School Success Tips

CAMPUS INFO

Mt Carmel School Success Tips

1.  KNOW MC
   Explore PUSD’s and MC’s web pages, read the calendar and put important events on your schedule.   Know the school’s overall test scores, demographics, and names of Administrators and Counselors.  Introduce yourself and let it be known you’d like to be called or notified of any concerns.  Promote the message that school success is a family value        
    
2.  KNOW YOUR CHILD’S SUNDEVIL TEACHERS
   Read your child’s syllabus for each class.  Locate the teacher’s contact information and share with them our email and phone number.  Target the classes that your child may have difficulty in and let them know if you’d like to hear from them regularly.
    
3.  SET UP A REGULAR HOMEWORK TIME (SUNDEVIL MINUTES)
   Your child should have a regular homework place and time.   The homework place should not be in front of the TV or in a loud part of your home.  Homework time should be not be disturbed.
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5.  HELP YOUR CHILD WITH ORGANIZATION
   Children need guidance when learning organization skills for school success.  The number one reason student’s fail a class is due to issuing assignments.   They usually toss all of their papers and assignments into their backpack and do not keep track of when things are due.  Help your child develop organizational skill by having them go through their backpack each night.  They can create a folder for homework assignments and a calendar to keep track of when assignments are due.  If they learn effective study skills early on they will increase their school success now but greatly assist them not only in college, but in life.
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7.  DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR
   How was school today, what did you learn, have any homework? - “fine” “nothing” “I did it at school”. Sound familiar?  Our children know what we want to hear and sometimes tell us half-truths. Ask your children about their homework load and schedule.
    
8.  BE INVOLVED IN YOUR CHILD’S LEARNING
   Older children are still eager to show you how much they know and still seek your interest and approval.  Talk to them about what they’ve learned, relate family with academics, have conversations about current events and get their opinion.  Approval still matters to them. 
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10.  KNOW THEIR FRIENDS
    You can probably connect their friends and academic performance.   If their friends like school, the more likely your child will value education. Meet their friends.  Pay attention to changes in your child.  Let them know early our expectations, values and what is not acceptable. 
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12.  UNDERSTAND THE GRADING SYSTEM
    Many parents don’t understand public school’s assessments.  You should know the grading system and when to expect grades and report cards. If you notice declining grades, you may contact the teacher to request a conference. A cumulative file consists of test scores, grades and reports from kindergarten through 12^th grade. You may review file at any time.  When your child starts Mt. Carmel, you should meet with their counselor, in the Sun Center, so you and your child understand the credits required to graduate.   Ask about requirements and electives.  Know what’s expected from colleges. If student is deficient in credits, find out the plan for recovery. 
     
13.  USE MC’s RESOURCES
    There are resources available for struggling students.  MC offers student tutors, tutorials and The Family Learning Center at Los Penasquitos Elementary School. You can meet with your child’s counselor to discuss options. If there are issues with teacher(s), ask the counselor or administrator to help you arrange a conference.
     
14.  ASK IF HELP IS NEEDED
    Parenting and making the best decisions is tough. We are here to answer your questions. Finding someone who is familiar with the same situations sometimes can help