"Out of clutter, find simplicity. "Out of clutter, find simplicity.

From discord, find harmony. From discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty In the middle of difficulty

lies opportunity.“lies opportunity.“

- Albert Einstein- Albert Einstein

“Don't agonize. Organize.”

-Florence Kennedy

Are you wondering…Are you wondering…

Why am I here?Why am I here?

What is this about?What is this about?

How is this going to help me?How is this going to help me?

Raise your hand if Raise your hand if you…you…

Are beginning to wonder how Are beginning to wonder how your student is going to keep your student is going to keep track of all of these different:track of all of these different:

binders, binders, notebooks, notebooks, handouts, handouts, due dates, due dates, teachers, teachers, assignments, assignments, supplies, supplies, and requirements.and requirements.

Good news Good news (look around you)(look around you): : You’re not alone!You’re not alone!

What does it take to be a What does it take to be a successful MHS student? successful MHS student?

QUESTION:QUESTION:

Organization

Organization

Organization

ANSWER:

What do we ask of our What do we ask of our students?students?

There is a method to our madness!There is a method to our madness! Structures are put in place based on experienceStructures are put in place based on experience

Let’s take a look at what students are Let’s take a look at what students are told…told…

STEP 1:STEP 1: ORGANIZE YOUR ORGANIZE YOUR STUFF*STUFF*

(and keep it that way) (and keep it that way)

**STUFFSTUFF = = handouts handouts homeworkhomeworkclassworkclassworknotesnotesprojectsprojectspaperspapersloose leafloose leafsuppliessupplies

Required Organizational Required Organizational Systems:Systems:

ScienceScience: one binder with dividers: one binder with dividers

Global StudiesGlobal Studies: one binder with : one binder with dividersdividers

Foreign LanguageForeign Language: one binder with : one binder with dividersdividers

(NOTE: these 3 must be (NOTE: these 3 must be separateseparate binders) binders)

Required Organizational Required Organizational Systems:Systems: One additional binder with a divider One additional binder with a divider

each for each for HealthHealth, , MathMath, , WritingWriting, and , and EnglishEnglish

Loose leaf paper in each binderLoose leaf paper in each binder

Spiral/composition notebooks Spiral/composition notebooks as requested by teachersas requested by teachers

One pocket folder for miscellaneous, One pocket folder for miscellaneous, un-filed papers that will live in your un-filed papers that will live in your backpack and be cleaned out each backpack and be cleaned out each night. night.

Keeping these systems Keeping these systems organized: organized:

When you get a handout: When you get a handout: – Write your name and the date on it right awayWrite your name and the date on it right away– punch holes immediately, and put it in the punch holes immediately, and put it in the

correct section of the correct bindercorrect section of the correct binder If you don’t have the correct binder, put If you don’t have the correct binder, put

the handout in your pocket folder until you the handout in your pocket folder until you can file it correctly. can file it correctly.

Each night, empty out the papers in your Each night, empty out the papers in your pocket folder and either file them or put pocket folder and either file them or put them in the correct binder section. them in the correct binder section.

Clearly label each binder with the subject, Clearly label each binder with the subject, your name and Advisor’s name.your name and Advisor’s name.

Plan ahead—how many binders will you Plan ahead—how many binders will you need to bring home each night?need to bring home each night?

Do not remove papers from binders to Do not remove papers from binders to take them home or to class—keep things take them home or to class—keep things in placein place

Never place a loose handout or paper in Never place a loose handout or paper in your backpack or locker—put it right in its your backpack or locker—put it right in its binder or in the pocket folderbinder or in the pocket folder

Use a backpack or bag that is big enough Use a backpack or bag that is big enough to hold 3 binders and a notebook or two.to hold 3 binders and a notebook or two.

Put a shelf in your locker and visit it in the Put a shelf in your locker and visit it in the morning and before 6morning and before 6thth period, to make period, to make sure you have the right supplies.sure you have the right supplies.

If you can’t carry everything home, stay at If you can’t carry everything home, stay at school to finish one assignmentschool to finish one assignment

STEP 2STEP 2: : STAY ORGANIZED AT STAY ORGANIZED AT

HOMEHOME Create a file box with hanging folders. Create a file box with hanging folders.

Save all graded work, old notes, Save all graded work, old notes, handouts, and projects for every class.handouts, and projects for every class.

Put a wall calendar in a central location Put a wall calendar in a central location and record all due dates, breaks, etc. and record all due dates, breaks, etc.

