Engaged Academics

07/02/2024

Before school starts, grab a copy of our favorite book.

Don't Blame Your Dog: The World's Okayest Handbook for School Success

01/05/2024

🚀Keep up-to-date on social media trends that may affect your children by following our page.

Remember huffing? It’s back, but this time kids are calling it “chroming.”

It involves inhaling fumes from a toxic source like spray paint, hairspray, or cleaning supplies to create a temporary high.

These chemicals can cause damaging side effects, including heart attacks, seizures, organ damage, and even death.

We recommend talking with your child about the risks associated with chroming and providing them support if you think they need help.

12/12/2023

Lately, you've heard about chronic absenteeism from Leon County Schools, but they have yet to explain it to the public. I'm sharing my summation to give you a better understanding of the issue. My opinions and theories range from lack of enforcement from our superintendent to paradigm shifts in parenting, but that's a topic for another day.

Chronic absenteeism is a serious school issue with significant consequences for students' academic success and overall well-being. It is defined as missing 10% or more of school days (excused or unexcused) in a single school year. This translates to roughly 18 days or more, a substantial amount of missed learning time.

Here are some key points about chronic absenteeism:

Prevalence:

Significantly increased after the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 20% of high school students and 14% of middle school students are chronically absent.
66% of students attend schools with high or extreme absenteeism.
Causes:

Academic challenges: struggling students may feel discouraged and disengaged.

Lack of access to resources: transportation issues, poverty, lack of technology.

Chronic health conditions: mental health issues, physical disabilities, frequent illnesses.

Bullying and school climate: feeling unsafe or unsupported at school.

Family instability: homelessness, unstable housing, family conflicts.

Impacts:

Lower academic achievement: missed learning, falling behind, difficulty catching up.

Increased risk of dropping out: chronic absenteeism is a major predictor of dropout.

Social and emotional problems: isolation, anxiety, depression, increased risk of risky behaviors.

Financial burden on schools: additional resources needed to support high-risk students.

Addressing Chronic Absenteeism:

Early intervention: identifying and supporting students at risk early on.

Improved attendance tracking and data analysis: identifying patterns and targeted interventions.

Family engagement: building relationships with families to understand and address barriers to attendance.

School climate improvements: creating a safe and supportive environment for all students.

Addressing root causes: providing resources and support to address underlying issues like poverty, health problems, and lack of access to technology.

Here are some resources for further information:

Attendance Works: https://www.attendanceworks.org/
Everyone Graduates Center at Johns Hopkins University: https://new.every1graduates.org/
U.S. Department of Education: https://www.ed.gov/category/keyword/chronic-absenteeism
American Federation of Teachers: https://www.aft.org/press-release/aft-unveils-report-teacher-and-school-staff-shortages

By working together, schools, families, and communities can combat chronic absenteeism and ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed.

12/11/2023

The Home Stretch: Supporting Our Students Through Finals

As the semester draws to a close and finals week looms, parents and guardians of students face a unique set of challenges. While stress levels are high for students, parents also navigate a mix of emotions – excitement, anxiety, and a desire to support their children in any way they can.

Here are some ways parents can help their children navigate this crucial time:

1. Create a supportive environment:

Provide a quiet, well-lit space for studying.
Offer healthy snacks and meals to keep energy levels up.
Encourage regular breaks and physical activity to combat stress.
Set clear expectations and boundaries around study time and screen time.

2. Foster open communication:

Talk to your child about their stress levels and offer emotional support.
Listen actively and encourage them to express their concerns.
Avoid nagging or criticizing. Instead, offer words of encouragement and reassurance.
Communicate openly about expectations and celebrate their achievements, big or small.

3. Encourage healthy habits:

Ensure your child gets enough sleep each night.
Help them create a balanced study schedule that includes time for relaxation and hobbies.
Promote healthy eating habits and regular exercise to combat stress and improve focus.

4. Offer practical assistance:

Help your child review their notes and study materials.
Connect them with resources such as tutors or study groups.
Offer to help with household chores or errands to free up their time for studying.
Provide transportation to and from exams if needed.

5. Celebrate success:

Acknowledge your child's hard work and dedication.
Focus on their effort and progress rather than just the final grade.
Celebrate their achievements, both big and small.
Help them learn from setbacks and encourage them to keep striving for their goals.

Remember, the most important thing you can do as a parent is to be present and supportive. By creating a positive and encouraging environment, you can help your child navigate the stress of finals week and achieve their full potential.

11/27/2023

Parent Alert: what’s your thoughts?

The feature called “NameDrop” is enabled by default with the new update. Anyone with this feature can place their phone next to your iPhone or your child’s iPhone and automatically receive their contact information.

Police said information passed to another phone could include a picture, phone number, email address and more.

To disable this feature, police said to go into your iPhone settings, click general, then airdrop and shut off “bringing devices together.”

If you're sick of swapping phones to share your contact info, NameDrop could be the answer.

11/26/2023

Teachers, you can love teaching and still not be ready to go back to work tomorrow. It’s okay.

11/17/2023

🍎✨ Time to share the love for our favorite teachers! 💙 Comment below and tell us about that one unforgettable teacher who left a lasting impact on your life. What made them stand out? Let's celebrate the amazing educators who inspire us! 🌟👩‍🏫👨‍🏫

11/16/2023

Hey there! 🌟 Exciting news! We're back and ready to roll! 🚀 After a hiatus to tackle personal goals and dive into new ventures, we're thrilled to announce that we're now accepting a limited number of clients. Thanks a bunch for your patience! Let's make extraordinary things happen together.

All sessions are virtual. Open slots for grades 3 - 8.

If you don't need tutoring but your child is struggling, consider purchasing my new book. I'd appreciate the support.

Don't Blame Your Dog: The World's Okayest Handbook for School Success

09/28/2022

08/02/2022

Go Connor! Do great things!

As teachers return this week we want to thank you for the powerful impact you have on our students. Former LCS School Board Member and Lincoln High School student, Connor McCord, was featured in today’s Tallahassee Democrat as he moves on to Princeton University. His goal is to become a neurosurgeon and work in health care policy to make health care more affordable.

Connor is an inspiration to us all, and we wish him the very best as he begins his college journey. ♥