Talk with your student about the Guidance Period. As a means to seeing the potential of each student realized, every student will be enrolled in a Guidance period each Wednesday and Thursday for 40 minutes. In order to meet the individual needs and talents of every student, the course offerings are as follows:
 

• Academic Lab (math, reading, science, social studies reinforcement, or study skills)
• College and Career Prep (PSAT/SAT preparation, career exploration, college application, UIL academics, 
• Personal Development (Discussion groups with focus on relationship issues, stress management, dealing with social media, and being a good friend to others.)
• WHS Service and Leadership (Academic peer tutoring, academic lab teaching assistant, campus beautification) 

Cyberbullying is when a person is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another person using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones.

Did you know? More than one third of U.S. teens surveyed said that they had been cyberbullied or knew someone that had been cyberbullied. Cell phones, email, and Internet social networking sites have given bullies more means and opportunity to target others. The effects of cyberbullying can lead to low self-esteem and other negative emotional responses. Victims of cyberbullying may feel scared, frustrated, humiliated, angry, and even depressed. There have been several reported cases in which cyberbullying has led to suicide. 

Victims and perpetrators of cyberbullying are twice as likely to be girls, and over half of all cyberbullying is not ever reported to an adult. Victims may become isolated, withdrawn, become jumpy or nervous when receiving text or instant messages, or stop going to school. Perpetrators may have multiple on-line accounts with different screen names or hack into accounts that aren't theirs. 

Just a reminder for parents: this Thursday, September 11, I will be presenting on bullying along with guest speaker Sarah Fisher from +Works. It will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the library. Everyone is welcome and please bring a friend! We will discuss teen brain development, why teens bully, how to model appropriate behavior for your teens and more. 

Also, please remind your teens about the two-part bullying awareness seminar for students called the "Upstander Project" going on this month. The seminar will be held on September 18, and 25, from 8-9:15 a.m., in S100 before late start Thursday. There will be snacks, great discussion, and students can even receive community service and/or credit appeal hours for attending. 

Questions? Please email me: mparsley@council-houston.org.