Welcome Back!!
The West Hempstead support staff is dedicated to all of our students to help them prepare for their future goals and endeavors. Our vision is to empower our students to be interested learners, independent thinkers, and become well-rounded individuals. We are all provide support for our students and families both in- person and virtually. "Dream Big, Work Hard, Make it Happen"
"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending".
-C.S. Lewis
Inside this Edition:
Parent and student tips/resources-:
- How to talk to your child about the Coronavirus
- 12 study tips for back to school
- Setting up success for distance learning
- Strategies that teach kids to set goals and help them succeed
- Why is early literacy important?
- Developing good homework and study habits
- Develop a sleep routine-why enough sleep is important
Welcome Class of 2033!
Helpful Resources for Parents and Students
Class of 2021-Senior Center
Junior Junction
Sophomore Square
Freshmen Corner
Middle School Maze
Elementary School
Fall Final Thoughts
Parent and Student Tips/ Resources
How to talk to child about the Coronavirus:
Speaking to your child about the coronavirus can be a difficult task. Wendy Thomas Russell is a journalist and co-author, wrote an article providing ten tips for talking to your children about COVID-19.
1. Make children feel safe. Stay calm and reassure them that this is temporary.
2. Give them facts and let them lead the discussion. Answer their questions. Too much information can cause anxiety.
3. Give them responsibility. Remind them how important social distancing, wearing masks, and handwashing is.
4. Let them know what to expect. Keep them updated as you receive updates.
5. Empathy- Acknowledge and validate their feelings of frustration, fear or worry.
6. Keep your child’s developmental stage in mind. Keep your expectations with the child's age and be patient.
7. Try to maintain a normal routine. As the school year begins, establish a daily routine and
8. Model the behavior you want to see.
9. Limit screen time for social media
10. Take care of yourself. Take a break from the news. Find peaceful times in your day.
Below is are links with suggestions on how to have this conversation with your child. Try to stay calm while having this conversation with your child.
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/coronavirus-how-talk-child.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/talking-with-children.html
12 Study Tips for Back to School Here are some valuable strategies for effective study skills:
1. Identify more than one study space. Variety helps!
2. Track more than homework in a school planner, and plan accordingly. Include all activities and social commitments
3. Start small. Complete assignments in small chunks.
4. Create a simple system to stay organized. Highlight key folders for handouts for each subject. Interacting with your notes will help you remember them.
5. Establish a routine. Try to do homework around the same time each day.
6. Create a distraction-free zone. Turn off the devices, or at least turn off the notifications until homework is done.
7. Be realistic about how long your assignments should take.
8. Use class time wisely. If you have time after class, ask your teacher to clarify a concept you don't understand.
9. Look over your notes each night.
10. Study a little each day.
11. Don’t let a disappointing grade keep you down.
12. Make a friend in every class. Help and support each other!
Setting up for success for distance learning:
Distance learning is new for all of us. It's important to have structure whether you are learning at home or in person.
Step 1: Establish a comfortable learning space:
* Find one place and stick with it.
1. This could be a desk in your bedroom, the kitchen table, or space in your basement. It should be quiet so you can avoid distractions and near an outlet for your chargers.
2. If possible, study near a window. Research has shown that natural light benefits health, concentration, and performance.
3. Try to have all of your supplies ready before you start your day.
Step 2: Set your daily schedule:
Once you have set a learning environment, make a study plan or schedule. This is a way to map our your entire day, including classwork, meals, and break times.
Remember, never skip a subject. Even if you do not have homework due that day (review the topic covered ), keeping this schedule will help avoid future procrastination and stay up to date with class assignments.
Step 3: Ask for help!
Finally, don't be afraid to reach out! Communication is one of the most important skills to be successful.
1. Connect with your classmates: You may be required to respond to discussion posts or prompts, but on top of that try to connect with your peers. Ask questions about the class, set up study groups, work together on assignments.
