HIGH SCHOOL
The most common missteps and how to avoid them.
Navigating
Introduction
Over the 4 years of high school students learn how to take the driver’s seat with regard to their learning and goals. It is during this time that students are empowered to develop and refine their self-advocacy skills and navigate through challenging situations with the freedom of knowing that their parents / teachers/ counselors are available to provide a safety net of guidance and support.
Time Management
Communication
Expectations
Balance
Areas of Common Missteps
Time Management
Time Efficiency
Failure to establish a method of organization for keeping track of deadlines leads to increased anxiety that typically results in avoidance. Electronic planners/calendars, paper planners or even small notebooks where students can keep track of upcoming deadlines for all classes/activities in one place is an invaluable resource.
Organization
Block scheduling equates to longer class periods that include independent time to work on assignments. Students who utilize independent time to tackle homework and work on assignments, will find the workload much easier to manage and will more easily be able to ask clarifying questions while their teacher is present to work with them.
One of the biggest challenges for high school students is managing their phone use. New legislation limiting phone use during the school day should help students stay focused and reduce homework. After school, however, students still need to practice self-control—making sure schoolwork is completed before using their phones for social or leisure time.
Cell Phone
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Over the first couple weeks of school students learn how to maximize their PIT using the PIT portal. While students have an assigned PIT each day they may use the PIT portal to schedule themselves in a different PIT location based on how they want to spend that time.
Students who maximize their class time working on assignments sometimes utilize PIT as a valuable break in their day to recharge. But, if a student is struggling in a class the time during PIT should be used to get help in that course.
How to use it?
Personalized Instructional Time
What is it?
Each day students attend PIT between the 1st and 2nd period of the day.
Students are encouraged to use their PIT constructively. Time may be spent: attending tutorials, making up a test/quiz, attending a club meeting, working on homework, etc.
PIT helps to ensure that ALL students have opportunities within the regular school day to get academic help and/or get involved on campus.
PIT
TIPS
Communication
Navigating Challenges
When your student is struggling in a class reach out to the teacher for insight. Classroom teachers are able to provide parents/guardians with information regarding the student’s use of class time, tutorials, and continuous improvement options. Armed with this information a parent can provide the student with guidance & support at home. Scheduling a conference with the teacher and attending with your student is beneficial for problem solving.
Parent Support
Students may attend tutorials with any teacher in a given department so if a different teacher’s tutorial schedule or teaching style is a better fit students are encouraged to utilize those resources.
Teacher changes are prohibited in LISD and students are supported in working with their teachers to problem solve.
The high school years prepare students for their future endeavors and the first but most difficult step is learning how to self-advocate. Questions about assignments / grades, etc should be brought to the teacher. Additionally, students should carefully read and/or listen to information provided by the teacher then ask questions when clarification is needed.
Student to Teacher
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Expectations
HAC
Home Access Center
Students should regularly check their grades in HAC and parents can monitor grades in HAC by setting up alerts.
M = Missing Assignment
(still being accepted)
0 = Not Submitted
(no longer accepted)
X = Omitted
(excluded from grade)
HAC
TIPS
Additionally, students should review each teacher’s syllabus regarding grade / late work policies. Teachers post their syllabus on their websites and in their google classroom.
Re-test and late work policies differ by academic department and level of course.
Grading Policies
Google Classrooms
Students will have a Google Classroom for each of their classes and should review each regularly. Parents may be invited by their student to join a Google Classroom as a guardian. Guardian access to a Google Classroom provides a parent with the ability to review course content and support their student in meeting upcoming deadlines.
Personal Goals
Health
Responsibilities
Academic Rigor
Social Development
School Involvement
Responsibilities you have at home or outside of school need to be considered when you are managing your time and taking on new challenges.
A students physical & mental health is crucial for success. Students need to prioritize sleep / rest and be willing to make changes if they realize they have taken on too much.
Stay in tune to your personal goals regardless of what your friends or peers may be doing and set realistic expectations for yourself.
Finding a school club, organization or program that you are passionate about adds value to your time on campus - not to mention the benefits it may have on your post-secondary goals
Social circles & friend groups may change a lot in high school. Learn to set boundaries regarding phone use and seek out relationships with peers who have similar goals & interests.
Students should challenge themselves remembering that this looks different for each student.
Finding Balance
Kandice Detlefsen (A - B)
Kandice.Detlefsen@leaderisd.org
Kylie Russell (C - Ga)
Charity Escott (Ge - Kn)
Tracy Noble (Ko - Ne)
Shawna Powell (Ng - Si)
Melissa Wells (Sk – Z)
Melissa.Wells@leanderisd.org
Counselor
Assistant Principal
Amanda Toon (A - B)
Becky Azard - Jackson (C - G)
becky.azard-jackson@leanderisd.org
Parrish McEwen (H - Mao)
Collin Fletcher (Map - Sam)
Collin.Fletcher@leanderisd.org
David Barnes (San- Z)
Counselors & Assistant Principals work as partners to support students / families.
Support Team
Counselor
Assistant Principal
Counselors & Assistant Principals work as partners to support students / families.
What We Do
Academic Planning
Important District Change!
Workshops
Course Selection Process
Level-Drop Window
September 2nd - 26th
Students struggling in an Advanced or AP course (English, science, math and/or social studies) may request to move into the equivalent on-level course by completing an electronic form that will be posted in the Class of 2029 Google Classroom.
Keep in Mind:
Coming Up Soon!
What I Need | Where to Find It |
Upcoming campus events and timely information including VHS Counseling Newsletters, ViperByte Newsletter, etc. | |
Student absences & early dismissal information | |
Attendance policies in Texas | |
Student grades, class schedule, attendance records | |
Contacting my student’s teacher | |
Academic planning overview and timeline | |
My student’s 4-Year Plan, and post-secondary planning resources | |
GPA questions or information | LISD Course Catalog (pgs 42-43) |
General Resources | |
Resource List
Final Note
Counselors & Assistant Principals were in classrooms with freshman last week and we gave them these tips for Freshman Year.
Thank you for attending this presentation.
Any questions?