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New Student Enrollment

Classroom Guidance

Tips for Student's Academic Succes

Health and Body

Suicide Among Children

Helping Your Child Deal with Grief

Bullying Prevention

Grading Period Calendar

New Student Enrollment

Before enrolling your child, please make sure you have the following:

• Birth Certificate
• Custody Papers (if applicable)
• Shot Records
• Test Scores
• Current Grade Card
• Special Education release/IEP

Once you have the necessary forms, please download and fill out the Student's Permanent Record Form. All forms need to be submitted in person to Marilyn Dodrill, School Counselor.

For more information please email Marilyn at mdodrill@alexanderschools.org or call 698-8831, option 2, Ext. 405.

Student-Perm-Record-Information-MIDDLE-SCHOOL.docx

Classroom Guidance

Don’t Laugh At Me

A program of Operation Respect that has a mission to assure each child and youth a respectful, safe and compassionate climate of learning where their academic, social and emotional development can take place free of bullying, ridicule and violence.

Through music, video, and classroom activities, the "Don't Laugh at Me" (DLAM) programs help sensitize children to the painful effects of behaviors that too often are accepted as necessary rites of passage in childhood - ridicule, disrespect, ostracism and bullying. Children participating in DLAM learn that by working together they can positively shape their school environment, and eventually bring this message to the broader community.

Brain Power! Challenge

The National Institute on Drug Abuse's (NIDA) mission is to lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on problems of drug abuse and addiction. The Brain Power! Challenge program is one effort in trying to reach this goal. Brain Power! Challenge is designed to take students in grades 6 - 9 through a step-by-step exploration of scientific processes and how to use these processes to learn about the brain, nervous system, and effects of drugs on the nervous system and body.  In addition, the project's overall goal is to make learning fun and engaging, and to instill in young students a lifelong interest in science.

Tips for Student's Academic Success

Attendance Matters

Regular school attendance is critical to your child’s school success. Being in school and on time means your child does not miss anything. This is important for school success. Parents can actively support the regular school attendance of their child:

· Help your child to get up and out of the house on time.

· Prepare clothes, supplies, backpacks, and lunches the

       night before school.

· Set a regular bedtime at a reasonable hour.

· Don’t try to squeeze in too much before school. Just

       wash, dress, eat, and go.

Study Skills

Study skills are often overlooked.  However, they are some of the most essential skills that students need in order to achieve academic success. In order to help your child improve their study skills;

• Suggest to study in an environment that the student feels comfortable and undistracted.
• Remind your child that it is important to be calm and patient while reviewing the material.
• Recommend that they take good notes (and pay attention in class). *Sometimes children need guidance on how to take good notes.
• Help your child develop effective memorization methods.
• Let your child know that it is important that he or she focus on the areas that need the most attention.
• Suggest that he or she work with others. *On reading assignments  or other assignments that  teachers allow group work, encourage your child to collaborate with peers.
• Help your child develop crucial essay writing skills through practice.

Health and Body

Sleep

Be sure that your child gets around 8 hours of sleep every night. Whenever your child does not get the  sleep that he or she needs, your child can be too exhausted the next day to participate effectively in school, which can lead to poor grades.

Nutrition

Choosing healthy foods, and drinking plenty of water will help to improve life success.

· Drink eight 8 ounce glasses of water each day.

· Eat vegetables and fruits. (This can be done creatively by adding fat free dip options. Fat Free Ranch for vegetables or a Fat Free yogurt for fruit)

· Eat only whole grains. (Not all whole grain foods are dry and flavorless. Shop around!)

Exercise

Walking for just 30 minutes a day can help to improve your child’s mind and body. If your child is unable to walk, be sure to find alternatives such as lifting weights, swimming with assistance, or stretching.

Eating Disorders

 Unfortunately, eating disorders are a major issue among young girls and some boys. Fortunately, there are ways to help prevent your child from developing an eating disorder.

You can start by following these steps to help your child develop a positive body image and relate to food in a healthy way:

·         Make sure your child understands that weight gain is a normal part of development, especially during puberty.

·         Avoid negative statements about food, weight, and body size and shape.

·         Allow your child to make decisions about food, while making sure that plenty of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks are available.

·         Compliment your child on her or his efforts, talents, accomplishments, and personal values.

·         Restrict television viewing, and watch television with your child and discuss the media images you see.

·         Encourage your school to enact policies against size and sexual discrimination, harassment, teasing, and name-calling; support the elimination of public weigh-ins and fat measurements.

·         Keep the communication lines with your child open.

Suicide Among Children

Suicide is an important issue that should be addressed among students, parents, and teachers. The prevalence of suicide among children and adolescents calls for intervention from friends, siblings, parents, and teachers.  

Risk Factors

· Prior suicide attempt

· Co-occurring mental and alcohol or substance abuse disorders

· Family history of suicide

· Parental psychopathology

· Hopelessness

· Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies

· Easy access to lethal methods, especially guns

· Exposure to the suicide of a family member, friend, or other significant person

· History of physical or sexual abuse

· Same-sex sexual orientation (only been shown for suicidal behavior, not suicide)

· Impaired parent-child relationships

· Life stressors, especially interpersonal losses and legal or disciplinary problems

· Lack of involvement in school and/or work ("drifting")

At-Risk Signs for Suicide

· Change in eating and sleeping habits

· Withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities

· Violent actions, rebellious behavior, or running away

· Drug and alcohol use

· Unusual neglect of personal appearance

· Marked personality change

· Persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in the quality of schoolwork

· Frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often related to emotions, such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, etc.

