Transitioning Students to Notre Dame College Prep

1. Transitioning Students to Notre Dame College Prep Steve Murray Director of Counseling smurray@nddons.org

2. Prayer • God of wisdom and might,we praise you for the wonder of our being,for mind, body and spirit.Be with our children as they begina new school year.Bless them and their teachers and staff.Give the strength and grace as their bodies grow;wisdom and knowledge to their mindsas they search for understanding;and peace and zeal to their hearts.Notre Dame pray for us.Amen.

3. Energizer • Introduce yourself to those seated at your table

4. Goals of Transitioning Students to NDCP • To lessen the stress and anxiety of NDCP transition time. • To better understand the rigors of NDCP. • To understand courses your child must take to meet the NDCP graduation requirements.

6. The Transition to High School • It is normal for your child to be nervous about starting high school. • It is also perfectly normal for you to be nervous about your child’s transition to high school. • “The transition to high school may be one of the toughest transitions during childhood, for both parents and kids” (Brown, 2004). Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006).

7. Energizer • What are the 3 most important things that new Freshmen want to know? • What causes new Freshmen the most stress on the first day of school? • What is the single factor that surprises new Freshmen the most?

8. Answers • What are the 3 most important things that new Freshmen want to know? • What is my schedule? • Where is my locker? • How do I navigate the lunch line?

9. Answers • What causes new Freshmen the most stress on the first day of school? • Finding friends at lunch and finding a place to sit.

10. Answers • What is the single factor that surprises new Freshmen the most and makes transitioning to high school so difficult? • The amount of homework given by high school teachers.

11. The Teenage Brain • You Tube- Teenage Brain

12. Differences between Middle School and High School • More homework and class choice • IPAD • Transition from being the oldest to the youngest members of the school population • Major differences in the daily schedule • Multiple new teachers with different teaching styles • Grades matter! (i.e. athletics, graduation, college) • The many new and different ways students can participate in their school community, whether sports or school-related clubs and organizations • Learning to advocate for themselves • ↑ Peer Pressure

13. Freshmen Report Feeling…. • Excited • Confused • Proud • Brave • Helpless • Overwhelmed • Afraid • Sad • Curious • Lonely • Worried • Angry Jarman-Dunn, N&M Kiggins. Building the Bridge of Success. 2005 ASCA Conference Presentation

14. Studies Show that Freshmen: • Become more self aware/ self conscious. • Thinking becomes more critical and complex. • Look for acceptance more from peers, less from adults. • Need independence, yet still rely on adults for support. • Take more foolish risks to align with peers to avoid embarrassment.

15. What Parents Can Do…. • Be the example … Show the importance of education • Ask your son about their day • Set aside a quiet space and time for your son to study/complete homework • Balance school work and activities • Encourage reading • Assist your son with their homework and/or check their homework daily • Set high but reachable expectations for your son • ENCOURAGEMENT! • Increase your knowledge of adolescent development • Be upbeat about what lies ahead • Recognize their fears • Offer support • Hold your son accountable • Give your son the opportunity to make decisions on his own • Pick your battles • Give them tools they need to succeed • Allow them the freedom to make mistakes Ford-Coabley, Crenshaw, DelAunter & Isaacs, 2006 The elementary to middle school transition: Five helpful hints for parents, n.d.; Dean, n.d.

16. What Parent’s Can Do at School…. • Maintain a good working relationship with your son’s teachers • Know and understand school rules • Attend meetings (Parent Association, conferences, etc.) and son’s activities • Volunteer in any way you can • Make a contract with your son and/or teacher • If you have raised adolescents, be willing to share advice and information with other parents Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006). Ford-Coabley, Crenshaw, DelAunter & Isaacs, 2006; The elementary to middle school transition: Five helpful hints for parents, n.d.

17. Student Goals • Academic Rigor • Complete the Summer Reading • Acceptable grades • Student Engagement • Have a way to organize class materials and assignments • Turn in homework on time • Ask teachers for help when confused • Participate in a sport, club or other extracurricular activity

18. Have a Plan • The function of developing a vision and a realistic plan for a productive adulthood is the critical first step to the long road of academic achievement. Students without it are unlikely to apply themselves in the coming years of educational challenge.

19. Academics at NDCP Scott Dutton, Assistant Principal for Academics

20. Credits Required for Graduation • 4 credits of English • 4 credits of Religion • 3 credits of Mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II) • 3 credits of Science (Biology, Chemistry or Physics required) • 3 credits of Social Studies ( Western Civilization, United States History required) • 2 credits of Foreign Language (same) • 2 credits of Physical Education • .50 credit of Computer Literacy • .50 credit of Fine Arts

21. Ninth Grade Requirements • Composition and Literature • Mathematics • Religion • Foreign Language or Reading Writing Workshop • Biology or Western Civilization • Physical Education

22. A Typical Schedule

23. A Typical Schedule

24. Summer Reading for Freshmen All will read either : “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie or “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” by Ransom Riggs

25. Uniform & Miscellaneous Maureen Karlowicz

26. NDCP Uniform • SHOES AND SOCKS • SHIRTS • SWEATERS / SWEATSHIRTS

27. NDCP Medicine Policy

28. What Happens ifParents Get Involved Decades of research show that when parents are involved students have … • Higher grades, test scores, and graduation rates • Better school attendance • Increased motivation • Better self-esteem • Lower rates of suspension • Decreased use of drugs and alcohol • Fewer instances of violent behavior • Greater enrollment rates in post-secondary education Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006). Ford-Coabley, Crenshaw, DelAunter & Isaacs, 2006

29. Parent and Athletic Associations • Mrs. Sharon Angelini-Director of Special Events and Stewardship • Mrs. Eileen Wendel, Parents Association

30. Important Dates • August 11 • Freshman Orientation (A-McDermott) 9am – 2 pm • Parent Orientation (A-McDermott) 7:00pm • August 12 • Freshman Orientation (McDonagh-Z) 9am - 2 pm • Parent Orientation (McDonagh-Z) 7:00pm • August 14 - Freshman Walk Through 8am – Noon • August 24 - Parents Association Meeting 6:30pm • August 27 - Back to School Night 7pm**

31. Summary • Transitioning to high school can be especially difficult as adolescents are also going through physical, emotional and psychological changes.  • Lack of motivation. The transition into high school is often characterized as a time when students experience a decline in grades and attendance (Barone, Aguirre-Deandreis, & Trickett, 1991). • Communication is key – start by talking to your child about any concerns they have about their new school, and how they’re feeling as they navigate this new experience. • Making time to educate your child. “I understand the pressures on parents, and the time constraints, but they can’t back down on teaching kids about responsibility.” • Your support is required. Although it may seem like your kids are in their own world, and you may hear “fine” most times you ask how their day was, don’t assume that they’re able to handle high school without your support. • Don’t be afraid to ask for help. “When in doubt, ask questions.”

32. Contacts • Mr. Daniel Tully, Principal dtully@nddons.org • Mr. Scott Dutton, Academics sdutton@nddons.org • Mr. Steve Murray, Counselor smurray@nddons.org • Mrs. Prugar, Counselor mprugar@nddons.org • Mrs. Thomas, Counselor mbthomas@nddons.org • Mrs. Daul, Counselor jdaul@nddons.org • Ms. Gross, Counselor sgross@nddons.org