Family Engagement Program
North East Independent School District
Why do Teenage Boys Need Structure?
Helping teenage boys presents some interesting and unique challenges, including how to help them manage their time. By the teen years, boys have begun to explore activities that interest them on their own time. We spend a lot of time, as parents, trying to channel the energy of boys when they are younger, finding activities they can enjoy, learn from, and possibly excel in. Whether it is sports or computers, drawing or cooking, boys need activity. By the time they become teenagers, though, they are frequently deep into activities, progressing along in sports by being on several teams, or taking apart and rebuilding computers in their own time. Most adolescents find that school takes up the majority of their day. Add in after school activities, homework, some sleep and family time, these teenagers frequently have more to fill their day than most adults. And while these activities can seem overwhelming to both teenage boys and their parents, it is important to remember that teenage boys need structure, and these activities are teaching them life lessons about how to best manage their time. Here are five reasons why teenage boys need structure:
1) Time management
2 ) Lack of structure tends to equal trouble
3) The structure of various activities helps boys figure out what they enjoy
4) Structure creates self-discipline
5) Structure could help protect against anxiety and depression
Click here to read the entire article Psychology Today
Adapted from Psychology Today, Boys will be Boys, Lee Bare Ph.D.
Great Summer Camp Opportunites
NEISD Career & Technical Education Department offers various summer camps for middle school and high school students. These camps include: Construction Camp, Culinary Arts/Management Camp, Fashion Design/Interior Camp, Healthcare Professionals Camp, Video Game Design Camp, Leadership in Law Camp, Investor Challenge Camp and SASTEMIC Camps.
Please visit https://www.neisd.net/Page/20642 for more information and application deadlines. For additional questions, you may call Missy Hemphill at (210)407-0294 or email mhemph1@neisd.net.
Brunch and Learn-Ready, Set, Go!
Ready, Set, Go! Ready, Set, Go!
Off to Kindergarten School readiness involves much more than counting and letter recognition. Summer is an important time to strengthen all the areas of development necessary for success.
Learn all about reading strategies, reading resources and skills that your student can build over the summer to have a successful kinder year!
Date: Tuesday, April 2
Time: 9:00am-10:00am
Location: Canyon Ridge Elementary School
For more information, call Veronica Villegas at (210)407-1639 or email vville@neisd.net
NEISD Community Resource Fair
Join us at this free community event that will bring together parents, students, teachers, community agencies, and other organizations in an effort to provide valuable information to all of our NEISD families. Participants will enjoy:
-Interactive activities for all family members
-Information on various summer camp opportunities
-Photo opportunities with First Responders
-Lots of great door prizes
-Great music
-Entertainment and special guests from Churchill, Johnson, LEE, MacArthur, Madison, Reagan, & Roosevelt
-Free food and drinks (while supplies last)
Date: Friday, May 17
Time: 5:00pm-8:00pm
Location: LEE High School
1400 Jackson Keller Road 78213
For more information, call Shauna Abrego at (210)356-7437 or email sabreg@neisd.net
Early Childhood-Language Development
Children begin learning language as soon as they are born. Research shows children learn more words and are more prepared for school if they hear a lot of words and are encouraged to talk from the time they are babies. Not all babies and toddlers learn language in the same way or at the same pace. But you can help your child develop language with three basic principles.
-Set the stage for communication. Pay attention to what your child is doing and get down at eye level so your child can see and hear you.
-Talk to your baby as much as possible. The more words a baby hears the better. Talk about what's going around you and what you are doing together. Name emotions, tell stories, describe events, sing songs, and play games.
-Encourage your child to talk. Acknowledge your child when he or she smiles, gestures, makes sounds, or says words. Encourage your child to communicate more by asking questions and giving choices. For a fun activity, see how long you and your child can keep your conversation going.
If you are worried about your child's language development, talk to your child's doctor.
-Adapted from Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
HelpandHope.org
Pre-K Academy at West Avenue-Registration Open
The Pre-K Academy at West Avenue is now enrolling for full-day prekindergarten. NEISD Parents who will have a four-year-old student in the 2019-2020 school year are encouraged to visit the following website to complete an application: https://www.neisd.net/Page/23106
For more information please call Norma Coronado at (210)407-0331 or email ncoron1@neisd.net
Learn How to Utilize Google Docs
Join us as we venture into the world of "Google Docs". What is it? How can it help me and my children with school work and personal business? Participants will learn the basic terminology, how to create your account, and much more.
