LET'S GET ORGANIZED

• Sometimes failing grades in middle school are a result of missing and/or late work and not a result of low ability. Some students may do well on tests and participate in class, but if they do not turn in their daily assignments, they stand the risk of poor grades. By helping students learn how to use planners and monitor what they have to do daily, we can help them be more successful in school.
• Students and parents both have access to the Powerschool Parent Portal to keep an eye on missing assignments, test scores and grades.
• Students benefit from a designated and organized space at home for study and should be expected each night to review what has been covered in school that day.
• Without review of well-written, organized notes, within two weeks students will have forgotten 80 percent of what was discussed in class and 95 percent within four weeks.
• There is more to life than schoolwork. Students know this all too well. Schoolwork often takes a back seat to video games and texting. Students need to learn to manage time so they are able to meet their school and home responsibilities while still having time to be kids. Time management and knowing how to prioritize is almost always a learned skill. By building a firm understanding of time and how to work with it, students will have greater success in getting work completed on time.

If students would like assistance on a variety of topics related to being better organized, please let your child's counselor know. Topics of interest include keeping binders organized, managing time, note-taking, implementing the 24-Hour Rule, etc.

Getting organized can be fun and definitely rewarding.

Helping with Homework: Strategies for Parents

The assignment book that is provided for all students at the beginning of the year is the most important tool in your son or daughter’s bookbag.* They personalize it, scribble in it, and use it for a hall pass. Most essentially, they should write down their assignments in it. Developing good habits for keeping up with short and long term assignments is a critical piece for all students, but especially middle school students who can feel bombarded with new and difficult challenges socially, emotionally and physically. Here are a few tips for parents to assist with consistency:

• Sign the assignment notebook every night after you have looked over the homework that they say is “done”. Showing an interest in what students accomplish and complete daily will provide positive feedback and be rewarding quality time.
• Suggest that they write down the words “no homework” and have the teacher initial that fact to verify its accuracy, if this is the case.
• Check for teachers’ comments and/or suggestions. Jot down questions or comments of your own for the teachers. The assignment book is perfect for daily communication between home and school.
• When a teacher announces a test or major project, the due date should be recorded in the assignment book. Daily reminders will help students budget their time and provide ample snippets of prep time.
• Provide a quiet study space and time for homework. Monitor study time habits to make sure they are without distractions.
• Strongly encourage students to do homework on the same evening it is assigned. Retention of information is much better when it is completed within 24 hours.

Begin this new semester with great study habits and help create successes. Use the assignment notebook daily, look for communication from teachers, be encouraging, and be consistent with your expectations.

* The first assignment notebook is complimentary. Replacement cost is $3.00.