Welcome!

Contents listed below: 

   A. Contact Information 

   B. Resources for students & families about transitioning to 7th grade 

   C. Resources for helping your child with emotional needs 

   D. Kindergarten readiness resources

A. Elementary Guidance Contact:

Jill Bruder: bruderj@millsd.us (K-12) Prevention Specialist 

Tarah Kishbach: kishbat@millsd.us (K-6) School Counselor

Reminder during summer vacation: please do not contact the guidance department in case of an emergency or mental health crisis needing immediate assistance. Reach out to the Columbia Country Crisis Hotline at 1-800-222-9016 or the Crisis Text line at 741-741.

For Community and non-emergency Mental Health Resources, please see the Community Resources tab located under Links.

Stay in touch with us on Instagram! msd_counselors

B. Moving up to 7th Grade Resources

Questions & Answers from Zoom Meeting:

1. What does a typical schedule look like? What classes do 7^th graders take? Do they get a study hall? Are there any double periods and what are those?
   1. 8 periods: Science, English (double), Geography, Math (double)
   2. Rotation classes: Computer, PE, music, wood shop-6^th pd
   3. Lunch A
   4. 7^th pd study hall or band/chorus
   5. Activity period at the end of the day
2. What is the timing of the school day and where does a 7^th grader go first-thing in the morning? (When does a student need to be in the building in the morning to avoid a tardy? When is dismissal?)
   1. Report to your 1^st period class, also called homeroom (same room/same teacher)
   2. 7:55 students must be in their 1^st period ready to start to avoid being tardy
   3. Dismissal is 3:00
3. Is breakfast available and how does a 7^th grader get it?
   1. Breakfast is available in the cafeteria; any grade can get stop to get it before 1^st period begins
4. When do 7^th graders eat lunch?
   1. 11:00-11:30 A lunch on a normal bell schedule
   2. There are also different bell schedules that may be used if there is an activity, assembly, early dismissal or 2-hour delay
5. When will 7^th graders get a copy of their schedule? Are there any classes that they are allowed to change?
   1. 7^th grade schedules are given out during 7^th grade orientation (date to be determined). If we are unable to have an in-person orientation, your schedule will be mailed home at a date to be announced.
   2. Core courses are not able to be changed. The only class that can be changed is if student would like to add band or chorus or drop band/chorus and add a study hall in its place.
6. What activities can 7^th graders participate in (sports, clubs, dances, etc.)?
   1. Dances will be announced, there are a few that you can attend!
   2. Jr High Sports: boys/girls soccer spring, boys/girls basketball, field hockey Spring, softball, baseball-should join local little league
   3. Clubs are available-check out club set up in cafeteria during 7^th grade orientation if offered; NJHS: 95 % and above based on cumulative GPA after second marking period in 8^th grade
7. Are there any differences in dress code?
   1. Review handbook
   2. Jeans- no distressed/ripped jeans-must have leggings underneath or a piece of fabric covering any holes.
   3. Shorts/Skirts must not be more than 3 inches above knee
   4. No hoods up on hooded sweatshirts
8. What materials or supplies are most important for 7^th graders to have?
   1. Check with your individual teachers, some may have some tips on materials needed for their classes!
   2. Pencils (no 7^th grade teachers allow students to use pens)
   3. Folders
9. What are the rules or expectations for the Macbooks?
   1. Must keep Macbooks in cases provided  
   2. Keep Macbooks charged and bring charger with you to school in case it needs a charge during the day
   3. Only use for school work
   4. Take care of computer and power cord
   5. If you have an issue with your computer, you can email Mrs. Zerance in the tech. department, she will assist you
10. What is the cell phone policy?
    1. Can be used at the discretion of the classroom teacher. Cell phones may be used before and after school, in the hallway during classroom transitions, as well as during lunch. These items are not authorized to be used during pep rally’s or assembly programs. You must follow the rules of your teacher in regards to cell phone use.

If you have any more questions, feel free to email Mrs. Kishbach at kishbat@millsd.us or Mrs. Uranko (high school counselor) at auranko@millsd.us

Other Resources for Getting Ready for Middle School:

     Getting Ready for Middle School - Part 1 - Fears and Faves https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1feLS0l4Yw

     Getting Ready for Middle School - Part 2 - The School Day https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnA-IdqTh14

     Getting Ready for Middle School - Part 3 - Activities & Friends 

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LIHO1-rfU4

C. Resources for Helping your Child with Emotional Needs 

1. LOTS of helpful tools and printable sheets about coping skills, talking with your child about COVID 19, and social-emotional skills: https://sites.google.com/view/counselorkirk/covid-19-resources

2. Tips and visuals on using mindfulness, breathing exercises, and yoga positions with your child: https://sites.google.com/view/counselorkirk/yoga-and-mindfulness-resources

3. Have a child that struggles with worry or anxiety? Counselor Keri provides short videos to help those Worry Warriors! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA54Nbv3__M&list=PLl8YAZ_ezKNFELLp8KjMEmcn8A0YbKvRt

4. This site has tons of resources, links to videos, and activity ideas on a variety of topics organized by age range and topic: https://wideopenschool.org/

5. This site offers printable activities and games on a variety of emotional, social, and behavior topics (e.g. a feelings journal, conflict resolution, impulse control): https://www.centervention.com/social-emotional-learning-activities/

D. Kindergarten Readiness Resources 

All children develop at their pace. Listed below are some general activities that most children should be able to do or can practice doing to prepare for Kindergarten. (List taken from: https://www.understood.org/en/learning-thinking-differences/signs-symptoms/academic-readiness/skills-kids-need-going-into-kindergarten)

Language Skills

• Speak in complete sentences and be understood by others most of the time

• Use words to express needs and wants

• Understand two-step directions

• Make comparisons and describe relationships between objects like big/little, under/over, and first/last

Reading Readiness Skills

• Enjoy listening to stories

• Know how to find the first page of a book and which way to flip the pages

• Recognize familiar logos and signs, like stop signs

• Recite the alphabet and identify most of the letters

• Recognize and try to write their own name

• Recognize when two words rhyme (like cat and bat)

• Start to connect letter sounds to letters (like the sound of the first letter in their name)

• Draw a picture to help express an idea

Math Skills

• Count from 1 to 10 without skipping numbers

• Match a number to a group of five or fewer items (“I see three cats”)

• Recognize and name basic shapes (square, circle, triangle, rectangle)

• Understand more than and less than

• Arrange three objects in the right order (like from smallest to biggest)

• Name or point to the colors in a box of eight crayons

Self-Care Skills

• Use the bathroom and wash up on their own

• Get dressed on their own (but may still need help with buttons, zippers, and shoelaces)

• Know and can say their first and last name and age

Social and Emotional Skills

• Separate from a parent or caregiver without getting overly upset

• Interact with other kids

• Pay attention for at least five minutes to a task an adult is leading, like listening to directions for an activity or discussing the day’s weather during circle time

Fine Motor Skills

• Use a pencil or crayon with some control

• Use scissors

• Copy basic shapes

• Make distinct marks that look like letters and write some actual letters, especially the ones in their name

• Put together a simple puzzle

Gross Motor Skills

• Run

• Jump with feet together

• Hop on one foot

• Climb stairs

• Bounce a ball and try to catch it

Stories to share with your child about Kindergarten: 

"Look Out Kindergaten, Here I Come!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AHdX9dtb4Y

"Kindergarten Rocks!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzZHRmWnpE8

Career Day Video Shane Kiefer CMVB.mp4

Jim Hahn Inn at Turkey Hill chef.mp4

PPL Doug Haupt.mp4