Five Keys to Navigate High School Successfully

Five Keys to Navigate High School Successfully

Mr. Turnbull

Summit High School Physical Education/Health

Summit Track & Field

1.      Get Involved in a club, sport or activity.

a.     There are more than 80 clubs/sports/activities that you can choose at Summit High School.  One of the keys for success is staying involved and engaging your body and brain through interaction and engagement with other people striving to attain the same objective. 

2.     Choose your friends wisely.

a.     The single most important factor for your success is who you surround yourself with.  Your friends dictate your personal decisions more than anything else.  In my own personal journey through life, I’ve found this to be true.  Healthy relationships build the foundation for your own growth.   Build a strong foundation! 

3.     Challenge yourself academically.  Grow your brain!

a.     Summit offers many AP classes and courses that will challenge you.   Don’t stay in your comfort zone.   The more brain stimulation you can get in high school, the stronger your brain becomes for life!  Engage in music or arts classes.  Did you know that the networks you build now will last a lifetime?  Why not take advantage of the award winning teachers and coaches we have at Summit? 

4.     Develop and “Organization Plan”.

a.     In my experience, organization is the key to success in high school.  Most people would claim that the intelligent or “smart” kids are the ones that climb the ladder most quickly.   What I’ve found is that the kids that appear “smart” are the ones that have good organization.

                                               i.     Do you have a calendar on your iPad of phone?   Use it!  “Calendarize” all of your homework assignments!

                                             ii.     Set alarms to remind yourself!

                                            iii.     Get an organizer that you take to each class and use it religiously. 

5.     Manage your “Social Network” appropriately.

a.     The world has changes since I was in high school.  Phones have created a new frontier that we never had to deal with.   Here are a few tips!

                                               i.     SHUT YOUR PHONE OFF AT NIGHT!   Yes, I said shut if off.   You may think that this will cause you stress.  Actually, you’ll sleep better.  Uninterrupted sleep is VITAL for success.   As a side benefit, your phone is a computer and ach night when you turn it off, your system re-sets and runs better.  Your battery will work much better (as will your own personal battery)!

                                             ii.     During class, turn your phone off or to silent so it doesn’t distract you.  Studies have shown that interruptions from your phone damage concentration.  https://www.informationweek.com/mobile/mobile-devices/smartphone-notifications-kill-your-concentration/d/d-id/1321253

                                            iii.     Shut your phone off while studying for an exam or doing an important assignment. 

                                            iv.     Cell phone usage during class can actually damage your relationship with your teacher.   Think about it.  What would you think of a friend who ignored you to grab their phone and check messages while you were talking to them.  Pretty rude huh?  Teachers are human.  They will see you in a different light if you attend to your phone in class. 

**What plan for success do you have for the 2019/2020 school year?   Do you have one?  Do you know how to come up with one?  If not...  ASK.   :)

Five Keys for Creating success for your child.

Five Keys for creating success for your child.

Mr. Turnbull

Summit High School Physical Education/Health

Summit High School Track and Field Coach

Below are a few ideas to help you and your child navigate the next few years of high school.  These are just my ideas based on my experience as a teacher and a parent.  Success in high school, in my opinion, is based on choices that students make.   We, as parents, have an obligation to help guide and shape our kids choices as they develop. 

1.      Develop an open line of communication with your child.

a.     Check in each day.  Let them know you are with them and will be of assistance for anything they need. 

b.     Try not to judge behavior.  This is a difficult task.  Children (yes, high school students are still children), don’t intentionally make behavioral mistakes. 

c.     Communication is a two-way discussion.  Listen and try not to become defensive as children respond emotionally before intellectually.   Paraphrase back to them what you actually heard.   Clarify with your child what they are wanting you to hear.

d.     Once you have heard what your child is saying, take a moment to think and then respond accordingly.  I have personally found that this method works so much better than a quick and emotionally charged response. 

