High School Juniors should prepare FAFSA for college

It is almost time for High School seniors to fill out and turn in their FAFSA forms. Could you remind your readers how important it is that they turn this form in if they are hoping for any financial aid in college?

Over the holiday, many students and parents should sit down and figure out their tax information in order to prepare their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms. In order to receive any federal financial aid, as well as many types of state student aid, families need to have this form filled out and turned in starting January 1st. The sooner the better is my philosophy. Students also need to check with the financial aid offices of the colleges they are considering to check on additional deadlines and forms these schools may require.

When you fill out the form, you can list up to six colleges, including junior colleges and four-year universities if you are trying to decide between the two. Some families decide to have their child attend community college in the hopes of saving money for the first two years. Regardless of the path your child is taking next year, fill out the form. There is money for kids attending junior college as well as universities.

You will never find what you do not seek.

For more information on the FAFSA and to apply on-line in January, go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov . Visit the California Student Aid Commission for information on Cal Grants and other student aid information and timelines at http://www.csac.ca.gov .

Can a parent request and remove a child's public school file?

If I want to view my child’s records, don’t I have a right to check out his file and take it home?

No, you do not have the right to remove the file, but you can ask to review the file in the office with an administrator.

Kindergarten child getting sick from anxiety?

My child is in Kindergarten and has thrown up almost once a week since the beginning of school. He is a basket case. If he makes any kind of five-year old mistake, he loses it. He is reading and is very good with numbers, but no matter what he is good at, he only focuses on what he can’t do. I know the other parents think I am pounding perfection into him, but I am doing the opposite. How do I make him calm down? Have you ever heard of such a thing?

I have seen this type of anxiety in Kindergarten students before. Your son is not alone. One of the brightest students I have ever taught behaved in a similar way. Her mom and I worked tirelessly to help her relax, and honestly we worked on it all year. She was not, however, getting physically ill. She would complain of tummy aches, but we were able to redirect her attention. Before activities, we would discuss and model how to handle mistakes so that she was prepared and knew how to react. She is now in the GATE program and quite successful, but still a perfectionist.

If your child is throwing up on a weekly basis, you should consult with your pediatrician. Even if this is stress-induced, your doctor will have advice for you on how to help your child. And while you are at it, do not give a second thought as to what the other parents may or may not be thinking about you. Do you even care? You shouldn’t. All that matters is your son.

Should the game of TAG be banned?

Why don’t they allow kids to play tag anymore?

The game of tag is not banned on all campuses. It is usually cancelled when it becomes ‘knock ‘em down and they’re it.’ Have you seen some kids play tag? It can get pretty rough. Anytime safety becomes a concern, schools proceed with caution, as they should.

An overweight child being teased

Question from a child:

My mom told me to write. I have a problem and maybe other kids and parents will learn something from it. I am overweight. Kids tease me all the time. How can I make them stop?

Your letter will help others. I bet lots of our readers will think you are as brave and sensitive as I do for writing to address this issue.

Your teacher needs to know if there are students in your classroom who are teasing you so that she can talk with them and the whole class about accepting others. The principal and the playground supervisors need to know if there are kids on the playground who are singling you out just to hurt your feelings. Do not let anyone suggest this is tattling, either. You have a right to go to school without being harassed.

Now, the school can tell the other children what is and what is not allowed, and some of those kids might not listen. Some of them might continue to be hurtful when adults are not around and some might even try to be hurtful when they know they will get in trouble. Ask yourself, “Why would these kids say things just to hurt my feelings or make me sad even when they know it is wrong?” Hopefully you come up with the same answer as I do: something is wrong with them and something is hurting their hearts to be able to say such hurtful things to you. Continue to report them until they learn to stop.

As you grow up, you need to let those people who love you, like your parents, family and friends, help shape your future. Who will grow to have the biggest heart, the most caring family, the most successful career, the best understanding of how to treat others? Do not let these other kids with problems of their own divert your attention from your hopes and dreams.

3 Year Old Might Need Special Education Services

Question sent in from a parent:

I hope you keep informing people of the services provided through our schools!

My son, at age 3, couldn't speak, or so I thought. Due to his numerous ear infections as a baby/toddler (most of which I knew nothing about unless his sisters would have one, then I would be told my son was the WORST OF ALL), he was partially deaf. I didn't know! And I was home with those children 24/7! (His brother, age 2, was already speaking! His sisters, age 4 and 5 had no problems, either!)

Through an outstanding pre-school teacher, I was directed to having him taken in for a hearing test (all covered by the school) and on to speech therapy (still age 3) where he stayed until 3rd grade.

FAST FORWARD TO NOW: he is the most wonderful child (along with my other three!)! Former Student of the Year in grade school, he is now is a 4.5GPA Junior at Redondo Union High School, plays football, soccer, and lacrosse (so far), and is a tutor on the side, in addition to tutoring all athletes who may be in trouble of not making grades. Who knows what would have happened if we had let that go? Kids were already starting to make fun of his speech (he could not pronounce any consonants, so his speech came out "oo" "ow" (you get the picture).

Please keep directing other parents to programs provided through the schools!! Our experience was wonderful - frustrating at first, but look how it all turned out! My thanks to all teachers for the amount of work they put into our children. They are the best!

My Answer:

It is always nice to hear a positive account of the help our schools can provide. I also appreciate the detail in your story as many parents will find they can relate to the struggle with speech.

Many parents wrote in with questions about seeking help for their young children over the age of three. If you and your doctor are concerned about your child’s progress (not only in speech, but other developmental areas as well), you should contact your school district for an evaluation. Your pediatrician can help you decide when to seek help. You do not need to wait until your child is enrolled in Kindergarten. There may be services or preschool programs, offered through your public school district, which can benefit your child.

Comment on this week's column

Comment on this week's Column. I discussed whether a first grade child should limit talk of God in school and how the parent of a junior high student who is failing three classes should respond.

My column is published each Wednesday. Read it at http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/sections/life/education/

Scroll down to see readers' comments and add one of your own.

What vaccinations do Junior High Students need?

Question sent in from parent:

After all of this talk about vaccines and immunizations, I just heard that my daughter needs more immunizations before junior high. This cannot be true, can it?

My answer:

It is true. As of 1999, all students need 3 doses of the hepatitis B vaccine and a second MMR dose before entering seventh grade. In order to complete the hepatitis B series, which takes 4-6 months, students need to start these vaccinations when they are in 6^th grade. Some exemptions are made for medical reasons or personal beliefs. Check to see which vaccinations your daughter has already completed and which she will need before next year. Your daughter’s school should have more information on this for you.

Should children be suspended for name calling?

Question sent in from a parent: My child was suspended for calling another child a name. Now, haven’t we gone too far here? I think this is a case of overreacting, and it is all too common in schools today.

What was the name your child used? On second thought, don’t tell me. I used to always tell my students, “If you make a mistake, make sure you learn from it.” Your focus should be centered on this lesson rather than turning to blame the school.

Words are hurtful, and words carry meaning. Harassment, threats, even bullying often come in the form of words, and none of it has any place in our schools. Can children be mean? Yes. They can also learn that there are consequences for being mean and hopefully this will help them stop. I do not know what your child said, but hopefully he or she now knows it is unacceptable and cannot happen again. Lesson learned and problem solved.