Middle School scheduling for 2015-2016 school year

Know! To Role Model RESPECT for the RX

Why focus on prescription drugs? Research shows that more deaths are now occurring each year from accidental drug overdose than from car accidents. Someone in the US dies EVERY 15 MINUTES from an accidental overdose. And nearly half of the drug overdose deaths are due to prescription drugs. 

Parents are powerful influencers when it comes to our children’s attitudes and behaviors regarding alcohol, tobacco and the use of other drugs. Having ongoing conversations and sharing information on the dangers of substance use/abuse with our children is fundamental. It is also vitally important to make clear our expectations for them not to drink underage, smoke or use drugs. But it is not just what we say that matters. It is also what we DO. The behavioral choices our children see us make has the greatest impact on the lifestyle choices they make surrounding substances. 

When it comes to the use of prescription drugs, what are your children learning from you? Do you role model respect for prescription drugs by locking up and monitoring your medicines, as encouraged by experts? Do you properly dispose of unused and unwanted medications? Have you made it clear, by example, that sharing prescription medications with others is dangerous and not okay?

If so, you are doing an incredible job, and we encourage you to keep up the great work! If not, it is important to remember that while prescription drugs have the ability to improve and save lives, they also have the potential to harm, and that they can be fatal if used improperly or by an unintended person. Role modeling the above behavioral choices are key in promoting family wellness and teaching our children respect for potentially harmful medications.

Another way to RESPECT the Rx is to ask your health care provider or pharmacist specific questions about your prescription medications, in order to avoid unintended harmful effects. The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy came up with the acronym  RESPECT, as a way to help you remember those questions: 

R.  Reason: Why is this medication being prescribed for me? 

E.  Explain Usage: Should I take this medication regularly or as needed?
     What restrictions are there with food/alcohol/other medications? 

S.  Symptoms: When is it appropriate for me to take this medication
     (e.g., on a scale of 1-10 for pain severity)? 

P.  Practitioners: Inform your doctor if you are seeing other healthcare providers and
      which pharmacy you use (you should only use one pharmacy) 

E. Expected Effects: What effects can I expect from taking this medication?
     What precautions do I need to take while driving, operating machinery, etc.?

C.  Concerns with Controlled Substances: Is there addiction potential with my medication? 

T.  Time to Stop: When and how should I stop taking my medication?
      How should I store and dispose of it when I am done?

If the opportunity is there, take your son or daughter with you to your next doctor’s appointment, allowing him/her to observe you using this guide. If your child is prescribed a medication, similar questions should also be asked during his/her doctor visit. You and your child will not only obtain the detailed information you need, but the importance of RESPECTing the Rx will be reinforced.

One of the most powerful skills youth possess is their ability to observe. One of the most powerful opportunities we, as parents possess, is our opportunity to positively influence our children who are paying close attention to our lifestyle choices.

• Click here for a printable version of the RESPECT the Rx Guide.

• For more information about prescription medication safety, please visit:
  http://pharmacy.osu.edu/outreach/generation-rx-initiative

• The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy:
   Generation Rx – RESPECT the Rx.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
  Prescription Drug Overdose in the United States: Fact Sheet

Talking About the Dangers of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs

Talking regularly with youth about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs reduces their risk of using in the first place.

Know! encourages you to share this Parent Tip with friends and family.

• Click here to join others who Know! by taking the Know! Pledge
• Drug Free Action Alliance
• Drug Free Action Alliance on Facebook

The Survival Guide for Kids with Behavior Challenges

The Survival Guide for Kids with Behavior Challenges:  
How to make Good Choices and Stay Out of Trouble  
By Thomas McIntyre, Ph.D.
This survival guide provides up-to-date information, practical strategies, and sound advice for kids with diagnosed behavioral disorders (BD, ED, and EBD) and those with general behavior problems. Kids learn to make smarter choices, make and keep friends, get along with teachers, take responsibility for their actions, work towards positive change, and enjoy the results of their better behavior.
The Survival Guide for Kids with Behavior Challenges includes:
• What behavior disorder means—and does not mean 
• Reasons why some kids have behavioral disorders 
• The scoop on school programs 
• True stories about real kids 
• Smart choices for dealing with feelings 
• Ways to get along better at school and at home 
• A glossary of words you need to know 
• A list of resources (books, organizations, Web sites) 
• And much more

Don’t Behave Like You Live in a Cave
 by Elizabeth Verdick 
Help kids make smarter choices at home and at school with this kid-friendly book that takes a positive approach to behavior problems. Better behavior isn’t just about making adults happy. When kids make better behavior choices, they stay out of trouble, feel good about themselves, and get along better with family, friends, and teachers. That leads to self-control, awareness, and a positive outlook, so things go better for kids. 

