Arcola Weekly Update

We are at the half-way point in the first marking period! This is a great time for students to be meeting with their teachers, taking advantage of support in period 8, checking PowerSchool on a regular basis and staying current in their work. Please reach out to teachers or counselors if you need help.

We continue to work daily on acts of kindness, respect and healthy minds, bodies and souls! Let's stay the course and continue our journey to connect and find compassion for one another. We must take care of each other!

Thank you for your on-going support,

Dr. M

The school year is off to a great start despite the challenges of returning to in-person learning and your school counselors want you to know that we are here to help empower, encourage, and inspire your student!

Now that we are almost a month in the school year, are you looking for ways to help your child with studying, doing better on tests, or becoming a better reader/writer? We have a number of guides available here: https://www.parent-institute-online.com/ep/eplibrary.php?7328-L580929. Also check out the Counseling Resources page at: https://www.methacton.org/Page/478 for more information on a large number of topics such as ADHD, anxiety, study skills, and volunteering.

We have all been reading about the recent revelations that certain types of social media such as Instagram have been shown to affect the mental health of teenagers, particularly girls. Many of us also know first-hand that while social media is a great way to stay connected to people, it can also have a dark side. Have you wondered how you can protect your child from some of these adverse effects? Here is a link to an article that may help:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/peaceful-parenting/202110/3-ways-protect-children-the-dark-side-social-media

School counselors focus on helping students achieve academic success, college and career readiness and social/emotional development. In the career readiness domain, 8th Grade students have already received their first career lesson of the year in their English classes. Using the Naviance program, they learned more about John Holland’s vocational theory and how it relates to interests and personality, and that people who choose to work in an environment similar to their personality type are more likely to be successful and satisfied. They also spent time researching careers that fit their own personality type. October is Communicate with Your Kids Month, so asking about what they learned about themselves is a great way to start a conversation!

We are looking for Job Shadow volunteers! Arcola 8th graders will have the opportunity this year to shadow someone's career. This can be done in a way that makes the student, the student's family, and the volunteer comfortable such as Zoom, a phone call, or in-person. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the Google form below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfAp6osSsPUkiK4DNxNOeaxiOFdV4VPs2CdSjR7L-qFGuN3qQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

October 3rd marks the start of National Mental Illness Awareness Week and October 7th is National Depression Screening Day. Many pediatricians are now routinely screening for signs of depression in our youth. Do you remember whether your child’s pediatrician asked questions about his/her mental health during your last visit? As a parent/guardian, ask the pediatrician if they are routinely screening for depression during well visits. And if you have any concerns about depression in your student, reach out to his/her school counselor. We can assist with resources both in and out of school to help you figure out what to do next.

Attached to this newsletter is the October issue of Parents Still make the difference! newsletter focused on helping you improve your student’s success in school. Also attached is the October issue of Daily Learning Planner, a list of daily topics that will also help your student do well. We hope you enjoy both!

• There are no guest riders and no changing of buses at any time
• 8th grade students will be participating in the PAYS survey on 10/25 in advisory; information on this survey will be out on 10/11
• If you have not done so, please complete the following back to school forms: (Navigation Menu > Forms > General Forms) in the PowerSchool Parent Portal (https://powerschool.methacton.org/public/home.html):

1. Acknowledgements (for Student Handbook/Code of Conduct/Board Policies/Acceptable Use Policy)
2. Student Health Form Update
3. Emergency Contacts
4. Publicity Refusal Form 2021-2022 (K-12) /Release of Information (9-12 only)

• Mid-marking progress notes will be sent via email if your child has a 69% or below in any class
• Picture re-take day is 11/3
• Mask up on bus and in school and thank you for doing your health check each day