by CHARLOTTE WINKELMANN
Back-to-school means more than clothes and school supplies. It is also the time to prepare your child for the year ahead. How can parents ensure that their child is starting off the school year with the proper study skills? And where do children go for help if they need it during the school day? Planning ahead will help everyone feel more relaxed and in control.
Here are some suggestions:
Get to know your child’s teacher. If the teacher has not called you, call him or her, and if possible, make an appointment to meet. Although the schools have already held the back-to-school nights, it is not too late to call the teacher to set up an appointment. If you have a middle or high school student, this may seem overwhelming, as they have more than one. Email is a good way to start communication with the teachers. There is a directory on each campus website to find out this information, or call the school. Register for Parent Self-Serve to check on absences, grades and assignments.
Check out the campus and the Hays CISD website for calendar dates and activities so you can be involved.
Introduce your child and yourself to your child’s counselor. Counselors are invaluable not only in helping with academics and planning, but they also help with emotional or social issues that may arise during the school year. Counselors model their programs after the State and National Comprehensive and Developmental Guidance Plan.
Create good study habits. A study area should be a place where students can concentrate with few interruptions. Also set a time for studying that is close to the same time each night, to start good habits. Talk to your children about time management. Help them create a school schedule, allowing time for everything from sports practice to homework, including some free time.
Communicate expectations for the year. Tell your children what you expect this year, go over their successes from the past year and talk to them about what they could work on and what you are willing to do to help.
As early as middle school, help your teen map out a plan for getting ready for life after high school graduation. Your student should be enrolled in the most rigorous coursework possible to prepare him or her for post-secondary options. Utilizing http://asscweb.hayscisd.net/ParentPath/ allows you to work with your child on career and college interests, building a portfolio and resume, conducting college searches, four year plans, resources and much more. Both College Board (www.collegeboard.org) and ACT (www.act.org) research shows that most students say their parents are very important in the college-planning process.
Call your child’s middle school or high school counselor for more information.
