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.

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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.

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.

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.