The GRF Parent Support Team is a district-wide group of parents, teachers, and administrators working together t o support the parents and students of GRF with mentorship, resources, and family events.
Being more organized/responsible helps a student…
- feel more capable and less stressed.
- create strong routines that help them feel safe and secure.
- work as a better team with their parent(s)/guardian(s), friends, classmates, teachers, administrators, etc.
- develop life skills for success!
Parenting Tips for helping a student be more responsible/organized…
- If your student SEES something, they are more likely to REMEMBER it. Use checklists, sticky notes, school planners, phone reminders, or even an app (Remember the Milk is a free to-do list app for older students).
- Keep it simple.
- Work WITH your student–as a team–to develop a plan.
- Show your student ways that you organize your own life or use the skill of responsibility.
- For Junior High/High School students, ask:
- What are your ideas to be more responsible/organized?
- How can I support you on this goal?
Pine Crest Elementary Daily Checklists
Mary Miller Junior High Daily Checklists
GRF HIGH SCHOOL
You can use the resources below for ANY Word of the Month for your high school student to spark discussion and guide your student in setting goals and creating action steps towards their goals.
- Try their idea for a week and meet again to discuss.
- See if any changes need to be made.
- Compliment even the smallest improvements.
- Make a new plan as needed
WORD OF THE MONTH DISCUSSION GUIDE
Learning to be honest helps a student…
- recognize that everyone makes mistakes.
- take responsibility for their mistakes and find ways to make things right.
- grow in becoming a person of integrity and someone that others can trust.
- work as a better team with their parent(s)/guardian(s), friends, classmates, teachers, administrators, etc.
Parenting Tips for helping a student be more honest…
- create a safe place for your student to make mistakes.
- stay calm and teach them what to do when they make a mistake (see the 4 A’s resource).
- talk about honesty together and share how you show honesty.
- thank your child anytime they show honesty.
Healthy boundaries help a student…
- feel safe, secure, and loved.
- respect authority and learn to trust others.
- make choices that honor their health, safety, and character.
- work as a better team with their parent(s)/guardian(s), friends, classmates, teachers, administrators, etc.
Parenting Tips for setting healthy boundaries…
- set boundaries around your student’s health, safety, and character and let other things go.
- use boundaries to teach—“This is why this boundary is good for you.”
- use boundary-setters (see resource) to create less conflict.
- for junior high/high school students—work as a team to create healthy boundaries that you ALL agree on.
Close, positive connections to a parent/guardian helps a student…
- feel safe, secure, loved, and valued.
- build more respect for their parent/guardian and be more willing to follow the parent/guardian’s boundaries.
- develop a healthier self-esteem and feel more capable to learn and try new things.
- work as a better team with parent(s)/guardian(s), friends, teachers, etc.
Parenting Tips for connecting with your student…
- Spend time with your student one-on-one and as a family as often as possible.
- Find what works for you and your family.
- Make connecting a priority—put in on your calendar, set reminders on your phone, etc.
6 PHYSICAL WAYS TO CONNECT WITH KIDS
CONNECTION IDEAS FOR THE BUSY PARENT
Learning compassion helps a student…
- understand the needs of others.
- learn to show empathy to someone else’s feelings or situation.
- gain a better understand of themselves and their own needs.
- have healthier relationships.
Parenting Tips for teaching your student to have more compassion…
- show compassion towards others (including your student).
- give your student opportunities to serve others in their school or community.
Learning how to find courage helps a student…
- gain confidence to try new things.
- learn how to overcome challenges in life.
Parenting tips for teaching your student to be more courageous…
- give them positive quotes to say like “I think I can…I think I can.”
- let them know you believe in them, but you’re also there to support them: “I believe in you, but if you need my help, I’m here for you!”
- give them opportunities to try new things…fail…and try again.
4 QUOTES TO HELP YOUR CHILDREN FIND COURAGE
Learning about justice helps a student…
- recognize the need for every human to have equal rights and to be respected.
- seek peace instead of conflict.
- work as a team with all people.
- understand their own needs and communicate them respectfully.
- find ways to serve others and make the world a better place for everyone.
Parenting tips for teaching your student about justice…
- find ways to serve others in the community together (be a voice for others who may be overlooked or ignored).
- brainstorm ideas with your student on how your family can make the world a better place.
- treat everyone with respect.
- solve any conflict with a peaceful discussion.
- if your student feels something is unfair, listen to your student’s side and find a compromise you both agree on.
4 STEPS TO GUIDE CHILDREN TO SHOW JUSTICE FOR ALL
Learning about kindness helps a student…
- increase their awareness of their words and actions.
- recognize the power they have to end bullying by being kind instead.
Parenting Tips for teaching your student about kindness…
- Model kindness and speak kindly to your student and to others.
- Make kindness a family rule/expectation (and post it where your student can see it).
- Talk about kindness and thank your student anytime they are kind.
- If you or your student don’t do or say something kind the first time, do a “rewind” and try it again.
Learning about appreciation helps a student:
- “See the good…say the good” about themselves and others.
- View challenges in life as opportunities to learn.
- Have a more positive outlook and growth mindset.
Parenting Tips for teaching your student about appreciation…
- Show your student appreciation by thanking them for a job well done or for simply just being who they are!
- “See the good…say the good” about yourself and others.
- Use words of appreciation like “thank you”, “grateful”, “blessed”.
