Transitioning into High School:   Changes that Shape your Child’s Success in School Introductions How many attending are parents of an 8th grade student? Maple Point, Poquessing, Sandburg? Any High School Parents?

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. How many of your children are talking about how they are looking forward to coming to the high school next year?

But 8th graders also have a lot of worries 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. How many of your children are expressing concern or worry about coming to the high school?

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. One big concern of incoming 8th grade students is that they will get lost in the building. They are afraid they will not make it to class. There are always plenty of adults in the hallways. If they are not certain of where their next class is located, they just need to ask a staff member. School Day is from 7:16 to 2:14. Warning Bell is at 7:11 Homeroom is from 7:16 -7:26. Periods are approximately 45 mins.

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 Requirements Credits + 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 English 4 credits Social Studies 3 credits Science 3 credits Math 2 credits PE/Health 5 credits Electives All special education courses count toward graduation requirements. Student have some “wiggle room” as they have an opportunity to earn 26 credits over the four years in high school but must pass 21 credits in certain areas of study.

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) Let’s take a look at the special education supports available at the high school level. Neshaminy SD offers a full continuum of services. At the high school, we have LS, ES and AS classes and offer reading, writing and math interventions. Students should be educated, to the greatest extent appropriate, in the least restrictive environment. Special Education program and services are determined by the IEP team. STEP: Created for students with transition needs as stated in their IEP including employability and community access needs. Students who have IEP needs in the areas of vocational, self-advocacy, independent living, social, and functional academic skills will be our intended population. The program will initially serve on average 7-10 students. This number is expected to grow given the number of projected students in need of these services in subsequent years. Students who have completed an academic program through their senior year/ and are opting to stay in a school age 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 In the resource room, we teach study and organizational skills to support our students in their regular education classes.

Before/After School Academic Help Located in NHS Library Monday through Thursday 6:45 – 7:10 am and 2:45 – 4:00 pm Friday 6:45 – 7:10 am They can use time in resource to some extra help but the best way to get support in their regular classes is by meeting with their teacher or going to Before and After School Academic Help in the Library from 6:45 – 7:10 Monday to Friday and 2:45 – 4:00 Monday to Thursday. Academic assistance is also offered alternating Saturdays.

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 webpage http://www.neshaminy.org/Page/26828 What are your goals for your child? How closely do your goals match their goals? Some students will choose to receive vocational-technical training while in high school. If you still have questions, make an appointment with the counselor to make sure your child gets into the right classes.

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: Art Drama Environmental Action Club Future Business Leaders of America Interact Science Club Service Learning Club SPECTRUM Ultimate Frisbee World Affairs World Language Athletics Band/Orchestra/Choir Student Council Yearbook Participation helps children feel more connected to the school in a positive way. Activities allow students to have fun with friends while being supervised. If your child is planning to go to college, participation in school activities is recommended.

Stay involved at school Attend 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 on Home 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? When parents are involved in their child’s transition to high school, they tend to stay involved in their child's school experiences. Ask questions that require more than a yes – no answer. Rule #1: Be a good listener!

High school can be stressful for your child 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 When a child “messes up” we sometimes are too angry to deal with the situation effectively. Give yourself some cool off time, then think, “What good lesson can my child to learn from this experience?” Talk with your child about your hopes and dreams for them. Remind them of their goals. Ask them to think how they can conduct themselves differently so they can stay safe, or out of trouble, or “on track” at school.

What is mindset? Mindset is a simple idea discovered by world-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck in decades of research on achievement and success – a simple idea that makes all the difference. Mindsets are beliefs about yourself and your most basic qualities.

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. Fixed mindset: Success comes from being smart Genetics, environment determine what we can do Some kids are smart- some aren’t

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 Growth Mindset: Success comes from effort With hard work, most students can do most things Show video The Mindset Message In school, in sports, in parenting, in “management” PRAISE EFFORT NOT ABILITY

Most Importantly Stay connected… with the school with other parents with your child. As your children prepare for the next transition from middle school to high school, stay connected. The most effective education occurs when parents and school personnel work together to help students succeed.  

Contact Information Lorraine Johnson High School Special Education Supervisor ljohnson@neshaminy.k12.pa.us John Iannacone Middle School Special Education Supervisor jiannacone@neshaminy.k12.pa.us

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