Events and Resources
Rising Stars Engineering Camp
This is available to students entering 7th or 8th grade. It is affordable and offered locally. I have heard wonderful things! Information available in guidance or: http://www.ncstatecollege.edu/cms/events/rising-stars.html
Have a child who wants to be a doctor?
MEDCAMP provides a unique opportunity for those students who are between their 8th grade and freshman year in high school to spend two-and-a-half days at Northeast Ohio Medical University. Selected students will be working with practicing physicians, professors of microbiology, anatomy, neurobiology, physiology, and pharmacy as well as students of medicine and pharmacy. They learn how a physician talks with a patient, how to study the clues to a patient’s illness and how to solve the case by using critical thinking skills in addition to modern laboratory techniques. Evenings are used for group activities and study sessions. Library research is required for the students to prepare their diagnosis and report of the “patient.” Meals are provided for the students while at NEOMED. Accompanied by chaperones from NEOMED, students are transported by bus to a Kent State University residence hall for overnight accommodations.
Workshops for Parents and Families
Gestalt Associates, Inc. is a group in Columbus who offer excellent workshops to parents. I have heard Norman Shub speak many times and have always been impressed. He has something to offer everyone. The link below contains information for upcoming workshops.
Many families are unaware of the numerous resources available in our area. In difficult economic times, these things can make all the difference. If you and your family would like to learn more about these resources contact Guidance or use the InfoLine listed below!
InfoLine!
Answers to almost any question or need! Click the link below or call 419-522-4636.
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Nationwide Children’s Hospital offers programs for children, families and parents. Topics range from special needs, academics, parenting, safety, babysitter training, CPR, sibling courses any many others. Please follow the link below for a complete list.
Classes are offered at a reasonable price!
http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/education-classes
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Scheduling
HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE & MATH PREREQUISITES
Lexington High School has a pre-requisite for students to qualify for advanced science classes.
In order for students to enroll in Grade 9 Biology, putting them on the "fast track" science sequence, they must have earned at least a B-average in Algebra I in grade 8 and an A average in 8th grade Science. This will enable them to have completed Algebra II in grade 10 before they take Physics in grade 11.
Academics
Would you like to be notified if your child's grade drops? Would you like to know if they have a missing assignment? Click the link below to see how!
I get many phone calls about what can be done to help students earn better grades. 99% of the time the problem is missing work or low test grades. Below are some strategies that teachers recommend.
1. Check GradeBook. (If you have misplaced your login and password information contact Vickie Stima).
2. Email your child's teachers. Stay informed.
3. Look at your student's agenda! A student could also have his or her agenda book checked and signed by each teacher, then signed at home - EVERYDAY.
4. If your child tells you that they "finished it at school" ask to see the completed work. Do not settle for answers such as "I don't know" or "It's done."
5. The homework room is a place students can go in the morning before school starts to get help with any homework questions. There will be teachers to help answer questions every morning.
6. When all of these things just do not seem to be enough consider getting a tutor. There are many excellent tutors in the area that can help students with study skills, organization, and academics. Contact the guidance office if interested.
Top Ten Test-Taking Tips for Students
Not a good test taker? Here are the top ten tips to success!
1. Have a Positive Attitude
Approach the big test as you'd approach a giant jigsaw puzzle. It might be tough, but you can do it! A positive attitude goes a long way toward success.
2. Make a Plan
The week before the test, ask your teacher what the test is going to cover. Is it from the textbook only? Class notes? Can you use your calculator? If you've been absent, talk to friends about material you may have missed. Make a list of the most important topics to be covered and use that as a guide when you study. Circle items that you know will require extra time. Be sure to plan extra time to study the most challenging topics.
3. The Night Before
Cramming doesn't work. If you've followed a study plan, the night before the test you should do a quick review and get to bed early. Remember, your brain and body need sleep to function well, so don't stay up late!
4. The Morning of the Test
Did you know that you think better when you have a full stomach? So don't skip breakfast the morning of the test. Get to school early and do a ten-minute power study right before the test, so your brain is turned on and tuned up.
5. Test Time
Before the test begins, make sure you have everything you'll need - scratch paper, extra pencils, your calculator (if you're allowed to use it). Understand how the test is scored: Do you lose points for incorrect answers? Or is it better to make guesses when you're not sure of the answer? Read the instructions! You want to make sure you are marking answers correctly.
6. Manage Your Time
Scan through the test quickly before starting. Answering the easy questions first can be a time saver and a confidence builder. Plus, it saves more time in the end for you to focus on the hard stuff.
