It’s hard to believe the new school year has begun! Our teachers have returned from summer break, and are meeting all of their students. The first few weeks of school can be nerve-wrecking, and it has everybody wishing for those long summer days again. We have some tips make this school year the best year yet!
Get into a routine and stick with it!
It is important to establish a routine for each day and stick with it. Think about how you can accomplish your best work. It can be a lot easier to maintain self-discipline and time management skills when you develop a routine. Make set times to study and complete school work. Set aside time to review your days assignments and to connect with your teacher. If you have an exam approaching, create a study schedule around times that you feel the most focused. Just like eating breakfast or working out at the same time each day, when you develop a routine, overtime it will become a part of your daily habits.
Ms. Stephanie Sikora, Middle School Business and Tech Teacher, had a tip for her students:
“Start the year with an organized desktop! Create folders to organize subjects and topics. An unorganized desktop is like the junk drawer in your house- you can’t find anything when you need it.”
Communicate with your teachers and classmates
Cyber School is different than attending a brick and mortar school. It is important that you attend live lessons, office hours and lesson help as needed. Communicate with your teachers through email, canvas messaging or pick up the phone, we want to hear from you. If you have a question about an assignment, reach out to your teacher and classmates. Sometimes a little extra support can help you a solution to the problem. There is never a silly question, we are here to support your learning.
Stay organized
You need to stay organized. Successful time management is a huge component to success here at PALCS. While we offer a program that is flexible but structured, it is crucial to plan and estimate how much time you are going need to work on all school related events. We do recommend a planner, desk calendar or even the calendar on your phone as a resource to help you stay organized. Perhaps color code your assignments to help you remember what you need to complete or attend. Keep track of your assignment due dates. Check PALCSchool, for upcoming due dates and assignments.
Ms. Mollie Devinney, Middle School Science Teacher, has a few tips she includes on her syllabus to help students begin a successful school year:
“As this school year begins, there are 3 important tips I share with my students:
Show Up: Attend virtual lessons, participate in class activities, Take notes on lessons!
Work Hard: Stay organized! Make an assignment list for yourself, complete your assignments on time, and do your best work!
Ask Questions: Use virtual lesson time to ask questions, stop by lesson help, and use my contact information to reach me”
Get involved at PALCS
Be sure to check out the PALCSchool calendar to see the upcoming events, field trips, and activities to get involved in. A PALCS community favorite, is the back to school. This is a great time to meet some teachers, parents, other students and maybe a new best friend. We encourage students to get involved in their local communities such as: playing a sport at your local school district, volunteering in the community, supporting charity drives, or just sending a friendly hello to your class peers or teachers.
Positive Mindset
Always remember to keep an open mind and a positive attitude. Are you a new family this year and transitioning from a brick-and-mortar or homeschool? Are you are transitioning from elementary to middle school or middle to high school? We know it can be a challenge for everyone and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Keeping an open mind and staying positive, play a very important role in a successful school year. Stumbles and frustrations at the beginning of the year are normal, but try not to get discouraged.
Instead, work with your teachers, guidance counselor, and support staff on how to approach any challenges you may have. With over 3,000 students and over 200 staff members we are here to help. We want each and every one of our students to be successful! Remember, try your very best on every assignment and reach out any time.
Ms. Benedicte Barlat, our French Teacher had a few tips for her students:
“Good communication is key: communicate with your teachers to report a health issue, to ask a question, to report an issue or difficulty and to voice your enjoyment in the class. All of the materials are key to your learning: in any course set to “follow the sequential order,” Never skip an assignment. Spend at least a half hour a day in each class to study and pay attention to all of the information provided by your teacher. Take notes as you read/listen to the lesson.”
Most of all, we want this to be the best school year yet. 2019-2020 school year should be filled with valuable challenging learning, new friendships and positive experiences. We are so excited and honored to have each and every one of you join us for another year. And remember, we are always here to support you!
If you have not yet joined the PALCS community – Learn more or Enroll today!
