2. SHOW YOUR CHILD THAT YOU CARE 

Have a conversation with your child about school and homework regularly. Ask specific questions that inform you about your child's day. Know what classes your child is taking, who your child's friends are, and other essential information.

3. KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE SCHOOL  

Get to know your child's teachers, principal, counselors and school's parent involvement coordinator. Make it a point to stay in contact with them throughout the school year.

4. EXPRESS HIGH EDUCATIONAL EXPECTATIONS  

Encourage your child to take challenging courses and monitor your child's academic performance (homework, grades, and test scores) throughout the year. Emphasize effort and achievement.   

5. ATTEND SCHOOL MEETINGS, FUNCTIONS,AND EVENTS  

Make time to attend parent-teacher conferences, parent fairs, curriculum nights, award ceremonies and other school events. Your attendance and support matters to your child.

6. SEEK OUT INFORMATION  

 Request a meeting with your child's teacher regarding any aspect of your child's education. If you have other questions, ask the school by calling or sending a note so they can link youwith the appropriate person that can respond to your needs.

7. BE AN ACTIVE PART OF DECISION MAKING COMMITTEES  

 Participate in parent or school leadership organizations. Ask your school about the Parent Teacher Association or Parent Teacher Organization, school council, parent advisory committee or other parent organizations and then join one.

8. MAKE SCHOOL IMPORTANT  

Talk positively about school with your child. Send your child prepared for school each day with pens, pencils, notebooks, and homework completed. Make school a priority by ensuring they are at school every day and arrive on time.

9. BE SEEN AT SCHOOL  

Arrange a visit to your child's classroom, have lunch with your child at school, or visit the Parent Center. Your presence matters and shows the school that you are invested in your child's education.

10.BE INFORMED AND RESPONSIVE  

Ask, collect, read, and respond, if needed, to all information (school policies, field trip information, student handbook, etc.) that is sent from your child's school or teacher. If you need to receive information in a language other than English, call or visit the school.

11. VISIT YOUR SCHOOL'S WEBSITE  

Access all kinds of information, including homework assignments, class schedules, lesson plans, test dates, and grades on your child's school website. If you don't know your school's website, ask your child's teacher or the school.

12. PARTICIPATE IN WORKSHOPS THAT ARE OFFERED  

Look for great opportunities to meet other parents at school through workshops that cover topics such as child development, school standards, and other shared parent concerns. If workshops are not offered regularly, help plan one or suggest ideas to your school counselors or parent involvement coordinator.

13. PROVIDE A RICH LEARNING ENVIRONMENTAT HOME

 Make time for meaningful dinner conversations, trips, games, reading time, family sports, and daily routines. Activities like these will contribute to your child's academic achievement at school.

14. DROP IN ON AFTER SCHOOL OR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

 Pick your child up from after-school activities or stop by a few minutes early to watch your child in action, if you are unavailable during the school day. It is also important to know your child's after school teacher, instructor, or coach.

15. INVITE THECOMMUNITY TO PARTNER WITH THE SCHOOLS

Encourage local businesses, churches, clubs, or civic organizations that you are involved with to volunteer or financially support the school. Have community partners provide schools and families with information about services and resources they provide that support student learning such as mentoring, tutoring, and service learning activities.

For more ideas on how you can get involved in your child's education... http://public.doe.k12.ga.us/tss_title.aspx?PageReq=ParentEngagement 

The Nurses Notes

What is High Blood Pressure?

A blood pressure is given in two numbers. The first number shows the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart beats. The second number shows the pressure in your blood vessels between beats. When your blood vessels start to clog up with cholesterol or fats, the inside becomes smaller. The smaller your blood vessels are the higher your blood pressure will be.

Will I get High Blood Pressure?

Over half of all people in the United States over age 60 have high blood pressure.   African Americans are more likely to have high blood pressure than Caucasians

What are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure?

Some people may not find out they have high blood pressure until they have their blood pressure checked at their doctor's office. Even when blood pressure readings reach high levels, most people with high blood pressure do not have symptoms. Those who do have symptoms may experience headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nosebleeds or nervousness.

How does the doctor decide if I have High Blood Pressure?

Most doctors will ask you to check your blood pressure every day for a few days and record the results. Your doctor will tell you that you have high blood pressure if your blood pressures are 140/90 or higher.

Treatment

The good news is that high blood pressure can be treated and controlled.

Eating more fruits and vegetables, and less red meat and salt. Walking every day will help to lower your high blood pressure. At times, better eating and walking are not enough and your doctor may order medicine to lower your blood pressure.

Stages of Blood Pressure Levels

www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/diseases/Hbp_WhatIs.html

www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure/DS00100

www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/about.htm