Surviving and THRIVING in High School

Orientation for parents of incoming 9th grade students

May 29,2014

90 minutes of excruciating details Preparing for tests Study skills Organizational skills Nutritional needs and how that impacts

focus Sleep needs and how that impacts mood Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah

What we WERE going to discuss…

Those specific things that you can do to help your child to be successful in high school: Checking teacher websites and parent portal

each day Supervising the completion of assignments Checking your email each day Taking the phone/ipad/ipod/laptop at bedtime Getting students involved at RHS Etc. Etc. Etc.

Instead, let’s discuss the nuts and bolts…

Because 9th graders only LOOK mature! Frontal lobe development (anticipating

consequences) isn’t complete for another 10 years.

In many ways, high school students need more supervision and guidance than they did when they were younger.

Why is all of this necessary?

1. Checking teacher websites and parent portal each day.

Teacher websites list what homework has been assigned, and when tests/quizzes/ or projects are due.

Parent portal shows you every single grade for every single assignment and assessment.

So what are the details?

Checking websites and parent portal has nothing to do with trust.

It has to do with the fact that teenagers can be unrealistic about the impact that their performance has on their grades.

“It’s okay if I fail this marking period; I’ll just get 100 next time!”

“But my kid is honest!”

Many teens have learned that the easiest answer to our questions is… “NO.”

Do you have homework? Do you have time to help me with… Do you have any dirty clothes (dishes) in

your room? Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend? Have any of your friends ever tried…

Plus, they know us SO well…

I just checked parent portal. You’ve been doing exactly what you said…all of your homework is done and you’ve been doing great on your tests.

Or… I just checked parent portal. There are five

missing homework assignments. I ask you every day about your homework. I’ll be checking your homework for completion each night, and emailing your teacher for updates.

Taking the wheel

2. Supervise the completion of assignments as well as preparation for tests and quizzes.

There is almost never enough time to do homework in school, no matter what the students say.

Ask to see ALL completed assignments, to make sure that directions were followed properly.

OK! I get it! I’ll check the websites and portal each day. What’s next?

Absolutely not. Just make sure that they completed the work and followed the directions.

Math homework takes time and effort. They should be referring to their notes and trying their best to get the correct answers.

Then watch them put it in an “every class” folder, and leave it by the front door.

Do I have to correct their work?

You know your child better than anyone.

Some do best in the privacy and quiet of their rooms.

Some will fall asleep in their rooms, and do better at the kitchen table.

Does it matter where they do their homework?

Some students do better in groups. Some students get too distracted.Some students will copy homework from your child. You know best.

What about doing homework with friends?

Teachers don’t have phones in the classroom.

Email is the fastest way for parents and teachers to communicate with each other.

This technology allows us to solve small problems before they become big problems.

Why do I need to check my email each day?

It just makes it faster.

Otherwise, it can take a little time…Go to the district websiteThen click on RHSThen click on teacher websitesThen click on each individual teacher’s email

Teacher emails in my “favorites?” REALLY?

Many teens text, play video games, etc. late into the night.

This can lead to sleep-deprivation, which can cause them to have difficulty staying awake in school, trouble focusing, and can make them irritable.

Disconnecting at bedtime?

Get them involved.

Research shows that students who participate in school sports and/or clubs get better grades and are happier.

RHS has so many sports and clubs…there is truly something for everyone. Links for sports and clubs can be found on Mrs. Bates’ page in the Guidance section of the RHS website.

Any other tips?

Lots of pencils and pens Colored pencils Erasers Highlighters USB Drive Binders and loose-leaf paper Plastic “every class” folder Pocket folders for individual classes Composition books Desk calendar to hang on the wall

What about school supplies?

For more information…

The RHS website has a wealth of information, including the student handbook, for which all students are responsible.

Questions? Concerns?Teri Bates, Freshman Transition Counselor732-264-8411 x1014Webpage (Guidance section) has links for clubs, sports, and resourcestbates@hazlet.orgMy voicemail is always on, and I check my email frequently.

Thank you for coming!