Counseling Through Connections
Quarter 3 - March 2018
Ready or Not...
Spring is here! Our students are anxiously awaiting their break. Even though the year is almost over, there is still a lot of time left for learning. This quarter, our students will take part in state testing. Listed below are important test dates.
May 8 - SC Ready Math (All Grades)
May 9 - SC Ready ELA (7th & 8th grade)
May 9 - SC Ready Writing (6th grade)
May 10 - SC Ready Writing (7th & 8th grade)
May 10 - SC Ready ELA (6th grade)
May 15 - SC PASS Science (6th & 8th grade)
May 15 - SC PASS Social Studies (7th grade)
8th Grade End of Course Testing for English I, Algebra I, Spanish I, and French I Students:
May 2 - EOC Testing Writing
May 18 - French and Spanish Test
May 21 - End of Course Reading
May 22 - End of Course Algebra I
May 8 - SC Ready Math (All Grades)
May 9 - SC Ready ELA (7th & 8th grade)
May 9 - SC Ready Writing (6th grade)
May 10 - SC Ready Writing (7th & 8th grade)
May 10 - SC Ready ELA (6th grade)
May 15 - SC PASS Science (6th & 8th grade)
May 15 - SC PASS Social Studies (7th grade)
8th Grade End of Course Testing for English I, Algebra I, Spanish I, and French I Students:
May 2 - EOC Testing Writing
May 18 - French and Spanish Test
May 21 - End of Course Reading
May 22 - End of Course Algebra I
Sixth Grade News
For third quarter, Mrs. Meek visited the classrooms and introduced students to the sixteen career clusters. A career cluster is simply a way to group the various careers. After students completed a QR Code Career Cluster activity, students tested out their knowledge by playing Kahoot. As a summary, Mrs. Meek demonstrated how the sixteen career clusters are represented when creating a product such as Dum Dum suckers.
Discussing the career clusters was timely since our students participated in OMS' Career Day on March 9.
Coping Skills Group
Mrs. Meek offered a coping skills group where students learned strategies on how to self-regulate emotions. Figuring out how to be self-aware and knowing what strategies to use when overwhelming feelings arise is such a life skill. Mrs. Meek focused on helping students to reset their thinking and to remember challenging moments do not have to define their day.
Discussing the career clusters was timely since our students participated in OMS' Career Day on March 9.
Coping Skills Group
Mrs. Meek offered a coping skills group where students learned strategies on how to self-regulate emotions. Figuring out how to be self-aware and knowing what strategies to use when overwhelming feelings arise is such a life skill. Mrs. Meek focused on helping students to reset their thinking and to remember challenging moments do not have to define their day.
Seventh Grade News
Divorce and Grief Support Group: Helping Children Cope with Divorce and Grief
Our 7th grade counselor, Mr. Johnson, chairs this group to provide support for students who need assistance in coping with this traumatic life event. It is always important to offer a child support and to let he or she know they are not alone. In this group, we work with the student to help him or her learn how to express him or herself around the topic of divorce and grief.
This group is a positive and safe space where our students have peer support and express themselves freely.
THE REDEMPTION OF GERTIE GREENE
17 of our 7th grade students are rehearsing our spring play called, “THE REDEMPTION OF GERTIE GREENE.” This play will take place after returning from spring break. An official date to be announced soon.
COUNSELING VISIT
Mr. Johnson visited the 7th grade classrooms to conduct a school counseling lesson on College and Career Readiness. Each student received a user name and password to log in to their SCOIS account. SCOIS (S.C. Occupational Information System) is South Carolina's Official Career Resource Network. As a state program, SCOIS is authorized by both Federal and State Law and is mandated to provide a vast array of Career Development products and services including the State's Computerized Career Information System.
Mr. Johnson worked with each class on completing a module called “Reality Check.” This activity introduced our students to cost of living as an adult. Reality Check allows each student to create the lifestyle they would like to have. Each student had to pay for housing, food, clothes, transportation, and other items. Students then found out how much money they needed to earn to cover their expenses and which occupations support this lifestyle.
The students finished this lesson by completing an activity called Financial Football. Visa and the National Football League have teamed up to help teach financial concepts with Financial Football, a fast-paced, interactive game that engages students while teaching them money management skills. Teams compete by answering finance questions to earn yardage and score touchdowns.
