in other words
august28
2012
Better Parenting: 7 Tips For Back To School
By Sonia Spackman MA, MFT
I went back to last year’s column
in August and felt it was worth revisiting
as we are entering into new schools and
a new school year. Many kids worry and
are stressed about fitting in and making
friends, having more homework and
finding their way in the new school.
Here are 7 tips you might try to make
this school year easier for your child and
you.
1. If your child is worried or nervous
about school.
a. Let your child know it’s normal to
be nervous. Let your child share his or
her feelings and worries while you just
listen. I discovered with my own kids
that I needed to let them “just talk”
without trying to change their thinking.
b. It’s okay to ask questions, what kids
don’t want is lectures or nagging. Share
some positive or funny stories about
your back-to-school jitters.
Elementary school
a. This year some of the kids that were
bus riders will be walking and some that
were walkers will be riding the bus. To
help them get used to their new routine
you might want to walk your child to
school a few times or to the bus before
and after school starts.
b. You might buy something special as
a way of “looking forward” to the first
day of school. Or buy a game or toy they
can play with when they get home from
school.
Note: The Vernonia Elementary
School has provided books to the
Vernonia Library you can check out
and read to your child about what other
children have felt and what they have
done when they felt nervous about going
to school.
Middle/High School
a. Stress can intensify when kids make
the leap from grade school to middle
school or middle school to high school.
With older kids you can go over their
class schedule with them so they know
where each classroom is located,
especially because this is the first year in
the new school building.
b. Suggest activities your child might
like to get involved in that are enjoyable
to them.
c. You could point out that all the kids are
new kids at the new school, and maybe
they can help other kids get around.
2. Teach your kids to organize first.
a. Help kids organize their rooms. Get
rid of the clutter and have them organize
their drawers and closets for their school
clothes. A clean room will get your kids
started on the right foot.
b. Make a habit with the kids to lay
out their clothes the night before so it
is easier to get ready for school in the
morning.
c. Train your children to keep their
supplies in their backpacks.
d. Have the kids immediately put
finished homework in their backpack
with any books that were used.
e. Have each kid place their backpack
in the exact spot every day, such as by
the door. This will save you and the kids
from the morning panic trying to gather
up homework and find their backpacks.
f. Also be sure you check the backpack
each day for any information sent home
from the school.
3. Fuel their minds and their bodies
a. An important way to ensure your
child’s success is to make healthy meals
and snacks and cut back on the sweets
and caffeine drinks.
b. Brain healthy foods for breakfast might
be string cheese with wheat crackers and
fruit or scrambled eggs with cheese in a
tortilla. Afternoon snacks could be string
cheese, fruit or oatmeal raisin cookies.
Vernonia Elementary School provides
balanced delicious breakfasts starting
at 7:30 AM and balanced lunches for all
grades.
4. Set a time for homework and chores
a. Set aside time each day that your
children will use for homework and
chores. It is a good idea to have an hour
of fun and a snack after school and
then it is time to do the homework and
then chores. Homework should start
before 5:00 PM This routine helps kids
develop habits for tougher and longer
assignments that are required for middle
school and high school.
b. Help your child learn to be a self-
starter when it comes to homework and
planning for projects and tests. Put up a
calendar on a wall, door or desk just for
tests and projects. Parents who do this
help their kids develop life patterns that
will benefit them in adulthood.
5. Plan for enough sleep and begin
right away
11
a. If your kids have been staying up later
during the summer like most kids, start
getting them to bed a little earlier each
night and waking them up a little earlier
in the morning so they can ease into the
day. The last thing you want is the hassle
of trying to get them out of bed the last
minute and off to school in time.
b. Kids need to be rested to do well
in school. Start getting the kids on the
school routine by turning off the TV and
video games earlier each night until they
are in the routine they need to get their
rest.
6. Help your kids develop a love for
reading
a. Make reading important in your
home. Read aloud to your child or set
aside time where you have your child
read to you--maybe your family can read
silently together.
b. Teach your kids to be interested in
books--for every interest there is a book
or magazine.
7. Teach your kids right from wrong
This is the thing that will improve peer
relationships and grades more than
anything else. The real world your child
grows up in will punish crimes, so give
your child a head start by teaching them
right from wrong. It will be the best gift
you can give your kids.
References: Steven George, Better
Homes and Gardens, Laolan Madden,
Mom’s Home Room, Maya Cohen,
Family Education, Patty Catalano,
School Family.com
Report From the WOEC Annual Meeting continued from page 6
that the Board of Directors is engaged and dedicated.
Farmer reported that the Board of Directors is consider-
ing a 4% rate increase that would raise about $340,000.
$250,000 would help replenish the reserve account that
was used to pay for the storm event this past year and
$90,000 would be used to pay for year--round tree
trimming crews.
Member Jack Phillips spoke from the floor
during New Business, and spoke representing a
group of members that calls themselves “The Power of
One.” Phillips read a prepared statement in which he
expressed anxiety over rising rates and possible solu-
tions. Phillips asked the Board of Directors to consider
operational transparency and alternative energy choic-
es. He asked for a forensic and economic audit by an
independent CPA and a performance audit by a utilities
engineer to evaluate effectiveness and efficiency. He
also asked for a strong Board of Directors that openly
determines policy, sets priorities, directs the CEO and
keeps the membership informed. He asked that WOEC
vigorously pursue development of its own power gen-
eration through alternative, renewable energy, includ-
ing solar, micro hydro, wind and geothermal. He asked
the Board to begin research and planning for this. He
asked for a stronger conservation program. He asked
whether the current debt load could be restructured to
lower interest rates and payments. He asked whether
the Coop Connections Program and Ruralite magazine
were necessary. He asked how WOEC might increase
their customer base, both residentially and industrially.
He asked whether reducing the territory served is a via-
ble option. And he asked what organizational structure
best fit the WOEC membership—Coop, PUD or should
it be dissolved.
Several other members spoke about the com-
ments from the floor before General Manger Farmer
responded, even though Phillips reminded him that his
comments were directed to the Board of Directors for
answers. Farmer went on and stated that the Coop is al-
ready subject to a required annual audit which is avail-
able to the membership. He stated that he is a member
of the county Economic Development Committee. He
also spoke about the high cost of purchasing alternative
energy for distribution. He discussed the positive im-
pact of having some type of large industry in a service
area, which WOEC does not enjoy and the density and
load of the WOEC service area, which increases opera-
tional costs.
A vigorous discussion ensued about the ability
to sell off pieces of the territory or just cut off several
areas. A motion was then made to close the New Busi-
ness portion of the meeting which was quickly second-
ed. Board President VanNatta attempted to go ahead
without a vote by membership on the motion, but was
forced by the members to take a vote. A voice vote in
favor of closing New Business was enough for Van-
Natta to move forward with the meeting.
Members enjoyed a lunch served by Terrel’s
BBQ following the meeting.
Vernonia Community
Preschool
OPEN HOUSE
Wed. Sept. 20th
11AM-1PM
Silkscreen printing
Printing while you wait for small orders
Vinyl lettering and heat transfers
Teams, groups, special events
Hoodies, dress shirts, aprons & more
No order too large or too small
No set-up fees
711 Bridge Street, Vernonia
(503) 433-4278
kavila@kaptanskraft.com
Preschool Starts
October 1st!
Tuition is $70/month
Space is limited
Questions?
Amy Cieloha
(503) 429-0745
(503) 927-7455
Vernonia Community Church
957 State Avenue