For parents, late July, August, and early September represent more than summer ending, cooler weather, and fall foliage. It's time to think about returning to school and trying to enjoy the last few weeks of summer. Prepare your child, regardless of whether they are in Kindergarten or a senior in high school; it's time to make moving from summer fun to school days easier.
HIGH SCHOOL FOR TEENS IN FOSTER CARE
1. Find the dates for the PSAT and SAT exams and register your child. Enroll your child in a test prep class even if they are a strong test taker. As colleges become more competitive, test scores make a huge difference. Having my daughter take the exam multiple times until she was happy with the score, so plan and register early.
2. Keep a close eye on your high schoolers' academic, athletic and social calendars. High school has tremendous freedom, and even the most academically gifted students can be distracted by everything teenagers do. Create a school night and weekend curfew. Limit the time spent at a part-time job or sports. Their primary focus needs to be on their studies.
3. If your child is college-bound, start doing your research and attend the college nights that many high schools sponsor to understand college applications. It is no longer a simple process like the baby boomer generation. Test scores, a formal essay, volunteer hours, and class selection are all important factors in college. Take advantage of today's companies to assist you and your student select the right college.
Stay involved, especially when they get older. For example, I volunteer for the peer counseling committee at my daughter's high school. Knowing what is happening and where your children spend a large part of their day is critical. For example, with so many parents working, many Parent Teacher Associations have their meetings in the evening, so more parents can attend. In addition, some activities need volunteers that do not involve daytime hours, helping with a weekend car wash at high school.
