Goal Setting Here We Come!

As you know, our students receive quarterly grade cards in the middle school.  The grade card is a touch point about the student's academic progress.  The grade card is a source of feedback for our students and can be a very effective tool when our students know how to use it.  Recently in Advisory we have worked to improve our students' ability to read their grade cards and use them as a way to propel themselves forward in their growth as a scholar.

We began our first week back from Winter Break by asking students to predict what their grades would be, as well as what types of comments their teachers would include.  Then you may have noticed that students were emailed their grade cards last week after they were sent to parents.  This was done so students could examine them in their advisories.  Students were asked to reflect on their grade card by answering the following questions:

1. How did my predictions match up to my actual grade card?
2. What positive comments did I receive?
3. What were some areas suggested for me to work on improving?
4. How does the feedback on my grade card match with the student I strive to be?
5. In what ways did the feedback on my grade card surprise me?

Now we will return to our Character Self-Assessments completed in the fall.  Students will reflect on their school year thus far in terms of our 4 values: Respect, Compassion, Scholarship and Integrity.  In some areas they may find they have grown, or they may see a drop, perhaps they will even find they are remaining consistent.  We will use these self-reports, as well as their grade card reflections to be thoughtful about setting goals for the remainder of the school year.  We'll spend some time teaching students about how to set a goal and make a plan to see it through.  Together we'll track our progress toward our goals.  Goal setting is a skill and takes practice, but certainly once it is learned it can increase self-confidence and feelings of success.

To support students in some of their personal goals I will be offering 3 small group opportunities this semester.  Please let me know if you are interested in having your child participate.

• Stress Management - will meet on Mondays during Plus Period.  Casual environment to discuss current stressors, how to respond to stress and how to prevent stress from building up too much.  Specific strategies will be shared and students will be encouraged to come up with their own ideas too.
• Focusing on You - this group will examine the pressures that students face, including how to look, what to do, who to be friends with, etc. and talk about ways to calm those pressures and get to the root of figuring out who you are and what is best for you.  Strategies will be shared for having the courage to be true to yourself.  We will meet on Red Week Wednesdays during Plus Period
• Leadership for 6th Grade - I'm looking for students who want to learn about leadership, as well as give me feedback regarding an upcoming summer option for incoming 5th grade students.  This group will talk about working with others, problem solving, what makes a good leader, and understanding your own strengths and skills.  We will meet on Fridays during Plus Period.

As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions!