Dear Parent(s) / Guardian(s),

It’s that time of year again...

Your child will be taking the Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test+ (ARMT+) on Wednesday and Thursday, April 11 & 12, Monday and Tuesday, April 16 & 17 and 7^th graders will be taking the science portion on Wednesday, April 18 (8^th graders do not take the science portion).

Standardized tests have been used to measure student achievement and ability for many years. Over the past few years, these tests have become more important than ever. Many states have defined specifically what students should know and be able to do, grade by grade. They use standardized tests to measure how well students achieve these goals.

Why do students have to take all these tests?

Schools have always wanted to know how students are doing. Whether it’s a three-question quiz or a major unit exam, teachers have used tests to measure how well students have learned what they were taught. Standardized tests are designed to give a common measure of how well students are doing. Some of these tests measure how much students have learned about math, reading or science. Others test a student’s ability to learn in school. Tests are one important tool to help you and the school measure how well your child is learning. That’s why it’s important for you as a parent to know all you can about standardized testing.

What are standardized tests?

Standardized tests are created to see how students from one school or class compare to other students across the city, the state or the country. They give educators a common standard to measure student performance. To measure fairly, these tests need to be given under the same conditions. The amount of time students have to finish the test is strictly controlled. Each is scored in the same way. Some tests measure students aptitude–their ability to learn. They test a broad range of skills and abilities that can help students do well in school. Aptitude tests can help teachers plan instruction that is not too hard and not too easy. Other tests measure achievement–how much students have already learned. They can be used to measure whether students have mastered the information presented in their classes.

Parents have an important role to play in making sure their children do their best. Here are some of the questions you should know about your school’s standardized testing program:

• When will the tests be given? April 11-12, April 16-18

• What is the name of the test? Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test+ (ARMT+)

• How will the results be used? All sub-tests are achievement tests, meaning they test what your child has already learned.

• How and when will I get the results? The results are usually sent home with the 1^st report card during the following school year.

• What can I do at home to prepare my child? You should be helping your child with his or her homework and to study for regular tests throughout the school year. There is no sense in “cramming” for standardized tests. However, you can make sure that your child gets plenty of sleep during the testing week, eats a healthy breakfast every morning, and wears comfortable clothing to school. Layers are a great idea because they help your child control his or her own temperature. Don’t be too anxious, but let your child know that you have confidence in him or her.

Your child may use a basic 4-function (+, -, x, ⌐) calculator on parts of the tests. You will need to provide your child with this calculator and it must be approved by his or her test administrator. More advanced calculators, such as scientific and graphing calculators, will not be allowed.

Most importantly, make sure your child comes to school on testing days. Attendance and promptness are of extreme importance. Our goal is to have 100% attendance on all testing days...every child counts! Because we cannot interrupt the testing sessions, students who are tardy will not be able to take the test(s).

Thank you for your help and support!

I will be out on maternity leave after spring break, and will not return until next school year. I will still send out some email announcements, but not as regularly.  I will not be monitoring and replying to my email. Mrs. Hurd, from Margaret Elementary, will be the temporary counselor while I am gone.

St. Clair County Public Transportation now offers public transportation to all residents of St. Clair County. The cost is $2 one way in each bus zone within the county. Buses are available on a demand-response basis. Transportation may be arranged 24 hours in advance by calling our office at (205) 338-1352 or (205) 640-0303. Moody Jr. High School is not affiliated with this program and cannot answer questions regarding the program.

The Mr. And Mrs. MJHS Pageant will be held on April 14 at 6pm. Applications are due by April 10 (no exceptions). You can find a form attached. For more information, please contact Maria at mjhspageant@aol.com

The Pell City School System is presenting the Lost in Cyberspace Workshop on April 24 at 7pm at the Pell City CEPA Building. For more information, please see their website at whoswatchingalabama.org. Please see the attached flier. Moody Jr. High School is not affiliated with this program and cannot answer questions regarding the program.

Many parents tire of prodding their children to do chores, homework or get ready for school. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Kids who procrastinate can break the habit if parents teach them the skills and self-discipline needed to start and complete tasks.

Whenever you consider a child’s behavior, you must first consider his or her developmental level. You need to make sure that the tasks your child is being asked to do are within his developmental abilities to accomplish. If they are, then you need to look at why your child is procrastinating. Children procrastinate for a variety of reasons: lack of motivation, distractions, disorganization, feeling overwhelmed and fear of failure due to perfectionist tendencies. Once a root cause has been determined, parents can help their child make changes and so break the procrastination habit.

If your child feels overwhelmed with a task, be proactive on the front end. Teach her to break down bigger projects into smaller, more manageable ones. Work out a plan, and if need be write it down. Then check your child’s progress. In this way you are acting as her coach but still holding her accountable for the work.

Another thing that may help is a timer. With young children you can make it into a game (ex. “Let’s see who can pick up the most toys before the timer goes off.”). If your child has a short attention span, start with five minutes or ten minutes. If he’s older, go longer. While the timer is ticking, tell your child to stay focused on that task and not get distracted. Then when the timer goes off, give him a short break and reward (“Good job!” is usually reward enough). If you need to, set the timer again. With older kids, use discretion with a time as it could elicit a power struggle. When setting time limits, give older children some control. For example, if the trash needs to go to the curb, tell your child about it after school but give him until dark to get it outside.

Another way to motivate children to get a job done is to use teachable moments when they are feeling the natural consequences of their procrastination, such as being late for school, having to miss an activity or getting a poor test score. Rather than chastising them at that moment, suggest and encourage use of tactics that could break the habit.

Most importantly, remember that there is no one-size-fits-all technique when it comes to helping children break the procrastination habit. Discuss with your child what method works best for him and allow some trial and error until he settles into a routine. But remember building competency and responsibility takes time, and he may need to learn the skills and self-discipline to do it. If your child doesn’t know how to break down jobs, organize information, or stay on task, teach him. Then, gradually up the level of expectation and let him become more independent while you provide coaching and encouragement. Whatever time you invest now will positively impact every are of your child’s life both now and in the future. The results will be a much richer, fuller life.

You may order your yearbook at www.smart-pay.com. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Armitage at melissa.armitage@sccboe.org.

The SGA is collecting school supplies for Centerpoint Elementary School. Their school was destroyed in the tornado and they lost their supplies. They need items such as post-it notes, white paper, construction paper, pens, sharpie markers, file folders, hanging folders, staples, staplers, paper clips, adult scissors, dry erase markers and erasers, and children’s (K5-5^th grade) books (used books are fine).

Baseball JV and Varsity yearbook pictures will be taken on Thursday at the beginning of 2^nd period in Ms. Armitage’s room. Wear your baseball jacket.

Soccer yearbook pictures will be taken on Thursday at the beginning of 5^th period in Ms. Armitage’s room.

The MJHS Announcement Email is delivered every Monday, or the first school day of every week. This email is delivered as a courtesy to our parents and may not always be all-inclusive of announcements and schedules. Because I cannot know everything that is going on in every department at all schools, I depend on others to provide me with much of the information that needs to be posted. The deadline for submitting an announcement is the Friday prior to the Monday newsletter, and only information that is related to school or educational events will be included. Unfortunately, announcements that do not make this deadline will no longer be delivered. Requests for announcements may not be submitted by parents, but only by school personnel. Questions regarding announcements should be directed to the contact person given or to the appropriate department.

You may order your yearbook at www.smart-pay.com. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Armitage at melissa.armitage@sccboe.org.

Volleyball tryouts are today and tomorrow from 6-8:15pm. For more information, please contact Coach Greaux at MHS.

