L -D P

Parenting Long-Distance
Parenting your LSMSA student simply requires a certain amount of
advance planning.

Things that were simple to accomplish when your student was in

school just down the road from your home are likely to be a bit
more complicated.

Our rules also sometimes make things more complicated.

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Official Notes
The LSMSA Calendar
The 2017-2018 calendar is included in the Eagle Guidebook.

Plan for extended weekend and holiday dismissal and return days.
Review the dates of required weekends.
Special Projects Week is a graduation requirement.
All students are expected to attend Senior Recognition and Commencement
in May.
Transportation Logistics
The Economics Club Bus is a good option for many families.
Buy tickets as soon as they go on sale if depending on the bus.
Note times the bus will not run.
First Extended Weekend - Matriculation - no trip home offered
Other options include carpooling with other parents, driving your student to
and from school yourself, or allowing your student to drive or ride with
other students.
Overnight and School Trips
When leaving campus overnight, students must complete the online Overnight Trip
Request form.
Ms. Jackie contacts parents by phone or email regarding the students plans.
The form is not required if the parent is picking up the student.
SLAs handle this process on extended weekends.
Parents receive similar notification of school trips.
Ms. Jackie will call to obtain permission for overnight trips.
Ms. Jackie will email to provide notification of day trips in which a faculty or
staff member is serving as chaperone and providing transportation.
Day Trips
Students who bring vehicles to campus are not generally allowed to drive
except to and from home for overnight trips..
Unless using the earned driving privileges, students may drive only when
checking out to go home (or elsewhere) for an overnight stay on a weekend
night.
The same applies to students who are from Natchitoches.
Sudden Independence
Waking for class in the morning
Making good choices
Keeping up with their belongings
Managing money
Doing laundry
Keeping their room neat
Cooking for themselves
Getting schoolwork done
Getting sufficient sleep and exercise
Sign-out and curfew
Being where they are supposed to be
Time Management and Study Skills
Most students are not academically prepared for LSMSA.
Study Power and Expanded Orientation Opportunities
Most students will see an initial dip in grades and self-correct fairly quickly.
Students who do not meet certain academic benchmarks will be required to
attend supervised study hours.
Unfortunately, some students will find that LSMSA is not a good fit, but
most just need a bit of time to adjust. Be patient. Dont panic.
Absences
Absences from school must be approved in advance.
A student who misses a day of classes will receive an absence in each class
that is missed, not just one for the day.
Try to avoid scheduling appointments or events that will potentially require
the student to miss several classes.
Special Events
Four major dances require written permission (on a specific form) for
students who wish to drive their cars, ride with other students, or host a
guest from another school.
Certain events require special dress and the first takes place before the first
extended weekend. Students should arrive on campus in the fall with at
least one professional dress outfit.
Medication Policies
Controlled medications (such as ADHD or narcotic medication) must be
transported to and from school by an adult. We cannot check these
medications out to students and students should not bring them back to
school themselves.
Failure to turn in medications is a BIG DEAL and can result in expulsion.
Finances
Consider opening a checking account with a local bank so your student can
easily access cash when needed.
Bank of Montgomery ATM in the CPT, does not charge a fee for other
accounts, but the other bank may.
Not a good idea to keep large amounts of cash.
Prepaid credit cards are another good option.
Roommates
Whether students select their own roommate or are assigned a roommate,
it is often a difficult adjustment for some students.
SLAs can help with conflict mediation when problems arise, if students
notify the SLA that there is a problem.
Aside from a few scheduled room-change dates, changes will be considered
ONLY AFTER working through the mediation process.
Residence Hall Rooms
While its important to make the room comfortable, avoid bringing too
much, as the space will quickly become cluttered and messy. Review the list
of suggested items AND the list of prohibited items.
Maintenance requests are completed via an online form
Temperatures are difficult to maintain at a level that is comfortable to
everyone. Consider bringing a fan and several blankets.
Illness and Injury
Its likely that your student may need to see a doctor at some point while at
LSMSA.
If it is not an emergency situation, our nurse will call you to discuss logistics.
Depending on the diagnosis, you may be required to take your student
home for a certain period of time.
Consider setting up an account with a pharmacy in Natchitoches so you can
be billed if your student needs a prescription while at school.
Disciplinary Incidents
Teenagers sometimes make bad choices.
Most situations will be met with logical consequences and seen (by us) as an
opportunity for growth.
Some situations might result in suspension, mandatory withdrawal, or
expulsion.
Attending LSMSA is a privilege and acceptance to LSMSA is for one year
only. Students who are not in good standing will be required to reapply.
Identity Exploration
You may notice changes in your student. Some of them you may like and
some you may not.
If your student experiments with different styles of dress, political or
religious beliefs, etc., try to remember that this is a normal part of growing
up. Try to be patient.
If you notice changes that worry you, please contact us. We may be able to
help; we may not. As important adults in your childs life, wed like to at
least be a part of the discussion.
Stress and Emotional Concerns
Some of our students struggle with stress, adjustment issues, homesickness,
relationship issues, conflict with others, identify exploration, depression,
anxiety, self-injury, suicidal ideation.
Students can self-refer or be referred by another to meet with our personal
counselor. Some students work with off-campus local counselors.
Parents must notify LSMSA of pre-existing concerns.
Homesickness
The best cure for homesickness is generally time.
Some students will take longer than others to find their place on campus
and make connections with their peers.
Parents of homesick students are advised to encourage their students to
stay on campus some weekends and get involved in activities
How to Best Help Us Help Your Child
Communicate with us. We like to hear from you. Let us know your concerns
and what youre noticing about your student.
Try to remember that your student is viewing situations through a teenage
filter - often a stressed and tired teenage filter. They may need you to help
them find perspective.
Help your student learn to communicate with us.
This is crucial. We are happy to hear from parents, but we often really need to
hear from the students.
Self-advocacy is a critical skill and one your student must learn if they have not
done so.
If your child is not good at talking to adults, the time to start practicing is now.
How to Best Help Us Help Your Child
Learn our systems and policies. Read the materials we send home.
Help your student learn to make choices and to avoid overextending.
Prepare your student for the reality that it will sometimes be difficult.
Help your student to find perspective and to persevere when necessary.
Things to Plan for Next Summer
Schedule a physical for your student
That medical packet must be completed every year and is due by early
June.
Our students are often busy with travel and internships, so plan ahead
to get medical forms completed.
We do not offer Drivers Education. Consider making arrangements for your
student to take Drivers Ed while home in the summer.
Staying Informed
Explore myLSMSA and email us if you have questions.
Permission forms are available or will be soon.
Additional forms will show up later this summer and throughout the
school year.
Read the Handbook in July. Make sure your student reads the Handbook.
See your Eagle Guidebook for information about move-in in August and
other important information.
If you feel like you havent heard from us (via email) for a while, double
check the email associated with your profile in myLSMSA.
Questions?
Contact Emily Shumate, Director of Enrollment and Student Services at
eshumate@lsmsa.edu or 318-357-2526 or 318-357-2515.
Because I move between two offices, email is the absolute best way to
reach me.