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The high school application has begun! To start exploring high schools, see all the open house dates below. Open houses are also a good opportunity for 7th grade students to start learning about high schools and the eligibility requirements.
¡La solicitud para la escuela secundaria ha comenzado! Para comenzar a explorar las escuelas secundarias, consulte todas las fechas de puertas abiertas a continuación. Las jornadas de puertas abiertas también son una buena oportunidad para que los estudiantes de séptimo grado comiencen a aprender sobre las escuelas secundarias y los requisitos de elegibilidad.

Payton (Selective Enrollment): Sat. Sept. 30th 9am-1pm
Northside College Prep (Selective Enrollment): Sun. Oct. 1st 10am-1pm
Senn (IB, Fine andPerforming Arts): Sun. Oct. 1st 11am-1pm
Taft (Neighborhood, IB): Wed. Oct. 4th, Tue. Oct. 17th, Wed. Oct. 25th
Jones College Prep (Selective Enrollment): Sat. Oct. 14th 10am-3pm
Lincoln Park HS (IB, Double Honors, Performing Arts, Neighborhood): Sat. Oct. 14th 12pm-3:30pm
Von Stueben (Magnet): Sat. Oct. 14th
Whitney Young (Selective Enrollment): Sun. Oct. 15th 12:30-3:30pm
Amundsen (Neighborhood, IB): Sat. Oct. 21st 10am-1pm
Disney II (Magnet): Sun. Oct. 22nd 10am-1pm
Lane Tech (Selective Enrollment): Sat. Nov. 4th 12pm-3pm

We are so excited to be beginning a new school year with all of you! It is nice to see everyone's smiling faces and for both Mr. Renas and Mrs. Garfinkel to be returning. We have some new programs starting this year and high school updates coming soon, so be on the lookout for that information. In the meantime, please complete this parent survey so we can best support YOU: https://forms.gle/bR7TYJLAcELTAfWP8

If you have any questions, please email us or fill out this form: https://forms.gle/QakRhRg1AQJVsHsc9

We look forward to a great year ahead!

¡Estamos muy emocionados de comenzar un nuevo año escolar con todos ustedes! Es agradable ver las caras sonrientes de todos y que tanto el Sr. Renas como la Sra. Garfinkel regresen. Tenemos algunos programas nuevos a partir de este año y próximamente habrá actualizaciones para la escuela secundaria, así que esté atento a esa información. Mientras tanto, complete esta encuesta para padres para que podamos brindarle el mejor apoyo: https://forms.gle/6Wouo5K67xXv63x6A

Si tiene alguna pregunta, envíenos un correo electrónico o complete este formulario: https://forms.gle/QakRhRg1AQJVsHsc9

¡Esperamos tener un gran año por delante!

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March 10th, 2023

3/10/2023

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Hello 8th grade families,

I can’t believe the year is almost over, and our 8th grade students are moving on to high school!
To help our students transition to high school, CPS has a program called Freshmen Connections. This program is free to all incoming freshmen students.

“Research strongly encourages Math, English, and team/SEL skill building to best support Freshman year success. Freshman Connection takes some of the unknowns out of back-to-school. This fun and free program offers incoming ninth graders the opportunity to get acquainted with their high schools, learn about graduation requirements and expectations, and get to know their classmates and school staff.”

Between June 26 - August 4, 2023, (dates vary by High School) students will:

Meet school staff
Learn graduation requirements and expectations
Brush up on their study skills
Learn techniques for coping with stress
Get to know their new classmates through field trips and other activities

I had students register for the event at their school this week. It is not required that students attend after signing up, but I highly recommend it, in order to have an easier time transitioning to high school over the summer. Not all schools offer this program, but might have a different program over the summer for our students. Please check your emails for any information from the high school. Please look at the dates and times your student would need to be at their high school over the summer to attend the Freshmen Connection.

Hola familias de 8vo grado,
¡No puedo creer que el año casi haya terminado y que nuestros estudiantes de 8.º grado estén pasando a la escuela secundaria!
Para ayudar a nuestros estudiantes en la transición a la escuela secundaria, CPS tiene un programa llamado Freshmen Connections. Este programa es gratuito para todos los estudiantes de primer año que ingresan.

