School Counselor's Corner
Mrs. Jacques. 8th Grade Counselor Fall/Winter Ed. 2017-18
T1 is almost at a close, a third of our year complete: What, it can't be!?
It was great to see so many parents during Parent Teacher Conferences in November. It is hard to believe we are going into our second trimester, and that T3 is waiting right around the corner. Our 8th graders have many things left to do before they head to the high school. I have started many conversations with students about high school already. Students are excited and a bit apprehensive as it is a big change and more will be expected of them. I am here to help with some of the transition work and to be in your child's corner through the process. The high school does start taking over the transition activities come January. Soon your child will meet and get to know the high school counselors. I can't believe, shortly I will be passing the torch. I have thoroughly enjoyed this group of students (and parents too!), I am grateful that I have been the one to watch them grow from their 6th grade children selves into their 9th grade teenager selves. I've been honored to be their school counselor!
Student Success Plans
I have read some great SSPs! In February we will be revisiting their SSPs to mark any goals that have been achieved and to update goals for the rest of the year. It is a good time of year to reboot motivation as the winter can slow some of us down. If you would like to see your child's SSP ask them to show you. They do know their username and password (you can also email me for that information). You can also take this time to question your child's SSP if you feel your child can expand upon what they have already written. I tell the students that the SSP may very well be the high school's first impression of them as it does roll over into their high school Naviance account.
Prepping for Course Selection of Electives
In my Google classroom I have an activity I would like all 8th grade students to participate in before January 2nd. Please ask them to complete the survey. This will help them make a final decision about what elective courses to sign up for once the Infinite Campus Portal is open, for the actual selection. On January 8 and 9th the high school counselors will do their presentations in the 8th grade homerooms and on the 9th you will be able to attend the "Program of Studies" night and meet the Principal, counselors and department heads. On January 16th and 17th your child will have a tour of the high school and learn all about the elective courses from the teachers themselves. This will also be helpful for when they make their requests for courses online, when the portal is open.
A summary of Core Course Placement
All core classes (ELA, Math, Sci, SS and World Language) will be chosen for your student for their freshman year. Your child will only be choosing 1.5 credits worth of elective classes. Some of the high school core courses have Honors levels for freshman students. Your child's 8th grade teacher will make their recommendations to the high school about your child's placement. My suggestion, for freshman year, is to abide by the 8th grade teachers recommendation. If you feel your child should be placed in Honors and yet there was no recommendation then you will have to go through the appeals process. First, I ask you to speak with the 8th grade recommending teacher and have a discussion. If you still feel you want your child in an honor's class then contact me for the paperwork needed. Once I have your appeals paper work the department head of the subject area at the high school gets involved, and he/she makes the decision after the appeal.
Does your child need extra help to get through 8th grade successfully? These are the things you can do:
- Contact the subject matter teacher and request before/after school extra help.
- Stay in contact with teachers, email any questions you may have, ask them for suggestions. Email makes it easy to stay informed.
- Homework Club meets Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for an hour and 15 minutes, a late bus is provided. Sign up forms can be downloaded, or picked up at the school's main office. The homework club form: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZQdLuJWJ_0-nndy2QJIHateYEAm90iHs_peeizW1c3I/edit (this is good until Jan. 31 and then a new schedule and permission slip is sent out).
- Check in with your child. Check the homework websites together and look at Infinite Campus to see if any assignments are missing and/or if test corrections are permitted. Also check your child's Google classroom summaries, and see if you notice missing work. A helpful article: https://docs.google.com/a/newfairfieldschools.org/document/d/1NAIKbQAs4I4AaI6C0TIipB_8bWCv7dorLKcGXns1isM/edit?usp=sharing
- Set up a productive study environment in your home. Have your child put their cell phone in a "parking lot" and check on your child when you can to make sure they are working and not playing video games when it is their homework time. Set up a routine and follow through. A helpful article: http://www.ctl.ua.edu/CTLStudyAids/StudySkillsFlyers/GeneralTips/creatingstudyenvironment.htm By the way, your child knows their learning style, there is a report in their Naviance account that explains their learning style in detail. Knowing your child's learning style is helpful when creating a study place.
- Sit with your 8th grader (yes, you have one more year, you can help- independence can come when your child is ready) once a week and help them clean out binders, papers and backpacks/computer bags.
- Remember if your child says they have no homework, there is always reading to do and studying. Reviewing class notes nightly will help with quizzes and tests.
- Restrict gaming and social media time. This causes loss of time, sleep deprivation and has been linked to a new possible opportunity for an addiction.
IMPORTANT DATES COMING UP (Dec, Jan & Feb)
December 1
Henry Abbott Tech Applications due to Mrs. Jacques
End of Trimester 1
December 25-Jan 1
Winter Break
January 8 & 9
High School visits homerooms
January 9
Program of Studies Night for parents and students at HS
January 10
Program of Studies Night SNOW DATE
January 16 & 17
Students tour the high school
February 16
Half Day
February 19 & 20 No School
February 23 All High School Elective Requests should be in at this point