A U G U S T 2 0 1 9 V O L U M E 1 2 , I S S U E 1
`
INSIDE
THIS
ISSUE:
Back to School
Tips for Parents
(continued)
2
Baton Rouge Zoo
Zoo Fun Run 5K &
Half Mile Fun Run
3
EBR TV News
Segments
4
EBR Health &
Wellness: Go Fresh
Whenever Possible
5
How to prepare
for HURRICANE
season
6
Arm your middle
schooler with
effective study
habits
8
Life Hacks for
EBR Parents
9
May Calendar 10
A U G U S T 2 0 1 9 V O L U M E 1 2 , I S S U E 1
Back to School Tips for Parents Starting the new school year can be a time of great excitement… and anxiety. Help calm your child’s fears (and your own) with these teacher-approved tips.
Meet the new teacher
For kids, one of the biggest back-to-school fears is “Will I like my new teacher?” Breaking the ice early on is one of the best ways to calm everyone’s fears. Take advantage of your school’s open house or back-to-school night. Some teachers welcome phone calls or e-mails — another great opportunity to get to know each other before the year begins.
If personal contact with the teacher isn’t possi-ble, try locating the teacher’s picture on a school website or in a yearbook, so your child can put a name with a face. If your child’s teacher sends a welcome letter, be sure to read the letter together.
Tour the school
If your school hosts an open house, be sure to go. Familiarizing your child with her environ-ment will help her avoid a nervous stomach on the first day. Together you can meet her teacher, find her desk, or explore the playground.
With an older child, you might ask him to give you a tour of the school. This will help refresh his memory and yours.
Power Parent
Connect with friends
A familiar friend can make all the difference when heading back to school. You might try calling parents from last year’s class and finding out which children are in your child’s class this year. Refresh these relationships before school starts by scheduling a play date or a school car-pool.
Tool up
Obtain the class supply list and take a special shopping trip with your child. Having the right tools will help him feel prepared. While keeping basic needs in mind, allow for a couple of splurges like a cool notebook or a favorite-colored pen. These simple pleasures make going back to school a lot more fun.
School supply lists also provide great insight into the schoolwork ahead. Get your child excited about upcoming projects by explaining how new supplies might be used. Let him practice using supplies that he’s not used before — such as colored pencils or a protractor
Back to School Tips for Parents (continued)
— so he will be comfortable using them in class.
Avoid last-minute drilling
When it’s almost time to stop playing, give a five-minute warning. Giving clear messages to your child is very important.
Chat about today’s events and tomorrow’s plans
While it is important to support learning throughout the summer, don’t spend the last weeks of summer vacation reviewing last year’s curriculum. All kids need some down time before the rigors of school begin. For some kids, last-minute drills can heighten anxiety, reminding them of what they’ve forgotten instead of what they remember.
Ease into the routine
Switching from a summer to a school schedule can be stressful to everyone in the household. Avoid first-day-of-school mayhem by practicing your routine a few days in advance. Set the alarm clock, go through your morning rituals, and get in the car or to the bus stop on time. Routines help children feel comfortable, and establishing a solid school routine will make the first day of school go much smoother.
SOURCE: PBS KIDS— https://www.pbs.org
Put an end to absences
What’s one simple factor that has a huge impact on
school success? Attendance. Missing as few as 10% of
school days can affect an elementary schooler’s
academic achievement, make her more likely to be held
back and even to drop out entirely.
You have the biggest influence over your child’s
attendance. To help prevent absences:
Create routines—for homework, for bedtime, for
getting ready in the morning.
Schedule appointments and family trips for
non-school hours.
Talk to your child about the value of attending
school on time every day.
SOURCE: C. Robinson and others, “Reducing Student
Absenteeism in the Early Grades by Targeting Parental
Beliefs,” Harvard Kennedy School, niswc.com/out.
The teacher doesn’t work alone to educate your child.
She needs your help. Meet the teacher at back-to-school
night. Then, throughout the year, share information
about your child—such as changes at home or
challenges he is facing in school or out.
Let your child know you respect the teacher and you will
work with her to help him learn. Your cooperative
attitude sets the tone for your child’s behavior in class.
