News From Secondary Principal Craig Randall
STUDY HABITS
Dear Parents,
One of the most important goals I have for your children, our students, is make sure they develop strong study habits. To me, this means by the time they graduate they are intrinsically motivated to do, not only their homework, but to study as well. The way this works best is when the school and parents are working together to make this happen. You are the ones who are home with them during this time and the ones who can have the largest impact on helping them to develop strong study skills.
Our children will use computers in their work lives on a daily basis. Computers are an amazing gift to help improve teaching and learning. Research is exponentially easier now. Lessons can be so much more engaging drawing on tools that are accessible from the internet and that require computers. However, as with all things are pluses and minuses to them. When I become a parent I gained this amazing love of another and the experience of true selflessness, but I also lost some of my freedoms. When we chose to live overseas my family and I learn all these amazing things about other cultures and people and we are able to experience fantastic holidays, but we miss out on being with extended family in the same way as we did before we moved overseas. It is the same with computers. The downside is that distractions are only a click away. Doing homework and studying is much more difficult than when many of us were children. When we were in school, we didn’t use computers and therefore didn’t have the distractions so close at hand. I fear that if I was a student right now, I would succumb to those distractions by clicking to ESPN’s website and reading about sports!
How do we best help our students who are succumbing to these distractions to become intrinsically motivated studiers? My own opinion is that 95% or more of students that are receiving a D or lower grade are experiencing this because they are not studying, even though they might be telling us and you that they are studying. From a school end, as we begin our pastoral care program a key element will be providing training and support in teaching students how to do their homework and how to study effectively.
So, what are possible signs that your child could benefit from some extrinsic homework motivation?
• They are studying in their bedroom, an office or any other unsupervised area
• When you ask them about their homework they say it is done or they don’t have any
• If their grades are lower than you expect them to be or you feel grades don’t match their capabilities
• If you are seeing that there are missing assignments in the portal
• Something just doesn’t quite feel right and you question them about being on task about their homework i.e. Are you playing a game on your computer? And they respond very quickly with a “No,” and show you their computer which shows their homework. (They click out of things so fast we usually don’t catch them---trust your instincts)
From a parent standpoint I have some suggestions that will help make a difference in improving your child’s study habits. I believe that when intrinsic motivation is not present we provide extrinsic motivation to help them develop intrinsic motivation. Please know that these suggestions will temporarily put more of a burden on you until the new habits are developed. Please know that this will only work if you, as parents, are completely consistent in your efforts.
Suggestions:
• Have your child study in a common area where mom or dad is. Though I don’t think you have watch over them constantly, it is important to make sure they are sitting at an angle that allows you to turn your head and instantly be able to see their computer screen. If they know you can see their screen at any point in time then they will be less tempted to succumb to the distractions that are a click away.
• Have them show you their completed work. Your child saying, “It’s done,” is not enough.
• Have them show you their Haiku pages for their courses. Teachers list their assignments there. (A note: Haiku is new to our teachers and as we get this up and running there might be a few glitches here and there.
• Have them show you their planner. Students are supposed to write down their assignments in their planner.
• Confiscate their phone during study time.
• Confiscate their phone and computer before they go to bed. They sleep more and well rested students perform better and find it easier to stay on task when studying.
• Give them a 5 minute break from studying every thirty minutes.
• Email the teacher if you have concerns.
Remember that you must be consistent, daily basis, if we want to create new habits.
If you feel you could use more help with this please feel free to email me at [email protected]. I have a lot of experience in working with families on creating improved study habits.
Warm Regards
Craig Randall
Dear Parents,
One of the most important goals I have for your children, our students, is make sure they develop strong study habits. To me, this means by the time they graduate they are intrinsically motivated to do, not only their homework, but to study as well. The way this works best is when the school and parents are working together to make this happen. You are the ones who are home with them during this time and the ones who can have the largest impact on helping them to develop strong study skills.
