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Counseling    La Cima Middle School
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La Cima Homepage
District Homepage
Ms. Graun's Blog
Career Newsletter
Odyssey of the Mind
Arizona Odyssey
Great Schools
Homework Help
Counselor's Corner
november
Your mind is like a parachute...it only works when it is open.
Ms. Suzanne Graun

Contact Ms. Graun by Email
Call me at school 696-6738
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Parents: 1st Quarter Report cards should have come in the mail
KEEP YOUR STUDENT ON TRACK! Follow a regular schedule for homework, bedtime, family responsibilities. Check in with them, show an interest in the lessons they are learning,and show them you value education by getting involved at La Cima yourself. There are many volunteer opportunities!
How to contact Ms. Graun
telephone
Talk to you soon!
Parents:
My phone and email are listed at the top of the page. If you wish to come in to see me, please call and we can schedule a time that is good for both of us. I am here to assist you with anything that may be impacting a students academic functioning.

Students:
You can come see me.......
-if you have a teacher's permission,and a pass.
-if you come down during your lunch time.
-if you come at passing period and the question or concern you have can be taken care of in 5 minutes or less.

If I am not in my office when you come....
-fill out a counselor appointment request paper at the front desk. I will call for you as soon as I am able.



What does Ms. Graun do?
working lady
A counselor's work is never done!
My overall goal as a school counselor is to assist each and every student in any way that will increase their academic success at school. For more information about how and what I do toward this goal click here:

Responsibilities








STUDENT LEADERS
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Cardinal Student Leaders are AWESOME!
La Cima's Student Leadership group is a special group of 8th graders. They include the WEB (Where Everybody Belongs)leaders, who are mentors to La Cima 6th graders, the Student Council Officers and Student Council class representatives. WEB leaders were great facilitators at the '6th Grade Survival Camp' before school started, and they will work with 6th graders throughout the school year.
52 members of the Student Leadership cadre participated in a Leadership/Nutrition camp in late September. They will be using the leadership skills and nutrition education and activities they learned with the whole student body and staff throughout the school year.
Cardinal Ambassadors
cardinal
Live by the Cardinal Code!
Cardinal Ambassadors are 7th grade students who volunteer to serve in a variety of capacities around school.
Ambassadors learn valuable work habits and people skills, as well as gaining some experience with work tasks. They must be positive role models as representative of the La Cima Community.
Ambassadors are called upon to tour new students,and to help in the orientations given to incoming elementary students in the spring.
The Ambassador team for 2009-2010 has been trained and are ready to go. Look for them in thier new shirts on Fridays!
Career Exploration with Middle School Students
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"To find joy in work is to discover the fountain of youth." Pearl S.Buck
It's not too early to start!
In my now 10 years of school counseling, I've probably been most excited when I was given the opportunity to teach a semester long class on career exploration with the 8th graders at Wilson K-8. From researching curriculum for the class, to inviting guest speakers from the community in to talk, and using technology resources to help students get a look at the wide world of work, I realized that there is more to the career exploration and decision making process for students today than there was when I was a teen. And because of the immense changes in our world, it is very important that our youth know how to make the best career decision for them.

The inception of the Joint Technological Education District several years ago has brought Career and Technical Education even more into focus. And in January of this year (2009), the Educational Career Action Plan (ECAP) was approved by the Dept. of Education. ECAP will require students to have certain curriculum standards covered that will relate to Career Exploration and Preparation by the end of High School. Curriculum to address ECAP starts in middle school, and La Cima has had a Career Exploration class for 3 years now. 8th graders are encouraged to sign up for the semester long class.

One of the resources I used in my class was from Bridges,a company whose Career Futures software program the District purchased. They publish a free newsletter about recent trends in the employment market. Some of the articles are great. I have included a link on the left sidebar to this site. When you get there, click on "Careers Newsletter".
At the Amphi District level, the Kuder Career Planning program has been selected for student/teacher use in addressing ECAP. Students will develop a career portfolio online that they can access from any computer, any school.
Parents: It is never to early to start talking with your student about the opportunities that await them. You can discuss how their strengths, their passions, and their interests relate to different career options without having them make any definite decisions. You might also encourage them to do volunteer work, or community service, in an area they are interested in as a way of 'checking out' the working conditions. They might also have the opportunity to ask questions in this setting of someone who is working in that field.
Parent Resources
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Where's the job description!
Parenting is not an easy job. And there are no experts. But there are resources in our community that can assist you. Look for a link to community resources on my page soon.

UPDATE: La Cima will be hosting another series of Family Strengthening classes this year. Please contact Ms. Andrews for details, at 696-6779.

Parent Tip
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Make it a habit!
"Getting Reluctant Readers to Read"
I found this article on the Great Schools Website. They have some great information. If you have a reluctant reader, take a look.
Progress Reports & Conferences?
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HOW IS YOUR STUDENT DOING?
Parents, please stay involved! Your interest in how your student is doing is important. Ask about homework, know how to check the Homework Hotline, know when there is a test, help your student study, and ask about grades received when you know their has been a quiz or a test. If you have questions or concerns, don't hesistate to contact a teacher, or myself. We would prefer to catch potential problems early, and address them sooner rather than later.

Remember, there are Grade Printouts sent home with students at approximately the 2nd and 6th week of each quarter. These require your signature and return to the teacher. There is a Progress Report mailed home at the 4 and 1/2 week mark in the quarter.

You may request a conference with your students' teachers by contacting any one of them, or by calling the office.
ODYSSEY OF THE MIND
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OMER says, "Creativity is the key."
Check out the OM website
If you have never heard of Odyssey of the Mind, check out the International Website to learn more. And look at our State site, too.
The is currently no staff sponsor for this extra-curricular program this year. To be successful, OM needs to have a staff sponsor and adult 'coach'for each team of 6-8 students, so please consider getting involved. Call or email me with any questions you have.

Parents/grandparents/other adults are definitely encouraged to get involved in this fun, creative problem-solving competition.
Stuff for Students
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Have a plan before you get overloaded.
Ms. Graun's words of wisdom:

1.Plan ahead.
2.Ask questions. There are no stupid ones!
3.Ask for help sooner rather than later.
4.Use your time and resources wisely.
5.Do your best in everything.


What are your resources?
Your Planner, provided free to you.
Your teachers.
Your parents.
Your Counselor. Come see me!
After school help @ ACHIEVE
Homework Hotline and help @ Library. Use the link on my sidebar.


Counselor's like to communicate.
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BLOG WITH ME!
Talk with me @ La Cima Community Connection
I am excited to be continuing with the BLOG! I created to enhance communication at La Cima .
For those of you who don't know what this is.....and I had not known for long time either...a blog is a 'web log', or a journal. I am the primary author of the blog, I am inviting all of you to blog too.
Simply click "Ms. Graun's Blog" on the left sidebar of this page and it will link you to it. Or click on the link at the top of this section. I have named the blog "La Cima Community Connection", and hope it facilitates communication and discussion that is important to the whole La Cima community. TRY IT!