The information on this page comes from:
High School
Parent Guidebook
by Linda
O’Brien
It is a useful guide for parents of how
to have your high school student(s) / son/daughter succeed.
The Transition to High School
“There are two great things that
you can give your children:
one is roots, the other is wings.”
Hodding
Carter
Students very much need the support and guidance of their parents
during this transition period.
New opportunities and challenges (larger class size, more difficult homework, the need to be more independent and more responsible) face students in high school, which can be both exciting and stressful. Be sure to keep lines of communication open, and continue to be involved in your child’s life. Check to make sure your son/daughter is making good choices and decisions, and that he/she understands that with increased independence comes increased responsibility.
“During the first few weeks of school, parents need to make sure that
their children’s classes are going well, and that they’re getting involved in
school activities.”
Thomas Cole, Counselor
High School Basics
Be familiar with your school’s policies, rules, procedures, and
programs. If you have a question or need
additional information, call the school office or talk to your child’s
counselor.
School
Calendar
Write all important dates from the school calendar onto your home calendar.
Graduation
Requirements
To ensure that students are making satisfactory academic progress, most high schools have specific requirements that students must meet in order to advance to the next grade level and for graduation.
Attendance
Policies
Students are encouraged to attend regularly; if your son/daughter is going to be absent for more than a couple of days, try to get schoolwork he/she can do at home. For an extended illness, documentation is needed from the child’s physician.
Programs
and Courses
In high school, students have some required courses and also some elective courses. College prep courses are recommended for students with college in their future. Career and technology programs are also available as well as programs for special education and college courses. Contact the school counselor if you feel your child’s program is unsatisfactory.
Scheduling
Each spring, help your child make out his/her schedule for the next year. Be sure to include required courses and the appropriate elective courses. Once a student’s schedule is set, it may be very difficult to change a class. Contact your child’s counselor with any questions.
Extracurricular
Activities
Studies have shown students involved in extracurricular activities enjoy school more and do better academically. There is definitely a club, organization, team, or activity for every high school student.
School
Rules
Students know that the school has rules which are necessary and must be followed. Consequences for not following the rules can range from detention to expulsion, depending on the seriousness of the offense and the past history of the student. Check the student handbook for a list of rules and consequences.
Eligibility
Requirements
Athletes must maintain a minimum grade point average to be eligible to play sports. This may also apply to activities like cheerleading, student government, etc.
Summer
School
A limited number of courses are available to students in the summer. For information and advice on summer school, talk to your child’s counselor.
School
Counselors
Each student is assigned a guidance counselor to help choose courses, evaluate career and educational options, plan and prepare for college, and to answer question which may come up including dealing with difficult situations. Students and parents should contact the student’s counselor with questions and concerns.
“Be an active part of your child’s high school experience and
communicate with the school.”
Susan Clifton, High
School Counselor
All parents should understand the terms Grade Point Average (GPA),
Class Rank, and Transcript.
Grade
Point Average (GPA)
A student’s GPA is an average of the student’s semester (or end of term) grades, starting with the freshman year. Having a high GPA can be very important for college-bound students. Most schools use a 4.0 scale in which an A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1. Many schools have “weighted grades” for honors and/or advanced placement courses, which are worth more than a non-weighted course. In order to understand how your school figures GPAs, you need to know if your school uses quarter, semester, or end-of-year grades.
“I’m trying to bring my GPA up this year so that I can get into college. It’s just so hard to bring up my grade point average up now. I really wish I would have paid more attention to my grades earlier.” Jeremy Montgomery, Junior
Class
Rank
Class rank shows where a student stands academically in relation to the other members of his/her class, and is usually written as two numbers. The first represents the student’s place in the class, and the second shows the total number of students in the class (e.g. 35/295).
A four-year plan lists the courses a student plans to take during those four years. When making a four-year plan, consider graduation requirements, college recommended courses, career plans, and athletic eligibility requirements if appropriate. Guidance counselors are available to answer your questions.
“The plan that my parents and I made when I started high school has really helped a lot. We planned it so that I could get in all of the courses I need for college, and still have time to take chorus and art each year.” Trina Williams, Junior
High
School Transcript
A high school transcript is a document detailing a student’s academic achievement in high school. Transcripts generally contain the following information:
1. Grades and credits for each course completed
2. Attendance records
3. Current cumulative GPA and class rank
4. Anticipated graduation date
5. State graduation test score (if required)
6. College test scores (e.g. PLAN, PSAT, SAT, ACT)
An official transcript has a signature, stamp, or seal verifying its authenticity. Transcripts are used whenever a school, organization, or college needs an official copy of a student’s academic record. Most colleges require that a transcript be submitted along with a student’s application for admission. A transcript is also usually required when a student applies for a scholarship.
When a student becomes a freshman, everything starts to “count.” All freshman courses, grades, and credits
will be on the student’s transcript, and all freshman grades will be used to
determine the student’s GPA.
Help Your Child Succeed
To help your child succeed in high school, follow these suggestions.
Provide
a good place to study.
Student’s need a quiet, well-lit, comfortable, and well-equipped study area.
