8th Grade Parent Meeting #3

December 8, 20146 PM

Welcome!

• Please make sure you have signed in next to your child’s name.

• Do Now:– Talk with your student or another

parent about what GOALS you have for him/her.

–Where do you hope to see your student in the next 5 years?

Agenda

• Welcome• Student Support• Overview• Stations:– HS Application– HS Information– Community Service Information

Welcome!

• Please make sure you have signed in next to your child’s name.

• Do Now:– Talk with your student or another

parent about what GOALS you have for him/her.

–Where do you hope to see your student in the next 5 years?

Student Support

• How can I help my student prepare for high school?– Study habits– ORGANIZATION!!!– Read, Read, Read– Balance– Social Emotional Awareness

Study Habits

• Have a study routine to study certain subjects every day

• Designate a spot for studying (no studying on the floor or bed!)

• Ask teachers for ways students can study/quiz themselves

• ONE of the major things High Schools have said is that students are not ready for the amount of HOMEWORK!

Organization

• Do the Binder Check• Ask to see the agenda periodically• Ask if students have anything to bring

home• Help the student to find an organization

system that works for them• The HS’s have noted that

NOTETAKING is a big skill that 9th graders struggle with – ask your students to see their notes!

Read, Read, Read

• Pick up newspapers/magazines wherever you can

• Take your student to the library and make sure they have an account

• Ask, “What are you reading in school these days?”

• Discuss daily current events – ask your student what they think

• And write. Students need to be critical thinkers that are awesome writers to be successful in HS.

Balance/Social Emotional

• Encourage your student to pursue things that interest them

• Help them to identify their emotions• Help them to be happy and think of

ONE thing that makes them happy• Help them to love themselves.

Acknowledge what you appreciate about them and help them to do that for themselves.

• Give them strategies to “cool off.”

Overview

• Tonight is tailored for your needs!

• HS Application (Rm 101)• HS Information (Library)• Community Service Information

(Rm 103)

Stations!

• You will now have time to visit the stations!

• Each presentation will run for 10 minutes. Please do not interrupt an ongoing presentation.

• Please pick up your students’ updated 8th Grade Progress Report before you leave tonight.

HS Application

• Myschooldc.orgTIPS:• Do NOT rush to submit the application school

applications. For the application schools it does not matter WHEN you apply before the deadline.

• Make sure your student has received feedback on his/her essay before submitting.

• Only create ONE account and make sure both you and your student know it.

• Use an e-mail address you have access to and know well.

• Check all information thoroughly (particularly student information).

• Check report cards and transcripts thoroughly before submitting.

Essay Tips

• Write the essay in Word before copying and pasting into the application

• Stick to the word/character limit

• Make it personal – think about how you want your student to stand out

JA Assistance

• Mrs. Lee will be holding sessions in the Library to assist students with the application over winter break from 9-12 every day except Christmas Eve, Christmas, NYE, and New Years Day.

• We will start offering after-school help sessions when we return from the break.

HS Information

• Public Schools• Charter Schools• Private Schools

• What’s the difference?

Public School vs. Charter School

Public School• Free• Cannot discriminate • Governed by the

state• Takes the state test• Teachers must meet

state criteria• Anyone can apply• Private School Board

Charter School• Free• Cannot discriminate• Governed by a

private company• Takes the state test• Depends on the

school• Anyone can apply• DCPS

Eastern

• Eastern is Jefferson’s main feeder school.

• There are three specialized programs:– ACE (Accelerated Program)– HMSA (Medical Program)– BUILD (Entrepreneurship Program)

• If you are IN BOUNDARY but want to participate in this program, you need to apply online.

Mini HS Fair

• Around the room are different stations with information on the different high schools.

• Feel free to explore and take pamphlets on the different schools.

Community Service

• TIPS:– Be a model for your student and

do community service with them!– ‘Tis the season! Take advantage

of events happening for the Christmas and holiday season.

– Encourage your student to be proactive.

– Keep an eye out for permission slips.

Service Form

• Students can do Community Service anywhere that they are providing service to someone else or someone in need

• They must complete the Service Form, front and back, and have it signed by whomever supervised their Community Service