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2. Parents: Your Part

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Parents - YOUR PART

 

            YOU, parents, are so important to your child’s success in school!  Here are some suggestions that are IMPORTANT and easy to try:

 

  • Provide a good place to study

You should make sure that in your home there is a quiet, well-lit, and comfortable area in which your child can study and complete homework. This works best if scheduled for the same time everyday.

 

  • Help your child set goals

When your child enters high school, have a serious conversation about what they think they want to do after they graduate.  Help your child to set a goal for earning good grades in their classes.   Every year, have the conversation again!

 

  • Use rewards and consequences

Never forget that you are a parent and have certain rights and responsibilities.  One of these is to train your child in good behavior and attitudes.  Reward your child for improvement or for doing a good job.  Rewards can be something as simple as a hug (Yes, a hug!  Teenagers need love!); they don’t have to cost money.  A logical consequence for your child being tardy every morning would be to make them go to bed earlier

 

  • Attend all parent programs

We have two Open House nights every year, and parents should definitely attend.  This is a great way to communicate with teachers and see what is happening at the high school. Participate in the Tiger Parent Club meetings.

  

  • Insist on daily attendance

Your child cannot do well in school if he or she is not at school.  There is a direct connection between poor grades and poor attendance. 

 

  • Review all progress reports and report cards

Wasco High School ALWAYS mails home progress reports and report cards.  If you do not receive the first progress report by the 8th week of school, please contact the office to verify your address.

 

  •  Help with time management and homework

Encourage your child to use their free time at home to get their school work done first.  The amount of time playing video games, hanging with friends, or watching TV need to be determined by YOU, the parent.  Keeping track of homework and when assignments are due is your child’s responsibility. 

 

  • Listen

Your child may not talk to you much, but when they do, LISTEN.  Teenagers often have a funny way of letting you know how they feel.  They seem to speak as much with their body language as they do with their mouths.  If your child seems to have a poor attitude about school, ask them how it’s going.  Tell them you care and want to know about their day to day experiences.

 

  • Be aware and informed
In order to protect your child, it is important to know where they are and who they are with at all times.  Remember that teenagers are still children.  Make them accountable to you.  Know who your child’s friends are and invite them into your home. Also, to protect your child from people that you don’t know, keep the family computer in a family area, so that your child will not be tempted to look up inappropriate websites or to have harmful internet contact.

 

  • Be a good role model

Your child looks to you as their first example.  Believe it or not, they listen to you and see what you do.  They will more than likely do the things they see you doing and will have the attitudes they see you displaying.  You have a great influence on them, so use this to your advantage!

 

 

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