Designate a space for your backpack Designate a space for your backpack and school stuff, and keep them there. and school stuff, and keep them there.

Save Save ALLALL work on the computer. Create work on the computer. Create files for each class’ documents.files for each class’ documents.

STEP 3STEP 3: USE YOUR : USE YOUR PLANNER PLANNER

Write out your schedule (include room numbers and Write out your schedule (include room numbers and times) on inside cover first pagetimes) on inside cover first page

Record the name and phone numbers of at least Record the name and phone numbers of at least three people in your section, plus at least one in three people in your section, plus at least one in your advisoryyour advisory

Record due dates for assignments Record due dates for assignments as soon asas soon as they they are given (if they change, use white out!)are given (if they change, use white out!)

Do not rely on the school website or a friend to find Do not rely on the school website or a friend to find out the homeworkout the homework

Record all recurring events: weekly quizzes, after Record all recurring events: weekly quizzes, after school activities/extra help, for at least the next school activities/extra help, for at least the next three monthsthree months

Use the monthly calendar to record long-term due Use the monthly calendar to record long-term due dates, and the daily calendar for HW assignments, dates, and the daily calendar for HW assignments, etc. etc.

ADDITIONAL TIPSADDITIONAL TIPS: : Be realistic—staying organized is difficult!!Be realistic—staying organized is difficult!! Ask for help when you need it.Ask for help when you need it. Do a weekly “backpack dump” and put away Do a weekly “backpack dump” and put away

or file all loose papers/supplies.or file all loose papers/supplies. File graded work immediately in your home File graded work immediately in your home

file box. Do not throw anything away. file box. Do not throw anything away. Buy binders, folders and/or notebooks that are Buy binders, folders and/or notebooks that are

the same color if they’re for the same class.the same color if they’re for the same class. Designate one folder for completed Designate one folder for completed

homework, and always have it in your homework, and always have it in your backpack.backpack.

Pack your backpack the night before, Pack your backpack the night before, including anything due the next day.including anything due the next day.

If the system you chose isn’t working, try If the system you chose isn’t working, try something else. something else.

What does all of this mean What does all of this mean for you as a for you as a

parent/guardian?parent/guardian?

Trust the system & use it!Trust the system & use it!

What does this mean for What does this mean for you as a parent/guardian?you as a parent/guardian?

Start at the beginning…Start at the beginning…

Talk with your child Talk with your child about how s/he is staying about how s/he is staying organizedorganized

Build time into your daily routines Build time into your daily routines to make sure organization to make sure organization becomes a habitbecomes a habit

Think twice before you Think twice before you email!email!

Often time we have questions about Often time we have questions about what’s going on in our child’s classes what’s going on in our child’s classes or concerns about his/her progress. or concerns about his/her progress.

Keep trusting the system!Keep trusting the system!

1) Did you ask your student first?1) Did you ask your student first? 2) Get to know other parents—can 2) Get to know other parents—can

they answer your questions?they answer your questions?

Think twice before you Think twice before you email!email! Use the resources we have put in Use the resources we have put in

place just for you…place just for you…

– http://millenniumhs.org! http://millenniumhs.org! (HW, announcements, calendar…)(HW, announcements, calendar…)

– Parent email listParent email list

– Need to be more involved? Join the Need to be more involved? Join the Parents’ Association (PA) or School Parents’ Association (PA) or School Leadership Team (SLT)Leadership Team (SLT)

Think twice before you Think twice before you email!email! Use the resources we have put in Use the resources we have put in

place just for you…place just for you…

– Mid quarter reportsMid quarter reports

– Progress reportsProgress reports

Without even asking, we communicate Without even asking, we communicate every 4 weeks with you about your every 4 weeks with you about your

child’s academic progresschild’s academic progress

Think twice before you Think twice before you email!email!

Still can’t find that answer you’re Still can’t find that answer you’re looking for?looking for?

Filter all communication Filter all communication through your child’s advisor!through your child’s advisor!

These are not just 9These are not just 9thth grade grade tools!tools!

Developing strategies/systems for all Developing strategies/systems for all courses at MHScourses at MHS

Learning how to organize as a Learning how to organize as a prelude to completing the college prelude to completing the college application processapplication process

Being a successful adult!Being a successful adult!

These are not just 9These are not just 9thth grade grade tools!tools!

A challenge is okayA challenge is okay

– High expectations push High expectations push our students to grow, our students to grow,

to learn and to become to learn and to become independent independent