Our children will use computers in their work lives on a daily basis. Computers are an amazing gift to help improve teaching and learning. Research is exponentially easier now. Lessons can be so much more engaging drawing on tools that are accessible from the internet and that require computers. However, as with all things are pluses and minuses to them. When I become a parent I gained this amazing love of another and the experience of true selflessness, but I also lost some of my freedoms. When we chose to live overseas my family and I learn all these amazing things about other cultures and people and we are able to experience fantastic holidays, but we miss out on being with extended family in the same way as we did before we moved overseas. It is the same with computers. The downside is that distractions are only a click away. Doing homework and studying is much more difficult than when many of us were children. When we were in school, we didn’t use computers and therefore didn’t have the distractions so close at hand. I fear that if I was a student right now, I would succumb to those distractions by clicking to ESPN’s website and reading about sports!
How do we best help our students who are succumbing to these distractions to become intrinsically motivated studiers? My own opinion is that 95% or more of students that are receiving a D or lower grade are experiencing this because they are not studying, even though they might be telling us and you that they are studying. From a school end, as we begin our pastoral care program a key element will be providing training and support in teaching students how to do their homework and how to study effectively.
So, what are possible signs that your child could benefit from some extrinsic homework motivation?
• They are studying in their bedroom, an office or any other unsupervised area
• When you ask them about their homework they say it is done or they don’t have any
• If their grades are lower than you expect them to be or you feel grades don’t match their capabilities
• If you are seeing that there are missing assignments in the portal
• Something just doesn’t quite feel right and you question them about being on task about their homework i.e. Are you playing a game on your computer? And they respond very quickly with a “No,” and show you their computer which shows their homework. (They click out of things so fast we usually don’t catch them---trust your instincts)
From a parent standpoint I have some suggestions that will help make a difference in improving your child’s study habits. I believe that when intrinsic motivation is not present we provide extrinsic motivation to help them develop intrinsic motivation. Please know that these suggestions will temporarily put more of a burden on you until the new habits are developed. Please know that this will only work if you, as parents, are completely consistent in your efforts.
Suggestions:
• Have your child study in a common area where mom or dad is. Though I don’t think you have watch over them constantly, it is important to make sure they are sitting at an angle that allows you to turn your head and instantly be able to see their computer screen. If they know you can see their screen at any point in time then they will be less tempted to succumb to the distractions that are a click away.
• Have them show you their completed work. Your child saying, “It’s done,” is not enough.
• Have them show you their Haiku pages for their courses. Teachers list their assignments there. (A note: Haiku is new to our teachers and as we get this up and running there might be a few glitches here and there.
• Have them show you their planner. Students are supposed to write down their assignments in their planner.
• Confiscate their phone during study time.
• Confiscate their phone and computer before they go to bed. They sleep more and well rested students perform better and find it easier to stay on task when studying.
• Give them a 5 minute break from studying every thirty minutes.
• Email the teacher if you have concerns.
Remember that you must be consistent, daily basis, if we want to create new habits.
If you feel you could use more help with this please feel free to email me at [email protected]. I have a lot of experience in working with families on creating improved study habits.
Warm Regards
Craig Randall
PlusPortals Update
If you were unable to come to last weeks parent meeting regarding our Plus Portal network for parents, we have uploaded the presentation to the launcher for you to view. Go to:
https://gaa-ad.haikulearning.com/administrator/thelauncher/cms_page/view/15883103
Parents of students in Grade 6-12 will have received an email this week giving you a username and password to access the site. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or queries.
If you were unable to come to last weeks parent meeting regarding our Plus Portal network for parents, we have uploaded the presentation to the launcher for you to view. Go to:
https://gaa-ad.haikulearning.com/administrator/thelauncher/cms_page/view/15883103
Parents of students in Grade 6-12 will have received an email this week giving you a username and password to access the site. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or queries.
School Counseling News
The NAJAH Higher Education and Careers Fair is taking place next week, on October 28, 29, & 30. All high school students and families in grades 9 -12 are strongly encouraged to attend. Thursday, October 30, would be a great day for students to go as we have a Professional Development day and students will finish school at 12Noon. The fair will be open from 10am – 7pm on this day.
The NAJAH Higher Education and Careers Fair is taking place next week, on October 28, 29, & 30. All high school students and families in grades 9 -12 are strongly encouraged to attend. Thursday, October 30, would be a great day for students to go as we have a Professional Development day and students will finish school at 12Noon. The fair will be open from 10am – 7pm on this day.
