The older some kids get, the harder it is to get them to attend all their classes—and the more critical attendance becomes. When students skip classes, they get behind. Then they can lose motivation because they don't understand the material. Pretty soon they are giving up on school.

To support regular attendance:

• Check your teen's record. Contact the school or the teacher if you suspect your teen may be skipping school or classes. Review the attendance marked on your teen's report card.
• Make it a family priority. Talk about why attendance matters.
• Set a good example. Go to work—despite that late night. Don't pull your teen out of school for other activities—students should be in school unless they are ill, quarantined or there is a family emergency.
• Reward it. Offer a bonus when your teen's attendance has been consistently good. It could be a weekend outing or special time with you. Make sure it's something your student views as a reward.

Brought to you by:
Gwinnett County Public Schools

Support Emerging Executive Skills

Does your teen constantly hand in assignments late—if at all? Dawdle until there is no more time, then rush and hand in sloppy work?

Your teen may not lack motivation. Instead, the issue may be underdeveloped or missing "executive skills." These planning and organizing skills are among the last that adolescents develop.

To strengthen executive skills, encourage your teen to:

• Make and use checklists. Help your student list each step in a process or each item to remember.
• Minimize clutter. Have your teen schedule a weekly workspace organization session.
• Use visual reminders. Give your teen a big calendar to post in a prominent place.

Brought to you by:
Gwinnett County Public Schools

Evaluating Priorities Can Make Tough Decisions Easier

“Should I stay home to work on my science project or go out with my friends?” “Should I wear something that makes me feel comfortable or buy an outfit that will impress my friends?”

Teens often need to make tough decisions. Compelling desires of the moment may conflict with choices that lead to long-term success. Thinking through their priorities can sometimes make these decisions a little easier.

Here’s an exercise that may help. Write a list of priorities that may be important to your teen on a series of note cards. Here are some examples:

• Having a lot of friends, being popular.
• Having money.
• Getting good grades.
• Getting into college.
• Having a boyfriend.
• Getting along with my family.
• Excelling at _____________ (for example, music, algebra, cheerleading, soccer).
• Looking good.
• Being honest and loyal to my friends.
• Having nice clothes and possessions.
• Living a healthy lifestyle.
• Avoiding drugs and alcohol.

Have your teen sort the cards from most important to least important. Talk about why she put things in the order she did. Talk about your family values. Has your teen faced a tough situation that involved a conflict between two priorities? Ranking her priorities may help her resolve these conflicts in the future.

Brought to you by:
Gwinnett County Public Schools

Seek Help if Your Teen Avoids Reading

Teachers expect students to have basic reading skills in middle and high school. When students can’t read well, their grades suffer. That’s why it is essential to take action if your teen shows signs of reading trouble.

Your teen may have trouble reading if he:

• Don’t read for fun or for information.
• He/She dislikes reading homework and does it slowly.
• Avoids everyday reading activities, such as reading signs and instructions.
• Has trouble reading aloud. He may frequently hesitate, mispronounce words, skip words or mix up words.

There are many causes of reading problems. For example, some teens have hearing or vision problems that interfere with learning to read. Others aren’t motivated to practice reading.

No matter what’s wrong, you and your teen shouldn’t face the issue alone. Ask your teen teachers or counselor for advice. There are many ways to help students improve their reading skills.

At the same time, make your home “reading friendly.” Enforce a quiet daily time without distractions like digital media. Read books and articles aloud to capture your teen’s interest. Look for publications, such as sports or hobby magazines, that your teen might enjoy.

Brought to you by:
Gwinnett County Public Schools