Transcript What is being done to help the eighth grade students

What is being done to help the eighth grade students transition from junior
high school to high school?
• Shadow Program
• As part of RTTT the JCJHS students will be registering for My Plan For
College which they will be able to access throughout their junior/senior
high school years.
• Parent Conferences
• Presentation by Brian McCann to the 8th graders in December and May
regarding course offerings, electives and JCHS requirements.
• Joint department meetings between JCJHS and JCHS.
• End of year joint department meeting between 8th and 9th grade teachers.
What is being done to help the eighth grade students transition from junior
high school to high school?
• A representative from the high school attends SPED meetings at the junior
high school for incoming 9th graders when appropriate.
• Orientation for grade 8 parents regarding the program of studies, course
selection, and school activities/sports.
• First day orientation. All faculty members gather in the auditorium to
welcome the freshman. From that point, the students are assigned to a
faculty advisor/mentor who will meet with the student throughout their
high school years.
• The guidance dept. answers parent inquires regarding the high school
curriculum.
• Math placement test.
What has the guidance department done differently over the past year?
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Peer Mediation Program
MASCA professional development
Junior high advisory in planning phase
Beginning implementation of Mass. Model for Comprehensive School
Counseling programs.
Both guidance department s is open at 6:45 a.m. so the
students/parents/faculty have access to the services.
Your Plan for College (currently at HS, to be implemented at JHS)
Guidance director /counselor is part of the leadership team.
Increase parent communication – six parent mailings to date
The guidance counselors are advisors to six groups
What has the guidance department done differently over the past year?
• Senior/Freshman parent social
• Senior Packet (revised)
• The guidance counselors are now in the main lobby before and after
school to be more visible to the students. Guidance Counselor on duty
during all 3 lunches
• Karen Fisher is now housed in the guidance suite.
• Gay/Straight Alliance
• The HS guidance department has standing Monday morning meetings that
include the administration, SPED, and guidance counselors’.
• All the guidance counselors document meetings, telephone calls,
classroom presentations etc. on the X2 program.
• Guidance eBoards/web pages
How is the guidance department focusing on reaching all the students not
just some of them?
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5th grade parent orientation
Classroom visits
JHS is in the process of implementing Mass. Model for Comprehensive School Counseling
Program
CHIP/CAST Team. This team meets once a week to discuss students who are having difficulty
socially/emotionally/academically.
Development of an 8th grade advisory program.
The guidance curriculum we use is developmentally based meaning it includes both small and
large group activities that address the developmental issues of ALL students.
HS Classroom activities:
Senior packets, SAT orientation, course selections, financial aid presentations, financial aid
packets, PSAT orientation.
HS Group activities:
Making High School Count, Making the College Search Count, Freshman – Senior orientation,
course selection orientations and sophomore career day.
Advisory program. This is a personalized program set up to connect each student with a
faculty advisor.
How is the guidance department focusing on reaching all the students not
just some of them?
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Peer Tutoring. This program is composed of National Honor Society Students who provide
tutoring to their peers.
MCAS preparation and remediation
Saturday school
BCC – On the spot admissions day (1/26/12)
College fair
College presentations from various schools
Virtual High School
Tech Prep - Child Care
Dual Enrollment
Case High Alternative Program
ARCH Program
Support learning rooms
Part time work experience
Introduction to Sustainable and Green Energy Technologies, course to begin January 17th
Education Proficiency Plans
How is the guidance department involved in the community?
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School Council – Member of the Swansea community sits on the council.
Goods for Troops/Council on Aging Food Drive
Mental Health Agencies/Social Service Agencies – Hospice, DCYF, DMR, DPH, Div. of Youth
Services
Social Security Administration
Joseph Case High School Scholarship Trust Fund
WIC Program (Women, Infant & Children)
Mass Rehab. Commission
Martin House
College Fair Night/Financial Aid Night in conjunction with Somerset High School
Part-time work experience
School-to-career internships
Formal internship with the Swansea Police Dept.
Formal internship between the child care program and various child care sites in Swansea
Formal internship within the Swansea School Dept.
Provide interns for Fire Science week with the Swansea Fire Dept. The high school students
go to the elementary school to discuss fire safety.
How is the guidance department involved in the community?
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St. Anne’s Hospital Adolescent Sexual and Physical Abuse Program
South Coast Collaborative
Bristol County Juvenile Court
Citizens for Citizens
People, Inc.
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
Career day for the sophomores and juniors. Local professionals do presentations in their
respective fields to interested students.
Giving Programs
– Supporting The Troops
– Cranwood Home for Children
St. Vincent de Paul
In some cases, JCHS provides services for the families of the students as well as the students
Do we have a mentoring/advisory program at JCHS?
• Beginning in their freshman year, all students are assigned to an adult
mentor. This mentor will follow the student throughout their high school
years. Each mentor has approximately 12-15 students who meet bimonthly as a group. This personalized advisory program ensures that
every student feels wanted, has a voice, and is heard. Through the
advisory program the students develop key social and academic skills that
they will need to succeed both in school and in life. The advisory program
is also a vehicle for students to make connections with their peers as well
as teachers.
• An advisory program is in the planning phase at the junior high school.
This is part of RTTT project 4C.
What are the “triggers” that bring students to the guidance department?
The students are referred by the administration, nurse, teachers, parents,
coaches, bus driver, and self referral.
• Situations that may bring a student to the guidance department include:
family crisis, death, divorce, school failure, peer conflicts, interpersonal
difficulties, depression and suicide, drug/alcohol abuse, eating disorders,
disciplinary problems, child abuse/neglect, pregnancy, illness, relationship
issues. The counselors may serve as an immediate support person and/or
referral agent.
What more can we or should the school committee be doing over the next
three – five years to help the guidance department?
• Continue to support programs and projects
designed to increase student learning and
foster post-secondary success.
Race to the Top (RTTT) Project 4C update
• Currently in Year Two
• Collaborative effort between junior and senior
high schools
• Springboard to implement the Massachusetts
Comprehensive Model for School Counseling
What is the guidance department proud of?
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Karen Fisher: When the students walk across the stage on the first Sunday in June to receive their diploma.
We know of the struggles some of our students face on a daily basis and there is no better feeling than
seeing them shine on their special day.
Joseph Case High School has the highest graduation rate compared to surrounding communities and one
of the lowest drop out rates. This is contributed in part to the culture at Joseph Case High School which is
one of respect, acceptance, tolerance, and understanding.
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Linda Reidy: Although It may appear trite, I feel the most pride when a student walks into my office crying
or is feeling extremely anxious and walks out of my office feeling happy.