Why does Attendance Matter? 1. You will likely earn better grades. Research shows a clear link to students coming to school and achieving better. 2. Starting good habits now will carry over into the workforce when you get there. Being on time is something that your employer will value. 3. You are more likely to stay out of trouble with the law. Studies show that 78% of the people in prison had a first arrest for school truancy. 4. You will be more likely to graduate. Excuses for not attending school may seem like good excuses at the time, but they only hurt the student in the end. Some commonly heard excuses: 1. Classes are boring/stupid/dumb. Our teachers work hard to make the learning experience at Copiague Middle School relevant to the students. 2. I don't like my teacher/school. We will all encounter people in our life that we do not get along with. However, the teacher is the person in charge of the classroom and deserves respect. 3. I feel stupid. Classes at Copiague Middle School are heterogeneously grouped, meaning that there are students of all intelligencies and competencies in the classes. Our teachers work hard to create many group learning environments where students can help each other.
Parent Involvement Produces... Higher grades and test scores Better attendance and more homework completed More positive attitudes toward school Better behavior Higher graduation rates Increased enrollment in post secondary education Steps you can take on a regular basis: Encourage your child to read. If they say they have no homework, they can always be reading. All Language Arts teachers have reading homework through the Accelerated Reader program built into their curriculum. Set aside a regular time and place for homework. Often times a common area is better than their room. This will prevent them from having their TV on, surfing the internet, or talking on their cell phone. Let your middle school child know that effort - not intelligence - is the real key to success in school. Visit the library regularly together. The Montgomery House Library in McEwensville has a great selection of books and other resources. Keep close track of your child's school work. There is usually no such thing as "No Homework" for the middle school student. If you do not believe them when they tell you they completed it in study hall, then make them bring it home and show it to you completed. Talk with your child about their day. Some topic starters include: What was the most important thing that you learned today? What new assignments did you get? What do you think your history/science/math/language arts teacher will ask on the test?
Academic Success: Get the Facts As your children head back to the classroom, you can arm them with the proper tools and information to achieve to the best of their abilities. A student's success in middle school creates habits that are healthy and will them as they go to high school and beyond. What can you do to ensure your children reach their maximum potential? It's easy; just remember the vowels: A - Advise your teen to get involved in behaviors that are safe, fun and removed from drugs, such as sports or other extracurricular activities. E - Establish clear rules with clear consequences and encourage and reward good behavior, but more than anything, be a role model for your kids. I - Involve yourself in your teen's life. O - Overlook your fear of having sensitive conversations, and look for the opportunity to talk with your kids. U - Unite yourself with the rest of your family, other parents, and organizations in order to have the support of others.