As we celebrate the success of our students, it is not forgotten how important your role is as parents.  Not only do our students need your support and encouragement, they also need to be challenged to do their best and to set goals both now and in the future.  Lately, Mr. Bennett, our school counselor, has been meeting with 8th grade core classes to talk about setting goals for the future.  Using a computer survey, students are able to see what types of careers match the interests they have.  I have watched as students pour over the information concerning the job description, salary, and education needed to be qualified to get such a position.

As college costs rise, there have been concerns that many students will not be able to afford school.  By following this link you can read more about the College Bound Scholarship that provides money for students to attend school.  As our world changes, more and more jobs will take training beyond a high school diploma.  This might include a two-year or four-year university, technical college, or apprenticeship. Our junior high students will be competing for many jobs in which there is an increased need for math and reading skills.  As a partner with us in your child’s success, please continue talking to them about their plan for the future and how their hard work in our classes at the junior high will prepare them for success both now, in high school, and beyond.     

We will have another opportunity to formally share student progress at our Spring  Conferences.  Please take advantage of this opportunity to hear from each teacher the progress your student is making in class.  Conferences will be in the early afternoon and evening, hopefully to accommodate your schedule.  Although it might not be said at home, students do want you to come.  We had good attendance in October, and teachers are looking forward to having this opportunity to meet with you.

Less than three weeks after conferences, we will begin our WASL testing at the 7th and 8th grade.  Testing will begin the Tuesday we return from Spring Break.  As a partner in your child’s success, it is important that they hear from you why it is important for them to do their best on each day of the test.  The tests not only give you an idea of how well your child is doing at school, it is another piece of information we use to determine the needs of our school and of individual students.  By using this information, we can provide a better learning environment for our students, stretching their minds while providing them support to reach for those goals they have both now and in the future.

For every student to be successful, we greatly depend on your partnership and influence of not only the student in your home, but also friends and surrounding community.  In the coming weeks, please be looking for a flyer inviting you to attend a conversation about how we can work together as school, parents, and the community to use the local resources within the district to offer our students more opportunities for success.  For a sneak peek of that discussion, please come to the next Parent Advisory Meeting on March 6. 

Thank you for your support in helping our students. 

- Derek Forbes, Principal

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