Parent Resources
This page was last updated 2/13/2024.
Supporting your middle school child is anything but easy! Adolescence can be a confusing time of constant change for teens and parents alike. But while these years can be difficult, there are plenty of rewards to reap during and after this tumultuous time in everyone's lives. Below are resources that we have found are helpful for parents, students, and families to nurture your teen and encourage responsible behavior.
ACADEMIC RESOURCES
All DDMS teachers are using CANVAS as their Learning Management System (LMS). Canvas LMS is an open and reliable web-based software that allows institutions to manage digital learning, educators to create and present online learning materials and assess student learning, and students to engage in courses and receive feedback about skill development and learning achievement. Additionally, while Canvas is primarily a web-based software, any user can access Canvas on a mobile device from the Canvas Teacher, Canvas Student, and Canvas Parent apps.
Khan Academy - a free resource that offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. Khan Academy tackles math, science, computing, history, art history, economics, and more.
Homework Resources - a great way for parents to have conversations with their child on their learning at school and the importance of their child spending time reading each night. This site has resources for English Language Arts in Grades 2 through 5, and for K-12 Math.
Parent Guide for preparing for End-Of-Grade Testing - Wake County Public School System website about preparing students for the EOGs
My kid won't do his homework - article from an award-winning teacher-of-the-year and middle school teacher that offers strategies to motivate your child to complete their assignments
How to Get Children to Do Homework - an article from a licensed therapist that offers explanations on how to support and motivate your child to complete their assignments
Homework and Study Strategies for Teens - a WRAL article that lists of tried and true strategies that lead students toward academic success
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL RESOURCES
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL RESOURCES
NC State Psychoeducational Clinic - offers individual therapy for children (ages 7-13) struggling to manage symptoms of anxiety
American Psychological Association: Teens and Stress: How to keep stress in check - Information about how teenagers cope with stress and some strategies to effectively manage stress in a healthy way
Signs of Suicide (SoS) Middle School Awareness Prevention Program - an overview about the Signs of Suicide (SoS) middle school program that is used to educate and raise awareness of common behavioral and mental health disorders and suicide. Many people think suicide prevention is an individual thing – that someone who is struggling needs prevention and support. But really, prevention is about educating everybody on what to do if they’re worried about themselves or a friend. SOS Signs of Suicide has taught adults and children how to ACT (Acknowledge, Care, Tell) for decades – not only how to identify the warning signs of depression and suicide, but also how to have a conversation about it. Learn more about SOS’s evidence-based program for middle and high school students, please visit https://www.mindwise.org/sos-signs-of-suicide/
Human Trafficking - information from the Department of Homeland Security and how to keep our children safe
www.stopbullying.gov - information about how to talk with children about bullying and how to encourage your child to be a part of the solution.
A Parent's Guide to Cyber Safety - information from ConnectSafely.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating users of connected technology about safety, privacy and security.
FBI publication: A Parent's Guide to Cyber Safety - information from the FBI for parents to ensure their child's safety while online
How Students Can Beat Stress - some tips and tricks for students to effectively and healthily manage their stress levels
PARENT & FAMILY SUPPORT
WCPSS Health and Wellness Supports for Students and Families
WCPSS has health and wellness resources posted at wcpss.net/wellness. They have free health and self-care workshops available for students and families, including parenting, stress management, student engagement, and finding balance. Pre-registration is required.
National Center for Youth Issues - Recorded Parent Presentations
WCPSS has collaborated with the National Center for Youth Issues to provide parents with support and held virtual parent presentations with various experts to provide support and strategies to parents during these unusual times. Presentations included Family Engagement, Behavior Support, and Self-Care. Please visit the Virtual Parent Summit website for recordings of these incredibly helpful and informative parent presentations.
WCPSS Family Academy
The purpose of the Family Academy program is to provide families with the necessary academic tools to support the success of their child’s education and to bring schools, parents/guardians, families, and community organizations together as equal partners. The Family Academy provides *FREE* workshops and events for families at schools and community sites in Wake County. These informative workshops provide families with tools to support academic success and bring schools, families, and community partners together.
PARENT & FAMILY SUPPORT RESOURCES
How to do a Teen Mental Health Temperature Check - an article that details how to track your child's emotional and mental health as they navigate the collective trauma of the CoVID-19 pandemic
Kids and Math Anxiety - an NPR article about a study regarding kids' math achievement and parents' own anxieties about their math ability
Drug Use in Middle School - An article from DrugRehab.com about the prevalence of drug use among middle-school-aged youth.
Ordinary Places Teens Hide Drugs - An article from WRAL.com regarding the secretive ways teenagers hide their drug use and abuse from parents
PAST PARENT PRESENTATIONS AT DDMS
Virtual Parent Summit (February 2021)
Please view THIS FLIER for all the recorded presentations!
Parent Summit (February 2019)
Staying Close to your Teen/Tween (Dr. Kristen Wynns)
College/Career Readiness (Green Hope HS Counselors)
Helping Students to Stay Safe and Secure Online (Mr. Chip Wentz)
No Wimpy Parenting (October 2017)
Dr. Kristen Wynns, local clinical psychologist and founder of Wynns Family Psychology in Cary, presented to parents on tips and strategies to help parents take their power back. Please visit www.nowimpyparenting.com for more information.
Click HERE for a handout that lists some great tips to help take back your power!
Keeping Teenagers Physically and Emotionally Safe in Today's World (November 2017)
To adults, childhood can seem like a carefree time, but kids still experience stress. Things like school and their social life can sometimes create pressures that can feel overwhelming for kids. As a parent, you can't protect your kids from stress — but you can help them develop healthy ways to cope with stress and solve everyday problems. Our stress reduction/depression prevention parent education session revealed the top concerns our students face and how parents can help our students develop healthy coping strategies to remain physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. This parent education session was a collaboration between Davis Drive MS and the WCPSS Crisis Intervention Specialist.
To view a portion of the presentation, please click HERE.
ADDITIONAL PARENT RESOURCES
CAREER AND COLLEGE PLANNING
College Foundation of NC - College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) is a free service that promotes access to North Carolina higher education and assists students with education planning, career planning, and applying and paying for college.
College Board - The College Board is a mission-driven non-profit organization that was created to expand access to higher education by connecting students to college success and opportunity.
The Common Application - The Common Application is a non-profit, member organization committed to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process.
Transitioning to Middle School - Frequently Asked Questions - parent brochure
Common Sense Media - website with information on the power of media and technology in students' lives
Media Use by Tweens & Teens - a 2015 national survey detailing the media and technology habits of students 8-years- to 18-years-old
Virtual Parent Summit Recorded Sessions.pdfVIRTUAL PARENT SUMMIT
The Virtual Parent Summit was held on 2/4/21 in collaboration with Alston Ridge Middle School. Please view the flier below for links to the recorded presentations of the sessions.