Dear parents and guardians, I am so excited to welcome you to our Parent Power Newsletter. We're thrilled that you’re interested in learning more from our dedicated team at EBR Schools and can’t wait to start sharing with you.
Inside this Issue
Teen Dating Violence Prevention Initiative
The EBRPSS and I CARE are working collaboratively with community entities to help bring awareness, educate and provide prevention tools to help alleviate teen dating violence in our communities. We would like the students in our district to know the importance of self-worth and how to thrive in healthy relationships.
Objective — To provide middle and high school students with prevention education to:
Build and support self-esteem.
Bring forth awareness of teen dating violence.
Campaign theme: #LOVEIS....
Sample questions to be considered:
What is teen dating violence and abuse? Unhealthy, abusive or violent relationships can have short- and long-term negative effects, including severe consequences, on a developing teen. For example, youth who are victims of teen dating violence are more likely to:
Experience symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Engage in unhealthy behaviors, like using tobacco, drugs and alcohol.
Exhibit antisocial behaviors, like lying, stealing, bullying or hitting.
Think about suicide.
Violence in an adolescent relationship sets the stage for problems in future relationships, including intimate partner violence and sexual violence perpetration and/or victimization throughout life. For example, youth who are victims of dating violence in high school are at higher risk for victimization during college.
Are teens and students more likely to encounter a domestic violence relationship as an adult if they are in one as a teen or observant of that type of relationship at home? Yes.
What are some examples of unhealthy relationships?
Bullying.
Unhealthy friendships.
Abusive relationships.
What can the abuse look like or feel like?
Mental.
Emotional.
Physical.
Can be more of a cycle.
Parent reminders:
Teen dating has changed.
Teen romance is normal.
Dating builds relationship skills.
Your Teens need "The Talk" — beliefs, respect and expectations around healthy dating.
Privacy is essential.
Your teens need guidance.
Your teens need safety rules.
Communication and check-ins are key to healthy parent/teen relationships.
Tanya Chapman Griffin, MBA
Licensed prevention professional
I CARE program
(225) 226-2273
tchapman@ebrschools.org
There are many roles that kids can play. Kids can bully others, they can be bullied or they may witness bullying. When kids are involved in bullying, they often play more than one role. Sometimes kids may both be bullied and bully others or they may witness other kids being bullied. It is important to understand the multiple roles kids play in order to effectively prevent and respond to bullying.
When referring to a bullying situation, it is easy to call the kids who bully others "bullies" and those who are targeted "victims," but this may have unintended consequences. When children are labeled as "bullies" or "victims," it may:
Send the message that the child's behavior cannot change.
Fail to recognize the multiple roles children might play in different bullying situations.
Disregard other factors contributing to the behavior such as peer influence or school climate.
Instead of labeling the children involved, focus on the behavior. For instance:
Instead of calling a child a "bully," refer to them as "the child who bullied."
Instead of calling a child a "victim," refer to them as "the child who was bullied."
Instead of calling a child a "bully/victim," refer to them as "the child who was both bullied and bullied others."
Kids Involved in Bullying
The roles kids play in bullying are not limited to those who bully others and those who are bullied. Some researchers talk about the "circle of bullying" to define both those directly involved in bullying and those who actively or passively assist the behavior or defend against it. Direct roles include:
Kids who bully: These children engage in bullying behavior toward their peers. There are many risk factors that may contribute to the child's involvement in the behavior. Often, these students require support to change their behavior and address any other challenges that may be influencing their behavior.
Kids who are bullied: These children are the targets of bullying behavior. Some factors put children at more risk of being bullied, but not all children with these characteristics will be bullied. Sometimes, these children may need help learning how to respond to bullying.
Even if a child is not directly involved in bullying, they may be contributing to the behavior. Witnessing the behavior may also affect the child, so it is important for them to learn what they should do when they see bullying happen. Roles kids play when they witness bullying include:
Kids who assist: These children may not start the bullying or lead in the bullying behavior but serve as an "assistant" to children who are bullying. These children may encourage the bullying behavior and occasionally join in.
Kids who reinforce: These children are not directly involved in the bullying behavior, but they give the bullying an audience. They will often laugh or provide support for the children who are engaging in bullying. This may encourage the bullying to continue.
