Parent Resources

Mark down test days on your calendar so you and your child are both aware of testing dates.   Check that your child is on top of all homework and reading assignments; this will help make sure your child is prepared for the test. Families can log in to the Parent Portal to review assignments and grades.   Encourage your child to space out studying and homework assignments, so he or she isn’t cramming or stressed the night before a test. Use positive language. Avoid telling your child that tests are critical and that s/he must do well. Instead, focus on telling your child s/he is prepared and to just do his or her best. When parents are anxious about assessments, students' anxiety rises.

Use positive ​language that promotes the importance of the test, but also let them know that you are proud of them when they do their best. ​

​More Than a Score. These tests provide our teachers, administrators and the state with an assessment of a student's ability in the tested area. But families should remember that tests are not a measure of a child's worth, or even a measure of all a child knows about a subject. They're a snapshot, taken at one time on one day. Our students are all much more than a number on a test; that's why we focus on Challenge, Character and Community.

Union Academy wants to thank Wingate University Professor Karen Dunn and her students for their great presentation on social media, video games and digital literacy. 

• Social Media, Video Games and American Youth

It's critical to monitor your child's online presence, but it's tough to have those conversations. Check out this presentation for help.

• Online Safety

School shootings and other high-profile acts of violence can confuse and frighten children. We know our families – and our students – are impacted by the 24-hour coverage on the news, Internet and on social media. We also know it’s hard to talk to our children when this happens, so we are providing these age-appropriate tips from the National Association of School Psychologists. Our school counselors are also available to talk to you or your children if you need additional support.

1. Reassure children that they are safe.　Emphasize that schools are very safe. Validate their feelings. Explain that all feelings are okay when a tragedy occurs. Let children talk about their feelings, help put them into perspective, and assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately.
    
2. Make time to talk.　Let their questions be your guide as to how much information to provide. Be patient; children and youth do not always talk about their feelings readily. Watch for clues that they may want to talk, such as hovering around while you do the dishes or yard work. Some children prefer writing, playing music, or doing an art project as an outlet. Young children may need concrete activities (such as drawing, looking at picture books, or imaginative play) to help them identify and express their feelings.
    
3. Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate.
   
   Early elementary school children need brief, simple information that should be balanced with reassurances that their school and homes are safe and that adults are there to protect them. Give simple examples of school safety like reminding children about exterior doors being locked, child monitoring efforts on the playground, and emergency drills practiced during the school day.
   
   Upper elementary and early middle school children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what is being done at their school. They may need assistance separating reality from fantasy. Discuss efforts of school and community leaders to provide safe schools.
   
   Upper middle school and high school students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence in schools and society. They will share concrete suggestions about how to make school safer and how to prevent tragedies in society. Emphasize the role that students have in maintaining safe schools by following school safety guidelines (e.g. not providing building access to strangers, reporting strangers on campus, reporting threats to the school safety made by students or community members, etc.), communicating any personal safety concerns to school administrators, and accessing support for emotional needs.
    
4. Review safety procedures.　This should include procedures and safeguards at school and at home. Help children identify at least one adult at school and in the community to whom they go if they feel threatened or at risk.
    
5. Observe children’s emotional state.　Some children may not express their concerns verbally. Changes in behavior, appetite, and sleep patterns can also indicate a child’s level of anxiety or discomfort. In most children, these symptoms will ease with reassurance and time. However, some children may be at risk for more intense reactions. Children who have had a past traumatic experience or personal loss, suffer from depression or other mental illness, or with special needs may be at greater risk for severe reactions than others. Seek the help of mental health professional if you are at all concerned.
    
6. Limit television viewing of these events.　Limit television viewing and be aware if the television is on in common areas. Developmentally inappropriate information can cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young children. Adults also need to be mindful of the content of conversations that they have with each other in front of children, even teenagers, and limit their exposure to vengeful, hateful, and angry comments that might be misunderstood. 
    
7. Maintain a normal routine.　Keeping to a regular schedule can be reassuring and promote physical health. Ensure that children get plenty of sleep, regular meals, and exercise. Encourage them to keep up with their schoolwork and extracurricular activities but don’t push them if they seem overwhelmed.

• Talking To Children About Violence

Family/school partnerships are key for student success, and one of the top ways to build those partnerships is with successful parent-teacher conferences. This is a time for parents/guardians and teachers to share important information, discuss and challenges and form relationships focused on ensuring student success.

Click on the link to view and print the UA guide to great conferences.

• UA Guide to Great Parent-Teacher Conferences

We want you to know the safety of our students and staff is always our top priority. Our campus security system allows us to closely monitor who has access to our buildings, but it only works if ALL students, staff and visitors do their part. With that in mind, please remind your children to ALWAYS wear their student I.D. badges to school and to never prop the doors open on campus.

We welcome and depend on family involvement at school, but please remember, if you are visiting either campus, always go to the front office to sign in to the LobbyGuard system. Make sure your visitor sticker is visible at all times. For safety reasons, you must be escorted to your campus destination by a staff member during every visit.

Finally, if you or your students ever see or hear anything suspicious related to a student, our school, or anything else of concern, please report it to administration or the police immediately. It is better to be overcautious than to dismiss something that could potentially lead to tragedy.