Help
your child set goals.
Setting realistic goals will give your child something specific to work towards.
Use
rewards and consequences to encourage change.
Rewards are effective means of
motivating. Of course, parental approval
is still very important. Students need
to know there are consequences for poor performance and behavior.
Attend
all parent programs.
Plan to attend “open houses,” orientation, or meetings which the school has for parents.
Insist
on daily attendance.
Unless a child has a medical
problem, he/she should miss no more than five days a year. To get a good education,
students must be in school every day.
See
all midterm reports and report cards.
Be sure to see every end-of-term report card, progress report, interim report and mid-term grades. If you don’t see a midterm report or report card, call the school and ask for a copy. Do not just assume that someone will call you if there’s a problem.
Help
with time management.
In order for students to keep up with all their activities and their schoolwork, they need to develop good time-management skills. Encourage your child to get in the habit of creating a study plan at the end of each school day.
Deal
effectively with homework.
Although they don’t always take it seriously, students are responsible for keeping track of their own assignments, for completing their assignments accurately, and for turning all of their assignments in on time. Try to figure out how to motivate your child to take this responsibility for completing their own homework assignments. It’s their problem, not yours, and they need to be held accountable.
Listen.
Talk to your child about what’s happening in school and be a good listener. Pay attention to your child’s body language, attitude, and mood. Driving in a car is a good time to talk.
Encourage
independent problem solving.
Parents need to keep informed; however, it is important for students to learn how to take care of their own affairs. While you need to encourage independence and personal responsibility, it is important for your child to know that you are available whenever he/she needs you.
Monitor
activities and jobs.
Make sure your child makes constructive use of his/her time. Make sure your child is not working too many hours or working too late at a job.
Encourage
positive activities.
Encourage your child to be a part of the school community by becoming involved in two or three activities, and by attending school-sponsored functions and community service activities. Community service looks good on college, scholarship, and job applications.
Be
aware and be informed.
Talk to your child about the dangers of drinking, smoking, and using drugs. Monitor computer use. Testing the limits is normal for some students, but parents need to care enough to set those limits and, thereby, giving the child a much-needed sense of security.
Be
a good role model.
In a world which barrages children with messages, the messages they listen to most are those from their parents. You have a tremendous influence on your children.
“Try to eat dinner as a family as often as possible. Research shows that students whose families
eat dinner together do better in school; they are also less likely to get in
trouble. Turn the TV off, and talk about
your day. It’s a great time for families
to reconnect.”
Bob Arnette,
Counselor
Help Your Child Succeed ·
Provide a good place to study. ·
Help your child set goals. ·
Use rewards and consequences to encourage change. ·
Attend all parent programs. ·
Insist on daily attendance. ·
See all midterm reports and report cards. ·
Help with time management. ·
Deal effectively with homework. ·
Listen. ·
Encourage independent problem solving. ·
Monitor activities and jobs. ·
Encourage positive activities. ·
Be aware and be informed. ·
Set limits and boundaries. ·
Be a good role model.
“Stay involved! Don’t assume that once students get to high school that they don’t need your involvement. They do!” Linda Wagner, Counselor
Work with Your School
Support and work with the administrators, teachers, and counselors at
your school. Like you, they want your
child to have a great high school experience.
Support
the school and the teachers.
Your child needs to know that you support the teachers and the administrators at your school. You can convey your interest and support for teachers by doing those things listed in the previous section, “Help your Child Succeed.”
Make
the most of parent-teacher conferences.
These conferences provide an opportunity for parents and teachers to exchange information, and thereby enhance a student’s classroom experience and performance. Before attending, make a list of information to be shared and questions or concerns that you may have. Your child may indicate topics to speak to his/her teacher about.
Communicate
with your school.
Tell them of situations or circumstances that could affect your child’s attitude or performance, such as health issues and family problems.
Work
with the school to resolve problems.
Listen closely if your child complains about a class or a teacher, all the while realizing that it’s important for high school students to learn how to adapt to changes. If you need to intervene, contact the teacher and discuss your concerns. If there continues to be a problem, talk to your child’s counselor.
“Come to parent-teacher conferences – it’s important that you have personal contact with your children’s teachers.” G. Williamson, High School Counselor
Parent-Teacher Conferences Discussion Topics and Questions ·
Homework – Is my child’s homework
completed thoroughly, accurately, and on time? ·
Class Participation – Does my child ask questions,
volunteer answers, and participate in discussions? ·
Organization – Does my child seem
organized? Does he/she come to class
prepared?
Choosing a career and figuring out how to prepare for that career can
be very difficult. Your children need
you to help them explore and evaluate their career and educational options.
Identify
abilities and interests.
You know your child better than anyone, and can, therefore, help him/her to identify interests, talents, strengths, and values. Remember, many talents are not measured in school.
Explore
career options.
Students can learn about various career fields by reading, talking to people, and getting firsthand experience. The Web site www.bls.gov/oco provides information on over 250 careers. Volunteering is also a valuable way to learn about a career field.
