Scheduling for Success

1. Parent Meeting • February 22, 2012 Scheduling for Success

2. Contact Information Alyssa Winer, School Counselor Phone: 440.352.3345 x4314 Fax: 440.352.1278 Email: alyssa.winer@riversideschools.net I will be your student’s school counselor for eighth and ninth grades.

3. Meeting Objectives • Future Planning • The Scheduling Process • Expectations • Resources

4. Future Planning: The Big Picture • Focus on lifelong learning skills/habits This cannot be stressed enough! It is crucial to form good habits now. Time management, study skills, note taking skills, organization, and even stress management. Not only will these skills be helpful in eighth grade, but they’re critical for success in the future. • Keep your options open It’s unrealistic to ask eighth grade students to plan every detail of their post- secondary life. Some realistic questions to ask at this stage are: Is the student going to college? • If the answer is “I don’t know,” it’s best to proceed as if s/he is.

5. The Scheduling Process:Begins February 23 Students will receive orange scheduling forms at school this week. Students should: • Highlight the core courses for which they were recommended by their current teachers • Indicate if they’d like to take any electives • Return the completed form to their social studies teacher no later than Wed., Feb. 29

6. The Scheduling Process: Choosing the Right English Course Differences between English 8 & English 8 Honors

7. The Scheduling Process:Choosing the Right Math Course • Math 8: Prepares the student to take Algebra 1 CP in ninth grade • Algebra 1 CP (CP=College Prep): student learns a new concept every day and has homework each night; Will prepare student to be successful in future college prep math classes • Algebra 8 Honors: students learn similar concepts as CP, only more in-depth; There are significantly more word problems in this class.

8. The Scheduling Process:Choosing the Right Science Course For an overview of Science 8 and Science 8 Honors, please view Mr. Keller’s website at: http://www.kellerscience.info/Syllabus.asp

9. The Scheduling Process:Choosing the Right History Class Students who are successful in U.S. History 8 Honors possess the following qualities: • Like to be challenged • Have great reading and comprehension skills • Excel at working independently • Can complete homework on a nightly basis • Enjoy being creative • Are interested in learning more than the basic information in the history book

10. The Scheduling Process:Choosing the Right History Class Students in U.S. History 8 Honors will be responsible for learning the following over the summer: • State abbreviations and capitals (memorized) • The 27 Amendments, in order (memorized) • The 43 Presidents, in order (memorized) • The Star Spangled Banner (memorized) • The Preamble to the Declaration of Independence (recognized) • The Preamble to the Constitution (recited) • 25+ items on U.S. and European maps Students will be assessed regarding this material during the first week of school.

11. Expectations: Student • Work Hard • Be a self-advocate • Have respect for adults, your classmates, yourself and your school • Think before speaking or acting • Take responsibility for yourself and your actions

12. Expectations: Parent(s) • Communicate • Adapt • Engage • Listen • Accept

13. Expectations: Teachers, etc… • Notify parents via email or phone of failing grades or concerns regarding behavior and/or performance • Update grade reporting system (formerly PAM) and online classrooms on a regular basis • Facilitate a safe and effective learning environment for all students

14. Resources: Academics and Transitioning to Eighth Grade • Academics • www.studygs.net - Study Guides and Strategies • Transitioning to Eighth Grade • Parents’ Guide to the Middle School Years by Bruzzese, J. • www.amle.org - Association for Middle Level Education

15. Other Resources: Adolescent Development and Bullying • Adolescent Development • www.jhsph.edu - Johns Hopkins Bloombery School of Public Health • www.nich.nih.gov - National Institute of Child Health & Human Development • Bullying • Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and the New Realities of a Girl World by Wiseman, R. • Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls by Simmons, R.

16. Other Resources: Father’s Role, General Health & Mental Health • Father’s Role • The Connected Father: Understanding Your Unique Role and Responsibility during Your Child’s Adolescence by Pickard, C. • General Health www.naccho.org - National Association of City & County Health Offices • Mental Health • www.nami.org - National Alliance on Mental Illness • www.nimh.nih.gov - National Institute of Mental Health

17. Other Resources: Mother/Daughter Relationship & Social Development • Mother/Daughter Relationship • I’m Not Mad, I Just Hate You! by Cohen-Sandler, R.. & Silver, M. • Social Development • www.schoolcounselor.org - American School Counselor Association • www.clevelandclinic.org - Adolescent Health • A Tribe Apart: A Journey into the heart of American Adolescence by Hersch, P. • Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving Work, Home, and School by Medina, J.

18. Other Resources: Suicide Prevention & Parenting Teens • Suicide Prevention • www.afsp.org American Foundation for Suicide Prevention • www.suicidology.org American Association of Suicidology • Parenting Teens • Get out of My Life, but First Could You Drive Me and Cheryl to the Mall? by Wolf, A. • Wonderful Ways to Love a Teen…Even When it Seems Impossible by Ford, J.