PYLUSD Parent University

PYLUSD
Parent University
Be your Middle Schooler’s Superhero!
Transitioning from Elementary School to Middle School
Welcome
Brian, Katie, Jodi, Gloria
Agenda
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Role Models
Communication
Homework & Organization
PE, Nutrition & Fitness
Bullying
Video Here
Communication
The Parent/Teacher Relationship
Effective communication with
teachers will help your child
succeed in school.
One-way Communication
● Class syllabus: Used to share class
information with parents & students.
● Websites: May post information about
the class and daily assignments.
● Aeries: Grades posted online. Can
monitor progress throughout the quarter.
● Report cards: Traditional mode to
convey final grade in class.
Two-way Communication
● Email: Allows you to contact the teacher
outside of the school day. It may take 24
hours to receive a response.
● Phone call: Making a phone call can help
open the lines of communication
● Parent-Teacher Conference: Can help
create a successful partnership so parents
and teachers may be on the same page.
Tips for Parents
● Contact the classroom teacher first.
● Be proactive. Address concerns with your
teacher before it is too late.
● Ask questions when you need clarification.
● In an email, choose your words carefully
as the tone is not always clear.
● Keep your focus on solutions.
● Remember, teachers make mistakes too.
Communicating with
your Middle Schooler
● Create a routine to communicate with
your child and stick to it.
● Be careful not to place a ceiling on your
child’s growth potential
● Be a role model of communication
○ listener, speaker, expressing emotions &
ideas, problem solving, etc.
● “What was your high/low today?”
Let’s think...
What was your high/low
for today?
Ways to ask your student
“How was school today?”
(without asking “How was school today?”)
A few ways to get some insight
about how your student is
feeling about school.
“How was school today?”
● Tell me something that made you
laugh today.
● Tell me one thing you learned today.
● When were you happiest today?
● What do you think you should learn
more of (less of) at school?
“How was school today?”
● What was your favorite part of lunch?
● If you could be the science teacher
tomorrow, what would you do?
● Who did you hang out with at break?
● How were you able to help someone
today?
Homework &
Organization
“Multiple teachers,
multiple subjects,
multiple classes!! We
better get organized!
And fast!”
How to help with homework??
FOCUS ON
logistics and process
versus completion
I can do
that!
Homework
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Consistent time & space for completion
Manage time for completion
Support early on and then later pull back
Check teacher website or agenda
Backpack checks can be helpful!
➔ Study time? Let your child teach you!
➔ If no hmwk, then read/practice typing
Strategies for staying organized...
- use the same color for folders, binders,
and/or spirals of each subject
for example,
red- science
blue- math
- in folder, label each pocket with
“need to complete” and
“completed work”
Homework Resources
Math- The Kahn Academy
https://www.khanacademy.org/
Language Arts & Math- Learn Zillion
https://learnzillion.com/
Absences will happen, so be
prepared...
Most schools give one to two days for
every absence, but check with your
school to find out the policy
Student’s responsibility to complete the
missed class work, homework and tests
The teacher website is a great resource
Student should be own advocate
Late Work
❏ Late work is better than no work!
❏ Each teacher/school will have a policy
so make sure to know that
information- it may be 1 day or 2 days
❏ Be proactive
PE, Nutrition &
Fitness
Middle School Physical Education
CoEd classes up to 55 students
Have to adjust to changing out, working a lock and
maintaining a locker.
Expectations of behavior are heightened.
Personal discipline and self control are of great focus.
(safety concerns)
Class is designed around cooperation, exposure to new
games and activities.
Effort and improvement are keys to success
How to Lower Anxiety
● Shop with them when they get their new hygiene
and grooming products.
● Allow them to choose their shoes, non spray
deodorant, brush, wipes or other items.
● Front load them about changing with at least 20 or
so other students and how it is a normal part of
growing up. Every other student is in the same boat.
● Continue to reinforce the importance of self
advocacy with teacher. They are there to help.
Communication
● Share concerns (ailments, limitations)
with teacher ahead of time - notes are
appreciated.
● Follow up with student about periodic
assignments.
Active Body = Active Mind
Pre and Post Activity
Look at the brain functioning after just 20
minutes of walking. Getting kids to move
helps strengthen and stimulate their brains.
This is why so many recent research
studies are showing increased fitness =
improved academics. Note: The blue color
represents inactivity in the brain.
Source: University of Illinois at Urbana,
Champaign, Urbana, IL
Fitness
● Facilitate the importance of
movement on a daily basis by
modeling activity yourself.
● Create family activities that involve
movement on weekends (hike,
bike, walk the beach)
● 30 minutes/day of activity is suggested
Let’s think...
What do you like to do
with your
family to
stay active?
Daily Needs/Good Habits
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Eat Breakfast (It starts the day off right)
Pack a healthy snack
Lunch choices
Limit Sugar & Salt
Drink Water
Bullying
Definitions
● R.I.P. = Repeated, Intentional, for Power
● Includes, but not limited to,
discrimination, harassment, intimidation
● According to PYLUSD, “any severe or
pervasive (extensive) physical or verbal
act or conduct”
● 3 types = verbal, social, physical
Cyber Bullying
● Through an electronic act such as email, texting,
social networks, blogs, websites or digital
messages or images sent to a cell phone or
computer
● Might include: teasing/name-calling, social
isolation/manipulation, direct threats, posting
private, false, or defamatory information about
another, pretending to be another person in order
to damage a person’s reputation
Tips for Cyber Awareness
● Talk to your kids about what is
appropriate & what is not
● Check emails & text messages
periodically
● Review social media
● Consider a family charging station
● Parents guide to social networks
Managing Bullying Behavior on Campus
● Each school has an anti-bullying plan
● School-wide interventions may include:
○ verbal warning
○ written warning
○ detention
○ student/parent conference
○ law enforcement
○ suspension
○ expulsion
What Parents Should Know
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Loss of interest in school
Warning
Happy on weekends, not weekdays
Signs:
Suddenly prefers adult company
Wants to take a different route to school
Frequent illness, nightmares, insomnia
Unexplained scratches, bruises, damaged clothing
Seems withdrawn, anxious, fearful
Sudden behavior changes
Has few or no friends
Sudden interest in violent movies and/or video games
Talks about running away or suicide
Parental Do’s and Don’ts
DO:
● Stay calm and be
patient.
● Find out what
happened. Get the
facts.
● Contact your child’s
teacher ASAP.
● Help your child be
“bully-proof.”
DON’T:
● Promise to keep it a
secret.
● Call the bullying
student’s parents.
● Encourage your child
to fight back.
● Blame your child for
the bullying.
What Students Can Do
When others are
bullied:
● Refuse to join in
● Speak out
● Distract
● Report
● Be a friend
When being bullied:
● Walk or run away
● Tell an adult you trust
● Buddy up
● Avoid those who bully
● Be confident and stand
up for yourself
● Don’t cry or ignore
Resources
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www.kidshealth.org
www.bullyfree.com
www2.ed.gov/osdfs
www.search-institute.org regarding the
40 Developmental Assets
Questions?
Policy
● Every child is entitled to a safe school environment
free from bullying.
● Consistent with state and federal law, PYLUSD
prohibits bullying and provides timely and effective
complaint procedures.
● PYLUSD prohibits bullying based on disability, gender,
gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race
or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or
association with a person or group with one or more
of these actual or perceived characteristics.
Random images to use. I tried to find more
culturally diverse, but had a hard time. :/