Healthy Habits Support
Strong Attendance
Parent Quiz: Do You Know How to Relate to Your Child's Teachers?
Ease Into New Responsibilities
Don't Tolerate Profanity
A Word From the Director
Your family
habits greatly influence your child's attendance and readiness to learn.
Remember, your child can't learn properly if she's not in school. Nor can
she learn if she's too groggy to concentrate. Your child will start the
school year right, and continue on a strong path, if you commit to the
following routines:
Meals.
Your child will benefit from healthy food such as whole grains,
produce and lean protein. Eat at least one meal a day as a family.
Encourage breakfast, even if it is a piece of toast in one hand and a
banana in the other as she runs out the door.
Exercise.
A strong body, fueled by regular activity, helps your child stay alert in
school during the day.
A good night's sleep.
A routine that includes a set bedtime - one that allows about nine hours
of sleep - is critical for getting your preteen up and out the door to
school on time.
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The change from
one teacher to several in middle school can be an adjustment for parents,
too. Are you prepared to connect with your child's teachers and set the
stage for a good year?
Answer yes or no
to the questions below to find out:
___1. Do
you plan to meet each of your child's teachers in person? Back-to-school
night offers a perfect opportunity!
___2. Are
you aware of teachers' expectations for your child? Will you discuss these
with your child?
___3. Are
you aware of the amount of homework and tests your child will have this
year?
___4.
Have you given teachers your phone number and email address? Do you know
how to contact them?
___5. Do
you look for papers and notes from teachers and promptly sign and return
them?
How well
are you doing?
Mostly yes
answers mean you are ready for a productive year of good communication.
For no answers, try those ideas from the quiz.
Even the most
adaptable kids may find middle school a huge transition. So take time to
talk to your child about how he is feeling. Research from the U.S.
Department of Education reveals that most middle schoolers are concerned
with:
Moving between classes.
Navigating a large school to find several different classrooms is
challenging. With your child, learn the resources available. Can students
walk through the school before it opens? Is there a map to follow? What if
new students are late to classes in the first days of school? Many schools
do not mark new students tardy at this time.
Managing lockers.
Before, your child had a familiar desk. Now he'll have a hallway locker.
Many schools offer practice sessions for opening and closing lockers. Also
reassure your child that teachers are used to helping new students deal
with lockers in the early weeks of school.
Staying organized.
Organization tools are a must in middle school. Your child will need a
notebook to track assignments. A large binder with dividers for different
subjects can be a lifesaver. So can a calendar where he can mark the dates
for tests and projects due. Monitor your child's use of these tools.
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Bad language is
nothing new. People have been saying a "few choice words" for centuries.
Unfortunately, though, these days it seems like they are saying more than
a few. And they say them at younger ages.
Curb profanity
in your family. Just because it is more common than ever does not make it
respectful. It's highly disrespectful. And using it can get your child
disrespected by people who could make a positive difference in her future.
You can clean up
your child's language if you:
v
Watch your own language. Your
child repeats what she hears, so use alternatives, such as "Oh, snap."
v
Stay calm if you hear bad language
from your child. Don't give your child the satisfaction of shocking you.
Just say, "That word is offensive. Do not use it."
v
Create consequences. Some families
have a "swearing jar." When a family member curses, she must put a coin
into the jar. When it's full, the money goes to charity.
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The memories of summer are beginning to fade and we are all adjusting to
our “back to school” schedule. As I reviewed the articles for this
month, I chose to highlight responsibility. How do we teach our
children responsibility? The teachable moments are there for us to
use if we just prepare for them and take advantage of each
opportunity. Our children watch us as we go about our daily lives; we
are role modeling how to react to others and how to accept
responsibility for our words and deeds. This quote by Denis Waitley
truly helps parents understand the importance of teaching our children
to be responsible. “The greatest gifts you can give your children are
the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.”
Teaching our children to take responsibility for their actions will
build a strong foundation for their journey in life. Take time to discuss
the meaning of responsibility and how someone becomes responsible. I hope
you have time to read the articles and enjoy a good family discussion on
responsibility. As always, call the PCN office if you have questions or
are in need of a resource.
Enjoy fall -
Darcy Jensen and the PCN Board
