Hi Julie, You make a number of very good points about how to keep students focused. The key is that you are recognizing that outside issues exist in the lives of your students. By recognizing them you are saying that you know they can impact on the success of the students but that the students need to keep their own progress high on their life's list. If they don't they will start to slide and then fail at being a student. This is also a part of rapport development which creates a connection between you and the students. They often times will work harder at staying in school if they know you are there to support them in the classroom. Gary