“La investigación fomenta fuertemente el desarrollo de habilidades en Matemáticas, Inglés y equipo/SEL para apoyar mejor el éxito del primer año. Freshman Connection elimina algunas de las incógnitas del regreso a clases. Este programa divertido y gratuito ofrece a los estudiantes de noveno grado que ingresan la oportunidad de familiarizarse con sus escuelas secundarias, aprender sobre los requisitos y expectativas de graduación, y conocer a sus compañeros de clase y al personal de la escuela”.

Entre el 26 de junio y el 4 de agosto de 2023 (las fechas varían según la escuela secundaria), los estudiantes:
Conoce al personal de la escuela
Conozca los requisitos y expectativas de graduación
Poner al día sus habilidades de estudio
Aprender técnicas para hacer frente al estrés.
Conozca a sus nuevos compañeros de clase a través de excursiones y otras actividades.
Hice que los estudiantes se registraran para el evento en su escuela esta semana. No se requiere que los estudiantes asistan después de inscribirse, pero lo recomiendo encarecidamente para que la transición a la escuela secundaria sea más fácil durante el verano. No todas las escuelas ofrecen este programa, pero es posible que tengan un programa diferente durante el verano para nuestros estudiantes. Por favor revise sus correos electrónicos para cualquier información de la escuela secundaria. Mire las fechas y horas que su estudiante necesitaría estar en su escuela secundaria durante el verano para asistir a Freshmen Connection.
Si tiene alguna pregunta, comuníquese con su futura escuela secundaria.

March 10th, 2023
Hello Henry Families,
During this time of the year, our students are engaging in multiple state tests. These next few weeks can be draining for our students. On top of that, Daylight Savings time occurs this Sunday and we lose an hour of sleep. It is important that our students recharge each night and on the weekend. Maintaining a consistent schedule and getting plenty of sleep can help with this. It is also important to engage in relaxing activities that can help recharge your personal battery after a stressful and busy week. Below are two articles that can help you identify these types of activities.
Importance of sleep
How to recharge your Mind and Body
If you need any other ideas, please reach out!
-Mr. Renas

Nation School Counseling Week

Hello Patrick Henry Families,
Today marks the end of Nation School Counseling Week! Throughout this week, I have been talking to the school during the morning announcements about their dreams and what they can do in order to achieve them. One of my roles at Henry is to help support students to achieve their dreams. Whether their dreams involve life during the school day, outside of school, or in the future, I am hear to listen to them and support them. I've encouraged all students to come see me to talk about their dreams and any support they need. If you have any questions about how to best support your student's dreams, please reach out to me at mrenas@cps.edu.

I also have a helpful video for you to watch about how to promote your student's dreams.

High School Information Sessions for all Middle School Students

Hello Patrick Henry families, on Thursday September 22nd, we will be having two information sessions to discuss the GoCPS high school process. One will be at 10am and one will be at 5pm, both in person at Patrick Henry. It will be made available to all Middle School Families interested in attending. This will be a great way to learn more about the process and what you can currently be doing to prepare for high school. All families that attend, will be able to earn their student a No Uniform Day at school.

Hola familias de Patrick Henry, el jueves 22 de septiembre tendremos dos sesiones informativas para discutir el proceso de la escuela secundaria de GoCPS. Uno será a las 10 am y el otro a las 5 pm, ambos en persona en Patrick Henry. Estará disponible para todas las familias de la escuela intermedia interesadas en asistir. Esta será una excelente manera de aprender más sobre el proceso y lo que puede estar haciendo actualmente para prepararse para la escuela secundaria. Todas las familias que asistan podrán ganarle a su estudiante un día sin uniforme en la escuela.

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Introduction and Success Bound

8/26/2022

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Hello everyone! We made it through our first week! My name is Matt Renas and I am one of your school counselors this year. I was supporting Henry last year while Mrs. Garfinkel was on her maternity leave, and now I am here full time. I am so excited to be working with our students for the whole year!

One means of support I provide at Henry is through a program called Success Bound. It is a CPS wide program for all 6th - 8th graders. Each day I work with a different grade level. During these lessons, we work on developing successful skills for school as well as life outside of school. We talk about self monitoring success during the school year and who to reach out to for support. We also discuss High School and post-secondary options. I am eager to teach this class and know it will help all of our students.

