Innovation MS Academic Success Night

1. Innovation MSAcademic Success Night Presented by Nicola Labas, VP nkrey@sandi.net Kristy Rozsnyoi, School Counselor krozsnyoi@sandi.net

2. Understanding a middle school teen • Brain research states • adolescent brain is still under development and maturing during the teen years. • The biggest changes occur in areas of the brain that affect self-control, decision making, emotions, and risk-taking behaviors. • During adolescence, the adolescent brain is evolving in its ability to organize, regulate impulses, and weigh risks and rewards.

5. With this in mind… • Parents to be parents, not the friend • Talk with your child/Positive Attention (fun activities, in the car, dinner time) • Encourage cyber safety • Computer in common area; know passwords • Set a positive example

6. Set limits • Be specific. Rather than telling your teen not to stay out late, set a specific curfew. • Be concise. Keep your rules short and to the point. • Put rules in writing. Use this technique to counter a selective memory. • Be flexible. As your teen demonstrates more responsibility, grant him or her more freedom. If your teen shows poor judgment, impose more restrictions. • Be prepared to explain your decisions. Your teen may be more likely to comply with a rule when he or she understands its purpose. • Be reasonable. Avoid setting rules your teen can't possibly follow. A chronically messy teen may not be able to maintain a spotless bedroom overnight.

7. Enforce consequences • Active ignoring. Tell your teen that you'll talk to him or her when the whining, sulking or yelling stops. • Scolding and disapproval. Make sure you reprimand your teen's behavior, not your teen. Avoid using a sarcastic, demeaning or disrespectful tone. Also, avoid reprimanding your teen in front of his or her friends. • Imposing additional responsibilities. Assign your teen additional household tasks. • Imposing additional restrictions. Take away a privilege or possession that's meaningful to your teen, such as computer time or a cell phone. • Asking your teen to suggest a consequence. Your teen may have an easier time accepting a consequence if he or she played a role in deciding it. • Be consistent when you enforce limits. Limit punishments to a few hours or days to make them most effective. • Also, avoid punishing your teen when you're angry. Likewise, don't impose penalties you're not prepared to carry out — and punish only the guilty party, not other family members. Never use physical harm to discipline your teen.

8. iMiddle: Tools for Success • Netbook: • Charged every night • Brought to school every day • Planner or sticky notes on computer • Homework written down every period, every day • Tutoring: lunch and afterschool • Advocate for Self: speak up and ask questions of your teachers and/or peers • Classroom page on imiddle.org • Student Connect, checked weekly with student

9. Attendance • Students need to be in school, on time, to every class, daily! • District considers more than 10% of school year absences as chronic, even if you have excused illness • iMiddletardy policy: more than 4 = Assigned Sat School • Policy states that students must make up work from absences

10. How to be successful in Science • http://tube.sandi.net/video/videos/3063/imiddle-be-successful-in-science-7--8th-grade

11. How to be successful in English • http://tube.sandi.net/video/videos/3072/english-dept-success-at-imiddle

12. How to be successful in History • http://tube.sandi.net/video/videos/3074/history-dept-success-at-imiddle

13. How to be successful in Math • http://tube.sandi.net/video/videos/3082/how-to-be-successful-in-math

14. How to be successful in PE • http://tube.sandi.net/video/videos/3083/success-in-pe-at-imiddle

15. iMiddle 8th Promotion Criteria • No “F” or “U” marks (classroom and school wide citizenship apply) • No more than 10 (ten) tardies the entire year (includes first period tardies). • No more than two truancies the entire year. • No overdue school fines for textbooks, library books, netbooks, materials or equipment. • No more than 2 (two) suspensions (including in-school suspensions), or 1 (one) Zero Tolerance (ZT) referral • No suspensions within three weeks of the last day of school *iMiddle staff will have final discretion in determining student participation*

16. Graduating High School • Meet all SDUSD Graduation Requirements • Passing classes to earn credits (44 semester credits) • UC/CSU A-G requirements, C grades or better • Senior Exhibition • Minimum 2.0 gpa (C average) • Pass the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) • Start taking in 10th grade • Test on 7-10th grade material

17. Class of 2017 and 2018HS Graduation Requirements SDUSD Grad Requirements A-G Items in red have changed for class of 2016 and beyond.

19. Prepare for College and Beyond • CaliforniaRealityCheck.com • Naviance (career key, college search, courses) • imiddle.org, parents, counseling • High School Grad Requirements • Imiddle.org, Academics, HS Grad • statecenter.com/resources/industry-sectors

20. Preparing for CST • CST Released Test Questions: PRACTICE! • Cde.ca.gov • http://starsamplequestions.org (For Parents) • Online math games, learning upgrade, Revolution Prep • Tests in late April • Importance of eating a good breakfast, being on time, practicing healthy stress relieving techniques (exercise, deep breaths)

21. Q & A

22. One final thought…. Parents: All in a Day's Work