Family Academy

Today’s families are constantly surrounded by technology and screens. Pediatricians tell us that if you want your kids to limit their screen time, you have to model the way.

The American Academy of Pediatrics Family Media Use Plan is one of the best resources to negotiate limits and boundaries around the usage of digital devices. Parents can create their personalized Family Media Use Plan to reduce excessive use of smartphones, tablets, and laptops among all members of the family. Consider trying it today!

Our teens tell us that getting inundated with questions about college is stressful. If they are struggling to choose a college or waiting on an acceptance letter, being questioned amps up their anxiety. If they aren’t going to college, being questioned can make them feel like a failure. 

There are a variety of pathways for today’s students. We need all of our teens to know that enrolling in college, pursuing vocational school, a trade or apprenticeship, serving our country as a member of the military, or becoming an entrepreneur are all great choices that can lead to a successful future. 

During this Family Academy installment, we share 5 alternative open-ended questions you can ask instead of "where are you going to college?" 

Experts share that the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children. Immersing a child in a rich literacy environment can be a stronger predictor of literacy and academic achievement than family income. The more words a child hears, the larger the child’s vocabulary, and the larger the child’s vocabulary, the more likely the child will be a proficient reader.

The Warren County Imagination Library has a goal to deliver free books to all children from birth to age five across Warren County. The theme of this program is “Every Child Reads Every Day.” Mason City Schools staff can personally attest to the wonders this program has brought some of our own children!

Children can be registered at www.ohioimaginationlibrary.org/enroll.

This edition of our Family Academy series features an important conversation with Nancy Eigel-Miller, Executive Director of 1N5 and MHS Class of 2019's Zander Wells.

Nancy started 1N5 after her husband died of suicide. She and her team (which includes Comet Alum, Zander Wells) are on a mission to prevent suicide by erasing the stigma of mental illness and promoting optimal mental wellness. It's important to know that 1 in 5 adults experience a mental illness in a given year, and that suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in youth ages 10-24. It can be hard to be vulnerable and admit you need help, and scary to hear a loved one tell you they don't want to live any longer. Nancy and Xander share important tips for asking loved ones the right questions and following up with the next steps after you've started talking. 

If you or a family member are in crisis, text "4HOPE" to 741 741.

Every parent could use a little more peace and a little less stress. Prevention and Wellness Designer Breanna Lynch shares tips for peaceful parenting that include answers to these questions:

• What are some ways families can practice peaceful parenting?
• What should I do when my child is being difficult?
• What does “play” look like for older children & teens?
• What tips do you have to get the whole family involved in making home more peaceful?
• What routines can you incorporate into your family’s daily life?
• What strategies are kids seeing in school that parents can use at home?
• What are ways to manage expectations during the holidays?
• Where can I go for additional help?

Parents should always remember to call or text 911 in case of emergency. For non-emergency situations parents and family members may use the Safe Schools Tip Line:

• Call or Text: (513) 972-4910
• Email: 1059@alert1.us
• Web: 1059.alert1.us

Parenting is hard, and probably harder today than it's ever been! Learn about Mason City Schools' Comet Culture language, and consider ways you might be able to use the disciplines and practices at home, too.

Major Definitions:

• E+R=O : Event + Response = Outcome
   
• R-Factor Disciplines are:
  • Press Pause: Before you respond, slow down and give yourself time to think
  • Get Your Mind Right: Get into a productive mindsight by taking ownership of what you focus on and the story you tell yourself
  • Step Up: Respond above the line. 
  • Adjust & Adapt: Change course when needed
  • Make a Difference: Create great experiences for others. Your R is an E for others.
  • Build Skill: Be intentional about the habits you develop.
     
• 20 Square Feet: a metaphor that expresses that the way each of us behaves personally - the way each of us manages our personal 20 square feet - is what determines our collective culture
   
• Above the Line: acting or responding with intention and integrity
   
• Below the Line: acting or responding impulsively. Blaming, complaining or defending. 

The Mason City School District utilizes ALICE - a system that encourages individualized decision-making options in response to an immediate threat with consideration to age and ability. Traditionally, schools have used a procedure known as “lockdown” which means locking the school building and classrooms and having students and teachers take shelter in their classrooms. We believe that offering additional age-appropriate options will allow our students and teachers to be better prepared if a crisis situation occurs. Providing a constant flow of information to everyone inside the building can allow opportunities to safely evacuate the building. Rescue by the police can take some time. An important goal of the ALICE program is to evacuate as many people as possible to a safe place.

ALICE is an acronym that stands for:

ALERT: Get the word out that a threat exists

LOCKDOWN: Secure a place to stay as much as possible as a starting point to buy time. Barricade if necessary, move to a safe spot with escape in mind.

INFORM: Give constant, real-time information throughout the building using all available technology. Communication keeps the shooter off balance.

COUNTER: Apply skills to distract, confuse, and gain control by using noise, movement, distance, and distractions. This is the last resort if individuals are unable to escape. Countering may be as simple as creating a distraction to allow opportunities to escape.

EVACUATE: To reduce the number of potential targets for the shooter and reduce the chances of victims resulting from friendly fire when help arrives. Take advantage of time and distance from the threat. The goal is to move students out of the danger zone. It’s important to be prepared to escape.

Goal: Maximize survival with the objective to escape from harm, get law enforcement on the scene quickly, decide and act, and interrupt the intruder’s decision action cycle.

How should I talk to my child about ALICE?
As a parent, you know your child best. For younger children, the most important thing is to listen carefully and remember to follow their teacher’s directions whether it’s during a drill or an actual emergency. Older students may be interested in talking about what they would do in an emergency situation. Follow your child’s lead and keep the opportunities to talk openly.

What if my child expresses fears about their safety?
It’s important to remember that we talk about ways to stay safe so that we can be prepared if something happens. If your child is worried, your school counselor or a member of our Mental Wellness Team is an excellent resource.