There will be a Valentine’s Dance on Tuesday, February 14, at 1pm. Admission is $3. Students will have the option of having their pictures taken. The cost for pictures is $4 per photo.

There will be a mandatory cheerleading meeting for all students trying out for MJHS cheerleader on Wednesday, February 15, at 3:30pm. You must have all required forms completed and turned in at or before this meeting. A parent must attend. For more information, please contact Ms. McFarling at megan.mcfarling@sccboe.org.

Yearbook pictures for the JV softball team will be taken at the beginning of 2^nd period on Thursday, February 16, in Ms. Armitage’s room. Wear jeans and your softball jacket. For more information, please contact Ms. Armitage at melissa.armitage@sccboe.org.

Yearbook pictures for the golf and tennis teams will be taken on Thursday, February 16, at the beginning of 5^th period in Ms. Armitage’s room. For more information, please contact Ms. Armitage at melissa.armitage@sccboe.org.

Yearbook pictures for the jr. high softball team will be taken on Thursday, February 16, in Ms. Armitage’s room immediately after school. Wear jeans, a blue t-shirt and  your softball jacket. For more information, please contact Ms. Armitage at melissa.armitage@sccboe.org.

The SGA is collecting school supplies for Centerpoint Elementary School. Their school was destroyed in the tornado and they lost their supplies. They need items such as post-it notes, white paper, construction paper, pens, sharpie markers, file folders, hanging folders, staples, staplers, paper clips, adult scissors, dry erase markers and erasers, and children’s (K5-5^th grade) books (used books are fine). We will be collecting items through Tuesday, February 21.

The MHS & MJHS Baseball Teams are selling Moody Southern Bell T-shirts for $18.00.  Payment is due when ordered.  All orders must be turned in by Monday, February 13th.  The shirts will be delivered on Monday, March 12th.  For further information you can contact Heather Davis at 296-3475 or Sharon Hill at 337-9551.

As many of you may have noticed, we have decided to re-implement our demerit system. For those of you not familiar with the demerit system, it is very similar to the conduct book system used at MMS. They are a way to keep up with Class 1 violations (as indicated in the St. Clair County Student Handbook). The accumulation of 5 demerits results in detention; 10 demerits results a second detention; 15 demerits results in in-school suspension.

You may order your yearbook at www.smart-pay.com. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Armitage at melissa.armitage@sccboe.org.

Any girl interested in playing volleyball must sign up with Coach T. Etheredge. Spring training will start February 7 at 6pm at the high school gym. If you have questions, they should be directed to Coach T. Etheredge.

The MHS FFA is participating in Soles for Souls. They are trying to collect as many shoes as possible (size, shape and color do not matter). They do not have to be new and it can be just one shoe. There is a box outside the front office here at MJHS if you would like to donate.

The MHS & MJHS Baseball Teams are selling Moody Southern Bell T-shirts for $18.00.  Payment is due when ordered.  All orders must be turned in by Monday, February 13th.  The shirts will be delivered on Monday, March 12th.  For further information you can contact Heather Davis at 296-3475 or Sharon Hill at 337-9551.

The MHS & MJHS Baseball Teams will also be selling Valentine's Candy Grams for $1.00 on Friday, February 10th.  They will be delivered on Tuesday, February 14th.  They can be purchased during lunch in the lunchroom. 

6^th or 7^th graders interested in trying out for the MJHS cheerleading team may sign up in the front office. 8^th graders interested in trying out for the MHS JV cheerleading team should sign up in the front office of the jr. high. The deadline for signing up is February 9. For more information, you must contact MHS.

There will be a track meeting on February 10 in Coach Lowe’s room. Anyone who is interested in running track needs to attend. If you need further information, please contact Coach Lowe at the high school.

As more children gain access to technology, parents must make it their priority to monitor who their children communicate with. Monitoring your child's texts is one way to guarantee that your children are kept safe from harm. A number of programs are available today to help parents monitor their child’s cell phone usage.

We want to know what our children are doing at all times, and one way to monitor their activity is through keeping an eye on their cell phone activity. Sometimes kids are using their phones at inappropriate times, sending messages they should be not sending, or communicating with people they have no business talking to. Monitoring your child's text messages will give you an idea of when they are using their phone, who they are contacting and what types of messages they are sending. This way if your child is using his phone inappropriately, you will be the first one to know about it.

A cell phone is a common feature in modern society. With children, it can be used as a tool to monitor their location and to provide communication during an emergency. It can, however, also be abused by a child, detracting from their schoolwork or encountering cyber-dangers. As parents, it is our responsibility to make sure our children are practicing safe communication when it comes to texting and instant messaging.

Step 2. Tracking Software. A number of different companies now provide tracking software, for a fee, that allows parents to monitor their child's incoming and outgoing cell phone calls and texts. Calls are tracked and made available for parents to monitor online, and information may even be forwarded to the parent’s cell phone. Companies that provide this technology include:

·  My Mobile Watchdog - http://www.mymobilewatchdog.com/

·  Mobile Spy - http://www.mobile-spy.com/

Another advantage of the tracking software is that, if your child is missing, you can track their phone to find them. For devices equipped with GPS technology, their exact location can be ascertained. Before you invest in the tracking software, you will need to make sure that your phone is compatible with the software and able to be tracked. You can check this information by calling the service provider.

You do not have to purchase tracking software to monitor your child’s text messages. Many service providers will provide you with a list of texts and pictures that your child has sent and received. For more information on this, simply call your service provider and ask what they can do to help you monitor your child’s cell phone usage. Be aware, however, of certain applications that can be downloaded to smart phones that provide your child with alternative means of texting. One example of these applications is Text Free. When a child uses this type of application, your service provider may not be able to track the texts.

Step 3. Follow-up. It isn’t enough to simply track the incoming calls to your child’s phone; parents should also communicate with their children throughout the process and follow up with them about the information they’ve learned. Ask questions about unknown numbers: Who was it? What did they say? How did they get the number? Why did they call? If your child has frequently given out his number and constant unknown texts are coming in, it’s time to sit down with him and review safe phone practices (hopefully you’ve already done that when you first gave him the phone…so this should just be a review).

Keeping children safe from predators, bullies and other negative influences is an important priority for a parent. Monitoring kids' text messages will ensure that you, as a parent, are in the know about who is contacting your child, who your child is contacting, and why. Technology allows parents to track and monitor text messages and cell phone calls so they can keep track of their child's communications. Following up with your child about unknown numbers and callers promotes safe communication practices that will hopefully allow you to sleep a little easier at night.

Students who are car riders in the morning must be dropped off at the high school. Students may not be dropped off at the jr. high school. This includes being dropped off in front of the lunchroom. This rule applies to all students, unless prior approval by the principal has been given for medical reasons. This is a safety issue. Please help us teach the students to follow rules and safety guidelines by abiding by this policy. Students who do not comply with this rule will be given detention.

Students who are late to school in the morning must have a parent sign them in. If no parent is present, he/she will be notified and the student will be assigned a day of ISS.

You may order your yearbook at www.smart-pay.com. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Armitage at melissa.armitage@sccboe.org.

We are doing a penny drive to benefit Tanner Hunter’s family. Tanner was injured in a wrestling tournament in December. He and his family will be going to Atlanta for rehabilitation.

6^th or 7^th graders interested in trying out for the MJHS cheerleading team may sign up in the front office. 8^th graders interested in trying out for the MHS JV cheerleading team should sign up in the front office of the jr. high. The deadline for signing up is February 9. For more information, you must contact MHS.

Any girl interested in playing volleyball must sign up with Coach T. Etheredge. Spring training will start February 7 at 6pm at the high school gym. If you have questions, they should be directed to Coach T. Etheredge.

