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Which comes first?

By Mr Hooper | September 2026

Hello dear parents and guardians!

This is Math Teacher Mr Hooper.

Which comes first?

It’s a classic question. Lately, I’ve been thinking about success and preparation. Is it the prepared student who succeeds well in school, or is it the successful student who prepares well for school?

One thing I can tell you, I’m still seeing some Skirball students arriving to class without their basic supplies (pencils, erasers, and rulers) and with an unorganized backpack. Please, please, please, parents, ask your student to demonstrate to you weekly, how they keep an organized bag and with all needed supplies.

(We have free school supplies on campus for those who ask.)

Your student’s growth.

Your student has taken a math diagnostic. This Wednesday and Thursday, I will go over results with them in class. I will instruct them to file these results in their math binder, and I encourage you to ask to see them.

Your student should be able to show you how they have performed according to grade-level standards and explain their national ranking. This is a starting point for your student. Our goal for all students is growth, and we will circle back to this several times this year.

What about homework?

I saw so many of you last week at the Skirball Back to School Night. I know you are busy. Thanks for showing up!

The number one question I got was, what about homework? It’s not your job to help your student with their homework. 

What I ask--please, provide them with a quiet space and time every school night to do some academics and reading—about 30 minutes, five nights a week. Creating this habit is the number-one thing you can do.

Yes, they always have homework. They should always review what we have done in class and prepare for the next day for all their subjects. Leftover time should be spent on iReady Dreambox, or Khan Academy, programs we use at school available online.

If they ever need help or guidance, I open my classroom to students Mondays and Wednesdays during lunch.

Sincerely,

Mr Hooper