I have one like that too. She works late and misses school all the time, but is earnest and does well when she's there. She sounds more like a 30 year old than an 18 year old when she talks.
When she was 5, she regularly changed her baby sister's diaper because all the adults were too high to do so. Part of the reason she was working so many hours was to pay for her sister's school lunches, until a teacher found out and helped her fill out the paperwork for free lunch.
If he is 18 there's nothing you can do about working all night, except to appeal to him about how important it is to graduate.
By the way the guidance counselor sees the student maybe 4 times a year. How much trust do you think the student will have? On the other hand you see the student most every day. I think you need to talk to him. You have a better chance of being listened to.
I agree with Chaz: Talk to the kid. You have a huge influence in his life. Use it.
How sad this story is. Try to find out what is going on in the household and maybe talk to his brother.
When I was in HS, we had a program where we would go to school in the morning and work in the afternoon. I was part of this program my senior year. We even had a student placement counselor to help us find part-time jobs that ended at 5 or 6pm. I was in this program. After classes I would hop on the subway to Manhattan and worked at a major insurance agency. I had enough time to do my homework when I got home and get some sleep.
I would hate to think that our school system which by the way has our mayor and chancellor winning accolades is not putting their money into programs that help students such as Phillip. They took away night school, and I am sure because of it more and more students are putting in hours like Phillip.
I too, have had students like that over the years. I don't know whether it is apathy or overwork, but I have never seen a guidance counselor really do anything to help. I went to one a few years ago, about a girl whose attitude changed drastically. He used to get annoyed that I interrupted his internet video games with problems.
Commenting by HaloScan
