- Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my child is being bullied?
First, talk with your child about the situation. Find out what is going on and ask what they would like you to do about it. Sometimes students know exactly how they want to handle a situation and may just need your help.
If your child really just wants you to fix it, a good first step is to contact the other child’s parents. Many times this is a great way to collaborate with the other child’s parents to come up with a solution.
If this isn’t possible or is not successful, contact your child’s school counselor, teacher or Assistant Principal to let him or her know about the situation. Many times the school isn’t aware of what is going on and a phone call can be a great start.
Homework is a nightly struggle with my child. How can I help them (without doing it for them!)?
Begin with talking with your child to figure out where he or she works best. Together come up with a plan so there is a specific time and place for homework each night.
Allow your child to begin activities / homework independently. Remember, homework is extra practice and is not used to introduce a new skill. Your child should be familiar with homework activities. Have your child attempt to work through the homework for a set amount of time and then allow him or her to ask you questions.
Finally, you can always try to come up with a contract for completed work. Successful completion can be rewarded by extra TV time, family game night, or a game outside, etc...
What should I do if my child is having a difficult time with a teacher?
Ask the teacher to meet with you about your concerns. Remember, teachers are people too! Keep the discussion focused on the problem/concern and not the person. By working together, almost all teacher/parent/child relationship conflicts can be solved.
As always, if you feel that you still have concerns after talking and working with the teacher, you can always contact the building administrator.
Remember, changing a child's teacher rarely solves the problem, but working together to address the concerns works wonders!
Will my child be embarrassed to meet with the school counselor?
Hopefully not! The school counselors at Westbrook Middle School believe in being highly visible throughout the school. Because of this, the counselors are seen as part of the school community. Most of the time, kids are excited when they get to come to the Guidance Office!
First, talk with your child about the situation. Find out what is going on and ask what they would like you to do about it. Sometimes students know exactly how they want to handle a situation and may just need your help.
If your child really just wants you to fix it, a good first step is to contact the other child’s parents. Many times this is a great way to collaborate with the other child’s parents to come up with a solution.
If this isn’t possible or is not successful, contact your child’s school counselor, teacher or Assistant Principal to let him or her know about the situation. Many times the school isn’t aware of what is going on and a phone call can be a great start.
Homework is a nightly struggle with my child. How can I help them (without doing it for them!)?
Begin with talking with your child to figure out where he or she works best. Together come up with a plan so there is a specific time and place for homework each night.
Allow your child to begin activities / homework independently. Remember, homework is extra practice and is not used to introduce a new skill. Your child should be familiar with homework activities. Have your child attempt to work through the homework for a set amount of time and then allow him or her to ask you questions.
Finally, you can always try to come up with a contract for completed work. Successful completion can be rewarded by extra TV time, family game night, or a game outside, etc...
What should I do if my child is having a difficult time with a teacher?
Ask the teacher to meet with you about your concerns. Remember, teachers are people too! Keep the discussion focused on the problem/concern and not the person. By working together, almost all teacher/parent/child relationship conflicts can be solved.
As always, if you feel that you still have concerns after talking and working with the teacher, you can always contact the building administrator.
Remember, changing a child's teacher rarely solves the problem, but working together to address the concerns works wonders!
Will my child be embarrassed to meet with the school counselor?
Hopefully not! The school counselors at Westbrook Middle School believe in being highly visible throughout the school. Because of this, the counselors are seen as part of the school community. Most of the time, kids are excited when they get to come to the Guidance Office!