2023-2024 School Year 

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Middle school is a time of change for adolescents and their families.  It is a time when children are growing and changing not only physically, but also emotionally, mentally, socially, and spiritually. They are being challenged to make choices they have never had to make before.  During this period of time, adolescents often tell parents that they are older, so they do not need much monitoring. However, twelve- and thirteen-year-olds are not mature or experienced enough to be without parental support. They often need to be monitored even more closely to make sure they are building the proper skills for future independence.

In my Skills for Success elective, students are encouraged to develop not only their academic independence, but also important life skills.  I do this by providing tools for success, such as teaching them how to use their Binder Reminder (student planner), and teaching them various skills, such as time management skills, organizational skills, and more.  In English, History, and Science, teachers post the daily agendas and assignments in their Google Classrooms or on their whiteboards in class. My students are expected to read, understand, and refer back to their agendas and assignments each day by using their Binder Reminders daily.

Adolescents may not always make the best choices because they are still maturing and developing. However, their missteps and mistakes are a way to identify the skills or understanding they need to develop. It is important to guide adolescents toward the development of academic and life skills that will help them become  successful, well-adjusted adults. Teachers and parents must guide adolescents to reflect on how to make better choices, both academically and socially.  Children soon learn that all their choices lead to consequences, sometimes negative and sometimes positive.  We want our children to make choices that will lead to positive outcomes.

When teachers, parents, students, and school staff work together as a team, students hear consistent messages, which helps them be more focused, so they can learn and achieve more.  I whole-heartedly believe in the benefits of this type of teamwork.

We ask that parents help us maintain this consistency by sending the same messages to their children as we give our students at school. To that end, we have some suggestions that will help establish consistent expectations at home and at school. Please feel free to refer to these suggestions as often as you like.

Contributions to Home and Family

• Children should have chores or tasks that they are expected to complete regularly and independently at home. There is much research that promotes this type of child-raising because having responsibilities promotes children’s sense of capability and accomplishment as well as boosts their self-esteem.
• Children should regularly take part in family functions when appropriate. They should be expected to greet others politely and respectfully.
• Children should be reminded that they are a part of a family, and as such, they have to be a contributing member through their words and actions.

Student Habits Affecting Academic Success

• Students should have a quiet location where there is no chance of being interrupted or distracted during homework or study time.
• Students should have access to a table or desk where they can do their assignments.
• Research shows that pre-teens and teens actually need a minimum of 9 hours of sleep every night and benefit from as much as 12 hours of sleep.  Keeping this in mind, please have your children go to sleep at an appointed bedtime, which will allow for a proper night's rest.
• Excessive screen time can be detrimental to a child's health and well-being, so the recreational use of electronic devices, such as cell phones and video games should be limited to only a couple of hours a day at most.
• Children should regularly clean and organize their backpacks and keep track of their school materials, schedules, calendars, and to-do lists, making sure to keep track of their assignments in their Google Classroom (GC) and their grades on Student Portal.
• Students should read a book of their choice for at least thirty minutes each day. Reading will help them improve not only their reading, but also their writing, language fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary.  Students who read for 30 minutes or more each day do better on assignments and achievement tests.
• Students must come to class on time every school day. They must be sitting quietly in their seats, ready to learn, before the tardy bell rings.
• Students may not leave my class without my permission.  Students must be quiet and respectful when the bell rings, so that I may dismiss them.
• Students must not have social conversations in class. Their focus must be on their teachers and the lessons being taught.

Parent Habits Affecting Student Success

• Parents can check their children's Google Classroom and Google Calendar to see what assignments they have and when they are due.
• If your child is struggling, or if there’s a problem, please email their teachers to express your concern and get their help as soon as possible.
• Parents should check the Parent Portal to see their children's assignments and grades.
• Be sure to discuss the value of a good education with your children, and remind them of the importance of attending and doing well in school.
• Ask to see their assignments. Did they follow directions? Is their schoolwork done thoroughly, neatly, and accurately?  Did they turn in their completed work on time? Keeping track of your children's learning will reinforce the importance of their education.
• If your children have poor grades on their progress reports, please have a serious discussion about your expectations regarding their schoolwork and participation. If their grades don’t improve, reach out to their teachers.
• If your children have good grades, tell them that you are proud of their accomplishments and encourage them to continue doing well.
• Attend Back-to-School Night, Open House, and other school events.  That helps you get to know your children’s school, teachers, and staff, as well as the school and class expectations.
• Remember that your children's success in school is best achieved by parents and teachers being on the same team.

Thank you for all your support!

Mrs. Aghavni Anni Pakradouni

Skills for Success Teacher