Lighthearted yet supportive and frank, with full-color cartoons and humorous text, this book helps readers learn to make thoughtful, deliberate, positive behavior decisions. That means fewer behavior problems and more freedom—and fun.

Behavior issues addressed include small ones, like talking or blurting out in class, as well as more challenging behaviors such as fighting or disobeying parents.
 
How Rude!  
The Teen Guide to Good Manners, Proper Behavior and Not Grossing People Out   
By Alex J. Packer, Ph.D.
     Explaining etiquette from A (“Applause”) to Z (“Zits”), Alex J. Packer blends outrageous humor with sound advice as he guides readers and explains why manners and etiquette are important—because people who know how to handle themselves in social situations come out on top, get what they want, feel good about themselves, and enjoy life to the fullest.
      Full of practical tips for every occasion, How Rude! is a serious etiquette encyclopedia—and a hilarious read. In 480 pages, this revised and updated edition describes the basics of polite behavior in all kinds of situations at home, in school, online, and in the world.

Dude, That’s Rude! 
 by Pamela Espeland & Elizabeth Verdick
     Kids today need manners more than ever, and Dude, That’s Rude! makes it fun and easy to get some. Full-color cartoons and kid-friendly text teach the basics of polite behavior in all kinds of situations—at home, at school, in the bathroom, on the phone, at the mall, and more. Kids learn Power Words to use and P.U. Words to avoid, why their family deserves their best manners, and the essentials of e-etiquette (politeness online). It seems like light reading, but its serious stuff: Manners for kids are major social skills, and this book gives them a great start.

Fighting Invisible Tigers: Stress Management for Teens 
by Earl Hipp
      Stress is something we all experience. But research suggests that adolescents are affected by it in unique ways that can increase impulsivity and risky behaviors. While eliminating stress from life isn’t realistic, young people can learn to control how they respond to it. This book offers proven techniques that teens can use to deal with stressful situations in school, at home, and among friends. They’ll find current information on how stress affects health and decision making and learn stress-management skills to handle stress in positive ways—including assertiveness, positive self-talk, time management, relaxation exercises, and much more. Filled with interesting facts, student quotes, and fun activities, this book is a great resource for any teen who’s said, “I’m stressed out


The Step-Tween Survival Guide 
by Lisa Cohn and Debbie Glasser
     Life as a preteen (a.k.a. “tween”) can be challenging. Life as a step kid can be equally tough. Put them together, and it can be like climbing Mount Everest . . . daily. Step-tweens are not only caught between childhood and teen hood—they’re also often caught between two parents, two families, and two homes. This book lets them know they are not alone, helps them identify and express their feelings, and teaches them how to effectively communicate their wants and needs. The engaging format includes lively illustrations, quizzes, advice from other step kids, “survival tools” to use when the going gets rough, and suggestions for what to do when nothing else seems to be working. With The Step-Tween Survival Guide, tweens will gain the skills and inspiration to survive and thrive in a stepfamily.

Helping Children Cope with the Loss of a Loved One:  A Guide for Grownups
By William C. Kroen, Ph.D., LMHC 
     What can we say to a child who has just lost a parent, a sibling, or other loved one? How can we be sure to say and do the right things without adding to the child's confusion and grief? And what if we are grieving, too? 
     Grief in children may be expressed differently than in adults. In clear, concise language, Dr. William Kroen offers comfort, compassion, and sound advice to any adult who is helping a child cope with death. 
      Incorporating insights and information from the respected Good Grief Program at the Judge Baker Children's Center in Boston, Massachusetts, and weaving in anecdotes about real children and their families, he explains how children from infancy through age 18 perceive and react to death.
      He offers suggestions on how we can respond to children at different ages and stages, and describes specific strategies we can use to guide and support them through the grieving process—from the first devastating days through commemorating the loved one and eventually moving on with life. 

When a Friend Dies 
by Marilyn, E. Goodman, Ed.D.
      The death of a friend is a wrenching event for anyone at any age. Teenagers especially need help coping with this painful loss. This sensitive book answers questions grieving teens often have, like “How should I be acting?” “Is it wrong to go to parties and have fun?” and “What if I can’t handle my grief on my own?”      The advice is gentle, non-preachy, and compassionate; the author has seen her own children suffer from the death of a friend, and she knows what teens go through. The revised edition includes new quotes from teens, new resources, and new insights into losing a friend through violence. Also recommended for parents and teachers of teens who have experienced a painful loss.

