A Note to Freshmen

As we finish To Kill a Mockingbird this week, I want to impress upon you the importance of your grades RIGHT NOW.

Everything you do upon entering high school counts. Every grade. Every activity. Every action. Post-secondary schools look at these things when determining whether or not they should accept you as a student.

If you decide not to do your homework because you "don't feel like it," that choice will have consequences. Maybe they won't be powerful consequences, but a zero will affect your grade somewhat. If you decide not to do your homework time and time again for one reason or another, however, you should not be surprised when your grade drops. For some of you, the grade has plummeted into the "F" range.

Let me remind you that if you fail this class, you will have to take it again. I am the only freshman English teacher, so you will be in my classroom again. You will also be reading the same novels and completing the same work. Why not just do it now and move on?

You have much more freedom at the high school level, but as you know, along with freedom comes responsibility. I only hope that you can learn this now while it's an easy lesson to learn.

Finally, if you need help, seek it out. There are so many people and resources waiting for you at the high school. But it is up to YOU. These are YOUR grades. This is YOUR education, and YOUR future depends on what YOU do right now.