Running Start. A Parent s Guide to Helping Your Student Succeed

Transcription

1 Running Start A Parent s Guide to Helping Your Student Succeed

2 Quick Tips Running Start is an exciting and challenging opportunity for students. Your support and guidance can greatly improve your student s success and their experience at YVCC. Here are some easy ways you can help guide your Running Start student. Make sure students receive and read any mail from YVCC & Running Start Help them block out time for study and homework every day Know the YVCC quarter start & end dates and holidays Encourage students to use campus resources Familiarize yourself with YVCC catalog, schedule, and Running Start handbook Read the Running Start newsletter online each quarter The rest of this booklet contains more specifics about Running Start, YVCC policies, and more ideas about encouraging your student s successful transition from high school to college. 2

3 Parent s Guide to Supporting Your Running Start Student Student responsibility At YVCC, we expect our Running Start students to take full responsibility for their education. While they are in the Running Start program, they are college students and are treated as such. We do not track attendance or class performance during the quarter, and students must be responsible for seeking help from instructors and college staff. Students are also responsible for their class schedule they are the only ones permitted to make changes to their class schedules by filling out an add/drop form, seeing a Running Start advisor, and turning the form in to the Registration office. Contacting instructors In accordance with federal privacy laws (FERPA), instructors are not able to notify parents/guardians if a student is failing or not attending a class. Parents should not contact instructors for this information or on behalf of their student. It is the student s responsibility to talk with instructors about questions or concerns. 3

4 Adult learning environment As an institution of higher education in pursuit of academic excellence, YVCC welcomes the expression of diverse and opposing views that foster learning in a collegiate setting. This adult environment includes potentially uncomfortable viewpoints that may challenge closely-held beliefs. This may include R-rated movies or items with sexually explicit content. Instructors are not required to substitute assignments if the student chooses not to participate. Grades During the quarter: Students should keep track of their grade during the quarter by keeping all assignments and tests and using the course syllabus (provided by instructor on the first day of class). The syllabus will have grading policies and usually a calendar of assignments and tests. At the end of the quarter: Students are responsible for using My Online Services to check their final grades each quarter. Grades are available to students on their online class schedule the weekend after finals week. Grades will be posted on the YVCC transcript the Tuesday after finals week. Official college transcripts are mailed to the high schools each quarter for posting on the high school transcript. Grades are not mailed to students homes. Your student should be sharing her grades with you each quarter and keeping you informed throughout the quarter. 4

5 Academic Early Warning/Probation & Suspension YVCC instructors use the Academic Early Warning system to inform students of their class progress during the fourth week of the quarter. If students receive an Academic Early Warning letter, they should read it carefully and follow the instructions. If they fail to follow through with meeting with an advisor, they may be blocked from registering for the next quarter s classes. Running Start students must maintain a 2.0 (C) grade point average to remain in good standing. If a student does not achieve a 2.0, he will be placed on Academic Probation for the following quarter. If the student does not achieve a 2.0 for the next quarter he is enrolled, he will be placed on Academic Suspension and will not be able to continue Running Start enrollment. Time Management Managing their time can be one of the biggest challenges for Running Start students. While they may only be in college classes for 1-3 hours per day, each class can carry with it extensive homework, group projects, library research, and other responsibilities. Students often have many other demands on their time: high school classes, senior projects, parttime jobs, volunteer work, and family responsibilities. It is crucial to a student s 5

6 success to be able to have enough time blocked out for homework and study time. You can help your student be successful by encouraging him to reserve time each day for studying. On-campus Resources There are many academic, advising, and personal resources on the YVCC campus to help your student be more successful. All of YVCC s faculty and staff are willing to help, and it is the student s responsibility to seek out assistance. If students are unsure who to go to, they should talk with a Running Start advisor. Running Start Advisors Always available for questions; students can stop by, call, or . We can answer questions about YVCC processes, available degrees and certificates, transferring to four-year colleges, class selection, and any other issues your student might have. We also meet with all students during registration periods. For students considering earning a degree from YVCC, we encourage them to set up a planning appointment with an advisor to create a two-year plan. 6

7 On-campus Resources, continued Writing Center Consultants help with all phases of the writing process for any writing assignment. Math Center Math faculty are available for questions and assistance, and it s a great place to do math homework. Speech Lab Video technology is available so students can practice their speeches or presentations and get feedback. The speech lab is also a great tool for students who are taking American Sign Language classes. Tutoring Center One-on-one or group tutoring is available for a variety of classes. Counseling Center Counselors are available to talk with students about personal problems. Security YVCC Security staff is available to assist students with parking questions & permits, car lock-outs or jumpstarts, and can escort students to their cars during evening hours. Library/Reference Librarians Librarians are available at Raymond Library to answer questions and to help students use the many research opportunities at the library. Computer labs There are open computer labs where students can work on school-related projects, papers, and research. 7

8 Supplies your student received during orientation Catalog: College policies, degree requirements, and course descriptions. Planner: Important dates for registration processes and student life activities RS handbook: Specialized information pertaining to Running Start students, Probation/Suspension procedures, instructions for accessing Online Services & student We encourage parents to read through this information to help answer questions and to be able to guide their students. RS Newsletter The Running Start Relay newsletter contains study tips, information about college transfer, campus happenings, and important reminders. It is mailed home quarterly to currently enrolled students and is always available on our website: 8