2.     Set clear expectations and boundaries.

a.     What are study expectations?

b.     What social expectations do you have?  Your child?  Is the cell phone an issue?  Develop set standards as to when your kids can use them and when they cannot.  Do you have them turn them off at night?  If not, they are on them until 2 or 3 in the morning.  Is this acceptable to you?  Is it healthy for them?

3.     Pay close attention to the friendship network they have.

a.     I mentioned this in my list for the kids as well.   In my experience, your child’s peer network is the deciding factor for personal and social choices.  When a child moves into high school, parents fall down the list of importance.   Approval from friends trumps parental approval many times.  (Sad but true)

b.     Don’t be afraid to “be the bad guy”.   We have to put our foot down at times and hold our ground as to who they can hang out with.   EXPLAIN your thought process.  In my experience, they may not like it, but they are more likely to accept it if there are legitimate reasons.  (Your kids usually know the issues as well)

c.     Check in often.   All of these new phones have the ability to track.   I know it seems like an invasion of privacy, but today it is so important to know where they are.  Explain this to them that it is our responsibility to know that they are safe.  Knowing where your kids are and what they are doing is the responsible and loving thing to be doing.

4.     Establish a loving and safe atmosphere for kids.

a.     Provide nurturing and productive environments.

                                               i.     Have dinner together at least two or three times a week. Talk about things.  These dinners are a chance to check in and see how things are going.

                                             ii.     Invite your child’s friends over. This is a great way for you to get to know a bit more about who your child is hanging with.

                                            iii.     NEVER HOST a party where alcohol is at.   Not only is this a violation of the law, it is irresponsible parental behavior and you will be held negligent in a court of law if anything should happen.

1.     Is this the message you would like to send to your children?

2.     I’ve heard over and over that “kids will drink anyway”.   This is completely false.   Your expectations and own behaviors dictate what your kids will do.  It isn’t the other way around.

3.     Keep this thought in mind whenever the topic of drinking comes up:

a.     If your child isn’t even organized enough to clean their room, what makes you think they are organized enough to behave responsibly when drinking.   

                                            iv.     Choose healthy activities to do with your kids.

1.     Movie night!

2.     Build a meal.   Kids choose and help in the kitchen.

3.     Family walks.

4.     Family trips to games/activites….etc…etc.

5.     Check in often about homework, etc…etc.

a.     Check studentvue!

                                               i.     Kids will usually say “I don’t have any homework”.   In my personal experience, once I check studentvue, I find this not to be the case.  J

                                             ii.     Discuss a plan for turning in homework. 

                                            iii.     Remove privileges when kids aren’t getting work done. 

1.     Why do they need a phone when they can’t even turn in basic homework assignments?   (Cell phones and social media are one of the biggest distractions for homework)

2.     Gaming priority before chores or homework?  Remove the distraction.  Put a password on your Wifi?

Integrated Wellness Course Syllabus

Integrated Wellness 1.0 Credit            2019/2020

Instructor	Phone	Office	Email
Dave Turnbull	541-355-4114	E141	david.turnbull@bend.k12.or.us

Course Objectives & Description:

Integrated Wellness is a year-long, required freshman course integrating health related content and skills with physical activity and education. The purpose of wellness is to provide all Summit students with the health and fitness related skills to help them be successful at Summit and beyond. The health portions of class will concentrate on mental, social, and emotional health. Students will also focus on the promotion of sexual health; the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use; and violence/ suicide prevention. In PE, students will work together in an environment that focuses on positive school culture, self-esteem, and an appreciation and knowledge of physical activity through various activities. Over the semester students will be exposed to team building activities as well as individual and team sports. Students will assess their current level of fitness and learn the skills needed to set and achieve goals to improve their current level of fitness and physical activity. Because we focus on fitness, we typically run every day of class regardless of whether it is Health or PE. Be prepared and always dress down!

