1. Harris Road 8th Grade

2. Typical Changes to Expect
Friendships will change: Identity vs. Role Confusion. Can include personality, sexuality, future goals, career aspirations, etc…
Drama can be minimized! You choose your involvement. If you come to me with drama that you have created or are perpetuating, unless someone is being threatened or is in danger, I will not address it. All cyberbullying will be addressed by Officer Burgess.
Self-Advocacy: Now is a great time to start speaking up for yourself with teachers, parents, friends, etc. Let your voice be known in a tactful & polite manner.
Self – Sufficiency: How many of you plan on living with your parents forever??? This is the year that your sense of responsibility sets the stage for your future success. It’s not about pleasing adults or keeping them off your back. It is about holding yourself to your personal degree of accountability.

3. October ECHS, IB, STEM, & Academy Presentations
You will attend a presentation October 13 from: Early College High School(2) at Rowan County Community College, InterBacculaureate (IB) program at Concord High School, the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Program at Central Cabarrus, and each of the Academies at the different high schools.
ECHS: you can earn a 2-year Associate’s degree in addition to HS diploma
IB: very rigorous academically, opportunities to travel abroad
STEM: group work, technology focused

4. Academies (No transportation provided)
Academy of Information Technology Cox Mill High
Academy of Global Hospitality & Hickory Ridge High
Academy of Engineering and JM Robinson High
Academy of Energy & Mt. Pleasant High
Academy of Health Sciences & Northwest High

5. School Choice Open House
Open House: October 18, 2016 from 5:30-7:30 at JM Robinson High
STEM & IB: Must have scored at least a 3 on EOGs last year. IB: Must have taken Math 1.
Applications open: November 14, 2016 (all online)
STEM, IB, & Academies: As long as you meet requirements, students will be chosen by lottery.
ECHS (both campuses): Online application with 1 teacher recommendation letter (tentatively). They hold in-person interviews. Then let you know if you’ve been accepted.
Application due date: December 21, 2016 at 12:00 PM
For more information, visit each school’s website.

6. February/March
Cox Mill High School representatives come to present to entire 8th grade class. Will share information on classes, clubs, sports, credits, GPS, AoIT, differences between middle & high school, honors & AP classes, etc.
Classroom Guidance Lesson with Mr. Roach: High School Transition & Entering your 9th grade class choices into Powerschool 

7. March
Moving Up Day: We will visit Cox Mill High School for the morning. You will have a tour of the school, a session with the freshman counselor (Mr. Aaron Roach), and a club/sport fair.
*****If you do not hand in your Moving Up Day permission slip, you cannot go on the trip.*****
Students who are attending a magnet program can attend their school’s program, but must provide their own transportation.

8. CFNC Classroom Guidance Lesson: Careers
CFNC (College Foundation of North Carolina). You will set up an account and take several surveys. These surveys can help you determine which careers fit you best, which colleges or trade schools you can go to get trained, and how much cash you can rake in!
While you don’t have to decide on a career right now, it doesn’t hurt to start considering your options. You can lay a good foundation for your career starting now with behaviors & qualities needed in the workforce: punctuality, organization, time management, creative thinking, perseverance, etc.

9. May/June Everyone’s favorite: EOGs!!!
While the EOGs are only one small part of your ability as a student and who you are as a person, it is important to do your best. Your 8th grade EOG scores are reported on your high school transcript. That means the colleges or jobs you apply to will be able to see the scores. This is not meant to scare you, just a reminder to do your best.
A good foundation throughout the school year = higher EOG scores: Studying a little each night, getting a HW done & turned in, taking good notes, asking questions, doing research on your own.
Driver’s Ed permission slips for students who are 15 before October 31, 2016.

10. June
Goodbye 8th graders, hello 9th graders!!!