Grades · 11/10/2008 08:55 AM

The last nine weeks have been a rough ride for many of our little ones. The transition from third to fourth grade is among the toughest they have endured. The good news is that we’ve made it this far, and calmer waters are ahead.

With grade cards around the corner, I want to share a few thoughts about grades.

Most students don’t earn poor grades from a lack of trying. Kids want to do well, and they want to make you proud. For many of them the problem is a lack of effective study skills.

Each of us learns in a different way. Some people are productive with noise and music in the background, others cannot work unless it is quiet. This year, your child’s education is as much about learning facts and figures as it is about finding a personal path to success.

Certainly there should be consequences for poor performance, but that consequence doesn’t have to be a punishment. An effective consequence could be a new attack plan. I continually tell the students that if they do the same things, they are going to get the same results. If grades aren’t where they should be, it’s time to plot out a new path. Be prepared to pick the wrong one, it’s ok. Wrong paths help us find the right one.

Best wishes,

Mr. Conte

— Emperor Conte

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