LEAP Parent Night

February 4, 2008

Click here to access Ms. Grigsby’s PowerPoint.

SchoolNotes is available for students and parents to verify homework assignments. Please visit www.schoolnotes.com and type in 71270 for zip code to access RJHS teachers using this site to post daily class assignments as well as homework.

Mentorship Program

The Student Government Association (SGA) of Louisiana Tech University has implemented a program that focuses on transitioning our 8th grade students from Ruston Junior High into their 9th grade experience at Ruston High School. Only a few selected students can participate in this opportunity. Fifty students throughout Lincoln parish will be paired with fifty mentors (Louisiana Tech students) for their entire high school career. In this mentorship, mentors will help students in whatever way they can to succeed in high school and become more prepared for a post-secondary institution. Students will be matched based upon common interest and hobbies.

For more information, contact Laura Hogan at (318) 257-4565 or Lindsey Mencacci at (337) 380-3176.

Websites for Parents

http://www.utea.org/parentsCommunity/testingTips/tips/parentInvolvement.htm

10 Ways to Help Your Teen do Well in School

Pay attention to your teen's schoolwork. Ask regularly and with genuine interest, "What are you learning?"

Offer support. Provide reassurance and help as your teen tackles educational activities and situations for the first time.

Promote good health habits. If your teen gets enough sleep, balanced meals, and proper exercise, classroom participation and learning will come more easily.

Stimulate your teen's growing interest. Have a variety of reading materials available at home.

Get involved in your teen's school. Meet with your teens teacher, attend school events, and be prepared to intervene to assure that your teen's classes provide opportunities for success.

Be positive about education. Show how much you enjoy and value learning.

Help to organize a quiet study area at home for your teen. It should have needed supplies easily accessible and be from distractions.

Offer praise for your teen's achievements and efforts. Praise helps build self-esteem and encourages teens to keep trying their best.

Discuss current events with your teen to promote an interest in learning about the world.

Be available when your teen wants to talk about school or other issues. Then offer help and advice as needed.

10 Ways to Motivate Your Teen to READ

Set an example. Let your teen catch you reading and taking enjoyment in it.

Have reading materials readily available. Keep a variety of books, newspapers, and magazines at home.

Cater to your teen's interests. Point out articles, news stories, and books about subjects your teen is interested in. This can include sports and entertainment sections of the newspaper.

Give magazine subscriptions as gifts. Timely magazines with lively, bite-sized articles are especially inviting to teens. Besides, it's fun to get mail.

Share what you're read. Talk about the books and other materials that you've found interesting and ask your teen to do the same.

Be accepting. Realize that almost anything your teen reads has value because it motivates more reading. This includes comics and cartoon books.

Browse together. Stop at bookstores and libraries when you're out together and make exploring their selections fun.

Play audiotapes of good books when you're in the car together. Your teen might want to read the books later on.

Interest your teen in the world. Discuss current events, sports, music, and other subjects that might inspire your teen to read about them.

Show an interest in what your teen reads. Ask for recommendations of books you might enjoy.

10 Ways to Teach Responsibility to Your Teen

Establish family rules and be consistent about carrying out consequences if they're not followed. Rules might e about curfews, friends, and when to do homework.

Assign household chores and see that they're done on schedule. A chart in easy view can help.

Help your teen get and stay organized with schoolwork and other activities.

Be a good role model by meeting your own obligations completely and on time.

Ask for your teen's input when making family decisions. If there are problems, brainstorm solutions together.

Provide your teen with ways to earn, save, and manage money.

Allow your teen to make personal choices in certain areas. These can include dress and extracurricular activities-- anything that doesn't put your teen in danger.

Help your teen consider the consequences of every action. Provide fact where appropriate on such issues as using tobacco or taking unwise risks.

Keep the channels of communication open. Listen with an open mind so your teen can discuss mistakes he or she has made, and learn from experience.

Encourage your teen to show concern for others and become involved in local service projects.