Students speak out about 'critical years'

GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Friday, April 11, 2008
By Kristyn Peterson
kpeterson@flintjournal.com • 810.766.6315

GRAND BLANC TWP. - Stan Page wants his parents to know that he needs them just as much as he needs his friends.

Dylan Luna wants police to be more involved in the day-to-day activities of his neighborhood.
And Kenny Wilson wants schools to have more programs in place for new students and those without many friends.

The three boys spoke Thursday at the Genesys Conference Center during a town hall meeting designed to inform local community leaders and residents about what organizers call the critical years in children's lives: ages 10 to15.

"It's nice to have (friends) to turn to when you need someone who has been through the same situation," said Stan, a junior at Hamady High School. "But the bad thing is, sometimes, as peers we fall together. "That's when we need our parents, those people to hold up that high standard, to pull us back up.

"Our parents have more life experience than our friends. That wisdom is important, too."
Hiram Fitzgerald, an assistant provost at Michigan State University, announced the results of a study that surveyed nearly 50,000 fourth- through 12th-grade students throughout Flint and Genesee County.

The study was conducted by MSU in cooperation with all 21 school districts in Genesee County.
Fitzgerald spoke for Jessica Barnes, the researcher who conducted the study, because she had lost her voice.

Children ages 10 to 15 are influenced most by the support of their parents, school and neighborhood, Fitzgerald said.

"Between the ages of 10 and 15, the power of the peers begins to develop," Fitzgerald said. "Peers are essential then. They are right up there with parent influence."

The study revealed that students want their parents to be more involved in the school process, Fitzgerald said. They also want more encouragement.

"This age group is the point where we lose many young people," said Maxine Murray, the field coordinator for the Center of Collaboration and Future Schooling. "It's at that point when they fall behind socially, academically, emotionally, and they never catch up."

Social development is important for academic development, Kenny said.

"If you are uncomfortable in school, it makes it harder to do your schoolwork," said Kenny, an eighth-grader at The Valley School. "That's why schools need after-school programs, welcoming committees and stuff to make kids feel more welcome."

Dylan, a sophomore at the International Academy of Flint, wants to feel more welcome in his neighborhood.

When a police car drives by, everyone gets nervous, Dylan said during the presentation.

He'd like to see friendly police officers who make him feel at home, he said.

"It should be a situation where they stop, roll down their window, and I'm smiling instead of nervous," Dylan said. "Something like, 'Hey, Dylan, you playing ball this year? How's that going?'
"They should be more involved in the community. They shouldn't be feared."

QUICK TAKE At a glance
A study conducted by Michigan State University researchers polled nearly 50,000 fourth- through 12th-grade students in Genesee County.
Here are some results:
·  80 percent to 90 percent of students believe there is a teacher at their school who really cares about them.
·  14 percent to 22 percent of students feel alone when they are at school.
·  84 percent to 87 percent of students believe there are students at their school who really care about them.
·  85 percent to 88 percent of students said their parents ask them what they've been doing in school a lot.
=87 percent to 92 percent said their parents listen to them.