WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS OF A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ? even though you are “only” 8 th grade – ALL students at this Junior HIGH SCHOOL have the same expectations Tahoma Junior High 8 th Grade Science Maple Valley, WA

Now that we’ve reviewed the important rules… let’s look at your situation as a student – and how to approach your “job”. No… you cannot be “excused” from your job of being a student. It’s not really that hard IF you do your best and put in regular effort (just like you do for sports or a hobby!)

Here’s four that make a short, simple list that are MUST HAVES for any job: (and being a student IS YOUR JOB!) 1. Be prepared BEFORE you arrive to class 2. Be ON TIME 3. Do NOT HURT ANOTHER STUDENT’S ABILITY TO LEARN – or the teacher’s ability to teach 4. Always DO YOUR BEST ! (otherwise others won’t know how to help you) Oh… and NO WHINING !!

LEAVING THE ROOM ( must always have a pass ) WHENEVER YOU LEAVE THE ROOM ALWAYS sign-out on the clipboard near the door Bathroom uses the lanyard pass color coded for the CLOSEST bathroom ( don’t wander ) Any other location requires a paper pass (but still sign out!)

NO FOOD OR DRINK IN CLASSROOMS (and no gum!) It needs to stay sealed in your backpack until you get ready to go to lunch. Many students have very serious food allergies and we need to keep them safe. Only CLEAR PURE WATER is allowed outside of the Commons.

ATTITUDE: You could have just as easily been “lucky” enough to be born where this is your classroom – instead of being born into the wealthiest country in the world. 71% of the world lives on only $10/day! Your parents work hard to live in a good school district like Tahoma – DON’T WASTE THIS OPPORTUNITY !

So… what are you “earning” every hour you’re in free public school ? Nothing?? Waste of time?? Let’s use some simple math skills… A high school graduate earns about $400,000 more over their life than a high school drop out. If you divide that by 12 years of public school you get 33,333. Divide that by 900 (5 hours of class a day X 180 school days) and you get… $37.04 per hour !! You don’t get paid now – you get paid much better later !

So if you’re only in class for 5 hours a day (instead of the usual 8+ for work), the least you can do is 20 minutes of science homework. Remember our 8 th Science Catch-Phrase

So now you’re saying – “But that’s not me – I don’t need school, I’m going to be a professional athlete, or musician, or actor. I don’t need no stinking education!” Well… then you better ask yourself ONE thing… How many famous entertainers have ever come out of 80+ years of Tahoma Senior High ?? (that’s about 40,000 students). Not one Tahoma student has become famous enough to earn a life-time’s earnings from entertainment/sports. And if qualified people aren’t telling you that you’re something really, really special, you better re-think education’s importance.

Even if you’re lucky to “hit the big time” check out this graph on how much $ a musician actually makes. The rich celebrities you see in the media are VERY RARE compared to the general population – and often don’t last. Education, though, lasts a life-time! So if you sell $1million of music, you’ll get $23,000.

BASIC HOURLY WAGES no Diploma = $12.31 H.S. Diploma = $16.50 some college = $18.15 Bachelors (4yrs) = $29.55 Masters/PhD (6+yrs) = $38.20 notice how BIG the jump is with a college degree (around double or more)

There are also some good paying jobs with just a Two Year Associate’s Degree: 1. Computer specialists - $71,000/yr 2. Dental hygienists - $64,000/yr 3. Fashion designers - $62,000/yr 4. Registered nurses - $60,000/yr 5. Environmental engineering tech - $41,000/yr 6. Radiology/X-Ray tech - $50,000/yr 7. Industrial engineering tech - $48,000/yr Best Four/Four+ Year careers for next 10 years 1. Pharmacology/Pharmacy - $100,000/yr 2. Transportation science - $70,000/yr 3. Treatment Therapy - $60,000/yr 4. Chemical Engineering - $80,000/yr 5. Electrical Engineering - $70,000/yr 6. Medical Technology - $55,000/yr Notice how many involved SCIENCE ?!!

Now that we’ve had a healthy REALITY CHECK, you are not that far from part-time jobs, choosing elective courses, or even college courses in high school. Elementary school IS OVER !! You need to take it up a SERIOUSLY BIG NOTCH and START ACTING LIKE AN ADULT NOW We can have fun – especially in science class – but you need to have a very mature attitude about your life - and what you are going to do to make it what you want it to be. Teachers or your parents or friends can’t give that motivation and attitude to you – it comes only from inside you – every day !

Ever hear of Sam Bradford ? Senior year 2009 ended early with knee and shoulder injuries, lucky to still be drafted #1 in 2010 as QB into NFL Rams. Then two consecutive season-ending knee injuries early in 2013 and 2014 – lucky to have chance with Eagles Fortunately he has a good education backing him up. You’d be smart to do the same. end show Too little education can hurt – too much won’t.