Asset Corner #65

May’s Asset Category: COMMITMENT TO LEARNING

Education has improved immensely in the past 20 years. Today, more young people are taking high-level courses, fewer of them are dropping out, math and science scores are on the rise, and more students are entering college after high school. But that doesn’t mean a commitment to learning happens naturally in all young people. Instilling this important trait involves a combination of values and skills that include the desire to succeed in school, a sense of the lasting importance of learning, and a belief in one’s own ability. This commitment is strongly influenced by the school environment and relationships with family and peers.

This column’s focus will be on…..Asset #24 – Bonding to School

Finding a connection with school
Why do some kids drop out of school and others stay in and even excel? Experts say kids who don’t like school and choose not to attend are disinterested, bored, and feel unconnected. On the other hand, those who stay in school and do well have the opposite experience. They like it there. They have people who enjoy seeing them every day and who miss them when they’re absent. They also have friends and family who are proud of what they do at school. These young people are stimulated and challenged, have fun, and enjoy learning at school.

Here are the facts
Research shows that young people who care about their school are less likely to be involved in violence or the use of alcohol and other drugs. They also are more likely to become good leaders, value diversity, and succeed in school. About 52 percent of young people, ages 11–18, say they care about their schools, according to Search Institute surveys.

Tips for building this asset
Parents and others in the community can make a big difference in improving schools and making them caring places for young people. If you know a young person who doesn’t like school, ask her or him why. Remember that for students, part of bonding to school involves knowing someone in their school cares about them. Share your experiences from when you were in school—such as finding an adult or a peer who cared about you—with the young people you know who are struggling to fit in.

Also try this
In your home and family:
 Tell your child about one adult and one peer who cared about you when you were in school. Help your child identify which adults and friends at school he or she likes best and why.
In your neighborhood and community: Be an involved partner with the school. Volunteer to tutor in an after-school program or as an athletic coach. Use these opportunities to bond with students, helping them in turn to bond to school.
In your school or youth program: Identify young people who do not have an involved adult in their lives and find ways to help them connect to a caring, available adult.

ASSET RELATED NEWS 
l  The Collab’s Mobile Food Pantry is scheduled this month for Thursday, May 14th. This plus a host of other programs/services are always in need of help particularly with their Summer Youth programming.  If you’re interested in volunteering, give the Collab a call at (440) 887-4873. 
l  All available slots have been filled and a waiting list has been started for the I Can Ride event taking place the week of June 22nd at the Ries Ice Rink on Forestwood Dr. Volunteers, however, are still needed to ensure success of this great cause.  You need to be at least 16, available for 90 minutes at the same time each of the 5 days of camp and able to do light jogging/running. Can’t volunteer? Consider making a donation to cover the cost of feeding those volunteers working the entire event. To register as a rider, a volunteer and/or to make a donation, email icanbike.cityofparma@gmail.com.  For more information go to: www.icanshine.org.
l  May is National Foster Parent Month!!! There are approximately 1,600 children currently in Foster Care in Cuyahoga County and roughly 600 of those children are placed in foster homes outside of Cuyahoga County which means these children are unable to attend their same school, see their friends or participate in all of their extracurricular activities. To learn more about how you can help support one of these children in our community contact either Bryan Stanton at the Parma Area Family Collaborative at (440) 887-4881 or the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services Recruitment Department at (216) 881-5775. 
l  It's Backpacks For Kids time again. This will be the 5th year that the generous contribution of KIKS Office, its vendors and the CBS Partnership provide stuffed backpacks for upwards of 400 kids in our district. The cost remains at $18 per backpack. Please help reach our goal by making a check payable to Parma City Schools Foundation – Backpack Drive & sending it to 5311 Longwood Ave. Parma, OH 44134.
l  The Parma Area Kiwanis hit a milestone last month by completing its 15th year of hosting three Sundae Bars per year for high achieving students attending first Parkview and now RidgeBrook Elementary. Since starting in the 2000 - 2001 school year, members of the club have presented pencils or certificates and personally congratulated and shaken the hand of approximately 3,500 students, not to mention serving approximately 10,400 ice cream sundaes. Visit www.facebook.com/parma.area.kiwanis to learn more about this and other club programs. 

SHARE YOUR ASSET BUILDING IDEAS AND/OR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENTAL ASSET CONCEPT BY VISITING THE “ASSET CORNER” FACEBOOK PAGE. I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.

Visit www.parmacityschools.org/character and www.search-institute.org/assets for more information about the 40 Developmental Assets and ideas for helping young people build them. Or go here - www.parentfurther.com/ - for great asset-based parenting tips, tricks, activities, and ideas.

Gene Lovasy

Community Volunteer/Activist

Read More on News
Volume 7, Issue 5, Posted 8:29 AM, 05.01.2015