Freshman Newsletter
September 17, 2018
What should the focus be for the 9th grade year?
Why: The 9th and 10th grade year is foundational to setting a GPA (Grade Point Average) for
college entrance and scholarship requirements. Post-secondary schools continue to
report that the number one indicator for college acceptance is GPA. Also, many top
scholarships are offered on the basis of GPA. Take for example GCU. These are two scholarships they award based on GPA and test scores.
Antelope Award - $3,000 for a GPA of 3.0-3.29 vs.
Chancellor Award - $9,750 for a GPA of 4.0 Unweighted
This is just one example and does not show the amounts that fall between these ranges.
Students and families need to recognize early that mathematically, it is difficult, if not
impossible, to recover from a year or two of low or subpar grades.
Tips:
- Check ParentVue once a week with your child regarding their progress.
- Help your child manage their time. They are busy and often have difficulty prioritizing tasks.
- Ensure there is a routine and clear expectation of when and where homework / study is done. A College Prep course routinely needs 2 hours of weekly study. An Honors course routinely needs 3 hours of weekly study.
- Contact teachers.
- Contact the Academic Advising Office for help.
- Make sure they are getting enough sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 8-10 hours of sleep on a regular basis.
Math Tutoring & Teacher Hours
Days / Hours:
Monday and Wednesday
4-5 pm
Location: Room A-113
All teachers also have office hours for additional help. Please contact the teacher or the Office of Academic Advising for a list.
Tips for students emailing teachers
Often, we assume that students know, but unless it has been talked about at home, it is not likely. Their generation is a text, not letter, generation.
Below are some tips:
Tip # 1 - Before you email, check for the answer on Managebac
Tip # 2 - Use a proper greeting
Tip # 3 - Use the Subject line
Tip # 4 - DNTXT - do not text talk in your emails
Tip # 5 - Always sign your name
Tip # 6 - Proofread please
We talked about some additional things. Ask them if they remember.
A recommend read
Often we put labels like lazy, scatter-brained, impulsive, etc. on our teens, when really it is a slow or weak development of executive functioning skills.
It provided insight with my personal children and also your student. Maybe it can help you too.
Time Management and Organization
1. List each hour of the day for each day of the week.
2. Fill in each blank with what task or activity is done during that time. Be sure to include things such as sleep, travel, eating.
3. All the blanks will help you recognize periods of time that are available for study. (I will do one with them. Ask them about it.)
This is a great visual for students and conversation starter for the family. The key is that the student needs to do the audit themselves and the family needs to help the student recognize the priorities. A key statement to help them recognize their priority is, " I don't have time for ____ because _____."
Did you know that Managebac, the key tool for students and teachers to organize and access information within a unit, is available as an app for both Android and Iphone users? Its calendar is a great way to help your student stay organized. Its icon is pictured above if you go to search for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answer - Even in the unlikely event that your student has no outside work to be doing, he/she should be reviewing class material on a daily basis if only for just a few minutes per class. Encourage consistency.
# 2 - Everything must be ok because the school or teachers have not contacted me, right?
Answer - Each teacher may have 140 students. In an ideal world no one forgets, but honestly, they may. Communication needs to come from all parties - school, home, and student.
# 3 - Teenagers do not want help from their parents, right.
Answer - Though it is true that teens are seeking independence from their parents, they still need and secretly want support. The suggested book, Smart, but Scattered Teens, helps highlight this truth and offers some great suggestions for navigating this tricky stage.
Upcoming Events
10/1: Picture Retakes
10/17: GCU Financial Aid / FAFSA Presentation: 6:00 pm LH A
10/21: Trip to Phoenix Greater College Fair - scholars must sign up - limited to 50 people
Odyssey Office of Academic and College Advisement
Email: karynsmith@topamail.com
Website: http://odyprep.com/ca
Location: Odyssey Office of Academic and College Advisement
Phone: (623) 327-1757