Relationships/CommunicationSocial Emotional/Behavioral

Dr. Beth Houf

The School-Parent Partnership: Tackling Tough Topics—Attendance, Slipping Grades, Behavior, and More

Noon CST 7 pm CST

12:00 pm CST 7:00 pm CST

When

Mon, Nov 24, 2025 @ Noon and 7pm CST

Where

Virtual Event

Program Takeaways:

Strong school–home partnerships are crucial. When caregivers, educators, and clinicians communicate openly and share information early, students feel safer, better supported, and more likely to stay engaged in school.

Stay “curious before furious.” Challenging behaviors and school refusal are often driven by anxiety, stress, or skill gaps—not defiance—so adults should ask questions, listen, and seek to understand before reacting.

Regulation starts with the adults. A child’s brain is still wiring for decision-making; a dysregulated adult cannot calm a dysregulated child, so parents and educators must know their own triggers and model calm problem-solving.

Balance support with growing independence. Using the “Goldilocks effect,” caregivers are encouraged to coach rather than control—letting kids advocate for themselves, tolerate some failure, and take ownership while still feeling backed by adults.

School anxiety and refusal can be treated—and require a team. Understanding the functions of school refusal, teaching coping skills, and coordinating efforts between families, schools, and mental-health providers can reduce anxiety and help students successfully return to learning.

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Houf will come to GPS to assist with skills that foster open, honest and respectful dialogue and active listening—with a focus on solutions. She will share strategies to enhance communication especially when addressing tough topics. By creating partnerships that demonstrate genuine care, students can feel connected, empowered, and inspired on the path to engaged learning and academic success.

As part of her remarks Beth Houf will address school anxiety and school absenteeism in conversation with Katrina Shannon LMFT at Compass Health Center.

It is no surprise that when schools and parents work together, all students benefit. Effective collaboration between educators and families, especially when addressing challenging issues like academics, attendance, or behavioral problems, relies on strong communication, empathy and a shared commitment to the student’s well-being.

Houf is the principal of Capital City High School in Jefferson City, Missouri. She is the co-author of “Lead Like a Pirate: Make School Amazing for Your Students and Staff.” Houf serves as a facilitator for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Leadership Academy and provides monthly training to state educational leaders. She has received numerous leadership awards, including the 2022 National Association of Secondary School Principals National Principal of the Year.

Please share information about this event with friends and relatives. All are welcome to the free weekly GPS events, and no registration is required.