There are forms in the office for any student interested in Track. Questions regarding track should be directed to Mr. Birchfield.

The MJHS Announcement Email is delivered every Monday, or the first school day of every week. This email is delivered as a courtesy to our parents and may not always be all-inclusive of announcements and schedules. Because I cannot know everything that is going on in every department at all schools, I depend on others to provide me with much of the information that needs to be posted. The deadline for submitting an announcement is the Friday prior to the Monday newsletter, and only information that is related to school or educational events will be included. Unfortunately, announcements that do not make this deadline will no longer be delivered. Questions regarding announcements should be directed to the contact person given or to the appropriate department.

You may order your yearbook at www.smart-pay.com. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Armitage at melissa.armitage@sccboe.org.

We are doing a penny drive to benefit Tanner Hunter’s family. Tanner was injured in a wrestling tournament in December. He and his family will be going to Atlanta for rehabilitation.

6^th or 7^th graders interested in trying out for the MJHS cheerleading team may sign up in the front office. 8^th graders interested in trying out for the MHS JV cheerleading team should sign up in the front office of the jr. high. The deadline for signing up is February 9. For more information, you must contact MHS.

The Queen of Hearts pageant is February 11. Application forms are in the front office. For more information, please contact the front office at 640-2040.

You may order your yearbook at www.smart-pay.com. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Armitage at melissa.armitage@sccboe.org.

We are doing a penny drive to benefit Tanner Hunter’s family. Tanner was injured in a wrestling tournament in December. He and his family will be going to Atlanta for rehabilitation.

Any jr. high girl interested in playing softball should attend tryouts today through Thursday from 3:30-4:30pm. For more information, please contact Coach Ellis.

8^th graders interested in trying out for the MHS JV cheerleading team should sign up in the front office of the jr. high. The deadline for signing up is February 9. For more information, you must contact MHS.

Wrestlers will have their yearbook picture taken this Thursday morning. Be sure to wear your wrestling jacket.

The Queen of Hearts pageant is February 11. Application forms are in the front office. For more information, please contact the front office at 640-2040.

Students who are car riders in the morning must be dropped off at the high school. Students may not be dropped off at the jr. high school. This rule applies to all students, unless prior approval by the principal has been given for medical reasons. This is a safety issue. From now on, students who do not comply with this rule will be given detention.

You may order your yearbook at www.smart-pay.com. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Armitage at melissa.armitage@sccboe.org.

We are doing a penny drive to benefit Tanner Hunter’s family. Tanner was injured in a wrestling tournament in December. He and his family will be going to Atlanta for rehabilitation.

There will be a tennis meeting on Tuesday, January 10, from 3:00-3:30pm.

You may order your yearbook at www.smart-pay.com. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Armitage at melissa.armitage@sccboe.org.

We are doing a penny drive to benefit Hunter Tanner’s family. Hunter was injured in a wrestling tournament in December. He and his family will be going to Atlanta for rehabilitation.

K.A.R.M.A. (Kids Against Ridicule, Meanness and Aggression) will be doing an assembly at our school on January 4. Please make sure to see the attached letter regarding this program.

You may order your yearbook at www.smart-pay.com. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Armitage at melissa.armitage@sccboe.org.

Tennis tryouts will be held on December 13 from 3:30-4:30pm at Moody City Park.

The band concert will be held on December 15 at 6:30pm in the MJHS gym. Admission is free, but the band is asking for donations of new, unwrapped toys for the fire department and/or non-perishable food items for Shepherd Supply.

The SGA, MJHS Cheerleaders and the Beta Club are collecting canned foods for Shepherd’s Supply in Moody. Please send a can or 2 with your child to his/her homeroom! The homeroom with the most cans will be rewarded with a breakfast party.

You may order your yearbook at www.smart-pay.com. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Armitage at melissa.armitage@sccboe.org.

The band concert will be held on December 13 at 6:30pm in the MJHS gym. Admission is free, but the band is asking for donations of new, unwrapped toys for the fire department and/or non-perishable food items for Shepherd Supply.

Archery tryouts are this Thursday. The sign-up sheet is in the front office. If you have questions, please direct them to Mr. Birchfield at jason.birchfield@sccboe.org.

The First Priority Leadership Council will have their yearbook picture taken tomorrow at 7:45am. The Scholars Bowl yearbook picture will be taken tomorrow following 1^st period in Ms. Armitage’s classroom.

The SGA, MJHS Cheerleaders and the Beta Club are collecting canned foods for Shepherd’s Supply in Moody. Please send a can or 2 with your child to his/her homeroom!

Friday is Auburn/Alabama day…wear your favorite team’s colors!

You may order your yearbook at www.smart-pay.com. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Armitage at melissa.armitage@sccboe.org.

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Friends of Moody Schools is trying to help us raise money to buy new computers for the classrooms. You can help in this effort by dining at Ruby Tuesday’s on Tuesday, 11/22. 20% of the receipts from both of those nights will be donated to Friends of Moody Schools.

Tennis tryouts will be held on November 16 & 17 at Moody City Courts from 3:30-5pm. If you have questions, please contact MHS.

Following is the MJHS semester exam schedule and guidelines. Please be aware that our schedule is different from MHS since we are not on the block schedule and all jr. high students take exams regardless of attendance.

Thursday, 12/15 – 1^st period exams – 8:30-10am; 3^rd period exams – 1:30-3pm

Friday, 12/16 – 2^nd period exams – 8:30-10am; 4^th period exams – 1:30-3pm

Monday, 12/19 – 5^th period exams – 8:30-10am; 6^th period exams – 1:30-3pm

Tuesday, 12/20 – Make Up Day – 8:15am

• Students may not check in late in order to just take the exam. Teachers will be reviewing all week prior to the exam starting. Therefore, students need to be in attendance.
• Exams reflect learning over the entire semester, not merely the last 9 weeks. Students are urged to take exams seriously. Parents are urged to encourage regular periods of study before and especially during exam week.
• Students may not take exams early unless approved in advance by the Principal. Going out of town not usually a valid reason to take exams early. Students may make up exams on Tuesday, December 20, if the absence has been approved by the Principal, or if they have a doctor’s excuse.
• An unexcused absence for an exam will result in a 0.
• If a students is late for an exam, the lost time may not be made up.
• The regular dress code is in effect during exams.
• Exams will be given in a regular classroom. These rooms are off limits during exams.
• The final exam will count 10% of the final semester average in a subject.
• The 1^st 9 weeks will count 45% and the 2^nd 9 weeks will count 45%.
• Exams will be designed in a manner that will allow most students to complete them in approximately one hour and 15 minutes.

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Taylor at cassandra.taylor@sccboe.org or call 640-2040.

Tests can be stressful even for the most prepared students, and, unfortunately, test anxiety can actually have a negative impact on your performance. Well, fear not: the following test anxiety busters can help you get through your next test with much greater ease—and likely more success!

First, identify why you are feeling anxious…

• Did you prepare or study efficiently?
• Are your family expectations or personal expectations more of a source of distress rather than encouragement?
• Are you over-extending yourself? Are you involved in too many activities?
• Are your expectations realistic?
• Are you studying daily or just right before a test?

Study for the test, but if you find yourself becoming confused, unable to concentrate or unable to absorb the material, take a break. Try taking a walk in the fresh air or a “power nap.” Space out your studying over a few days or weeks and continually review class material. Don’t try to learn everything the night before. Remember that studying the material you are to be tested on is by far the most effective way to combat test anxiety.

