Other Issues

Snowplow, velcro, and helicopter really are synonyms describing parents who try very hard to manage their children's lives. While I have written about velcro parents, I was amused and, at the same time, disheartened to discover this new, pejorative term for parents who won't let their kids be stand-alone adults, namely, snowplow parents.

Helicopter parents are real. They exist. You probably even know a couple of them. I encountered a helicopter parent years ago when I was managing a call center in Raleigh, North Carolina. We were interviewing candidates for account manager positions. The candidate in question made it through the screening interview but failed the interview with the sales managers. The next day the candidate's mother showed up in our lobby demanding to know why we would not employ her son. He was 24 years old! Needless to say, she was not successful in getting her son a job with us. I was appalled that a parent would act that way.

As a school teacher, I also encountered my share of what I would describe charitably as concerned parents. At least they kept their distance. My late wife and I acted in the same way with our children's teachers and other adults they dealt with in their daily lives. Yes, we heard tales of woe about Miss So-and-So or heard how mean Mr. S. the soccer coach was. But we kept our distance. We gave advice and guidance. But our kids had to sort things out on

As a young person, I can remember being told that I had to go to college. My mother had finished high school. Dad flunked out of first-year engineering. World War II was raging. They signed up in the Royal Canadian Air Force. That experience shaped their adult lives in profound ways. That's really what a college education should be about. It can shape lives in profound ways. To make sure that happens you must consider five metrics when choosing a college. Yes, there are more than five metrics involved in selecting the right college, however, let's keep it simple for the moment. Choosing a college can be an overwhelming process.

I am assuming that your child is in a private school with grades 9-12 or 13. That being the case, you will have the advantage of a professional guidance counselor to help you choose the best college for your child. Instead of dealing with hundreds of seniors as a public school guidance counselor does, your school's guidance counselor will be able to allocate enough time to help you with the process of choosing the right college. You can enhance the process further by hiring an education consultant. We did that for one of our daughters and it was worth every dollar we spent.

These are the metrics that I recommend that you discuss and explore thoroughly as you search for the right college for your child. Please include your child in the discussions. She will not appreciate

When you send your child to a private day or boarding school, you might well assume that bullying is a non-issue. You have read the school's discipline code. You understand the consequences for major infractions of that discipline code. In the McCallie Student Handbook, "Hazing or mistreating another person, whether it is mental, physical, or emotional" is a major infraction. Private schools take discipline code infractions such as bullying, intimidation, harassment and so on, very seriously. Perhaps you still have concerns about what might happen if your child is bullied and nobody in the school community notices. Let's review five ways to protect your child from bullying.

Be able to identify the types of bullying.

Start by reading an informative article such as Sherri Gordon's 6 Types of Bullying Every Parent Should Know About. If you grew up before computers and the internet flourished, you probably think that bullying is threatening somebody physically. But it is now much more than that. Bullying lurks in the digital corners of your child's online life. Learn about those dark spaces. Understand them. Talk about them with your child. Your child's well-being, indeed, her life, is at stake.

Know the warning signs of bullying.

Read Warning Signs of Bullying on Violence Prevention Works! I can speak from my personal experience because I was bullied when I was in 6th grade. What made it rough for me was that my neighbor across the street was the bullier. He was bigger than

As you journey through high school, it's easy to get caught up in the daily routine of classes, homework, and extracurricular activities. However, there are certain experiences and skills that can greatly enhance your educational experience and prepare you for success beyond graduation.

Have you seen some of those lists?

Some of those lists have titles like * 50 Things You Must Do Before You Graduate From College *.

• I like the idea of lists. It keeps me focused. However, some of those lists I read made me wonder what on earth they were thinking.
• With tuition and fees running $80,000 or more at a private college, I thought that most of the items were a total waste of time and effort.
• Consequently, I offer the following 10 worthwhile things to do before you graduate from private school.

1. Earn strong SAT scores.

This assumes that you are attending a school that prepares you for the SAT, one of the standardized tests that you take as part of getting admitted to college.

• The SAT, just like other standardized tests, tests your knowledge gained over several years.
• While you can certainly take a couple of practice tests to get a feel for the test and work to the clock, really, the best preparation for the SAT is your day-by-day conscientious learning.
• You cannot cram preparation for the SAT.

This video offers some strategies for critical reading.

Parental involvement has long been a cornerstone of student success. In 2026, that involvement has evolved beyond traditional volunteering to include digital engagement, collaborative partnerships, and active participation in school communities.

Research continues to show that students perform better academically and socially when parents are engaged in their education. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, schools with strong family engagement report higher attendance rates and improved student outcomes.

This guide outlines practical, modern ways to get involved in your child’s school while adapting to today’s educational landscape.

Why Parental Involvement Matters More Than Ever

While the benefits of parental involvement are well established, recent developments have made it even more critical:

Increased Focus on Whole-Child Development

Schools are emphasizing not just academics, but also emotional well-being, social skills, and character development. Parent participation reinforces these efforts at home.

Greater Use of Digital Communication

Parent-teacher communication now often happens through apps, portals, and virtual meetings, making it easier, and sometimes expected, for families to stay involved.

Expanded School Choice Options

With more families exploring private education, involvement can also help parents better understand school culture and fit. Resources like https://www.privateschoolreview.com/blog/volunteering-at-your-childrens-private-school highlight how strong school communities often include active parent participation.

Understanding the Different Ways to Get Involved

Parental involvement is not one-size-fits-all. It can range from simple communication to leadership roles within the school.

At-Home Engagement

The most consistent and impactful involvement often happens at home. Parents can:

• Establish structured homework routines
• Encourage reading and