where and when" of the food we eat.

"It's a parent's job to prepare food, provide regular meals and snacks, and so on," she says. "Children control 'whether' and 'how much.' The best way to educate children is to involve and empower them in family food choices."

Ziedman offers several good ways to do that.

-- One, take them food shopping. At the farmers market or produce aisle, invite them to choose fruits and vegetables they want to try.

Or, ask them to select items for you, suggests Ziedman: "'Can you find me a good tomato?' Once chosen, there's a bit of pride of ownership."

-- Two, involve them in food preparation. "Even if too young to peel or slice, they can wash and dry fruits and vegetables, shred lettuce, stir ingredients and so on," says Ziedman.

-- Three, teach them about food labels. "The longer the list of ingredients, the more processed and less healthy the food," says Ziedman. "Children can count the ingredients, even if they can't read them.

"Examine two different packages of a similar food. For example, an occasional treat might be a bag of chips. Show them how to compare a bag with 10 to 20 ingredients with one with four or five ingredients and fewer fat calories. Discuss why they may choose the one with the shorter list."

-- Four, make simple recipes together. "Vegetarian chili is a great one -- it's easy, balanced and introduces children to a range of textures and tastes," says Ziedman. "Search for versatile recipes to make on Saturday and store for the week ahead. Create a family cookbook of favorites."

Meri Raffetto, a registered dietitian and co-author of the "Mediterranean Diet Cookbook For Dummies" (Wiley 2013), tells parents to keep newly discovered foods front and center.

"Have kids make a list of fruits and vegetables they like," she says. "Keep those on hand for snacking. Kids go for fresh fruit if available, so keep a bowl with assorted fruit choices on the kitchen counter. Serve a variety of raw veggies kids enjoy -- such as sliced bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes -- as a dinner side dish."

Last, make dinnertime family time. "Sure, everyone has a million activities," says Ziedman, "but sitting down together during the week and sharing a meal nourishes children with much more than food."

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)

Q: I didn't realize how disorganized my fifth-grade son, Garth, was until his teacher told us about multiple uncompleted assignments he had. He enters middle school this fall. She's urged us to work with him on getting his act together this summer, but how?

A: This teacher gets a "C" for flagging the problem ("better late than never") and an "F" for diagnosis.

Garth's incompletes could be due to weak organizational skills, but that's not necessarily the case, says Donna Goldberg, a New York City-based academic coach.

First have an objective talk with Garth. "You might learn, for example, that all the incompletes are from the last class of the day," says Goldberg. "The teacher gives the assignment just before dismissal, after he has stuffed his planner in his backpack. He relies on memory to recall the assignment then forgets. I've seen it happen."

Another reason could be schedule overload. "Some kids go from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. They get home, eat, do half their homework and crash. They aren't mature enough to say, 'Hey, I need more breathing room.' Or they may fear a favorite extracurricular activity will be taken away," she notes.

Make an appointment to see the teacher. Probe for specifics, Goldberg advises.

"Are all the incomplete assignments in the same subject? Were some partially complete? Garth may lack key skills in that subject," she says. "This is a common reason kids fail to complete work, yet it goes undetected until testing shows what skills are missing. The teacher assumes lack of diligence when really it's lack of knowledge. Find out what the gaps are and consult with the school counselor about summer tutoring."

If he has incompletes in all subjects, discuss how he keeps track of assignments. Goldberg says many schools expect all students to record assignments in planners and use them to schedule homework and other activities. He may not be writing down assignments. Or he may have trouble scheduling time. Some teachers post assignments online, assuming that students will check the school's site if they forget.

"Works fine in theory," she says, "but in practice it's hard for the undeveloped brain to manage multiple sources of information. They think, 'I'll remember,' but don't."

Goldberg says that no matter how much online information a school offers, it's important for students at this age to record assignments and instructions, which "helps them remember homework and give it importance."

If Garth's incompletes are skills-related, use the summer to catch up. "You can hire excellent teachers to tutor an hour a couple of days a week. Schedule around Garth's summer plans so it isn't a punishment," Goldberg advises.

If his problems are the result of poor organizational skills, tell Garth that come fall, you'll help him make a fresh start. Read Goldberg's practical book, "The Organized Student: Teaching Children the Skills for Success in School and Beyond" (Touchstone, 2005). When school starts, be proactive: Check in with his teachers to ask how Garth is doing.

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)

Q: I teach in a district making budget cuts. We are trying to keep our middle school guidance counselor. She is really good, but never toots her own horn. Our school has 550 students! Can you help us make a case for her?

A: With that student-to-counselor ratio, members of your district should be doing everything they can to keep her happy. One counselor for every 250 students is the recommended ratio.

First, make sure everyone knows exactly what your school counselor does. As a teacher, you know she's critical, but too many folks have an outdated notion of the role.

"Today's counselors offer much more than the 'guidance' of (our) grandmothers' day. They provide a broad range of services and skills," says Darcie Jones, Program Assistant for Counseling at Oregon's Salem-Keizer Public Schools.

In response to burgeoning student needs, the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) redefined the profession in 2004. ASCA publishes standards that describe the many facets of a licensed professional school counselor. There are national and state standards, too. (Go to schoolcounselor.org and your State Education Department website.)

"A licensed professional school counselor is a skilled advocate uniquely trained to understand the social, emotional, interpersonal, academic and career skills necessary for kids to stay engaged in school," says Jones. "As community resources dwindle, the counselor often functions as the architect of structural supports a student needs to succeed."

A school counselor is a collaborative school team member, says Jones: "A big-picture thinker who can partner with the entire school staff, parents and outside resources to address issues that may affect student outcomes. As instruction becomes more data-driven, school counselors help collect and interpret data to make sure students aren't falling through the cracks."

Middle school counselors have an especially critical role as students transition from childhood to adolescence, says Jones: "They teach coping strategies and ways to understand oneself, navigate peer relationships and develop effective social skills. They provide academic support such as goal-setting, decision-making and teach organizational, study and test-taking skills.

"They provide responsive supports such as individual and small group counseling, referrals to remediation to make up for lost learning, and individual, family and school crisis intervention."

Research shows that comprehensive counseling programs boost student success. Students at schools with such programs do better on standardized tests and are more likely to go on to higher education.

Studies also show that students who feel valued and safe in their school -- a key goal of a comprehensive school-counseling program -- are more likely to perform well in all academic areas.

"Because they have a broad perspective, many school counselors have an important impact on maintaining a positive school climate," notes Jones.

With more children slipping into poverty each year, Jones says that "school counselors are more involved than ever in garnering basic resources children and families need such as food, clothing, dental and medical care and adequate shelter."

But perhaps the best way to keep your school counselor is to have the budget cutters shadow her for a day. While she attends to confidential matters, they can sit in the hallway and catch their breath!

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)