August/September

Student Issues

• Meeting new people/new groups of friends  Often students can experience anxiety about trying to find a group to identify with in high school

• Dress code  - Sometimes it is difficult to know what to buy before the school year begins

• Larger school - Students come from many different junior high and middle schools that are blended together in classes

• Being lowly freshman

• Teachers expecting more than in middle school

• Block scheduling - May be much different format than previous school

Parent Issues

• Not knowing the new friends’ families - Can be stressful not knowing the background or family expectations of other families, also anxiety about meeting other parents
• Dealing with anxious or overwhelmed children
• Deciding how involved to be as a HS parent
• Knowing how to contact staff if there is a concern
• Dress code - Sometimes recommended not to buy much until after the school year starts and the students can see what is accepted or not accepted- saves hassles on returns/exchanges
• How much freedom to let students have now that they’re in high school  - This can be a big adjustment from the middle school social scene.

October

Student Issues

• Homecoming mixer for 9th and 10th graders - First big high school dance
• Homecoming sidewalk painting the week before Homecoming.
• Fall Project - A school-wide activity where students can perform service around the community
• First 6-week grading period
• PLAN test - Standardized testing – all freshman participate
• First RAC deadline - K.nowing what is expected of RAC conferences and meeting the deadline for completion.

Parent Issues

• Parent/Teacher conferences
• Homecoming- setting curfews, overnights with friends - Alcohol and party issues may arise- set expectations and talk with your child

November

Student Issues

• Another 6-week grading period
• Second RAC deadline
• Winter sports beginning
• Busy season starting for concerts/performances/contests, etc.
• “Gray days” of fall/winter

Parent Issues

• Upcoming busy season starting for concerts/performances/contests, etc.
• Winter sports practices beginning - Transporting students during possible inclement weather
• Group projects - Students seem to be doing a lot of group projects during this time of year, which can create anxiety on families (how and when to get together?)

December

Student Issues

• Preparing for first semester exams - Many students have not had comprehensive exams before this year
• Busy holiday season
• Christmas baskets - All school activity– freshmen participation encouraged
• Lots of final projects in classes

Parent Issues

• Helping child prepare to study for comprehensive exams - Providing support and encouraging students’ study time
• Holiday stress
• Christmas basket participation
• Candle lighting ceremony- DCHS tradition which some parents try to attend

January

Student Issues

• New semester schedule - Some new teachers and some new subjects 

Parent Issues

• Helping child get back into a routine after holiday break

February

Student Issues

• 6-week grading period
• Registering for next years classes

Parent Issues

• Second round of parents/teacher conferences
• Registering for next years classes- assessing student progress, helping students to plan ahead for classes to take in preparation for post high school

March

Student Issues

• Third RAC deadline
• Spring break
• Spring sports begin practice

Parent Issues

• Spring break issues - Deciding what students should do for break

April

Student Issues

• 6-week grading period
• Band concerts

Parent Issues

• Helping student feel positive about self
• Determining plans for summer

May

Student Issues

• Fourth RAC deadline
• Finishing the year strong
• Second round of semester finals
• School year almost over - Anxious for summer-making summer plans

Parent Issues

• Encouraging students to not give up close to end of year
• Busy spring sports/concerts/performance season
• One more round of semester finals
• Students home for summer- work, vacation, volunteering, or summer school?