parent bulletin board highschool
Transition to High School
Crossing The Bridge
I cross the bridge and leave behind
The world so well I know,
A place without surprises,
Quite ordinary and dull.
Across the bridge, what lies there?
If only that I knew.
A land of possibilities,
Where all my dreams come true?
Every bridge I cross in life
Will take me to new ground.
Old things will be left behind,
But new things will be found.
Inspired by a poem of the same title by George Moore
for good articles for students, see below: KidsHealth.org and CYH.com
http://kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/school/starting_high_school.html
http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=286&id=1615
http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=286&id=1534
http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=286&id=1654
Going to High School
Friendly people everywhere
Lots of fun, various stairs,
Some to climb
Some are challenges.
That’s all the fun of it.
The rumours that you might have heard
Are going round just for fun.
To scare the little ones, ready for the run
Don’t believe these silly lies
Floating round from others minds.
Bad friends come and then they leave
Good ones stay and never tease.
Friends are there to share your fears
To wipe away unwanted tears
To, laugh and giggle and have fun
To work and share with everyone.
High School is the real deal
But don’t be a bully’s meal.
Be yourself and wear a smile
Then you’ll be ahead a mile.
…by Lucy, a high school student
What stresses the new high school student?
It is not uncommon for new high school students to feel:
lost and confused
lonely and unhappy (until new friends are made)
worried that he/she will not be able to cope with the new demands
worried that he/she will not “fit in”
How can parents help?
Reassure your teenager that it is normal to feel confused and unsure at first and that most others will be feeling the same way.
Reassure your teen that he/she already knows how to make friends because of the friendships she has made in the past.
Help your teenager keep in touch with old friends and be welcoming to new friends. Make it easy for your teen to entertain at home. Make your home the place teens want to be. Be available to discreetly supervise and encourage your teen to have friends over for dinner or to study and meet their parents.
Help your teenager set up a homework routine that helps him/her to manage home work and still have time for relaxation and friends.
Be a good and supportive listener but try not to give advice too quickly. Problems that young people can solve for themselves help to build confidence.
Encourage your child to join school activities, a great way to make new friends.
Be patient with your “more that usual” irritable teenager for the first few weeks. AND IMPORTANTLY: Do not forget that despite their age, teenagers still need parental affection, love and support.
Dr. Paul.org ~Linda
On-line Resource
mindcheck.ca A Provincial Resource for those suffering with mental illness or addiction For those of you with tweens and teens, this website may be of interest. mindcheck.ca is a youth and young adult-focused interactive website where visitors can check out how they’re feeling and get connected to support early and quickly. Support includes education, self-help tools, website links, and assistance in connecting to local professional resources.
Community Resources
Early Intervention Therapy Services
Child Development Centre Providing paediatric therapy for children with special needs and developmental delays including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology. No cost. Ongoing – call for info. 1687 Strathcona Ave. Contact Debbie Harmon at 250-563-7168 xt 225 therapy@cdcpg.org
Native Healing Centre Child/Youth Counselling Services Monday to Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm A culturally based counselling service for children and teens dealing with abuse, emotional problems, grief and loss, relationship problems and more. Prince George Native Friendship Centre, 250-564-4324.
Rural Family Support Online Forum
BC Schizophrenia Society Do you live in rural BC and support a family member or friend coping with mental illness? Do you find it hard to get to an in-person support group? This private discussion area is available to you 24/7. Go to http://www.support.bcss.org/ to sign up. No cost. 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Online Contact Kim Dixon at 250-561-8033 or 1-888-561- 8055 kimdixon@bcsspg.org
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