Study Smarter
Being organized with your studies can help you keep from pulling all-nighters to get all of your studying in and blowing the test because you’re exhausted (see above). How do you study ‘smarter’? Make a list of the most important things you need to learn, in order of importance, and hit the items at the top of the list first. (That way, if you run out of time, you’re mostly covered.) Make a list of all the work you have to do, estimate how much time each item will take, and compare that with the amount of hours you have available; this will tell you if you can carefully read (or just skim), how many times you can afford to revise papers, and other ways to pace yourself so you can get everything done. Oh, and turn off the TV until your tests are behind you.

Get Enough Sleep
Getting 6 hours of less can put you into what’s called a sleep deficit, or lack of sufficient sleep. Having a sleep deficiency can actually make you less sharp mentally, which can negatively affect your performance on tests, even if you spent those missed hours of sleep studying. So it’s very important for you to get all of your studying done so you can get a good night of sleep before your big day.

Visualize Success
A great way to build your confidence as you fall asleep each night is to visualize yourself taking the tests and doing wonderfully. Detailed visualizations can help you feel like you’re really experiencing something, and visualizing yourself doing well is a way to ‘practice’ success in a way that can actually help you perform better. (Being confident as you take your exams can keep you from choking because of the stress.) Visualizations can also help you to remember facts: you can create detailed scenarios that involve the information you’re trying to remember, and this can help cement the facts in your memory.

Eat Before the Test

Not only does your body require proper nourishment to function as it should, so does your brain! Avoid caffeine and other stimulants, as these only increase feelings of anxiety.

Taking the Test

Read the directions slowly and carefully. If you do not understand the directions, ask your teacher. Skim through the test so that you have a good idea about how to pace yourself. Write down important formulas, facts, definitions and/or keywords in the margin first so you don’t worry about forgetting them. Do the simple questions first to help you build your confidence for the harder questions. Don’t worry about how fast other people finish their test; just concentrate on your own test.

Stay Calm
Because stress can impair your memory, it’s important to stay calm before and during tests. While that’s easier said than done, there are several stress relief techniques that can help you calm down quickly whenever you feel overwhelmed. For example, breathing exercises have been shown by research to reduce test anxiety, and can be extremely effective in helping you relax and reverse your stress response in a variety of situations: just take deep breaths, expanding your belly on the inhale, and let the stress come out with your exhales.

Keep the Situation in Perspective

The nurse’s office is running out of band-aids, cough drops and feminine hygiene products. Typically, faculty and staff buy these products out of our personal funds to keep up the supply needed for the kids. It makes it easier to have these items on hand, rather than having to call a parent to leave work to bring them to school when their child needs it. Can any of you please help by sending one of the above-mentioned items (if you buy cough drops, they must be pectin only).

You may order your yearbook at www.smart-pay.com. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Armitage at melissa.armitage@sccboe.org.

We will have a Halloween Dance today. Admission is $3 and concessions will be available.

There will be a substitute teacher workshop on November 4 at 9am at the Springville Middle School auditorium. If you need information, please contact the school board at 594-7131.

Friends of Moody Schools is trying to help us raise money to buy new computers for the classrooms. You can help in this effort by dining at Ruby Tuesday’s on Tuesday, 11/08, and Tuesday, 11/22. 20% of the receipts from both of those nights will be donated to Friends of Moody Schools.

Anybody who wants to register to play basketball for the city of Moody may do so on November 5^th, 12^th & 19^th. MJHS is not associated with the Moody Youth Association, so we cannot answer your questions about this. For more information, you may go to www.moodyballpark.com

As many of you may already know, October 24-28 is Red Ribbon Week, otherwise known as Drug Free Week. We will have activities at school to get the message out to students; however, I encourage you all to take this time to speak to your children at home about the negative effects of drug use. When speaking to your children about drugs, some topics to remember include:

Illegal Drug Use. This includes drugs such as cocaine and marijuana, etc. However, it also includes the use of legal drugs in an illegal manner. An example of this is the consumption of alcohol or the use of tobacco products while under the legal age. Another example is using OTC (over the counter) or prescription medications in a way in which they were not intended.

Legal Drug Use. Many legal methods of drug use do exist and are very dangerous to our children. Some of these include items that were never intended as a “drug,” such as aerosol sprays, energy drinks (“Red Bull”), and energy pills (“Yellow Jackets”). A few trends you may want to research and discuss with your children include “Huffing” and “Dusting.”

Other ways to get a “high.” A couple of these include “choking” and “cutting.” While cutting is recognized as a real mental addiction, it has also become something of a trend, a way to get a small adrenaline rush.

I’m sure many of you are familiar with the ACT test.  In the past, this has been a college-entrance assessment that students have taken in high school outside of the regular school day.  This assessment has been voluntary and students have had to pay in order to take the test.

Alabama is now implementing a program called the College and Career Ready Assessment System (CCRAS).  It will begin with this year’s eighth grade students and follow them through high school.  Eighth graders will take the EXPLORE assessment.  When they reach tenth grade, they will take the PLAN assessment.  In the eleventh grade they will take the ACT.  As seniors they will take the Work Keys assessment.  All of these assessments will be given at no cost to the student or to the school.  The state has entered into an agreement with ACT and the state will pay for these tests to be administered one time only.  These tests will be given during the school day.

EXPLORE and PLAN are both indicators of college readiness and will help to prepare students to take the ACT during their eleventh grade year.  When students apply to college, the ACT score is a very important component to admission.  It is also the basis of many scholarships to colleges and universities.

THE EXPLORE TEST WILL BE GIVEN TO ST. CLAIR COUNTY STUDENTS ON THE MORNING OF WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19^TH.  It is very important for your child to get a good night’s sleep, a nutritious breakfast and be on time for school that day.  We will begin testing first thing in the morning and make-up testing will not be allowed. We expect the results to come back at the earliest, in December, and at the latest, in January.

You may order your yearbook at www.smart-pay.com. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Armitage at melissa.armitage@sccboe.org.

Soccer tryouts will be on Thursday, 10/20, and Friday, 10/21, right after school for the boys. For the girls, tryouts will be on Friday, 10/21, right after school and on Saturday, 10/22, from 9am-10:30am.

Baseball tryouts will be on the 24^th & 25^th. Anyone interested in trying out must sign the list on Coach B. Etheredge’s door and must get a parent release signed. For more information, contact B. Etheredge at brooks.etheredge@sccboe.org

7^th grade Who’s Who pictures will be taken tomorrow at 7:30am.

The Snake Show will be on Tuesday during 7^th period. Admission is $2.

You may order your yearbook at www.smart-pay.com. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Armitage at melissa.armitage@sccboe.org.

While illicit drug use among teens is down, there’s a new threat and it’s from the family medicine cabinet: the abuse of over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Although most students use prescription drugs appropriately, there is a growing trend of students using, sharing and selling these drugs to get high, often in combination with other drugs or with alcohol. Obtaining these drugs can be easy and often hard to detect.

Facts About Teenage Prescription Drug Abuse:

• Teens abuse prescription drugs more than any other illicit drug.
• Teens believe that prescription drugs are “safer” than street drugs and perceive their use to be “controlled” and “responsible.”
• Nearly 3 out of 10 teenagers did not believe that prescription pain relievers could be addictive.
• Like other illicit drug use, prescription drug abuse is illegal and can be lethal.

Ways to Help Combat Prescription Drug Abuse:

• Set clear rules for teens about all drug use, including not sharing medication and always following the correct dosages prescribed by a doctor.
• Ask friends and family to safeguard their prescription drugs.
• Be a good role model by following these same rules when using your own medication.
• Talk to your doctor and pharmacist about the medications you are taking and learn about the possible side effects of each and the associated signs of abuse.

