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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories New Peace House director has national profile Some OSF crew members seek to unionize Saturday Growers Market reopens in Ashland Ashland man allegedly dragged woman with vehicle Some trails, roads remain closed due to controlled burn Education Levy backers eye final push Neal Simon: This is a test Grade-school philanthropist Ashland, Scenic win Brain Bowl competitions Ten nonprofit proposals get a chance to pitch for support Environment Some trails, roads remain closed due to controlled burn Earth Day: Hope for our 'pale blue dot' Adjustments, contributions keep Mt. Ashland on course Rarely seen Pacific fisher to have prominent spot Students at Walker Elementary School in Ashland get hands dirty for Earth Day Business Saturday Growers Market reopens in Ashland Harry & David weighs down 1-800-Flowers during latest quarter Adjustments, contributions keep Mt. Ashland on course Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland to host Thanks for the Memories' 'Company' for one night Cars We Remember: Mr. Hot Rod’s 1966 Chevelle 396 Politics and elections BREAKING: Baltimore prosecutor charges officers in Gray's death Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Arthur I. Cyr: Britain’s earthquake election Council wants changes to agreement with ODOT for I-5 welcome center State News Bill under debate in Oregon would limit livestock antibiotics Oregon lawmakers begin minimum wage debate Runners to follow historic salmon migration path Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Death Notices Death Notices Edward Joseph Pentkowski Death Notices Kenneth Lee Barger Shareable Sports Latest Stories Same old Raiders Ashland softball team rolls past Springfield Blazers head home after season marked by injuries Who's got next? Levy backers eye final push High school Ashland softball team rolls past Springfield Penn, Norvell, Baldrica pace Ashland track team at Crater Two Raiders place seventh in CCC Multis Neal, Reitman lead SOU at multi-event championships Ashland Karate Academy racks up trophies in Medford Southern Oregon University Same old Raiders Ashland softball team rolls past Springfield Who's got next? Oregon coaches, players ready to 'split up and play' Fourteen Raiders earn CCC academic honors Voices Latest Stories Guest Opinion: Restoring the Plaza's sense of place Herb Rothschild Jr: Framing the debate Guest Opinion: Making conservation a game Philip Maddocks: Candidates eager to reconnect with everyday billionaires Matthew T. Mangino: Baltimore boils over again Editorial Our View: Reading the tea leaves Our View: Don't ignore ballot Our View: Ski area slips by Our View: Child care conundrum Our View: Fun with university funding formulas Letters Letters to the Editor, May1 Letters to the Editor, April 30 Letters to the Editor, April 29 Letters to the Editor, April 28 Letters to the Editor, April 27 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Restoring the Plaza's sense of place Guest Opinion: Making conservation a game Guest Opinion: A good day to act Guest Opinion: Allegations unfair to Dr. Tomashefsky Guest Opinion: Fremont cottonwood is not a hazard Columns Guest Opinion: Restoring the Plaza's sense of place Herb Rothschild Jr: Framing the debate Guest Opinion: Making conservation a game Jeffrey Gillespie: Thoughts on marriage equality Editor's Notes: A Day in the Life Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Five picks for entertainment this week Community blog: A poem in your pocket or smart phone or hand Movie listings: May 1-7 Trio Brasileiro plays Old Siskiyou Barn 'Ex Machina' captivates with style, big questions Theater Some OSF crew members seek to unionize Ticket Availability East meets west in one-man show Backstage: Ashland Film Festival programmer Feinberg played major role in its success Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland to host Thanks for the Memories' 'Company' for one night Music The Farr Side: CMAs do it right, in many ways Interview: Offspring plays hits new and old on tour The Farr Side: Slow disappearance of physical music On TV: Your guide to the Academy of Country Music Awards The Farr Side: Intriguing time on the Hot 100 Visual Art More films, excitement than ever for AIFF Movies Movie review: ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ has a lot going on Movie review: ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ knows how to party Catching up with the Avengers Movie listings: May 1-7 'Ex Machina' captivates with style, big questions Food and Drink Taqueria Picaro takes over Tabu space Owner of Mix and Amuse to bring Flip burger joint to Ashland Business profile: Couple opens second Pita Pit in Ashland Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Unexpected courage turns