Question Corner

Have a question about dropout prevention? Submit your questions to: questions@onthebus.ms

Question: My daughter is in high school and is losing interest in school. What can I do to make sure she doesn't become a dropout statistic?

Answer: One of the most important things you can do is to make sure she attends school every day. Being absent or missing class frequently is one of the warning signs for future dropouts.  Students who miss 10 or more days during a semester are three times more likely to drop out than their peers. Also, talk to your daughter about her teachers and her class work. If you sense that there is a conflict with a teacher or fellow student or that she is struggling to keep up with her class work, set up an appointment with teachers, a school counselor or principal. Students do better in school if they have the support of a committed adult who communicates with their school and teachers.

Another suggestion would be to encourage your child to participate in an extra-curricular activity she enjoys. This may increase her sense of belonging and decrease the amount of time spent with peers who are not interested in school.  Be sure and check with local community organizations and churches as they often have programs that would help your daughter.

Question: My son is being bullied at school, but doesn’t want to tell anyone. It’s starting to affect his class work. He used to enjoy school but now he says he hates it and just wants to stay home. What can I do?

Answer: Bullying is a serious problem and you’re right to be concerned. Ask your son about what has happened, and make a record of each incident (who, what, when and where). Contact his teacher, guidance counselor and/or principal. Explain what your child has reported and ask what the teacher may have noticed. Ask for the school’s help in addressing the problem and agree on what steps you and the school will take next. Make an appointment for a follow-up meeting with the school and continue to monitor the problem until the bullying stops. Do not tell your son to ignore it and do not expect your son to just “work it out.” Most of the time, bullying does not stop without the help of adults.

For more information and suggestions, check these resources:

Stop Bullying Now, a program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Stop Bullying Now – What Adults Can Do
www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/adult/indexAdult.asp

What To Do If Your Child Is Being Bullied
www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/HHS_PSA/pdfs/SBN_Tip_21.pdf

How To Talk With Educators At Your Child’s School About Bullying: Tips For Parents of Bullied Children
http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/HHS_PSA/pdfs/SBN_Tip_3.pdf

PBSKids
Bullying Resources For Kids, Parents and Teachers
www.pbskids.org/itsmylife/parents/resources/bullies.html

National Education Association
Parents’ Role In Bullying Prevention and Intervention
www.nea.org/schoolsafety/bullyingparentsrole.html

Great Schools, Inc.
What Parents Can Do About Childhood Bullying
http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/2697

National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center
Bullying
www.safeyouth.org/scripts/topics/bullying.asp

National Conference of State Legislatures
Tackling The Schoolyard Bully
www.ncsl.org/programs/cyf/schoolyard.htm