MONTHLY REMINDERS

For more information on any of this, please contact the front office at 640-2040.

q   Character Education for the month of October is Self-Respect.

q   The MJHS Library collects Campbell’s labels, all kinds of printer ink cartridges and old cell phones to raise money for technology.

q   Lunch money – You may pay your child’s lunch money on the St. Clair County website: http://www.stclaircountyschools.net/

q   Please visit http://mjhscounseling.shutterfly.com/ frequently to keep up with information.

The MJHS Announcement Email is delivered every Monday, or the first school day of every week. This email is delivered as a courtesy to our parents and may not always be all-inclusive of announcements and schedules. Because I cannot know everything that is going on in every department at all schools, I depend on others to provide me with much of the information that needs to be posted. The deadline for submitting an announcement is the Friday prior to the Monday newsletter, and only information that is related to school or educational events will be included. Unfortunately, announcements that do not make this deadline will no longer be delivered. Questions regarding announcements should be directed to the contact person given or to the appropriate department.

Girls’ basketball tryouts will be held October 4-6, from 4-6:30pm. The sign-up sheet is in the front office.

Deposits for the New York trip are due this Friday. The deposit is $100 and is nonrefundable. Any questions should be directed to Mr. Birchfield at jason.birchfield@sccboe.org.

The Snake Show will be on October 11 during 7^th period. Admission is $2.

You might be surprised at the number of office referrals that stem from online bullying, specifically, Facebook. When a child bullies another child online, this is a problem that the parents are responsible for solving. School employees, while concerned, are not responsible for monitoring children outside of school. However, when the problem that started at home is brought to school, thereby affecting the learning process, teachers, the counselor and/or the principal must intervene. You are the first line of defense against inappropriate Internet use. Please continue to monitor how your child uses the Internet and watch for signs of bullying and of being bullied. This website is a great resource! http://www.commonsensemedia.org/advice-for-parents/facebook-parents

Girls on the Homecoming Court will practice on Wednesday, 9/28. It is not required, but it is recommended that they bring the shoes they will be walking in.

Happy Homecoming Week! Our theme days are as follows:

Monday – Opposite Day

Tuesday – Twin Day

Wednesday – College Spirit Day

Thursday – Blue Devil Spirit Day

There will be a Homecoming Dance on Thursday during school. Admission is $3.

Picture orders are due this Friday.

This website was provided to me by a parent. It looks like it’s an excellent site for homework help: http://www.khanacademy.org/

There will be a volleyball game beginning during 7^th period today. Tickets are $3 and concessions will be available.

Boys’ basketball tryouts for non-football players will be on September 21 – September 23. If you are a football player who would like to tryout, go by Mr. B. Etheredge’s room by September 21 to signup. Tryouts for football players will be October 21. If you have questions, please contact Coach Brooks Etheredge at brooks.etheredge@sccboe.org

Don’t forget the library fundraiser. Get your orders in by September 20. Email Ms. Gann if you have any questions at pat.gann@sccboe.org.

There will be an SGA meeting this Wednesday during 7th period.

Please review the attached letter for First Class. If you have any questions, please respond to the church. MJHS is not affiliated with this program and cannot answer questions.

If your student is going on the NYC trip and is selling coupon books, the student needs to go by to see Ms. Moseley and pick them up tomorrow. The front office does not have these books. If you have any questions regarding the trip, please contact Mr. Birchfield at jason.birchfield@sccboe.org.

3. Don't show up for a meeting unannounced. It's great if you want to meet with a teacher to discuss an issue or chat about your child, but don't show up at school without any warning. Instead, schedule a time to meet -- not only does this show that you respect the teacher's time, but it also gives him/her time to prepare for the meeting and provide you with everything you want to know.

4. Don't go over the teacher's head. If you're having an issue with the teacher, your child, the subject matter or the classroom in general, talk directly with the teacher before going to the principal or other administrators. "Ninety-five percent of the time, a problem can be resolved between the teacher and parent with a simple phone call," Nelson says.

5. Check children's agendas and take-home folders every night. According to the National PTA, talking with your children is one of the most critical steps of healthy parenting. "Communication is key," Nelson agrees. Not only does this help you stay on top of updates and what's going on in the classroom, but it also shows your child that you are checking in.

6. Check on homework regularly -- but don't do it for the child! It's important to review your child's homework, but if she gets an answer wrong, take the time to help her understand why. "Please don't just tell her the right answer," Nelson says. "That defeats the purpose of homework!”

7. Address behavior issues at home. "Children don't enjoy getting in trouble," Nelson says. "So when they come home and tell you about how mean the teacher is, keep in mind they may be telling the story in a way that they won't get punished." If this happens, try to get to the heart of the issue and uncover the facts so you can address it.

8. Go to Open House Night. A good parent-teacher relationship leads to a good student-teacher relationship, so don't skip the open house! "In the past, I've had parents that I have honestly never met in an entire school year," Nelson says. "It's a sad fact." Use the open house as a time to get to know the teacher, ask questions, uncover expectations, address problems and find out what's going on in the classroom. Education.com tip: Ask the important questions first, in case time runs out.

9. Establish a regular routine each night. This includes having children pack their backpacks the night before, to make sure they have everything they need for school the next day. "The number one thing my students tell me is, 'My homework is done, but I left it sitting on the table,'" Nelson says. A simple evening routine can prevent this and prevent children from feeling rushed or disorganized in the morning.

10. Cut down on chaos and clutter at home. If your home life is disorganized, this can carry over into the classroom and make learning more difficult for the child. "When a child walks into my classroom, I can tell by the look on his face what kind of morning he had and what kind of day it will be," Nelson says. Simple things like keeping a tidy home, an organized homework desk and a clean bedroom can help the child feel prepared and focused on the day ahead.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/23/o.teachers.want.parents.know/index.html

Boys’ basketball tryouts for non-football players will be on September 21 – September 23. If you are a football player who would like to tryout, go by Mr. B. Etheredge’s room by September 21 to signup. Tryouts for football players will be October 21. If you have questions, please contact Coach Brooks Etheredge at brooks.etheredge@sccboe.org

Don’t forget the library fundraiser. Get your orders in by September 20. Email Ms. Gann if you have any questions at pat.gann@sccboe.org.

Congratulations to the 2011-2012 MJHS SGA!

President - Trevor W.

Vice President – Brett S.

Secretary – Madison D.

7^th Grade Senators – Aaron G., Raechel S., & Westley S.

8^th Grade Senators - Brooklyn B., Jake C. & Madison S.

The SGA needs to meet with Mrs. Rumbley Tuesday during 7^th period in the Conference Room.

Congratulations to the 2011 MJHS Homecoming Court!

7^th Grade - Lauryn G., Corwin G., Kelsi M. & Chloe T.

8^th Grade - Brooklyn B., Madison D., Lindsey D. & Trenity P.

The City of Moody invites you to a countywide ceremony, A Day of Remembrance September 11, 2001, at the Moody City Park on September 11 at 6pm.

Basketball tryouts for non-football players will be on September 21 – September 23. If you have questions, please contact Coach Brooks Etheredge at brooks.etheredge@sccboe.org

Students who wish to run for SGA may sign-up to do so in the front office until August 30. A signed copy of the campaigning rules must be returned by September 1. Campaigning begins on September 2 and continues through September 8. Elections will be on September 9.

7^th & 8^th grade students may sign up for the MJHS Pep Club in the front office.

The School Store is now open each morning from 7:45am until the bell rings.

Wondering what’s going on in your child’s classroom? Keep up with homework and classwork by checking your child’s teacher’s websites.