2. Reach out to your teacher: If you don't ask for help when need it, you risk falling behind or not fully understanding an important topic. Teachers will hold in-person and virtual office hours which are a great opportunity to connect and establish a relationship.
Below is a link for parent tips for distance learning:
https://www.commonsense.org/education/articles/parent-tips-and-tricks-for-distance-learning
Strategies that teach kids to set goals and help them succeed
Goal-setting is one of the traits that’s most highly correlated with being a peak performer and a successful person. But goal-setting isn’t just for grown-ups: it can also enhance children’s motivation, focus, self-discipline and self-esteem. You can help your kids learn this integral skill for success using these four steps:
1. Define goal-setting. One of the easiest ways to explain goals is to link the term to something children are familiar with such as a sport. You might say, “A goal is a target or something you shoot for just like a hockey or soccer player. Planning what you want to achieve or get better at in school, at home, with friends or even in your job is called goal-setting and it helps you succeed.”
Then teach this simple goal-setting formula: “Goals usually start with ‘I will’ and have two parts – that is, what you want to accomplish and when you hope to accomplish it.”
Whenever possible, model setting and achieving a goal to help your child see the formula being applied successfully. It’s important to demonstrate setting everyday goals, too. Suppose you find your laundry piled high. You might say aloud, “I will get these clothes washed by 6 o’clock.” Your kids will hear your plan and see goal-setting in action.
2. Identify a goal. Discuss with your kids their dreams and aspirations, and write them down. The possibilities are endless: improving grades, behavior, friendships, athletic or academic performance, developing a hobby or interest, learning a new skill. Reread the list and help your child select one or two wishes. The goal must be within your child’s ability and be realistic. Then help him frame it using the goal formula, stating what they will do and by when – say, “I will get at least 9 out of 10 spelling words right on my spelling test this week.”
Establish a time frame that is realistic for your child. Some children need to set even shorter term goals to the end of the hour or a day, such as finishing a simple school project, reading a page a night, cleaning a closet, raking leaves, picking up toys or making a bed without reminders.
3. Think through steps to success. The next step is to help your child think through how they will succeed. It helps if kids write down or draw their course of action. Help your child write or draw on sticky notes the tasks he must do to achieve his goal. Then, help them put those tasks in the order of when they will do them. Staple the notes together. Then have them tear off a note as each task is completed until none remain.
After that, your child needs to identify all the people or things required for goal attainment.
4. Track goal progress and celebrate success. Hang your children’s goals on a wall to remind them of their intentions. Older kids could take a photo of their goal to post as a screen saver. Pointing out their efforts will motivate them to keep trying: “Look how much closer you’re getting to your goal!” And if the goal is too hard, too easy or a step or resource was overlooked, just revise the plan so attainment is possible.
Nothing is more affirming to children than succeeding at goals they’ve worked so hard to achieve. You might provide a small notebook to log each goal achievement or celebrate the accomplishment by going out for a family “victory dinner.” Then, help your kids set their next goal and the next, and they’ll learn how to work toward making their dreams come true.
Click on the link for additional goal setting resources-
Why is early literacy important:
· Children introduced to reading early on tend to read earlier and excel in school compared to children who are not exposed to language and books at a young age (American Academy of Pediatrics).
· Reading, rhyming, singing, and talking — beginning from birth — profoundly influence literacy and language development, the foundations for all other learning (www.healthychildren.org).
· Developing early literacy skills makes it easier for children to learn to read. Children who enter school with these skills have an advantage that carries with them throughout their school years. Reading is an essential skill for success in school and later in life.
Ways to Encourage your Child’s Language and Literacy at Any Age:
Research tells us that reading aloud to children makes a big difference in their brain development; it serves a critical role in giving them language to identify things in the world around them and the ability to make connections between life experiences. It also helps them create important pathways they will use later in life to learn vital skills and information.
Here are a few suggestions to help you maximize your child’s language and literacy learning at any age:
Make a small cozy space.
Make reading time a safe, snuggling quiet time. Children will learn to link that safe loving feeling with the voice of the reader and the pleasure of being read to.
