The Resilience Edition

Developing Resiliency in Your Teen

Have you ever asked yourself if your teen is resilient? Why does it matter anyway? For those of you who are returning readers of my blog, you are aware of the importance of grit, the growth mindset, and resilience on a person’s future success. Check out this blog post for more information.

Recently, I read an article entitled, “5 Steps Closer To A More Resilient Teen,” and I found the steps to be worth sharing. In case you don’t want to read the article in full, here are the 5 Steps Closer:

1. Don’t address issues with teachers before your teenager does.
2. Let go of your fear of teacher retaliation against your teenager.
3. When your teen gets home from school, don’t talk to them about school.
4. Ignore the manifestations and look for underlying issues.
5. Help your teenager develop lifelong skills.

Many of these tips will help your student develop stronger self-advocacy skills, and I think we can all agree on the importance of this skill in life. I would like to posit two of my own Steps to developing a more resilient teen:

Teach the difference between an excuse and a legitimate concern.

There can be a million and one reasons why your student failed the quiz or wasn’t selected for the team. Resilient people will look beyond those reasons and ask, “What is my own personal responsibility?”

Find the lesson in failure or setbacks.

Nelson Mandela said, “I never lose. I either win or learn.” Education research is focusing on the importance of allowing students to struggle in the classroom, as this is one of the purest forms of the learning process. We need to relish these challenges, not shy away from them. This is how we grow.

Highlights and Successes:

• Congratulations to Coach Darius Sanchez and the Boys Cross Country Team on winning the Crystal Lake South Invite (21 teams).  Danny Peterson took 2nd place and Luke Vogelgesang took 9th place.
• Congratulations to Coach Lauren O’Donnell and the Girls Tennis Team on taking 1st place at the Buffalo Grove Quad Meet.
• Congratulations to Coach Lauren O’Donnell and the Girls Tennis Team on winning the Fremd Invite.  Award winners include:  1st place - 1st singles Diya Matt; 1st place-2nd singles Elsie Ha; 3rd place-1st doubles Kate Bodensteiner and Julia Smiarowska; 1st place-2nd doubles Selin Parmaksiz and Kellie Ha; and 1st place-3rd double Jane Bodensteiner and Rachael Carlins.

Upcoming Home Activities and Varsity Events

September 9	Football vs. New Trier H.S. - 7:30 p.m. Boys Golf @ Poplar Creek Country Club - 3:30 p.m. Girlsl Swimming & Diving vs. Glenbrook South H.S. - 5;30 p.m. Boys Soccer @ Marquette University H.S. - 5:30 p.m.
September 10	Boys Golf Invitational @ Shepherd’s Crook Golf Course - 7:30 a.m. Girls Tennis Invitational @ FHS - 8:00 a.m. Girls Swimming vs. Glenbrook South H.S. @ FHS - 5:30 p.m. Girls Diving Invitational @ Lyons Township H.S. - 9:00 a.m. Girls/Boys Cross Country Invitational @ Detweiller Park - 10:20/11:00 a.m. Boys Soccer @ Marquette University H.S. - 3:00 p.m.
September 12	Girls Golf @ Palatine Hills Golf Course - 3:30 p.m. Birls Volleyball @ Lake Zurich H.S. - 6:00 p.m.
September 13	Girls Golf vs. Elk Grove @ Highland Woods Golf Course - 3:30 p.m. Girls Volleyball vs. Schaumburg H.S. @ FHS - 5:00 p.m. Boys Soccer vs. HEHS - 7:00 p.m. Parent Network Meeting - 6:00 p.m. in the Media Center
September 15	Boys Golf vs. Prospect H.S. @ Hilldale Golf Club - 3:30 p.m. Girls Golf vs. Prospect H.S. @ Mt. Prospect Golf Course - 3:30 p.m. Boys/Girls Cross Country vs. Schaumburg H.S. @ Harper College - 4:30/6:00 p.m. Girls Tennis vs. Palatine H.S.  @ FHS - 4:45 p.m. Girls Swimming & Diving vs. Palatine H.S. @ FHS - 4:45 p.m.

For a more complete list, please visit our Athletics Page.

Staff Spotlight

Name:  Charles Nichols

Position:  Math/Computer Science Teacher

Years at Fremd:  Rookie year!

Life Before Fremd:  I have previously taught middle school for one year and high school for two.  I’m a graduate from Illinois State University.

Hobbies/Interests:  I enjoy living an active lifestyle, whether that’s playing basketball, working out, or taking a stroll outside to get some fresh air…I’m always moving.  I love music, am a musician, and have been playing the guitar for around 12 years.  MUSIC = MATH ladies and gentlemen…you’ve been jamming to fractions and numbers this entire time!  Therefore if you like music, you’re secretly a huge fan of math.  I knew you had it in you. :-)

Insider Tip for Parents:  I wish us teachers had a magic key that opens the door to student success in school, but at the end of the day it comes down to perseverance, dedication and hard work.  With this set of skills anything can be accomplished!  Oh ya, don’t forget to have fun once in a while too.

Ask the Principal

Are you curious about something at Fremd but have never asked? Email me at ktenopir@d211.org. If your question is pertinent to a wider audience, I will include it in the next blog post.