Articles
Success Tips from the Principal
By: Les Potter
During elementary school, most parents are very involved in their child's schooling. They know and meet with teachers and administrators, are aware of their child's progress and behavior, help solve problems, and see to it that kids spend enough time on homework.
Unfortunately, when children enter middle school, some parents stop being as actively involved, as if their help and support are no longer needed. Nothing could be further from the truth!
Although your middle-schooler is becoming more independent and is increasingly involved in activities outside the family, you should and must remain the most influential person in his life. Through your involvement in school and extracurriculars, you can do much to help your child believe in the value and importance of education, be enthusiastic about learning, and achieve academic success.
As a middle school principal, a big part of my job is to help parents support their children emotionally as well as academically. Here is my best advice for parents of pre-teens:
- Help your child manage homework time. Encourage her to aim high and always do her best work. See what your school offers to help you help your child, such as an agenda planner or some other homework reminder system, and/or a website with helpful links. If she has difficulties with studying or homework, encourage her to ask her teachers for help as soon as possible. Sometimes you may need to discuss difficulties with the teachers too.
- Show interest in his studies by talking with him daily about what he's learning and doing in school (don't take "nothing" for an answer!). If you know your child has a project for science, get involved. The same goes for cheerleading, sports, and music — any extracurricular activities. Unfortunately, I've seen parents drop their child off at a band concert and come back two hours later to pick him up, never bothering to watch his performance. This sends a terribly sad message to the child.
- Discuss ideas and feelings about school, studies, and activities. Be realistic about what your child can and should be able to do. Don't expect great grades or high test scores if she isn't capable. That expectation will only cause unnecessary frustration. If necessary, find out about the school's tutoring program and other options for additional academic assistance.
- With your child, read and review the information that schools and districts provide. Be familiar with the pupil progression plan, course offerings, student handbook, etc. All these will help you and your child successfully weave your way through the maze called middle school.
- Contact counselors, administrators, and teachers periodically. Find out what your child should be learning, how she is progressing, and how you can help. Be a full partner in your child's education.
- Be sure that he attends school on a regular basis. Even if he is absent for illness or another valid reason, he needs to keep up with his studies. Call the school if your child will be missing a day, and find out what he needs to do to make up for it.
- Encourage her to pursue interests and make friends through extra-curricular activities. Be certain, however, that she selects no more than a few activities so she has adequate time for schoolwork. You must help her find a balance; this will take compromise and patience.
- Know his friends. Who does your child hang out with? Know where your child is at all times. Be clear and consistent with discipline. Work with the school on your child's conduct. Understand that children will become leaders and followers and can be easily influenced by you and peers. This a wonderful time of their lives but you must be the parent and adult and lead them through it.
- Make it clear that she must follow school rules and policies. Teach her to respect people as well as property. Help her know right from wrong and what she must do when negative temptations come her way.
- Encourage him to get to know his counselor and to maintain contact throughout his middle school years, if possible. Not only will the counselor be invaluable in supporting his academic path, he's also one of many potential adult role models for your child.
- Attend parent meetings, open houses, booster clubs, parent education groups, and other activities for parents. I mentioned this before, but it is very important for your child!
- Volunteer at school. Both your child and the school will benefit from your involvement and help. Schools solicit volunteers to help in a variety of ways: tutoring, assisting in the media center, giving speeches, helping out at activities, chaperoning, etc.
- Have regular family meetings. They can help you all enjoy your family life more, by reducing conflict among siblings as well as between you and your children. Use the meetings to talk over any concerns or problems that family members have. A regular meeting provides the opportunity to discuss matters openly and calmly in an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding. Have your child plan a meeting with various topics that are of interest to her. Communication between school and parents is important — but so is communication between parents and kids!
- Consistently acknowledge and reward efforts at school. When your child works hard, your acknowledgment motivates him to persist. Kids love monetary rewards, but you can also try a special trip together, a favorite dinner, or something else unexpected but valued. Your recognition helps your child develop a sense of competency and self-worth, a willingness to try new tasks, and a feeling of satisfaction in doing a job well. When you use this technique consistently, over time, your child eventually begins to reward himself for by feeling good about what he has done. This ability to reward ourselves serves as a powerful motivation throughout life.
None of us are perfect and we sometimes make mistakes in raising our children. But your child needs your love and respect. She needs to become independent, responsible, and self-sufficient to succeed in most of her endeavors in school and at home. The best way to help her in all aspects of development is to try to ensure that her emotional needs are consistently met. Your understanding, common sense, adult judgment, and good sense of humor can make these middle school years a joy for both you and your child.
Les Potter, Ed.D., is the principal at Silver Sands Middle School in Port Orange, Florida.
Many thanks.
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