Tips for Parents

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="04a785a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Parent - Teacher Organization</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Parent Teacher Organization"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="chairpersons.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Committee Chairpersons"><U>Committee Chairpersons</U></A>   |   <A HREF="pathways_newsletter.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Pathways Newsletter"><U>Pathways Newsletter</U></A>   |   <B>Tips for Parents</B>   |   <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Membership Form"><U>Membership Form</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Tips for Parents</I></div> <div> <B>What a parent can do</B> . . . </div> <div> Much of your student's success depends on them. Their attentiveness, preparedness and effort in class are behaviors they control. However, there are many things we as parents can do to send the message to our children that school is a priority and we expect them to do their best. </div> <div> <I><B>Make sure your child gets to school every day. . . and is on time.</B></I> </div> <div> Missed class time, even 5 minutes is missed instruction and learning time. To put it in perspective, 5 minutes each day for two weeks is 50 minutes, one entire class period. </div> <div> <I><B>Give your child the tools needed to be successful in the classroom.</B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> These tools include and go beyond standard school supplies such as pencils, notebooks and textbooks. A proper diet is also a vital tool. This includes breakfast and lunch. A hungry student can lose concentration and wear out long before the school day is over. Completed homework is another important tool. Become familiar with your student's class schedule and assignments. Appropriate questions about classes and assignment monitoring can help to let your student know he/she is accountable. </div> <div> <I><B>Make sure your child gets plenty of rest.</B></I> </div> <div> The value of a good night's sleep cannot be emphasized enough. While your child will likely groan about a set bedtime, research shows eight hours of sleep is necessary to perform at one's best. Consistent bedtimes are as important as the number of hours of rest. Research shows that a high school student need as much or more sleep as an infant child in order to maintain growth and development. </div> <div> <I><B>Maintain a positive working relationship with the school.</B></I> </div> <div> A parent has a tremendous amount of credibility with their child, even during the teenage years. Whether positive or negative, a parent's attitude will rub off and affect the student's performance and motivation to do well. If you have a concern with a teacher or school, take it up privately and call the school to discuss your concerns. </div> <div> <I><B>Work on organization … together.</B></I> </div> <div> One of the keys to success is the ability to manage time and tasks. The adults in a high school student's life are in a position to be great role models. Consistent household structure and routines - such as set mealtimes and bedtimes - are very important. In addition, while it's important to know your child's schedule, he or she also needs to know your schedule, where you will be, and how to reach you in case of emergency during the day. This helps students feel secure and safe. Despite their outward attitude towards parents in the areas of independence and rules, students who know their limits and boundaries from parents perform better in school and life. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> *Parent Tips were adapted from the Santa Fe Trail parent newsletter, Olathe, Kansas - www.schools.olathe.k12.ks.us/santafetrail/newsletter.htm</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>