Helpful Tools for Families

Being a student can be tough.. We will be updating this page with helpful tools/resources that you can use to support you and your families.


Inner Explorer @ Home

Inner Explorer is a daily mindfulness program that helps students develop an increased focus, self-awareness, self-control, and resilience; all critical skills for success in school. Each series contains 90 audio-guided practices that can be used every day by simply logging in and pressing play. Your student may already be familiar with Inner Explorer and practiced it in the classroom before distance learning. To further support students, FSUSD has partnered with Inner Explorer @home to provide full program access to families so it can be implemented at home, free of charge! To create your FREE account, click on the button below. You can also download the free Mindfulness App so it's with you on the go!


App: Be Focused-Focus time

Time management is a skill that may not come naturally. With a different type of school schedule this year, managing your academic time is more important than ever. If you struggle with this, try downloading and using this app to help you set alarms for break times and work times that work for you!

Tips for Parents and How to Support Their Students' ATTENDANCE

DID YOU KNOW?

• Students should miss no more than 9 days of school each year to stay engaged, successful and on track to graduation.

• Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with a bully or facing some other potentially serious difficulty.

• By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.

• By 9th grade, regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.

• Missing 10 percent, or about 18 days, of the school year can drastically affect a student’s academic success.

• Students can be chronically absent even if they only miss a day or two every few weeks.

• Attendance is an important life skill that will help your child graduate from college and keep a job.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Make school attendance a priority • Talk about the importance of showing up to school everyday, make that the expectation. • Help your child maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep. • Try not to schedule dental and medical appointments during the school day. • Don’t let your child stay home unless truly sick. Complaints of headaches or stomach aches may be signs of anxiety.

Help your teen stay engaged • Find out if your child feels engaged by his classes and feels safe from bullies and other threats. Make sure he/she is not missing class because of behavioral issues and school discipline policies. If any of these are problems, work with your school. • Stay on top of academic progress and seek help from teachers or tutors if necessary. Make sure teachers know how to contact you. • Stay on top of your child’s social contacts. Peer pressure can lead to skipping school, while students without many friends can feel isolated. • Encourage meaningful afterschool activities, including sports and clubs.

Communicate with the school • Know the school’s attendance policy – incentives and penalities • Talk to teachers if you notice sudden changes in behavior. These could be tied to something going on at school. • Check on your child’s attendance to be sure absences are not piling up. • Ask for help from school officials, afterschool programs, other parents or community agencies if you’re having trouble getting your child to school.

Resource For Digital Supports

Family and Teacher Supports Curated by Google : https://teachfromanywhere.google/intl/en/#for-families

FSUSD Engage! Vol 1 No 7: Family Resource Centers.pdf