News, Advice, and Tips for Parenting Teenagers

Here's part of a recent article from the Tennesean teenage depression

"Depression among children and teenagers can be hard to detect, confirm, understand, relate to and cure. In the past year, treating depressed kids got even trickier with a federal warning that antidepressants might make some children feel more suicidal, not less."

The article includes "Signs to Watch For" and ways to "Reduce the Risk of Teen Depression." And there are also some good links on where to get help in Tennessee.

Visit About Teen Depression for more information.

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The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports that early next year, the Tupelo, MS, Police Athletic League, will begin helping at-risk teens avoid scrapes with the law. By offering fishing camps, basketball, boxing and mentoring, the city hopes to attract 300 13- to 16- year old teenagers in Tupelo and Lee County.

PAL "will give troubled youths a place to go to develop skills with positive role models," said John S. Oxford. "It will also help to break down barriers" between police officers and juveniles.

Read the entire article at Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.

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Here's a great article from washingtonpost.com on same-sex education and how fourth and fifth grade boys are improving their reading scores.

Leoard Sax, creater of National Association for Single Sex Public Education, argues that same-sex education is justified by a growing body of scientific research showing differences in the structure and cognitive abilities of male and female brains that translate into differences in learning styles.

"Just as girls in same-sex settings are more likely to assert themselves in physics or computer science than those in coeducational classes, boys are more willing to try classical music, art or drama if girls are not around, he said."

Here's another site that offers information about girls learning styles and the pros of single-sex schools.

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Since 1983 part-time Tahoe resident Sondra Napell began the Senior Tutors for Youth program to mentor and teach troubled teens in the San Fransisco Bay area. In 2006 a group of retirees will expand the mentoring program to help teenagers in the Truckee area. The North Lake Tahoe Bonanza reports about a great program that incorporates the days when generations of families lived together and took part in raising children. The teens get to talk to older people who aren't their parents and may be able to see things from a different point of view, while the seniors get to help and stay active. It would be wonderful to see more programs like this around the country.

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Interesting editorial on teen drinking in the Desert Sun.

"During the past few weeks, the Coachella Valley has experienced several very public incidents involving high school students and alcohol. These events have been the topic of discussion in media outlets, schools and our homes. Without question, these situations have caused us to analyze our roles and responsibilities as parents, educators and community leaders."

Another site with good information on teen drinking and substance abuse also has some self-tests to see if your kid has an issue.

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Public school systems throughout the country are discussing proposals to help students that struggle in traditional settings including same-sex schools and extended-year high schools. The News Record in Greensboro, North Carolina, reports that ideas include:

Turning elementary schools into all-boys and all-girls schools with students required to wear uniforms. Neighborhood students who did not want to attend either school would be able to opt out to a designated school.

The changes are being introduced because students have failed to meet federal testing goals for the last three years. Before the Board of Educations makes any decisions, they will need answers to several questions to questions, including what research says about single-gender schools and what other steps will be taken, other than separating the students by gender, to help the studends and the schools improve. Most research out there says that students, especially girls, perform far and away better when in a single-gender school.

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Here's a recent article from newsleader.com about how students are better able to focus on their studies while at boarding school. Instead of going to school for all the social aspects, students at boarding schools are able to concentrate on academics, goals, and their futures.

For boarding students, free time is a bit more confined to group activities, except on the weekends, when the girls can sign out for three-hour time blocks. But none seemed to feel they were missing much by going away to school. The teens said the boarding experience creates a bond among fellow students that develops into a sort of sisterhood.

While boarding schools have a distinguished history of educating students, teachers and administrators say they still have to overcome stereotypes about they types of children who are sent away to boarding school.

"I thought they (boarding schools) were for bad people," said Olisa Okoh, a sophomore from New York. "My grandmother was looking for a boarding school for me. I didn't think she was serious."

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This article from the Maryland Gazette notes how parents are choosing smaller, private schools over public schools becuase they offer so much more than public schools can.

The number one reason parents give for considering a private school is size. Theyre looking for smaller classes, a smaller school community and individual
attention.

Another reason parents consider when thinking about sending their children to private school are the social issues such as same-sex education or religious orientation.

And becuase private school tuition can be expensive, student financial aid is increasing to keep pace with costs and to achieve a more diverse student body.

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This sounds like a great way to get girls interested in the fields of math, science and engineering.

An all-girls team recently competed at the Oakland County Competitive Robotics Association female competition at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan. The Detroit News reports,

Each year, Oakland County's Competitive Robotics Association dedicates the last tournament of the season to a female-only contest.

"We have learned that robotics competitions are a proven way to enthusiastically engage students in math, science, engineering and technology, and girls are still underrepresented in these promising career fields," Krolicki said.

There are also private boarding schools for girls that also emphasizes math, science and technology and specializes in teaching to girls only.

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