7. I'm Stuck!
Those tricky problems can knock you off balance. Don't get worried or frustrated. Reread the question to make sure you understand it, and then try to solve it the best way you know how. If you're still stuck, circle it and move on. You can come back to it later. What if you have no idea about the answer? Review your options and make the best guess you can, but only if you don't lose points for wrong answers.
8. Multiple-Choice Questions
The process of elimination can help you choose the correct answer in a multiple-choice question. Start by crossing off the answers that couldn't be right. Then spend your time focusing on the possible correct choices before selecting your answer.
9. Neatness Counts
If your 4s look like 9s, it could be a problem. Be sure that your writing is legible and that you erase your mistakes. For machine-scored tests, fill in the spaces carefully.
10. I'm Done!
Not so fast - when you complete the last item on the test, remember that you're not done yet. First, check the clock and go back to review your answers, making sure that you didn't make any careless mistakes (such as putting the right answer in the wrong place or skipping a question). Spend the last remaining minutes going over the hardest problems before you turn in your test.
Follow these test tips, and you'll know you did your best - congratulations!
Read more on TeacherVision: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/study-skills/teaching-methods/6390.html#ixzz1EF33A9N9
AGENDA BOOK!!
Each student at the Junior High receives an agenda book. This is the most valuable possession in the Junior High! It helps to keep students organized and parents informed. The agenda is an incredibly useful tool for both parents and students.
It has been proven time and time again that a student who uses their agenda will be more successful in school than the student who does not!
Besides the agenda book parents can use GradeBook to monitor students' progress.
These resources can make the difference!
On a final note... many parents feel that a child should be independent once they reach the junior high. It is important to teach children responsibility and independence, but this does not happen overnight. It is certainly appropriate (and encouraged) to check your student's agenda and regularly look at GradeBook.
Parent Resources
The Connection between Parenting Styles and Bullying Behaviors
Copyright: Lisa Pescara-Kovach, Ph.D. The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606
Contact Information: Phone: 419-530-2048
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
There is a clear connection between the way we parent our children and whether they become victims or perpetrators of bullying behaviors. This is in no way geared toward placing blame. Instead, it's a great way to strive to be the best parent/caregiver possible.
There are 4 Parenting/Caregiving Styles (Baumrind,1967 *Reference available on request):
1) Authoritarian - This is the style that uses violence and intimidation to get results from children. Specifically, this is the "do as I say because I said so" approach to raising children. Kids are expected to:
-obey authority without question
-accept the most severe form of punishment every time they break a rule
*This style leads to a child being raised as a bully. Why? A child who feels weak and powerless at home may want to feel powerful at school by bullying his/her classmates. If we model violence in our home, our children may learn by example and become violent as well.
2) Permissive - This is the type of style that is defined by the caregiver wanting nothing more than to be a child's best friend. There are no rules and the child is allowed to express himself or herself freely, even if it hurts someone else. Kids are allowed to:
-harm their parents/caretakers, peers, or siblings without consequence
-blame others for their own misbehavior
*This style also leads to a child being raised as a bully. Why? A child who gets away with everything at home, and is never told what he or she did is harmful, will not develop the empathy he or she needs to treat others with respect. This style in particular leads to aggressive-hostile children who feel it's their right to insult, mistreat, or bully their peers.
3) Rejecting/Neglecting - This is the style that is defined by parental absence or negligence. There are no rules, structure, or guidance. The parents or caregivers do not know their child's likes or dislikes, successes or failures.
Kids are allowed to:
-come and go as they please
-be alone and never get the appropriate attention
*This style leads to a child allowing himself or herself to be a victim of bullying behaviors. Unfortunately, children raised in this type of environment do not receive praise or attention and, consequently, do not develop high levels of self-worth. They become "easy targets" by classmates.
4) Authoritative - This is the ideal parenting style that is NOT associated with bullying behaviors. Why? When we raise children in a democratic fashion, and accept and respect them, they will carry it forward and respect others.
Kids are raised with:
-open communication
-rules that are explained clearly
-fair and balanced discipline
*This parenting style is NOT associated with bullying behaviors. These children will learn through the modeling of positive behaviors and observational learning and carry forth the open communication, respect, and acceptance.
Cyber Bullying!
Bullying has become high-tech. With social networking, smart phones, and countless other ways for kids to communicate it is sometimes hard to keep up. Below is a link to an excellent resource for parents. If you are aware of anything inappropriate that may be happening, please alert the school immediately.
