Parents

HELP YOUR CHILD SUCCEED IN MIDDLE SCHOOL

PROVIDE SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND A PLACE TO STUDY.

If your school has a list of recommended supplies, be sure to get everything on the list. You also may want to purchase the following: combination lock, locker shelf and/or mirror, calculator, reliable alarm clock, watch, backpack, assignment notebook and a USB flash drive (for storing and transporting computer files).

HELP SET ACADEMIC GOALS.

At the beginning of each grading period, sit down with your child and figure out what grade he/she should realistically be able to earn in each course. Setting goals will give your child something specific to work towards.

INSIST ON DAILY ATTENDANCE.

When students miss school, they miss lectures, notes, class discussions, assignments, quizzes, and tests. It doesn't matter how conscientious students are about making up their work, they can never make up all of what they miss, even when they're absent for only a day or two.

Parents who allow their children to miss school when they aren't ill, not only hurt their children's education, they also send a message school isn't really that important. If your child doesn't want to go to school, or if you're seeing a pattern of excuses to miss school, talk to your child or to your child's counselor.

ATTEND ALL PARENT PROGRAMS.

Many middle schools have orientations or "open houses" for parents. These programs give parents an opportunity to see the school, to meet their children's teachers, and to learn something about the courses their children are taking.

When you attend one of these parent programs, you learn valuable information about your child's school. You also show your child that education is important to you, and that you're very interested in his/her academic progress.

SEE ALL MIDTERM REPORTS AND REPORT CARDS.

In addition to report cards, many middle schools also provide students with progress reports, or mid-term grades. Make sure that your child knows that you expect to see every mid-term report and every report card as soon as it comes out.

Expect to see a report card within 7-10 days after the grading period ends. If you don't see a report card, call the school and ask for a copy. Do not just assume that someone will call you if there is a problem.

USE REWARDS AND CONSEQUENCES TO ENCOURAGE CHANGE.

Rewards are most effective when you want to encourage a change in attendance, effort, or behavior. (Eventually, doing well will be its own reward.) A reward for improved effort or for a specific achievement can be very motivating. Of course, for most students, a parent's approval is still the best reward. Make it a point to recognize effort and to acknowledge each academic success, even if it's just a good grade on a quiz.

Students need to learn that there are consequences for poor school performance. Consequences, of course, are most effective when they are reasonable and logical. For example, the consequence for routinely being late for school might be a revised nighttime schedule (e.g., no TV, computer, or phone after 9:30).

"If you give your son or daughter only one gift, let it be enthusiasm." Brian Barton

WOODBURN PRESS
1ST EDITION
COPYRIGHT 2007

The Parenting with S.U.C.C.E.S.S Program Provides Parents with these skills:

· Self-Esteem Providing educational, interpersonal and communication skills

Round Rock, TX 78680

Even after everything he’s seen, Detective Stanley of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, is amazed when he hears about parents who allow children to lock their bedroom doors and essentially live their own lives, doing whatever they want on their own computers. “Parents have got to wise up,” he said. He has several tips that can help:

Too many parents know only the most simple computer applications. Not only do they need to become computer savvy, they need to know about chat rooms, blogs, and bulletin boards. They also must have access to their child’s computer and monitor what sites he or she is visiting. It comes down to knowing what your kids are doing. You can install software that will prevent them from going on certain websites.

Schools and community groups are trying, but parents should be at the forefront of their child’s drug education. Start with the basics. As one example, kids need to know that if you crush a time-release pill and then take it all at once, you are getting the whole impact, and it can be lethal. “If parents don’t monitor what their kids are doing, they’re inviting trouble and they just might get it,” Stanley said.

Many young teens have access to credit cards. Parents who allow this often pay without questioning charges or they ignore ones that look innocent. Even if chemical items appear on a bill or arrive through the mail, students may tell parents they ordered them for a class project. It’s up to the parent to find out.

Teen favorites are Klonopin and Vicodin, widely-prescribed depressants, and Xanax, for anxiety, which taken with alcohol magnifies the “downer” effect. Teens can drink five beers and feel a buzz, or they can drink half a beer and use one of these drugs. Often parents are not aware that some of their pills are missing. Inhalants are a real and present danger. Stanley advises parents to monitor the ones in their homes and question what their teens are buying. The more conversation around this topic, the better.

For more information on the government’s efforts to curb dangerous drug traffic on the internet, go the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) website: www.dea.gov

Individual, Family $ Marital Counseling
Children, Adolescents, Adults
Depression, Anxiety
Psychological Testing
Chemical Dependency
Family Conflicts
ADHD Evaluations
Christian Counseling
Panic Attacks
Divorce Recovery

Temple Office Round Rock Office Killeen Office
254-778-4673 512-426-2200 254-526-4673

How Much is Enough?: Everything You Need to Know to Steer Clear of Overindulgence and Raise Likeable, Responsible, and Respectful Children, by Jean Illsley, Ph. D. Clarke, Connie, Ph.D. Dawson, David, Ph.D., Bredehoft, David Walsh, Connie Dawson, Paperback/Marlowe and Company/ 2004/ ISBN1569244375.

Parenting With Love and Logic, a series by Foster Cline, M.D. and Jim Fay, Pinon Press, 1990, ISBN0891093117.

Too Much of a Good Thing: Raising Children of Character in an Indulgent Age, by Dan Kindlon, Paperback / Hyperion Books / January 2003 / ISBN0786886242.

Growing Up Again: Parenting Ourselves, Parenting Our Children, by Connie Dawson, Jean Illsley Clarke, Paperback / Hazelden Press / 1998 / ISBN1568381905.

12 Strategies That Will End Female Bullying- Girl Wars, by Cheryl Dessasega, Ph. D. and Charisse Nixon Ph. D. This book has very useful information on helping your daughter deal with Relational Aggression (bullying). Girl Wars is available in the counselor's office to borrow for a two week period.

Eating Disorder Specialists:
Therapists/Psychologists:
Jane Cobb, LCSW          323-0021
Lynne Gascono, PhD    472-4348
Michele Ford, PhD         467-1376

Dietitians:
Kara Fowler, RD: 733-9570 (office is near I-35 and 620)
Hawley Poinsett, RD: 416-7771

Edward P. Tyson, M.D.
Board Certified , Adolescent Medicine
Board Certified, Family Medicine
4200 Marathon Blvd. Suite 340
Austin, TX 78756
512-380-9999
Fax: 512-454-6876
Email: drtyson@sbcglobal.net
Website: www.drtyson.net

Bradley S. Kennington, M.A.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
Phone: 517-8148

Cloyd V. Taylor, Jr., Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Texas
400 West Main St., Suite 213
Round Rock, TX 78664-5809
512-246-8055, Fax 512-246-8045

Dr. Taylor can help students and their parents with a variety of difficulties including possible ADHD, anxieties, emotional and behavioral issues.