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Transitioning into High School: Changes that Shape your Child’s Success in School. Eighth graders are often excited about going to high school. High school offers: More freedom and more choices. The opportunity to participate in more activities. The opportunity to develop friendships. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Transitioning into High School: Changes that Shape your Child’s Success in School
Eighth graders are often excited about going to high school.
High school offers:
More freedom and more choices.
The opportunity to participate in more activities.
The opportunity to develop friendships.
But 8th graders also have a lot of worries. They are often concerned about:
Older students teasing them and getting lost in a bigger school.
Making bad grades.
Teachers giving them much more and much harder work.
Some children have a difficult transition into 9th grade
Because there is increased focus on friendships and “fitting in”, some students may lose confidence in themselves and try to be like others.
For some students this can cause big changes in attitude and behavior at school. The good news: academic and social challenges often calm down by 11th or 12th grade.
What students find out… Most older students are willing to help
incoming students and even make good friends.
The school doesn’t seem nearly as large or difficult to get around in as they often fear. They really did not have problems getting lost.
However, high school is definitely more difficult.
While students like being able to choose their classes and extracurricular activities, high school seems much more difficult and demanding than middle school.
Graduation RequirementsCredits + Keystone Exams + Graduation Project = Standards
Based High School Diploma
Successfully complete 21 credits (can earn 6.5 credits per year). Specific credit requirements are: (1 credit = 1 full school year)
4 credits English4 credits Social Studies3 credits Science3 credits Math2 credits PE/Health5 credits Electives
Overview of High School Special Education Programs
• Currently 424 students • Learning Support, Emotional Support, Autistic Support
classes, Itinerant Emotional and Autistic Support Services and related services: Speech/Language, OT, PT, Vision, Hearing, Adolescent Counseling
• Changes for 2014-15 School Year T.O.E. from BCIU– Special Learning Support and AS/ES class (programs will remain virtually same) New 18-21 yr old program Transition Program: STEP (Student Transition Experience Program)
Learning how to study and how to manage time continue to be major concerns once students make the transition into high school.
Resource Room/Study Skills Class
• Student learn study/organization skills and receive support for regular classes
• Offered as 3 day or 6 day course
• Grades are given
• Counts as an elective credit
Before/After School Academic Help
Located in NHS Library
Monday through Thursday6:45 – 7:10 am and 2:45 – 4:00 pm
Friday6:45 – 7:10 am
Important high school decisions start in 8th grade
• Transition planning is required to begin at age 14 as part of the IEP process
• Talk with your child about future goals. Do these goals require a college education or specialized training? Do you your and your child’s goals match?
• If your child keeps clear goals in mind, school will seem more important.
• Students who are planning to go to college or specialized training will benefit from taking higher level math and English classes.
• Transition resources on HS Special Ed Department webpagehttp://www.neshaminy.org/Page/26828
Participation in school activities is important
Encourage your children to think about what sports, clubs, or organizations they may want to become involved with next year. Some activities include:
ArtDramaEnvironmental Action ClubFuture Business Leaders of AmericaInteractScience ClubService Learning ClubSPECTRUMUltimate FrisbeeWorld AffairsWorld LanguageAthletics
Band/Orchestra/Choir Student Council Yearbook
Stay involved at schoolAttend parent/teacher conferences, IEP meetings and your child’s school activities.
Contact the teacher, IEP case manager or school counselor when you have questions about any of the following:
– A class, scheduling, or attendance.– Changes in behavior or attitude.– Questions about graduation credits.
Monitor your child’s progress onHome Access
Talk with your child about school and friends. Be a good listener!
Openers for discussion:
• What is your favorite class?
• What do you enjoy most about your favorite class?
• Who do you like to work with in your class or after school activity?
High school can be stressful for your child. You can help manage the stress.
• Establish a schedule for homework• Provide healthy food and snack
choices at home.• Encourage regular exercise.• Routinely allow 9 – 10 hours of sleep per
night.
Your child is learning how to be a successful adult.
• Model patience and understanding.
• Show caring and concern.
• View her mistakes as opportunities to learn more about herself and develop values.
• Praise effort to support a “growth” mindset
What is mindset?
Fixed Mindset
With a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent are simply fixed traits. They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of developing them. They also believe that talent alone creates success –without effort. They’re wrong.
Growth Mindset
With a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work –brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment. Virtually all great people have had these qualities. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWv1VdDeoRY
Most Importantly
Stay connected…
with the school
with other parents
with your child.
Contact Information
Lorraine JohnsonHigh School Special Education Supervisor
John IannaconeMiddle School Special Education Supervisor
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