Mrs. Cedotal – http://www.schoolnotes.com/35004/cedotal.html

Mr. B. Etheredge - etheredgecivicsandgeography.wordpress.com

Ms. McFarling - http://mjhsscience7.shutterfly.com/

Mr. McGinnis - http://gregmcginnis.stclaircountyschools.wikispaces.net/

Dr. Sargent - http://www.moodyband.org/

Mrs. Sublett – http://new.schoolnotes.com/xpages/view/25992/2

Mr. Tabb - http://mjhsmathscience.stclaicountyschools.wikispaces.net

Mrs. Williams – http://www.schoolnotes.com/35004/williams.html

*If your child’s teacher is not listed, please contact that teacher directly.

Please Note: MJHS will now be charging a $1 fee whenever a parent or student requests a copy of his/her birth certificate and/or social security card. This fee is to cover the cost of paper and ink.

Morning Announcements are given every day during homeroom. If you would like to read what your child might have missed, you can do so at http://moodyweb.moodyjrhigh.com/blog/announce.php/

It’s a given that parental involvement is key to success in school. Yet for many parents, visiting their child’s school can be an intimidating, even humbling, experience. And if you need action from the school to resolve an issue with your child, the school can seem overwhelming. To overcome your own anxiety, you have to get comfortable, and the best way is to become involved with your child’s school. This is particularly important if your child has special needs. Parents should make an appointment and visit their child’s school well before any issue arises.

When you need something done, take a breath, don’t be demanding and do follow the school’s procedures for visiting classrooms, taking tours or reaching teachers. At MJHS, teachers are best contacted via email. If you need to make an appointment with one teacher in particular, email that teacher or call the front office (640-2040) and ask to leave a message for him or her. If you need to make an appointment with more than one teacher, contact the counselor’s office, where your meeting will be coordinate with all necessary teachers. Be sure to attend any meetings where your child’s educational goals and decisions are being addressed.

The transition from middle school to jr. high school can be turbulent for kids and parents. Just when your preteen is telling you to back off, he or she needs your support and guidance as much as ever. Parents need to stay involved, and home and school communication is more crucial than ever before. Many parents are completely unaware of what services jr. high schools provide and how to reach the key school personnel. If you are not sure who you need to contact about what, it’s okay to call the front office (640-2040) and ask. Also, parents need to be aware and read all packets and newsletters provided by the child’s school.

Many students who maintained acceptable grades throughout elementary and middle school experience a drop in grades once they reach 7^th grade. For this reason, parent-teacher conferences are crucial during the jr. high years—and it’s important that parents follow up on any suggestions the teachers offer for improving their child’s performance. Parents should not hesitate to contact the school counselor for assistance with academic, behavioral or social/emotional issues. Using a team approach, jr. high school teachers, counselors and administrators can help your child overcome school problems, but it helps to know that you, too, are on the team.

Parents should listen to their jr. high schoolers and talk to them daily about school. It is normal for a child to become more secretive and desire more privacy during adolescence; however, if your child refuses to share information about school or friends, you may want to contact the school counselor. When problems arise with students at any grade level, immediate parental communication and involvement is imperative. Experts agree that it is best to already have a rapport with key people in your child’s school before any concerns arise. It is much more emotionally charged to have to deal with problems the first time you interact with school personnel.

In most cases, teachers and other school professionals are making a diligent effort to be fair and honest. Unless the adult in charge is truly unreasonable, support the school’s course of action. In doing so, you will promote social growth in your child and encourage responsibility. In rare cases, if you honestly believe your child is wronged or unfairly treated, politely speak to an administrator to explore your concern. Remember, you are your child’s best advocate, but school personnel are also here to support your child. Even though they may not always seem fair at first appearance, school rules are in place for a reason and must be followed.

Parents are the child’s first teachers and remain an integral part of the educational process and community. Without parental involvement, there is a key component missing. Be involved and stay informed to ensure your child’s success in school.

The MJHS Announcement Email is delivered every Monday, or the first school day of every week. This email is delivered as a courtesy to our parents and may not always be all-inclusive of announcements and schedules. Because I cannot know everything that is going on in every department at all schools, I depend on others to provide me with much of the information that needs to be posted. The deadline for submitting an announcement is the Friday prior to the Monday newsletter, and only information that is related to school or educational events will be included. Questions regarding announcements should be directed to the contact person given or to the appropriate department.

If you wish to receive a weekly email, send a request to kristia.rumbley@sccboe.org

If your child is struggling in jr. high school, you are not alone!! Many children who have made the A and AB honor rolls for their entire educational careers experience drops in their grades during the jr. high years. The reasons for this is that their bodies and hormones are fluctuating constantly (at this developmental age, they are SUPPOSED to be forgetful and unorganized); there are many social changes in jr. high school (I’m sure you’ve noticed that friendship groups are changing a lot right now); the curriculum becomes increasingly more difficult; and children are not being “handheld” as much during this time. Instead, we are beginning to teach them more independence and responsibility. In short, your child may have to crawl before he or she can fly!

If you would like to get extra help via tutoring for your child, there are many options available to you. Check them out and see what works best for your child and your family:

The Tutoring Center – 987-9577
A to Z In-Home Tutoring - http://www.atoztutoring.com/
The Reading and Math Center, Inc. - 879-7323; www.the-rmc.com
Sylvan Learning Center – 1-888-EDUCATE; http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/
Kumon – 444-9485
TutorJam – 877-452-6669; http://www.tutorjam.com/subjects.html
Birmingham Tutoring Club – 981-7155; http://birminghamal.tutoringclub.com/localinfo.asp
Masterminds – 970-1117; http://www.mastermindsinc.net/

Moody Jr. High School is in no way responsible for the individuals or businesses who  provide tutoring services to our students outside of school.

Five hundred and sixty-seven people chose to end their lives in Alabama in 1998. Suicide is an expression of extreme distress. The suffering is enormous, for there are an estimated 16 attempted suicides for each completed suicide.

In the past, without effective medicine, laws and social control were the only public health tools to keep people from ending their lives. However, a culmination of research shows that almost all people who kill themselves have a diagnosable mental or substance abuse disorder, or both; and the majority have depressive illness. In fact, depression is so lethal that 15 percent of patients with untreated recurrent major depression will die of suicide.

In 1998 suicide was the ninth leading cause of death in Alabama, accounting for 567 deaths and a rate of 13.6. Overall, Alabama’s age-adjusted suicide death rate was slightly lower than the U.S. rate in 1979, exceeded the U.S. rate through much of the 1990s and appears to match the U.S. in 1997, the last year comparable data were available.

Of the suicide deaths in Alabama from 1991 to 1998, 68.9% where white males; 11.6% were black males; 17.3% were white females; and 2.2% were black females.

Adolescent Suicides
Suicides in the adolescents and young adults have increased sharply since the mid 1950s. This trend has been seen both in Alabama and in the U.S. Some of the reasons are increased access to particularly lethal means like firearms, a younger age for use of alcohol and drugs, earlier onsets of severe mental illnesses and increasing rates of depression. The most troubling increase over times has been for black males ages 15 to 24. There has been a 187.2% increase in all adolescent and young adult suicides from 1950 until present. Even though these numbers in themselves are alarming, the statistical picture reflects only a partial view of the problem. The actual extent of youth suicide and suicidal behaviors is underreported and, therefore, unknown.

Prevention Goals
1. To prevent both fatal and non-fatal suicidal behaviors among the youth at our school.
2. To reduce the impact of suicide and suicidal behaviors on individuals, families, and our community.
3. To improve access to and availability of appropriate prevention services for vulnerable youth groups and high-risk individuals.

How Can You Help Reach These Goals?
·Identify individual high-risk youth who currently show early signs of suicide-risk.
·Assess each youth’s level of suicide-risk and refer, as needed, to the school counselor.
·Increase your skills in assisting youth to seek help from their parents, other adults in their social neteworks and healthcare system personnel.
·Increase your own competencies in suicide intervention.
·Keep your eyes open and your mind aware—know your students!