Mr. Johnson encouraged each student to introduce SCOIS and go through the activities with their parents at home.
Our 7th grade counselor, Mr. Johnson, chairs this group to provide support for students who need assistance in coping with this traumatic life event. It is always important to offer a child support and to let he or she know they are not alone. In this group, we work with the student to help him or her learn how to express him or herself around the topic of divorce and grief.
This group is a positive and safe space where our students have peer support and express themselves freely.
THE REDEMPTION OF GERTIE GREENE
17 of our 7th grade students are rehearsing our spring play called, “THE REDEMPTION OF GERTIE GREENE.” This play will take place after returning from spring break. An official date to be announced soon.
COUNSELING VISIT
Mr. Johnson visited the 7th grade classrooms to conduct a school counseling lesson on College and Career Readiness. Each student received a user name and password to log in to their SCOIS account. SCOIS (S.C. Occupational Information System) is South Carolina's Official Career Resource Network. As a state program, SCOIS is authorized by both Federal and State Law and is mandated to provide a vast array of Career Development products and services including the State's Computerized Career Information System.
Mr. Johnson worked with each class on completing a module called “Reality Check.” This activity introduced our students to cost of living as an adult. Reality Check allows each student to create the lifestyle they would like to have. Each student had to pay for housing, food, clothes, transportation, and other items. Students then found out how much money they needed to earn to cover their expenses and which occupations support this lifestyle.
The students finished this lesson by completing an activity called Financial Football. Visa and the National Football League have teamed up to help teach financial concepts with Financial Football, a fast-paced, interactive game that engages students while teaching them money management skills. Teams compete by answering finance questions to earn yardage and score touchdowns.
Mr. Johnson encouraged each student to introduce SCOIS and go through the activities with their parents at home.
Eighth Grade News
Save the Dates:
April 25 and 26 – Eighth Grade tours to NGC (Ninth Grade Campus) and ATC (Applied Technology Center)
April 28 – IGP Day at NGC – You will receive a letter with your appointment time.
Career Assessments – Exploring Career Clusters - Eighth Grade School Counseling Curriculum
The third quarter school counseling lesson focused on Career Exploration. Career assessments are used to gather information about themselves and their needs so that students can make better career choices or take the appropriate next steps. Career assessments are key pieces of the career development puzzle because they help students understand who they are or who they are becoming.
Career assessments are beginning points, not ending points, for learning. By capturing a snapshot, users may learn things about themselves or discover new career options that match their interests, skills, values, or abilities.
An informal assessment can help students see things in a different light, but it should not be used as the sole source for drawing any conclusions. Results of these career instruments can help users see where they would find satisfaction and success in future occupations.
In our last school counseling lesson, we used the Career Cluster Inventory. This inventory helps students identify occupation clusters that include occupations with activities similar to those the student indicates liking. The Career Cluster Inventory helps identify potential careers to consider. It asks 80 questions. It is very useful for students. Your child will have a copy of their Career Cluster Inventory in their IGP folder on April 28. This information will help in the selection of a career cluster that is most closely related to your child’s interest at this time.
April 25 and 26 – Eighth Grade tours to NGC (Ninth Grade Campus) and ATC (Applied Technology Center)
April 28 – IGP Day at NGC – You will receive a letter with your appointment time.
Career Assessments – Exploring Career Clusters - Eighth Grade School Counseling Curriculum
The third quarter school counseling lesson focused on Career Exploration. Career assessments are used to gather information about themselves and their needs so that students can make better career choices or take the appropriate next steps. Career assessments are key pieces of the career development puzzle because they help students understand who they are or who they are becoming.
Career assessments are beginning points, not ending points, for learning. By capturing a snapshot, users may learn things about themselves or discover new career options that match their interests, skills, values, or abilities.
An informal assessment can help students see things in a different light, but it should not be used as the sole source for drawing any conclusions. Results of these career instruments can help users see where they would find satisfaction and success in future occupations.
