Grade 8 September Advisory Update

Dear Families,

Starting the first week of school we began our Advisory program. Building on and practicing skills throughout the middle school years helps students become better able to use them. As in previous years, Advisory focuses on skills that will help students succeed in school and in life. These skills include:

• Empathy • Communication • Perspective taking • Respectful disagreement • Negotiation and compromise • Emotion management • Coping with stress • Goal setting

You play a vital role in helping your student develop strong social skills.  The focus of the lessons in September was on empathy and communication. Ask questions about the skills they are learning, such as: • “What is the best way to handle a grievance?” • “Why does it help to consider someone else’s perspective when you negotiate and compromise?”

Throughout the year, we would also like to offer some Follow-Ups which are fun, engaging activities you can do with your child and other members of your family. They include Family Projects, Table Talk, and Screen Time activities. These activities are designed to give your middle school child another chance to use new skills learned in Advisory. They are also a way for you get to know more about what your middle school child is learning and a great way to spend some fun time together as a family.

Below you will find an activity to help reinforce September’s learning:

Thank you for supporting your student in learning the skills that lead to success in school and in life.

Sincerely,

Ms. Moshura & Ms. Ferguson