Why Parent Involvement Matters in Middle and High School 

The transition to middle school can be particularly challenging. Students face new academic expectations, more teachers, changing social structures and significant physical and emotional changes. These transitions can contribute to stress, disconnection from school and lower academic performance. 

High school brings another layer of complexity. Students are increasingly responsible for their own education, but the consequences of academic choices can become much bigger: course selection, grades, credits, extracurricular activities, college or career planning and decisions about their future. 

Sometimes the most important thing a parent can do is notice that something has changed. 

Kids Hope Alliance wants to remind parents that sometimes the most important thing a parent can do is notice that something has changed. You don’t have to attend every school event or understand every assignment your child brings home. But there are simple ways to stay connected: 

1. Know the basics. Stay informed about who your child’s teachers are, how to access the portal, important school dates, and who to contact when there’s a problem. 

2. Have a weekly school check-in. Celebrate accomplishments. Ask about upcoming assignments, tests, or projects. Ask if there is anything they find difficult.

3. Help them prepare and get organized for the week. Establish a weekend routine for preparing for Monday. Check the school calendar. Make sure they have the supplies and materials they need. Help them prioritize assignments.

4. Look at grades together. Approach grade check-ins as a shared conversation rather than a confrontation. Talk about what’s going well and what’s proving challenging, brainstorm strategies for improvement, and let your student know you’re there to support them in reaching their goals.

5. Encourage them to communicate with teachers. Encourage them to ask if they do not understand an assignment.

6. Stay connected beyond academics. Ask about friends, their hobbies, watch a movie. Do something together. 

Parents, although your kids are getting older, that doesn’t mean you should take a hands-off approach. Your child’s needs change as they grow. Continue to check in with them and support them throughout their middle and high school years. For resources on supporting your family, check below: 

Family Partnership and Engagement 

The Role of Parental Involvement 

Family Engagement Challenges  

KHA “Back‑to‑School Boost Team Challenge!”

KHA Employees were in teams of 4 or 5 to help our KHA kids, teachers, and principals gear up for a fresh new year. We showed them how much their community cares with teamwork, creativity, and a whole lot of heart! The Team for Biltmore Elementary made the impact that the KHA Board Members decided were the "Winners." Great job to all of the teams and the impact made on the schools they assisted.

We want to send a special recognition to our Employee of the Month, Chandra Brown Congratulations and keep up the great work!

Thank you for being our partner in creating a safer, more vibrant community for our youngest citizens here in Jacksonville. We look forward to further collaboration and celebration of the difference we make, hand in hand.



Children sometimes, have a hard time reading, spelling, or recognizing words. It could be the way their brains process language. Parents and caregivers, if you have concerns about your kids, then a neuropsychological evaluation may be helpful. It can identify strengths, challenges, and you can give your child the support you need. If you are interested in an evaluation, click here.

The Giving Project is looking for volunteers to help with assembling care packages for local students. These packages will contain clothing, hygiene products, and other essentials. They are looking for people to volunteer on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00am to noon and from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. To sign up, click here.

Help Florida build a more resilient state by volunteering as a resiliency coach. You can help build students' skills to overcome challenges. Florida is taking a first-of-its kind approach to reframe mental health to help children become resilient.

To become a resiliency coach, you must meet the volunteer screening requirements with the local school district and complete an online 4-hour volunteer practicum. To sign up, click here.

Young photographers, this is your time to shine!! Kids age 4 to 15 are invited to participate in the APE Studio Playground Photo Contest, where they will capture fun, imagination, and adventure of the Riverfront Plaza Playground.

Jacksonville is only one of five cities nationwide selected to be part of this exciting project. Grab your camera or phone, get creative, and snap away!

The winner will receive a miniature animal sculpture, a feature in APE Studio's inaugural publication on play design and social media, and a copy of the publication.

The deadline to submit is September 29th. To enter, click here.

Open enrollment is now open for families who want to enroll their children into a Florida Prepaid plan. They have affordable monthly payments to designed to fit any goal or budget to help parents and caregivers save for college. To sign your kids up for a plan, click here.

Searching for something to do this weekend? Check out Jacksonville's event page. It has tons of events from the Jacksonville Icemen games to the Jax Symphony to Ritz Museum After Dark.

For a list of events happening around town, click here.

A new app created for teens by teens. I'm A Star students created EmpowerMe, to aid in their mental health. The app provides daily affirmations and offers mini games to foster in teens' mental health. The app is available in the App Store and Google Play. For more information, click here.

The Florida Department of Children and Families announced a statewide youth advisory board, which is a youth-led self-standing group made up of youth and young adults with Lived Experience in Florida's child welfare system. Members from across the state bring their unique voices, stories, and expertise to help shape the policies and programs that impact youth and young adults across the state.

The Statewide Youth Advisory Board works to:

• Promote participation
• Establish a structured partnership
• Equip young adults
• Develop leadership skills
• Improve communication
• Maintain independence
• Incorporate youth perspectives

Membership is exclusively composed of youth and young adults with lived experience in Florida's child welfare system, including out-of-home care, adoption, or independent living programs administered by the Department of Children and Families.

If you are interested in becoming a member, fill out the membership interest form.

Buddy's Place is part of the 3 Grains of Rice Missions range of services. They are a bridge to helping those who need medical equipment. They can pick up equipment that is no longer needed, or they can provide you with the necessary medical equipment that you need. Donations are tax deductible. If you are in need or have equipment you no longer use, contact 3 Grains of Rice Missions at 904-534-0674 or 904-742-3054.

Transportation is vital for accessing essential services. United Way's Ride Unlimited Program bridges this gap with those who are in need. United Way has partnered with Lyft to enable 211 callers to request transportation to an essential location and receive a ride for free or at a discounted rate. Since its launch in 2018, more than 500,000 rides have been completed. All you have to do is call 211 for assistance, they will check for resources, and a ride will arrive. For more information, click here.

Mayor's Transparency Dashboards

As a continued effort to provide transparency across the city, we have created the Mayor’s Transparency Dashboards. With these Dashboards, we hope to give citizens the chance to see how our resources are being used in our day-to-day lives.

By providing these Dashboards "at a glance," we hope to tell the narratives that make the City of Jacksonville what it is today. From the volunteers and adopters who help our furry friends at Animal Care and Protective Services, to those who help to push our industry and homes forward in a new streamlined process with Permitting, to Public Works who keeps our city beautiful and clean, to helping our readers exceed our reading goals with River City Readers, you can see just how much work truly goes into our city.

With our combined efforts, we can bring to light a NEW DAY for the City of Jacksonville.

Hurricane season starts June 1st and forecasters are predicting a below-normal season. It is still recommended to prepare you and your families in case of an emergency. Protect your property from wind, flood, and storm surge, and check on your flood insurance. For more tips, check out the Jax Ready page.

Microsoft for Nonprofits Grant

Eligibility Requirements: Nonprofits or non-governmental organizations, public libraries, and public museums

Length of eligibility: Two years

Type of grants: Software, Cloud Services, and Subscriptions

Description: Microsoft provides grants and discounted solutions to eligible nonprofits. The nonprofits must provide relief to the poor, advance education, improve social welfare, preserve culture, restore the environment, promote human rights, and/or establish civil society.

For more information on how to apply, click here.

Family Support Group

Additional Resources

Northwest Behavioral Health Services

2392 Edgewood Ave., N

Jacksonville, FL 32254

www.nwbh.org

Counseling, Psychiatric & Medication Management..........................904-781-7797 (Adults)

Targeted Case Management Services..............................................904-781-0600 (Children)

Trauma Crisis Support Hotline & Mobile Services........................................1-833-987-2682

Students are required by law to attend school regularly. When students miss too many days, they become in danger of truancy. Students who miss five days within a calendar month or 10 days in a 90-day period are considered truant by the Duval County School district. Students and parents can face serious consequences.

Parents, the district wants to support you in getting your child to school every day. Here's what you can do to ensure your child has great attendance:



• Make school attendance a priority. Create and maintain daily routines, such as homework, picking out school clothes the night before, and creating a backup plan to get your child to school in case an emergency comes up.
• Keep your child engaged in school. Talk to your child about school bullies, behavioral issues, and school policies, as these can be some reasons why kids do not want to go to school. Also, see what type of after-school programs they would want to be a part of.
• Communicate with the school. Monitor your child's academic progress and reach out to your child's teachers with any concerns.

Attendance allows students to put their best foot forward on the path to success. If children are not at school, they miss out on the fundamentals of learning. Click here for more information about attendance.

United Way of NEFL Volunteerism

Get Involved. Make a Difference.