6th Grade

Every quarter I visit all my students in one of the core classes for about 20 minutes. I talk about topics or information I think will be helpful to them for the upcoming quarter, and i answer any questions they might have at that time. For the first quarter of 6th grade, I focused on what is “middle” about middle school school, and what the role of a school counselor is.

The students were quick to see that middle school isn’t just between elementary and high school, but also is “middle age” (their term) of their youth. I talked about them moving from the boys and girls of elementary school to the young men and women of high school.

I broke them into groups to brainstorm what a school counselor does. they focused on helping students with problems, and some were able to describe those problems in more detail. I did have to explain that scheduling is not a counseling duty, but merely us helping out administration, that we were not “cops,” that we had a lot of information to offer in addition to problem-solving, and that our main task is helping to clear away anything which gets in the way of the three goals that I have for each of them: challenge themselves academically and learn to learn well, become educated and skilled socially, especially with those different from you, and have fun: you’re still young, and life should not be all work and hardship.

WMS’s largest 6th grade ever is off to a fine start. Now in its 2nd full week, our 386 students are gradually coming to term with the building layout, lockers, teacher and class locations, dress and conduct codes, and where and when to hang out with their friends. After a full day orientation on the 7th, classes began on the 8th. We had a climate assembly in the gym this past week, giving the 6th graders an idea of our expectations and hopes for them over the next 3 years. Upcoming is a 6th-grade only get-acquainted dance in October, before our first school dance.

Many of you have already e-mailed, phoned, or visited me with questions and concerns. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions, and I’ll do my best to answer them with you.

The 2010-2011 School year is off to a great start.  The 6th grade students have been adjusting well to Middle School.  They are finding their classes, they are getting into their lockers, they are meeting new friends and most important, they seem to be having a blast.  The wonderful start to the school year will set the tempo for the rest of the school year.  We have some wonderful activities coming up to help students and families get even more acclimated into the Washington Middle School community.  We look forward to seeing all families at the Bite of Washington on September 27th.  We also look forward to seeing 6th grade students join our sports teams and after-school activities.  After school activities are just around the corner.  Students will have a chance to select after-school activities starting the last week of September.  I look forward to meeting all the 6th grade families.  Together, we can help our 6th grade students have a wonderful 1st year in Middle School.

Hi 6th Grade Junior Huskies!

Before we all get too consumed with our Thanksgiving preperations, I wanted to throw out two reminders.  The first reminder has to do with the two Advanced Learning test dates that are fast approaching.  The first test date is this Friday, November 20th, and the second date is Tuesday, November 24th.  Both test dates will start at 8:30 and end no later than 10:30.  The tests will be taken in our cafeteria.  The second reminder is about parent/teacher conferences.  These conferences will take place on back-to-back days—-Wednesday, December 2nd from 3-5pm, and Thursday, December 3rd, from 6-8pm.  These conferences are important times where parents/gaurdians can meet teachers and other school personnel (school counselors) to discuss the academic and behavioral progress of their students.  Please try and attend these meetings if you can!  The conferences will take place in our gym.

Thanks, and have a great Thanksgiving holiday!

Mr. Goldstein

Hey 6th Grade Junior Huskies!

It was great to see all of the creative and colorful costumes that our 6th graders wore last Friday before Halloween.  I loved seeing students dressed up as superheroes, insects, monsters and other wacky characters.  The Halloween dance was great fun too—-seeing all of our students having fun together was a highlight to the week!

A few things of importance are coming down the pike.  These include:

