Prekindergarten - Elementary Grades (PreK-6 grades)
From the first day your child is born to the day he or she graduates, you are your child’s most important teacher. As much as you can, be involved in education at every stage of his or her development. Think of yourself and the school teacher as partners in your child’s education. The tips below are important to practice throughout the elementary school years and beyond; they can make a big difference in how well your child does in school.

• Before he can start kindergarten, he needs a PRE-SCHOOL SCREENING to identify possible health or developmental needs. To schedule an appointment call: 651-632-3746; screenings are free.
  
  
• Consider VISITING THE SCHOOL before the first day of class so he can meet teachers and students.
  
  
• It’s important to ATTEND PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES every year to keep on top of your student’s progress. If you can’t attend a conference, make sure to call the teacher to discuss his progress.
  
  
• Call the STUDENT PLACEMENT CENTER for help picking a school. Go to http://enroll.spps.org or call 651-632-3701.
  
  
• It’s never too early to START SAVING MONEY FOR COLLEGE or to start talking to your student about going to college so they know it’s possible.
  
  
• GOOD STUDY HABITS can help your student do better in school in the long run. Make sure your student does her homework every night and that she has a place to study.
  
  
• The school principal and teachers often send important information home with your student so CHECK YOUR STUDENT’S BACKPACK EVERY DAY.
  
  
• Make sure your student has a REGULAR ROUTINE. Children do better in school when they are well rested and eat breakfast every day.
  
  
• ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENT TO READ BOOKS. Reading is a basic lifelong skill.
  
  
• Ask your STUDENT TO READ ALOUD to you whenever possible. For example, have him read every day words, like signs and food labels.
  
  
• EXPLORE YOUR STUDENT’S INTERESTS TOGETHER and encourage his curiosity. Visit a nature center, science museum or zoo. Free “Museum Adventure Passes” are available through the public library.
  
  
• Help and ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENT TO FIND OUT ANSWERS to her own questions by doing research together in a book, at the library, or on the Internet .
  
  
• Enroll your student in an ENRICHMENT PROGRAM to explore her interests and expand her experiences;  available before and after school, weekends and the summer; see Program Directory.
  
  
• If your student will be transitioning to a NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL after 6th grade consider VISITING THE SCHOOL with her before the first day of school to ease any anxieties she might have.

Middle School Grades (7-8 grades)
The stakes get higher for middle grades students as they approach high school where their academic performance will affect their choices for attending a two- or four-year college. This is also the time when you can help them learn more about their interests.

• Students will have many teachers and classes so it is important that they WORK ON ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS. Make sure your student has a planner and knows how to use it to set priorities.
  
  
• Keep an eye on your student to make sure he is DEVELOPING GOOD STUDY HABITS developing good study habits and is doing his homework.
  
  
• MONIOTR YOUR STUDENT'S HOMEWORKonitor your student’s homework. Read the material he brings home from school to make sure he completes homework. If you do not see any homework ask him why and contact the school.
  
  
• If you haven’t already, start SAVING MONEY FOR COLLEGE. Every little bit helps.
  
  
• ASK ABOUT YOUR STUDENT'S FAVORITE CLASSES and what she learned and did in school that day. Ask the teacher how you can help her succeed.
  
  
• Attend PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES to check on your student’s academic progress. If you are not able to attend the conference, call her teacher to find out how she’s doing.
  
  
• As a parent, ASK YOUR STUDENT REGULARLY about what jobs interest him. Even if he doesn’t act like it, children appreciate their parents’ interest in their thoughts and interests.
  
  
• Students should consider doing VOLUNTEER WORK in their community. It provides real-world experience and makes a positive difference.
  
  
• If your student is an ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER, continue practicing your home language with her. Practicing your home language will help her develop the ability to speak more than one language, which is an important skill to have in life.
  
  
• TALK WITH YOUR STUDENT ABOUT THE FUTURE. Discuss future career opportunities and how school will help meet those goals. Having goals will make his hard work at school feel worthwhile.
  
  
• Look at the HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES that will prepare him for college; he should take the most difficult classes he can handle.
  
  
• INTEREST AND SKILLS ASSESSMENTS will help him think about possible career options.
  
  
• Enroll him in a SUMMER ENRICHMENT program. Many are free and focus on areas that interest students.
  

High School Grades (9-12 grades)
Because starting high school is such a big step, ninth grade is a critical time for students. Getting good grades and being involved in extracurricular activities is critical to getting into a college and getting a good job.

In Grade 9:

• INTEREST AND SKILLS ASSESSMENTS help with exploring career options.
  
  
• Review her High School Class Plan; she should be TAKING THE MOST DIFFICULT CLASSES she can handle.
  
  
• A SCHOOL COUNSELOR can talk through career options and the education required for those careers.
  
  
• Encourage her to participate in EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
  
  
• Talk seriously about SAVING AND PAYING FOR COLLEGE.
  

In Grade 10:

• Explore INTERNSHIP AND APPRENTICESHIP opportunities to gain on-the-job experience.
  
  
• Encourage your student to TALK ABOUT COLLEGE with his friends, teachers, counselors and you because he can learn from others’ experiences.
  
  
• The PLAN TEST helps prepare for the ACT TEST, and to help students think more about college.
  
  
• Make sure she makes the most of the summer, through a SUMMER ENRICHMENT program, or a SUMMER JOB to earn money for college.

In Grade 11:

• Attend COLLEGE AND FINANCIAL AID events.
  
  
• The PSAT TEST in the fall will help prepare for the SAT TEST and identify areas where your student needs improvement.
  
  
• Consider possible CAREER OPTIONS and investigate the type of education that is needed.
  
  
• Request MATERIALS FROM COLLEGES that interest your student and visit their web sites.
  
  
• Arrange CAMPUS VISITS to those schools that interest your student.
  
  
• Students can EARN COLLEGE CREDIT (see information at bottom of page) while in high school through college-level coursework.
  
  
• Register for the ACT and/or SAT TESTS in the spring.
  
  
• Review the HIGH SCHOOL CLASS PLAN to make sure your student takes the most difficult classes she can handle, help her stay focused on schoolwork, and make sure she is meeting the high school graduation requirements.
  
  
• Help your student get a job to earn and save money for college, or explore her skills through an INTERNSHIP or APPRENTICESHIP.

In Grade 12:

• Research and apply for PRIVATE SCHOLARSHIPS. Complete the FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1.
  
  
• MEET with his SCHOOL COUNSELOR to review his high school class plan, take the most difficult classes he can handle, stay focused on his schoolwork.
  
  
• Your student should TAKE/RETAKE the ACT and/or SAT TESTS in the fall.
  
  
• Help SELECT COLLEGES to which he will apply. Make a list of important admissions and financial aid deadlines for each school.
  
  
• Help CREATE A RESUME of his academic, athletic and work activities, as well as other achievements.
  
  
• CHOOSE A COLLEGE with your student and send in any required forms or deposits (housing, meal plan, etc.). Notify in writing those schools he doesn't plan to attend.
  

GRADUATE TO SOMETHING GREAT!