8th Grade EDPs

This week the counselors are working with the 8th grade students to update their Educational Development Plans (EDPs). The students started their EDPs in 7th grade and will continue to make changes and additions through high school. As 8th graders, the main focus of the lesson is to get them thinking about possible careers and taking the time to research those careers. Students can log into their EDP from any computer, so if you would like to take a look at what they have been doing, let us know and we can provide you with their log-in information. This has been an exciting lesson for many of our students as they look at making plans for the future; we hope that there has been some good discussion at home about it as well.

Educational Development Plan (EDP)

This week the counselors will be working with the 7th graders to start their Educational Development Plans (EDPs). This process is accomplished through the use of Career Cruising. Each student will be given a username and password that will allow them access to their own personal EDP. This plan will follow them throughout high school, being updated each year. An EDP is an all-encompassing resource where students can record their future plans, goals, career interests, and more. Next week the counselors will be meeting with the 8th graders to update their EDPs. 8th grade students focus on specific careers that interest them and are able to take time to research these careers. They will also have time to look at college and universities to see what is expected of them in order for admittance.

BE NICE WEEK

We are so excited to be bringing BE NICE week to Lowell Middle School. Activities for students will be held during the school day the week of February 17-21. Students will have the chance each day to hear positive messages during academic focus and lunch time, as well as see artwork around the building promoting being kind to one another. The high school is also having their BE NICE week during that same week. More details to come!

Counseling Office Intern

We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new counseling office intern, Yetunde Rotimi. Ms. Rotimi is a graduate of Michigan State and is completing her Master's in School Counseling at Western. She has years of experience working in Grand Rapids Public Schools as an after-school program coordinator, substitute teacher, and youth advocate. We are very excited to have her working with us in Lowell for the next couple of months.

Anti-Bullying/Respect Lesson

The counselors will be visiting the 6th grade science classrooms this week to present a lesson on anti-bullying and respect. We will be in Mr. Lake's room on Tuesday and Mrs. Walters' room on Wednesday. Students will be hearing about the different types of bullying, learn about why people bully, and be given strategies for dealing with and reporting bullying. We will also discuss how the students can take responsibility to make LMS a positive place, filled with people who show respect for each other. Please ask your 6th grader what they learned this week and help facilitate even more good discussion about this very important topic.

The STARS program was a big success again this year. We wrapped up with our last session before winter break. Wonderful friendships were formed, and helpful tools were given for the girls to move forward and make positive choices in their lives. We will have a reunion for all of the STARS girls sometime in the spring!

Still time to sign up for STARS -- We met for the first time with our STARS group yesterday, but there is still time for your 6th grade daughter to sign up if she is interested. She can pick up a permission slip in the counseling office. There will be no more additions to the group after next week's meeting. Please call the counseling office if you have any questions.