Article by Stephanie Hobby

When the calendar flips to October, chances are that “Back to School” excitement has started to fade as notebooks collect scuff marks and pencils show signs of wear. However, there are several ways to prevent complacency from creeping in.

As the principal of the largest school in Montana, Jeremy Carlson of Billings West High School has led thousands of students throughout his career and says that small actions typically have the most significant impact. “Setting small, realistic goals like finishing assignments ahead of schedule, improving in a subject, or participating more in class help create steady progress to celebrate,” he said. “Getting involved in sports, clubs, and other activities within the school is also huge; those connections give students a sense of purpose and belonging that keeps school exciting. Success builds on itself; when students experience the satisfaction of reaching a goal or contributing to a team, it creates momentum that makes them want to keep pushing forward.”

Billings West High School Counselor Kimberly Petersen echoes the importance of school involvement. At the start of every year, counselors meet with each freshman and discuss strategies for achieving success. “We also try to emphasize the importance of getting involved in different activities while they are in high school,” she said. “We believe that involvement results in a better and more fulfilling high school experience.”

But even the most engaged students can face setbacks, and when that happens, support is available. “When motivation dips, the most important step is reaching out and not trying to handle it alone,” Carlson said. “Teachers, counselors, and administrators at the school are ready to partner with families to provide wrap-around support; whether that means help with the course content, time management, or simply being a steady encouragement.”

From the counseling office, Petersen says they emphasize the importance of attendance, collaboration with teachers, and developing self-advocacy skills. “Sometimes motivation wanes as kids start to feel buried in work. Both attendance and communication with teachers can ease some of the stress that can happen when students are overwhelmed.”

Both Carlson and Petersen emphasize that parental involvement is a crucial aspect of student success and engagement, encouraging parents to regularly check PowerSchool and Google Classroom to stay connected to their student’s progress and, when necessary, to reach out to teachers. Parental support also means ensuring students have daily routines, adequate sleep, healthy meals, and limits on screen time.

“It’s easy to overlook, but being intentional about family time, sharing meals, attending school events together, or simply checking in each evening sends a powerful message that school is important and their efforts are valued. When families and the school are pulling in the same direction, students thrive,” Carlson said.

Petersen adds that counselors welcome parents who share questions and concerns, particularly if their student is struggling with something outside of school. “Knowledge of those situations is huge for all of us to make sure we are meeting students’ needs. Additionally, PowerSchool is a big resource for parents, especially for academics. Teachers will always be a parent’s best resource for struggling students, but administrators and counselors can always assist too,” she said.

It’s normal for motivation to fluctuate throughout the year, but it’s worth exploring if you see consistent lack of engagement from your students. “It’s normal if October feels different than September,” Carlson said. “The key is to catch that shift early and encourage students to stay connected, whether through a teacher, counselor, or a club or activity that sparks their interest.”

“Celebrating small wins and progress, even on tough days, helps build resilience. At West High, we believe success is sustained not just by academics, but by community. When home and school provide consistent encouragement, students learn that they don’t have to do it alone, and that makes all the difference.” -JEREMY CARLSON

Originally printed in the October 2025 issue of Simply Local Magazine

Check this article out in the digital issue of Simply Local here!

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