Choose books based on their passion.
As children grow, they can become passionate (or fixated!) about a particular thing like trains, dinosaurs, princesses, etc. That interest can be a way to get your child to be similarly excited about reading. Find all the books at the library on dinosaurs (story books AND fact books!), bring them home and declare a Book Picnic in your yard or living room. Spread out the blankets and feast on knowledge as you snuggle and read your way through your pile of books. Repeat as needed!
Make connections between books and activities you’ve done.
We need to keep in mind that the purpose of reading is not to sound out words but to make meaning out of what we’re reading. By helping children make connections to the text through talking about something you’ve read previously, watched on TV, or experienced together, you help your child build his knowledge bank for later. Here’s a go-to question you can ask to help your child make connections: What does this book remind you of? To answer, your child has to connect the book’s story or information to something in a previous book you’ve shared, something they talked about at school, or some other life experience.
Don’t quit reading!
Even when your child can read on their own, they still benefits from the connections you help them make when you read together. Do whatever works for your family to keep reading fun and engaging. As your child grows up, you still have a powerful role to play in how they feel about reading and learning. If you associate reading with good times, your child (and teen!) will, too.
https://www.raisingreaders.org/blog/encouraging-childrens-language-and-literacy-at-any-age/
https://www.readingrockets.org/
Developing good Homework and Study Habits:
It's no secret that good study habits are an integral component to academic success. Understanding effective study habits, ways to stay organized and strategies for prioritizing work will help students lay a strong foundation for ongoing learning. These crucial skills should be developed at a young age, as early as the toddler years, instead of waiting until high school when the coursework is quite difficult. Young minds are like sponges and seek out things to learn and new activities to explore. Working with your child from a young age to build good study skills will pay off exponentially in future years. There are good study techniques you can follow to build study habits regardless of your child's age, including:
1. Building strong homework habits Children often begin receiving homework assignments as early as Kindergarten. Work to devise a routine for completing homework that is consistent and appropriate for your child's age and ability. Homework is a way of life for students but it doesn't have to be dreaded or frustrating. Find a quiet area of your home that can be dedicated to homework and study sessions. Stock the space with materials and ensure appropriate lighting. Make sure that the routine is consistently followed and meets your child's needs.
2. Fostering independence As your child gets older it is important to participate in a gradual release of responsibility. Over time you should expect your child to take more responsibility for homework and studying. Check in often with your child about good study habits and ensure the work is being done correctly, mistakes are rectified, and the assignment's objectives are met.
3. Helping children identify resources A child has many different resources available if homework seems confusing or overwhelming. Even if you're expecting a child to take responsibility for a majority of the homework and studying responsibilities you should remain a trusted resource. Encourage your child to talk to teachers, counselors, or other students about homework and maintaining strong study skills. Another option is suggesting that they form study groups with their classmates
4. Making it a priority Families are busy. There are work, school, and extra curricular schedules to juggle and family and household priorities to balance. Don't let homework and the development of good study habits take a backseat to other commitments. Make sure that your child's homework and studying remains a priority, even during your family's busiest times. If there is a significant change to your family's routine or schedule find ways to adjust the dedicated study sessions. Keep updated on assignments, exams, and classroom expectations. Find times to talk to your child's teacher about any concerns you have or for additional ways to help your child.
Develop a Sleep Routine- Why Enough Sleep is Important:
Sleep in School-Aged Children
What to expect- School-aged children need between 10 and 11 hours of sleep per night. Not getting enough sleep is common in this age group, given increasing school obligations (e.g. homework), evening activities, and later bedtimes. Sleep problems are also common in school-aged children, including sleepwalking, sleep terrors, teeth grinding, nighttime fears, snoring, and noisy breathing.
Signs of sleep deprivation in school-aged children can include:
· Mood. Sleep deprivation may cause your school-aged child to be moody, irritable, and cranky. In addition, he may have a difficult time regulating his mood, such as by getting frustrated or upset more easily.