For information to help your child plan
and prepare for a career, go to www.mapping-your-future.org Students can also take an interest test
online at
Six
Educational Options
Education is the most significant
determining factor in determining the kinds of opportunities a student will
have in life. Make sure your child understands the
importance of getting a good education, and strongly encourage your child to
continue his/her education after high school. Six educational options are: High School
Career and Technology Programs,
High
School Career and Technology Programs
Most high schools offer career and technology programs in a variety of fields and are appropriate for students who prefer a “hands-on” approach to learning. If you think your child might do better in an educational program that focuses on “learning by doing,” ask your child’s counselor for information on career and technology programs.
Four-Year
Colleges
Four-year colleges vary greatly in size, costs, admission policies, and in majors offered, but all want students prepared for college-level work. The next section offers information for you.
Community
and Technology
Community colleges’ two-year programs enable students to complete college in two years and begin their careers then. Students can also attend a community college for a year or two before transferring to a four-year college. Technical colleges offer affordable, career-oriented programs and can also be transferred to a four-year program.
Career
and Trade Schools
These schools offer short-term training programs in a wide variety of career fields, and can last from only a few weeks to up to two years to complete. Make sure that any school you are considering is accredited. Check the yellow pages under “Schools.”
The
Military
The military offers qualified high school graduates a good salary and free job training. For more information, go to www.military.com.
Apprenticeships
Apprentices learn a skilled trade
through classroom instruction and on-the-job training and last between 1-6
years.
Six Educational Options ·
High School
Career and Technology Programs ·
Four-Year
Colleges ·
Community
Colleges ·
Career and
Trade Schools ·
The Military ·
Apprenticeships
“Talk to your children about their
career choices and about life after high school.”
A. Garcia, Counselor
College Information
The following information will help you guide and advise your
college-bound son or daughter.
As a parent, there are a number of things that you can do to ensure that your child will be prepared for college, such as taking recommended courses, signing up for the right tests, and completing the necessary forms.
College
Recommended Courses
Generally recommended as minimum requirements are the following courses:
4 years of English
3 years of Math (incl. Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II)
3 years of science with lab experience
2-3 years of the same foreign language
3 years of social studies
1
year of fine or performing arts
Students are encouraged to take advanced, honors, and AP courses whenever possible.
Admissions
Criteria
Colleges differ in how they evaluate information. Factors include: GPA, Strength of subjects, ACT/SAT scores, Class rank, Recommendations, Activities and awards, Essays, and Interviews.
Paying
for College
The ranges of costs vary:
Community College $ 3,500- 6,500
(no room and board
included for Community College)
Information on state-operated college savings and prepaid tuition plans can be found at www.collegesavings.org. Financial aid (grants, scholarships, work-study, loans) is available.
A
College Timetable for Students
Encourage your child to follow the timetable below:
·
9th
Grade – Earn the best grades possible and get involved in a variety of
activities. Have a four-year high school
plan.
· 10th Grade – Take the PLAN if it’s offered at your school. (It measures the same academic skills as the ACT.) The PSAT is a practice test for the SAT, primarily for juniors, but sophomores may take it for practice
· 11th Grade – Take the PSAT in October. Gather information on colleges, begin making college visits, and take the ACT and/or the SAT in the spring.
· 12th Grade – Take the ACT and/or SAT in the fall, if necessary. Fill out college admissions and financial aid applications in the fall. If you’re interested in financial aid, complete the FAFSA after January 1.
College
Information Web Sites
Below are some of the best and most popular Web sites that provide excellent college and financial aid information”
www.collegeboard.com www.act.org www.collegenet.com
www.fastweb.com www.finaid.org www.petersons.com
Information for the Parents of Athletes
Playing a sport in high school requires time, energy, and commitment.
Through athletics, students strengthen their bodies, perfect their skills, learn how to win and lose, and how to be part of a team. They also develop friendships and have fun doing it.
Be
aware of athletic eligibility.
Most high schools have eligibility requirements for athletes, e.g. a minimum GPA.
Be
involved.
If your child’s coach has a parent meeting, be sure to attend. If possible, become involved in your school’s parent group or booster organization.
Show
good sportsmanship.
Set a good example when attending sporting events. Support the coaches and players at all times, win or lose.
Discuss
the dangers of steroids.
Steroids are illegal, and they can cause liver damage, heart damage, and sterility. If your child wants to put on weight and/or muscle, talk to the trainer about diet and exercise options.
Playing a sport in college.
Colleges belong to associations, and these associations have specific academic requirements that athletes must meet before they can play a college sport. For information on NCAA requirements, go to www.ncaa.org. For information on NAIA requirements, go to www.naia.org.
Support
your athlete.
Provide encouragement and be positive, both at home and in the stands. You and your child should discuss any problems with the coach.
Monitor
academic progress.
A coach’s job is to develop athletes and to win as many games as possible. As a parent, it is your job to monitor your child’s academic progress and to encourage your child to be successful in the classroom.
Know that you are the most important people in your children’s lives and that your children want you to be proud of them. Support your children, and whenever possible, cheer loudly!
The information on this page comes from:
High School
Parent Guidebook
by Linda O’Brien