Counselor News

Check out the first  9 weeks Counselor Newsletter. 

Welcome Back

Welcome Back CCMS!  By now you  have probably gotten into the school routine; getting up early, going to bed early, homework, after school activities, etc.  Can you believe that we are already at the half way point for the first 9 weeks?

That means we are at a good place to stop and reflect!  Hows is your year going?  Are you meeting your AR Goal?  Are you making progress on study island, Reading Plus, and Lexia?  Are you  meeting the goals you have set for your self in each of your classes?  

If you answered NO to any of these questions, its not to late to make a change!  Now is the time to develop good work habits, study habits, and a work ethic that will follow you throughout this year as well as life.  

What can you do to be more successful at school?
*  Study nightly, don't wait until the night before the test
*  Listen intently during class
*  Ask Questions, don't be afraid to ask for help
*  Attend tutoring
*  Stay Organized 
*  Use the resources on your teacher webpages and google classroom sites

Remember we are "building a beast", and that beast is only possible when we all give 110%. 

5th Grade Video

Thanks to Micah Coverstone, freshman at CCHS, for creating this video for our incoming 6th graders.  He did an excellent job!!

Click HERE to see the video created by this talented young producer.

COUNTDOWN TO KPREP

The countdown is on to what we have been working towards all year.  Only 9 school days before our students begin the state KPREP test.  All year have expected the extraordinary, and we still believe that this group of students can reach the extraordinary. 

Parents we need your help to get your child ready for testing the week of May 18th.  Please take time to check out some of these test taking tips with your child.  

Test Taking Tips for Middle Schools

More Test Taking Strategies

 

Incoming 6th Graders Visit CCMS

The incoming 6th graders visited CCMS Thursday and enjoyed an introduction video, tasty refreshments, and a presentation by some of CCMS finest young adults about life at CCMS. 

We are so excited to welcome the new 6th graders to the CCMS family in August!  

Clubs, Clubs, and more Clubs

  Eighth graders are currently working through a transition course to help them be more prepared for high school, as well as laying the foundation to help them be successful as the make the move to Cumberland County High School. As part of this transition process CCHS club representatives visited CCMS to discuss with the clubs that CCHS offers. 

VISIT TO CCES

CCMS faculty and administration met with the incoming 6th graders to begin preparing for the transition to middle school.  CCMS is excited to to get to know the newest members of the CCMS family. 

CCMS TOPS READER

Congratulations to Shelby for achieving 621.9 AR points for the 2014-2015 school year.  During literacy month she attained 251 points alone. For her hard work, Shelby was rewarded with 2 new books of her choice.  Great job Shelby!!

Congratulations are in order...

Congratulations to Grace Alexander  and Bailey Willis for being selected to represent Cumberland County in the 2015  Rogers Explore summer program.   

The Center for Rural Development’s Rogers Explorers program helps rising ninth-grade students interested in science, math, and technology start the journey toward careers in those in-demand career fields.
Rogers Explorers spend three days and two nights on campus at some of Kentucky’s top colleges and universities, where experts will guide participants through hands-on assignments, all of which encourage creative thinking and teamwork and build leadership skills.
The program, presented tuition-free to students within The Center’s 45-county primary service area, is hosted in partnership with the University of the Cumberlands, Lindsey Wilson College, Eastern Kentucky University, and Morehead State University.

For more information about Rogers Explorers visit  www.centeryouthprograms.com.

The Big Transition to High School

Students from CCHS met with 8th graders to help them prepare for the move to Cumberland County High School.  This transition process will continue with a visit to CCHS later this year.  

Dream Out Loud Challenge

Attention 6th graders!! How would you like to earn $1500 for college, and an additional $500 for CCMS?

If you answered yes, then here is your opportunity.  You can participate in the After College I Will.. competition.  This competition is for 6th graders only.  You can enter an original drawing, video, essay, or poem that addresses how you will change the world after college.  For more information and the rules of this competition click HERE.

 

Make it a great day or not... The choice is yours!

Career Cafe

The first ever Career Café at CCMS is off to a terrific start.  Career Café is an opportunity for students to enjoy lunch and speak with professionals from various occupational backgrounds to explore a variety of careers.  Thus far students have enjoyed the café with professionals from the Health Field, and the Vocational field.  A special thanks to Dr. Loy's office, Mr. David Morgan, and Mr. Emory Messenger for volunteering their time and expertise. 

If you haven't yet participated in Career Café there is still time.  Three more cafe's will be provided for the student body of CCMS.  Next Friday February 6th will be the field of Education, Friday February 13th will area of Law, and February 27th will how to start your own business.   Sign up sheets are located on my office door.  Spots are limited to 30 students each week. 

 

Make it a GREAT DAY or not... the choice is yours!!!

MOST DANGEROUS APPS FOR TEENS

Check this out!  

9 MOST DANGEROUS APPS FOR TEENS

Are these apps on your student's phone?  Something to think about...
Make it a great day or not... the choice is yours!

Bullying Part 2

Check out these alarming statistics!  

In the digital world in which we live it is vital that we monitor what our children are doing on their personal devices. There are several tools out there to help parents monitor their students cell phone use. Click the links below to learn more about some motioning tools available to parents.

My Mobile Watch Dog

TeenSafe

Web Watcher

MM Guardian

Make it a great day or not... the choice is yours!

Bullying: Alarming Statistics

Bullying seems to be a growing problem among middle school age students.  Think about some of the following statistics:

*  160,000 students stay home from school each day from
    fear of bullying.

*  40% of students report being bullied at school.