Partner with the teacher
Motivate with praise
Children can spot a fake. Saying “Good girl!” in response
to everything your child does won’t motivate her or make
her trust your opinion. Instead, encourage your child with
praise that is:
Deserved. “Your handwriting has gotten much
neater.”
Detailed. Tell her exactly what she did right so
she know what to do the next time.
BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo Zoo Fun Run 5K & Half Mile Fun Run
P A G E 3
BATON ROUGE, LA.— BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo will
host its 14th Annual Zoo Run Run event at the Zoo on
Saturday, August 24th on Zoo grounds. The event,
presented by Lamar Advertising, allows participants to
enjoy the scenery as they walk or run through BREC's
Baton Rouge Zoo and portions of Greenwood Park.
All proceeds from the race support the Baton Rouge Zoo
and international cheetah conservation efforts. There will
be food & refreshments for the whole family to enjoy after
the race. As well, any supporter in a participant’s party,
gains free admission to the Zoo after the race. NOTE:
supporters must be on site before admission gates open
to the public at 9:30am.
“We encourage everyone of all ages to come out and
scamper, trot or gallop through the zoo for a fun-filled
family day of adventure for the 14th year. We are thrilled
to be able to host this energetic event year after year,”
said Phil Frost, Zoo Director.
Registration now open: http://www.brzoo.org/events/
special/zoo-run-run/
About BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo
BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo is a place where people
connect with animals, including tigers, giraffes, rhinos &
alligators. The world-class Realm of the Tiger, Flamingo
Cove, Giants of the Islands, Safari Playground,
L'aquarium de Louisiane, & KidsZoo exhibits offer fun for
all ages.
P A G E 4
Please click on the links below to access EBR TV news segments:
“Bringing the students, programs and places of the
East Baton Rouge Parish School System into FOCUS”
SCHOOL/FEATURED NEWS SEGMENT LINKS
Woodlawn Middle School
Community-Based Field Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKV0y4aI-xY&t=5s
Southeast Middle Magnet School Career Day https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-qT3i-Texg
Bernard Terrace Elementary Harambee featuring
Elijah Precciely
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8_2mwnVsNk&t=112s
Arlington Prep Academy support Hoops for Heart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUbUOve2UZk&t=1s
“No One Eats Alone” program visit to Park Forest Middle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcfd23zdaC4&t=39s
Line4Line Literacy Program visits White Hills Elementary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oss4_VLfaeU&t=3s
2019 EBR Early Childhood Extravaganza
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZsOreJo1ns&t=3s
EBR, help us to help you tell your story. Please click on the link
below to Request Media Coverage:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc9V6hm7O_qcwDpzOzBdxYSGHGF7Icx8fQGay6Xn_24ITIPEA/viewform
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables are always the BEST choice
for snacks and treats. Try to expose children to foods
they may not have tried before. Ask your kids which
fruits and vegetables they love and use that as a basis
when choosing snacks. Keep flavor, color, size, and tex-
ture in mind. Bring children to the grocery store and
involve them in the choosing process. Try some of the
following:
P A G E 5
Promoting Healthy Living for EBR Families
Go Fresh Whenever Possible
Kiwi Strawberries
Raw Squash and Zucchini Bananas
Cumquats Baby carrots
Fresh pitted cherries Celery
Dates Pineapples
Bell pepper strips Cucumbers
Cantaloupe Radishes
Watermelon Broccoli
Mango Cauliflower
Blueberries Tomatoes
Raspberries Craisins & Raisins
Check the Nutrition Label
A healthy option meets the following guidelines
*Less than 10 grams of sugar per serving
*Less than 5 grams of fat per serving
*More than 4 grams of fiber per serving
Mix things up! Have kids build fruit kabobs.
Or blend together their favorite berries, a banana,
and some skim milk for Smoothie Snacks.
One snack serving is 4-6 ounces.
P A G E 6 V O L U M E 1 2 , I S S U E 1
How to prepare for HURRICANE season
Hurricanes can shatter lives as well as damage property.
Being prepared can help you, your family or your
business minimize the impact of the storm. The best way
time to start is before the threat is imminent. Here's what
you need to know.
Don't wait until a hurricane watch is issued, because it
may already be too late to take certain precautions.
Reduce property damage and get through any hurricane
emergency with less stress by preparing before the
season begins.