Tear Soup
by Taylor Bills
      Tear Soup is the story of Grandy, who has just suffered a big loss in her life. She blends emotions and memories into Tear Soup as a way to work thru the healing and grieving process.  Her tear soup will help to bring her comfort and ultimately help to fill the void in her life that was created by her loss.  

Too Stressed to Think?  A Teen Guide to Staying Sane When Life Makes You Crazy   (eBook)
By Annie Fox, M.Ed. and Ruth Kirschner
When stress has the “survival brain” on overdrive, what happens to the “thinking brain”? How can teens learn to use the mind-body connection to stay cool and make smart choices when the pressure’s on? 
This book is packed with practical information and stress-lessening tools teens can use every day. Dozens of realistic scenarios describe stressful situations teen readers can relate to. Each scenario is followed by a clear, understandable process for reducing or stopping the stress and making decisions that won’t leave a teen lamenting, “What was I thinking?” 
Throughout, quotes from real teens remind readers that they’re not alone—that stress affects everyone, but it doesn’t have to ruin your life. Includes resources.

GLBTQ:  The Survival Guide for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Teens 
by Kelly Huegel
An invaluable resource for any young person seeking to make sense of their sexual orientation or gender identity, this frank and sensitive guide offers practical, well-informed advice for finding oneself and thriving in the GLBTQ community. Fully revised and updated to reflect the ever-changing cultural landscape, the accessible, friendly text is punctuated with insights from real teens who speak from personal experience. With reassuring honesty and optimism, it addresses crucial issues such as coming out, dealing with homophobia, handling school, reconciling with your faith, dating, and making safe, healthy choices. Resource lists point the way to books and websites with more information.

The Divorce Help Book for Kids
by Cynthia MacGregor 
A guide to dealing with the divorce of parents, discussing various reasons for divorce, the emotions experienced by the children, and ways of coping with the change.

The Divorce Help Book for Teens
by Cynthia MacGregor 
As if life wasn't already hard enough ... now you're dealing with your parents' divorce, too. You know that there aren't any easy answers on how to get through it all, but this book is going to give you some ideas about how to handle the tough questions you now have (and maybe even some you haven't thought of yet).

HOW TO.....

The books, sites and agencies listed are not necessarily preferred or suggested.  For a more

comprehensive listing, please refer to your family, friends and the local listings in your area.

How to Take the Grrr Out of Anger 
by Elizabeth Verdick
Anger is a part of life. We can’t avoid it, we shouldn’t stuff it, and we can’t make it go away.   Kids need help learning how to manage their anger.  This book speaks directly to them and offers strategies they can start using immediately. Lending solid information and sound advice with jokes and funny cartoons, it guides kids to understand that anger is normal and can be expressed in many ways—some healthy, some not. It teaches them how to recognize anger in themselves and others, how to handle situations and emotions (loneliness, guilt, frustration, fear) that lead to or mask anger, and how to deal with the anger they feel. Young readers learn that violence is not acceptable and there are better, safer, more positive ways to resolve conflicts.   They also discover what to do when people around them are angry, how to get help and how to locate other resources (books, hotlines, school groups) when they need more support.

MAD:  How to Deal with Your Anger and Get Respect (eBook) 
by James J. Crist, Ph.D.
Everyone gets angry sometimes. Feeling mad is a normal human emotion. But some teens go too far and get into trouble with their parents, their school, or the law. Their anger controls them and affects their lives in negative, sometimes long-lasting ways. This practical, supportive book on anger management for teens helps teens understand and handle their anger. They learn whether they have an anger problem, why we get angry, and how anger affects our bodies and relationships. Practical tools and strategies help them control their anger and avoid poor decisions and actions; insights from real teens let them know they’re not alone.

CHILLAX!  How Ernie Learns to Chill Out, Relax and Take Charge of His Anger 
by Marcella Marino Craver
When Ernie gets mad, he gets really, really mad. This kid-friendly graphic novel follows Ernie as he learns, with the support of his family and school counselor, where his outbursts come from and discovers that he has the tools to control and calm himself. A back-of-the-book resource suggests additional tools.

