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2009-11-21

2009-11-18

2009-11-05

Agriculture

Lifestyles

Tuesday, August 25, 2009 11:10 AM

O'DEA: Recipe for a successful student

By DENISE O'DEA, From The Desk of the Superintendent

With the start of a new school year, optimism and hope are high.

A new school year brings with it many things for both the parent and the child. New friends, new opportunities, new teachers and new challenges.

As always, there is much talk about raising successful children. I believe this is not new talk — every generation wishes more for its children than it had. More success, a more prestigious job, more happiness — the list can be endless. Every generation seems to wonder what can be done to ensure its children are performing above and beyond the “norm.”

Well, there are some simple secrets to raising successful kids. And these same kids not only will be successful in school, but also in life. For school is only the warm-up for the real world.

Parental involvement

Studies show that kids with hands-on parents are more likely to do well in school. “Involved parent” does not mean you need to spend several hours a week volunteering at school. But it does mean that involved parents check in with their child’s teachers on a regular basis.

In this age of e-mail, the task of contacting a teacher with questions can be pretty simple. Some people voice displeasure at the impersonal qualities of e-mail. What if the parent wants to have personal voice contact? Each teacher in USD 289 has a phone in the classroom with a personal voice mailbox and extension number. It really never has been easier to contact your child’s teachers.

Empathy

A successful child understands how other people feel, a quality that enables your child to work well in a group.

Research supports that the No. 1 quality that companies look for when hiring candidates for job openings is the candidates’ ability to work in a group and get along with people. A child can have straight A’s and be a stellar student throughout the education years, but straight A’s do not guarantee a job after high school or college.

A love of achievement

Successful children are adept in many areas — academics, sports, extracurricular activities. Successful kids look forward to challenges because they provide opportunities to shine.

You can help your child taste success in one activity, so they strive for it in others. Almost 80 percent of the students in our district who attain honor roll status on a regular basis are also the same students who are involved in one or more co-curricular activities.

An eagerness to learn

“The No. 1 shared characteristic of high school kids who get good grades is a love of learning,” William Sears, physician and author, said.

Your job as a parent is to help foster this eagerness and enthusiasm. “YOUR attitude is key,” he continues. “Parents of high achievers teach their kids to view learning as a privilege, not a problem.”

A sense of humor

Seeing humor in something is a sign of intelligence. A sense of humor releases stress from the pressures of school.

You can teach your child about humor by your own actions. If you’re stressed out by something uncontrollable, (long check-out lines or traffic), make a joke out of it. This quality is one that can be nurtured from a young age and will reap many benefits. How many times a day do you laugh? There are direct correlations among laughter, happiness, optimism and success.

Now, can I guarantee your child will be successful if these five guidelines are followed? Of course not. But I would say your child’s chances of being a success will greatly be increased.

Here’s to a successful 2009-10 school year for all of us.

Denise O’Dea is superintendent of Wellsville schools.