"Fresh(men) Foundations" Featuring Liz Perry

EDUCATION

OCT'22

BRIDGING GAP THE

PREPARING STUDENTS WITH THE SKILLS THEY NEED FOR SUCCESS

College Test Prep, Sleep Hygiene, Positive Self-Talk, Freshmen Foundations and Superlative Seniors STORIES BEGIN ON PAGE 2

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Connecticut Post Greenwich Time

Stamford Advocate The News-Times

The Norwalk Hour Fairfield Citizen

New Canaan Advertiser Shelton Herald

The Darien Times The Milford Mirror

The Ridgefield Press The Trumbull Times

Westport News The Wilton Bulletin

NEW School and Group Workshops Available!

• Become fossil detectives • Explore the science of light • Engineer kinetic contraptions and more Visit our website for more details!

steppingstonesmuseum.org/groups • 203 899 0606, ext. 208 • Mathews Park, 303 West Avenue • Norwalk, CT

EDUCATION OUTLOOK

PAGE 2

OCTOBER 2022

Hearst Connecticut Media Group

foundations FR ESH(MEN)

St. Luke’s Head of Upper School Liz Perry, left, sits with students during J-Term, a weeklong, hands-on, immersive learning and service experience for ninth graders.

Photo: Valerie G. Parker

CT PRIVATE SCHOOLS PREP NINTH-GRADE STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS

by Alyssa Seidman

The

most important thing a ninth grader needs upon entering their first year of high school is a strong sense of belonging and connection, according to Liz Perry. “That’s the foundation for everything else,” she said.

Perry is the Head of Upper School at St. Luke’s School in New Canaan, a secular private school for grades 5-12. At the end of each school year, a group of “transition specialists” assists the incoming ninth-grade class as they prepare to transition into upper school.

“We recognize it as a new experience and facilitate small activities to help them make connections quickly,” Perry said.

ACADEMIC ADJUSTMENT This sentiment is widely recognized across the board, especially at institutions like New Canaan Country School, a private primary school for children in PreK through ninth grade.

Upon ninth-grade graduation (or even before), students work with Director of Secondary School Counseling Lauren Romeo to navigate the next step in their academic careers.

“We place kids into ninth- and 10th-grade programs,” she said. “A majority of our students will go to a boarding school or an independent day school, and about 20 percent will head to public school.”

Romeo assesses a number of “driving factors” to determine which path a student will take. This includes what’s important to them, what they appreciate about learning, and what they want to continue to have access to in their next school community.

St. Joseph High School in Trumbull offers a number of initiatives for incoming ninth graders to ease their transition from middle to high school.

Freshman Seminar is a weeklong orientation held right before school begins. During the program, students engage in academic courses, study and organizational skills instruction, college and school counselor meetings, and service activities.

Once school is in session, ninth graders enter the Freshman Success Program, which gives students the resources they need to become their best selves. >>

ROSE, THORN, AND BUD In times of transition, we can help our children reflect on the year, month, or day and share the ways they have continued learning.

To help start the conversation with your students or children at home, ask them to reflect and be mindful of a rose, thorn, and bud they have experienced.

ROSE A highlight, success, small win, or something positive that happened.

THORN A challenge you experienced or something you can use more support with.

BUD New ideas that have blossomed, or something you’re looking forward to knowing more about or experiencing.

Source: www.mindfulschools.org

Hearst Connecticut Media Group

EDUCATION OUTLOOK

OCTOBER 2022

PAGE 3

>>

“Through team-building activities, one-on-one counseling sessions, and class-wide service opportunities, our freshmen grow together as a class and comfortably adjust to their new environment,” Director of Marketing & Enrollment Management Jessica Costa said.

Administrators at King School in Stamford believe it’s never too early for students to start thinking about college — including ninth graders.

“We employ a four-year developmental approach in our college counseling program,” Director Jessica Landis said. “During ninth grade we meet with parents to provide information about the college admissions landscape and help students think about how to make the most of their high school years.”

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL WELLNESS Outside of academics, St. Luke’s transition specialists address the social-emotional challenges that come with entering high school.

“Social media drives a curated view of what everyone’s life is like, but everyone’s transition has some bumps, and that’s to be expected,” Perry said.

“There are going to be ups and downs, but one of the ways we grow is through those setbacks.”

Perry’s team emphasizes this point to ninth graders through the “Rose, Thorn, and Bud” exercise (see sidebar on page 2).

St. Joe’s believes that social-emotional wellness is a prerequisite for academic success. Its vast network of faculty members, college and school counselors, social workers, tutors, peer mentors, and administrators help guide ninth graders through the new experiences and obstacles they’ll encounter in high school.

“Starting high school is an exciting time, but the path from middle school to freshman year must be navigated with care to ensure students’ well-being,” Costa said.

•

Top: Jessica Landis is the director of College Counseling at King School in Stamford. Photo: King School Bottom: Through team-building activities, one-on-one counseling sessions, and class-wide service opportunities, St. Joseph High School freshmen grow together as a class and comfortably adjust to their new environment.

Photo: St. Joseph High School