FEBRUARY 2, 2016

Dewey School of Excellence

School Newspaper

Amy Catania

School Counselor
773-535-1666

A Note Our Dewey Families

We hope that 2016 is off to a great start for you and your loved ones! We
hope that this newsletter can provide you with some helpful information on
community resources, information about your children, and what you can
do to help your child prepare for continued success.
This year, we have been working in collaboration with counseling students
at DePaul University in order to create community partners for our school
community. We have also been working hard to ensure our counseling
program is best meeting the academic, career, and social emotional needs of
our students. We are in the process of creating a curriculum for our students
which focuses on healthy communication and interpersonal relationships.
We have provided you with a checklist on how you can effectively prepare
your children for continued academic success. We hope that this information
will enhance your childs future and strengthen relationships between
students, families, and the school.
1

What does a
school counselor
do?
School counselors
implement an
extensive counseling
program by providing
a school guidance
curriculum, individual
student planning,
responsive services,
and system support.
Who do school
counselors work
with?
School counselors
work in collaboration
with teachers, parents,
administrators,
students, and the
community.

FEBRUARY 2, 2016

Is Your Kid Ready For Next Year?

Take a look at the checklists below to make sure

7
7TH GRADE
Are you or your
child nervous
about the NWEA
MAP exam?
Here are some
tips to help.

8
8TH GRADE
8th grade is a
great time for
students to take
control of their
college
preparation.

Make sure your child eats a good breakfast the morning of the test.
Make sure your child gets at least 7-8 hours of sleep the night before.

If your child needs to review any material, no more than two hours.

Make sure your child has extra #2 pencils.

Bring healthy snacks for your child to get his/her brain working!

FACTS TO KNOW
When asked if
they plan to
attend a 4-year
college:
42% said no.
Did you know?
41% of students
surveyed want to
attend a selective
enrollment high
school as their first
choice.

Make sure your child arrives to school ON TIME!

Begin thinking of what classes your child will take in 9th grade to prepare for college. Most
colleges have requirements for the number of years of English, social studies, mathematics,
and science.
Discuss with your child which high schools or special programs will most benefit their interests
and long-term goals.

When asked if
they understand
their school
counselor is
available to help
during their
transition to
high school:
12% said no.

Have your child get involved in school- or community-based activities that let them explore
their interests and learn new things.
Start a list of your awards, honors, paid and volunteer work, and extracurricular activities.
Update it throughout high school.
Prepare for standardized tests. If you are having difficulty, get help from a teacher, tutor, or
mentor.

FEATURED HIGH SCHOOL: WENDELL PHILLIPS ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL

Did you know that, just north of Pershing Road, your student can continue his or her
AUSL education? Located in the heart of Bronzeville, Phillips Academy is another
AUSL turnaround success story. As a parent, youll be impressed to know that 91% of
the class of 2014 was accepted to college. But the news keeps getting better: the
class of 2014 earned over $2.5 million in scholarships. Does your student like sports?
This past season, Phillips became the first school in the entire history of Chicago
Public Schools to earn a state football championship. Whatever your students
interests, Phillips will help your student stay on track and focus on the future. Turned
around in 2010 using the AUSL model, the school is now fully committed to college
and career preparation. Average ACT scores, an important factor to consider when
selecting a high school, have improved over 40%, from 11 to 15.7. (The ACT exam is
one of the most important factors in college acceptance.) Plus, Phillips offers all
students free access to TutorMe.com, an online ACT preparation course. To support
your students post-high school planning, Phillips has collaborative teachers, several
dedicated school counselors, and community partners from One Goal, Embarc,
Umoja Student Development Corporation, SGA Youth and Family Services, and
others. Every year, Phillips keeps getting better keep Phillips in mind for the future!

Did you know?

The average class size
at Dewey is 18, lower
than the district and
state averages.

FEBRUARY 2, 2016

Spring Focus: More Reading

10 Reasons For Kids To Read At Home
1.

Reading is an active mental process which means it makes you use your brain - unlike watching TV or movies

2.

Improves your vocabulary by exposing you to words you've never seen

3.

Gives you a glimpse into other cultures and places

4.

Improves concentration and focus!

5.

Improves memory

6.

Promotes creativity

7.

Helps build self-esteem

8.

Inexpensive entertainment and saves money!

9.

Reduces stress

10. The book is always better than the movie!

Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty

