Frequently asked questions and About the Guidance Staff

About the Guidance Staff

The guidance staff consists of a psychologist, a school counselor, and social worker who are here to serve their students in many different ways. In addition to keeping student files updated, the School Counselor assists with scheduling and orientation. All students may meet with a counselor at any time.

Students and parents are encouraged to contact the guidance staff any time they have questions about scheduling and/or placement, or if they are concerned about academic performance, psychological or social issues. The guidance office can also provide parents with information about resources for a variety of special needs. This may include summer programs, accelerated programs, contacting tutors, academic support, counseling resources, mentoring, peer mediation, Tech Valley High School and the John Hopkins Talent search. Decisions made during the middle school years often affect a student's high school scheduling.

Parents, students and the school personnel should be partners in the decision making process. The guidance staff is available to help students sort through the many options and pressures of the 21st Century. They are here to help students learn how to be good decision-makers, how to communicate, how to solve problems and ultimately to value their individual skills and abilities.

Frequently asked Questions:

1. How can I be sure that my child gets off to the best start in middle school?

	Make sure that your student has the needed supplies and materials for starting middle school. A list of recommended supplies is listed on the Guidance Web Page for both 7th grade, and 8th grade.
	Next be sure your child has an organizational system that works for him or her. Think back to the systems their elementary teachers used. Which one did you and your child find the most helpful, and the easiest to remember. Discuss this with your child.
	Make a plan to review their homework/planner/take home folder each evening.
	Keep up with it all year, your child will follow your lead.
	Show him or her you are interested in his or her success and they will be more interested in their own success.
	If you have concerns or would like more input contact your student's teachers.

2. How do I contact my child's teacher? Establishing and maintaining frequent contact with your child's teacher is the best way to keep track of how your child is doing in middle school. You can keep in touch with our teachers in one of several ways.

	The first step would be to write a note in your student's planner. Please include how you would like the teacher to contact you in return.
	You may call the main office, and leave a message for your child's teacher. Please make sure you leave the best way for them to contact you in return.
	You are always welcome to contact your teacher's voice mail directly. A staff directory is maintained on the district web page at http://www.catskillcsd.org/middle/ .
	The homework hotline should be up an running once students return to school. This information is listed in the staff directory.
	Several middle school teachers have set up web pages listing their weekly homework, test schedule, and project outlines. http://www.catskillcsd.org/middle/index/cmsteacherpages
	All middle school teachers maintain an email account which is available for parents to access. Please consult the staff directory for this information.
	Written notes from parents are always welcome. Please include information on the best way for teachers to contact you, both during the day, and in the evening. Please keep in mind that e-mail may be most convenient and accessible for some teachers.
	You are certainly always welcome to call Mrs. Duncan or Mrs. Smith in the guidance office, to get a message, or e-mail to your Child's teachers.

3. How do I know what my child gets for grades or assignments.?

	The best way to know what your student should be doing is to ask. Each student is given a planner at the beginning of the school year. They should bring home their planner each night with homework assignments written in it.
	Next you may want to contact the teacher, which you can do initially on Parent Teacher night. Be sure to ask how and how often homework, and projects will be assigned. Then continue to sit down with your child, and look through their back pack or planner with them.

4. What do I do if I think my child is struggling?

	If you child tells you he did his or her homework in study hall, this may or may not be the whole story. 7th grade students will only have a study hall every other day for 1 semester. 8th grade students should be doing at least 1/2 hour of homework a night, once we reach the 5 week mark.
	Review your student's 5 week progress report. If any of the comments read, "missing assignments", "homework not completed", then you know the work is not being finished, or is not being handed in to the teachers. Also if your student has any failing marks a teacher parent conference is recommended.
	Continue to monitor your student's progress every 5 weeks. Students often do best in the first 10 weeks, after summer vacation. Poor marks may not show up until 2nd quarter.
	We recommend you call the guidance office at 518-943-5665 to schedule a parent teacher conference as soon as you have concerns about your student's progress. You will have the opportunity to speak with each of your child's teachers to hear where they are being successful and where they need to work harder.
	We have found that when parents and teachers work together we can provide the best assistance to our students, and can keep them on track for moving up to high school.

5. What if I find out my child is failing?

	First let your child know you are aware of the situation, and plan to get involved to help them to do their best.
	Please call to set up a parent teacher conference as soon as possible.
	If your schedule does not allow for a day time conference, please establish e-mail or phone contact with your child's teachers right away.
	Contact the guidance office to discuss the following options:
	Have your child stay after school for extra help. We often see that the difference for some students in passing or failing, is simply spending an extra half hour with their teachers.
	Have your child meet with the guidance counselor to learn, or refresh his or her study skills.
	Contact the guidance office to sign your student up for an academic contract. This is a contract that the parent, student and counselor sign, outlining the student's plan for success over the next 5 weeks.
	Request that your child have his or her planner signed. This requires the student to write down each days assignment, then show it to the teacher, who will initial that the assignment is correct. If there is no assignment for that day, the student can write "none" and the teacher can initial this.
	Request that your child carry a weekly progress report. Students and parents may decide that a child needs to carry a weekly progress report, for up to 5 weeks. The is a special form, handed out on Thursdays. The student is responsible for bringing it to class with them. They hand it to their teachers at the beginning of the class, and the teacher writes the current progress, and other comments on the form. On Friday the student turns one copy into the guidance office, and brings the second copy home. The guidance office can assign one lunch detention for a late or missed progress report. However this system works best, if parents keep track to make sure that it is completed each Friday, and when the student gains a reward for completing the progress report properly each week.

6. What if I want to hire a tutor?

Parent are always welcome to hire private tutor's to assist their students will school work, or reviewing skills. The guidance office maintains a list of certified adults available to assist with this service. Parents are also welcome to hire someone they know. The school always recommends being present when the tutor is working with your child.

7. What if my child is having difficulty in other areas, besides grades?

The middle school has staff trained to help students in many areas of transition. We have a full time social worker, half time school psychologist, and several agency based clinical social workers to assist students in working through issues that interfere with their academic, social and emotional development. Please contact, the guidance office, or school social worker directly if you have questions about counseling assistance. Parent Resources Page

SUGGESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT OUR WEB PAGE: Please direct all comments and suggestions, or further questions to the Catskill Middle School Guidance office, care of Jean Duncan at jduncan@catskillcsd.org or 518-943-5665 x 5.

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