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Middle School Sexual Health

8/23/2022

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Happy first week of school! I am so happy to be back at Henry and teaching sexual health to middle school girls again this year. I will teach half the girls first quarter and the other half second quarter. . Below is the letter that outlines the program specifics and what topics will be discussed. Please reach out to me if you have any questions.

6-8th_sex_ed_letters.doc.pdf
File Size:	285 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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August 30th, 2021

8/30/2021

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Sexual Health

Welcome to the new school year! It is so nice to see all the students in-person this year. I know we're all wearing masks, but I can tell how happy they are to be back in the building.

I am very excited that I will also be teaching a health class to our 6th-8th grade girls this first quarter. Below is the letter that outlines the program specifics and what topics will be discussed. Please reach out to me if you have any questions.

6-8th_sex_ed_letters.docx
File Size:	59 kb
File Type:	docx

Download File

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June 14th, 2021

6/14/2021

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Week of 6/14

This is our final full week of school! You made it! It has been a pleasure getting to know you all and work with you during this very unique school year. During the summer, you are still welcome to email me at mgarfinkel@cps.edu if you need anything. I don't check my email as regularly, but I will still get back to you.
Here are some ways to celebrate the beginning of summer vacation:
Yoga for a celebration

Dance Party

Meditation

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June 07th, 2021

6/7/2021

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Week of June 7th

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June 01st, 2021

6/1/2021

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Week of 6/1

June is Pride Month! There are many ways to celebrate this month and the rights of the LGBTQ community. Celebrating this month is important because it reminds us to be inclusive of people of all backgrounds and the importance of advocating for those who are in minority groups. While many communities and cities have over-the-top celebrations, there are ways to celebrate in your home. One way is to diversify your home library. Here are some books you can add to your collection:

Pick up a copy of I Am Jazz, the real-life story of young trans activist Jazz Jennings.
Todd Parr's The Family Book is filled with his trademark brightly-hued illustration and a simple storyline that celebrates families of all types.
Learn the story of Harvey Milk and the symbolism behind the rainbow flag in Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag. Another pick from author Rob Sanders: Stonewall: A Building, An Uprising, A Revolution.
Introduce your child to same-sex families with Heather Has Two Mommies or Daddy, Papa, and Me
Read the empowering Pink is for Boys in an effort to set aside gender stereotypes.

Whether or not you are part of the LGBTQ community, we can all be allies to support this community and their rights. If you have any questions or need additional suggestions, let me know. I'm always here for you!

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May 24th, 2021

5/24/2021

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Week of 5/24

This is the last week of Mental Health Awareness month and I wanted to share a simple practice that can improve your mood and reduce your stress level. Every day this week (or longer), I want you to list three things you're grateful for. You can use these sentence starters too:

I’m most grateful for ___________________.
I’m so thankful that___________________.
I love when ___________________.

Regardless if the things are big or small that you're grateful for, people who are grateful are happier and healthier. Studies have shown being grateful increases your positive mood and decreases negative emotion. It also helps with an overall positive outlook on life and satisfaction. Share some things you're grateful for in the comments!

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Counseling Supports

High School Information:
Application is open! Log-in to: https://www.cps.edu/GoCPS
open house dates posted below

high school open houses!

Welcome to a new school year!

March 10th, 2023

High School Information Sessions for all Middle School Students

Introduction and Success Bound

Middle School Sexual Health

August 30th, 2021

Sexual Health

June 14th, 2021

Week of 6/14

Dance Party

June 07th, 2021

Week of June 7th

June 01st, 2021

Week of 6/1

May 24th, 2021

Week of 5/24

Author

Archives

Categories

Counseling Supports

High School Information: Application is open! Log-in to: https://www.cps.edu/GoCPSopen house dates posted below

High School Information Sessions for all Middle School Students

Sexual Health

Week of 6/14

Dance Party

Week of June 7th

Week of 6/1

Week of 5/24

Author

Archives

Categories

High School Information:
Application is open! Log-in to: https://www.cps.edu/GoCPS
open house dates posted below