In order to guarantee that your son or daughter will have a successful year at Londonderry School, the following responsibilities will have to be met:

Student Requirements

• come to school with a positive attitude be ready to succeed
• attend regularly, don't miss more than five days
• complete all assignments
• utilize your Student Day Planner and keep it organized
• write all exams and tests

School Requirements

• we will report to you six times per year regarding your child's progress
• we guarantee your child the opportunity to have a successful year
• we will offer individual program plans for students with special needs
• we will provide your child with the opportunity to participate in intramurals, extra curricular activities/programs, and a variety of clubs
• we guarantee a safe, clean and positive environment
• we will make sure that at least one adult will know your child well

Parental Requirements

• assist students with planning in Student Day Planner
• check Student Day Planner and look over student assignments and homework every day
• make sure your child comes to school and brings the Student Day Planner
• come to all requested Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
• check on your child's progress on a regular basis (please phone and arrange a time to come in)
• support school activities (Open House, sporting events, reading the newsletters/notices, etc.)
• keep the school informed of how we are doing (please phone, write, or come in and tell us)

Other Requirements

Homework is an extension of the work you have done at school. Its purpose is to help you apply and reinforce what you are learning in class. Make it a habit to do homework every school day.

Homestudy broadens your horizons and helps you learn more about what you are learning in school. If you have no assigned homework, or have extra time, research a topic in which you are interested, for your own personal enrichment.

Preparing for Tests, Quizzes and Examinations

• Set up a study schedule to help you prepare for exams. Make a plan that will enable you to cover all the material you need to know
• Avoid cramming. Begin your review well before the exam so you have enough time to memorize essential facts and information
• Find out whether your exam will be essay-type or multiple-choice, and exactly what material will be covered on the test
• For each subject, make a detailed list of all the topics for which you are responsible, then arrange them in order of importance.

Follow this order in your review:

• make up questions that you think could be that you think could be on the exam, then try to answer them
• when you feel you are ready, have someone else quiz you on what you have studied
• get a good night's sleep before the exam
• come prepared to write the test with everything you need, such as a ruler, calculator, pencil, pen, and eraser
• bring an extra pen just in case

Strategies for Successful Studying

I. Effective Listening

• concentrate on what is being said
• don't allow noise or other people to distract you
• when you don't understand what is being said, ask questions
• be aware of implied meanings or ideas
• make notes about main ideas and summarize key points

II. Taking Notes

• make notes in your own words rather than the teacher's; listen for important facts and ideas, and don't try to write down every word
• date your notes, and number the pages
• keep your notebooks neat; it is easier to study if your work is organized
• organize your notes as soon as possible after class
• keep all notes for one subject together

III. Remembering What You Have Learned

• briefly review each day's notes every day.
• have a weekly review in each subject
• summarize what you have read, heard, or discussed. This helps you to remember the material
• try to apply what you have learned as soon as, and as often as possible
• get into the habit of doing extra reading in the subject area you are studying

IV. When to Study

• prepare a timetable showing when you will study and when you will be occupied with other commitments such as lessons or practices
• adjust your timetable so it works for you, setting up realistic goals
• when doing long or difficult assignments, divide them up into shorter, manageable units. Do not try to do the whole assignment at once or leave it to the last day.
• after finishing a unit of work, take a short break before continuing. This helps keep your mind on your work
• after you have completed your rough copy for an assignment, wait a day before you edit it and begin the final draft

V. Choosing a Place to Study

• try to do your homework and studying in the same place every time
• make sure you have good lighting so you don't tire your eyes
• use a firm, straight chair, not an easy chair or the bed
• study away from distractions such as loud music or the television. Soft background music may help you to concentrate.

Classroom Social Skills

Skill - Listening

• make eye contact
• use good body language
• pay attention to what is being said
• avoid interrupting

Skill - Ignoring Distractions

• decide what the distraction is
• say to yourself, "I'll keep working" and keep on working
• praise yourself on good self-control

Skill - Working Independentlly

• have all the materials you need with you
• work on figuring out things on your own
• ask for help if you cannot do it on your own, but still work while you wait
• stay focused on your work

Skill - Responding to a Request

• answer right away to let the person know you hear them
• answer politely
• decide if you can do it
• do it right away if you have agreed to

Skill - Using Self Control

• think about the consequences before doing or saying anything
• use self-talk
• if you need to, leave the situation as soon as possible
• praise yourself on good control

Skill - Accepting Consequences

• decide if you were wrong
• figure out what the consequences will be
• apologize
• decide what to do differently should there be a next time

Counselling Information

Goals of Misbehaviour

Everyone has basic needs, one of which is to belong. A person will strive to belong through good behaviour; however, if their need has not been successfully filled, then they soon discover misbehaviour will fill the need. There are four goals of misbehaviour used by individuals to fill their need to belong. They are progressive. If the first one does not fill their need, they will move on the second and so on.

Goal 1: Attention Seeking

Belief: I belong only when I am noticed.

Misbehaviour: "Clown," restless, talks out of turn, makes minor mischief, "show off," "laziness," clumsiness, untidiness, performance and reading difficulties. Identifying this goal: as the observer/receiver, you will feel annoyed, frustrated, irritated.

Response: Ignore when possible; give attention for positive behaviour; never give attention on demand.

Goal 2: Power

Belief: I belong only when I am in control.

Misbehaviours: "rebel," argues and contradicts, openly disobedient, refuses to do work, defies authority, aggressive, truant, "stubborn," extreme laziness and forgetful.

Identifying this goal: as the observer/receiver, you will feel angry.

Response: Withdrawal from conflict; act rather than talk; be friendly; redirect child's efforts into constructive channels.

Goal 3: Revenge

Belief: I belong only by hurting others.

Misbehaviours: "vicious," violent, brutal, steals, sullen, deliberately cruel and openly defiant.

Identifying this goal: as the observer/receiver, you will feel hurt.

Response: maintain order with minimum restraint; take time and effort to help child; build trusting relationship.

Goal 4: Display of Inadequacy

Belief: I only belong by convincing others I am unable to do anything. Misbehaviours: "I can't do it," hopeless, inferior, tries to be left alone.

Identifying this goal: as the observer/receiver, you will feel hopeless, wanting to give up.

Response: Encourage any positive effort; don't give up, pity or criticize; be patient.