Do you know the “10-minute rule” at Oak Park and River Forest High School for students arriving late to class? How about what to do if your kid’s counselor hasn’t returned your phone call? And just how much time are students supposed to spend each night doing homework?
Karin Sullivan, OPRF’s director of communications and community relations, said these are some of the questions new parents to the school want answered. There’s even some questions from parents who’ve been around a while, said Sullivan, who worked over the summer to put together OPRF’s first Family Survival Guide.
Out since the start of the school year, the 30-page guide is available in print on campus and in electronic form. Sullivan’s been wanting to put this guide together since joining OPRF in 2012. She surveyed families last spring, asking what they would like to know.
“I wanted to know what information they needed or wanted, and more timely information for continuing parents. What are the things asked over and over but not easily found?” Sullivan, who has a background in journalism, said.
Printed on campus, the guide uses a Q&A style and includes the names and numbers of counselors and administrators. The school year calendar is provided, as well as what campus events and activities students should attend.
Sullivan added “Words of Wisdom,” quotes from faculty and last year’s graduating seniors. One student related how he wished he’d been pushed more to join a club or sport as a freshman. The Q&As tell families how to do that and who to speak to. The Student Activities Office, Room 174, has a list of all clubs and activities, meeting times and sponsors’ names.
As for the 10-minute rule, that’s when students are arriving late to class. After the first 10 minutes, and without a tardy slip from Safety and Support staff stationed around the building, students will receive an unexcused absence.
If you can’t reach your counselor by phone, try sending an email. As for homework, Sullivan says there’s no hard-and-fast rule but, typically, it’s at least an hour or two a night; for honors and AP classes, expect more.
A former freelance journalist and published author, Sullivan worked part-time doing public relations for River Forest District 90 before coming to OPRF. Her journalism skills came in handy in putting the guide together, though she’s “no designer.”
“I wanted to make it as pretty as possible as a Word document,” she said.
Sullivan looked at similar guides available in neighboring school districts. Some, she said, were as big as OPRF’s bulky Student Handbook. That wasn’t what Sullivan was looking to do.
“I wanted it large enough to be useful but not so long that no one would read it. I strike to a balance,” she said.
With a freshman daughter starting at OPRF this year, Sullivan said she has many of the same questions other parents have had. She will continue to tweak the guide moving forward.
“That’s what I want, to make it reader-friendly and something parents can use.”