• Sep242008
    it's never too early!

    POSTED AT 10:20 AM

    Throughout RRISD, next week we will be observing"Education: Go Get It week"

    One of the Kick-off events will be the K-12 College/Career Fair  at the Performing Arts Center,

    on Monday, Sept. 29th from 5:00 -8:00 p.m.   Please try to attend as a family.  It's never too early to think about college.  Many of the choices made in middle school actually can impact college, believe it or not!  Take time to look at the high school graduation plans so that you make informed choices for middle school classes.  RRISD has opportunities for students in high school to take and obtain college credit while still enrolled in high school.  With today's college prices, that may be the best bargain around.  

    RRISD will also have information available on career choices at the fair.  And if paying for post high school courses such as college or career paths is an issue, be sure to check out information on financial aid. 

    See you at the College/Career Fair! 
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    Sep112008
    Gifts of Service

    POSTED AT 12:31 AM

    I got stopped the other day dead in my tracks as someone asked me,
    "Why do you volunteer?" 

    I never really had stopped and given it some thought.  Why do I volunteer?  What makes me come back to help time and time again, be the last one at a program, putting the drink containers in the work room, taking down the signs?  I'm not sure.  I like helping people and knowing I can make a difference in others' lives.  But I think it's more than that.  I like the variety of people and personalities I get to encounter, the touching stories I hear when I work with others, and the teamwork that naturally follows when volunteering happens and the wonderful close friends I have made over the many, many years of volunteering in our schools since 1995. 

    I know as a child I remember helping out my mother as she did the same thing, and my children help me now as that lesson of giving is passed on....perhaps its genetic.  Other parents who volunteer with me have their children along and make it a family affair.  But I think there is more to it than genetics.  I think learning the gift of giving is an important life lesson for all of our children.  In these days of instant gratification, iPods, cellphones, and 200-dollar gaming systems, learning to give back can be a good thing.  And volunteering can happen in so many ways.  It can be behind the scenes counting things, one on one developing new programs, in front of groups doing presentations, at home in your living room making posters, on a bleacher with a kid at a game, cheering on the team.  It can be getting loads of ice and making lemonade (thanks, Debbie!) or working in a concession stand or helping to measure students for uniforms, or making phone calls.  It can be greeting newcomers at the door and making them feel welcome in a new and strange place or offering words of encouragement to a struggling student or helping sell books at Book Fair. 

    There are so many ways to give and to be a volunteer.  I urge you to find your niche, whether as a mentor (applications available now!), or helping out in a classroom or in the Parent Center or working from home or work.  Schools with involved parents...and volunteering is only one way of being involved...have more successful students.  That's a plain proven fact with all kinds of wonderful statistically significant studies.  

    So...chose your spot!  Upcoming ways are: 

    Be a part of Dads of Great Students on September 15 that your PTA is sponsoring (see front page of website for details). 
    Attend one of our athletic events as a family (click athletics link on front page for schedules).  
    Assist with staffing our Parent Center.
    Help organize a scrapbook event for other parents.
    Work in our front office answering phones
    or help me with contacting teachers via email to see what they need help with

    Contact me at bonneproofs@sbcglobal. net for other ways to get involved. 
    Come Give Five for the Hive! 
    To stay updated on ways to volunteer at Hopewell, join Five4Hive@yahoogroups.com. 

    Till next week....
    Bonne  
     
     
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    Sep062008
    It's the little things that really matter

    POSTED AT 09:00 PM

    It happened just recently.....my son decided he was too grown-up for a hug.  I knew this day was coming.  I relished the days of boo-boos and kisses that made things all better, but as he came to middle school, it was only a matter of time until I had to grow up too and realize it was time for me to change because he had changed!  What a life-changing moment that was. 
     
    It's a universal moment of realization when we suddenly look at our child and realize he or she is growing up.  We ask ourselves, have we done enough to help them make decisions?  Have we prepared them to handle middle school?  Can they deal with having that many classes?  What if someone bullies them?  What if they are the bully?  Will they make friends?  Our questions and concerns grow just as fast as they do, it seems.
     
    Please know that all of those questions have answers.  Academically, Hopewell offers support in forms of the Homework Hive (open in the mornings and after school for students to get help with homework), extra tutoring by classroom teachers, parent/teacher conferences, three-week progress reports so you know how your student is doing, and access through Home Access to see your child's grades on a daily basis. 
     
    For personal concerns, we have an excellent counseling staff to assist with difficulties.  We offer monthly character education programs to our students and we focus on appropriate choices and anti-bullying responsibilities at our school.  Talk with your child; ask more than "How was your day?"   Volunteer how your day at work was.  Establish routines or rituals in your home to give your student a sense of being grounded so that even when school is topsy-turvy on a given day, home is predictable and safe and a warm place to land.  Even if you can't still give them a hug, you can nuture them in many other ways!
     
    Our journey as parents continues on....let's enjoy it together! 
     
    If you are a new sixth grade parent, be sure to attend Transitions this Wednesday and next Wednesday for more exciting information on your new middle schooler.  If you have not registered and want to attend, please email me at bonneproofs@sbcglobal.net and put TRANSITIONS in the subject line.  The program is from 6:45-8pm. 
     
    Until next time...
    Bonne
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