1. Plan your evacuation route well ahead of time
If you live on the coast or in a mobile home, you may
have to evacuate in the event of a major storm.
While you'll no doubt get instructions from the local
government, it's wise to create your evacuation plan well
before a disaster strikes. This way, you can know ahead
of time about the nearest shelters, take your pets into
account in your plan, make sure to take important papers
and make a trial run.
2. Keep non-perishable emergency supplies on hand
When a hurricane warning is issued, people run for the
stores. As much as possible, get ahead of the rush
having the following on hand:
Extra batteries
Candles or lamps with fuel
Matches (keep these dry)
Materials and tools for emergency home repairs–
such as heavy plastic sheeting, plywood, a hammer,
etc.
Prescription drugs
A three-day supply of drinking water
Food that you don’t have to refrigerate or cook
First aid supplies
A portable NOAA weather radio
A wrench and other basic tools
A flashlight
If you need to evacuate, you'll bring these supplies with
you. As expirations dates approach (for example, food or
batteries), use the items and replenish your emergency
stash.
3. Take an inventory of your personal property
Creating a home inventory will help ensure that you have
purchased enough insurance to replace your personal
possessions. It can also speed the claims process,
substantiate losses for income tax purposes and is help-
ful should you need to apply for disaster aid. In the event
you need to evacuate, be sure your home inventory is
among the important documents you take with you.
4. Review your insurance policies
This hurricane season insurance checklist can help you
to understand your coverage and whether it’s adequate
to repair or rebuild your home, if necessary, and to
replace your belongings
Keep in mind that your homeowners insurance covers the
cost of temporary repairs for hurricane damage, as well
as reasonable additional living expenses (ALE) over and
above your normal living expenses if you have to relocate
(such as the extra expense of getting to work or to school
if your temporary home is in a different community).
However, your homeowners policy doesn’t cover flood
damage, so you may want to consider looking into flood
insurance. If you live by the coast, you may also need a
separate policy for protection against wind and wind-
blown water damage.
If you have questions about what your current policy will
cover or need to augment your current coverage, contact
your insurance professional.
5. Take steps to protect your home
Hurricane force winds can turn landscaping materials into
missiles that can break windows and doors and much of
the property damage associated with hurricanes occurs
after the windstorm when rain enters structures through
broken windows, doors and openings in the roof.
P A G E 7 V O L U M E 1 2 , I S S U E 1
How to prepare for HURRICANE season (continued)
While retrofitting your home to protect against these
possibilities is undoubtedly an expense, you can do it in
stages.
Replace gravel or rock landscaping materials with
shredded bark, which is lighter and won't cause as
much harm.
Cut weak branches and trees that could fall on your
house and keep shrubbery trimmed.
Install storm shutters to protect your windows from
breakage. Alternately, fit plywood panels to your
windows, which can be nailed to window frames
when a storm approaches.
Make sure exterior doors are hurricane proof and
have at least three hinges and a dead bolt lock that is
at least one-inch long.
Sliding glass doors should be made of tempered
glass and, during a storm, covered with shutters or
plywood. These types of doors are more vulnerable
to wind damage than most other doors.
Replace old garage doors and tracks with a door that
is approved for both wind pressure and impact pro-
tection. Wind coming into your home through an
opening this large poses grave problems for the rest
of your home—especially your roof.
Seal outside wall openings such as vents, outdoor
electrical outlets, garden hose bibs and locations
where cables or pipes go through the wall. Use a
high quality urethane-based caulk to prevent water
penetration.
If you live in a mobile home make sure you know how
to secure it against high winds and be sure to
review your mobile home insurance policy.
If you have a boat on a trailer, know how to anchor
the trailer to the ground or house—and review your
boat insurance policy.
SOURCE: Insurance Information Institute
https://www.iii.org/article/preparing-hurricane
STAY ALERT! BE SAFE!
Encourage your teen to take science and math classes It’s natural to think
about your teen’s
future and whether he
will be able to get a
job. A new study
found one effective
way to make a difference for your teen’s future: Talk
about the importance of science and math.
There are plenty of good jobs in science, technology,
engineering and math. (Together, these fields are often
called STEM.)
STEM related jobs are increasing every year. Some
require only a two-year associate’s degree after high
school. Often, these jobs have starting salaries of over
$50,000 or higher for new college graduates.
