Coffee with Counselors

Families come in all different forms and so do their schedules and responsibilities. The Guidance Department within the Canton Public School Community strives to provide opportunities for families to come together and receive support in various forms on a breadth of topics. In addition to evening events, the middle and high school guidance departments will now offer a "Coffee with Counselors" once a term. These coffees aim to provide information on a relevant topic, but also to provide a time for families to come together. We often learn so much from the questions of others and the insights of our peers. We sincerely hope this advance notice will give you time to attend one of our programs.

Galvin Middle School: 7:30-8:30 am in the library

                  January 7th: Parent Support for Homework Habits and Successful Study Skills
                  March 4th: Coping Skills for the High School Transition and Course Selection
                  May 4th: Productive Summer Activities for Middle School Students    

Canton High School: 7:30-8:30 am in the library

                  December 18th: Reading Your Child's new PSAT results & SAT/ACT Preparation
                  February 4th: Naviance Tutorial (Bring Your Own Device if Able)
                  May 20th: Time Management, Stress Reduction, and Anxiety



                  

When I was in High School.....

Have you ever noticed how teenagers' eyes roll when an adult starts a sentence with, "When I went to high school....." They cannot picture how any adult in their world could possibly understand or relate to what they are going through.  To some degree, they couldn't be more right.  Even students one generation older did not have the constant barrage of information today's teenager faces. Previous generations prepped themselves for seven hours of school, paying close attention to hair and clothes, making sure to act and talk in a way deemed appropriate by their peers. But, it ended with the school day.  Students came home and let go.  Their need to impress those around them ended. Students went home, put on comfy sweats, did some homework, ran around outside unsupervised, ate dinner as a family, and watched television.  Students did not have Facebook or Instagram, and cell phones were used only to talk. Families could tune out the outside world and tune in to one another.

That is not the life of today's teenager.  The cell phone beeps constantly, with texts, with Instagram updates, providing students with an insatiable demand for their attention.  What if they don't respond to the text? What if they don't triple check social media to make sure nothing is being said about them? What if a friend needs help on a problem for the math test tomorrow? For some teenagers, they can walk away and say, enough is enough; it will be there tomorrow.  For others, fear paralyzes their ability to tune the world out.

As the adults in their world, we need to teach them boundaries with technology.  We need to help them separate from their devices. We need them to not feed into the anxiety of the unknown. Require phones and other devices to be charged and stored in the kitchen at night. You can also take the battery out of the phone every night and give it back every morning. Keep the phone with you while your student studies for a test or finish up their homework. Most importantly, model these limitations so they see you practicing what you preach.


Save the Date

Tuesday, December 1st, 6:30 pm, Stonehill College Financial Aid Seminar
Wednesday, December 2nd, CHS, 8th Grade Parent Night for an Introduction to Canton High School

Attention! Attention! Attention!

We have all been in situations where our attention is being requested, but our ability to stay on task is challenged. The discussion topic fails to peak our interest, the room is hot, the lighting is bad, the chair is uncomfortable....We have reasons why sometimes we feel unable to attend to the task at hand.  For some, this is a constant challenge; for others, it is rarity. This applies to both children and adults.

Sometimes, children are so hyperactive, it seems they never sit still. Sometimes, children are so excited about life they jump too quickly from one topic to another and find it hard to stay on task. Sometimes, they act before they think, and their inhibition reflex fails to kick. Sometimes, all of these factors result in the perfect formula for success.

There are endless resources to help support our children who struggle with some form of ADHD both online and in book form. The following links may be of use to you:

Managing ADHD behavior in the home environment:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/adhd-and-your-child/adhd-behavior-management-strategies/

Study Strategies for ADHD students:

http://www.ucc.vt.edu/academic_support_students/attention_deficit_disorder_handbook/index.html

Discussion about the relationship between diet and ADHD:

http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/Diet-and-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder

We have a choice to view ADHD in a positive or negative light.  We have a choice to play to the strengths of ADHD, and utilize the differences as keys to success. After all, Justin Timberlake, Howie Mandel, Michael Jordan, Jim Carrey, and Will Smith (all who have ADHD) found a way to make it work, just to name a few.....

Upcoming Important Dates:

Registration Deadline for the December 12th ACT: Friday, November 6th

On the Spot Decision Days (students receive immediate application decision): 

Massasoit: 11/12 at 12 pm

Johnson and Wales: 11/24 at 11 am

Sign Up in guidance with Anne Murray at least 3 days prior