Have you ever seen your child stomp home from school and complain, “What do they expect? There’s no way I’m going to get three projects done in the next two weeks!” Or maybe, “That guy’s a jerk! I can’t figure out where he’s coming from!”

According to Sharon Jacobs, English department chair at Lemont High School, thoughts like these and others along the same lines plague teenagers from time to time through their high school careers.

“I feel there isn’t one student who walks into our school that doesn’t want to succeed,” Jacobs said. “Yet, there are so many factors in students’ lives that they have to cope with now, we see some kids who feel they have failed before they even get going.”

To address this concern, Jacobs said the English department took a proactive approach to the 2008-2009 school year by asking all students and faculty to read the book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens” by Sean Covey before school started.

“The book is a step-by-step guide to help teens improve their self image, build friendships, resist peer pressure, achieve their goals, get along with their parents and much more,” a high school press release reads. “It speaks loudly and convincingly to teenagers and provides them with universal principles that will enhance their effectiveness and guide their future decisions.”

In addition, Jacobs said the English department plans to start the year with a splash and reinforce tenants of the book through the year.

Thanks to a grant from the Lemont High School Educational Foundation, Jacobs said the department has secured special programming by motivational speaker Gary McGuey of the Franklin Covey Institute to expand on and reinforce significant points in the book.  Because they are an integral part of students’ lives, parents and community members are invited to hear McGuey speak at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18, at the high school’s performing arts center, 800 Porter St.

“Mr. McGuey will speak on the dynamics within the family and how parents can help their students be successful in school and in life,” Jacobs said. “Then on Tuesday, he will meet with all of the students during the school day and reinforce some of the main tenants in the book including ways to increase self confidence, achieve balance in their lives and prioritize what is really important and necessary at a particular time.”

Noting how well this program fits with the foundation’s goals, Vice President Linda Matthews said it will touch 100 percent of the students and faculty at the school and as many others as can make it to the Monday night program.

“I think people get used to communicating in certain ways and I think this program will open some new avenues of communication with our kids for us,” Matthews said. “And I think it will equip students very well for the next steps beyond high school.”

“We are hoping this will be a phenomenal success!” Jacobs said.

For information, call (630) 257-5838.