Setting Up School Success - Abington Junior High Parent Workshop Rochele Haynes Nicholas Vouriotis 10/10/2018 - Abington ...

Setting Up School Success
        Abington Junior High
         Parent Workshop
          Rochele Haynes
         Nicholas Vouriotis
           10/10/2018

From Elementary to
            Junior High…
O Elementary                  O Junior High School
   O Smaller classes             O Bigger building
   O Less movement               O Change classes every
   O Only a couple                 45 minutes
     different teachers per      O Up to 8 different
     day                           teachers per day
   O Responsibility may be       O Greater expectations
     more teacher directed         of and opportunities
                                   for responsibility

Topics for Success
O Homework

O Attendance

O Study Place

O Homework Routine

O Staying Organized

O Getting Involved

O Working with School Staff

O Keys to Each School Year

O Tips for Parents

http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/abr/lowres/abrn343l.jpg

Homework
O Assignment book
O Study habits
O Parent assistance
O Using Skyward

Time Management
O Create a schedule for your student
  that allots time for work and play.
O Do work in smaller chunks. This
  ensures that your student won’t be
  overwhelmed later by doing a little bit
  each day
O Make a “to-do” list and check things
  off as your student complete them.
O Use the assignment book to keep up
  with your tasks.

Sample schedule

3:30 – 4:00 break / snack

4:00 – 4:15 check homework book / skyward

4:15 – 5:00 assignment completion

5:00 – 5:15 organize school bag / leave homework for
  family check

After dinner – study / review if necessary

*extra curricular activities will impact timeline

Study Better
O Review notes daily for 5 – 10 minutes.
  Identify main ideas, key concepts, important
  names/phrases/information that are likely
  to be on a test or quiz.

O Feel free to highlight these items. This will
  make it easier when studying them later.

Study Better
O Find a quiet place without distractions (i.e.,
    away from windows, televisions, cell phones,
    etc).
O   Try to set up a consistent time and place to
    study
O   Make sure your student has all necessary
    materials at their seat
O   Do the hardest things first; do an easier task
    after a challenging one
O   Schedule a 10 minute break every 30 – 40
    minutes.

Staying Organized
O Book bags – cleaning
  O Weekly
  O Marking Periods
O Teacher recommendations
O Monthly calendar
O Folders/Binders

Test Better
O Begin reviewing early (5 – 7 days)
O Have short daily review sessions (20 – 30
  minutes a night). The more your student
  sees something, the better they will
  remember it!
O Review with someone else (If this works for
  your student and they can stay on task!)
O Do a big review early. This gives time to ask
  questions and seek clarification for things
  they need to understand better (3 days)
O Study the most difficult material when your
  student is fresh, not when they are tired.

Get Involved!
O The Junior High has an incredible array
  of clubs, sports, and activities
  throughout the school year.
O Your child should aim to join at least 2
  activities each school year.
O Will improve their overall satisfaction
  with their school experience and help
  them to take ownership and pride in the
  things that they do here.

Some Activities Include…
O   Science Club        O School News Paper
O   Tada                O GSA
O   Student Council
                        O Coding Club
O   Yearbook
O   School Store        O Alternative Sports
O   Art Club                Club
O   Literary Magazine   O   Builders’ Club
O   School Musical      O   V.I.B.E.
O   History Club        O   I.M.A.G.I.N.E.
O   PRIDE Plus
                        O   Reading Olympics

Sports Include
O   Football          O Baseball
O   Soccer            O Lacrosse
O   Field Hockey
O   Tennis
O   Wrestling
O   Basketball
O   Cheerleading
O   Track and Field
O   Softball

Attendance
O Crucial to School Success
  O Illness/Absence
  O Attendance office
  O Getting missed work
  O Notification of extended absences

O Compulsory School Attendance
  O Procedures

Absence Procedures
O When your child is absent from school:
   O Call absence line
   O Check skyward for missed assignments
O Upon returning to school:
   O Turn in absence note to attendance office
   O Student checks in with each teacher regarding
     missed work
O 3 or more consecutive days
   O Contact guidance counselor for work request
   O Will take 24 hours to gather work
   O Need medical note for excusal

Working with School Staff
O Email
O Phone calls
O Conferences
O Contacting staff member directly

Keys to Each School Year
O 7th
   O    Transition from 6th to 7th
   O    Work habits
   O    National Junior Honor Society (NJHS)
   O    Participation in Extra Curricular Activities
   O    Standardized Tests
O 8th
   O NJHS begins
   O Improving skills
   O Standardized Tests
O 9th
   O    1st year High School
   O    Transcript
   O    Planning for the future
   O    Prioritize extra curricular activities

Things Parents Can Do
O Read school handbook
O Check website regularly
O Use “Skyward”
O Notify counselor with changes
  O Behavior/Attitude
  O Academics
  O Reasons for change

Myths
O “I did my homework in school.”

O “It doesn’t count.”

O “The teacher isn’t going to check it.”

O “It’s 7th grade, I need to be
  independent.”

O “I have study hall tomorrow morning.”

Tips for Parents
       from the National PTA
O Assume your child will have homework
  every night.
O Stay in touch with teachers, and ask how
  you can help support their lessons.
O Remember, you and teachers want the
  same thing: to help your children learn.
O Don’t do your children’s work for them.
  Help them learn to do it themselves.

Tips for Parents (cont.)
O Show your children that you think homework
  is important. Ask to see their work if you
  haven’t been home while they are doing it.
O Praise your children regularly for showing
  improvement.
O Help older students organize assignments
  by recording them in a calendar or planner.

Questions & Comments