SEHS Freshman Academy Parent Night January 4, 2011

1. SEHS Freshman AcademyParent NightJanuary 4, 2011

2. Agenda Welcome Freshman Academy Parent Information Semester Overview Teacher Discussions

3. Freshman Academy • What is the Freshman Academy? • Helps students adjust to high school. • Students linked to core teachers in LA, Math, SS & Science • Smaller learning community. • Creates a sense of community for the students. • Mission • The South Effingham High School creates a caring and supportive environment that eases the transition into high school while encourages students to value academics, themselves, others and life-long learning.

4. Transitioning Reality hits and future begins Laying the foundation Students begin to see the path towards Graduation Training the students for success

5. 9th grade Transition Challenges Students’ attitudes and thoughts about school and themselves Root cause for poor student performance has more to do with attitude than it has do with ability Students don’t believe

6. 3 Essentials for Student Success • Students must believe that they can learn the subject matter • Students must believe that the system is there for them. • Students must believe life is and can be good.

7. Successful Student Qualities • Positive Attitudes • Positive Outlook • Organized • Structured • Independent Learners • Independent Thinkers • Follow Through • Accountable • Responsible • Do not fear Failure

8. The Role of Failure • Failure happens for 2 reasons • Not trying (unacceptable) • Tried and fell short • We can learn from our failures • Failure is a necessary step in success • Freshman Failures=Zeroes, an essential skill for freshman is understand the impact of a zero.

9. Failure Reports First 9 week failures 164 Total 104 Individuals Second 9 week failures @ progress reports 316 Total 175 Individuals

10. Zero Policy • Scenario (2-100%) (1-Zero) • Averaged out would be a 67% • Success is overcoming failure. • Learning from failure and then doing better the next time. • If a student never turns in an assignment, then Zero is the appropriate Grade.” • Scott Habeeb 2008

11. Grading Policy • Grades=reflection of students performance on • content standards • Math IELA • Homework=10% Homework=10 • Classwork=30% Classwork=20% • Test=60% Test=45% • Quizzes=25% • BiologySS • Homework=5% Homework=10% • Tests=50% Tests=50% • Labs=25% Classwork=40% • Classwork=10% • Quiz=10% Office of Instruction and Technology

12. “My teacher doesn’t like me!”

13. Failure Reports First 9 week failures 164 Total 104 Individuals Second 9 week failures @ progress reports 316 Total 175 Individuals First semester failures 94 total 58 Individuals

18. Encourage Independent Problem Solving • It’s very important that high school students learn how to take care of their own affairs.  • Getting their own questions answered and their own problems resolved helps students gain confidence and become more independent which provides a sense of empowerment.

19. Independence increases as students move in and through HS

20. Help Your Student Set Academic Goals: • Help your student determine what grade he/she should be able to earn in each course.  • Students need specific goals to work towards.  • Parent/Student Portal • Sign up today! 

21. Insist on Daily Attendance: • #1 School Success Factor!  • They miss lectures, notes, class discussions, assignments, quizzes and tests. 

22. Deal Effectively With Homework: • Students are responsible for keeping track of accurately completing, and turning in homework on time.   • Unintentionally, parents often turn the completion of homework into their problem.  • Homework is the student’s responsibility, and if not complete, the student’s problem.   • Students who consistently use their SEHS planners are typically more successful academically.

23. Homework & class work policies need to be enforced violators will receive the grade earned

24. Using Rewards & Consequences: • Rewards can be very motivating for some students.  • Doing well in school is reward in itself and a sense of personal accomplishment. • Students need to understand consequences for poor performance and/or bad behavior.  • Parent approval and reinforcement for rewards and consequences are very important. 

26. Be a Good Listener: • Talk to your student about what’s happening in school. • Pay attention not only to the words your student uses, but also to your student’s body language and attitude.   

28. Be Aware and Be Informed: • Get to know your student’s friends.  • Social networking through the Internet can lead to activities that are wrong or harmful.  • Bullying on Facebook & MySpace • Monitor your student’s internet usage • Listen to your instincts and take action. 

29. Stand firm with rules and limits

30. Set Limits and Boundaries: Adolescents need their parents to make rules and set limits.  Students need to know that they will be held accountable for their actions and their behaviors.  Even though they may complain about parental rules and restrictions, knowing that they have a parent who cares enough to make sure that they “stay on track” gives adolescents a much needed sense of security. 

33. Be a Good Role Model: • Parental words and actions • Influences the way children view and interact with the world around them. • External Factors/Influences

40. Career development Orientations for Freshman Academy Understands student’s needs Never ending Academic development Social/personal development Enthusiastic about educational opportunities Liason for students, teachers and administration Organizer of parent/teacher conferences Referrals: Abuse, conflict resolutions, academic failure, etc.

41. Keep This Date February 1, 2011 7:00pm