In our last school counseling lesson, we used the Career Cluster Inventory. This inventory helps students identify occupation clusters that include occupations with activities similar to those the student indicates liking. The Career Cluster Inventory helps identify potential careers to consider. It asks 80 questions. It is very useful for students. Your child will have a copy of their Career Cluster Inventory in their IGP folder on April 28. This information will help in the selection of a career cluster that is most closely related to your child’s interest at this time.
High Flying Eagles - Quarter 3
Congratulations to our Q3 High Flying Eagles who were recognized by their homeroom teacher for displaying character. A huge thank you to Hannon Orthodontist who continues to support our character education program by buying sub sandwiches for our students. Chips and a soda were also provided at lunch on March 14!
Click to View Q3 HFE
Click to View Q3 HFE
OMS Career and College Awareness 2018
We just wrapped up a successful Career and College Awareness event on March 9. The day started with 7th graders having a Career Fair in the gym from 9:15 until 11:15. Our 7th graders had a chance to choose from 25 different careers to visit and ask questions. Our presenters did an amazing job explaining to our students about the various responsibilities of their careers and more.
6th graders participated in their Career Day from 1:30 until 3:15 on the 6th grade halls in the classrooms. We had over 16 speakers to attend. Some comments from our 6th grade students regarding their experience:
"Career Day was awesome. We should do it again."
"That was a really fun experience."
"I think it was really cool. It helped me figure out what I want to do."
"All speakers were great!"
"I thought it was awesome to listen to the speakers and what they had to say about their careers."
"Next year, I wish it would last longer."
8th graders ventured off campus for Job Shadow Day. This was a full day activity for those who completed an application. The majority of 8th graders were off campus with Job Shadow Day in the community. We had many business and industry partners working with our eighth graders in this activity.
All activities helped our students explore the world of work and post-secondary plans.
We would like to extend a huge thank you to all our visitors! Thank you to our parents, business and industry partners who helped make our OMS Career and College Awareness Day worth while! This has always been a great event for our school. The students seem to always enjoy and benefit from it. We consider this a great way to link community and school.
6th graders participated in their Career Day from 1:30 until 3:15 on the 6th grade halls in the classrooms. We had over 16 speakers to attend. Some comments from our 6th grade students regarding their experience:
"Career Day was awesome. We should do it again."
"That was a really fun experience."
"I think it was really cool. It helped me figure out what I want to do."
"All speakers were great!"
"I thought it was awesome to listen to the speakers and what they had to say about their careers."
"Next year, I wish it would last longer."
8th graders ventured off campus for Job Shadow Day. This was a full day activity for those who completed an application. The majority of 8th graders were off campus with Job Shadow Day in the community. We had many business and industry partners working with our eighth graders in this activity.
All activities helped our students explore the world of work and post-secondary plans.
We would like to extend a huge thank you to all our visitors! Thank you to our parents, business and industry partners who helped make our OMS Career and College Awareness Day worth while! This has always been a great event for our school. The students seem to always enjoy and benefit from it. We consider this a great way to link community and school.
Raising Mentally Strong Kids
Be sure to check out this article where author Amy Morin identifies 13 things parents should avoid when seeking to raise a child to take on life's challenges.
Click Here
Click Here
Proactive vs. Reactive
Last Friday, students met with their mentoring groups to discuss what being a leader looks like. Sean Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, discusses how teens need to be more PROACTIVE than REACTIVE. Students have a choice on how to feel and react to a situation. Part of being a leader is knowing how to respond when placed in difficult spots.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
If you would like to learn more about warning signs of a mental illness, read more about mental health conditions, review fact sheets, find support, etc., be sure to visit NAMI's website. This website offers a wealth of information regarding mental health illness.
Click Here
Click Here
SC Governor's School for Science and Math
To learn more about summer camps at the SC Governor's School for Science and Math, click the link below. There are many opportunities on their campus in Hartsville, SC along with a local camp offered at Pleasant Knoll Middle School in Fort Mill. Be sure to check it out. Application deadlines are approaching.
Camp Information - Click Here
Camp Information - Click Here
Oakridge Middle School
Email: kristen.meek@clover.k12.sc.us
Website: https://www.clover.k12.sc.us/Domain/434
Location: 5657 Oakridge Road, Clover, SC, USA
Phone: (803)631-8000