Parents Education Corner: August Represents New Beginnings and Opportunities

“Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation" - Zig Ziglar.

August represents new beginnings and opportunities. 

College Students

• Follow all social media the college or university offers that involves your student(s). 

• Do the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This allows you to see their educational records. Google FERPA

• Check the tuition, room and board deadlines.

• Create a physical three ring binder/digital binder for the college years. 

• Many colleges don’t guarantee 2nd year housing and the apartment and roommate hunt can begin as early as October of freshman year. Living Learning Communities (LLC) are also an option. 

• Attend Family Weekends

• Attend career fairs and look for internships for next summer. Many corporations open their applications in the early fall and close in November and December. 

• How does your student want to communicate with you and how often? 

• What medical forms are recommended for college students like HIPPA and Medical Directives. 

High School 

Parents of college bound seniors, your students should be filling out the Common Application or specific college applications now. All high school students should consider the tips below:

• Do you have a professional presence on LinkedIn? 

• Is your social media open or private? Colleges, businesses and the military will look at it. If there is any questionable material on it, take it down now. Go on college tours now even if your student isn’t interested. In person is best, but you can also do the virtual tours on the college websites. The information session provides clear expectations of what is needed to attend that college. 

• Sign up for with counselors when colleges attend your high school

• Take the October Practice SAT (PSAT) every year. If your school doesn’t offer it, pay for it. It is $18 - $20. 

• If you have taken Algebra 2, you are ready to take the SAT. 

• Paid or Unpaid Internships in high school are important. It’s an opportunity for students to learn what they may or may not be interested in. It can save time and money.

• Attend tutoring 

• Participate in clubs or create one. 

• Show leadership in your classroom, on a sports/ academic team or be a part of the Leadership class or student government at your school?

• What is your student's grade point average (GPA)?

• Create a 3 ring binder for your students to keep certificates, awards, acknowledgements received throughout their high school career. 

Middle School 

This is the time to shore up the gaps students may still have in preparation for high school. If your student is behind, it’s time to double down and help them. Ask the school counselor and specialists for tips. These years are challenging for students as they go through puberty. The goal is to have them at grade level in reading and math before 9th grade begins. If your student is at or above grade level, then the goal is for them to maintain that and not stagnate. I recommend looking at the high school tips above and a few tips below:

• Google Career Cluster Survey and have your student take it and answer it honestly. It correlates to Career Paths. 

• 7th grade parents create a 5 year plan with the counselor. 

• 8th grade parents create a 4 year plan and go on official and unofficial college tours. The College Fair in the Fall at the Spotsylvania Mall is a great opportunity. 

• Take the PSAT

Elementary School 

You are your child’s first teacher. Reading to your child on a regular basis before school begins helps create the love of reading and sets the foundation before elementary school starts. Do not underestimate the power and positive impact of reading.The goal is to make sure your student is on grade level in reading and math by the end of third grade. 

• You, the teacher, the counselor and school administration are on the same team.

• Attend all parent-teacher conferences. 

• Ask for copies of all or results from all assessments given for your student.

• Always be professional and communicate the positive and negative issues with the teacher first. If you aren’t satisfied with the results then move to the administration.

• The school specialists are also resources for families. 

“By failing to prepare, you're preparing to fail." — Benjamin Franklin.