Webster County High School

Start new habits by taking the screen-free challenge Teens today spend hours a day on recreational screen time, often using multiple screens at a time. This time displaces creativity, productivity and physical activity. Next week is National Screen Free Week. It's a good time to break the habit. As a family, turn off your screens and make a list of activities to do instead. Don't worry if your teen complains about being bored. Boredom often leads to creative thinking! https://tpitip.com/?32dd18889

To protect teens, some secrets have to be shared Your teen tells you a secret: "Riley uses drugs." Should you keep the secret? You want your teen to feel it's OK talk to you about anything, but there are times you must share what you know. If you have reason to believe a student is in immediate danger, tell that teen's parents and the school. If you can prevent a dangerous situation, such as a party with alcohol, speak up.

Help your teen plan for a great spring In the spring, students' schedules are often packed with sports, plays, final projects and exams. A planner can help your teen prevent details from falling through the cracks. Encourage your student to write down all assignments, due dates and test dates as well as extracurricular commitments. Then your teen can use the planner to schedule time to do homework and review, and figure out in advance if obligations overlap. https://tpitip.com/?32db18889

Ask questions to prevent a spring schoolwork slump As the days become longer, students' attention spans often become shorter. To help your teen stay focused on schoolwork, ask questions about assignments. Which was the most interesting? The most difficult? Keep track of the time your teen spends on homework and studying, too. If there's a decline, making a comment like, "Your teachers have sure let up on the work suddenly," may be enough to fix the problem. https://tpitip.com/?32da18889

Support your student in effective ways when you are short on time Family life can be so hectic that it may seem impossible to get involved with your teen's education. But there are lots of things you can do in small amounts of time. You can help your teen establish a homework routine or identify some learning goals. You can contact the school and ask about something you're wondering about. And it's always worth making time to listen to your teen. https://tpitip.com/?32dZ18889

A personal dictionary helps students define their terms One way your teen can strengthen vocabulary is to make a personal dictionary. Encourage your student to write down two to five new words that crop up during the day in a small notebook. Your teen can put a word on the front of a page and its definition on the back, and then flip through the book to do a self-quiz. At dinner, encourage your teen to practice using some of the new words in conversation.

Team up with the school if your teen has a learning disability Students with learning disabilities can succeed in school. You can help your teen by working with the school to find resources such as tutors and special education services. Be up front about your teen's disability. Teachers and counselors can help only if they know about an issue. Together, discuss strategies that may help your teen. At home, help your teen build on strengths and explore talents. https://tpitip.com/?32dW18889

Your teen and the school are counting on you Your teen needs your support to work well in school, and the teachers and school staff depend on it, too. Here are some important ways you can help: Ask your teen each day if there are any messages from school, and respond to them promptly. Ensure that your student gets to school on time, prepared to learn. Stay in contact with the teachers. And be a reading role model at home. You'll set your teen up for success! https://tpitip.com/?32dV18889

Social skills are school success skills To teens, being liked is a big deal. Friendships can even affect their school performance. Talk with your teen about what it takes to be a good friend, such as honesty, generosity and listening. Help your student practice cooperation by doing projects together and by looking for opportunities to compromise. Expect your teen to be kind, and discuss ways to reach out and support friends. https://tpitip.com/?32dU18889

Encourage your teen to plan for effective studying Successful students plan to study smarter, not longer. They know their learning goals and plan how much time they should devote to studying each day. They have a set homework time and plan their schedules around it. They know which books to bring home on which days, and where to get help if they need it. Encourage your teen to spell out these and other ways to study smart in a personal study plan. https://tpitip.com/?32dT18889

The saying, "Parents are a child's most influential teachers" is just as true now as it was in elementary school. Here are a few important ways you can help your student learn: Encourage your teen to keep a journal. Read as a family, and let your teen see you read for pleasure. Ask about what your teen is studying, not just about grades. And whenever you can, help your student make connections between schoolwork and daily life. https://tpitip.com/?32dS18889

Researching careers is a great summer occupation The U.S. Department of Labor issues one of the best resources for teens (and adults) to find practical information about careers. "The Occupational Outlook Handbook" provides current information about hundreds of careers, including the education and training needed to prepare, average salaries and employment outlooks. Have your teen check it out online at www.bls.gov/ooh. https://tpitip.com/?32dR18889

Make sure your student athlete has a healthy spring Is your teen highly involved in spring sports? This time of year can take a physical toll on teens as they try to play sports, maintain grades, prepare for tests and finals and make summer plans. Playing sports is great. Just help maintain a healthy balance by making sure your teen also eats well and gets enough sleep. And if grades begin to slip, consult your teen's counselor, teachers or coach. https://tpitip.com/?32dQ18889

Typical teen behavior can be challenging…and exciting The teen years can be a challenging time for kids and their families. Typical adolescent behaviors include: struggling with a sense of identity, self-consciousness, being influenced by peers, moodiness, wanting more freedom, being less affectionate with parents, testing rules and changing friends often. On the bright side, most adolescents are able to express themselves better, and many enjoy learning more. https://tpitip.com/?32dP18889

To develop responsibility in your teen, be specific You can't wave a wand and make your teen suddenly more responsible. But you can change specific behaviors. For example, if you want your teen to improve homework habits, list specific tasks you expect (bring the homework home, do it at a regular time, etc.). Encourage your teen to use organizational tools, like an assignment book and sticky notes to mark what to bring home. Then praise your student when you notice changes. https://tpitip.com/?32dO18889

Just a reminder that next week is Spring Break for Webster County Schools. Therefore, there will be no school for students and staff from Monday the 18th through Friday the 22nd. We hope that everyone will have a great week off and we will see you again on Monday, April 25th

Nurture a positive attitude in your teen A positive attitude can help your teen overcome many of high school's challenges. To nurture a sense of hopefulness, encourage your student to focus on what goes well and not dwell on things that go wrong. If something goes badly, acknowledge your teen's disappointment and help brainstorm a better way to do it next time. Then help your student seek out new opportunities and move on. https://tpitip.com/?32dN18889

Give your teen the confidence and motivation to achieve goals Parent expectations have a significant impact on student achievement. Studies show that teens strive to reach their parents' expectations, and their expectations of themselves tend to match their parents'. Say that you expect your teen to do well in school. Ask what your student hopes to achieve, both in school and afterward, and set attainable goals together. Then make it clear that you support and believe in your teen. https://tpitip.com/?32dM18889

You don't have to know the subject to boost test success You used to be able to quiz your student to help with preparations for a test. But now, you may have no idea if your teen's responses are right. So how can you help? Make sure your teen gets enough sleep and eats breakfast before a test. And share strategies that work on almost any test: Your teen should read the directions carefully, plan time wisely, circle key words in questions and answer the easy questions first. https://tpitip.com/?32dL18889

On Wednesday, April 13th WCHS 7th, 8th, and 11th grade students will be completing their State Assessments. All 9th, 10th, and 12th grade students are to stay home on Wednesday the 13th. They will have work from their teachers on their iPads that will need to be completed when they return on Thursday the 14th.