NPD117 Hosts Successful Parent Night Event

Instilling healthy habits early in a child's life vastly improves their chances of success in school and in life, according to NPD117 social workers who were among those who presented during a recent Parent Night event at Conrady Junior High School.

Hickory Hills resident Malgosia Zak said she knows all about the importance of creating healthy habits as she has instilled them in her son Demetri since the 6-year-old was born. "We make sure he gets plenty of sleep and he eats healthy foods," she said. "He is active and gets lots of exercise.

"As he has gotten older we stress the importance of being in school everyday so he can learn," she said. "He loves coming to school. We talk to him all the time about the importance of being in school every single day."

D117 social workers Alice Alexander and Martha Turkington presented sessions on "Building Healthy Habits" and communicating the importance of regular school attendance.

Mrs. Alexander said students need healthy morning and bedtime routines, including going to bed at a set time each night so they get enough sleep. She added that children also need to eat nutritious meals and practice good hygiene, like brushing their teeth and taking baths.

She said students who don't get enough sleep are not functioning at peak levels. They can also experience hyperactivity, trouble focusing and, ultimately, struggle in school. Parents also need to monitor and limit access to their child's electronic devices in terms of what they are watching and positing.

Patricia Graczyk, a school psychologist and faculty member at the UIC Medical School, said regular school attendance is crucial because students learn much more than reading, writing and arithmetic.

Graczyk said schools teach many of the "soft" skills employers are seeking, including leadership and teamwork and critical-thinking and problem-solving. "Schools also teach social and emotional learning skills, language and communication skills and work-related skills," she said. "But you need to be in school to learn these skills. Talk to your kids now of the importance of getting a good job when they get older."

Graczyk said ask questions and establish a dialogue with your kids about their classes and how they are doing in school. "Show them that you care and that school and - THEY - are important."