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BREADCRUMB

To-Do List for Families: Pick one of 10 Simple Steps to Start Any Semester Strong

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We've sorted the ideas with the most immediate needs first.

We tell our students not to tackle everything. Pick one, make a plan, work that plan until it becomes habitual or second nature, then try another.

1. Remember that every semester is a chance to restart stronger.

  1. It's never too late for your student to show that they have the capacity and determination to do better and better over time. Even the very best students should find ways to develop better habits and skills over time. 
  2. Growth happens when we identify one simple improvement, make a plan to first learn what will make it better (i.e., research or ask a teacher), and second, set up reminders that help build that better habit over a period of weeks. 
  3. Once a habit seems to take hold, find another small improvement, research it, and make a plan to build a habit.
  4. Achievement is not about innate ability. Accomplishments come from the hard work of honing the abilities we have through continual growth.
  5. Colleges and employers actively seek people who have forged this ongoing commitment to self improvement.
  6. LEARN MORE about SMART Goals here.

2. Insist that your student uses Tutorial every day:

  1. First, review notes and fill in gaps. 
    1. Students who review notes soon after class retain much more material;
    2. Homework goes much faster later if your student takes a few moments early in the day to assess the evenings tasks and make a plan.
  2. Recheck assignments to identify any necessary clarifications. 
  3. If necessary, go back to ask questions of teachers and classmates;
  4. LEARN MORE about Tutorial here.

3. Help your student manage cell phone use:

  1. Always turn the phone OFF for sleep—no noise, no vibrations. Find another alarm or music device.
  2. Never check messages during class. Our school policy is that phones should be OFF and put AWAY during class. Even if your student does not check messages, the presence of the phone and any notifications disrupt learning.
  3. Set firm and monitored phone expectations for your student with clear consequences for violations of your family policy. Surveys among our best students indicate that they all adhere to these rules because they do matter.

4. Review our list and instructions for the top study skills that successful students master. Pick one, not the hardest one. Use the above habit-building suggestions to create the "mental muscle" to do better.

5. Take a few moments to check ParentVUE to ensure that your emails and phone numbers are correct.

  1. Check the boxes to indicate your communication preferences.
  2. Note that Newport High School uses two channels to get essential information to you. If you don't receive them, contact our Technology Help Desk:
  3. Students receive school messages in both their school email accounts and in Student Teams Channels. Please teach your students to always scan these for topics that apply to them.
  4. Families receive:
    1. occasional one-topic emails for complex or urgent information
    2. weekly newsletter arriving Sunday afternoons with essential information for the week short notes and links to details.
    3. text messages sparingly for last minute reminders and critical information;

6. Set aside 30 minutes to review our Principal's Guide to Success. This map of six essential skills areas and suggestions by grade for how your student can acquire necessary skills before leaving high school. Plan this skill-building work into your student's high school experiences.

7. Plan to attend Curriculum Night (Fall Semester)

  1. Usually third week of school each September; check our calendar.
  2. Meet your students' teachers and hear their suggestions for the best ways to support your student in each class.
  3. If you cannot attend, look for this information with your student in the OneNote for each class.
  4. Curriculum Night also includes grade-level presentations by our Counseling staff that give you an overview of essential activities for your grade, including:
  5. deadlines to plan for,
  6. where to get support when they need it.
  7. The presentation slides will be posted shortly after the event.

8.  Join our PTSA.

  1. This organization brings essential volunteer support and more than $100,000 in funding to our school each year.
  2. PTSA also lobbies our legislature for education support.

9. Make a plan with your student for how you will use Naviance and our College & Career Advisor this year to move your student toward a plan for their future—whether it is college or something else.

  1. Each grade has specific tasks to complete in Naviance each year.
  2. These tasks are REQUIRED for graduation in the Bellevue School District.

10. Help your student add Community Service hours (total of 40 required for graduation). Help them find meaningful work that will help them envision a future that suits them.