*  Victims of bullying are 9 times more likely to consider

    suicide than non-victims according to

    a study conducted by Yale University.

*  43% of kids have been bullied online and more than half of

    them will not tell their parents.

 

 

 

So what can parents do to help?  Look for the warning signs.  Signs such as:

* coming  home with torn, damaged, or missing pieces of clothing, books, or other belongings  

* have unexplained cuts, bruises, and scratches from fighting

* have few, if any, friends with whom he or she spends time

* seem afraid of going to school, walking to and from school,

   riding the school bus, or taking part in organized activities

   with

* peers (such as clubs or sports)

* take a long, "illogical" route when walking to or from school

* lose interest in school work or suddenly begin to do poorly 

   in school

* appear sad, moody, teary, or depressed when he or she

   comes home

* complain frequently of headaches, stomachaches, or other

   physical problems

* have trouble sleeping or frequent bad dreams

* experience a loss of appetite

* appear anxious and suffer from low self-esteem

 

 

If you ever feel that your student or any student at CCMS is being bullied contact me or call the school.  Together, parents, faculty, and students can put an end to bullying at CCMS.

Make it a great day or not... the choice is yours!

How to make the most of Christmas Break with your Student...

Christmas break is here!  Students, teachers, and parents are all excited about a 2 week break from test, study guides, homework, ball practice, and anything else school related!!  It's a time to rest, relax, eat, and enjoy Christmas with our family and friends.   But, don't get so caught up in the rat race of Christmas that you forget to enjoy some quality time with your child making memories that they will forever remember. There are a number of inexpensive activities that you can do as a family to enjoy quality time together and give to those less fortunate.

1.  Make homemade ornaments to decorate the 
     Christmas tree
2.  Play board games/card games as a family
3.  Attend a free church/community Christmas play
4.  Cook your favorite desert together and enjoy the treat with
     an old Christmas movie at home
5.  Visit elderly relatives or neighbors that will have no
      visitors this Holiday Season.
6.  Exercise together
7.  Visit residents in the nursing home and brighten their day
8.  Make and mail Christmas cards to family and friends
9.  Visit the local library, check out a good book, and read
      together.  (This will give you a head start  
      on the 3rd AR Goal period.)
10.  Make your favorite arts and crafts together
11.  Play a game of basketball,  Who cares if its cold outside?
12.   Look through old pictures and reflect on some of your
        favorite family memories
13.  Surf the web together and plan a dream vacation, then
        start saving!
14.  Create a family bucket list and then start marking it off
15.  Go hunting together

Below are some links with additional ideas to make your family Christmas break extra special!  Remember it doesn't take lots of money to have a great Christmas, only time together with you family.

Christmas Charades
Christmas Traditions for your Family
Christmas Memory Makers
25 days of Christmas

So get to making memories... Make it a great day or not...the choice is yours!

ILP Parent Involvement

7th grade students have been vigorously working on completing their Individual Learning Plans and exploring different college and career options.  Now parents, its your turn to get in on the fun.  You should have received a letter in the mail with instructions and an access code so to view your student's ILP.  Please log on to your students ILP and view their progress thus far.  Please post any comments, concerns, or questions that you may have about the ILP. 

If you need assistance feel free to contact me. 

Happy Thanksgiving

This Thursday, people all across this county, and country will gather around the table and eat entirely too much turkey, dressing, and cranberry salad.  :)  But let us not forget to give thanks for the many people, things, and blessings that we have.  

I have so much to be thankful for that it would be completely impossible to list them all.  A few of the blessings that I'm thankful for are my loving energetic children, my kind parents, my fantastic health, and that I live in the greatest nation on earth and can choose to worship as I choose.  

Middle school students often get caught up in what they see as "unfortunate circumstances" of life.  Focusing on such negative situations or ideals can greatly effect the students attitude, academic progress, and even their physical health.  Not only is the student effected by failure to see all the "good" things in life, but the family atmosphere and makeup is also drastically effected.   This Thanksgiving, and everyday, I encourage you and your children to share with each other the many, or few, things that you are thankful for and remember to daily focus on the blessings that you have been given.  

Make it a great Thanksgiving or not... the choice is yours!!!

DRIVE OF YOUR LIFE

Who doesn't love a new car that is completely loaded and customized, just like you wanted?  Just like you can customize your own car, you can also customize your own life.  Customizing your future begins with a solid education, planning, preparation, and exploration. 

DRIVE YOUR OWN LIFE, is a neat resource that boys especially, would enjoy to help them to begin thinking about their future career.  Remember, its your life so "customize" it to be what you want it to be.

Make it a great day or not.... the choice is yours!
Mrs. Nathalie

Welcome

Welcome to the CCMS Counselor's Corner! 

I am very excited to be the new Guidance Counselor at CCMS.  I have worked in the education field for 14 years, and fulfilled a variety of role.  However, as counselor I have been given the opportunity and privilege of working with students in small groups, individually, and in the classroom to help them develop socially, academically, and personally.

Throughout the course of the year I will work with students on a wide range of developmental needs such as  goal setting, career aspirations, social probelms that middle schoolers face, transition obstacles, bullying, and career awareness.

It is my goal to make a positive difference in the life of every student that walks through the doors of CCMS.  I want students to know that my door is always open, I have your best interest at heart, and you can count on me to be your biggest advocate. 

This blog will be used as a hub to inform, educate, and share with the parents and students of CCMS the latest news from the Guidance Counselors office, so check here often to see the latest news and activities from the guidance office. 

Make it a great day or not.... the choice is yours. 
Mrs. Nathalie