Youth suicide is neither random nor inevitable. Despite the fact that it is a complex problem, involving multiple individual and social factors, youth suicide is preventable. Factors such as depression and substance abuse are key risk factors; whereas family support, social support resources at school, and a sense of personal efficacy protect youth against suicidal thought and behaviors. Thus, prevention means risk reduction and resiliency enhancement for all youth. It means specifically targeting high-risk groups and identified suicide-risk individuals.

One of the most important steps in suicide prevention is awareness. The public, and especially those who are working with our youth, need to be aware that suicide is a serious public health problem and is preventable in many cases. Asking a person if he or she is thinking of committing suicide DOES NOT give that person any ideas. Too often, if a person suspects that another might be thinking of committing suicide, he or she is afraid to ask that person. The simple act of asking the question WILL NOT make a person commit suicide. If you suspect that one of your students is depressed or may be considering suicide, don’t be afraid to ask! You just may be the one they were waiting to talk to!

Moody Jr. High School defines “at-risk” students as “those students who are not making academic progress comparable to their ability and age group and who are not developing the skills to become self-sufficient.”

Philosophy
1. At-risk programs should be comprehensive and targeted to the specfici needs of students.
2. At-risk programs must be effective, cost efficient, and politically acceptable in order to be sustainable over time.
3. What is best for at-risk students is generally what is best for all students.
4. At-risk programs should focus on and support conflict resolution programs; social skills development; counseling support; developmental guidance; before, during and after school activities to engage the student; peer mediation; mentoring; student assistance groups; and staff development.
5. Programming should provide multiple options which remove the individual student as little as practical from the mainstream and provide only those services the student actually needs to be successful.
6. We must meet students where they are academically, behaviorally and socially and work with them to grow in each area.
7. The behaviors which get at-risk students in trouble in school are frequently the behaviors that have allowed them to survive at home and/or in the community. We must help them add new behaviors acceptable for school and work.

Child-Study Identification Process
1. Confidential Referral to School Counselor – Referral from Student, Parent/Guardian, Staff Member or Support Agencies. Confidential referrals are made in support of individual needs and will remain confidential within the Child Study Sub-Committee.
2. Complete Child Study Referral Form – Identifying concerns, gather data and list accommodations tried and results. Information received during student referrals to receive at-risk services should not be used as a basis of action for school discipline. Anything discussed at the at-risk referral process will remain confidential unless legal reporting requirements prevail or the student presents a clear and imminent danger to self or others.
3. Child Study Team Review – Identify possible pathways for accommodating student needs and develop individual plan of service. Individual plans are designed to meet the specific needs of the student based on the data gathered.
4. At-Risk Focus Team – Supporting unique at-risk student needs. The At-Risk Focus Team (The Child Study Sub-Committee) is made up of individuals who can serve in a support role for each student as determined by the Child Study Team.
5. On-Going Review and Update – Periodic Reports and Annual Reviews as identified in the individual plan. The At-Risk Individual Plan will include a timetable for periodic updates by the Child Study Sub-Committee.

Support Services to be Utilized in Development of the Individual Plan
Outside Support
·Department of Human Resources
·Eastside Mental Health
·Juvenile Probation

Inside Support
·Academic support
·BBSST
·Counseling
·Mentors
·School Nurse
·St. Clair County Day Program

Informal Support
·Parents
·Volunteers

The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is a professional organization whose members are certified/licensed in school counseling with unique qualifications and skills to address the personal/social and career development needs of all students. Professional school counselors are advocates, leaders, collaborators and consultants who create opportunities by connecting their programs to the mission of schools and subscribing to the following tenets of professional responsibility:

·Each person has the right to be respected, be treated with dignity and have access to a comprehensive school counseling program that advocates for and affirms all students from diverse populations regardless of ethnic/racial status, age, economic status, special needs, English as a second language or other language group, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, family type, religious/spiritual identity and appearance.
·Each person has the right to receive the information and support needed to move toward self-direction and self-development and affirmation with one’s group identities, with special care being given to students who have historically not received adequate educational services: students of color, low socio-economic students, students with disabilities and students with nondominant language backgrounds.

·Each person has the right to understand the full magnitude and meaning of his/her educational choices and how those choices will affect future opportunities.
·Each person has the right to privacy and thereby the right to expect the counselor-student relationship to comply with all laws, policies and ethical standards pertaining to confidentiality in the school setting.

Responsibilities to Students
·Has a primary obligation to the student, who is to be treated with respect as a unique individual.
·Is concerned with the educational, academic, career, personal and social needs and encourages the maximum development of every student.
·Respects the student’s values and beliefs and does not impose the counselor’s personal values.
·Is knowledgeable of laws, regulations and policies relating to students and strives to protect and inform students regarding their rights.

Student Confidentiality
·Informs students of the purposes, goals, techniques and rules of procedure under which they may receive counseling at or before the time when the counseling relationship is entered. Disclosure notices includes the limits of confidentiality such as the possible necessity for consulting  with other professionals, privileged communication, and legal or authoritative restraints. The meaning and limits of confidentiality are defined in developmentally appropriate terms to students.
·Keeps information confidential unless disclosure is required to prevent clear and imminent danger to the student or others or when legal requirements demand that confidential information be revealed. Counselors will consult with appropriate professionals when in doubt as to the validity of an exception.
·In absence of state legislation expressly forbidding disclosure, considers the ethical responsibility to provide information to an identified third party who, by his/her relationship with the student, is at risk of contracting a disease that is commonly known to be communicable and fatal. Disclosure requires satisfaction of all of the following conditions:
1.Student identifies partner or the partner is highly identifiable.
2.Counselor recommends the student notify partner and refrain from further high-risk behavior.
3.Student refuses.
4.Counselor informs the student of the intent to notify the partner.
5.Counselor seeks legal consultation as to the legalities of informing the partner.
·Requests of the court that disclosure not be required when the release of confidential information may potentially harm a student or the counseling relationship.
·Protects the confidentiality of students’ records and releases personal data in accordance with prescribed laws and school policies. Student information stored and transmitted electronically is treated with the same care as traditional student records.
·Protects the confidentiality of information received in the counseling relationship as specified by federal and state laws, written policies and applicable ethical standards. Such information is only to be revealed to others with the informed consent of the student, consistent with the counselor’s ethical obligation.
·Recognizes his/her primary obligation for confidentiality is to the student but balances that obligation with an understanding of the legal and inherent rights of parents/guardians to be the guiding voice in their children’s lives.

Counseling Plans
·Provides students with a comprehensive school counseling program that includes a strong emphasis on working jointly with all students to develop academic and career goals.
·Advocates for counseling plans supporting students’ right to choose from the wide array of options when they leave secondary education. Such plans will be regularly reviewed to update students regarding critical information they need to make informed decisions.

Dual Relationships
·Avoids dual relationships that might impair his/her objectivity and increase the risk of harm to the student (e.g., counseling one’s family members, close friends or associates). If a dual relationship is unavoidable, the counselor is responsible for taking action to eliminate or reduce the potential for harm. Such safeguards might include informed consent, consultation, supervision, and documentation.
·Avoids dual relationships with school personnel that might infringe on the integrity of the counselor/student relationship.

Responsibilities to Parents/Guardians
·Respects the rights and responsibilities of parents/guardians for their children and endeavors to establish, as appropriate, a collaborative relationship with parents/guardians to facilitate the student’s maximum development.
·Adheres to laws, local guidelines and ethical standards of practice when assisting parents/guardians experiencing family difficulties that interfere with the student’s effectiveness and welfare.
·Respects the confidentiality of parents/guardians.
·Is sensitive to diversity among families and recognizes that all parents/guardians, custodial and noncustodial, are vested with certain rights and responsibilities for the welfare of their children by virtue of their role and according to law.

