Our Kids Need Us

I read a really interesting editorial by Dorothy Rich. Ms. Rich makes some excellent points about the importance of making sure our kids know we care about them.

That doesn't seem like rocket science, but, according to Rich, a new study on the reasons that high school students drop out of school indicates that, in addition to family and economic reasons, about 24 percent cited their feeling that "no adults in school cared about them."

Rich is on target when she points out that caring for students is more than academics and accountability-its about the perception on the part of the students that teachers really do care. My daughter, a senior in high school, recently received her fourth letter from her favorite teacher. This teacher makes it a point to write a letter to his students at the end of each semester. The letter may be a form letter, but it's filled with thoughts and ideas about their futures. Then, at the bottom, he handwrites a note to each student, telling him or her how they are special or how they have stood out in his class. My daughter was so proud of this that she ran home and showed me.

Not all students have what they need at home. Parents work hard, and many times, through no fault of their own, they just aren't able to give their kids the time and attention they need. That's why it is incumbant upon each and every one of us to make a difference to a child.....our kids need us.

Melissa Simon

"The Dropout Exodus" Issue at the Forefront

The problem of high school dropout has been around, to some level, ever since children have been compelled by law to attend school. Thankfully, the issue is being recognized by more than educators and parents.

Drop out affects us all. Just look at the disproportionate numbers of prison inmates, social service recipients, and un- and under-employed individuals in our community who have less than a high school diploma. We simply can't brush this under the rug with "I don't have any kids in school" or "It's not my problem." OUR kids will be OUR leaders tomorrow.

The article in Time Magazine this week highlights the problem in New York City-and points out that the problem is bigger than many of us thought. It goes one step further, though, by providing some ideas for addressing the issues.

What can we do locally? CIS Houston encourages everyone to get involved in addressing this crisis. Our students are our future, and we all bear the responsibility for ensuring that all kids have an opportunity to learn, graduate from school, and go on to succeed in life. So what can you do?

Tutor or Mentor a child. Not only does research show that children who are mentored demonstrated an increase in self esteem and sense of empowerment, but it also shows that mentors benefit from the relationship with increased efficacy and pride (mentoring.org). Your mentoring relationship may be the only one that child has. Creating that bond and modeling consistent caring for an at-risk child can mean the difference between staying in school or dropping out, failing or excelling.

Help a parent. More than 90 percent of the students on the CIS Houston caseload receive or are eligible to receive free or reduced lunch and/or other public assistance benefits. Many of their parents work more than one minimum wage job and still struggle to make ends meet. The next time you see a parent struggling, extend a helping hand. Offering to help a child with homework after school or volunteering at one of the many parent-centered social service agencies in Houston can make a difference in a child’s ability to concentrate in school.

Take a child to a museum or the zoo. The majority of the students on the CIS Houston caseload had never left their neighborhoods until they participated in the program and visited one of the many museums and other cultural centers in Houston. When a child can see and experience things bigger than his/her immediate surroundings, he/she can begin to dream bigger and achieve more.

To learn more about what you can do to help a child stay in school and prepare for life locally, please visit www.cishouston.org. To learn more about the crisis nationally, please visit www.silentepidemic.org.