Lee’s Summit High School

Increasing Your Student’s Success in High School

October 14, 2014

ADJUSTING TO HIGH SCHOOL

Make contact with the guidance counselor early Attend Back to School Night and Parent-Teacher

Conferences Consider working with the Parent-Teacher-Student-

Association (PTSA) Show an interest in your child’s work and

extracurricular activities Help your child stay in touch with old friends and

reach out to meet new people Help your child manage the stress and pressure

that comes with being a high school student

ASSISTING WITH YOUR CHILD’S ACADEMIC NEEDS

Get Organized: Encourage your child to use a file/folder or

notebook system Expect your child to use the planner Help your child manage his/her time by

assisting with establishing priorities and making choices

Help develop homework skills such as tackling tough assignments first, breaking large assignments down, and setting goals

ASSISTING WITH YOUR CHILD’S ACADEMIC NEEDS

Fostering Academic Independence: Introduce yourself to each teacher and

exchange contact information Check grades in PowerSchool on a regular

basis and have your child do the same Encourage your child to contact teachers

of courses he/she is struggling with Help your child find resources for

assistance, but allow him/her to make the arrangements

ASSISTING WITH YOUR CHILD’S ACADEMIC NEEDS

If your child is struggling academically: Make contact with the teacher, and then

follow up with the guidance counselor if necessary

Monitor PowerSchool more frequently Seek tutoring opportunities Follow through with additional advice

provided by the guidance counselor

Your Teen’s

Social Life

YOUR TEEN STILL NEEDS YOU

Eat Dinner Together Regularly Importance of Family Time

Spend Time with Your Teen Common Interests

Lend a Listening Ear Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak

YOUR TEEN HAS A SOCIAL LIFE

Respect Privacy As they start to grow more independent

Encourage Independence and Responsibility Establish necessary boundaries and limitations

Know Their Friends Names, phone #s, addresses, reputation

Encourage Your Teen to Get Involved Sports, music, clubs, activities

YOUR TEEN IS STILL GROWING

Healthy Diet Model healthy eating habits and provide healthy

food choices at home

Healthy Amount of Sleep Experts recommend still 9 hours Try to get as close to this as possible

Healthy Active Lifestyle Exercise Have frequent conversations about the dangers

of drugs, alcohol, and smoking

YOUR TEEN LOVES SOCIAL MEDIA

Be cognizant of their media accounts Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Ask.fm

Have Frequent talks about what is appropriate Decide how closely you will monitor their

sites

Limit Television and Gaming Time No more than 15- 20 hours a week

WHEN IT ALL BECOMES TOO MUCH. . . Steps for managing extra stress for

your child: Be more available when your child is

stressed. Simplify family life in order to focus on your child’s needs

Avoid setting expectations that are too high

Seek assistance from another adult your child connects with - teachers, mentors, counselors, or relatives

WARNING SIGNS

Seek help if you notice these symptoms and they persist for your child: Poor attendance Marked weight loss or weight gain Prolonged sadness or depression A marked change in typical behavior Stomach pains or frequent/severe

headaches