•  End of first quarter:  The end of the first quarter is November 6th.  Report cards should follow a week or two later.  Remember students—-that if you’re struggling in classes, there are tutoring options available to you.  There are tutors that can work with you during classes, after school through our H.O.S.T. program, or in the community at places like the Rotary and Rainier Vista Boys/Girls Club, and/or New Holly Community Center.  Ask Mr. Goldstein in room 105 for these resources if you need them.
•  Classes will be set at the end of the quarter:  When the quarter officially ends, no more class schedules will be changed.  I’ve been changing some schedules on an absolute need basis, but even that ends at the end of the quarter.  Please see Mr. Goldstein if you’re having trouble in a class even after the end of the quarter.  We’ll figure out a solution to any problem.
•  Advanced Learning testing:  The Advanced Learning test dates are out now.  They’ll cover two days—-Friday November 20th and Tuesday November 24th from 8:30—10:30 AM, in the cafeteria.  There is approximately 100 students at WMS who will be tested those two days—50 students each day.  I will hand deliver Request to Report slips each of those mornings to make sure students report to the test site in time.  Any questions about the Advanced Learning testing please see Mr. Goldstein in room 105.
•  Parent Conferences coming up soon:  The faculty of WMS voted recently to conduct parent/teacher conferences on Wednesday and Thursday, December 2nd and 3rd.  Times are still to be determined, so stay tuned!

I know that moving from elementary school to a bigger, new middle school environment has been hard on some of you.  There are some students who are still adjusting to these changes.  Don’t worry!!  It will get better with more practice being in the school environment, by getting involved in after school activities, and by having fun at events like our dances.  What many of you are experiencing are the challenges of a learning curve. But with more time and some patience, you will master the newness of being at Washington Middle School.  Please know that I’ll be happy to see you if you want and need some additional support.
Thanks everyone, and Happy Halloween!  (Boo!)
Mr. Goldstein

Hey 6th Grade Jr. Huskies!

Yes…so far the start of this school year has been a very good one indeed!  Activities and events that have helped contribute to this include:
  • Tours of WMS in late spring and summer:  These tours allowed 6th grade students and families to get acclimated to WMS, helping to ease the transition from elementary school into the middle school setting. 
  • The “Bite of Washington” night:  Hundreds of students and family members were able to network among themselves, meet WMS faculty, eat great food prepared by community vendors and parents, and watch the “Bite of Washington Olympics” in a packed and loud gymnasium.
  • Making classroom visits to the 6th Grade Science classes:  These visits were so fun!  I was able to introduce myself, describe to students what I do as their 6th Grade Counselor, and to introduce the idea of academic goal setting.  I taught the kids what S.M.A.R.T. goals were: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Rewarding and Time-oriented.  Ask your child what his or her academic S.M.A.R.T. goals are for this year.
  • Curriculum Night:  It was wonderful to see so many parents/guardians attend Curriculum Night last Thursday the 8th.  It proved to be a great way for folks to meet their child’s teachers, get an idea of how the school day flows, and to understand what goes on academically in their child’s class.  It was also a nice opportunity for me to meet parents/guardians of students that I’ve never met before.

Okay, so now what?  There are a few other fun and important activities and events coming up that 6 grade students and families need to know about.  These include:
  • The 6th Grade Dance:  The 6th Grade Dance will be held this Friday the 16th of October.  This dance gives 6th graders the unique opportunity to get to know what a middle school dance is like just between other 6th graders.  This gets them prepared for the first all school dance—the Halloween Dance on October 30th.  By the way, all school dances are conducted during a shortened academic day, so that students are still able to catch their school busses home.
  • 6 Grade Literature Night:  Teachers Melanie Olson and Laura Lehni along with librarian Laurie Amster-Burton will be meeting with 6th grade students and their parents/guardians to introduce reading strategies that will support student reading skills.  This event takes place this Thursday, October 15th from 5:30-8:00 in the Library.  Dinner will be served first and then the real fun begins! 
  • Testing for the Accelerated Progress Program:  Advanced Learning application forms for APP testing were due October 8th.  The test for WMS students will be held in our cafeteria, and will probably take place sometime in November.  However, the day and time are still to be announced. 
  • Parent/guardian-teacher conferences:  These conferences offer parents/guardians another great opportunity to meet their children’s teachers and to briefly discuss student progress.  The date and time of these conferences are still to be announced. 

In my opinion, it truly has been a wonderful start to the school year.  Many of you know that this is my second year at WMS—the first with 6th graders.  I look forward to working with my students, and you as their parents/guardians in a collaborative effort to build upon their academic and behavioral skill set.  Please call and/or email me whenever you have a question or concern about your child’s education.  That goes for you too students.  You can also call or email me if you need to.  My phone number is 206-252-2614 and my email address is (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).  Let’s have an outstanding school year together!

Thanks,
Corey Goldstein