Date: Wednesday, April 17
Time: 9:00am-10:00am
Location: Montgomery Elementary School
7047 Montgomery Drive 78239
For more information, call Dr. Glendelia Zavala at (210)407-5034 or email gzaval@neisd.net.
Mindfulness Practices for Families
Mindfulness is the psychological process of bringing one's attention to experiences occurring in the present moment, which one can develop through the practice of meditation and through other training. Join us to learn these easy to use and practical exercises. Register online at https://goo.gl/forms/tajGQbDhIg1TBM8J2
Date: Friday, April 12
Time: 9:00am-11:00am
Location: NEISD Ferrari Center
107 W. Rampart 78216
For more information, call Melissa Cerda at (210)356-7456 or email mcasti8@neisd.net.
Free Microsoft Office for NEISD Students
Free Microsoft Office!
Did you know that NEISD students over the age of 13 are eligible to install the Microsoft Office suite of apps onto a personal device for FREE while they are a student at NEISD? In order to install, follow these steps:
Sign up at office.com/getoffice365
Log in with NEISD username and password (*username must include “@stu.neisd.net” at the end)
Verify eligibility
Navigate to download page
Install Office 365 ProPlus
For further questions, you may call the NEISD Help Desk at (210)356-3375.
Paving the Road to Wisdom
Teaching kids about consequences and allowing them to learn from their mistakes will not only help kids make better choices in the future, but it will also help build confidence in themselves. The focus of the training will be on learning ways to teach responsibility through “affordable” mistakes and strategies for setting reasonable expectations.
Date: Monday, April 1
Time: 9:00am-11:00am
OR
Date: Thursday, April 18
Time: 9:00am-11:00am
Location: Clear Spring Elementary School
4311 Clear Spring 78217
For more information, call Roxana Gutierrez-Garcia at (210)407-2034 or email rgutie5@neisd.net.
BCFS Strenthening Families classes
Parents can learn how to help their child become successful learners and responsible individuals by obtaining wonderful parenting strategies that have been proven to be effective. Parents will walk away with sample contracts, routine sheets, and many more handouts to take home and put into good use with their children.
In addition, some of the topics will include:
Learning stress busters
Listen, Understand, Validate
Setting up positive routines
Use bonding, boundaries and monitoring skills to keep kids from alcohol and drugs
Dates: Thursdays, April 4, 11
Time: 9:00am-11:00am
Location: Harmony Hills School
10727 Memory Lane 78216
For more information, call Lupe Negley at (210)407-3838 or email gnegle@neisd.net.
Savor Spain-Field Trip for Parents
The San Antonio Symphony concludes its Spring Festival by highlighting Spain, featuring San Antonio’s very own Guadalupe Dance Company. The program features Bizet's Carmen Suite No. 1, Bernstein's Mambo from West Side Story, Falla's El Amor Brujo and more.
Date: Thursday, April 11
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Location: LEE High School
1400 Jackson-Keller 78213
Participants must register with LEE Family Specialists before April 4th to secure a free ticket. For more information, call Alicia Walker at (210)356-0847 or Diana Esquivel-Guajardo at (210)356-0888 or email awalke9@neisd.net.
Family Specialist Spotlight
Martha Diaz is proud to be an NEISD Family Specialist. She joined the district in 2008 and knew instantly that she was meant to be an advocate for families. She highly enjoys building connections and offering support to parents and students. Martha was raised in Eagle Pass, TX and moved to California after high school graduation. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Long Beach. Martha had a previous career in Southern California as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, where she had a successful business for many years. After living in California for 20 years, she returned to Texas. Being a Family Specialist has allowed Martha to utilize her counseling background in conjunction with being an advocate for families. Additionally, she offers many resources, educational workshops, including English as a second language classes, and provides unconditional support to families. Martha is also a huge proponent of higher education, so it was no surprise that she returned to college and earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from UTSA. Currently, Martha is excited to be the new Family Specialist at both Driscoll and Harris Middle Schools. Martha and her husband Carlos have been married for 28 years. They have two children and two fur babies. Their daughter attends Texas A&M University in College Station and their son is a high school senior. They all love movies, music, the beach, traveling, and enjoy many family trips together.
NEISD Family Engagement Program
Email: adomin3@neisd.net
Website: www.neisd.net/familyengagement
Location: 8961 Tesoro Drive, San Antonio, TX, United States
Phone: (210)407-0118
Twitter: @NEISDfam