School Counselor Spring Newsletter
Mrs. Jacques- 7th Grade School Counselor- May/June 2017
What a Year!
Lunch with my 7th Graders is always FUN! Who knew there was such a thing as Cat-opoly?!
What was new for 7th Grade this year?
And, Action! ~NFMS's Unified Theater program
Students that can commit to two days a week of rehearsal for 14 weeks will WRITE, PRODUCE, DIRECT, FUND RAISE, CREATE SETS & DESIGN and work SOUND AND LIGHTS. That is right, students get to do it all! This year we put on an original production called "Corrupted and Erupted ~it's not historical, it's hysterical" and it got RAVE reviews and won 2 awards with 4 honorable mentions from Unified Theater based in New Haven and servicing three states. Keep an eye and ear out for when sign ups start (September). I advise this club along with Ms. John. Next year's dates to be determined.
ALion's Pride ~NFMS's Gay Straight Alliance (GSA)
The turn out for this club is awesome and we hope other students will join us next year. Our mission is to spread the word of inclusiveness, and to spread awareness about ALion's Pride's purpose. You do not have to be gay to join- a common misconception. You have to be willing to work on being proud of who you are (if you are not already) and willing to support those that are different from you. You can sign up for this club at any time. Permission slip is on my website. I advise this club along with Ms. John. We meet every Monday 2:45-4pm.
The Rebella's ~NFMS's Glee Club
This is a student organized club supervised by the Laedke's this year. The Rebellas sing cover songs and hope to write some of their own music. The club will incorporate some performing gigs for next year. This year the club meets some mornings and some lunches. Contact laedke.paul@newfairfieldschools.org to get meeting times specifics for the rest of this year.
Remember all clubs/activities require a one time $35 activity fee for the year. If you need assistance, please contact huber.jennifer@newfairfieldschools.org to learn more about that process.
Motivation for the Academic Year End
Sleep is very important. Make a "parking lot" for all devices and have your child park them there before going to bed. My kids parking lot was in my bedroom, so there was no "sneaking." If you can't get devices away from them then turn off your wifi or create a new password. Too many students are staying up all night watching Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, etc. Make sure they power down at night.
Every day ask how they are doing but ask specific questions about school that can't be answered with a yes, or no. "I don't know," shouldn't be an acceptable answer.
Create a "meeting" schedule and check in with your child about their academics regularly. Check Infinite Campus, ask to see their homework (much is on Google Docs and can be viewed at all times), email teachers for a check in and let your child know you are helping them along.
Create "external" rewards, intrinsic rewards are hard for
students to buy into during this time of year. Set up a system for them to earn doing an activity with you (out to lunch, mini golf, hiking with a pic nic, go to a new beach, etc).
Remind them, that hard work pays off! Summer break is on its way, they can make it!
8th Grade is an important year for goals!
Each year, every student, writes a Student Success Plan. The plan is meant to teach about goals and their purpose and to motivate students to do their very best. We then revisit their goals in April and have discussions in small groups lead by Peer Leaders. In 8th grade I will be stressing (as I do every year) doing your very best through-out the entire 8th grade year, so teachers can make the best recommendations for high school placement.
A great summer goal for your student is to have them read, read, read!
A peek at 8th Grade.....
We invite both Henry Abbott Technical High School and Ellis Clark Agri-science Technical High School to come in and present to the entire grade. Here they will learn that all 7th grade academics, 8th grade academics, attendance and discipline records will be reported to them as part of the application process.
Starting in January, most of what I do is centered around transitioning from the confines of elementary/middle school to the independent world of high school. What was once the responsibility of the teacher, is now their responsibility. I try to prepare them for the grown up world they are about to enter.