Looking Ahead…

Transition to High School

Grade 8 students will soon be starting their course selection process for High School.  Tuesday, February 15 at 17:30 is a session entitled "An Orientation to High School for Parents of 8th Graders," presented by Lina Paumgarten, the 9th and 10th grade High School counselor.  This is an important information session about life in the High School – you will get an overview of the academic structure, programs and requirements.  On Thursday, March 3 during Advisory, the students will attend an orientation with Ms. Paumgarten and receive information about the registration process for courses.  From Monday, March 7 to Friday, March 18, students will meet individually with me to review their “four year plan” for High School and Grade 9 Course selections.  The electronic submission (through a program called Naviance) must be completed prior to the meeting.  Their current teachers will be conferencing with them to discuss choices and make recommendations.  March 24 is the deadline for paper submission with signatures from teachers, parents, advisor and student.  All of these deadlines, and the information needed to meet each deadline, will be provided to both students and parents in the sessions described above.  You will also receive informational emails that go to all High School students and families directly from the High School Counseling office.  Information for Grade 8 Parents will also be on InsideASH.

Course Preferences for Current Grades 5, 6 and 7

Course Preference forms for Arts Center Rotation classes will be sent home with students in Grades 5, 6, and 7 on Wednesday, March 2.  Students indicate their preferences for three quarter-long courses and we make every effort to meet their request.  All students are assigned to the Information Technology course for one quarter.

Return deadline is Monday, March 14.

Grade 4 Transition to Middle School

Several informational sessions are planned for the transition of Grade 4 students to Middle School.  The first is a Parent Orientation on Tuesday, March 1 at 14:00 in the Theater presented by the Principal, Mary Russman; Dean of Students, Sue Nelsen; and me, the Middle School Counselor.  On Thursday, March 3, I will meet with all Grade 4 students and a course preference form will be sent home.  Informational emails, detailing events and dates, will also be sent from the Middle School Office.

Return deadline to their classroom teacher is Monday, March 14.