Parent Confidentiality
·Informs parents/guardians of the counselor’s role with emphasis on the confidential nature of the counseling relationship between the counselor and student.
·Recognizes that working with minors in a school setting may require counselors to collaborate with students’ parents/guardians.
·Provides parents/guardians with accurate, comprehensive and relevant information in an objective and caring manner, as is appropriate and consistent with ethical responsibilities to the student.
·Makes reasonable efforts to hone the wishes of parents/guardians concerning information regarding the student, and in cases of divorce or separation exercises a good-faith effort to keep both parents informed with regard to critical information with the exception of a court order.

Sharing Information with Other Professionals
·Promotes awareness and adherence to appropriate guidelines regarding confidentiality, the distinction between public and private information and staff consultation.
·Provides professional personnel with accurate, objective, concise and meaningful data necessary to adequately evaluate, counsel and assist the student.
·If a student is receiving services from another counselor or other mental health professional, the counselor, with student and/or parent/guardian consent, will inform the other professional and develop clear agreements to avoid confusion and conflict for the student.
·Is knowledgeable about release of information and parental rights in sharing information.

Appropriate Referrals
Makes referrals when necessary or appropriate to outside resources. Appropriate referrals may necessitate informing both parents/guardians and students of applicable resources and making proper plans for transition with minimal interruption of services. Students retain the right to discontinue the counseling relationship at any time.

Group Work
·Screens prospective group members and maintains an awareness of participants’ needs and goals in relation to the goals of the group. The counselor takes reasonable precautions to protect members from physical and psychological harm resulting from interaction within the group.
·Notifies parents/guardians and staff of group participation if the counselor deems it appropriate and if consistent with school board policy or practice.
·Establishes clear expectations in the group setting and clearly states that confidentiality in group counseling cannot be guaranteed. Given the developmental and chronological ages of minors in schools, the counselor recognizes the tenuous nature of confidentiality for minors renders some topics inappropriate for group work in a school setting.
·Follows up with group members and documents proceedings as appropriate.

Danger to Self or Others
·Informs parents/guardians or appropriate authorities when the student’s condition indicates a clear and imminent danger to the student or others. This is to be done after careful deliberation and, where possible, after consultation with other counseling professionals.
·Will attempt to minimize threat to a student and may choose to 1) inform the student of actions to be taken, 2) involve the student in a three-way communication with parents/guardians when breaching confidentiality or 3) allow the student to have input as to how and to whom the breach will be made.

Evaluation, Assessment and Interpretation
·Adheres to all professional standards regarding selecting, administering and interpreting assessment measures and only utilizes assessment measures that are within the scope of practice for school counselors.
·Seeks specialized training regarding the use of electronically based testing programs in administering, scoring and interpreting that may differ from that required in more traditional assessments.
·Considers confidentiality issues when utilizing evaluative or assessment instruments and electronically based programs.
·Provides interpretation of the nature, purposes, results and potential impact of assessment/evaluation measures in language the student(s) can understand.
·Monitors the use of assessment results and interpretations, and takes reasonable steps to prevent others from misusing the information.
·Uses caution when utilizing assessment techniques, making evaluations and interpreting the performance of populations not represented in the norm group on which an instrument is standardized.
·Assesses the effectiveness of his/her program in having an impact on student’s academic, career, and personal/social development through accountability measures especially examining efforts to close achievement, opportunity and attainment gaps.

The purpose of the counseling department at Moody Jr. High School (MJHS) is to promote and enhance the learning experience. The goal of the department is to enable all students to attain success in school and to develop into contributing members of our society. MJHS had endorsed the National Standards for School Counseling Programs in order to provide all of the essential elements necessary for helping students achieve success in school. These standards provide a programmatic approach and help counselors to:

·Continuously assess their students’ needs;
·Identify the barriers and obstacles that may be hindering student success; and
·Advocate for programmatic efforts to eliminate these barriers.

School counselors face the challenge of preparing students to meet the expectations of higher academic standards to become productive and contributing members of society. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has developed the national standards to better define the role of school counseling programs in the American educational system. The National Standards for School Counseling Programs include the essential elements of a quality and effective school counseling program.

The standards address program content and identify the knowledge, attitudes, and skills competencies that all students will develop as a result of participating in a school counseling program. The benefits of using the National Standards for School Counseling Programs as the content framework for school counseling programs are many. They establish similar goals, expectations, support systems, and experiences for all students. They define clearly the role of school counseling, and as a result of being adopted by the State Department of Public Instruction, bring consistency from school to school. In doing so, the standards provide equitable access to a school counseling program for all students.

The National Standards for School Counseling Programs facilitate student development in three broad areas:

·Academic Development
·Career Development, and
·Personal/Social Development

There are three standards each for academic development, career development, and personal/social development. These nine standards are followed by a list of student learning outcomes which define the specific knowledge, attitudes, and skills which students should obtain or demonstrate at a result of participating in a school counseling program. These competencies form a foundation which can be used as a basis to develop measurable outcomes of student performance.

Academic Development
The academic standards serve as a guide for the MJHS counseling program to implement strategies and activities that support and maximize student learning. Academic development includes:

·Acquiring skills, attitudes, and knowledge to learn effectively;
·Employing strategies to achieve success in school; and
·Understanding the relationship of academics to the world of work, and to life at home and in the community.

Career Development
Program standards for career development serve as a guide for the MJHS counseling program to provide the foundation for acquiring the skills, attitudes, and knowledge that enable students to make a successful transition from school to the world of work. Career development includes:

·Strategies to achieve future career success and job satisfaction;
·Fostering an understanding of the relationship between personal qualities, education and training, and the world of work; and
·The development of career goals by all students as a result of career awareness and experiential activities.

Personal/Social Development
Program standards for personal/social development serve as a guide for the MJHS counseling program to provide the foundation for personal and social growth which contributes to academic and career success. Personal/social development includes:

·The acquisition of skills, attitudes, and knowledge which helps students to respect self and others;
·The use of effective interpersonal skills;
·The employment of safety and survival skills;
·Understanding the obligation to be a contributing member of our society; and
The ability to negotiate successfully and safely in the increasingly complex and diverse world of the 21st century

The Counseling & Guidance Department at MJHS is available to help students, parents, and teachers develop positive learning experiences. The program consists of a variety of services and activities, including individual and group counseling, parent and teacher consultation, group guidance, information services, referral assistance to other programs and services in the community, and student assessment.

The school counselor is responsible for developing, scheduling, and evaluating services of the program. Primary services of the school counselor are to provide direct assistance to the students in the school. For this reason, a major portion of the counselor’s day consists of services for students. Parent and teacher consultations are usually scheduled in the early morning before classes or during after-school hours.

The counselor is a master’s level professional with preparation in human development, learning theory, counseling and consulting, tests and measurement, career development, research, and other areas appropriate to the practice of counseling in a school. The counselor’s office is located in the school across from the main office, and appointments can be scheduled by calling (205) 640-2040 or emailing kristia.rumbley@sccboe.org

Mission Statement
·Every student has the right to experience respect and dignity as a human being and to benefit from the counseling and guidance services.
·Every student has the right to participate in activities that promote self-direction and self-development.
·Every student has the right to make choices and accept responsibility for choices made.
·Every student has the right to participate in a comprehensive school counseling and guidance program designed to assist all students in attaining their maximum potential in academic, career, and personal and social development.