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Tappan Zee High School Guidance Department:  Freshmen Packet Class of 2015

On January 15th, 2009 the SOMS school psychologists and guidance counselors were on hand for the PTA meeting to give a presentation on 'The Middle School Years'.  It was a continuation of a coffee-chat that was given to parents in the fall.  Julianna Michael and Steve Sawitsky (School Psychologists) and Trish Iannucci, Siobhan Maiorano and Karen Martin (Guidance Counselors) were on hand to discuss the new behaviors, thoughts and actions that parents could expect from their children as they enter middle school.  The presentation began with a quick movie to introduce the information, and then a PowerPoint presentation was given by all the members.  The information was also recorded onto a podcast, which followed the presentation.

Assessment Schedule for 2011/2012                     

SOMS Guidance Staff 2011/2012

Response to Intervention Program
Students sometimes have difficulty achieving success in courses, finals, etc. at the middle school level. We have a program called Response to Intervention (RTI). The team of teachers, the student, the parent, the RTI chairperson, and the guidance counselor will create a plan to address the needs of the student. Each plan will be customized based on the individual student’s needs and will be coordinated by the RTI chairperson and an RTI teacher. Our goal is to increase student success. There is a direct correlation between student success in middle school and their future success in high school; therefore, the time for change is now. Additional information will be distributed to the family if any student who needs this type of help. Please contact your child’s guidance counselor for additional information.
 

Transition from Grade 5 (CLE) to Grade 6 (SOMS)
The counselors at SOMS and the staff at Cottage Lane work closely together to ensure that the transition from fifth grade to the middle school is as smooth as possible. Transition activities include students coming to SOMS for a tour and the “lock lesson” with SOMS counselors during the Spring of 5th grade. In late August, students are invited to Locker Day, where they can come in, find, decorate and leave supplies in their locker.
 

Transition from Grade 8 (SOMS) to Grade 9 (TZHS)
The SOMS and TZHS Guidance Departments work together to make sure your child's transition from Middle to High School is smooth. Details on the schedule of orientation events and activities will be posted shortly.
 

Assessment Schedule for the 2011-2012 School Year

NYS Science Assessment  (Performance and Written) - Grade 8

The Grade 8 Science Written Assessment contains multiple choice, short response, and extended response questions.  The Performance test (given prior to the Written Assessment) will assess student skills in using hands-on equipment and materials.

Important Information about the 2012 NY State ELA & Math Assessments

The 2012 Grades 3-8 English Language Arts Tests are comprised of four books per grade and will be administered in two days. On Tuesday, April 17, Books 1 and 2 will be administered and on Wednesday, April 18, Books 3 and 4 will be administered.

The 2012 Grades 3-8 Mathematics Tests are comprised of three books per grade and will also be administered over two days. On Monday, April 23, Books 1 and 2 will be administered and on Tuesday, April 24, Book 3 will be administered.

Group Counseling
A variety of counseling groups are offered through the guidance department. Group counseling provides a unique learning opportunity for students that can help them develop strategies and coping skills to better handle problems they may encounter at school or at home. The groups are facilitated by counselors and allow students the opportunity to discuss issues affecting them with their peers in a safe environment. Groups are based on students’ interests and concerns and include:

• Family Changes (separation, divorce, remarriage)

• Bereavement

• Social Skills and Friendship

• Academic Success Skills

• Choices and Making Decisions

Individual Counseling
Meeting individually with a guidance counselor is an option for every SOMS student. Counselors can offer insight and assistance to students in areas related to academic concerns, friends, school, family, and more. Counselors send out passes to meet with all students periodically throughout the year. However, if a problem arises, don’t wait for a pass! Come to the guidance office and make an appointment to speak with your counselor. Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s guidance counselor at any time to discuss their concerns and to request their child have an appointment with their counselor.

Classroom Guidance Lessons
Guidance Counselors visit classrooms throughout the school year to deliver various character education lessons. During your child’s 8th grade year, counselors also visit classrooms to discuss scheduling for TZHS. Group discussions and activities in the classroom are also facilitated when teachers and administration feel that it would be beneficial to the students.

Absentee Assignment Policy
In the event of an extended absence due to illness, please call the Guidance Office at 680-1106 to request assignments. The Guidance secretaries will be happy to put out a homework request for your child. Teachers have 24 hours from the time of request to submit assignments for pick up. Parents/Guardians can pick up these assignments in the Guidance Office. The student needs to be absent at least two school days in order for a formal request to be honored.

Assignments will not be provided in advance if a student is taking extended vacation time. In the case of a brief period of absenteeism, students should call a classmate for assignments. There is a page available in the student handbook to place classmates’ phone numbers for each subject area. Students are encouraged to have at least two contacts per subject area written in their student handbook from the start of the school year. Parents/Guardians should check their child’s student handbook to ensure their child obtained this information.

Weekly Progress Report Policy
Weekly Progress Report Contract

Weekly Progress Reports are available for those students who are failing, or are in danger of failing more than one subject area.  Progress reports can be requested by the parent/guardian, teacher, and/or counselor.  

In an effort to promote student responsibility for their own school work, we have enforced a specific policy on weekly reports, if requested.  Please be advised that weekly reports should be no means take the place of the student’s responsibility to write assignments in their student handbook nightly.  They are also not meant for students to make up a week’s worth of work over a weekend.

If a report is requested, the guidance department now enforces time frames for weekly reports to be obtained, by grade level:

If the parent/guardian is still not seeing progress, they should contact their child’s guidance counselor.  Together, they will set up different strategies that could be helpful in their child’s success in school. 

Should a weekly progress report be requested, the parent/guardian should pick up a “Weekly Progress Report Contract,” available in the Guidance Office.  This contract explains the responsibilities of the Guidance Counselor, Teacher, Parent and Student in this process, as well as information on how the reports will be picked up weekly.  In order for weekly progress reports to begin (for the time frame allotted per grade level) this contract must be signed.  Your child’s counselor will be happy to further explain this contract.