Health Class Expectations:

• Students must come to class prepared with pen/pencil, paper, and iPad.
• Students are expected to follow all school rules and be respectful to themselves, other students, and teachers.
• Assignments are expected to be turned in on time.  Points will be deducted for late work.  Extra credit will be available, but will not be used in place of assignments.
• Students will be on an “abuse it and lose it” policy for restroom and hall pass use.
• Students are required to actively participate in class discussions and activities in order to earn participation points.

Class Assignments

Students will be graded on a percentage basis composed of assignments, assessments, and participation.

• Daily Assignments: Students are required to bring their iPad to class throughout the year.
• Assessments: Speeches, group/individual projects, tests/quizzes, written evaluations (papers), and Google Forms.
• Extra Credit:  Extra Credit opportunities may be provided at times during the class, but not to be substituted for assignments.
• Make-up work: Students are responsible for receiving and completing make-up work. 

PE Class Expectations:

• Students must come to class on time and dressed out.
• Students are expected to remain in the P.E. area until the passing bell rings.
• Always put forth your best effort and always encourage and allow others to do the same.
• Practice safe work habits to ensure the health and safety of each person in class.

Off Campus Activities & Runs:

The proximity of Summit High School provides endless opportunities to access running trails, bike paths & parks.  It is the goal of the PE/Health department to access many of these paths to promote lifetime fitness & health.  These opportunities provide motivation to students and provide challenges outside of what we can offer on campus.  Teachers will use the following protocols to ensure success of all students and ensure safety of all.

• Attendance will be taken at the beginning, and upon return to school (end of class).
• Running loops will be clearly described before all off campus runs & activities.
• Students will be encouraged to bring a personal device (cell phone) to track fitness (Apps: Nike+Running/MapMyFitness) & to have in case of an emergency.
• Students will be required to be with a partner or small group at all times.  There will be a lead group/student selected by the teacher.  

*If you have  concerns with your son/daughter leaving campus for these activities contact the instructor.

Grading Rubric: (Specific to daily participation)

Score	Description
10	Maximum student effort & participation.  Student is 100% engaged and follows all class rules and expectations.
7	Student dressed down and gave average effort.
5	Either didn't dress down, or gave very little effort.
0	Refused to participate or was not here for activity.

Exceptions to required daily participation:

• Athletic contest day – Students are required to dress out and students will be required to complete the posted game day workout.  This workout will be designed to help prepare the athlete for their contest.

• Injuries – Depending on the injury the student must communicate with the teacher to get a modified workout.

1. Minor Injury – Please do not send a note.  The activity will be modified.
2. Major Injury – Please send an official doctors note describing what the student can and cannot do.  If the injury is serious the PE department encourages the student to discuss alternatives with their counselor.

• Illness – Student is expected to participate in physical education, regardless of a note from parent.  If a student is at school it is our department’s policy that the student should be able to participate at some level.  

Locks and Lockers:

All students are expected to check out a lock from Summit High School at the beginning of the semester.  It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of the lock and inform the teacher of the chosen locker in the locker room.  Students are responsible for locking up personal items at all times.  Summit High School is not responsible for any lost or stolen articles in the locker room or gym.

Make-up:

Excused absences can be made up by doing a “Current Event” assignment provided by the instructor. If students are out for an extended time an alternative assignment will be given.

Grade Book:

Grades will be kept up to date on the Synergy Student Information System.  Parents and students will be able to access the Synergy system.

ParentVUE™ is Bend La-Pine Schools’ new parent web portal. ParentVUE provides the ability to monitor your child’s education progress.   Parents will have access to attendance, grades, assignments, and school announcements.  New features include direct e-mail links to all teachers and the option to opt into e-mail notifications for unexcused absences, tardies and grade changes.

StudentVUE is Bend-La Pine Schools’ new student portal. Students will access the portal using their school username and password. Their username is their first name and last name (no spaces or dots). Their password is their school ID number. Students have the option to change their password. Student Initials: ____________________ Date: ___________ Parent Initials: _____________________ Date: ____________