“Students who drop out of school frequently feel alienated toward school and have no feeling of belonging,” say the authors of Student Activities for Students at Risk. As the gulf between them and school widens, a child comes up with his own set of rules, looks for meaning in temporary pleasures, rebels, or possibly withdraws.

But school activities—clubs, student council, band, drama, and sports—help kids overcome their feelings of alienation. Through their participation, they bond with other students and with the school. Plus they get a chance to feel good about themselves—as they practice leadership and decisionmaking skills and engage in teamwork.

There’s no better time to encourage involvement than the start of school, when these activities are recruiting participants.

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