Weston High School Freshman Sophomore Forum Making the

Weston High School Freshman & Sophomore Forum Making the Most of the High School Experience

Agenda • Welcome and Introduction • Writing Your Story • Being Happy • Engaging in the School Community • Teacher’s Perspective • Concluding Thoughts • Questions and Discussion

Weston High School Guidance Department Our Staff • Head of Guidance: Marla Schay • Counselors: Gretchen Gugliotta, Samson Luu, Chris Shanahan, and Maryann Shea • Administrative Assistant: Chris Wadsworth • Interns: Ali Sumski & Katherine Miele • Youth Adjustment Counselor: Paula Gearan • School-to-Career: Corey Guerra

Our Mission • Dedicated to empowering every student to achieve academic success, personal and social growth, wellness and career exploration. • Comprehensive school counseling program • Developmentally appropriate curriculum in tandem with the Health curriculum • Individual counseling • Advocating for student interests

Writing Your Story • Forging your own path • Cultivating your dreams and setting reasonable goals • Exploring your interests and talents • Charting your academic adventure • Fostering resilience – embracing failure as an opportunity to learn • Developing self-advocacy skills

Being Happy • Developing self-awareness and • • • perspective Spending time with friends and family Being kind to yourself and others Having fun! Sleeping Using technology wisely Making good choices

Engaging in the Community • Getting involved, but not overextended or overscheduled • Exploring opportunities in and out of school • Athletics, arts, work, volunteer, summer experiences, clubs • Avoiding “checking the boxes” • Fostering a culture of kindness

A Teacher’s Perspective • Seek out teachers as soon as material is unclear − don’t wait until just before a test! • Stay on top of work, since falling behind makes it more difficult to succeed. • Take initiative − students who reach out to teachers and are proactive will do better.

Resources • Tips for reaching your student’s counselor • Call the Guidance Office (781 -786 -5820) • Email (last name first initial @weston. org) • Don’t hesitate to contact the teacher, email is best • The Guidance website • Monthly newsletter, announcements, links to documents and other resources (such as a tutor list) • The Enrichment Center (TEC) • Infinite Campus Portal – use in moderation! • Contact the right person for your question • See the handout… the Nurse, Attendance, Athletics or Activities offices may be the best place to start.

Concluding Thoughts • Understanding adolescent development and the balance between support and the need for students to “own” their actions is critical • Keep lines of communication open • With your student’s counselor • With the school nurse • With teachers and administrators • With the school community (check the school’s website) • Enjoy high school!

Thank you We look forward to working with you in the years ahead! Questions/Discussion