SAS-Pudong SAS-Pudong PTSA Parent CoffeePTSA Parent Coffee

September 6September 6thth, 2007, 2007

Helping your Helping your child navigate child navigate

the Middle the Middle School yearsSchool years

A couple of announcementsA couple of announcements

MYG NYTE –MYG NYTE –

“ “Mission Possible”Mission Possible” Friday, September 14Friday, September 14thth 3pm to 7pm3pm to 7pm Permission Form and 20 Permission Form and 20

RMBRMB

Helping Students Helping Students LearnLearn Monthly PublicationMonthly Publication Review the sourceReview the source

Counseling ResourcesCounseling Resources

My website: My website: www.schoolcounselor.teachtck.comwww.schoolcounselor.teachtck.com

Being blocked in CHINA!Being blocked in CHINA! Always a work in progressAlways a work in progress A great place for helpful resources, A great place for helpful resources,

websites, pictures and ideas.websites, pictures and ideas. Today’s presentation with handoutsToday’s presentation with handouts My Office Room 307My Office Room 307

Presentation GoalsPresentation Goals What do middle school students really care about?What do middle school students really care about? Pitfalls of SAS and Middle School in generalPitfalls of SAS and Middle School in general How can SAS help?How can SAS help? How can parents help?How can parents help? Information packetInformation packet Questions and Answers Questions and Answers

So, what do they really care So, what do they really care about?about?

Any guesses from the audience?Any guesses from the audience? FRIENDSFRIENDS ACCEPTANCEACCEPTANCE SAFETY / TRUST (School AND Home)SAFETY / TRUST (School AND Home) ACADEMICS (only after the top three ACADEMICS (only after the top three

are satisfied)are satisfied) ““The Pressured Child” Dr. Michael The Pressured Child” Dr. Michael

ThompsonThompson He will visit SAS in the springHe will visit SAS in the spring Excerpt from bookExcerpt from book

Student Pitfalls Student Pitfalls at any Middle Schoolat any Middle School

OrganizationOrganization Time ManagementTime Management Work LoadWork Load Social LifeSocial Life

Pitfalls at SAS Middle Pitfalls at SAS Middle SchoolSchool Living in China vs. Home CountryLiving in China vs. Home Country

Long CommutesLong Commutes Middle School Program that is growingMiddle School Program that is growing Parental ExpectationsParental Expectations

How can SAS help?How can SAS help? Parent - Teacher CommunicationParent - Teacher Communication

Edline, EmailEdline, Email Homework Opportunity Time (HOT)Homework Opportunity Time (HOT)

Monday, Tuesday and ThursdayMonday, Tuesday and Thursday Set up an appointment with a teacherSet up an appointment with a teacher

Flex during ElectiveFlex during Elective Full Time Academic Support SpecialistFull Time Academic Support Specialist Full Time Counselor Full Time Counselor

(Emotional/Social/Academic)(Emotional/Social/Academic) Full Time School Psychologist (Testing)Full Time School Psychologist (Testing)

How can you help?How can you help?

COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION 50%-50% - Who is doing the 50%-50% - Who is doing the

talking?talking? How much are you solving your How much are you solving your

child’s problem vs. helping them child’s problem vs. helping them solve it?solve it?

Delicate BalanceDelicate Balance What is home life like for your child?What is home life like for your child? What are your expectations vs. your What are your expectations vs. your

child’schild’s Self Esteem – goes down as children Self Esteem – goes down as children

grow oldergrow older

HandoutsHandouts Homework Survival GuideHomework Survival Guide

Good hints on organizationGood hints on organization MotivationMotivation Childhood Stress and Parent SupportChildhood Stress and Parent Support

Suicide / Cutting / Other destructive behaviorSuicide / Cutting / Other destructive behavior Self EsteemSelf Esteem

““I’m not good at it,” Easily frustratedI’m not good at it,” Easily frustrated AutonomyAutonomy

For some of you, your child will be going to college in For some of you, your child will be going to college in five years! Or just over 1,800 days!five years! Or just over 1,800 days!

Talking to your Child about Tough IssuesTalking to your Child about Tough Issues Dating, Sex, Drugs, AlcoholDating, Sex, Drugs, Alcohol

Teenagers and ChoresTeenagers and Chores

Feedback Feedback WantedWanted

Please send any ideas Please send any ideas and/or feedback from this and/or feedback from this presentation.presentation.

Directly to me or via our Directly to me or via our MS PTSA repMS PTSA rep

Respect for the talents Respect for the talents that we have in our school that we have in our school communitycommunity