A recent survey conducted by the Eastern Michigan University School of Social Work revealed a disturbing trend in Detroit schools. A significant number of children in Grades 6-12 admitted having consumed alcohol, used tobacco products, or smoked marijuana. In fact, the number of students attending Detroit schools who have sought treatment for drug abuse is on the rise.

Growing up in today’s society is not easy. As the pace of modern life gets faster and faster, some of our young people feel left out or left behind. Despite our best efforts to teach children that using drugs is not the way to be accepted or feel better about themselves, for some reason students attending Detroit schools are still feeling the need to experiment with these substances. Let’s encourage these students to talk about their feelings and let’s make a point of really listening to them. It’s not always easy to make time for our children; it seems as if there are always a number of chores to be done or problems to be dealt with. Whether the children are attending Detroit schools or not, they need to have at least one person in their life who accepts them as they are and makes them feel important.

All members of the Detroit schools’ community should be looking out for each other. The “Just Say No” message about using drugs and alcohol is a good one, but not all those attending Detroit schools are getting the message. The best scenario would be if none of the students tried these substances, but that is not realistic. Using drugs and/or alcohol is a problem in itself, but it is also a symptom of a larger problem. Young people spend more time at school with their teachers and peers than they do with their parents. The people who are interacting with them every day are in a unique position to identify students attending Detroit schools who are or who may become addicts.

Detroit Schools are offering tips for parents and students taking tests. Tests, regular and standardized, are supposed to accurately measure how well a child has mastered his or her subjects in school. However, Detroit Schools also understand how stressful a test can be on some children and so they’re giving parents and students ideas on how to help prepare for test day. Yes, parents can help. Many parents are under the ridiculously false assumption that they aren’t able to help their child with homework or to prepare for a test. Of course, this couldn’t be more wrong.

In the weeks before a test, parents should be asking to see their child’s homework assignments. Parents should sit down with their children and discuss the reasons why he or she thinks they are getting the questions wrong. Parents should help children not just with answers to the questions but how those answers were arrived at. When a parent is stumped too, call the teacher. Detroit Schools have gone to lengths ensuring that all on their teaching staff are highly qualified. Parents of Detroit students should not hesitate to call and ask questions regarding their child’s progress.

Parents can also make sure that their child has adequate space to do homework in a quiet and well lit area. A rule of thumb for home work, depending upon age is 20 minutes of study for each hour of class 5 days a week through Jr. High. In High School that number increases to 30 minutes. Friday and Saturday nights can be rest nights with Sunday through Thursday nights being study nights. Effort and accountability are key lessons parents can teach their children. Detroit Schools recommend that parents give lots of praise for a job well done. The younger the child, the more he is actively seeking parental approval.

On the day of the test, Detroit Schools recommend that parents make sure their child is well rested and well fed with a hearty breakfast. Studies have shown that a student who has eaten breakfast performs better on tests. Also parents should be sure that the student arrives to school on time and is calm and relaxed. Reassure him that everything will go well and that he or she is ready. Also parents should re assure that as long as their child has done their best, everything will turn out alright. Detroit Schools will take it from there! Detroit Schools wants parents to ask their children questions about the test. If the student marked a question wrong but knows the right answer, there might be an underlying problem. Concerned parents should contact their teacher. Detroit Schools welcomes calls to teachers, principals, or counselors in order to resolve any problems.