Monthly Newsletter

October Newsletter

In looking at progress reports for the first quarter one of the biggest issues our students face is attendance the first two periods of the day. A majority of the failing grades occur in the first two classes of the day. Those failing grades are directly tied to students being absent those periods. Most of the students who are in attendance during first and second hour are passing so we know that we have to have students in attendance for learning to take place. In addition it is the most common reason students are ineligible for activities. In addition we notice that we will have students who are very tired in the morning and will again be tired later in the afternoon.

So what is the reason? In asking students why they are late they will routinely say I overslept or no one got me up. Both are probably true. We also hear how many students are on their phones till 2 or 3 in the morning or are playing video games. This is just not healthy. Students need 8 hours of sleep and then a good breakfast which we provide when students come in. So if students need to come in and get breakfast at 7:45 and they need to get at least 8 hours of sleep. The need to be sleeping by 10:30 or 11:00 pm. 10:00 pm would be ideal and that was my rule for kids (even in high school). Students who are rested do better in school and behave better. They are less irritable and concentrate better and for longer periods of time.

Sometimes it comes down to hard choices. Do I take the games and phone away? Maybe, but talk with them and make them understand the importance of sleep and doing well in school. I think it is a small price to pay for something much more valuable in the end.

Thank you,

Mr. Pierce

Middle School Guidance Counselor