8th Grade

The first week is one of the easiest and also one of the most difficult for our students. In most of their heads, summer was over weeks ago, as they were anxious to meet up with friends and see what’s up with their schoolmates and classes. The apparent chaos of schedule handouts was made much easier by our wonderful parent volunteers, and by this time, the 8th graders knew the drill; it went pretty smoothly.

In Seattle schools, most middle school counselors are still assigned the non-counseling duty of organizing and adjusting schedules. Some day, this will change, but in the meantime, I will be busy the next week or two getting TA’s scheduled, fixing glitches, and answering the many student and parent requests to change a schedule in a system that is unbelievably interlocked and complicated. “You can ask for anything, but you will only get something.” Remember, it’s just middle school, and we will make sure your student gets the best education we can provide.

Pleae do contact me if you have questions or concerns (check the FAQ area of this site first), and I will get back to you as soon as I can. For now, sit back and be there when your student comes home excited (or pensive); the beginning of the school year is a great time to begin a habit of conversation.

Welcome back to school 8th grade Jr. Huskies.  The 8th grade class has done a great job these past four weeks.  The new students have done a terrific job of being flexible and open to their new adjustment and they have transitioned very smoothly.  The returning students have been doing a wonderful job of helping the new students’ transition.  We are all working together to make this 8th grade year successful and fun for every 8th grade student.  To ensure that all 8th graders meet their ultimate level of success, we suggests that you check source on a regular basis, use your planners on a daily basis and develop a time-management routine for homework.  If you need additional support, please communicate with your teachers as well as your Counselor.  I look forward to seeing 8th Grade have a terrific year.

All 7th and 8th grade students new to Washington Middle School this coming school year are welcomed and encouraged to come to a New Student Orientation on Tuesday, September 1, from 10:00 am to noon, in the WMS lunchroom. Meet other students, ask your questions, find out important information about Washington, meet staff members, take a tour. Yes, there will be snacks!

This is a great chance to get a feel for the school and staff before everyone else arrives with you at the start of school on September 9. We warmly invite you to attend to event!

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!