PROGRAMS, GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR HIGH SCHOOL TRANSITION

It is already time to start our 8^th grade transition to 9^th grade and plan to attend our high school transition programs. With the opening of Thunder Mountain High School and all the exciting options now available to our students, it is especially important to attend the transition meetings. Our 8^th grade parents will request the high school they wish their daughter or son to attend on or before Wednesday, March 10th. Watch your mail for the district high school informational brochure that will provide the details.

Again this year our PTO has invited JDHS and TMHS administrators and counselors to conduct a high school transition program and answer your questions at our PTO meeting in Floyd Dryden's library on Tuesday evening, March 2nd, at 5:00. All our 8^th grade parents should mark their calendars and plan to attend this important event.  Please bring your son or daughter with you. Regardless of your child's grade level, any interested parent is encouraged to attend. 

Another effort this year to promote a successful and easy transition from middle school to high school is orientation field trips to both JDHS and TMHS. Both trips will take place on the morning of March 2nd. During these trips, students learn about course offerings and general high school information, along with having opportunities to ask questions. As with any field trip, you are always welcome to meet your son or daughter at the high school and participate in the experience, but all our students must ride the field trip bus both to and from field trips.  Thank you to the administrators, counselors and teachers at both high schools for making this important transition opportunity available to our students.

Another important high school transition event to watch for this summer will be the JDHS and TMHS orientation program that usually takes place in mid-August. You will receive more information on LINK via mail later this year.

With the high school transition in mind, it is a good time to review goals and expectations for your son or daughter.  Peter Benson, in his article What Teens Need to Succeed, recommends following two steps to discuss high school goals and the upcoming transition.  First, get feedback from your child:

•How does your child think he is doing in his classes?  Does he think his class work will help him meet his goals?

•What would she like to learn in high school?  What activities would she like to pursue?  What can she do now to get on the right path?

•How is her life outside school?  Is she happy with the way she spends her free time?

•What does he dream about doing someday?

 After your son or daughter has the opportunity to discuss the above with you, it's your turn.

•Keep expectations high.  Let her know you expect her to do her best.

•Stay realistic.  Most children are strong in some subjects and not so strong in others.  It may not be appropriate, for example, to expect him to come up two letter grades in a subject that has been a struggle.

•Let her know that you plan to support her on the goals you come up with together.

Finally, set your child up for success by taking your son or daughter to Dryden's PTO meeting on March 2^nd at 5:00 in our library.  The more familiar they are with the programs and the high school "culture", the smoother the transition from middle school to high school.  Dryden will do all we can to provide the opportunities to promote our students' comfort zone and knowledge surrounding their move to TMHS or JDHS.  Exciting experiences and growth are in their near future!

Tom Milliron
Principal
Floyd Dryden Middle School

February 2010 Eagle Gazette (pdf only)

Floyd Dryden 2009/10 Bus Route Schedule (pdf)

2009 - 2010 Juneau School District Calendar (pdf)

Floyd Dryden Middle School Dress Code Information (pdf)

February Lunch Menu (pdf)

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