Youth Empowerment Seminar Michael Johnson Assistant Principal South Cobb High School

What are some of the problems that students encounter while in high school 8 th Graders – Peer Pressure – Lack of Support (Parents, role models) – Weak academic skills (Reading, Math) – Lack of school support (tutoring, enrichment) YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SEMINAR

How Can You Turn This Around? – Ask for assistance, especially if you already know that you are weak academically – Look in the school for resources (media center hours before and after school, study groups, extra curricular activities) – Choose friends who have high standards and goals – Where do you find such friends? In clubs, in the media center, in front of the class, at the teachers’ door before class

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SEMINAR Parent Roles for Middle School Students: – Get involved in your school, become a class parent, visit unannounced, volunteer and supervise with activities – Meet the Principal and Assistant Principals/attendance clerk, Guidance Counselor, and school secretary – Purchase and keep an accurate academic calendar ( mark all important meetings, holidays, breaks, etc.)

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SEMINAR Ask about tutoring, extra credit, ask for a syllabus, use the internet system to track your child’s progress and attendance Keep all records, including health records and report cards in a file or strongbox Attend all open houses, know the PTA/PTSA president, exchange contact with other volunteer parents ( ?) Meet the Principal and Assistant Principals/attendance clerk, Guidance Counselor, and school secretary

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SEMINAR Parent Roles – Middle School Student Set Study hours – no excuses Check for homework, make sure it is accurate and turned in the next day (keep a copy) Schedule a conference at the first reporting period – Make Time for this – IT IS CRITICAL Students and parents must continually follow up – do not accept more than 48 hours without a response from a request for information!!

Student Responsibilities – 8 th Grade Must Do’s: Establish a study time each day Get organized and keep up with your assignments Get and use a planner and calendar (enter quiz and test dates) Keep up with the school website information Talk with your parent(s) about your day, assignments and other items coming up. Tell your parents well in advance when you need money for school issues/events

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SEMINAR Questions?

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SEMINAR High School Mistakes to Avoid Assuming you know something/listening to your friends who assume too Choosing the wrong classes-taking a class that you have already passed, taking no rigorous courses Waiting until you are failing before you ask for help Studying only when it’s test time

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SEMINAR Things To Do Explore the web for great sites for help such as ACTstudent.org, collegeboard.com (for the SAT), gacollege411.org Learn to read and write very well Practice studying in more than one way (listening, hands on, reading, memorizing) Take Good Notes – go over these at night Study daily – it’s like putting money in the bank

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SEMINAR Tips for parents of high school students Always meet the principal and all teaches at each semester, and especially when report cards are issued Attend all parent meetings, events (open house), read all parent information issued and fully understand all school policies Stay in touch with those in touch with your child -phone, , school/district websites- submit any changes in address, phone, etc. ASAP

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SEMINAR How to get the most scholarships Know your child’s grade point average (GPA) at all times Make sure that your child takes the following examinations : ACT/SAT/ASVAB/PSAT/Advanced Placement

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SEMINAR