EXPLORE Test Results

Last week the counselors met with the 8th graders through their English classes to return EXPLORE test results and give interpretation. The EXPLORE is a pre-ACT test that allowed our 8th graders to get practice at what types of questions would be asked on the future college-entrance exam. Students should have come home with their score sheet, their test booklet, and another booklet that gave further a explanation on what everything meant. If you have any questions about your child's score, please contact the appropriate counselor.

Summer Opportunity for 6th-8th Students

Summer opportunity through Grand Rapids Community College - great opportunity for hands-on students (6th-8th) who are interested in woodworking or manufacturing. Copy and paste the link below into your browser: http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/443984/343c73edbc/1666500867/d4ab1e6543/

True Colors Lesson

This week the counselors are visiting the 8th grade U.S. History classes to deliver a lesson called "True Colors." This is the second lesson in a three-part series the 8th grade students hear from the counselors. Last month students were able to log into their EDP and work with Career Cruising to set goals, research careers, and much more. Next week the students will have their final lesson, as they receive their EXPLORE test results and hear an interpretation. The True Colors lesson focuses on the students' personality traits. Through a series of small tests, the students are able to determine their personality type (labeled by one of four colors - blue, green, orange, and gold). This is always one of our favorite lessons to teach, as it stirs up great conversation. Ask your child what his or her color is an see if they can explain what it means. They may even be able to assign you a color as well!

5th Grade Orientation

This week we welcomed the 5th graders of all 3 elementary schools for a morning. Half of Cherry Creek and all of Murray Lake came on Tuesday and then the rest of CCE and all of Alto came on Wednesday. We had a wonderful team of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who served as the hosts and tour guides for the 5th graders. The students were able to see a fun play put on by the drama class, hear informational speeches from 6th graders, and then get a school tour. If your child was absent the day their class came over, he or she will still have a chance to walk around the school during Smart Start (the week before school starts). We also hosted a parent night on Monday for parents of 5th graders. If you were not able to attend and would like the informational sheet that was given, please contact the school.

7 Dangerous Apps that Parents Need to Know About

Below is a link that can be very helpful when trying to stay on top of the apps that kids are using these days. It is important for parents to be aware of the dangers that come along with using some of these apps. http://www.checkupnewsroom.com/7-dangerous-apps-that-parents-need-to-know-about/

Successful Parent/Student Night

Last night the counselors hosted a workshop for parents/guardians and their children that focused on strategies for success in school. We were thrilled with the turn out and hope that the information passed along will be helpful for the families with who we worked. In the counseling office, we have many tips and tricks on how to increase homework completion, prepare better for tests, and set goals. Parents and students, please don't hesitate to contact us if you need assistance with these things. We also made sure every student and parent was able to access their Infinite Campus account and navigate the LMS Homework page. These are wonderful resources, so if you have not made yourself familiar with those webpages or need help, again please contact us.

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.