Counselor Corner

 

By Joyce James, CMS Counselor

 

Many parents ask us for ideas on how to best support their children academically at home. ItŐs hard to find the right balanceŃas parents of pre-teens and teens, we want to start gradually stepping back to encourage them to take more responsibility for themselves, but at the same time they still need help, support and encouragement. Here are some tips to help you support your students at Centennial.

 

v    Stay on top of your childŐs grades and attendance on Powerschool. (see instructions below). Encourage your child to stay after school for Academic Assistance.

 

v    Check your childŐs student planner on a regular basis to see what assignments are coming up.

 

v    Limit TV, computer and video game time especially if homework is not getting done or grades are not passing.

 

v    Contact teachers via email or phone call if you have questions or concerns about a particular class.

 

v    Set goals with your child. Allowing your child to take part in his/her own goal setting will give him/her a sense of ownership and responsibility.

 

v    Provide rewards, privileges and incentives when your child meets his/her goals.

 

v    Have meals together as a family as much as possible. The best thing you can do for your child is stay connected by talking, sharing and laughing together.

 

Powerschool:

 

Powerschool is a way to monitor grades and attendance at home over the internet. To log in, go to www.cms.provo.edu. Click on the Powerschool icon. Your childŐs username is his/her student number (the number used for lunch money). The password is your childŐs birthday in the following format: M/DD/YY.  To access assignments and grades in a particular class, click on the grade percentage. To email a teacher, click on the teacherŐs name.

 

Classes for parents with teens:

 

Parents Who Care is a program offered to help parents build stronger relationships with teens. Classes are 6 weeks long and are free. For more information, contact 851-7176.

 

Vantage Point offers an 8-week course, ŇHealthy AngerÓ for teens and their parents to assist youth in dealing with anger. For more information, call 373-2215. The next class series starts March 8.