Scheduling for SuccessParent Meeting • February 7, 2012

Contact Information

Amber Foth, School Counselor

Phone: 440.352.3345 x4307 Fax: 440.352.1278 Email: amber.foth@riversideschools.net

I will be your student’s school counselor for eighth and ninth grades.

Meeting Objectives

Future Planning

The Scheduling Process

Expectations

Resources

Future Planning: The Big Picture

Focus on building lifelong learning skills/habitsThis cannot be stressed enough! It is crucial to form good

habitsnow. Time management, study skills, note taking skills,organization, and even stress management. Not only will theseskills be helpful in eighth grade, but they are critical for success

inthe 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 thisstage 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.

The Scheduling Process:Begins in February

Students will received scheduling forms at school this week. They should’ve come home! Students should:

Highlight/circle the appropriate core courses

Rank their elective choices (1st, 2nd & 3rd choice)

Return the completed form to their social studies teacher no later than Thursday, February 14th.

The Scheduling Process: Choosing the Right English Course

Differences between English 8 & English 8 Honors

English 8 English 8 Honors

Read materials in class Read materials outside of class

Required texts are at an eighth grade reading level

Required texts are above grade level (ninth or tenth grade)

No summer reading at this time

Summer reading with assignments

Writing geared towards OAA proficiency (short answer & extended response)

OAA practice writing plus more writing geared towards success in future English honors courses

The Scheduling Process:Choosing the Right Math Course

Math 8: Pre-Algebra and Algebraic concepts. Prepares the student for Algebra 1 College Prep in 9th grade. New concepts are introduced daily and homework is assigned each night.

Algebra 8 Honors: Students enrolled in this course are skipping Math 8 and taking their first high school course for credit. Students learn similar concepts to Algebra 1 College Prep (typical 9th grade course) only more in-depth. There are significantly more word problems in this class.

There may be a summer testing requirement involved prior to taking this course.

The Scheduling Process:Choosing the Right Science Course

Science 8: Explore space, plate tectonics and theories related to Earth

changes.

Science 8 Honors: Students pursue a deeper understanding of the

science content. Students will be expected to read and comprehend

concepts discussed in scientific articles, apply a variety of

mathematical skills to solve scientific problems, write detailed

explanations of natural phenomena, evaluate and synthesize

scientific rationales and work collaboratively with peers.

For additional information about Science 8 and Science 8 Honors,

please view Mr. Keller’s website at: www.kellerscience.info

Enrolling in Science 8 Honors?

Using this year’s semester 1 averages, please check the boxes that apply to your student.

Science ____ Non-Honors (94% or above)____ Honors (unfortunately no longer exists)

Math ____ Non-Honors (80% or above) ____ Honors (70% or above)

LanguageArts ____ Non-Honors (80% or above)

____ Honors (70% or above)

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

The Scheduling Process:Choosing the Right History Class

Students in U.S. History 8 Honors will be responsiblefor 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.

Additional courses and electives

Each student will take:Health and Physical Wellness for a semester.8th grade Art and Computer Awareness for a quarter each.

Students can choose to take:A full year of 8th grade BandA full year of 8th grade Baritone or Treble ChoirA semester of Exploring TechnologyA semester of Teen Living

Expectations: Student

1. Work Hard

2. Be a self-advocate

3. Have respect for adults, your classmates, yourself and your school

4. Think before speaking or acting

5. Take responsibility for yourself and your actions

Expectations: Parent(s)

Communicate

Adapt

Engage

Listen

Accept

Expectations: Teachers, etc…Notify parents via email or phone of

failing grades or concerns regarding behavior and/or performance

Update Infinite Campus and onlineclassrooms on a regular basis

Facilitate a safe and effective learning environment for all students

Who teaches what?

English 8Mrs. Miller Room 117Mr. Schuette Room 116English 8 HonorsMrs. Bateman Room 112

Math 8Mr. Hillman Room 209Mr. Franz Room 208Mr. Dingman Room 217Algebra 8 HonorsMrs. Leinweber Room 219

Science 8Mr. Keller Room 212Mrs. Berdis Room 107Mrs. Selent Room 216Science 8 HonorsMr. Keller Room 212

History 8Mr. Bouffard Room 215Mr. Franz Room 210Mr. Bors Room 108 RHSHistory 8 HonorsMrs. Landgraf Room 204

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

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.

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 Healthwww.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

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.

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.