FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
Transitioning from a traditional school to an institution like HTH can be a big culture shock - for parents too! Below are questions I receive from parents year after year. For further questions or more information regarding your student's course work or progress, please contact teachers directly.
1. What is "project-based learning"?
See "About Project-Based Learning"
2. I'm new to HTH - what should I do as a parent of a HTH student to further support my child?
Most parents that are new to the HTH system initially how they can support their student. Gone are the simple, familiar textbooks and worksheets but just because your child is receiving an education that looks different from yours does not mean there is nothing you can do to help. See "About Project-Based Learning".
- Communicate - Use Project Launch emails from your child's teachers, their DPs and project descriptions to talk to your student about what he/she is doing at school and what his/her needs are.
- Homework - Students should have weekly literacy homework while completing a majority of their project work during class - students are required to complete at least 75% of their project at school with their peers.
- Classwork - Students will receive at least 1-3 hours of "Project Work Time" a day throughout the course of a project. Project Work Time is when students have the freedom and responsibility of working on their assignments as teachers guide them and answer questions along the way.
- Exhibitions - We have a lot of events that our students and teachers put together for our community but most importantly, for you! Exhibitions are an opportunity for our students to display their hard work and discuss with members of our community what they have learned so keep an eye out for those.
- More questions or concerns? Contact instructors directly.
3. I would like to be actively involved either within HTHNC or my child's class(es) - what can I do?
There are lots of opportunities to get involved in your child's school. See "HTHNC Parents Association" if you are interested in being a part of school-wide events and fundraisers. See "HTHNC Athletics" or email our Athletics Director Spencer Gooch if you are interested in getting involved with sports.
In addition to the PA, each team also has a "Team Parent". This parent/guardian does not have to be a part of the PA (but can be) and acts very much like a "Class Mom" - he/she helps teachers with purchasing materials/supplies, finding parent drivers for field trips, organizing team events, etc.
If you are interested in being your child's team's parent, please contact the teachers directly or talk to the PA.
4. Where can I find the details of my child's grades?
All grades are updated and submitted digitally via PowerSchool. For questions regarding specific assignments, please contact the instructor directly.
5. What if I don't know my Powerschool login and/or password?
You can obtain all PowerSchool information from our Site Manager Sheila Van Metre. Teachers cannot reset passwords.
6. My child is struggling - what can I do?
9th grade especially is a tough transitionary year for all students so if your child is struggling, first of all, it's OK. The most important thing is that we identify the struggle early on so that we can try to resolve it. Here are some resources to keep in mind:
- Academic Coaching - Academic Coaching is like a Study Hall and is offered as an x-block (See Question 11). It is also offered for an hour before and after school, depending on the grade level and the schedule of the Academic Coach. Check with your child's teachers for the most recent AC schedule.
- Office Hours - All HTH teachers have weekly Office Hours that are available to students and parents. This is an ideal time for students to receive one-on-one help or the quiet classroom allows for many students to focus and get work done. Sonya's Office Hours are Mondays 7:30AM-8:30AM and Thursdays 3:30PM-4:30PM. If these times are not convenient for you, please email her to schedule an appointment.
- Talk to the Instructor - Encourage him/her to approach the instructor during Office Hours. Allowing students to resolve issues on their own can be a first step to taking ownership of their success.
7. My child does not feel like they are being challenged at HTHNC - what can I do?
At HTH, we strive to support our students in becoming well-rounded, inquisitive, life-long learners. For many younger and newer students, this may be the first time they've been asked by a teacher to do such things. Without the traditions of tests and quizzes, many students struggle with identifying exactly what they have learned and how they have grown. Here are some resources to support students in this position:
- Challenge Options - Most projects and literacy homework should be accompanied by "Challenge Options". These options may include but are not limited to more complex topics and/or increase in workload. Students are also strongly encouraged to talk to their instructors if they have their own Challenge Option ideas in mind. Challenge Options are not always for credit.
- Talk to the instructor - If your child still seems unhappy or unsatisfied about the curriculum, encourage him/her to talk to the instructors.
8. How do grades work with projects?
See "Syllabus" Grading for this course breaks down as follows : Process (40%); Content (30%); Product (30%). Note the process of completing the project is worth more than the final product itself. This process is broken down into steps called benchmarks.
See HTHNC Student Handbook
Only a C- and above are considered passing at HTH. If a student receives a grade of a D+ or below in any of his/her courses, he/she will be required to make up the course through Summer School.There is a limited number of courses students can make up during Summer School depending on the course. If a student does not pass enough courses, he/she will be required to repeat the grade.
9. What is the school's dress code?
See HTHNC Student Handbook.
Please avoid t-shirts, flip-flops, tank tops, short skirts and short shorts for professional and safety reasons.
10. What is an x-block?
X-block is a course that students attend every Tuesdays and Thursdays and every other Wednesdays from 2:30-3:30. Students sign up every trimester and the courses range from the basic Academic Coaching and various sports (depending on the season) to Solar Engineering, ASB, yearbook, Model UN, LARP, improv, yoga, zumba, etc. X-blocks are student-driven and some require a one year commitment. Talk to a staff member about starting an x-block of your choice!
11. What are the technology rules and requirements at HTHNC?
Students are not required to have any sort of technology at HTH. Every class is equipped with laptops and teachers will structure their classes so that if technology is necessary, every student will have access. If your child chooses to bring their own laptop/tablet please make sure they check in with instructors
Cell phones, mp3 players and any other technology must be turned
HTH ACRONYM GUIDE.
- SLC (Student Led Conferences) - Kind of like Parent/Teacher Conferences but at HTH, students lead the discussion and answer parents' questions. Teachers are present to facilitate the discussion.
- **Students - SLC can also be Student Led Comments, a letter you write to your teachers and parents at the end of the semester.
- POL (Presentation of Learning) - Depending on the teacher, the team and the grade level this has been conducted in a variety of ways. In essence, it is an event at the end of the semester in which students display what they have learned in a public manner so that family and community members can watch.
- DP (Digital Portfolio) - Essentially a website but for students and teachers at HTH, it is a way to display what we are doing with the community and the world.
- KSH (Kind, Specific, Helpful) - We are a community of critique. Our students are constantly revising, giving each other feedback and striving to be better. To give our peers good feedback we use the norm "KSH" - always be kind, specific and helpful when giving feedback.
- HOHAM (Habits of Heart and Mind) - The habits that we strive to engrain in our students so that they may be successful, productive and empathetic adults in the world.
Thanks to Sonya Ramirez 9th grade Humanities