8th-9th

In transitioning from 8th-9th grade, students can expect to have additional courses as well as additional teachers. They will also see an increase in their workload. Going from middle school to high school, students may also transition to larger school buildings.

Parent Tips for Preparing for the 9th Grade

Encourage organization and strategies for scheduling with your child
Help your child plan dedicated time for homework and school assignments
Allow your student to engage in a productive struggle, while helping them learn from their mistakes
Encourage your child to attend the SPS Summer Bridge program
Assist your child with sensory and communication needs
Encourage self-determination
Purchase or create an organizational planner or homework tracker for your student
Help your child find a designated workspace and allocate time for school assignments
Explain the need to "learn from doing" with your child
Help your child prepare for academic challenges
- For students with Autism: Schedule a visit to your child's school to alleviate stress and anxiety with the changes in his/her routine. Meet teachers, see classes, meet the relevant staff (ones he/she will frequently interact with outside of the classroom teacher), and follow his/her schedule by navigating the halls from one class to another. See if it would be ok if you all ate lunch in the cafeteria. Locate important areas in the school - restrooms, the cafeteria, guidance office, administrators' offices, etc. Speak with the administration about the possibility of bringing him/her to visit the high schools (field trip) during the school year to experience the setting with all the students present. Consider planning for the transition by talking with him/her about the transition and what experiences he/she will have, and planning for any situations that may trigger anxiety

Ways to Support Your Child During Their 9th Grade Year

Stay abreast with your child's learning by monitoring Home Access Center (HAC), Canvas and other digital platforms
Monitor your students work for completion
Allow natural sequences, discuss implications and develop a support plan when needed
Encourage your child to use skills gained from participating in the SPS Summer Bridge Program
For students with an IEP: Request an IEP meeting for the team to meet to review the IEP, with a focus on the goals, accommodations, and services within the first 4 1/2 weeks. Establish communication between you and the teachers. Meet with your child's case manager and share information about your child and your expectations for your child.

Programs to Monitor Student Progress

Regularly meet with your child's teachers
Attend Open House and school orientations
Regularly check the Home Access Center (HAC)
Review the classwork, assessments, and projects assigned to the student.
Call an IEP team and ask to review data regularly. Review the progress reports as they are provided. (What do the comments say? Do they align with the goal and make sense? Can you see that connection? Is there data noted?) Ask questions!

How to Communincate with Your Child's Teacher

How to Support Your Child's Social/Emotional Learning

Help your child prepare for test day by addressing test anxiety
Help your child set goals (both personal and academic)
Talk with your child about their feelings towards starting high school
Discuss responsible decision-making (studying, completing homework, organization, etc.)
Attend Open House with your child so they can familiar themselves with the layout of their new school.
Discuss time-management with your child
Discuss with your child how to establish healthy relationships with others
Talk with students about how to work through conflicts and problem-solve when issues arise
Encourage students to get involved in extra-curricular activities such as sports, clubs, or intramurals either in or out of school to build relationships with other students
Pay attention to verbal/non-verbal cues from your child

Behavioral Support Tips for Parents

Review time management and prioritization skills with your child
Discuss new norms and expectations for secondary school to include multiple teachers and additional coursework
Discuss emotions/feelings, how you can tell (physical states that indicate those emotions), and how your child can cope.
Discuss test-taking skills and strategies (eliminating wrong answers, highlighting, re-reading, etc.)
Teach your child that there is a time and a place for everything. Review the appropriate times and locations for various activities.