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Parent Partners Empower
Being a Parent:
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Being a parent is perhaps the only job that
requires no training, no degree, and lasts a lifetime |
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It pays no salary, has no vacation or holidays,
and allows no sick leave. And you can never say, "I quit!" |
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But it's a job with the most benefits.
It's a job that changes you forever and shows you how deeply you are able to
love. |
By Claudia G. Lints
Things You Can Do to Help Your Children Succeed
in School
For Students of All Ages
At Home:
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Ask about their homework--what it is, when it's
due--and check to make sure they do it.
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Provide a quiet place, with a good light and
away from distractions, for them to do homework.
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Make sure they get a good night's sleep each
night and eat a healthy, substantial breakfast each morning.
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Talk to them about school for at least a few
minutes each day to let them know you're interested and you think school is
important.
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Teach them respect for others and
responsibility for their own behavior.
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Make sure they get regular health and dental
check-ups.
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Limit children's exposure to TV and video
games.
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Be positive about school. If parents say
"I wasn't good at school" or "I really didn't like school," this can turn
children away from learning.
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Check your children's school web sites
regularly to keep informed.
At School:
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Attend back-to-school nights and parent/teacher
nights to meet your children's teachers.
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If you are concerned about something, meet with
your children's teachers promptly, before a minor issue becomes a major
problem.
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If possible, volunteer--regularly or even just
occasionally--at your children's schools. You will get to know the
school better and show your children that you consider education very
important.
For Middle-and High-School Students
At Home:
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Continue to encourage your children to read.
Don't let TV, video games, or friends absorb all their free time.
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Talk to your children about their specific
interests related to school--subjects or teachers they like, clubs or
extracurricular activities, books they are reading, projects they are working
on, etc.
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Discuss their choice of courses with them so
that they are well prepared for different options after high school.
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Begin discussing with them what they might like
to do after they graduate from high school.
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Know your children's friends, where they live,
and, if possible, their parents.
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If your children work part-time, make sure this
doesn't interfere with schoolwork or getting a good night's sleep during the
week.
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Continue to celebrate school successes with
appropriate rewards. Even though they may seem embarrassed, your
children will appreciate your enthusiasm for their good work.
At School:
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Get a copy of your children's schedules each
semester.
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Find out what guidance is available to your
children in choosing a college, applying, and finding scholarships and loans.
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Volunteer for school activities--chaperone a
school dance or field trip, help with sports events, etc.
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Serve on school committees that involve
parents.
For more ideas and resources
for parents, visit the National PTA web site at
www.pta.org.
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