· Behavior. School-aged children who do not get enough sleep are more likely to have behavior problems, such as noncompliance and hyperactivity.
· Cognitive ability. Inadequate sleep may result in problems with attention, memory, decision making, reaction time, and creativity, all which are important in school.
How to help your school-aged child sleep well
· Develop a regular sleep schedule. Your child should go to bed and wake up at about the same time each day.
· Maintain a consistent bedtime routine. School-aged children continue to benefit from a bedtime routine that is the same every night and includes calm and enjoyable activities. Including one-on-one time with a parent is helpful in maintaining communication with your child and having a clear connection every day.
· Set up a soothing sleep environment. Make sure your child’s bedroom is comfortable, dark, cool, and quiet. A nightlight is fine; a television is not.
· Set limits. If your school-aged child stalls at bedtime, be sure to set clear limits, such as what time lights must be turned off and how many bedtime stories you will read.
· Turn off televisions, computers, and radios. Television viewing, computer-game playing, internet use, and other stimulating activities at bedtime will cause sleep problems.
· Avoid caffeine. Caffeine can be found in sodas, coffee-based products, iced tea, and many other substances.
· Contact your child’s doctor. Speak to your child’s physician if your child has difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep, snores, experiences unusual awakenings, or has sleep problems that are causing disruption during the day.
Welcome Class of 2033!
★ Wake up early. Leave enough time for a relaxed breakfast and any unplanned issue that may arise.
★ If your child is nervous or upset, encourage them to talk to you about their feelings. Don’t burden your child with your own fears and anxieties. Focus on the fun that they will have and the new friends that they will meet.
★ Stay involved with your child’s classroom experience. Join the PTA and volunteer at school. Most importantly, ask your child about their experience every day. Ask your child two or three things that they liked about their day and didn't like about their day. This will help your child learn how to have a conversation, and recall events about their day.
★ Pack lunch wisely. Make sure your child can open all of their own lunch containers and they like the food that you have packed.
★ Don’t be afraid to be your child’s advocate. If you have any concern, reach out to your child’s teacher or the building administrator.
High School
Every Year Matters!- Students please remember, that everything counts. All of your final grades and regents exam grades will be on your high school transcript.
Our course catalog not only has a description of the courses that we offer, but it indicates the graduation requirements as well.
http://www.whufsd.com/schools/whhs_guidance
Attendance matters: Attendance is a critical part for student success, whether you are learning virtually or in person. As indicated on the student handbook- "Students with 20 absences (excused and unexcused) in a full year course will not receive credit for that course. For a half-year course, students with 10 absences will not receive credit for that course". Please click on the link below for additional information:
Benefits of Advance Placement (AP) Classes:
Taking AP (Advance Placement) classes is a great way for students to challenge themselves, and receive college credit(s) prior to starting college. Students can start to take AP courses in their sophomore year. Here are some of the benefits of students taking AP classes:
- Students learn rigorous college- level content and skills
- Taking AP courses is valued in the college admissions process
- AP courses are interesting and rewarding academic experiences
- The opportunity to earn valuable credit and placement in college
- Students enrolled in AP courses will earn an additional weighting of 12% to their high school GPA
On October 8th, there was a parent meeting explaining the Advance Placement Program. Please see the attached link to review the information from this meeting:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1RN3zOBKSuAC717dK8ujGs3QJxFt2nB8UX8YSQio8uN4/edit?usp=sharing
School Counselor Google Classroom information:
Ms. Lennon- kduscwi
Ms. Ragin-c5442gq
Mrs. Sigmon-hf4tcni
Mrs. Tammany-675kv3
The school counselors post valuable information on their google classrooms. Please check it on a regular basis.