A Child May Be the Victim of Cyberbullying if he or she:
Stops using the computer
Appears nervous or jumpy when an instant message or e-mail arrives
Appears uneasy about going to school or out of the house
Appears to be angry, depressed, or frustrated after using the computer
Avoids discussions about what he or she is doing on the computer
Becomes abnormally withdrawn from usual friends and family members
Withdraws from activities
Shows a drop in academic performance
Is the target of other forms of bullying
Appears depressed
A Child May Be Engaging in Cyberbullying if he or she:
Quickly switches screens or closes computer programs when you walk by
Uses the computer at all hours
Becomes unusually upset if he or she cannot use the computer
Laughs excessively when using the computer
Avoids discussions about what she or he is doing on the computer
Uses multiple online accounts or one with an unfamiliar name
In Lebrun, M. (2009). Books, Blackboards, and Bullets: School Shootings and Violence in America. Lanham. Rowman and Littlefield Education Publishers.
Technology!
The world of technology is growing by the minute. The link below is an excellent resource to both parents and children on how to navigate safely through the high-tech world. This information not only protects from cyberbullying, but also potects from identity theft. Dr. Sabella provides many resources and links for the entire family. I highly recommend this website.
The link below contains tips for parents adapted from Dr. Russell Sabella's website:
***We work hard to make school a safe learning environment for every student. Periodically, I will meet with students both individually and in small groups to educate, mediate and provide support. If you feel your child has been mistreated in any way please contact the school at your earliest convenience.
Testing
Achievement tests are important for many reasons. These tests help guide instruction. Teachers are able to see where our students are strong and also where they may need to spend more instructional time. More importantly, they prepare our students for what is next. The EXPLORE test prepares students for the ACT and the Ohio Achievement Assessment prepares students for the Ohio Graduation Test.
EXPLORE TEST
In November, the 8th grade students take the “EXPLORE” test. This assessment precedes the PLAN (which provides practice for the ACT) in high school and the ACT (which is used as a college entrance exam).
The EXPLORE assessment is designed to test college and work readiness. It determines students’ strengths and weaknesses as they relate to skills necessary to be successful in that first college class or that first day in the working world. The students also get much needed practice for the ACT because this test is essentially a “mini-ACT.” The assessment looked at career interests and high school course planning. This can be an incredibly useful tool!
Tips for Standardized Tests
- Read test directions carefully and thoroughly. If the test includes multiple sections, be sure to read each set of directions.
- Read each question carefully to determine its meaning. Make sure you know what the question is asking before you begin to answer.
- Anticipate the answer before looking at the choices. If your answer is one of the choices, it is probably correct.
- Be sure to read through all the answer choices before marking one as correct.
- Look for synonyms in the answer choices that match words or phrases in the question. Most likely, the correct answer will include similar words.
- Use context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.
- Analyze the meaning of unknown words by dividing them into prefix, root, and suffix and trying to define each part.
- Eliminate answers that don't make sense. Try to narrow the choices down to two when you are unsure of the correct answer.
- Circle questions you don't know and go back later. Sometimes a clue will be found in another test question.
- Guess intelligently by looking for opposite answers, one of which can be eliminated.
- When reading passages are involved, read the questions first to determine what you are looking for as you read the selection.
- For math problems, use scratch paper and double check to make sure you've copied the problem correctly. Line up place values neatly to avoid careless mistakes.
- Pace yourself to leave time for review at the end of the test. Don't spend too much time on difficult questions. Go back to questions you skipped after you've finished.
- Try to answer every question on the test. Change answers only when you were very unsure of your original choice.
Encourage students to get plenty of rest the night before testing and eat a nutritious breakfast. Remind them that they have been well-prepared and that confident students make the best test-takers!
Career Exploration
CAREER PLANNING
OHIO MEANS JOBS
In October, the 8th grade students begin discussing careers.
Take a look at the Ohio Means Jobs website. All students will create an account where they can build a resume, research jobs, explore interests, and even apply for jobs! Once this is created, you can use his/her individual user name and password to log in.
In Novermber, 8th grade students visit Pioneer.
We break into groups of 10-12 students and tour all of the programs Pioneer offers. These are brief introductions (3-5 minutes) of each program. While short, this is a great way for students to see what options are available to them when they become Juniors and Seniors.
Some students will have the opportunity to go back later in the school year. At this time, boys and girls get to spend the entire school day visiting programs that may be non-traditional in regards to gender. Announcements will be made to alert students of these opportunities.
District Events