Outsiders: These children remain separate from the bullying situation. They neither reinforce the bullying behavior nor defend the child being bullied. Some may watch what is going on but do not provide feedback about the situation to show they are on anyone’s side. Even so, providing an audience may encourage the bullying behavior. These kids often want to help but don’t know how. Learn how to be "more than a bystander."
Kids who defend: These children actively comfort the child being bullied and may come to the child's defense when bullying occurs.
Most kids play more than one role in bullying over time. In some cases, they may be directly involved in bullying as the one bullying others or being bullied and in others, they may witness bullying and play an assisting or defending role. Every situation is different. Some kids are both bullied and bully others. It is important to note the multiple roles kids play, because:
Those who are both bullied and bully others may be at more risk for negative outcomes, such as depression or suicidal ideation.
It highlights the need to engage all kids in prevention efforts, not just those who are known to be directly involved.
Female – Savannah Giron – Baton Rouge Magnet High School
Savannah is a senior at Baton Rouge Magnet High School. She has a GPA of 4.69 and has scored a 36 on her ACT. She is a National Merit semifinalist, AP Scholar with Distinction and LHSAA All-Academic honoree. Savannah is a two-year letterman with the BRMHS swim team and a member of the Crawfish Aquatics Club Team. She has been an active member of the BRMHS Beta Club, Key Club and National Honor Society. She is the senior class co-director for the Key Club. During this time, she has participated in cleanup of the historic Sweet Olive Cemetery and is a Beta Club peer tutor. She plans to attend Texas A&M and major in electrical engineering.
Male – Jason Ge – Baton Rouge Magnet High School
Jason is a junior at Baton Rouge Magnet High School and has a GPA of 4.70. He is a three-year letterman on the BRMHS swim team and a member of the Tiger Aquatics Club Team. He is the 2021 LHSAA state champion in the 100-meter breaststroke and part of the 200-meter freestyle school-record-breaking team. He is a member of the BETA Club since 2019 while volunteering at the Turkey Trot 5K and earning service hours volunteering throughout the Baton Rouge community. He also volunteers to help stock the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.
The EBRPSS is proud to recognize Savannah Giron and Jason Ge as the EBRPSS Scholar-Athletes of the Week for Jan. 9-15.
What is a Kids Homework Station?
A homework station is an inviting, designated workspace for kids to study and complete homework assignments. A valuable homework area provides an uncluttered surface for kids to write and draw; a comfortable space for kids to read; and all of the supplies they need to successfully complete assignments. Setting up a homework station for kids is important because it gives them a determined space that they know is exactly for the continuation of their learning and education.
Creating a homework area doesn’t need to be elaborate or expensive. Below are five tips that will make setting up a kids homework station easy and stress-free.
1. Choose a Quiet Location
Truth be told, homework stations don’t actually have to be located at a desk or table. Lap desks and comfortable floor nooks packed high with pillows are all viable options, as long as nothing impedes your child’s ability to pay attention and focus.
The No. 1 guideline for your child’s homework station? The space in which your child does their homework should be free of noise, distractions and interruptions.
2. Ask Your Child What They Need
Creating a space that your child can effectively function is important and relatable. Think about how much more productive you are during the day when the area you are working is stocked with the items you need and want to use. You don’t waste time searching for misplaced supplies, and your entire work process just seems to flow a bit better.
Think about how much more efficient your child could be if their homework space was arranged the same way. Simply ask your child what they need to have in their homework station to be able to do their job!
3. Bust the Clutter
Clutter creates chaos. It also delivers the feeling that everything is rushed and nothing ever gets completed in its entirety. If you and your child have decided that the desk in their bedroom is best suited to be their homework station, then nothing else should be on that desk.
If your child starts piling other items on their desk — books, LEGO creations and craft projects — all they are doing is creating mounds of distractions guaranteed to pull them away during homework time.
4. Set the Routine
While it may be tempting to let your child do their homework in a new room each day, that defeats the purpose of trying to instill study skills and homework discipline. When your child asks if they can do their homework somewhere else besides their homework station, you may find it helpful to explain the importance of a consistent homework routine.
5. Make it a Pleasing Environment
Books, tables, sunlight, playful colors, educational posters, pillows and warmly lit lamps make a homework space inviting and aesthetically pleasing.
The Baton Rouge Area Youth Network (BRAYN) is a network of youth service providers and supporting organizations that are dedicated to increasing engagement by building the services field to create more equitable outcomes for youth in the Greater Baton Rouge Area.
