1. Welcome 8 th Grade Parents and Students Dr. Paul McMahon, Freshman Center Director Dr. Paul McMahon, Freshman Center Director Maxine Walker, 9 th Grade Administrator Maxine Walker, 9 th Grade Administrator Greg Mosher, 9 th Grade Counselor Greg Mosher, 9 th Grade Counselor Brandy Lee, 9 th Grade Counselor Brandy Lee, 9 th Grade Counselor

2. Key Qualities of McEachern Freshman Center Concern and approach for students at the individual level – goal is for ALL students enrolled in 9th grade to graduate to 10th grade Concern and approach for students at the individual level – goal is for ALL students enrolled in 9th grade to graduate to 10th grade Use of consistent and highly effective teaching strategies Use of consistent and highly effective teaching strategies Collaboration regarding curriculum, teaching and learning Collaboration regarding curriculum, teaching and learning

3. “Get to Small” Approach No anonymity No anonymity Personalization of the 9th Grade Center’s approach to individual student Personalization of the 9th Grade Center’s approach to individual student Key: develop relationships that sustain students through challenges Key: develop relationships that sustain students through challenges

4. “Extraordinary Commitment” to 9th Grade A school culture that creates enduring emotions for students, teachers and parents - confident - motivated - connected - committed - proud

5. Study Skills: How To Make The Grade

6. 10 Helpful Steps to Your Student’s Success Organize binders and notebooks Organize binders and notebooks Look up your grades on iParent Look up your grades on iParent Develop effective study skills Develop effective study skills Use your agenda daily Use your agenda daily Participate in class Participate in class Sign up for tutoring Sign up for tutoring Arrange teacher help sessions Arrange teacher help sessions Turn in ALL assignments Turn in ALL assignments Make up quizzes and/or tests Make up quizzes and/or tests …and COMMUNICATE & ADVOCATE

7. What Should Your Student Be Focusing On Now? Developing a Study Regimen Developing a Study Regimen Time Management Skills Time Management Skills Organizational Skills Organizational Skills Differentiating between Homework and Studying Differentiating between Homework and Studying Meeting Deadlines Meeting Deadlines

8. Re-Framing

9. COMMUNICATION The skillful expression, transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas Speaking effectively Speaking effectively Writing concisely Writing concisely Listening attentively Listening attentively Expressing ideas Expressing ideas Perceiving nonverbal messages Perceiving nonverbal messages Reporting information Reporting information Negotiating Negotiating

10. Research and Planning The search for specific knowledge and figure out future needs and solutions for meeting those needs Forecasting, predicting Forecasting, predicting Identifying problems Identifying problems Gathering information Gathering information Solving problems Solving problems Setting goals Setting goals Analyzing Analyzing

11. Human Relations The use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflicts, relating to and helping people. Developing rapport Developing rapport Listening Listening Cooperating Cooperating Sharing credit Sharing credit Being sensitive Being sensitive Providing support to others Providing support to others

12. Organization, Management, & Leadership Handling details Handling details Decision making with others Decision making with others Coordinating tasks Coordinating tasks Managing conflict Managing conflict Teaching Teaching Initiating new ideas Initiating new ideas

13. Work Survival The day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction Being Punctual Being Punctual Managing time Managing time Meeting goals Meeting goals Accepting responsibility Accepting responsibility Enlisting help Enlisting help

14. Long-Term Goal Developing and Maintain Successful Life Skills

15. Articulation Activities Tentative Dates January 17, 2008 – Graduation Requirements January 17, 2008 – Graduation Requirements 7:00 – 8:00 PM 7:00 – 8:00 PM February 11 – 15, 2008 – Classroom Guidance at Tapp Middle School February 11 – 15, 2008 – Classroom Guidance at Tapp Middle School Course Descriptions and Registration Forms handed out Course Descriptions and Registration Forms handed out February 20 – 22, 2008 – Classroom Guidance at Cooper Middle School February 20 – 22, 2008 – Classroom Guidance at Cooper Middle School Course Descriptions and Registration Forms handed out Course Descriptions and Registration Forms handed out February 28, 2008 – Curriculum Fair at Tapp Middle School February 28, 2008 – Curriculum Fair at Tapp Middle School 6:30 – 8:00 pm 6:30 – 8:00 pm March 3, 2008 – Curriculum Fair at Cooper Middle School March 3, 2008 – Curriculum Fair at Cooper Middle School 6:30 – 8:00 pm 6:30 – 8:00 pm March 10, 2008 – Counselor at Tapp 9:00 am until 11:00 am to answer registration questions March 10, 2008 – Counselor at Tapp 9:00 am until 11:00 am to answer registration questions March 11, 2008 - Counselor at Cooper 9:00 am until 11:00 am to answer registration questions March 11, 2008 - Counselor at Cooper 9:00 am until 11:00 am to answer registration questions March 15, 2008 – Registration forms due back to McEachern March 15, 2008 – Registration forms due back to McEachern

16. McEachern Web page www.cobbk12.org/~mceachern www.cobbk12.org/~mceachern www.cobbk12.org/~mceachern For information about 8 th grade transition activities click on For information about 8 th grade transition activities click on “8th Grade Connections”