WELCOME TO
Rock Canyon High School
A Parent's Guide to 9th Grade
How to help your student start strong,�become independent, and build a
successful high school experience.
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START → GROW → PREPARE → LAUNCH
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ROCK CANYON HIGH SCHOOL
HOME OF THE JAGUARS
Empower • Explore • Encourage • Excel
Rock Canyon High School
A Parent's Guide to 9th Grade
1
ROCK CANYON HIGH SCHOOL
HOME OF THE JAGUARS
Empower • Explore • Encourage • Excel
Deer in the Headlights
The Big Shift: From Manager to Coach
High school asks students to take ownership in ways middle school often did not.
Middle School
Parents often know what is due��Teachers may remind students frequently��Fewer classes / fewer moving parts��Adults solve problems more often
→
High School
Students manage multiple teachers��Longer-term assignments��More independence and choice��Students are expected to advocate for themselves
Parent Goal
Be available.��Be curious.��Set expectations.��Let your student own the problem first.
A little productive struggle is part of learning independence.
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ROCK CANYON HIGH SCHOOL
HOME OF THE JAGUARS
Empower • Explore • Encourage • Excel
Know the Path to Graduation
Use this as your school-specific reference point.
4
YEARS
Graduation Requirements
�English: 4�Math: 3�Science: 3�Social Studies: 3
.5 World, .5 Geo
1.0 US, .5 Gov .5 Econ�PE/Health: 1
Fine Art: 1
Practical Art: 1�Electives: 8
Total Credits 24�
Other Requirements
20 Hours of Community Service
Graduation Competency
-SAT 470 English, 480 Math
Find It Here
��• Course catalog�• Four-year planning tool�• Counselor contacts
Graduation guide (on page 8 of Course Catalog�
Keep the detailed requirements in a handout or QR-linked resource.
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ROCK CANYON HIGH SCHOOL
HOME OF THE JAGUARS
Empower • Explore • Encourage • Excel
Recommendations for College Preparation
Use this as your school-specific reference point.
4
YEARS
Class Recommendations
�English: 4�Math: 4�Science: 4�Social Studies: 4
World Language 2-3
Unique Requirements: Research these
(Example of UC schools)
�
�
Other College Look Fors
Considerations
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ROCK CANYON HIGH SCHOOL
HOME OF THE JAGUARS
Empower • Explore • Encourage • Excel
Beyond the
Choosing Classes: Rigor + Fit
The goal is not the hardest schedule. The goal is an appropriately challenging, sustainable schedule.
Regular
Strong foundation��Good fit for most students.
Not as rigorous
Workload typically more manageable
Honors
More depth/ faster pace��Often requires stronger reading, writing, study habits, independence, and maturity
Offers extra .5 weight in GPA (C and above)
AP
College-level course
High expectations, rigor and independence��Offers AP exam opportunity for college credit
Offers extra 1.0 weight in GPA (C and above)
Concurrent Enrollment
Ask: “Is this course a good fit for my student?” — not simply “Is this the hardest option?”
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ROCK CANYON HIGH SCHOOL
HOME OF THE JAGUARS
Empower • Explore • Encourage • Excel
College-level course��Offers college credit through partner community college
Offers extra 1.0 weight in GPA (C and above)
Rock Canyon High School
A Parent's Guide to 9th Grade
1
ROCK CANYON HIGH SCHOOL
HOME OF THE JAGUARS
Empower • Explore • Encourage • Excel
Testing: Know the Roadmap—Don't Panic
Testing is one part of the larger academic picture.
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PSAT 9- April
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PSAT 10- April
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PSAT/NMSQT-October�
SAT- April
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SAT/ACT- On your own if needed
SAT vs ACT
Most colleges will take either one
COLLEGE POLICIES
Test optional, Test required, Test blind
TAKEAWAY
Don't let testing overshadow grades, learning and well-being.