We envision a community with resources and the will to provide impactful opportunities for positive development and learning for all children.
There is a critical need for quality after-school programs in all communities. Our organization strives to provide East Baton Rouge and surrounding areas with an updated bank of resources to support student learning socially, emotionally and academically.
BRAYN works to move the network toward its established goal of increasing the capacity of its partners by gathering and maintaining up-to-date information on partner programs and serving on a real-time platform provided by Harmonize Inc.
Use our Youth Locator Web Application to search BRAYN's database for vetted programs and services that best serve your family.
Your child may outgrow your lap, but your child will never outgrow your love.
None of us can love perfectly, but we can all strive to love better.
Beneath the mound of disappointments; the moments of anger; and the stress and strain of living together, love is the thread that can hold a family together, if you choose love. Love isn’t just an emotion, it’s a choice.
You can choose to love when you’re disappointed. You can choose to love when you’re angry. You can choose to love when you don’t feellove. When you choose to love regardless of the circumstances, love unlocks hearts hardened from everyday life.
Parents, your children learn how to love by the way they are loved. Children, whose hearts are filled with the love of parents, don’t need to look in the world for their hearts to be filled.
Time, discipline, and words of affirmation fill a child’s heart with love.
Time: Listening, talking and working on projects together convey love to your child. Consistent everyday touches make a lasting imprint on your child’s heart. Setting aside time to just be together can transform your child’s attitude. Turn off all technology and play with your child, whether it’s a game, singing silly songs or working a puzzle. Give your child your undivided attention for a few minutes every single day.
Loving discipline: A child who is not disciplined grows up resenting parents who didn’t love them enough to train them to be responsible. Our children count on us to teach them, guide them and train them in habits that will lead to success. When you say there will be a consequence to bad behavior, follow through with it so it’s not an empty threat. If you don’t, your kids will know that you don’t really mean what you say.
Words of affirmation: A child who is demeaned with words that attack their being rather than their behavior develops bitterness that leads to rebellion. Newton’s law of motion applies to children: For every action of a parent, there is an opposite and equal reaction. A child responds to our words, either positively or negatively. A child’s attitude toward others is shaped by the interactions our child has with us.
Jill Rigby Garner Manners of the Heart February 2022
Child Care Assistance Program for FAmilies
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CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES
To support all families in accessing high-quality child care, the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) provides financial assistance to low-income families while they are working or attending school.
CONTACT INFORMATION
CCAP Household Eligibility P.O. Box 260037 Baton Rouge, LA 70826
Telephone: 1-877-453-2721 Fax: (225) 376-6060 or (225) 342-3906 Email:LDEccap@la.gov
CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE APPLICATION PROCESS
1. Determine if you are eligible for child care assistance.
2. Are you responsible for paying child care costs for a child under 13 or a child under 18 with a disability who lives with you?
3. Is every adult in your household:
Working at least 20 hours a week?
Attending an accredited school or a training program as a full-time student?
Attending an accredited school or training program at least 20 hours a week?
Actively seeking work?
4. Is your household's total monthly gross earned and unearned income less than the amount listed below for your household size? (gross income refers to income before any deductions form the paycheck.)
If you answered YES to all of the above questions, you may be eligible for child care assistance. Limits are subject to change.
CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE (CCAP) APPLICATION CHECKLIST
To complete your application for child care assistance (CCAP), you may need to provide proof for some things you told us in your application. This checklist will help you know what items you need to gather.
Have you gathered and submitted the following?
Age/relationship: A birth certificate, baptismal certificate or hospital birth records of the person to be included or, if not your own child, birth records to prove how the child is related to you.
Alien status: If not a U.S. citizen, forms or cards from USCIS that prove the person is a legal alien.
Wages: Last four paycheck stubs or employer's statement for each person who works within 45 days of application date.
Self-employment: Income tax returns, sales records, quarterly tax records and/or personal wage record.
Other income such as contributions, child support, alimony, Social Security, SSI, VA, retirement checks, Unemployment Compensation (UCB), award letters, court orders and/or statements from contributors.
Income that stopped within the last three months: “Pink slip,” termination notice or statement from a former employer; termination notice or statement from source of any income that ended.
Immunization: Shot record or doctor's records.
School attendance or job training: A statement from the school or job-training program indicating the number of hours of attendance each week and anticipated date of completion for any person who needs child care in order to attend school or job training. Or, a letter from an accredited entity or training program deeming full-time status.