Stick Up for Yourself: Every Kid’s Guide to Personal Power & Positive Self-Esteem   
by Gershen Kaufman
First published in 1990, this perennial best-seller has helped countless children build self-esteem and assertiveness skills. Newly revised and updated, it’s the ultimate resource for any kid who’s ever been picked on at school, bossed around, blamed for things he or she didn’t do, or treated unfairly—and for any kid who sometimes feels frustrated, angry, powerless, or scared. Simple words and real-life examples show how children can stick up for themselves with other kids (including bullies and teasers), big sisters and brothers, even grown-ups. 
Kids learn how to build relationships, become responsible, manage their anger, grow a “feelings vocabulary,” make good choices; solve problems, set goals, and “store” happiness and pride. Questions from real kids are paired with answers about how to handle specific situations calmly, confidently, and effectively. A special note to parents and teachers explores the “self-esteem backlash” and explains what self-esteem really is—and why kids today need it more than ever. 

The 6 Most Important Decisions You’ll Ever Make 
by Sean Covey
Covey's guide addresses the six challenges most commonly mentioned, giving advice on how to succeed in school, choose good friends, get along with parents, wisely handle dating and sex issues, avoid or overcome addictions, and build self-esteem. The author's undiminished knack for advising teens without talking down to them is the chief strength of this fun-to-read book that is jam-packed with original cartoons, inspiring quotes, quizzes, and fascinating real stories from kids around the world.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens 
by Sean Covey
Following in the tradition of his father's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, the author uses common sense and blunt honesty leavened with humor and genuine empathy to show how any teen, regardless of circumstances, can become a responsible, fulfilled individual. Presented with plenty of cheeky cartoons, irresistible anecdotes, and insightful quotes, the seven "habits" (or guiding principles) are: proactivity rather than reactivity, goal-orientated living, prioritizing, positive mental attitude, genuine listening, cooperation, and taking care of oneself. A companion workbook (216 pages) features questions, activities, and readings that augment the paperback content. Daily Reflections for Highly Effective Teens offers digestible quotes and ideas for each day

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families 
by Stephen R. Covey 
This refreshingly down-to-earth guide from a renowned expert instructs families on how to develop and strengthen their relationships with one another by changing simple aspects of their day-to-day behavior. Emphasizing the importance of a healthy family environment for the success of children and parents alike, Covey explains—through a compelling combination of insightful anecdotes and practical wisdom—how to attain each component of a happy home. Topics include holding family meetings, solving family disputes, balancing individual and family needs, healing broken relationships, and replacing a negative family atmosphere with one of understanding, support, and enthusiasm. "...this smoothly written book provides excellent advice for the 'highest role and most important stewardship' of parenting," says Publishers Weekly

The Survival Guide for School Success:  
Use Your Brain’s Built-In Apps to Sharpen Attention, Battle Boredom and Build Mental Muscle 
by Ron Schumsky, Psy.D, Susan Islascox, M.A., and Rob Bell, M. Ed.
From struggling students to academic all-stars, everyone can do better in school. Research shows that executive functions such as focus and organization are more valuable to school performance than intelligence or talent. Fortunately, these functions are skills, so students can learn them. This book provides ten tools to improve executive functioning, described as “mental apps” that will appeal to digital natives. Featuring plenty of examples, practice assignments, and a playful tone, this book can provide an academic boost to any student.

Annie’s Plan:  Taking Charge of Schoolwork and Homework 
by Jeanne Kraus
Annie is really smart, but she needs a plan for focusing on her work at school and getting her homework done and turned in. "Annie's Plan" spells out a 10-Point Schoolwork Plan and a 10-Point Homework Plan that will help her - and her readers - master the organizational and study skills that spell school success. Each point of the two plans is detailed in a ten-page Note to Teachers and Parents in the back of the book.

Get Organized Without Losing It 
by Janet S. Fox
This is a humorous and helpful guide to managing one's personal effects for a life with less stress and more success. Packed with you-can-do-it techniques and tips, this book shows students how to clean out and maintain order in their school spaces, backpacks, and binders. Handy checklists and plans also teach students to better manage their time for studying, after-school activities, and life in general.

