SUGGESTIONS FOR BUILDING ASSETS

Asset # 5- Caring School Climate

(People at school care about each other and help each other succeed.)

To Build Asset #5 Parents and Extended Family Can . . .

* Let teachers know you value and support them. Their care and concern for students will increase as a result of feeling valued.

* Keep in touch with teachers and administrators. If concern arises, talk with them to work on it.

* Check in with your children frequently about their feelings about school.

* Encourage children to share with others, for instance, books, or toys.

* Help out with assemblies and other events the school or PTA sponsors that help make it a caring, warm place for students.

* Spend time at the school, and visit with students and staff as you go about your activities there.

* Volunteer in the schools, and get involved with students in a positive way, whether or not you have children there.

Simple Ways to Help Kids

Three things that parents and extended family can do:

1. Learn the school song together.

2. Set goals with them, believe in them, and answer their questions.

3. Notice their growth and changes. Respect their choices.

Youth will care how much their teachers know, only after they know how much their teachers care.

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 24% of youth surveyed by Search Institute have this asset in their lives.*

*Based on Search Institute surveys of almost 100,000 6th to 12th grade youth throughout the United States