The First Quarter Completed:
With the first quarter completed, you have time to make any changes to your study habits or homework routine, if you need. There are academic supports in place to help our students; teachers' extra help and Tutor.com (free through the West Hempstead public library). Click on the links for the teachers' extra help hours and for Tutor.com:
http://www.whufsd.com/Assets/WHHS_Links/092320_Office_Hours_2020-2021.pdf?t=637364556164730000
https://www.whplibrary.org/2018/10/02/tutor-com-daily-homework-help/
SAT's and ACT's
This year many colleges are "test optional" and are not requiring the SAT's or ACT's as part of the admissions packet. Please double check with the colleges you are considering if they are test optional this year. If you wish to take the SAT's and/or the ACT's please see your school counselor. Click on the College Board and ACT website for test dates:
College Fairs- Virtual college fairs are a great opportunity to learn about many colleges for your future endeavors beyond high school:
NACAC Virtual College Fairs
Sunday, Nov. 8: 2 - 10 p.m. ET
https://virtualcollegefairs.org/events
On each fair date, more than 600 colleges and universities will offer Zoom sessions and meetings. Students everywhere can log in, drop in, and ask questions.
These fairs offer an unparalleled opportunity for students to explore their college options!
Class of 2021- Senior Square:
Calling all seniors!! If you have not done so already, please review the Senior College power point on the WHHS website. This power point will assist you with the college process. Your school counselor will be meeting with you individually either in person and virtually. Please review your Naviance account to make sure your contact information is correct and update any additional information (ie- your activity resume, and a list of colleges you are applying to). Remember to stay organized, plan time in your day to work on your college application, and complete your application prior to the college deadlines. Please click on the links below regarding the college process:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9ZfI6H81mc&feature=youtu.be
http://www.whufsd.com/schools/west_hempstead_high_school
College Applications: Seniors!
If you have not done so already, please let your school counselor know the colleges you are applying to. The College Check list must be completed and submitted to your counselor at least two weeks before the application deadline.
On-Sites:
This year, all college visits will be done virtually through your Naviance account. Please click the link below to learn how to register for a college visit. College visit dates will be posted outside the School Counseling Office. *All visits will take place between 3:30 PM - 7:00 PM.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xI0KQBj8ty_CCIboGTfyRSiXFyl00eG4/view
Money, Money, Money $$$:
Life after high school can be pricey and there is plenty of opportunities to receive free money to ease the financial burden of college. The scholarship bulletin is posted on the WHHS website, and is updated on a regular basis. The scholarship bulletin is updated throughout the school year. There are many free scholarship websites to find the money you need for your higher education.
http://www.whufsd.com/schools/hs_guidance_scholarships
http://www.whufsd.com/schools/whhs_guidance
https://pages.collegeboard.org/scholarship-opportunities-from-collegeboard
CSS Profile is requested by many private colleges. Click on the link for the list of universities who need this completed:
https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/
It is important to be knowledgeable of the different scholarship programs available to high school students.
Need Based Scholarships: Money awarded based on financial need; as demonstrated on the FASA. Please contact the financial aid office directly at the college or university for any financial aid questions you may have.
Merit Based Scholarships: Money awarded based upon academic achievement during high school. Generally, no additional work is required and notification comes with (or shortly after) the admissions offer.
College Based Scholarships: Money awarded by a specific college. Many competitive college award money based on additional requirements that are fulfilled on separate scholarship applications.
General College Scholarships: Many organizations offer scholarship money based upon a variety of factors. Each scholarship will require a separate application with varying degrees of additional work.
Extra Help! All teachers have extra help days and times. This information is posted on the high school website. This is a wonderful opportunity to received academic support, or even ask your teachers the questions you many not feel comfortable asking in class. Remember, you should have questions ready to discuss with your teacher. Click on the link below for a list of extra help times:
http://www.whufsd.com/Assets/WHHS_Links/092320_Office_Hours_2020-2021.pdf?t=637364556164730000
- Kids should be active for at least one hour every day. Encourage your child to participate in a sport or an active hobby. This will help with their physical and social development.
- Kids need to have the hygiene talk. Approach this gently, but a light-hearten approach can help.
