Welcome to High School: Meeting the Changes and Challenges

High school counseling Changes and Challenges Grade-level information How can I help my child transition to high school?

“ Secondary school counselors are professional educators with a mental health perspective who understand and respond to the challenges presented by today ’ s diverse student population. ” - from the website of ASCA (American School Counselor Association) What is the role of the high school counselor...

social and emotional well-being academic goals college and career goals...helping students feel successful about themselves and school

build self-esteem, identity, and autonomy learn strategies and skills to make good choices (academic, social, emotional, college/career) create and maintain healthy relationships Counselors help students...

How do we do this? Guidance Curriculum : delivered to students in grade-level meetings, Flex classes, individual or family meetings (as needed) Individual Student Planning : help students develop personal and academic goals, and future plans Responsive Services : meeting individual student needs that require counseling, referral, information, or intervention Systems Support : support from administration and teachers (team approach)

“ Perhaps the only thing more difficult than being a teenager is parenting one ” A time of great development: physically, socially, emotionally, cognitively Challenges and Changes

Trying to understand who they are or who they are trying to be Peer group is the strongest influence Increased pressure from peers regarding risky behaviors: alcohol, drugs, sex Exploration of boundaries in relationships and behavior Social Development

‘ Roller Coaster Ride ’ of hormones and mood swings. Often one heartbeat away from laughter or tears. Students are evaluating themselves and trying to understand who they are. With change comes uncertainty. Emotional Development

In tune with technology (digital natives) Respond well to cooperative learning, academic variety Increase in cognitive and reasoning ability Critical thinking and writing skills are emphasized across the HS curriculum Cognitive Development

Listen to what your child has to say and offer your support. Stay connected and communicate. Spend time together. Establish (together with your child) clear rules, specific expectations, and consequences. This sets a tone of respect, trust, and fairness. Review them regularly. Respect your teen ’ s privacy – e.g., knock before entering his/her room! How can I help with the transition to high school?

Understand your child is transitioning from childhood (needy, dependent) to adulthood (freedom, trust, responsibility) Be a parent first, not a pal. Boundaries are important -- model them. Stay in touch with teachers. Be aware of and engaged in what is going on at school. Follow the HS Blog and HS Counselors ’ blog. Help monitor sleep (average of 9 hours), diet, and exercise, laptop use. More advice on helping your teen

Teenagers are just people trying to learn how to make it among the adults in the world, who are probably not so sure themselves.

Congratulations…

In six months, you will be the parent of a high school student!

grade# students # students (projected) SAS Pudong High School

Day A (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A) Day B (1B, 2B, 3B, 4B) Homeroom: 8:05 – 8:20 Homeroom: 8:05 – 8:20 Block – 80 minutes Break - 20 minutes Block – 80 minutes Lunch – 55 minutes Block – 80 minutes What does a HS day look like?

First, some vocabulary: Freshmen Grade 9 Sophomores Grade 10 Juniors Grade 11 Seniors Grade 12

SAS High School Graduation Requirements SubjectCredit English4 Math3 Science3 Social Studies3 Foreign Language 2 PE/Health2 Fine/Performi ng Arts 2 Electives5 TOTAL24

IB = International Baccalaureate a two-year rigorous academic program offered to Juniors and Seniors AP = Advanced Placement college-level courses offered to high school students Both are strong college-preparatory programs but not of immediate concern for Grade 9 students. IB and AP

English 9 Lab Science Asian History 9 Math : per 8 th grade teacher recommendation and placement test Physical Education/Health 9 Required subjects for grade 9

French – per 8 th grade teacher recommendation Spanish – per 8 th grade teacher recommendation Chinese – per 8 th grade teacher recommendation EAL – per testing and MS EAL teacher recommendation Foreign Languages:

Art1: Foundations Introduction to Drama Band Intermediate Orchestra Intermediate Choir Intermediate Dance Fine/Performing Arts Electives:

counselor meetings/Naviance time to meet with teachers MAP Assessments Supervised Study Flex ESOL Flex productive study time Students have 7 academic blocks -- the 8 th block is FLEX

1. Ask your child for the course selection sheet he/she will receive this Friday, February Check out the course description catalog at the high school blog at Contact your child ’ s current teacher if you have questions about a specific subject area. 4. Tell us about your child! Naviance parent survey. 5. Discuss fine arts choices with your child. 6. Submit the selection sheet by Friday, March 9 to student ’ s advisory teacher: first come, first served What can YOU do now?

Keep up on high school news by checking the Dr. Borden ’ s high school blog at:

student meeting with HS counselors and teachers on Friday, February 24 about course selection A Day in the Life of a High School Student: Nuts and Bolts held June 1 for students. What do WE do now?

Thank you! Thank you for coming out tonight to learn more about high school. You and your student WILL make it through this transition! We are here to help!