What Do You Do Before High School Graduation??

[williamjackson]

What Do You Do Before High School Graduation??
William Jackson, M.Ed.
Edward Waters College
@wmjackson #MyQuestToTeach

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These suggestions are to help parents, grandparents
and guardians as graduation for their children gets
closer. Graduation, a great accomplishment and the
end to an educational journey from Day Care to
High School. Before this momentous occasion
parents need to make sure all the i's are dotted
and t's crossed to make a smooth closure to a
long journey. These are just a few suggestions
from my experiences as a parent and teacher in
elementary education and higher education.

1. Make sure you obtain the most recent high
school "official" transcript to mail to schools
or potential employers. Many organizations,
schools and groups require a transcript to see
if academically students are "qualified" to be eligible.

2. Make sure you have current and up to date
medical and dental records. Even after graduating
from high school students are still dependent
on their parents for certain medical information.
Parents must understand "their" graduate is not
an adult yet, they are still maturing, learning
and growing. There is some information and
documentation only parents can obtain until children are 21.

3. Make sure there are boundaries and expectations
on behaviors, actions, and even chores in the
home for the soon to be graduates. There should
be mutual understanding on everyone's duties and
responsibilities and always respect. Stop telling
your child they are "grown" until they are out of your house.

4. Talk to your child's teacher(s) about consistant
communication so projects, homework and assignments
are kept current and get completed. Do not take the
words, "I got this," as being responsible and accountable.

5. Make any hair, nail or beauty appointments
months before May to avoid the rush and chaos.

6. Remind your child of the two institutions that
want their attendance Correctional (Prison) and Instructional (Higher
Education) and to make wise decisions.

7. Check your child's academic (Cumulative) folder
for items that may delay graduation or entrance
into college, trade school or the military. You
have a right to see their records and ask questions
and if not provided seek an attorney for help.
Check for discipline referrals, changed grades,
teacher notes, etc. All documentation is important.

8. Make sure all deposits and fees are paid in
full before graduation. Check for lost books, needed
forms and other items that should be completed.
Do not trust your child unless they show they are responsible.

9. Know what your child's GPA is, weighted or unweighted.

10. Make sure your child takes the SAT and the ACT
several times. Many schools only require one, but better safe than sorry.

11. Check on Bright Futures scholarship information.
Many HBCU's accept ACT scores and SAT. Use whichever
gives you a better chance of getting into college
and this may affect monies.

12. Work on your child's Marketable skills to help them network.

13. Set Academic, Professional, Monetary and Career
goals now so your child will have a flexible plan.

14. Have your child volunteer consistently, stay
involved in your community, and church. Volunteer
hours can still help with networking and build
marketable skills to use later.

15. Search online and inquire with local
businesses about summer internships paid and
unpaid. Your time is valuable so unpaid is important also.

16. Join local business organizations like
Chamber of Commerce to gain
marketable skills and get a jump on career goals.

17. Participate in church events and activities
helps build your resume or CV.

18. Take college tours, visiting the school
environment to make sure you are familiar
with college or even the military.

19. Social Media entries; post positive content,
pictures, text and video. Your
e-Reputation and e-Personalities tell a story
about you. Social Media content will define you
and may be your first representation of you to others.

20. Register with LinkedIn to start networking
and connecting. There is an NEW LinkedIn for
students. https://students.linkedin.com/

21. Continue to research educational options
and inquire even now about Masters and Doctoral programs.

22. Make sure you and your child understand
what type of diploma they will have. It is
painful to expect a High School Diploma and
receive a Certificate of Attendance,
an ESE Diploma or others.

23. On Social Media unfriend and even block
those that are openly using drugs openly,
weapons and involved in criminal actions.
You may be guilty by association with them.

24. Have a "real" Social Security card, and
Birth Certificate, and if necessary a Visa to travel abroad.

25. Check with your local police department
to make sure there are no records of
mistaken criminal activity from someone
impersonating you or looks like you.

26. Financial Aid and Scholarship
Information can be found online.
https://twitter.com/prepforcollege
@prepforcollege (Twitter) #CollegeChat,

27. Google and Hashtag yourself to
"see" what is online about yourself to be
prepared for questions.