If you cannot find your documents, let your case analyst know.
Contact Information
CCAP Household Eligibility
P.O. Box 260037 Baton Rouge, LA 70826
Telephone:1-877-453-2721 Fax: (225) 342-3906
Enrichment is Everything
08
From music to martial arts, education beyond the classroom keeps young minds engaged.
Educators and parents are in agreement: It’s not good for children to be glued to the TV every afternoon. They take on a glazed-over and dazed appearance when staring at the tube too long. Eventually, inertia sets in, and kids become whiny from lack of true intellectual and physical stimulation. Even during after-school hours, child development experts believe that the way children spend their time is vital to their overall development.
Enrichment is the answer. You’ve heard the word again and again. You know there are options available for every age, interest and temperament of child. So how are you supposed to sift through the choices?
Draw From Your Child’s Talent
Learning to recognize your child’s individual talents is the first step toward enriching their experiences in those areas. It’s important to encourage your child in as many experiences as possible so they can discover where their interests lie. All children have natural gifts which will reveal themselves sooner or later.
Visit Programs Before Enrolling
Take your child to visit the programs that interest them. You’ll both get a much more in-depth understanding of the class, teacher and other students by actually attending. Don’t make an assumption based on something you’ve read. Get as much information as possible.
Avoid Overscheduling
As much value as there is in extra activities, there is a fine line to be managed: How much is enough? Take into account your child’s individual stamina. There should be plenty of time for homework, chores, playing with friends and daydreaming.
Monitor Development
Is your child really enjoying and benefiting from his extra activities? Ask them about it, and note if they are ambivalent or eager to return each time there is another class. For as much as they may be learning, it’s equally important for them to have fun.
Teach Your Child to Follow Four Steps to Learn From Mistakes
09
While it may be comforting for students who have made a mistake to hear, “Well, you’ll learn from this,” it’s not always the case that they learn from it. Sometimes, students just keep making the same mistakes over and over again.
In order to really learn from mistakes, students need to think about them. Here are four steps your child can take to do just that:
1. Look at what was right. You could say, “Your test wasn’t perfect. But let’s see where you succeeded.” Pointing out that all is not lost will motivate your child to take the next step.
2. Figure out what went wrong. It’s hard to fix a problem if you don’t know what caused it. Sometimes, the solution is easy: The directions said to add and the child subtracted. But other times, it requires analysis: Did your child misunderstand the question? Not leaving enough time to check her work?
3. Take steps to correct the problem. Perhaps your child will discover that they haven't learned the content they needed to know. In that case, they may need to reread some of the textbooks or ask the teacher for more help. Help them make a plan for what they will do differently the next time.
4. Apply this knowledge to a new situation. Have your child try a problem that is similar to the one they missed on the test. Encourage them to stop at the place where they made the error and try to make a different choice. When they do, they’ll know that they really have learned from the mistake.
SOURCE: H.S. Schroder and others, “Neural Evidence for Enhanced Attention to Mistakes Among School-aged Children with a Growth Mindset,” Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Elsevier B.V.
February calendar
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The East Baton Rouge Parish School System and all of its entities (including Career and Technical Education Programs) do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, national origin, disability or gender in its educational programs and activities (including employment and application for employment); and it is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of gender by Title IX (20 USC 168) and on the basis of disability by Section 504 (42 USC 794). The Title IX coordinator is Andrew Davis, director of Risk Management (ADavis6@ebrschools.org), phone (225) 929-8705. The Section 504 coordinator is Elizabeth Taylor Chapman, director of Exceptional Student Services (ETaylor@ebrschools.org), phone (225) 929-8600. The Title II coordinator is Dr. Sandra Bethley, administrative director of Federal Programs (SBHorton@ebrschools.org), phone (225) 922-5538.
All students have an opportunity to participate in Career and Technical Programs of Study, including, but not limited to areas of health care; construction crafts and trades; automotive technology; IT computer technology; culinary programs; criminal justice; and agriculture. Admission requirements for each course can be found in the student course guide/schedule packet of the individual campus where the course is being offered. Please contact the guidance counselor at the specific school site for additional information, program requirements and/or any questions you may have.
Parent Power is a publication of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System
Dr. Sito Narcisse, Superintendent of Schools
sitonarcisse@ebrschools.org
Alexandra Deiro Stubbs, Chief of Communications & Public Relations
