Jen P's Advising Group
Middle College news for you!
Hurray! It's finally time to go back to school!
Hello, students and families!
This has been the best summer I've had in years, and while I'm sad to see it come to a close, I'm excited for the school year ahead and working with you.
There have been a few shifts in our advisory groups since May, but not too many. Right now it looks like the breakdown will be:
Jen P A – Elliott
Alison Eskander – L
Jen B M – R
Halo S – Z
(I'm sending this first edition of the newsletter to those who are in my group now and who were in my group last year but will be switching to Alison; if you've been switched to her group, subsequent newsletters will come from her.) Feel free to contact me when you have questions or concerns, but you'll be getting fairly regular communications like these from me. My preferred method of communication is email at petroelje@smccd.edu, but you can also call me at the Middle College # 650-306-3120.
I hope you're enjoying your last few days before we officially begin the 2015-2016 school year. :-) Just a quick note with some last-minute reminders:
1. You should have received a newsletter like this one from fellow instructor, Alison Liberatore with more comprehensive reminders. Students, please make sure you've read that newsletter. One change: we are meeting from 10:00-12:30 (instead of from 10:00-1:00). We're easing back into the school year. :-) As I mentioned earlier this week, we are available after class each day to meet individually to discuss schedule changes.
2. The first week will be a lot of information and can be a bit overwhelming, so we also add in some fun activities to get to know you and your new classmates. Keep an open mind and know that everyone in Middle College has something awesome to contribute. We have really nice kids in here! This is a great opportunity to start fresh, so think about how you want to present yourself and who you want to be this year.
3. College classes begin on Monday, August 17th. It is our goal that by then you will all feel very prepared and comfortable getting to those classes, so don't worry; we're here to help. One activity we will do together this week is find all your classrooms. :-)
4. Our expectation is that all students have completed My Beloved World by the time we see you on Monday. Students who have not will not be creating a very positive first impression. Additionally, Alison has requested that you listen to a podcast--see her flyer linked above for those details. As I mentioned in a previous email, be prepared for activities, writing prompts, and discussion topics on fitting in/assimilation, service to others, affirmative action policies, the memoir format, mindset and perseverance. Show us that you’ve done the reading and have thought about it — making those connections from the book to your own life, to other stories you’ve read, to the world in general.
5. Grades for summer classes aren't yet available on WebSmart; once they are I will be updating transcripts for all students who took summer classes. I am hoping not to have to make many schedule changes for fall classes at this point, but if we need to, the time to do it is in the next couple weeks. It gets more difficult after that. I'll have copies of schedules available next week.
6. I'm hoping to attend and have the chance to chat with lots of my students' parents at the parent social next week, which is being graciously hosted by two fabulous moms in our program. See info below--Chris sent an email about this recently. MC is a different environment and it can take students and parents some time to make the transition. We're hoping parents can build a similar support community to the one we try to create for students.
I'm excited about this coming year; it's going to be a great one! The first few weeks always require a little patience and a few deep breaths, but before you know it we'll be into the swing of things.
Parent Social!
Hello to all existing and incoming Middle College Parents!
We hope all of you are having a great summer! To kick off the new school year, we will be hosting a get together for parents. Come join us and meet with other parents who have found success for their kids in this unique program.
We will be sure to provide snacks for all so stop by for a bit and get to know some of the other parents who may have answers to your Middle College questions.
Where and When:
The University Center at Canada
Thursday, August 13th at 6:00
Please RSVP to e.franchi@comcast.net so we can be sure to have snacks for everyone.
Hope to see you there!
Caroline Robertson (Wyatt’s mom)
Emily Franchi (Dom’s mom)
The University Center is located in Building 6. You may park in any of the lots on campus. Lots 8 & 9 have the easiest access to Building 6 – just walk along the main road through campus and then down the long ramp to the University Center. For less steep access: there is an outdoor elevator down to Building 5 just past the two ramps on the right (as you’re coming from Lot 8), and then there is an elevator inside Building 5 that will take you down to the first floor of Building 6.
A very small glimpse of my summer - lots of time outdoors!
Cañada Middle College
Email: petroelje@smccd.edu
Website: canadacollege.edu/middlecollege
Location: 4200 Farm Hill Boulevard, Redwood City, CA, United States
Phone: 650-306-3120
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CanadaMiddleCollege