· Loss of interest in pleasurable activities

· Not tolerating praise or rewards

For additional information and support please visit Yellow Ribbon.

For more information on Suicide Among Children and Adolescents and what you can do about it, visit the CDC website.

Helping Your Child Deal with Grief

Grief can occur due to the loss of a loved one, divorce, loss of a pet, or even moving to another school.

Understanding the bereavement process

The better your understanding of grief and how it is healed, the better equipped you’ll be to help a bereaved friend or family member:

• There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Grief does not unfold in orderly, predictable stages. It is an emotional rollercoaster, with unpredictable highs, lows, and setbacks. Everyone grieves differently, so avoid telling the bereaved what they “should” be feeling or doing.

• Grief may involve extreme emotions and behaviors. Feelings of guilt, anger, despair, and fear are common. A grieving person may yell to the heavens, obsess about the death, lash out at loved ones, or cry for hours on end. The bereaved need reassurance that what they’re feeling is normal. Don’t judge them or take their grief reactions personally.

• There is no set timetable for grieving. For many people, recovery after bereavement takes 18 to 24 months, but for others, the grieving process may be longer or shorter. Don’t pressure the bereaved to move on or make them feel like they’ve been grieving too long. This can actually slow their healing. 

Helping a grieving person tip 1: Listen with compassion

Helping a grieving person tip 2: Offer practical assistance 

Helping a grieving person tip 3: Provide ongoing support

Helping a grieving person tip 4: Watch for warning signs

Supporting a child through grief and bereavement

Bullying Prevention

What Family Members Can Do

Bullying can be difficult to deal with, and if a love one is involved, it can be especially tough. What can you do to help?

1. Learn as much as you can about bullying among children and youth.

• Read through Tip Sheets prepared for this Campaign. Some that are most appropriate for family members are:
  1. What We Know About Bullying
  2. The Scope and Impact of Bullying
  3. What To Do If Your Child Is Being Bullied
  4. Children Who Bully
  5. Providing Support to Children Who Are Bullied
  6. How to Talk With Educators at your Child's School About Bullying
  7. What Can Students/Youth Do To "Lend a Hand"
• Read about cyberbullying among children and youth
• Visit the Campaign's Starting a Campaign page to find books, videos, and other materials prepared especially for parents and other adult family members. You might find it helpful to print out our Tip Sheet on Tips for Selecting Materials from the Resource List.
• Take a look at the 12 Webisodes on this Web site, which depict children involved in typical bullying problems at school. Watch the Webisodes with children or youth in your home and discuss them. Ask them if they have seen similar instances of bullying at school or in the community.
• Remember that actions sometimes speak louder than words. Be sure that you treat others in a respectful way and that you don't inadvertently model bullying behavior yourself.

2. Talk with children in your family about bullying and your expectations about their behavior. Children and youth should know that you expect that they:

• Do not bully others
• Are helpful and kind to children and youth who are bullied
• Report bullying that they experience or witness to you or other adults

3. Be watchful for possible signs of bullying among children in your family.

• Talking openly with children and youth in your home is important, but often children are reluctant to talk with adults about bullying that they've experienced or taken part in. Be watchful for behaviors and other signs that your child might be involved in bullying.
• Read Warning Signs that a Child is Being Bullied for a list of possible warning signs that a child is being bullied.
• Read about Children Who Bully for more about characteristics of children who bully, risk factors for bullying, and common myths about children who bully.

4. Take immediate action if you suspect bullying.

• If you suspect that a child in your family is being bullied, read What To Do If Your Child Is Being Bullied for information on possible next steps to take. The Tip Sheet How to Talk with Educators at Your Child's School: Tips for Parents of Bullied Children may also may be helpful.
• If you suspect that a child in your family is the victim of electronic or online bullying, review this information on cyberbullying.
• If you think a child in your family has bullied (or is continuing to bully) siblings or peers, review the fact sheet on Children Who Bully for suggestions about how best to address this behavior.
• If your child has been a witness or bystander to bullying, find out more about the bullying incident. Discuss with your child how they can help another child who is bullied. The What Can Students/Youth Do To "Lend a Hand" Tip Sheet provides some tips for how children and youth can lend a hand to stop bullying. Depending on where the bullying took place and its severity, report the bullying school authorities, parents, or other adults in charge.

5. Work with school personnel and other adults in your community to prevent and reduce bullying.

All adults in a community have a responsibility to help keep kids safe and stop bullying among children and youth. How can you get involved?

• Work with others in your community to raise awareness about bullying.
• Encourage local broadcasters to play TV/Radio Public Service Announcements (PSAs) about bullying. Show these free PSAs at meetings in your community.
• Download and distribute free fact sheets from the Campaign's Resource Kit.
• Become a resource to local schools. Share with them resources from the Campaign. Point educators to the Educators page. They also might find the following Tip Sheets particularly helpful:
  1. Misdirections in Bullying Prevention and Intervention
  2. Steps to Address Bullying at Your School: Tips for School Administrators
  3. Providing Support to Children Who Are Bullied: Tips for School Personnel
  4. Documenting Bullying at Your School: Tips for School Administrators

Grading Period Calendar