Oh, The Places Youll Go

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Oh, The Places Youll Go

• 8th Grade Individual
• Planning Conference

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Conferencing
Student Interests
Student Strengths
Student Potential
Student Dreams

• Putting it all together to form a future

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What is conferencing?

• Conferencing is a process that involves
  activities planned and directed by school
  counselors that assist students in planning,
  monitoring, and managing their own learning, as
  well as their personal and career development.

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8th Grade Conference Focus

• Strengthen communication between students,
  parents, and school counselors
• Explore academic and career development
• Gain insight into students personal/social
  growth

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8th Grade Conference Topics

• Student Goals Dreams
• (Academic, Personal/Social, Career)
• Personal and Social Development
• (Strengths, Hobbies, Interests)
• Personal Inventories
• (Multiple Intelligences, Organizational/Thinking
  Styles, Personality Style)
• Overview of High School
• (Co-curricular/Athletic Activities)
• Wisconsin Covenant Program
• Career Exploration, Assessment and Planning
• High School Graduation Requirements
• (Transcripts)

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8th Grade Individual Planning Conferences

• What and why?
• A 30-45 minute individual meeting between
  student, parent and counselor to discuss future
  dreams, goals, and career plans.
• Build a positive dialogue between school and
  parents.
• Share information about students strengths,
  interests, abilities and potential.
• Assist students and parents to manage the
  educational and career planning process.
• Identify, plan and evaluate educational and
  career goals.
• Assist students to transition to the next phase
  of their lives.

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8th Grade Individual Planning Conferences

• When?
• Conferences are held during the school day.
• 8th Grade Conferences will run October-December.
• Where?
• The counselors office in a private,
  non-interrupted setting.
• Who?
• Student, parent, guardian or any significant
  adult and counselor.

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What are the benefits?

• Students take responsibility for their future
• Students and parents share their thoughts and
  feelings
• Parents feel more informed and involved
• Students and parents are motivated to be involved
  earlier in post-secondary planning
• Student apprehension about school and future
  goals is reduced
• A connection is developed between school,
  parents, and students to ensure academic success

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The Students Role

• Identify current and long range goals.
• Describe strengths, personal resources,
  abilities, and self- estimates.
• Identify needs and challenges.
• List extracurricular experiences.
• Develop an individual learning plan.

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The Parents Role

• Express career expectations for their child.
• Help identify their childs strengths and
  challenges.
• Brainstorm ways which they can help with
  educational/career planning.
• Communicate questions and concerns.

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The School Counselors Role

• Review the students performance, abilities,
  aptitude, interests, and goals.
• Help identify students strengths/challenges.
• Share knowledge and available resources.
• Facilitate communication and the planning process.

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Begin the Dream
Prepare for a changing world
Communication is key
A continuous process
Create a positive future
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Oh, The Places Youll Go

• Congratulations! Today is your day. You're
  off to Great Places! You're off and away!
• You have brains in your head. You have feet
  in your shoes. You can steer yourself any
  direction you choose.
• Taken from Oh, The Places Youll Go by Dr.
  Seuss. 1990 Random House, Inc. New York