School has just ended here in the Northwest, but school’s not out for many parents.  Especially the parents of high school kids who just aren’t making the grade.  They’re busy attending meetings to figure out what possible steps can be taken to help their struggling kids succeed.

A local newspaper, The Oregonian, recently ran a three part series on why our teens weren’t graduating from high school in the typical four years – in fact many drop out.  The numbers weren’t what I found interesting, it was the techniques that local schools are using to enable teens facing challenges to stay in their home high schools, succeed and graduate on time.

• Having a weekly meeting of staff (about a dozen) who track and discuss the group of students at their school who are having problems, skipping school and are in danger of dropping out – or getting kicked out.
• Tracking these student’s attendance on a daily basis.  Personally calling the home of a student who is absent.  Making sure they get the support and services they need.
• Screen all freshmen to ensure they can read on a high school level.  Provide a class or tutoring to bring those who are struggling up to speed.
• Work to keep these kids in their home/neighborhood school, rather than automatically sending them to alternative schools.
• Give students who have missed class work the opportunity to do make-up work in a flexible and timely fashion.

Get help and support from your StandUp Parenting group as you work towards a positive future for your child’s education.

http://schools.oregonlive.com/dropouts

Next blog post: When Traditional Schools Just Don’t Work

I’m just sick and tired of being sick and tired!

I was sick for nearly two months at the end of 2009 and the general ‘out of sorts’ lasted well into 2010. Nasty flu!

Getting sick is one of the hardest things for parents of difficult kids. We’re used to taking care of them, or at least jumping up and running out to solve the latest emergency.

Here is what helped me get through this time – with one kid in jail and another in Iraq.

• Simplify: I only did what I had to do. This included cooking and cleaning. Plus meetings. Lots of premade food (nutrition and budget took a temporary backseat). Even got groceries delivered (it was free the first time – and worth it).
• Consolidate: I’d gather up my energy and do errands one day and then recuperate the rest of the week.
• Delegate: Actually this was more like – ‘Don’t show up and someone else will fill in.’ And they did. At StandUp, church and my writer’s group, somehow they all got along without me. Yes, they were glad to see me come back again, in good health, but the world didn’t fall apart while I was gone.
• Ask: I asked one of my adult kids to help at home. I asked folks at church and StandUp for support, encouragement and to fill in for me. They did.

Simplify, Consolidate, Delegate and Ask, then get better soon!

You’ve reconciled, begun the process of reconciliation or maybe just hope to see it one day. In the meantime you have a desire to renew that relationship with your teen or adult child. It’s a tricky process at times. Sharing in activity can begin the warming process in a non-threatening way. I’m always on the lookout for ideas that are easy and neutral.

There are things that I do with my kids that might interest you.

• Texting – a good way to connect without being intrusive. I’ve used texts to send invites to family gatherings and to just ‘check in’.
• Reading together – read the same book as your kid and then chat about it. This can be formal or not. I’ve been gifted with books my kids have read. Our library has an Everybody Reads program – free books and discussion groups – a great connecting possibility.
• Writing – some of my kids are story tellers, just like me. I’ve put one story on a blog for them to read. One son and I have an improve story that we write together. It’s goofy and fun. It could be serious and thought provoking.
• Sharing meals – getting together for a lunch or coffee date – keep it short with light conversation at first.
• Work outs – a couple of us chat about our workout routines whenever we connect up with one another. How’s the running going? Getting to the gym? I’ve played tennis with one child (okay, chased a tennis ball). It was fun and got us talking.

These are five activities that have worked for me, over time. Have you got some that you can share with us? Are there activities that you aspire to with your child? Email me at [email protected] and I’ll post your great offerings!