Attendance
Your student's attendance is the single biggest predictor of student academic success. Making sure your student is in class on time each day is probably the best thing you can do to help your student succeed. It is especially important to think carefully about taking your student out of school for extended family vacations and other activities. The more time your student misses, the more difficult it is to keep up the grades!
Maintain Contact
Keep in close contact with your student's teachers. You may certainly use our West phone system, but it is not nearly as useful as email. Go to the LINKS page to find email addresses for ALL your student's teachers. Maintaining a connection with these teachers can help your student stay on track.
Participate in West
West High has an amazing variety of activities going on all the time. By becoming active at the school, you let your student know that school is an important part of life. Come watch a game. Volunteer in the Eagle's Cache. Get on the PTSA. See a play. Check out all the activities by going to the LINKS page to get information.
Check in With Your Student
Homework is not done the same way it was when you and I were in school. Students need to be knowledgable of the Internet, computers and various other technologies. It may appear that a student doesn't have homework, when in fact they do! Check in with your student each day. Ask them about school. Ask them about what is due tomorrow, next week and beyond. Be aware of grade reporting periods (see the school calendar) so you know when to expect grades. Many young people need to be "prodded" to stay on task. That is job #1 for parents.
Watch for Warning Signs
All students make mistakes. But mistakes can become catastrophes when left unresolved. When a grade starts to slip, this may be the beginning of a deep hole a student is digging. One which s/he may not be able to dig out of as time passes. Keep an eye on your student's progress reports and other signs of academic success. If you see a grade beginning to decline, it may just be a small blip, but it may be something more serious. Find out about it quickly and respond appropriately.
Grades are not the only warning indicator. Be aware of your student's moods. Be knowledgable of his/her friends. Watch for changes in dress and attitude. These can all be indicators of changes your student is going through where s/he may need your guidance.