Coffee with the Counselor
A.C.E.S. October 2020 Newsletter
Meet Mrs. Juarros
I am the new school counselor at Rio Tierra Jr. High. This is not how I was hoping to introduce myself however, I am still determined to get to know families and serve you as best I can in this crazy time we call 2020!
I wanted to also invite you to visit my website. I try to provide up to date district and school information as well as community, health, and other information I hope is relevant to your family and aids in the success of each student. In this month's newsletter I have included October's topic from my website to give you a little taste of what you can expect. I also have a virtual CHILL room for students, distance learning and parent resources for parents, and my favorite topic, college and career where students can explore jobs, tour college campuses, and take a learning style quiz.
Below is some of my contact information. Please feel free to contact me via phone, text, email, or Instagram. I look forward to working with you this year!
Email: leah.juarros@twinriversusd.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/twinriversusd.org/counseling-with-ms-j/health-3
Location: Working from Home!
Phone: (916) 585-4570
Facebook: facebook.com/@mrsjuarrosrtjh
Use this QR Code to go follow me on Instagram
Use this QR Code to visit my website
Mrs. Juarros Zoom Office Hours for October
M/T/TH/F from 8:00-12:30
W from 8:00-11:30.
Students can also join my zoom during asynchronous learning time if they need to talk or want to check in.
Join Zoom Meeting link:
Meeting ID: 937 6297 9242
A.C.E.S. {Academics~Career & College~Emotional Support~Strategies & Resources}
ACADEMICS~Helping Your Student Achieve Academic Success (Check out tutoring resources at the end of this article)
Progress Reports have been sent out and have more than likely reached your mailbox! Jr. High is a challenging time for students...and parents. There are lots of changes taking place during this time including having to juggle multiple classes and teachers for the first time, higher academic expectations, and more of a work load. Not to mention all the physical changes that occur and the social challenges our students face.
Progress reports are a snapshot or picture of how your student is currently doing in their classes. If the snapshot reflects that your student is being challenged and might be struggling, there are things you can do to help ensure their success.
1. Communication is Key: Having open communication with your student so that they feel they can come to you when they are struggling is vital. Just as important is communication between your student and their teachers. It is important that students start to learn how to talk to their teachers and express what they need help with. Learning how to self-advocate is a skill that will serve them well the rest of their life! It also helps teachers know what may need to be retaught and they will be able to give your student specific tips and strategies. Students should also ask their teachers when they are available to zoom during asynchronous time for extra help. It is also a good idea to touch base with the teacher yourself so you know what the teacher has told your student and can help reinforce it.
2. Help Your Student Get Organized: Organizing is another skill that will serve your student well for the rest of their life. It is a skill that carries over from academics and school, to career, and life in general.
*If possible, have a separate notebook for each subject OR separate one notebook in to sections and use a folded sticky note to identify the subjects.
*Use folders, baskets, or even a paper clip to keep completed assignments together by subject so they are easy to find.
*Teach your student how to keep their study area neat and well supplied with pens, pencils, eraser, paper for notes, and any other "tools" they use for class.
*Check that students are using their planner every day and writing down assignments and due dates, utilizing the day to day section as well as the month so they can look at what is coming up and start to learn time management.
3. Develop Note-Taking Skills: Sometimes students find this skill hard because they think they don't "need" to take notes because they "will remember". However, taking notes isn't just about remembering, it ialso helps students evaluate, organize, and summarize content which will help them do better on assignments, test, and quizzes.
*Practice pulling out key information rather than writing what is said or read word for word.
*Help them come up with a few abbreviations that will make note-taking faster for example, using w/ for with or Ex. for examples.
*Use a separate piece of paper for each day and make sure to put a date and title such as, "Oct 1-Math: Algebra Order of Operations" so they can refer back to the notes to STUDY!
4. Develop Good Study Habits: When we ask students if they studied and they reply yes, there is a good chance that our version of study is different than their version of study! Check in with your student to be sure they are developing good habits and guide them if necessary.
*Environment-study in an area that is calm and quiet and has everything needed, books, laptop, learning tools, etc. and that doesn't have a lot of distractions such as a tv, games, siblings, and even their phone.
*Time-study around the same time every day and take breaks often. Students in middle school should take breaks about every 30 min. and the amount of time studying is less important than the quality of the study time.
*Strategies-utilize tricks such as flash cards (easy to make out of note cards or blank paper cut in to squares), practice quizzes, graphic organizers, and even online sites such as Khan Academy https://www.khanacademy.org/
Free Online Books, Audiobooks, Online Tutoring and Other Resources
A partnership between Sacramento Public Library and local school districts enables students to use their student ID as a public library card.
With the Student Success Library Card, students can:
- Borrow up to 30 ebooks or audiobooks at a time
- Receive free online tutoring in English or Spanish
- Instantly access tools and primary sources to help with school assignments and test prep
Using Your Student Success Library Card
Use the letter code for your school district "TR" for Twin Rivers Unified School District and your Student ID number wherever you are asked for a Library card number. For example, if your ID number were 123456, you would use TR123456. Your 4 digit PIN will be set to the birth year on your school record. You may visit or call the library to reset this PIN.
TOPIC OF THE MONTH-Teens & Sleep
Why Teens Need More Sleep
Daylight Savings (November 1st) is the perfect time to start to get your household in to a routine, including sleeping. Check out the infographic below to learn how being sleep deprived can affect your teen's brain, behavior, and mental health. Check out the tips for how to ensure your teen gets enough sleep.
(This is information from my parent resources page on my website, go check out September's topic).
So...How Many Hours Should We All Be Sleeping?
Resources for the Month
We can refer you to more than 1,600 community services in the Sacramento area.
Need a Referral for Counseling or Mental Health Resources?
Please call or email me if you are interested.
Upcoming Events at Rio Tierra!
October 5th-World Teacher's Day
October 23rd-End of 1st Quarter
October 26th-31st-Red Ribbon Week
5 Star Points Redemption
- Students who have redeemed their points for prizes on their 5-star account will be able to pick their prizes up in a drive through in front of the school from Mrs. Powell and other Rio Tierra Admin. Make sure to stay in your car with your parent and to wear a mask!