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Three embedded courses are now a part of the junior high curriculum. WORK PLACE READINESS is a required semester-long course taught by Mrs. Mennenga. In this course students will complete a career education unit in which occupations that match their interests, values and aptitudes are identified. Next, students will complete a four year academic plan tied to a career pathway. Parents will have a chance to approve this plan. Financial literacy skills will be another important unit completed in this course.
Seventh grade students will be enrolled in a semester-long course named SKILL BUILDING. Students will apply the skills and knowledge of conflict resolution as well as understand the importance of emotional intelligence and the use of adequate interpersonal communication, decision-making, coping, and self awareness. Throughout the course three important standards of the American School Counselors Association will be addressed: 1. The learner will acquire the attitudes, knowledge, and interpersonal skill to help understand and respect self and others. 2. The learner will make decisions, set goals, and take appropriate actions to achieve goals. 3. The learner will understand safety and survival skills.
STUDY SKILLS is another semester-long course that both 7th and 8th graders can elect to take. Mrs. Soma is the teacher of this academic skill building curriculum and it too incorporates lessons related to three academic standards from ASCA: 1. Students will acquire the attitudes, knowledge and skills tht contribute to effective learning in school and across the life span. 2. Students will complete school with the academic preparation essential to choos from a wide range of substantial post-secondary options, including college. 3. Students will understand the relationship of academics to the world of work and to life at home and in the community.
Specific objective covered in Study Skills can be acquired by contacting Mrs. Soma or Mr. Johnson.. Mrs. Soma's extension is 343 and Mr. Johnson's is 254 at 641-444-4300.
Second semester, seventh graders will be taught a weekly unit on anti-bullying by Mr. Johnson. This unit was presented to all grades 7-12 during the fall semester of the 2009-10 school year. So this course will be new to this year's seventh graders. Research throughout the nation, as well as locally obtained data (NTAEA Building Tomorrow and Iowa Youth Surveys), has clearly identified bullying as one of the greatest social problems confronting school children. Belmond-Klemme educators all take most seriously the need to do what we can to address this problem. We have data that shows what we do in the classrooms to confront bullying is helpful, and thus this unit to begin in Janurary of 2011 will strive to keep this as an ongoing effort.
During the first classroom counseling session with freshmen, the Countdown to College Calendar was reviewed. This is a twelve month schedule of "things to do"as freshmen. We also studied the brochure "High School Success Guide". Topics covered therein were as follows: Steps to take in the fall, a review school student handbook, getting to know Mr. Johnson as a person with information on students' academic, career and social lives within the confines of school counseling.
They next were given suggestions as to how to continue career explorations, investigate their aptitudes, interests and values. Their 2010 ITED Counseling Report was given to them and high interest career clusters were revealed.
Reasons why college might be an option after high school was discussed within the context of employment, opportunity, earnings, four year versus two year community colleges and majors and certificate programs.
We next reviewed the admission requirements for acceptance into UNI, Iowa or Iowa State. Freshmen now realize that graduation requirements at B-K are not that dissimilar to admission requierments of these regent institutions.
The regency admission index was explained. It consists of the following formula: ACT composite score X 2+% high school rank+HS GPAX20+ # of Core Subject Area Courses Completed in High School. If the score is 245 or greater automatic admission is granted. Then we reviewed how a grade point average is calculated.
After stressing the importance of building skills like time management, studying smarter, test taking, money management, we reviewed the school district's Student Assistance brochure which explained the primary responsive structure of both the counseling program and the overall district's process of responding to extraordinary needs of students and or families who are experiencing difficulty in achieving success in school.
I encourage students and parents to stop in to visit with Mr. Johnson on Monday afternoons or anytime during the day on Tuesdays or Thursdays. These would be good times to merely call and set up an appointment as well.
In the first classroom counseling session sophomores were asked to review their initial four year schedule plan at http://www.ihaveaplaniowa.gov/. They also were given a copy of their Counseling Report based on their April 2010 ITED test. Emphasis was given to a graph indicating their high interest career cluster areas based on the interest inventory that was contained on the ITED.
Next they reviewed a Countdown to College Caledar containing steps to be taken as a sophomore as they begin to think about plans after high school, as well as how to use their high school years to greatest advantage in light of a post-high school educational future. They then reviewed the following websites and were instructed to use these as self-directed guides to enhance their understanding of options after high school graduation: http://www.icansucceed.org/, http://www.ihaveaplaniowa.gov/ and http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/. One of their tasks as a sophomore is to revise their four year plan for high school classes.
In classroom session number two they were given time to begin the state requirement for tenth graders which is as follows:
1. Work Values Sorter
2. Compare Careers
3. Explore Programs and Majors
4. Get Ready for College Article
5. Compare Schools
6. Journal Reflection
I would encourage parents to sit down with their son or daughter and look over their child's plans and share insights. Parents are also invited to stop in and see Mr. Johnson on any Monday afternoon, or during all day on either Tuesday or Thursday, or if that is not possible call and an appointment can be set up at 444-4300 extension 344.
Thus far juniors have been exploring a process of planning for life after high school. Three publications have been given each student: The 2010-11 College Planning Guide, The Countdown to College Calendar and the ACT Get Set for College. Within these guides a thorough series of tasks to perform during the next two years are laid out. If any parents or school community stakeholders would like copies of these guides give Mr. Johnson a call at 641-444-4300 extension 254.
Additionally juniors have learned that not all graduates need to attend a four year college to be employable. Several career options requiring merely a year or two of community college have been investigated. Several juniors have also completed the PSAT and all have completed in the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery administration. Soon career interests and aptitudes will be matched up for each student and further valuable career exploration will thus be concluded.
Juniors have been advised to study their individual ACT Test Prep booklets as they prepare for the April or June ACT test. The students have been encouraged to discover difficult concepts therein and take the issues to their classroom teachers for enrichment instruction.
Those juniors wishing to participate in college sports at the division I or II level, have been instructed to visit http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/ and complete the process of registration.
Finally class members have been told to use the following website to enhance their college and career exploration, http://www.ihaveaplaniowa.gov/.
Seniors have information about the financial aid process and have been asked to establish a strong parthership with their parents or guardians in the development of a plan to finance their post-high school education.
Parents should attend Financial Aid Night in October . If any parents of seniors have been left out in the cold regarding financial aid or the FAFSA process please go to www.fafsa.gov or give Mr. Johnson a call on Monday afternoons or anytime on Tuesdays or Thursdays to set up an appointment.
Also on the school's home page there is under the Student link, a guidance page that contains a scholarship list that students have been asked to monitor. Each scholarship listed is numbered and a corresponding filing crate in the counseling office with cross referenced files based upon the same numbering system can be found which contain scholarship applications. Students must keep track of this list and meet application deadlines in order to have a chance to obtain scholarships.
In late March of 2012 seniors will be given a "local" scholarship booklet containing approximately 15 to 20 scholarships with a common application. Specific directions are to be followed so the seniors can compete for these scholarships.
