en español

Is Your Student Earning One or More D's or F's?

There are many reasons why a student's grades may drop or he/she may struggle in school, however, more often than not, the student has not learned or is choosing not to apply the academic strategies necessary to be successful.  This is especially true for students who,  for the first time, are taking a more academic course load or have never had classes like a World Language or upper levels of science like Biology that require studying on a regular basis.   Below are just a few suggestions on how you as a parent can help.

Teach Your Student How to Use Their Day Planner

• Did you know every student receives a free day planner?  If your student did not, he/she may pick one up in the Counseling Office as it is required for all classes.  But sometimes it takes more than just providing this tool for students to learn time management skills.
• Work with your student on how to schedule and use their planner starting with how to build reviewing it into their daily routine.  Check out these Scheduling Tips for more information on how your student can use their planner to build success in classes.
• As family events, appointments, trips and obligations come up, remind your student to record these in his/her day planner as well so that your student is prepared to complete assignments earlier when time will be limited.

• If you would like to see more regular feedback regarding how your student is doing, direct your student to take a “Walk Around Progress Report” to each of his teachers to complete (available for download here).  Students may also pick these up in the Counseling Office and are encouraged to take them to classes Wednesdays and Thursdays so they have an extra day if needed to check-in before the weekend.
• Contact your student’s teachers.  You can access all teachers’ phone numbers  and e-mail addresses through the Harbor website by going to the Home page and then to the Phone Directory.
• Encourage your student to use SGI (Student Guided Instruction).  This time is built into the bell schedule from 10:15 - 10:40 am every day and is specifically designed to provide time for students to meet with teachers to receive assistance, get make-up work, review grades, or ask other questions about the class.  Students who indicate their teachers are often busy with others or not in their classrooms should talk to the teacher about an appointment.   And teachers are typically willing to sign something verifying attendance for parents who wish to hold their student accountable at home.
• If attendance to class is a concern, parents are strongly encouraged to sign-up for the Parent Portal.  This service allows you to check your student’s attendance to each of his/her classes on a daily basis.  For more information, check out the Infinite Campus link.
• Review course expectation sheets.  This is a handout teachers are required to provide to all students and can be very helpful in understanding expectations regarding the class.  Many provide tips for success specific to the course, but at the very least they should tell you how your student will be evaluated;  important information to know to improve the grade.

Shadow Your Student

Parents of students earning multiple D’s and F’s may contact the Assistant Principal of Curriculum at 429-3810 x 1040 to schedule a day to shadow their students.  This is a great way to see how your student is actually performing in class.  Sometimes simply the possibility of this arrangement can be used to influence your student’s commitment to completing his/her schoolwork.  For more details, download a copy of the Shadowing Agreements.

Academic Learning Center - Free Tutoring

If you haven't heard, Harbor now has an After School Learning Center.  The program is housed in the library after school Monday - Thursday from 3 - 4pm.  It is run by a coordinator, Mr. Takeshi Kaneko,  and staff and student volunteers are available to provide assistance with homework, although students may come here simply to study.  Students do not need to sign-up in advance and the service is free.   Please do be advised that student participation is voluntary, however, Harbor staff or more than happy to sign work acknowledging your student was present if you wish to hold him/her accountable at home.

Empty Out the Backpack 

Ask your student to completely empty out the backpack.  If it the binder has the look of something that is rarely used with a pile of papers that have never been placed into it, it's time for some organization!  

Some teachers may require an individual binder specifically for their class, but if this is not the case, it is recommended students use ONE large binder for all classes so that it is brought every day and nothing is 
forgotten in the "other" A or B-day binder. 

Have your student spend the time to hole punch papers and help your student develop an organizational system for each class. Here are just a few tips.

• Place all homework in the front pocket of the binder where it is visible and easily accessible.  Label the pocket - "Work to Turn In."
• Use labeled dividers for each class.
• Classes which may require several dividers (ie.  English may require a section for notes, vocabulary, writing, etc.) should be separated by a larger pocket folder.
• Create one section just for college rule lined paper either at the very front or back of the binder so it can easily be found during class.  Visually it also allows the student to easily assess when it's time to restock.
• Make sure your student understands the importance of saving and filing the handouts since they are typically given out as reference materials to help the student later prepare for a test or assignment down the road.  

Tips on Homework

• Encourage your student to complete homework the day it is assigned.  This allows for students to go to their teachers or peers to get assistance the next day if they have questions.

Hold Your Student Accountable at Home

If your student remembers to bring his/her cell phone and mp3 to school, he/she sure can remember to bring you home a progress report.   And it's amazing, when you stick to your guns, what students will do to keep their electronic devices and other privileges.  Don't back down and be clear about your expectations and consistent.

Teach your student about how to take responsibility.  If your student claims a progress report was not filled out because the teacher was too busy during class or didn't give it back, help your student to understand that it is then his/her responsibility to stay after.