Yet, teen often avoid the math and science classes they
need in high school to prepare for these jobs.
That’s where parents can play a significant role. Help
your teen see the choices she makes today can affect
her future.
Then:
Show your teen how her current interests can
lead to STEM careers. If she is always using an app
on her phone, she might want to take computer sci-
ence and develop her own apps. If she’s interested
in how things work, she can prepare for a career as
an engineer.
Encourage your teen to take at least one math
class and one science class every year. Students
aiming for STEM careers, should take a total of four
years of math and four years of science while in high
school.
P A G E 8 V O L U M E 1 2 , I S S U E 1
Are you ready for a new school year?
A new school year often means trading relaxed summer
habits for more structure. Are you ready to help your
child make the shift to school routines? Answer yes or no
to the questions below:
1. Have you established a regular homework
and study time for your child?
2. Have you set a bedtime that lets your child
get nine to 12 hours of sleep?
3. Does your family have a regular daily read-
ing time?
4. Have you established evening routines—
laying out clothes, packing school bags—to make morn-
ings go more smoothly?
5. Have you reviewed school rules with your
child?
How well are your doing?
More yes answers mean you are providing a framework
to help your child do his best in school. For each no, try
that idea from the quiz.
Arm your middle schooler with effective study habits
Students need strong study skills to be successful in
middle school—and parents play a significant role in
helping their children develop them. The study skills
middle schoolers will learn now will help them succeed
today, in high school and beyond.
To lay the groundwork for your child’s academic success:
Encourage her to break down large projects.
Don’t let your middle schooler get rattled by long-term
assignments. Show her how to divide big projects
into smaller, more manageable parts.
Have your child estimate how long a homework
assignment or project will take and plan her study
time accordingly. Then, have her use a timer to see
if her estimates are accurate. This will help her make
adjustments for future assignments, if necessary.
Increase her self-awareness. Ask your child to
figure out when she’s at her best. Then encourage
her to do most of her homework and studying during
those times. If she needs to let off some steam after
school, encourage her to go for a run or a brisk walk
before sitting down to study.
Turn off the television. Don’t buy your child’s argu-
ment that TV is “just background noise.” Make sure
homework time is free from all distractions.
Promote organization. Help her create a system to
keep track of important assignments. It might be file
folders, a color-coded binder or a desk calendar.
“No matter how busy you may think you are, you must
find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen
ignorance.” ...
P A G E 9
LIFE HACKS FOR EBR PARENTS
A collection of life hacks, tips and tricks to optimize your life.
life·hack
ˈlīfˌhak/ Noun Informal noun: life hack 1. a strategy or technique adopted in order to manage one's time and daily activities in a more efficient way.
V O L U M E 1 2 , I S S U E 1 P A G E 1 0
August 5th—7th: Employee In-Service
August 8th: First Day of School for Students
August 2019 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
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STUDENTS
P A G E 1 1
Parent Power is a publication of the
East Baton Rouge Parish School System
H. Warren Drake, Superintendent of Schools
Marlon Cousin, Community Liaison
The East Baton Rouge Parish School System and all of its entities (including Career and Technical
Education Programs) does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, national origin, disability or gender
in its educational programs and activities (including employment and application for employment), and it is prohibit-
ed from discriminating on the basis of gender by Title IX (20 USC 168) and on the basis of disability by Section
504 (42 USC 794). The Title IX Coordinator is Andrew Davis, Director of Risk Management
([email protected]) - phone (225) 929-8705. The Section 504 Coordinator is Elizabeth Taylor Chapman,
Director of Exceptional Student Services ([email protected]) – phone (225) 929-8600. The Title II
Coordinator is Dr. Sandra Horton, Administrative Director of Federal Programs ([email protected]) –
phone (225) 922-5538.
All students have an opportunity to participate in Career & Technical Programs of Study including, but not limited
to, areas of Health Care, Construction Crafts & Trades, Automotive Technology, IT Computer Technology, IT
Computer Technology, Culinary Programs, Criminal Justice and Agriculture. Admission requirements for each
course can be found in the student course guide/schedule packet of the individual campus where the course is
being offered. Please contact the Guidance Counselor at the specific school site for additional information,
program requirements and/or any questions you may have.
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