Welcome to the firstever Miguel Juarez Middle School Counseling Department Newsletter!

Transcription

1 COUNSELING NEWSLETTER Miguel Juarez Middle School Volume 1, Issue 1 December 2014 Welcome to the firstever Miguel Juarez Middle School Counseling Department Newsletter! In an effort to provide parents with more thorough information related to the services available in the counseling department as well as the events happening within the counseling department, we are initiating a newsletter! Our hope is that through this increased communication, all parents will have the necessary information to support

2 their students in their social, emotional, academic, and grade transition related goals in collaboration with the counseling department. What does the Counseling Department do? There are three counselors that make up the counseling department. The 6 th grade counselor is Ms. Wesley, the 7 th grade counselor is Mr. Ballesteros, and the 8 th grade counselor is Ms. Philip. Our counselors support all students in succeeding in their academics, addressing social/emotional concerns, and necessary transition related supports. If you have a concern about your student please feel free to contact their grade level counselor at: Ms. Wesley-(224) Mr. Ballesteros-(224) Ms. Philip-(224)

3 WE RE STEPPING IT UP AT JUAREZ!! In response to a large number of students falling below a 2.0 GPA, the counseling department has decided to step it up and find new ways to support our students! In an effort to implement this approach, the Juarez counseling department will be implementing a new initiative to identify and support students that have a GPA between 2.0 and 2.5. These students will meet with their counselor in order to develop, implement, and support an action plan for maintaining or improving their GPA from the above stated range. It is the hope of the entire counseling department that this will lower the number of students that fall into the below 2.0 GPA range! Please contact

4 Mr. Ballesteros with any and all questions related to this initiative at (224) RECENT EVENTS IN COUNSELING AT JUAREZ MIDDLE SCHOOL: **6 th and 8th grade SOS: The 6 th and 8 th grade SOS (Signs of Suicide-suicide prevention program) presentations took place recently and provided numerous students with necessary support via our support team staff! A flyer was sent home with students explaining the SOS program and points for family discussion. However, if further information explaining the SOS program structure is needed, it can be found at: **Below 2.0 GPA night was cancelled on 12/16/14: This event will be rescheduled after winter break and all parents that are required to come will be notified of the new date. Thank you for your patience!

5 MARK YOUR CALENDARS:(upcoming events in the counseling department): **PARCC Testing: PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) testing for all grades will take place between March 5 th and April 1 st, PARCC is a state-level test that is required for all students. Please see below for test taking tips for your student. Further information related to the structure of the PARCC test can be found at: **7 th grade SOS: The 7 th grade will be receiving SOS (Signs of Suicide-suicide prevention program) presentation as well as related follow up (as needed) January 12 th through January 16 th, Please contact your appropriate grade level counselor (Mr. Ballesteros) with questions or concerns. Further information explaining the SOS program structure and information can be found at: ** ALL ELL STUDENTS AND FAMILIES:

6 ACCESS (Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners) testing will be taking place January 12 th, 2014 through February 13 th, All English Language Learners, P+, and Bilingual refusal students will be required to participate. Further information describing the ACCESS testing process can be found at: d.aspx Although this test is important, there are ways to help your student minimize stress and maximize performance throughout this and other testing processes! TEST TAKING TIPS TO SUPPORT YOUR STUDENT: 1. Give words of encouragement! Assure your child that they are capable. 2. Have your child get a good night s rest during testing dates! Rest is important for thinking clearly and feeling their best. 3. Encourage your child to eat a healthy breakfast. Students who are full can focus more easily and for longer periods of time. 4. Assist your child in getting up and to school on time during testing. Students who feel rushed to get to school may start their day with anxiety.

7 OTHER TIPS FOR PARENTS TO KEEP IN MIND: 1. ENSURE THAT YOUR CHILD ATTENDS SCHOOL ON THE DATES OF THE TESTS. 2. IF YOUR CHILD IS ILL, PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE TO INFORM THE SCHOOL OF YOUR CHILD S ABSENCE. 3. PLEASE CHECK DOCTOR VISITS AND OTHER AP- POINTMENTS AND MAKE ANY CHANGES NECESSARY TO ENSURE YOUR CHILD IS IN SCHOOL DURING TESTING. Thank you for taking the time to review our newsletter and we look forward to supporting you and your students!

8 Miguel Juarez Middle School 201 N Butrick Waukegan, IL (224) Juarez.wps60.org