By  Richard Bromfield

Parents can aspire to raise children to be good citizens of strong character.  Raising children who are honest is the key to that goal.   Here are several tips for fostering honesty in children.
*   Create room for candor.   Welcome your child’s thoughts and feelings.  Make family and dinner time a chance for your child to grow his/her authentic voice.
*   Seek to understand.  When you catch your child in an untruth, strive to hear his/her story.   Try to grasp what fears led your child to believe that he/she could not tell the truth.
*   Hold your child responsible.   Firm, fair consequences and limits teach what scolding cannot.  Do not allow your child to use cute distortion of the truth to wiggle his/her way out of life.
*   Discuss honesty.   Talk about truth with your child.   Use words and concepts he/she can understand.  Invite him/her to think about what honesty means for trust and relationships.
*   Model honesty.   Children admire their parents and want to be like them.   Acknowledge your words and behaviors.   Let you child see you admit mistakes.
*   Beware of hypocrisy.  Children notice when parents preach one thing and live another.   Your well-meaning white lies can teach your child to spin the truth.  Strive to be honest, even if it means you’ll face difficult consequences.
*   Teach rather than rebuke.   Inspire and encourage your child to want to be honest.  Harsh punishment or calling him a liar may make you feel better for a moment but likely will not change your child’s behavior.
Being honest is a lifelong enterprise that begins early.  Use every opportunity to nurture and grow your child’s honesty.

Bromfield is a psychologist on the faculty of Harvard Medical School and author of “How to Unspoil Your Child Fast” .
The above article was printed in American Profile

 

November 10, 2011

*   White Oak Middle School will be participating in our District UIL Academic competition on December 6 and 7 at Harmony Junior High School.    Students participating will leave school around 11:30 on the day they compete.   If you need additional information, please contact our campus UIL Coordinator Mr. Scott.  [email protected] or 903-291-2073.
*    The teachers are having an extremely difficult time with students not turning in homework assignments.   If  students do not have their assignment on the due date; those assignments will be accepted the next day for a maximum grade of a 70.  After that day, a zero will be recorded in the gradebook and the work will not be accepted.   Tutorials are scheduled each day from 7:40-8:00.  The intent is not to complete all homework assignments but to get assistance with specific questions.       Grades and consequences for not turning in assignments (including summer school or being retained in the current grade) have been addressed with our students numerous times. Our goal is for your child to be successful. Each of our staff works to bring this goal to fruition.  Please refer to our handbook for further information on grades, report cards, and participation in extracurricular activities.
*   Texas Education Agency new state assessment, STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) has replaced TAKS.   The STAAR will be more rigorous than previous state tests. It will contain more test questions at most grade levels. The majority of new STAAR assessments will test material students studied that year. In contrast, TAKS high-school level tests were required by law to test content studied over multiple years. Also, for the first time since the state began its standardized testing program, the tests will have a time limit. Unless a student is eligible for an accommodation, each student will have four hours to complete each assessment.
*   Thank you for your assistance in not entering the drive in front of the middle school during the posted times.   It is designated for “Buses Only”.   Also, the drive directly behind the middle school is not an authorize area to pick up your student.   When cars are in these areas, there are potential safety issues.
*   E-mail is a great communication tool for both parents/guardians and teachers.  If you are interested in receiving e-mail from our child’s teacher, please take time to visit our website. (www.woisd.net) Click on the middle school link and search the Middle School Main Menu for links for our campus, including teacher lesson plans and assignments.
*   School picture re-takes will be next Tuesday, November 15.
*   It’s time again for our Fall Book Fair!  There are many new books and unique items at the fair this year.  Your child will come in during English class to shop.  Many items would make great Christmas stocking stuffers and exchange gifts for friends.  Items may be purchased with cash or checks.  Anyone student can come in to shop.  There are cookbooks, posters, crafts, pencils, pens, games, and much more.  All profits from the fair are used to purchase new reading material for our library.  The fair starts Monday, Nov. 14th and ends Friday, Nov. 18th.  Hours are 8 – 11 a.m. and 1 -3 p.m.
*   Thanksgiving holiday will be from November 23-25.   We will dismiss at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 22.   Christmas break will be December 19 through January 2.   Semester exams are scheduled for December 15 and 16.   As in the past, high school and middle school will dismiss early each day.
*   Friday, December 2:  All-Region Band Tryouts after school at Union Grove.  Contact Mr. Whatley for more information. (903-291-2060)
*   White Oak Middle School Choir Concert is scheduled for Thursday, December 8. Contact Mrs. Vinson for more details. (903-291-2051)
*   White Oak Middle School encourages our students and their families to be involved in extracurricular activities and support the various teams and programs.    However, many times students are dropped off for several hours without parent/guardian supervision.   It is during these times that problems may arise.   Once students enter the gym, stadium, auditorium they must stay inside.  Their student ID card (if applicable) allows admittance once per event.    The ID card does not allow for in/out privileges.  Proper behavior is expected at all events.  Please review our handbook and visit with your child about proper conduct at these events.
*   In emergency situations when a student must ride a different bus or be let off at another stop, parents/guardians must call the Transportation Department (903-291-2149) as early in the day as possible.   When calling, inform the office of the child’s name, caller’s name (parent/guardian only) and phone number, reason for change in ridership for that day, and drop off location.  All changes must originate from the child’s parent or legal guardian and include the above information.  A callback may be initiated.  To ensure the safety of our students, notes will not be accepted for this special arrangement.