- Many middle school students experience an increase in appetite but at times don't always make the best food choices. Make breakfast a normal part of the family routine as well as healthy snacks.
- Prioritize your evening meal as a family whenever possible. This has benefits for beyond healthy eating habits. Conversation over dinner is a great way to stay connect to your children.
- Keep the lines of communication open is critical. Ask specific questions such as "what did you learn in science class today"? or "Tell me one thing that made you happy today".
- Young adolescents need plenty of sleep! Have limits on all electronic devices.
- Arrange for a specific time and place to complete school work. Help your child develop their organizational skills.
Remember you child is changing, and so will your relationship with them.
Why Middle School Matters:
The "in between" years. This what middle school is often regarded as before student enter high school. However, in today's education landscape, this mindset needs to change. The years in middle school and the transition into high school have become increasingly important in preparing students for high school in beyond with the knowledge, confidence and grit they need to excel.
In middle school, student being to contextualize their learning. At this phase, student not only continue to build a strong foundation of knowledge in many different disciplines, but also learn how to apply that information fuel their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Knowledge becomes a tool they can use to make connections between different subjects. Middle school aims to prepare students for high school and higher level learning by helping them hone in on specific skills that they will carry with them throughout their lives. This means building effective study and organizational skills, learning how to plan, managing their workload and extracurricular activities, and maintaining a great work ethic.
First Quarter Completed:
With the first quarter completed, you have time to make any changes to you study habits or homework routine, if you need for the rest of the school year. There are academics supports in place to help students: Teachers' extra help, and Tutor.com (free though the West Hempstead Public Library). Extra help is a fantastic way to receive additional academic support, and reinforce topics learned in class. Talk to you school counselor for tips to become better organized, and manage your time with your responsibilities both in school and out of school.
Beginning of the Year Check Ins:
The school counselors have been meeting with their student individually for the beginning of the year meetings. This gives counselors the opportunity to explore how students are doing socially, emotionally and academically.
Naviance/Family Connection:
Students are going to be introduced in the upcoming months to the Naviance/Family Connection- online program. There are a variety of components to this program, which students will learn about from 7th through 12th grade. Naviance will help students explore their learning styles, and career exploration during their middle school years. Students will continue to use this program in high school for college process, and planning their future goals after high school.
Elementary School
It's never too early to start good school habits for students to use throughout their education. These are some study skills and tips:
* Allow yourself several days to prepare and study for a test. Do not leave studying until the night before!
* Study in a space where you can be most focused and productive in your home or elsewhere.
* Make sure this space is organized and has basic school supplies like pens, pencils, erasers, paper, a calculator, etc.
* Make sure you have all your class notes, books, study guides, and other relevant material in the space, too
* Use review sheets provided by your teachers to guide your studying.
* Go to extra help sessions or seek your teacher’s assistance if you are unclear about certain concepts.
* Pay particular attention to clues in class prior to a test. For example, when a teacher does the following, you should take note:
* Says something more than once
* Writes material on the board
* Indicates that it’s “really important to know this material.”
* Make flashcards using index cards with important concepts or words on one side and a corresponding explanation or definition on the other. Make sure you shuffle the cards when studying. An alternative is to use a flashcard website like www.quizlet.com (it has a free smartphone app too) or an app like Flashcards*.
* Reread your notes from class with a purpose. In other words, synthesize in your head or on paper how all the concepts fit together. Try making the material relevant to you – associate it with things you already know or have learned about.
* Read your notes out loud. Some people remember things best when they hear them.
* If you choose to study in a group, try to study only with others who are serious about the test.
* When studying, take short breaks somewhat frequently. Often, your memory will retain the information that you study at the beginning and at the end better than what you study in the middle.
Fall Final Thoughts
Please contact Mrs. Angela Sigmon (School Counselor-newsletter editor), if there are topics or resources you would like to see in our upcoming newsletter in three months.
Angela Sigmon- School Counselor
West Hempstead Middle School and High School
(516)390-3230
