COUNSELING NEWSLETTER
Volume , Issue 3 March 2013
Mrs. Florence Alabanza-de la Cruz, School Counselor Comprehensive Guidance Counseling Program
Teach Respect by Daily Examples
Firm, Fair & Consistent
You want your child to show respect for you, his/her teachers and people in general.  Most importantly, to respect the rules and theirs/others belongings.  Teaching respect is a big job.  But thankfully, research shows a specific method to use.
 
Childeren learn respect when they are treated with respect.  So, make these simple efforts a daily habit:
  • Communication with respect.  Listen attentively to your child.  Don't interrupt.  Make sure you understand what he or she is saying.  Focus on the positive.
  • Practice solving problems calmly.  Use "I statements" ("I feel ignored when you don't answer me") instead of hurtful accusations ("You always ignore me!".
  • Take responsibility.  When you make an agreement with your child, stick to it and expect him or her to do the same.  If something goes wrong, the person responsible should make amends and learn from the experience.
  • Care for belongings.  Cleaning up is away of showing respect for things around the house.  Talk about this with your child.  What if so and so, did not pitch in?  What steps, such as organizing toys, could make the job easier?
  • Be encouraging.  Support your child's interest and strengths.  Talk about values, including those of your family passed down for generations.  How can he or she show this?  Strong character should be a source of pride.
Let your youngster face consequences
 Show your child that his/her actions have consequences!  If she/he doesn't pick up her/his schoolwork up off the floor, let her/him experience:
  • A natural consequence.  The dog runs past and wrinkles her papers.  That's a natural consequence.
  • A logical consequence.  If you spend time picking up her things, she owes you time tidying  other parts of the house.  That's a logical consequence.
 
                                                                        Thank you for your support,
 
                                                                              Mrs. Florence Alabanza-de la Cruz, M.Ed
                                                                              Jones Elmentary School Counselor
COUNSELING NEWSLETTER
Volume , Issue 2 December 2012
Mrs. Florence Alabanza-de la Cruz, School Counselor Comprehensive Guidance Counseling Program
This Holiday Season (and every other day) there are some things that you can do for your child that may mean more than "things" and guess what...they are FREE!!!
-
Nine Gifts You Can Give Your Child- For FREE
1. Talk less, listen more.
Spend 90% of the conversation with your child listening and 10% talking.
2. Don't sweat the small stuff.
3. FOLLOW THROUGH when it comes to discipline.
Think before you say it, but once it is said, no matter how hard it is, you must stick to it. If the punishment is
dropped, they learn nothing. Be careful with the punishments, however. If you get angry and take away your child's
participation in a baseball game, you have put yourself in a bad position. Not only do you have to stick to what you said,
but you are now punishing the entire team, which depends on each player.
4. Lael the behavior, not the child.
Never call a child a bad boy or bad girl. There a are no bad children only bad behaviors/choices.
5. Give hugs and kisses often.
Show affection for your children, no matter what their age, in a way that is meaningful to them.
6. Be a parent, not a friend.
7. Be an advocate for your children.
Be a part of their educational experience. Be the voice for them when no one else seems to be listening.
8. Establish expectations.
While I praise my children for good academic achievements, I will not give them rewards (too often). I tell them that
I expect them to do their best and bring home work that reflects their efforts.
9. Teach kids about money and investing.
To teach my children about real-world choices, my children put money into two bank accounts, one for spending and one
for saving
-
Top Skills and Qualities Employers Seek in College Grads
Top Skills/Qualities Employers Look For:
1. Ability to work in a team
2. Leadership
3. Communication skills (written)
4. Problem-solving
5. Strong work ethic
6. Analytical/quantitative skill
7. Communication skills (verbal)
8. Inititative
9. Technical skills
10. Detail-oriented
11. Flexibility/adaptability
12. Computer skills
13. Interpersonal skills
14. Organizational ability
15. Strategic planning skill
16. Friendly/outgoing personality
17. Creativity
18. Entrepereneurial skills/risk-taker
19. Tactfulness
Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) 2012
COUNSELING NEWSLETTER
Volume 1, Issue 1                                                  September 2012
Mrs. Florence Alabanza-de la Cruz, School Counselor Comprehensive Guidance Counseling Program

“Everyday and On-Time Attendance, Equals Academic Success”

QUICK FACTS:

Chronic Absenteeism
(missing more than 10% of days enrolled for any reason) is the single strongest predictor of dropping out before graduation

Students who drop out are more likely to be poor, unemployed, have substance abuse problems, be teen parents and be involved with the law

Students who miss a month or more of kindergarten are more likely to perform poorly in 1st grade, particularly in reading

By 6th grade, a pattern of chronic absence is a predictor of high school dropout rates

Research shows that a student’s success in 9th grade is directly linked to the likelihood the student will successfully graduate high school with a diploma by 12th grade

(Statistics courtesy of The Children's Initiative

 

More on Daily Attendance: Children who miss school miss out on opportunities to learn, build lasting friendships, and develop the skills and attitudes needed to become good citizens and valued employees. There is a clear connection between student attendance and student performance in school. Data shows that higher attendance equals higher achievement for all students.

HOW CAN I HELP MY CHILD?

· Let your child know that you think school is important.

· Make sure your child goes to school regularly and on time.

· Take an interest in your child’s school work.

· Set a regular bedtime schedule. Age should not be a factor.

· Provide your child with plenty of time to get ready for school.

·  Provide regular times and a quiet, clean area for doing homework.

· If your child starts to miss school, speak to the school and let your child know that he/she must attend.

· Have regular communication with the school.

· If your child is ill, contact the school and explain the reason for the absence.

· Don’t expect your older children to stay home and act as babysitters for younger children.

· Set good examples and enforce rules.

· Include regular exercise and a balanced diet in your child’s daily activities.

· Post the school calendar and notes on the refrigerator, or another prominent location.

· Limit and balance extracurricular activities.

· Keep open communication lines with your child.

Dear Jones Families,

Attendance is very important.  It is our goal and focus for our school attendance to improve.  Our expectation is for our students to come to school everyday and on-time.  Please sit down with your child and share your goal and our goal to come to school everyday and on-time.  Go over with them our "Am I Ready to Learn? This willbe very helpful in getting our students to be more responsible and come to school ready to learn.    
    
                                                                          Thank you for your support,
                                                                                                 Mrs. Florence Alabanza-de la Cruz, School Counselor
DAILY and ON-TIME attendance equals to academic success.
Am I Ready To Learn?

Strategies To Get To School On Time

The night before…

ü    Finish all homework.

ü    Put my work in my backpack and in a place ready to go (by the door).

ü    Shower or Bathe so I don’t have to in the morning.

ü    Get clothes ready for the next day.

ü    Make lunch if I don’t get a school lunch.

ü    Set my alarm clock.

ü    Get a good night sleep.

The morning of school…

ü    Get up right when alarm goes off or when parent/guardian comes to wake me up.

ü    Get dressed right away.

ü    Clean up and brush teeth without reminders from family.

ü    Eat my breakfast quickly.

ü    Remind others we need to BE ON TIME!

ü    Help other who need it!

ü    Don’t forget my backpack and homework.

ü    Leave enough time to drive or walk and be at line up before 7:30am.

Instruction begins at 7:35 am

YOU MISS SCHOOL…YOUR MISS OUT

ON YOUR EDUCATION!

Daily Attendance = Academic Success