1. Where are you now? Where are you going? Planning Ahead… Wilson Middle School

2.  Principal: Dr. Coulter  Assistant Principal 8 th & 6 th M-Z: Mrs. Saavedra  Counselor 8 th & 6 th A-L: Dr. Makijan  Assistant Principal 7 th & 6 th M-Z: Dr. Bruich  Counselor 7 th & 6 th M-Z: Mrs. Gharakhanian  Teacher Specialist: Ms. Hacopian Who are your administrators & counselors?

3.  Personal/Social: Crying, peer pressure, bullying, self-esteem, organization, goal setting, stress, time management, self- awareness.  Academic: Questions about grades, how to set goals to improve grades, where are you now with your progress.  College/Career: Where are you going? High school planning, post high school planning and career exploration.  Wilson Middle School Counselors follow the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Standards Counselors are here to help you succeed

4. Studies have found that students that get involved in school activities (clubs, sports, social events) do much better academically and are more motivated. Get involved!

5.  Attend school, be on time, and come prepared.  Be sure to complete all of your assignments.  Get help each Tuesday-Thursday from 3:00-4:00 in the Homework Lab in room 1223.  Write down your assignments in your Binder Reminder, and have your parents check them each day.  Ask your teachers how you are doing, and come in after school, at lunch, or during snack (whenever the teacher is available) to ask questions.  Pick a “study buddy” in each class to call if you are absent, or if you just want to study together.  Work together (parent and student) on homework, studying for tests, etc. in a quiet environment each night, if possible.  Be sure to check the Parent & Student Connect to make sure all of your assignments are complete. How To Improve Your Grades

6.  Have a specific notebook for every class or what the teacher requires.  Read the assignment before going to class.  Write the date and title of the class at the top of the page.  Write down the main idea of the class notes near the top of the page.  Organize your notes.  Use abbreviations.  Use your own words, except for technical vocabulary; words that you need to learn as explained by the teacher.  Leave a blank if you missed something so you will know to go back and fill in the information.  Make connections with what you are hearing to what you have read and your own experience.  Learn when not to write.  Learn to distinguish facts from opinions.  Reconstruct/recopy, review your notes as soon after class as possible. Tips for Taking Notes

7.  Survey: the material, book or chapter first, to get an ideas of what parts you will need to study in detail. Scan the table of contents and see how topics are inter-connected.  Question: Yourself as to the purpose of your study, e.g. “What are the main themes, what message do I get from them, how will they be useful to me, what is the sequence of thought or paragraphs? Etc.  Read: The chapter from beginning to end. At this stage, n do not slow down and concentrate, but finish off the entire material in one sitting.  Recall/Recite: What you have read, if necessary make brief notes of main ideas and important details. Try to recall the sequence of sections in your mind. Reciting to someone else helps you put it in your own words. (however, reading aloud does not suit everyone).  Review: What you have read and test the accuracy of your memory. Then concentrate on those passages that seem to elude your memory, and read them slowly and carefully.  Test: After a gap of few days, test yourself on what you had read. Give yourself mock exams of the same standard and duration as the actual annual or semester exam you are going to face. Effective Reading

8.  Be interested.  Ignore Speakers Faults in Delivery: Ignore the speakers mannerism, clothes, voice, and delivery. Focus on the message.  Wait to Question, Disagree, or Challenge: Listen to the entire idea gather all the information, thank formulate a response/question.  Listen to the Concepts: Relate small facts to the central themes and principles.  Take Brief Notes: Don’t write down everything the speaker says or create a detailed outline.  Stop Distractions: Stop distractions caused by classmates by asking them to be quiet or inform the speaker of your concern.  See Difficult Material as a Challenge and Don’t Tune Out.  Control Your Emotions: Focus on the literal meaning of words, don’t let your emotions block your concentrations.  Use Your Spare Time: Since talking speed is slower than listening speed use that time to summarize ideas, identify central themes, and anticipate what will come next. Effective Listening

9. Set “ SMART ” Goals S= specific M=measurable A=actionable R=relevant T=timely SMART Goals should be both short term (achieved in the near future) and long term (achieved over a long period of time).

10. Stay Motivated  Think Positively!  Accept responsibility for motivating yourself!  Accept the fact that success results from effort!  Reward yourself appropriately after completing a goal, task, etc.

11. How Are Credits Earned?  Credits are counted twice a year at the end of each Semester.  Every class you “pass” (“A”,”B”,”C”, or “D") earns 5 credits.  There are 30 credits possible per semester with a total of 120 for both years combined.  0 period and Summer School classes also earn credits! Where Are You Now? Credits: 5 per class, 100 required G.P.A.: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1 Example: A, B, B, C, A, B= 4+3+3+2+4+3= 19 /6 classes = 3.17 G.P.A.

12. In order to participate in the 8 th grade Promotion ceremony and other end-of-year activities….. All students must have the following: 1.A minimum of 100 Credits 2.No more than 4 Fs or 4 Us in Grade 8 3.No more than 2 Fs or 2 Us on the last report card at the end of the 8 th grade year.

13.  Wilson Honor Roll: To provide an opportunity for students to receive positive recognition and academic awards, students may strive to reach Torch and Laurel or Sharpest Image designation. Special recognition is given during Promotion and Awards Night.  Requirements: For 3 Semesters (both semesters of 7 th grade and 1 st semester of 8 th grade)  Torch & Laurel Award 3.6 GPA or better all 3 semesters No U’s or N’s in citizenship any semester  Sharpest Image Award 4.0 GPA all 3 semesters No U’s or N’s in citizenship any semester Completion of 8 th Grade Project Torch & laurel/Sharpest Image Beach Trip- Students may attend the annual beach trip if they meet the following requirements: For 6 th Graders, the 1st semester grade of 6 th grade determines eligibility for the beach trip. For 7 th and 8 th graders, the previous two semesters determine eligibility. 3.6 GPA or better No U’s or N’s What kind of Honor Roll does Wilson Sponsor?

14. College/Career Where are you going? Career Interests/Skills Post High School Options :CC, UC, CSU, private, trade/tech, military, work High school options/planning Let’s investigate your career interests  Using the Holland Magic Six we will investigate your interests and look at possible career options.

15. Top Ten Mathematician University Professor Statician Actuary Audiologist Dental Hygienist Software Engineer Computer Systems Analyst Occupational therapist Speech Pathologist Worst Ten Lumberjack Taxi Driver Military Soldier Head Cook Newspaper Reporter Flight Attendant Garbage Collector Firefighter Correction Officer Broadcaster Interests/Skills Math Reading Science Social Studies Music &Arts Building &Fixing things Helping People Computers Law Managing Money Sports Nature www.careercast.com/jobs/jobsRated Careercast.com - five key categories: Physical Demands, Work Environment, Income, Stress and Hiring Outlook 2014 Data

17. Websites  Websites: WhoDoUWant2B.com Icanaffordcollege.com Roadtripnation.com Cacareerzone.com Occupational Outlook Handbook Bureau of Labor Statistics www.bls.gov/k12/index.htm

18. 6-year Plus Plan

19.  Middle School Common Core, Physical Fitness Testing  High School California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE )  College Admissions ACT PSAT/SAT Testing, testing, testing…

20. Messages for students  Be respectful to EVERYONE!  Study for tests and quizzes.  Don’t believe everything you hear (gossip, he said/she said, drama)  Do your BEST always!  Take advantage of opportunities (join clubs, activities, etc.)  Have a good attitude and know when to ask for help if you are struggling.  Keep your eye on the PRIZE!