In this more complex and very demanding world, preparing our children for a successful life becomes more challenging by the day. Insuring that our children get the most out of every educational experience will go a long way in helping prepare them to meet and overcome the challenges of tomorrow. Working together, teachers and parents can form an educational partnership that will double the effort and, without question, triple the results. Numerous studies have indicated children whose parents and/or other significant adults share in their formal education in tandem with your child's teacher, tend to do better in school.

What all teachers and parents have in common is they want their children to become successful, caring adults. Sometimes, however, you may not know where to start with helping your child with their school work, when to find the time or how to go about making that positive parental contribution to your child's learning. There is no question good parenting is a very hard job with many responsibilities but there is no more important job in the world than being the best parent you can be. Nor is there any more rewarding experience than knowing you have helped your child to grow.

There are many books, articles, software programs, web sites, and the always well-intended friend that will give you unlimited advice on how to help your child. Some suggestions may work, some may not but just making the effort to be involved and engaged in your child's education will make the biggest positive impact. Here are some suggestions I think will work for every parent regardless if your child is in Kindergarten or a senior at LHS.

• Put specific times on your calendar each week when you will spend time with your children. During that time, focus your love and attention on your child.

• Use car time to talk with your children. There is no phone or television to interfere and kids know they really have your ear.

• Plan to eat at least one meal together as a family each day.

• Try giving children television tickets. Each week, each child gets 20 tickets. Each ticket can be used for 30 minutes of TV time. Any tickets remaining at the end of the week can be cashed in for 25 cents each. Of course, parents can still veto a certain program.

• Try relaxing your family's bedtime rules once a week on the weekends. Let your children know they can stay up as late as they want, as long as they are reading in bed.

• Start a home library; paperback books are fine.

• Want your children to be good readers? Let them see you read.

• Use the "Rule of Thumb" to see if a book is on your children's reading level: Have them read a page of the book aloud. Have them hold up one finger for each word they don't know. If they hold up four fingers and a thumb before the end of the page, the book is probably too hard for them to read alone. However, it might be a great book to read aloud.

• Constantly look for ways to tell your children what you like about them, and that you love them. There is no age limit on this. "When I do something well, no one ever remembers. When I do something wrong, no one ever forgets."

• Let kids overhear you praising them to others.

• Try looking over children's study materials and making up a sample quiz as they study for upcoming tests.

• Be aware that your attitudes about school affect your child. If you hated math, be careful not to prejudice your child.

• In addition to the three R's, children need the four A's: Attention, Appreciation, Affection, and Acceptance.

• Praise your children for a job well done; if they come up short tell them how to improve to do better the next time.

Here are tips to make homework time easier for you and your child: 

• Have a regular place for your child to do homework. Use a desk or table in a quiet room. Be sure there's plenty of light.

• Find a regular time for homework. You may want to make a rule: "No television until homework is finished."

• During homework time, turn off the TV and radio.

• Help your children plan how they will use their time.

• Set a good example. While your child is doing homework, spend some time reading or working yourself. Then when homework is done, you can both talk about how much you've accomplished.

• Look over your child's homework every day. Start at an early age and keep it up as long as you can. Praise good work. Your interest will encourage good work.

There is no magic bullet or secret code to help your child be successful in school. In the end, each child is ultimately responsible for their schoolwork but every child can always use encouragement and support. These are just a few suggestions that may or may not work for your family. I can promise you if you spend just a few extra hours a week you and your child will see some amazing changes, in schoolwork and home life.

If you have some special parenting tips or suggestions that have worked for your family please share them with your family, your friends, and your co-workers. In this day and age our children (and parents, and teachers... and Superintendents) can use all the great ideas we get. Thank you for helping making LCSC a great school system for learning.

Twelve years ago, Americans watched in horror as we were attacked. Many Americans lost their lives that day, including hundreds of police, firefighters, and paramedics. The following year, 2002, Lebanon Middle School felt the need to honor the men and women who protect Boone County everyday, thus the advent of our Everyday Heroes Luncheon.