Creating Opportunities: A Practical Guide to Success

1. Creating Opportunities: A Practical Guide to Success Ironwood Ridge High School Creating Opportunities Through Excellence in Education

2. Welcome to Ironwood Ridge High School! The faculty, staff and I look forward to a great year of creating opportunities for you to develop your interests and fulfill your dreams. As a student, you have responsibility in working toward fulfilling your dreams. This presentation provides solid tips and strategies to help you on the path to success! Sincerely, Michael Szolowicz, Principal

3. Pride and Respect • Pride and respect create the difference between success and failure. • The following are practical ways to show pride in yourself and respect toward others.

4. Dress • Dressing for success is a way to show pride and respect. • Dressing for success @ IRHS means: • Covering all undergarments • Covering midriffs, cleavage, and the top 3 inches of your legs • Covering shoulders with shoulder straps at least 2 inches wide • See the IRHS Student Handbook 2013-14, page 22, for more dress code information.

5. Language • The language you use clearly reflects your respect for others. • Profanity or any negative put-down of others is unacceptable because it demonstrates a lack of respect.

6. Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) • Sometimes, PEDs need to be put away. • Other times, PEDs are a valuable educational tool. • Your teacher will guide you as to when the PED is a tool, and when it needs to be put away. • Note that your teacher may confiscate your PED if you are using the device at a time when it should be put away.

7. Organization • High school success requires organization. • To keep yourself organized: • Set priorities. Studying should be a priority. • Break big projects into smaller daily tasks. • Keep a planner. Update your planner each time you have a new assignment.

8. Conference Period • Conference Period occurs every Wednesday and Thursday morning starting at 8:15. • Show pride in yourself and your work by using Conference Period productively by: • Visiting teachers for additional help or tutoring • Making up missed work • Meeting with a study group and studying • Joining a club

9. Tutoring • The IRHS curriculum can be challenging, but then, so is life. • Tutoring is available to help you. • Often, our most successful students utilize tutoring the most! • Tutoring is available during conference period. Also watch for after-school tutoring later in the fall semester.

10. Study Groups • Successful students at high school and college often have friends with whom they study. • Have a “study buddy” or even a group of friends with whom you can meet or call and discuss assignments and homework.

11. Self-Advocacy • Your teachers, the IRHS staff and administration are here to assist you. • From time to time, all of us need the strength others. • Often, the best way to get the assistance you need is to simply ask.

12. I hope these practical tips are useful to you as you pursue success. If you have any additional ideas that should be included in this presentation, or if I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me: mszolowicz@amphi.com Have a great year full of new opportunities!