Family+Resources

toc **Welcome WHS Families!** Below you will find links to useful Internet and community resources on a variety of topics, including college and career, helping with school work, Internet safety, mental health, parenting teens, etc. If you're interested in learning more about the WHS Library, please visit our About page. If you're interested in volunteering in the library, please contact KendallBoninti@k12.waltham.ma.us

= Helping Your Teen Succeed at School =

** How Can I Help My Child with Homework? **
Establish a regular time and place each day for homework and minimize distractions (i.e. TV, cell phone, computer). Follow the steps below.
 * 1) **Ask your child what homework has been assigned.**
 * Check to see if their using their agenda book.
 * Did your child lose their agenda book? They can purchase a new agenda book in their house office.
 * 1) ** Check Edline. ** Many teachers post homework assignments on Edline. If you don't know how to login to Edline, visit Edline for Parents and Families.
 * 2) ** Email Teachers and Staff **
 * In addition to your child's teachers, guidance counselors, student adjustment counselors, and housemasters are great resources. Access their contact info by clicking on the links below.
 * Guidance Counselors
 * House Offices
 * Waltham High School Teachers and Staff [[image:walthamlibrary/homework.jpeg width="150" height="89" align="right"]]
 * 1) ** Resources **
 * Helping Your Teen with Homework
 * Consejos para los padres bilingües: Las tareas
 * [|Infoplease Homework Help]

** How Can I Help My Child with Research Projects? **
Research projects are often conducted over the course of several weeks and can be worth a large percentage of a student's grade. In order for it is essential that they manage their time effectively in and out of school. Parents can provide guidance and support by familiarizing themselves with assigned projects and by helping their children manage their time effectively check in with progress

> Example Research Topics:
 * 'General' Outline of the Research Process **
 * ** Choose a Topic. **
 * Science: Effects of pollution on global warming
 * History: Advances in technology during World War I
 * ** Develop a Thesis Statement. ** Don't know what a thesis statement is? Check out this easy to understand handout: How to Create a Thesis Statement by Vanderbilt University.
 * ** Gather Information & Take Notes. ** At this stage, your child should be gathering good quality information to support his or her thesis. //Where can you find good quality information?// On the library's website! Check out the Databases by Subject page and the Research Guides page. Also, for information on how to evaluate online sources, check out the resources on the Citation and Copyright page.
 * **Cite Sources:** It is essential that your child document or cite every source of information that they used in their paper/project.
 * **Conclusion:** A conclusion wraps up everything that you discussed in your paper or project.For assistance with writing a conclusion, visit the "Conclusions"page on the Purdue OWL Writing Lab website.

**Still need help?** Contact the library teacher! She would love to help. KendallBoninti@k12.waltham.ma.us

** How Can Prepare My Child for College and Career? **
> The online Career Center has a large collection resources for job exploration, resumes writing, interviewing tips, and much more. The library also has a substantial collection of career related books. You can browse the print and ebook collections by clicking on the library's online catalog, Destiny Quest. Additional college and career resources can be found on the WHS Guidance webpage.
 * **Visit the WHS Library Career Center.**
 * ** Parents: Helping Your Child with the College Planning Process. ** This website provides information on the different types of financial aid and has parent action plans for getting your child into college.
 * **Hacia Adelante: Pathways to College - A Guide for Latino Families:** This guide provides and overview of how to plan for college. It contains information on choosing the right college courses, applying for financial aid, and selecting the right school, and coming up with an action plan.
 * **Guia Para Padres Hispanos: Cómo Ayudar a sus Hijos A Prepararse para la Universidad y el Trabajo:** Esta Guia Le Muestra...Por qué sus hijos necesitan prepararse para la universidad y el trabajo. Cómo saber si la escuela de sus hijos tiene los estándares académicos que los preparan para estudios universitarios. Los obstáculos particulares que enfrentan los estudiantes hispanos. Como abogar eﬁ cazmente por sus hijos.
 * **¿Qué hay en una solicitud o aplicación de admisión a la universidad?**Scroll down the webpage to locate the video.
 * **Parents and Colleges:** A resource to help parents navigate the college preparation and admissions process.
 * **CollegeBoard (In Spanish):** This Spanish-language site gives parents of high school students in-depth information about college planning.

How can I get involved with the WHS Library?
Volunteer! There's lots to do at the WHS Library and we could certainly use your help. Some possible volunteer tasks include assisting with technology, processing new books, running special events, performing clerical work, creating displays, and much more! If you're interested, please email Kendall Boninti: KendallBoninti@k12.waltham.ma.us

** How Can I Keep My Child Safe Online? **

 * Massachusetts Attorney General Internet Safety This site includes valuable information for parents.
 * OnGuard Online Social Networking Sites: A Parent's Guide
 * Facebook Safety A link to Facebook's Safety Center.
 * A Parents Guide to Facebook from safekids.com.
 * iSafe A non-profit organization dedicated to educating and empowering youth (and others) to safely, responsibly and productively use Information and Communications Technologies.
 * Manage Your Online Reputation by Microsoft.com
 * Net Lingo The largest list of text and chat acronyms.
 * Stop Cyber Bullying Education, Action, Prevention
 * Pew Internet - Teens, Privacy, and Online Social Networks The Pew Internet & American Life Project examines how teens, particularly those with profiles online, make decisions about disclosing or shielding personal information.
 * [|Common Sense Media] Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology.
 * [|That's Not Cool] Dealing with issues relating to dating and digital life.

** Parenting Resources **

 * Pew Internet & American Life Project: Research on teens’ health and safety
 * American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry: Normal Adolescent Development
 * Penn State University: Understanding Adolescence
 * Royal College of Psychiatrists: Surviving Adolescence
 * American Association of Pediatrics: [|HealthyChildren.org] (In English and Spanish)

** Gay, Lesbian, Transgender Children Resources **

 * American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Facts for Families
 * Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network
 * Make it Better Project
 * Mental Health America: What does gay mean?
 * Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
 * Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services [|LGBT Health]

** Eating Disorder Resources **

 * American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Teens with Eating Disorders
 * American Dietetic Association: Eating Disorders
 * American Medical Association: Eating Disorders and Promotion of Healthy Body Image

** Mental Health Resources **

 * Depression and Anxiety **
 * American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry: Depression Resource Center,Anxiety Disorders Resource Center
 * National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH): Depression in Children and Adolescents
 * American Academy of Family Physicians: Depression in Children and Adolescents
 * Bipolar Disorder **
 * American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

** State/Community Resources **
> This website provides information on how to set a strong foundation for learning at home. It has links to upcoming workshops for families, such as "MCAS: Helping Your Child Prepare," and "Families and Schools Together." There is also a list of resources for English Language Learners.
 * Massachusetts Parent Information Center (PIRC): Español, Portugues
 * [|Mass.gov]Children & Parenting resources
 * [|Mass.gov] Higher Education
 * Massachusetts Department of Health & Human Services [|Adolescent Health and Youth Development]
 * Resources at the Waltham Public Library **
 * Services for Immigrants in Waltham
 * Job Hunting Resources
 * Free Museum Passes
 * Other Community Resources **
 * Waltham Partnership for Youth
 * Homeless Assistance Coalition
 * ESL, TOEFL, GED, Literacy, & Citizenship Classes in Waltham
 * Charles River Public Internet Center