Blog Archives

Rules for Social Media, Created by Kids

1/26/2017

I thought this article was interesting on the rules for social media. How do we learn the "rules" or proper etiquette when it comes to social media? What do our kids do when our or their own values conflict with the norm? Do you even know how many different accounts your child really has?

"As parents, we don’t want our kids to make a big mistake online: writing something mean in a group text, posting a too-sexy picture or forwarding one of someone else. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 24 percent of teenagers are online “almost constantly,” so it’s essential that they know how to handle themselves there.
Getting your children to articulate the unspoken rules can be the first step in helping them be more understanding of their peers. When we observe our children harshly judging others who have a different sensibility about the use of social media, they need us to set aside our judgments about their world, and help them cultivate empathy for one another."

The FINE PRINT.
I don't know about you but I have never read the fine print. Sometimes I pretend to skim it but I couldn't tell you anything that is there.
A lawyer rewrote Instagram’s privacy policy so kids and parents can have a meaningful talk about privacy.

"– […] we may keep, use and share your personal information with companies connected with Instagram. This information includes your name, email address, school, where you live, pictures, phone number, your likes and dislikes, where you go, who your friends are, how often you use Instagram, and any other personal information we find such as your birthday or who you are chatting with, including in private messages (DMs)."

The most important thing we all can do is start the conversation and continue it.

I was unable to attend the screening last time Screenagers was in Austin. I heard it is very good - eye opening. You may want to check in out next time it is in the area.

-Katie Bryant

What Stress Does to Your Brain

1/19/2017

Am I going to be late to work? Can I get the kids to school on time? Did Sarah remember her lunch? Did she study enough for her test? Stressful thought. Stressful thought. Stressful thought. And those are just OUR worries, much less what's going on inside our children's brains!

Stress certainly plays an important role in our lives - it IS the thing that helps us study for a test, practice a performance piece, think about what we need to pack for a vacation so we don't forget anything. Chronic stress is NOT helpful though. "Prolonged stress changes the brain. The part of our brain that helps process threatening situations, the amygdala, can appear larger in people who are chronically stressed. Researchers have also seen that areas of the brain involved in rational thought and planning, the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, can appear smaller."

Check out What Stress Does to Your Brain to learn more about how closely stress affects the brain and ways to reverse these adverse effects.

When our minds starts racing it’s easy to lose sight of the moment and become stressed about the future or the past. Here are 3 things we can do in the moment to ground ourselves.

1. Slow down. Literally. Whatever you're doing start doing it at slightly slower pace. Try this practice for slowing down.

2. Soften the body. Our body is usually tensed-up and contracting during stress. Here are seven ways to give your body a break.

3. Be mindful of a simple task. Any simple task. Try this practice to bring awareness to a seemingly mundane task.

Stay Healthy and "normally stressed", Chaps!
-Kristi Waidhofer

Tips For Avoiding The Stress Of Selecting High School Courses

1/9/2017

A common question that a lot of high school students have when selecting courses is, “Should I take an easy class that I know I’ll get an A in? Or should I take a harder class and possibly get a lower grade?” Some say take the easy class and keep your GPA high. Others say take the harder class to show that you’re challenging yourself. Unfortunately, there’s no right or wrong answer to this question.

One of the most important things to keep in mind that will steer you in the right direction is your goal for life after high school.

If you’re thinking about college, keep in mind that admissions officers like to see an increase in difficulty each year. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that they all expect you to take the hardest classes offered at your school.

If you’re not applying to college or you’re still formulating a plan, take the opportunity to explore your interests and expand your horizons. Once you find your niche or interest area, consider taking more advanced or harder classes each year to challenge yourself in subjects that you enjoy and want to enhance your skills in.

Here are some other tips to keep in mind as you select your courses:

Make sure you meet WHS graduation requirements.
Choose a smart range of college-prep courses. You don't have to take AP everything to get into college. Challenge yourself within your own limits.
Don’t overload yourself. Be mindful of the schoolwork load you should expect from each class, as well as the extracurriculars that you’re involved in throughout the school year. Taking a ton of pre-AP or AP classes is easier when you don't have as many commitments outside of school because you have more time to devote to them.
Pursue your intellectual interests. Don't let your interests be shadowed by all of the classes that you think you "should" take.
Always have a back-up plan. Selecting high school courses can be competitive and stressful so it's important to be flexible. If your first draft of class selections doesn’t work out, use plan B! Or C. Or D.
Consult with academic counselors and teachers on what courses you should consider. That’s what they're here for! They can provide insight on which courses you should consider, as well as how to balance schoolwork with extracurricular activities. Academic counselors will also work to ensure that you're meeting all of your requirements.
Seniors, stay away from Senioritis! It’s a real thing, y’all. Many admissions offices check on applicants’ senior year grades and performance before offering admission. In some worst case scenarios, colleges rescind an acceptance if a student didn’t perform well during their senior year.

If you're thinking about college, take a moment to read this article by Yale for advice on selecting high school courses.

Also take a look at this article by International College Counselors for more tips about selecting high school courses and how your chosen classes impact your chances at admission. One of the most important aspects to consider is that colleges want to see growth and improvement, not just high-achieving grades. "Colleges take ‘extra effort’ to be a good sign that a student will do the same at their school."

Happy scheduling!
-Alaina

FACT

Not everyone takes AP classes; between 2013 and 2016
•       Freshmen took an average of .31 AP-weighted courses
•       Sophomores took an average of 1.09 AP-weighted courses
•       Juniors took an average of 2.84 AP-weighted courses
•       Seniors took an average of 3.03 AP-weighted courses

Remember that 1 AP course may be just as stressful as 5 APs.

I highly recommend that you use this Time Management form that we have created to make sure you and your child have found a manageable, healthy balance.
You can find everything you need to know about Course Selection here!

Rules for Social Media, Created by Kids

What Stress Does to Your Brain

Tips For Avoiding The Stress Of Selecting High School Courses

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