School Counselor's Corner
Grade 8 May/June Newsletter
Graduation is Bittersweet, every time for me.
It has been my privilege to work with your children, who are now turning into young adults. I met some of your children at age 10 and some of them are now 14. It always amazes me, even after 15 years of doing this work here in New Fairfield. They come to Summer Orientation as incoming 6th graders, looking either excited and enthusiastic or nervous and anxious and they head out the same way, but in grown up bodies and as very different people. It is this time of year, I always feel it, and I know it, they are ready, they are so ready to leave and take on life. It is the adults that want to hang on and struggle with letting go. But they are ready, and this is what we prepare them for, I always hope they come back to visit. My door is forever open to them.
A 6th Grade Dream Board made in 2014
In sixth grade we did started some career exploring. In 6th grade your students wanted to be bakers, biochemists carpenters, forensic scientists, performers, veterinarians, etc. There were so many interests. Sometimes students stick to their passions and other times I see dramatic changes to their ideas in career paths. I am lucky to watch this unfold!
A 7th Grade Memory from 2016
If I remember correctly this is a Wingman activity. Our Wingmen & Wingwomen are trained to run workshops with their peers to foster kindness. Their workshops teach teamwork, collaboration and taking risks to promote personal growth. Here are three of your children, working together when they were in 7th grade.
A most recent picture of your kids 2018
Here are some 8th grade students participating in one of many after school activities that NFMS offers. Soon your students will have so many more choices at the high school. There will be so many opportunities for them to be able to learn new things or to finally find a club of their interest. It will be very exciting for them.
If any of "my" NFMS kids were to ask me advice, this is what I would say:
- Breathe (yes, deep breathes, when ever you can remember to)
- Take one day at a time, or even one hour at a time if you have to
- Wake up every day, look in the mirror and tell yourself that you are awesome (even when you feel like dirt)
- Don't sweat small stuff, ever, never
- Be nice to people, as often as you possibly can
- Ask for help when you need it, offer help when you can
- If people are unkind to you, do not put it in your heart, walk away and feel pity that they have to carry that ugliness with them where ever they go
- Laugh at yourself (if you have spent any time with me, you have most certainly heard me laugh at myself!)
- Instead of quitting, switch things up, try something new, do something else
- Do your best (your best may look different from day to day)
- Escape the screens, be in nature when you can
- Sometimes it is okay to just do nothing, guilt free, recharge, nap, listen to music, read a book, pet your dog, shoot hoops, etc
- Get healthy amounts of sleep
- Be kind to your body, you get one
NFHS COUNSELORS
Get to know who your new school counselor is, if even only by picture and name. You can email them at any time with questions about the high school. Dr. Przytula is retiring, so if your last name starts with O-Q you can contact any other counselor here as we do not know who is replacing Dr. Przytula's next year.
8th Graders learning how to budget, sell and take inventory
8th Graders meeting with Mrs. Baldelli to discuss Dream Board Ideas
8th Grade Peer Leaders in Training
8th Graders hanging out after school playing cards
"We love our middle school peeps!"
Emoji Halloween Spirit
8th Grade Ranger Run Event
@gallantfew @rangerrun
NFMS 8th Graders Walking the Track
@gallantfew @rangerrun
Being Community Minded
@gallantfew @rangerrun
8 Orange CT Science Museum
Robot Exhibit
Everyone LOVED the hurricane booth!
8 Purple Field Trip to Mystic
8th grade students having fun being goofy.
Artifact Detectives
Artifact workshop @ Mystic Seaport
Mystic Seaport
Great day, a bit chilly but so much history and some fun too!
Important Dates Coming Up:
May 3 "Nightmare near Elm Street High" And, Action Unified Theater Club 6pm
May 11 Wonder and Wingman Activity (in school activity)
May 25 NFMS Talent Show & Early Dismissal Day (show is for students, in their day)May 28 No School, Memorial Day
May 29 Spring Concert
June 1 Chorus Field Trip
June 11 Holiday Hill Trip
June 15 8th Grade Dance NFHS Cafeteria 7pm
June 22 Graduation
Keep an eye on our website for further information about the 8th grade activities or for any changes that may be made.
Amy Jacques, School Counselor
I create safe spaces for your kids.
Email: jacques.amy@newfairfieldschools.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/newfairfieldschools.org/mrs-jacques-7th-grade-school-counseling-corner/
Location: New Fairfield Middle School, Gillotti Road, New Fairfield, CT, USA
Phone: 203.312.5902
Twitter: @ARCJ1989