Tips for Student Success P.E.P. Talk-Series 1 December 8, 2014 “There are 2 great things that you can give your children: one is roots, the other is wings.” – Hodding Carter

Helping Your Child Succeed: The Basics Insist that your child be in school everyday. Expect your child to work up to his or her potential. Talk about the importance of getting a good education and how this relates to their post-secondary options. Expect your child to follow the student code of conduct. Attend parent workshops and conferences. Show consistent interest in your child’s academic progress.

Helping Your Child Succeed: The Basics (cont.) Work with the school to express concerns and engage in effective problem solving. Teach your child to cope with a variety of teaching styles. If you think a problem with your child is a concern, please contact your child’s teacher, school counselor and/or administrator.

Parent Teacher Conferences Conferences provide an excellent opportunity for parents to both give and receive information. Teachers can provide information on student performance and parents can share information that can help teachers better understand their child. Scheduling Parent Teacher Conferences. *See Parent Teacher Conference handout

Providing Support and Guidance Middle school is a big transition period for students (and parents)! Adapt to Change Positive self-image

Be Aware and Informed Get to know your child’s friends and their parents. Know what types of “media” your child is exposed to (TV, FB, IG, Snapchat, Kik, Google chat). Allowing adolescents a certain amount of freedom and independence is important but they still need guidelines and limits to go along with their “freedom.” Trust your “parent gut”

Communicate with Your Child Communicating with middle school students can be a REAL challenge! Timing is important Be a available to “listen” Ask open-ended questions and avoid leading questions to give your child the opportunity to express themselves without restrictions. (Ex. What was your favorite part of school today? vs How was your day?) Find something that you both like to do and make time to do those one on one activities together because they provide excellent opportunities for conversation.

Communicate with your child (cont’d) Be SPECIFIC in communication (“Be home at 8pm.” rather than “Be home early.”) Be aware of nonverbal communication your child may be exhibiting Do not be afraid to admit when you are wrong or make a mistake. Children need to be aware that it is ok and acceptable to make mistakes.

Available Resources To aid in being an informed and collaborative partner, the following resources are available to you: PowerSchool Parent Portal- “260” Rule HCPS Promotion Policy Schoolspace- Cubs ROAR-Rolling announcements and weekly school messenger Counseling Blog- and telephone After School Tutoring- Wednesdays-English or History Thursdays-Reading or Science Math tutoring-talk to your child’s math teacher

Magic 260 Rule Students must earn a minimum of 65% D- for final grade in order to pass a course for the year. Magic 260 Rule: at least 65% X 4 nine weeks 50% (first nine weeks) + 60% (second nine weeks) + 70% (third nine weeks) =180 total points 260 (Magic Number) -180 (Total Points) = 80% (Minimum grade which must be earned for the 4th nine weeks to pass course for school year )

Promotion Policy Middle school students must pass English, math, science, and social studies for the year in order to be promoted to the next grade. If a student does not pass three core classes, they will be retained and will repeat their current grade level. If student does not pass two classes, they have the option to attend summer school for two sessions. Each session is $180.

Your Counselors are Here to Help School Counseling Director-Nicole Smith 6 th & 7 th -Q-Z 8 th graders enrolled after 9/2/14 6 th Grade-Darin Freeman A-P 7 th Grade-Roshonda Ballard A-P 8 th Grade-Jentae Mayo