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ROCK CANYON HIGH SCHOOL
HOME OF THE JAGUARS
Empower • Explore • Encourage • Excel
Find Your Place at School
Involvement breeds success: Activities Fair is on September 3rd during Access
SPORTS
Athletics,�intramurals
CLUBS
Academic,�hobby, service
ARTS
Music, theater,�visual arts
LEADERSHIP
Student leadership,�service
COMMUNITY
Volunteering,�faith, work
TRY
Explore before�you commit
QUALITY > QUANTITY
Encourage students to find things they genuinely enjoy.
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ROCK CANYON HIGH SCHOOL • HOME OF THE JAGUARS
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RCHS offers 100+ clubs & activities, with opportunities for students to create their own.
ROCK CANYON HIGH SCHOOL
HOME OF THE JAGUARS
Empower • Explore • Encourage • Excel
Rock Canyon High School
A Parent's Guide to 9th Grade
1
ROCK CANYON HIGH SCHOOL
HOME OF THE JAGUARS
Empower • Explore • Encourage • Excel
Communication
Communication: Teach Students to Advocate
Students should increasingly be the first point of contact.
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STUDENT
• Check Canvas
• Read directions
• Ask another student
→
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TEACHER
• Clarify 1:1
• Send email
• Ask for Feedback
→
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COUNSELOR
•Support
→
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PARENT
• Listen
• Coach
• Assist
Parent role: support the process without taking over the process.
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ROCK CANYON HIGH SCHOOL
HOME OF THE JAGUARS
Empower • Explore • Encourage • Excel
Stay Connected Without Hovering
“It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings.”
— Ann Landers
WEEKLY CHECK-IN
What went well?��What was hard?��What is coming up?��Anything you need help with?��Keep it curious, not interrogative.
STAY IN THE KNOW
WHEN TO REACH OUT
Persistent academic decline��Attendance concerns��Major behavior change��Student feels stuck��Problem isn't resolving
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ROCK CANYON HIGH SCHOOL
HOME OF THE JAGUARS
Empower • Explore • Encourage • Excel
Rock Canyon High School
A Parent's Guide to 9th Grade
1
ROCK CANYON HIGH SCHOOL
HOME OF THE JAGUARS
Empower • Explore • Encourage • Excel
Unless you follow these tips
Student Success Tips
“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” — Nelson Mandela
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ATTENDANCE
• Get to school and class on time, stay in class
• Make a plan for missed work ahead of planned absences
• Watch for avoidance patterns: Avoidance breeds Anxiety
• #1 Factor in school success
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STUDY/ACADEMICS
• Turn in all assignments (MS vs HS)
• If miss school- Check Canvas, Use Access
• Use some sort of planner
• Regular study times
• Distraction-free study space
• Balance
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INDEPENDENCE SKILLS
• Story of Parent meeting
• Ownership of choices
• Independence=Self Confidence
• Fail Forward=Failing is the greatest opportunity for growth
• Training ground for adulthood
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ROCK CANYON HIGH SCHOOL
HOME OF THE JAGUARS
Empower • Explore • Encourage • Excel
Phones, Focus & the Digital Environment
Help students learn to manage technology before technology manages them.
By the numbers
-Smart phones introduced 2007
-Since then
-Depression increase 33%
-Suicide increase 65%
-Correlational
-Social Media Lawsuits
-Students who spent time on phone 1 hour before bed slept 1 hour less
AT HOME
Phone-free study blocks��Turn off nonessential notifications��Keep phones out of reach during homework��No phone 1 hour before bed
Discussions around social media
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ROCK CANYON HIGH SCHOOL
HOME OF THE JAGUARS
Empower • Explore • Encourage • Excel
5 THINGS TO REMEMBER
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Freshman year matters.
Grades, habits and attendance start building the high school record.
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Let them own it.
Coach toward solutions instead of solving every problem.
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Help them connect.
Teachers, counselors, coaches and activities create support.
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Failure is a great opportunity
We don’t want students to fail, but when they do help them figure it out and grow from it.
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High School Should be fun
Let’s not forget to have students create great memories and enjoy their high school years.
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ROCK CANYON HIGH SCHOOL
GO JAGS!
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ROCK CANYON HIGH SCHOOL
HOME OF THE JAGUARS
Empower • Explore • Encourage • Excel
Find this presentation at:
Rockcanyonjags.com—Counseling—Presentations—Academic presentations