How to Do Homework Without Throwing Up 
by Trevor Romain
Solid advice about how to attack that growing pile of homework is presented along with clever illustrations and delivered with an inventive wit that guarantees kids will actually listen. Managing to be playful and no-nonsense at the same time ("Warning: homework has serious side effects. You might become smart and successful if you do all your homework."), this simple book’s funny insights include how to make a homework schedule, how to get in the right homework-doing mindset, how to remind yourself to do homework, why it’s awesome to do your homework in the first place, and more

You’re Smarter Than You Think:  A Kids Guide to Multiple Intelligence's 
by Thomas Armstrong. Ph.D.
Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences has revolutionized the way we think about being smart. Written by an award-winning expert on the topic, this book introduces the theory, explains the different types of intelligences (like Word Smart, Self Smart, Body Smart), and helps kids identify their own learning strengths and use their special skills at school, at home, and in life. As kids read the book, they stop asking “How smart am I?” and start asking “How am I smart?” This powerful learning tool is recommended for all kids—and all adults committed to helping young people do and be their best. Resources describe related books, software, games, and organizations. This revised and updated edition includes information on a newly researched ninth intelligence, Life Smart—thinking about and asking questions about life, the universe, and spirituality.

The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Their Parents 
by Elizabeth Verdick and Elizabeth Reeves, M.D.
This positive, straightforward book offers kids with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) their own comprehensive resource for both understanding their condition and finding tools to cope with the challenges they face every day.

Some children with ASD are gifted; others struggle academically. Some are more introverted, while others try to be social. Some get “stuck” on things, have limited interests, or experience repeated motor movements like flapping or pacing (“stims”). The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders covers all of these areas, with an emphasis on helping children gain new self-understanding and self-acceptance.

Meant to be read with a parent, the book addresses questions (“What is ASD?” “Why me?”) and provides strategies for communicating, making and keeping friends and succeeding in school. Body and brain basics highlight symptom management, exercise, diet, hygiene, relaxation, sleep, and toileting. Emphasis is placed on helping kids handle intense emotions and behaviors and get support from family and their team of helpers when needed. The book includes stories from real kids, fact boxes, helpful checklists, and resources. Sections for parents offer additional information.

Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders 
by Elizabeth Verdick and Elizabeth
This positive, straightforward book offers kids with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) their own comprehensive resource for both understanding their condition and finding tools to cope with the challenges they face every day. Some children with ASD are gifted; others struggle academically.  Some are more introverted, while others try to be social. Some get “stuck” on things, have limited interests, or experience repeated motor movements like flapping or pacing (“stims”).  The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders covers all of these areas, with an emphasis on helping children gain new self-understanding and self-acceptance.

Meant to be read with a parent, the book addresses questions (“What is ASD?” “Why me?”) and provides strategies for communicating, making and keeping friend and succeeding in school. Body and brain basics highlight symptom management, exercise, diet, hygiene, relaxation, sleep, and toileting. Emphasis is placed on helping kids handle intense emotions and behaviors and get support from family and their team of helpers when needed. The book includes stories from real kids, fact boxes, helpful checklists, and resources. Sections for parents offer additional information.

How to talk to an Autistic Kid
 by Daniel Stefanski
    While many young people know kids with autism, they often find it hard to relate to them. That’s because the behavior of autistic kids can seem off-putting and antisocial, even though the person with autism wants to be friends. This is frustrating for autistic kids and for their peers, and often leads to avoiding, ignoring, excluding—or bullying and teasing.  In How to Talk to an Autistic Kid, a 14-year-old boy describes what it’s like being autistic. With frankness and optimism, author Daniel Stefanski provides personal stories, clear explanations, and supportive advice about how to get along with kids with autism. 

How to Talk to an Autistic Kid answers many questions readers might have about their autistic peers, like: 
Why does my autistic friend sometimes talk too loud or stand too close? 
Why does she talk so much about the same topic over and over? 
He won’t even look at me. Does he really want to be friends? 
Why does she complain about the lights (or the noise, or the smell)? 
Why does it seem like my friend doesn’t understand what I’m saying? 
Is he smart? 
How should I act when we’re together? 
What can we do together? 
What can I do to help autistic kids? 

Mental Health

A students mental health is as important as their physical health.  The mental health agencies listed are not necessarily preferred or suggested.  For a more comprehensive listing, please refer to your family, friends and the local listings in your area. 

• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

• American Psychological Association

• Kids Health

• National Institute of Mental Health

• National Mental Health Association   

Grief

The 5 suggested stages of grief are denial, anger, bargaining for time, depression, and acceptance.  Some do experience all of these while others do not.  Students need support during these times in a safe and supportive environment.  When and where it is appropriate, please contact your son or daughter’s counselor if there is a death of a loved one near to them.  Notifying the school counselor will provide opportunities for the counselor to reach out and communicate with students, families and staff.  Most students need support also while in school during these emotional times.

• PALS for grieving children

• Hospice

• Hospice Alliance of Ohio