What is it?: NAJAH is a higher education and career expo. It is a large scale event that offers international opportunities for higher education, careers, and training. It provides a variety of opportunities for not only high school students, but also working professionals looking to further their education and career prospects. Of course, the main focus for our students is visiting with the higher education universities and colleges.
For more information please visit the website at www.najahonline.com
When is it?: 10am-7pm on Tuesday, October 28; Wednesday, October 29; *Thursday, October 30 which is highly recommended due to the early dismissal form school.
Why should I attend?: This event will serve as a great introduction to a variety of worldwide universities and their admission processes.
A general note about fairs: A college fair is a free program to the public to aid students and their families in fulfilling their educational aspirations. The fair provides you with the opportunity to interact with admission representatives from a wide range of colleges and universities. Use this time to discuss majors of intended study, admission and financial aid requirements, and other information pertinent to the college selection process.
You may also find this article, Faring Well at a NACAC National College Fair, from the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) helpful and useful for what to expect from a fair in general.
Faring Well at a NACAC National College Fair
National College Fairs offer an exciting opportunity to talk to the people in the know.
Admission representatives from a variety of colleges are all gathered in one place, just waiting to answer your questions.
But it's easy to get caught up in the crowds and confusion. Soon you're crossing the room (or many rooms), stopping at any booth that catches your eye or seems popular. When that happens, you end up with lots of pretty brochures, but not a lot of clear impressions about which colleges you may be interested in. Making the most of a college fair means planning your strategy before you enter those double doors. You may even want to watch this short video on what to expect at the fair.
"Treat a college fair like a buffet dinner," advises a director of undergraduate admission from Florida. "There will be more there than you can possibly take in, but then again, not everything is to your taste."
Experienced buffet diners know that it's best to scope out their choices before they start filling their plate. Savvy students can do the equivalent by looking over a list of college fair participants before the fair. Choose the colleges you most want to find out more about. If you have time, research these colleges by reading information in your guidance office or by checking out guidebooks or Web sites.
"Know what you want to find out at the fair," says a director of admission at a college in Ohio. Write up a short list of questions to ask admission representatives. To compare several schools, plan on asking the same questions at each table.
The questions you ask should be unique to your interests and not easily found in standard college materials. "The college fair is a good time to talk person-to-person with the representative of that school," says one guidance counselor. "Your job is to think of good questions."
So cross out the questions like, "How many people are in the freshman class?" Instead, ask what the two or three most popular majors are (that can give you a good idea of the main interests of the majority of the students). If you have a particular major in mind, don't ask "How good is major X?" No college representative will tell you that a program is bad. Instead, ask how many students take that major; what research faculty members are involved in (and the opportunities for undergraduates to participate in it); or what courses you would take your first year in a particular major. Students who are undecided should ask about what services and support are available to help them explore various majors.
Other things you can ask about: extracurricular activities, what kinds of students the college is looking for, what percentage of students receive financial aid, and other concerns unique to your interests and situation. To read more click here...
Fall College Visits
OCTOBER
13th – NYU Abu Dhabi, UAE, USA, 12:20pm
15th – Rose Hulman University, USA, 9:15am
16th – Johns Hopkins, USA, 8:00am
16th - University of Chicago, USA, 8:00am
16th – EU European University Business School, Europe 9:15am
16th- Lewis & Clark College, USA, 9:15am
19th – Trinity University, USA, 9:15am
19th - Hult International Business School, UAE, UK, USA, 9:15am
20th – US Education Group US University Fair, 11:15am.
27th – Washington College, USA, 8:30am
27th – University of Vermont, USA, 12:40pm
Grade Level Info
Senior Info (grade 12): Visit the NAJAH Fair! Register online at www.najahonline.com. Consider using a College Fair Checklist from NACAC.
Junior Info (grade 11): Visit the NAJAH Fair! Register online at www.najahonline.com. Consider using a College Fair Checklist from NACAC.
Sophomore Info (grade 10): Visit the NAJAH Fair! Register online at www.najahonline.com. Consider using a College Fair Checklist from NACAC.
Freshman Info (grade 9): Visit the NAJAH Fair! Register online at www.najahonline.com. Consider using a College Fair Checklist from NACAC.
