8th Grade

Hey 8th Graders and parents/guardians,

As the Mid-Winter break is winding down, I’m hoping that you students had a great week off, and that you parents/guardians were able to spend some quality time with your kiddos! 

A couple of things that I wanted to share:

1.  Washington Middle School was selected by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in the annual National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).  WMS is among hundreds of other middle schools around the country participating in an assessment of what 8th grade students know and can do in various subject areas.  Assessment data is captured and made into a report called “The Nation’s Report Card,” which helps educators and policy makers shape the way education is practiced in the United States.  Ninety WMS 8th graders were randomly selected to be assessed in either math, reading or science.  The assessment will take place Wednesday the 25th of February, between 8:00 and 9:30 AM.  I had a chance to meet with about 80 of those students on February 11th, to notify them that they were selected to pareticipate in the assessment, and to give them parent/gaurdian notification letters to give to you,so that you’ll understand what this assessment is all about.  Students can opt out if they want—I just need a note signed by a parent/gaurdian.  If you have any questions about the NAEP assessment, please call me at 206-252-2614, or email me at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

2.  The Washington State Department of Ecology Youth Corps is looking for hard working young people between the ages of 14 and 17, who want to help clean the environment and earn money this summer.  The Ecology Youth Corps has no income, academic or previous work experience requirements.  There is an application process that students need to follow—they can get one from me directly, or from the following website:  http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/eyc/nwro.html.  For those students who really care about the environment, this could be a great summer opportunity.

Again, I hope your week off was fun, exciting, and restful.  See you Monday!!

Mr. Goldstein

Hey 8th Graders and parents/guardians,

I have a few questions to ask you.

Students:  Do you sometimes struggle with how to study for an assignment or a test?  Do you sometimes get a wee bit disorganized around time management and prioritization when it comes to studying?

Parents/guardians:  Do you sometimes wonder how you can support your child’s academic and emotional growth in more effective ways?

It’s been my experience, that learning how to study takes time and practice.  It’s not an easy thing to do, especially with all of the distractions that get us off task on a daily basis.  Examining the myriad of different strategies about how to study well, deserves a conversation between students/parents and the appropriate school personnel that can best help out.  However, there are also many different on-line resources that have great ideas around this topic. 

Heather Hoffacker, one of Washington’s LA/SS teachers recently shared with our faculty three on-line study skills resources that I think offer excellent and practical ways of teaching students how to do homework efficiently, study for tests, organize time, and reduce procrastination.  These websites are:

http://how-to-study.com/
http://www.scholastic.com/kids/homework/
http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/school/time/

I invite you—students and parents/guaridans, to take a look at what these websites have to offer.  I think you’ll find something in any one of them that can help you become a better student, and a better supporter of your child’s academic and emotional growth.

As always, if you have questions or concerns that you’d like to talk with me about, please call me at 206-252-2614, or e-mail me at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).  I look forward to hearing from you.

Now, go do your homework!

Mr. Goldstein

Hey 8th Graders and parents/guaridans,

For those who don’t know, Seattle Public Library has ONLINE HOMEWORK HELP available.  Go to http://www.spl.org, choose “Homework Help” and then “Online Homework Help.” You may log in with your SPL card number and PIN.  Also, at area library branches, young adult librarians have set up afterschool homework clubs.  You can find out this information as well, on the Seattle Public Library website.  From what I’ve heard, parents and students rave about these services.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please call me at 206-252-2614, or e-mail me at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Thanks,
Corey

Hey 8th graders!

Have any of you ever thought about how much you’d like to go to college, but wonder if your family could afford it?  Well, now there’s some help.  A special program from the state of Washington called the College Bound Scholarship, helps families supplement the costs of college to those students who qualify.  First, you’ve got to be either a 7th or 8th grade student to apply.  Second, you’ve got to apply for a College Bound Scholarship by June 30, 2009.  Third, you got to maintain a 2.0 GPA from the 8th grade until you graduate from high school.  Fourth, you got to be considered a “good citizen” by State of Washington standards.  This means behaving with respect and civility in school and in the community, and not getting in trouble with the law.  Fifth, your family must meet the family income requirements defined by Washington State.  And lastly, you’ve got to submit a financial aid application called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) during your senior year in high school.  That’s it!  That’s what you have to do to get some help paying for college.  I think it’s a great program put on by the State of Washington to help students get to college.  The rest of up to you! 

If you and/or your family have any questions about this program, come by Mr. Goldstein’s office (105) for more information, or go to the College Bound website to apply.  Their website is http://www.hecb.wa.gov/collegebound.  You may also contact the College Bound staff by calling 1-888-535-0747, or e-mailing them at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).  Good luck!

Mr. Goldstein
206-252-2614

Hey 8th Graders,

On Thursday, September 25th, from 6:00-8:30 pm at the Rainier Community Center, the Independent School Fair for People of Color will conduct a fair that will give you and your family the opportunity to get information on various independent high schools in the Puget Sound region.  Lakeside School, The Bush School, Annie Wright School, and Eastside Catholic are just a few examples of schools that will be represented.  By participating in this school fair, you’ll be able to learn how to apply to these schools, discover available financing resources, and understand common issues facing families of current independent school students and parents/guardians of color.  The event is free.  The Rainier Community Center’s address is 4600 38th Ave. S., Seattle, 98118.  If you have questions about this event, see me at school, or call me at 206-252-2614.

Thanks,
Mr. Goldstein

Hey Jr. Husky 8th Graders and parents/guardians,
It’s been two weeks since the start of the 2008-2009 school year, and my counseling world is as busy as can be.  Learning about the culture of Washington Middle School while trying to remember as many names and faces of my 8th graders, has certainly kept my time well occupied!  Not to mention all of the scheduling changes I’ve made to help get new and returning students into the right classes.  But it’s all good for this new school counselor!
My first few days at Washington Middle School have been terrific.  The students can’t be beat for their respect towards me and their enthusiasm for being back at school.  Yeah, it’s probably quite true that some students miss those nice summer mornings of sleeping in until noon—I did when I was in middle school.  But even those few students’ attitudes are positive and upbeat.  What more can a counselor ask for?
I look forward to meeting all of my students—whether it’s in the lunch room, in the halls, and/or in my office, to talk about academic and life issues.  I also look forward to meeting parents and guardians at events such as The Bite of Washington and parent conferences.  I’ve had the honor of meeting quite a few parents/guardians already, and I appreciate how committed you are toward your child’s educational process.
Please don’t hesitate to call me if you have a questions or concerns—if I can’t answer something for you, I’ll find someone who can.  My office number is 206-252-2614, and my e-mail address is (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). 
Hope to see you and hear from you soon!