Communication Tips for Parents
Be available for your children
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Notice times when your kids are most likely to talk-for example, at bedtime, before dinner, in the car-and be available. |
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Start the conversation; it lets your kids know you care about what's happening in their lives. |
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Find time each week for a one-on-one activity with each child, and avoid scheduling other activities during that time. |
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Learn about your children's interests-for example, favorite music and activities-and show interest in them. |
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Initiate conversations by sharing what you have been thinking about rather than beginning a conversation with a question. |
Let your kids know you're listening
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When your children are talking about concerns, stop whatever you are doing and listen |
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Express interest in what they are saying without being intrusive. |
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Listen to their point of view, even if it's difficult to hear. |
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Let them complete their point before you respond. |
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Repeat what you heard them say to ensure that you understand them correctly. |
Respond in a way your children will hear
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Soften strong reactions; kids will tune you out if you appear angry or defensive. |
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Express your opinion without putting down theirs; acknowledge that it's okay to disagree. |
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Resist arguing about who is right. Instead say, "I know you disagree with me, but this is what I think". |
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Focus on your child's feelings rather than your own during your conversation. |
Remember
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Ask your children what they may want or need form you in a conversation, such as advice, simply listening, help in dealing with feelings, or help solving a problem. |
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Kids learn by imitating. Most often, they will follow your lead in how they deal with anger, solve problems, and work through difficult feelings. |
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Talk to your children-don't lecture, criticize, threaten or say hurtful things. |
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Kids learn from their own choices. As long as the consequences are not dangerous, don't feel you have to step in. |
Parenting his hard work
Listening and talking is the key to a healthy connection between you and your children. But parenting is hard work and maintaining a good connection with teens can be challenging, especially since parents are dealing with many other pressures. If you are having problems over an extended period of time, you might want to consider consulting with a mental health professional to find out how they can help.
COLD WEATHER
Sometimes parents leave the house before their children and they are not aware of what a particular child is wearing to school. Or, sometimes children decide to switch jackets at the last minute thinking that one would be better than another.
Temperatures can drop dramatically during the day and that lightweight jacket will no longer keep a child warm. Consequently, I ask our Recess Aides to please check to see that every child has warm clothing before going outdoors for recess in the cold weather. Those children who seem to need something more are sent to the Health Office for a warmer coat or sweatshirt to wear. After recess, it is quickly and easily returned. We never give hats to children because of our concern about the possibility of spreading head lice.
You know your children best. Some children are very warm-blooded and need less protection. So, if you do not want us to include your child among those we monitor, please feel free to send a short note to me.
Internet Safety Resource Websites
prepared by Michael E. Stanford, Principal
Herbert Hoover Elementary School
The websites listed below provide excellent information on how to keep your children safe when they use the internet. The internet is loaded with many valuable resources and we encourage children to use the internet as a way to explore the world around them and learn many new things. Parents must use caution not to allow their children total freedom while surfing the net. There are dangers in allowing free use of websites such as MySpace.com and other chat rooms.
Please take some time to explore the sites I have prepared for you. I hope this information will help you in protecting your children as they explore the internet.
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/safety.html
http://disney.go.com/home/today/index.html
-reporting missing or exploited children
www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/htm
-parent guide
-bullying prevention education
-bullying prevention education
ON TIME AND ATTENDANCE GUIDELINES
The Everitt staff is making a concerted effort to increase daily attendance and prompt arrival at school. The following information is based on Board Policy 552 and pertains to students in grades K-5:
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Children are expected to be in their classrooms at 8:50 AM. |
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Students in afternoon kindergarten must be in their rooms by 12:30 PM. |
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Any student arriving after 8:50 AM must be signed in at the school office by a parent or guardian. |
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Students in afternoon kindergarten arriving after 12:30 PM must be signed in at the office by a parent or guardian. |
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All cases of early dismissal should be preceded by a note from the parent stating the time, date and reason for dismissal from school for one half day. |
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A student who leaves school prior to 10:10 AM and does not return will be considered full-day absent. |
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When a student arrives after 8:50 AM but before 10:10 AM, they will be marked as tardy. |
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A student arriving after 10:10 AM will be marked as 1/2 day absent. |
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A student who leaves before 12:35 PM is considered 1/2 day absent. |
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A student whose early dismissal is after 12:35 PM but was preceded by a note from the parent stating the time, date and reason for dismissal will each be considered on an individual basis. |
As always, if your child is sick (fever, vomiting, diarrhea, severe headache, etc) we expect him/her to be kept home. A note of explanation must be sent to your child's teacher within three days of the day he/she returns to school. Teachers will provide make-up work that must be completed in a timely fashion. They will also make every effort to give your child any test that was missed during his/her absence.
If you have any questions concerning this information, please contact Dr. McKee at 215 943-1880 or cmckee@neshaminy.k12.pa.us.
THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY MEETINGS
Family meetings are among the best practices that a family can use to decrease family conflict, increase cooperation and open the door for meaningful communication. Family meetings are based in mutual respect, trust and equality among all members. Family meetings allow for an avenue of issues or topics to be discussed such as, problem-solving, planning family activities, making decisions, chores, routines and expressing appreciation to each other!
A family meeting is a time which as been set aside and the meetings can be structured or informal and should include all members of the family. A meeting should have an agenda and it (agenda) should be placed in a visible place prior to the meeting so that all family members can view and have input into the meeting. Families can incorporate their own set of family rules or operating principals which may include, discuss one topic at a time, no name calling or one person speaking at a time. The benefits of family meetings are:
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Provides an opportunity to make stronger family connections and creates a stronger family. Family meetings help to nourish our relationships with the important people in our life. |
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Improves family communication. The family meeting allows for a time where families can set aside the daily hustle of the day and connect with each other. |
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Provides leadership experience. Through their own meaningful contributions children learn about being a leader, receive a confidence booster and learn about the "true" meaning of leadership and team. |
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Makes members accountable for their commitments and activities. |
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Gives an avenue to celebrate each other's successes. Family meetings should always contain a time to celebrate successes of each family member during the week. This simple habit helps each family member to look for the positive in each other. |
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Establishes a safe, respectful environment to problem solve. Through open communication and respect children will feel empowered to address issues through problem solving. |
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Provides an opportunity for having fun together. Meetings provide an opportunity for families to participate in fun family activities, promote sharing, laughing and forming deeper relationships. |
Neshaminy School District
PARENT RESOURCES
FOR RISKY BEHAVIOR BY YOUNG PEOPLE
Due to recent news events Neshaminy School District would like to provide resources to help parents educate themselves about "The Choking Game." We continue to hear that young people in our community may be involved in this very dangerous behavior. Neshaminy Schools will also be educating our staff to help them communicate with and warn our students about the consequences of this activity.
Please don't hesitate to contact the administration or guidance counselors in our buildings for more assistance.
Please see these links for more information on the "The Choking Game."
www.guidancechannel.com/default.aspx?index=1878&cat=13
http://stop-the-choking-game.com/
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=special_coverage&id=3669126
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Health/story?id=989844
http://kyw.com/topstories/local_story_269220210.html
http://lungdiseases.about.com/b/a/192765.html