Tips for Freshmen Parents
By now, we all know that parenting in less than a science. At best, it is successful trial and error infused with a little common sense and luck. But there are some things that we see our better-adjusted students having in common. Here is our our advice to your, base on those factors of sucess:
- Be involved in your child’s education. Check the Parent Internet Viewer and show an interest in what he is learning in school.
- Periodically review their homework asignments, and check for completion.
- Help him organize his after school time by setting “homework time” each night. At least 1 ½ -2 hours. Stick to the schedule. Students will have something they can do or review every night. If he truly is caught up, he should be taking notes on chapters & reviewing what he did in class.
- Help your child use her planner. Teach her how to plan ahead, particularly for long term projects or tests that will be coming up.
- Check your child’s progress on PIV (Parent Internet Viewer). If you have not received a letter or have questions, contact Mary Kizer in the ITC ext. 9531.
- E-mail your child’s teachers with academic concerns or questions.
- Be sure your child is in school every day. He is missing out on an important lesson when absent. If you know your child will be out for a doctor’s appointment, contact the attendance office (258-9501) and help your child plan ahead by having them get the assignment in advance.
- It’s important for your child to get a good night sleep. Have a set curfew / bed time on school nights. Please do not allow internet usage/phone calls late into the night—this interferes with his concentration the next day.
- Be sure your child is eating healthy meals. Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day for sparking energy and getting your brain ready to learn.
- Monitor your child’s computer and cell phone use. It eats into their academic time and is generally a waste of time.
Contact your child’s counselor if you have any academic, social, family, or other concerns at 259-7941. Madeline Watkins (students A-K) ext. 2842 or Marni Cronk (students L-Z) ext. 2847
NOTE: Kids tell you (in many ways) they don’t want you to be involved, but they lament to us when you're not. They know they need you to stay involved and help them make positive choices and become productive adults.