fear to peace Find the starry ‘kite’ in the eastern sky Life Lessons & Loves: An ode to the sane and wonderful mothers-in-law Dr. Murray Feingold: Turn down that noise Health Watch: Pack your pantry with healthy items Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Ashland Calendar, Saturday, May 2 ... Guest Opinion: Restoring the Plaza's sense of place ... Herb Rothschild Jr: Framing the debate ... Ashland Calendar, Saturday, May 2 ... Guest Opinion: Restoring the Plaza's sense of place ... Herb Rothschild Jr: Framing the debate ... TEACHER'S TIPS Teacher's Tips: Second — and third — chances are there for students Some extra effort can go a long way toward improving a grade Comment By Paul Huard DailyTidings.com By Paul Huard Posted Dec. 23, 2014 at 12:01 AM By Paul Huard Posted Dec. 23, 2014 at 12:01 AM » RELATED CONTENT • More to college admissions than just grades and test scores • A connection between Charlie Hebdo, MLK and the classroom » Social News A former school administrator I deeply respect had a saying: “School is about second chances.” It’s a saying that has stuck with me through the years. Many times, the best thing that parents and teachers can do for school-age children is teach them how they can recover from poor choices and turn their lives around in ways big and small. As the year draws to a close, the calendar serves as a reminder that the school year is nearly half over. For some students, that means they might think they are running out of second, third and fourth chances — the end of Semester 1 is just around the corner and report cards are looming. If your child is beginning to worry out loud about his or her grades, in most cases that is a good thing. Students who are underachievers might have finally reached a moment of clarity regarding their need to change habits. Others who are on the cusp of a higher grade might find the motivation to finish the semester strongly. If your child asks you for advice — or it is time to have a heart-to-heart with him or her about grades — here are some suggestions. Tell the student to talk to his or her teacher about their grades — Communication is always the first step toward improved grades. When it comes to what a student should discuss with his or her teacher, urge the student to be specific (“What do I need to do to raise my grade?”), review upcoming assignments with the student and heed what the teacher says about steps toward academic improvement. Arguing with the teacher or blaming him or her for poor grades usually will get the student nowhere. Don’t just talk the talk, walk the walk. If the student has a record of poor performance because of bad choices — tardiness or “skipping” class, failure to complete homework or turn the work in, failure to study — promises to improve are always music to my ears as a teacher. Actually changing habits and improving attendance impresses me even more — and the teachers I know feel the same way. Any student who turns his or her performance around and begins to display genuine diligence will earn the benefit of the doubt from most teachers. I can’t guarantee a student with a long string of F's will suddenly appear on the Honor Roll by the end of the semester, but I will risk an opinion: That student stands a good chance of earning better-than-passing grades in the end. Work to finish strongly — To steal a saying from baseball, “It isn't over until it is over.” There is still time to earn higher grades on remaining assignments, turn in missing work if the teacher agrees to accept the work, and (yes) earn extra credit if it is offered. However, there is one other tactic that also might make a real difference in last-minute student performance: Use a tutor. If your child is a student at Ashland High School, there is an excellent Student Tutor Center that offers peer tutoring in mathematics and humanities classes. The tutors are not just there for struggling students. Many of my students who are on the verge of earning the next higher letter grade study in the Tutor Center in an attempt to ace the big final exam. Speaking of the big final, that could also be a way to increase a final semester grade — urge your student to study hard in an effort to earn those last semester points. Failure is not an option if your student is willing to make some changes for the better, even in the waning days of Semester 1. That is why school can be about second chances — and it might be the most important lesson a child ever learns. A former reporter who covered politics and government for newspapers in California and Oregon, Paul R. Huard teaches social studies and English courses at Ashland High School. The opinions he expresses are his own.     By Paul Huard DailyTidings.com By Paul Huard Posted Dec. 23, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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