Click here on information on how to Meet top universities from US & India
For more information please visit the website at www.najahonline.com
When is it?: 10am-7pm on Tuesday, October 28; Wednesday, October 29; *Thursday, October 30 which is highly recommended due to the early dismissal form school.
Why should I attend?: This event will serve as a great introduction to a variety of worldwide universities and their admission processes.
A general note about fairs: A college fair is a free program to the public to aid students and their families in fulfilling their educational aspirations. The fair provides you with the opportunity to interact with admission representatives from a wide range of colleges and universities. Use this time to discuss majors of intended study, admission and financial aid requirements, and other information pertinent to the college selection process.
You may also find this article, Faring Well at a NACAC National College Fair, from the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) helpful and useful for what to expect from a fair in general.
Faring Well at a NACAC National College Fair
National College Fairs offer an exciting opportunity to talk to the people in the know.
Admission representatives from a variety of colleges are all gathered in one place, just waiting to answer your questions.
But it's easy to get caught up in the crowds and confusion. Soon you're crossing the room (or many rooms), stopping at any booth that catches your eye or seems popular. When that happens, you end up with lots of pretty brochures, but not a lot of clear impressions about which colleges you may be interested in. Making the most of a college fair means planning your strategy before you enter those double doors. You may even want to watch this short video on what to expect at the fair.
"Treat a college fair like a buffet dinner," advises a director of undergraduate admission from Florida. "There will be more there than you can possibly take in, but then again, not everything is to your taste."
Experienced buffet diners know that it's best to scope out their choices before they start filling their plate. Savvy students can do the equivalent by looking over a list of college fair participants before the fair. Choose the colleges you most want to find out more about. If you have time, research these colleges by reading information in your guidance office or by checking out guidebooks or Web sites.
"Know what you want to find out at the fair," says a director of admission at a college in Ohio. Write up a short list of questions to ask admission representatives. To compare several schools, plan on asking the same questions at each table.
The questions you ask should be unique to your interests and not easily found in standard college materials. "The college fair is a good time to talk person-to-person with the representative of that school," says one guidance counselor. "Your job is to think of good questions."
So cross out the questions like, "How many people are in the freshman class?" Instead, ask what the two or three most popular majors are (that can give you a good idea of the main interests of the majority of the students). If you have a particular major in mind, don't ask "How good is major X?" No college representative will tell you that a program is bad. Instead, ask how many students take that major; what research faculty members are involved in (and the opportunities for undergraduates to participate in it); or what courses you would take your first year in a particular major. Students who are undecided should ask about what services and support are available to help them explore various majors.
Other things you can ask about: extracurricular activities, what kinds of students the college is looking for, what percentage of students receive financial aid, and other concerns unique to your interests and situation. To read more click here...
Fall College Visits
OCTOBER
13th – NYU Abu Dhabi, UAE, USA, 12:20pm
15th – Rose Hulman University, USA, 9:15am
16th – Johns Hopkins, USA, 8:00am
16th - University of Chicago, USA, 8:00am
16th – EU European University Business School, Europe 9:15am
16th- Lewis & Clark College, USA, 9:15am
19th – Trinity University, USA, 9:15am
19th - Hult International Business School, UAE, UK, USA, 9:15am
20th – US Education Group US University Fair, 11:15am.
27th – Washington College, USA, 8:30am
27th – University of Vermont, USA, 12:40pm
Grade Level Info
Senior Info (grade 12): Visit the NAJAH Fair! Register online at www.najahonline.com. Consider using a College Fair Checklist from NACAC.
Junior Info (grade 11): Visit the NAJAH Fair! Register online at www.najahonline.com. Consider using a College Fair Checklist from NACAC.
Sophomore Info (grade 10): Visit the NAJAH Fair! Register online at www.najahonline.com. Consider using a College Fair Checklist from NACAC.
Freshman Info (grade 9): Visit the NAJAH Fair! Register online at www.najahonline.com. Consider using a College Fair Checklist from NACAC.
Click here on information on how to Meet top universities from US & India
GRADE 7 ECOVENTURE TRIP
What a great experience for our Grade 7 students at the Eco-venture trip last week. We hear they had a wonderful time learning team building activities.
Here is our Community and Secondary School Calendar - Scroll through the months to see what's planned for this year at GAA
Please make sure you check this calendar regularly for updates and new events