Mrs. Jaime Walker School Counselor, West Morris Mendham High School September 26, 2011

Mrs. Jaime Walker

School Counselor, West Morris Mendham High School

September 26, 2011

Preparing Your Child for

High School

*Differences Between High School and Middle School

*School total population

*Length of class/schedule rotation

*Significance of grades & attendance

*Expectations

*Amount of homework

*Grading

*Positive Aspects of High School

*WMM=regional high school meet new people

*Many opportunities to get involved

*More freedom/responsibilities

*LUNCH!

*Many resources for academic and personal assistance

*College & career-related resources [Naviance]

*Academics

*Various course levels

*Course descriptions online/Program of Studies

*Levels can be changed within the school year and/or from year to year

*Grades monitored through Power School by WMM staff and families

*In-class support

*Study Skills

*Guidance presentation to all 9th graders

*Guest speaker—class assembly

*Tips from 9th grade teachers (who receive special training for note taking and study skills)

*Change study habits, as needed

*Limit distractions/technology

*Organization

*Using separate binders for each subject

*Using (school-provided) student agenda books

*Checking teacher websites for deadlines, assignments, contact info

*Monitor grades and attendance on Power School

*Teacher-provided assignment calendars—get ahead when possible

*Rotating class schedule

*Extra Help/Tutoring

*Teachers—after school

*Teachers—every period of the school day

*Peer Tutors—upper class students available at lunch (by request)

*Private tutor list available

*Guidance Counselors, Student Assistance Counselor

*Child Study Team

*Administrators

*Encourage children to take advantage of these resources REGULARLY!

*Extra-Curricular Activities

*Tremendous variety—something for everyone

*Get involved…but not too involved!

*Activities Fair—late September during lunch

*Keep track of activities for college purposes

*Community, service, religious, work experiences also important

*Becoming a Freshman

*Start doing work now!

*Teachers’ recommendations based on current grades

*Group scheduling session with counselor [no individual conferences this year]

*Become familiar with school website

*Summer reading/assignments

*Previews Program—August

*Freshman Orientation—August/September

*Attend classes on first day of school to learn teachers’ recommended supplies

*How Can Parents/Guardians

Help?*Promote self-advocacy

*If necessary, assist with organization, study skills

*Monitor grades and homework on PowerSchool

*Proofread major assignments

*Encourage your child to seek extra help NOW and take advantage of the middle school’s resources

*Ask questions

*Myths

*“My teachers are going to choose all of my courses for me.”

*“Study hall is dangerous, a waste of time.”

*“Students must take all honors classes [including Calculus] to get into college.”

*“Students must participate in every extra-curricular activity to get into college.”

*QUESTIONS?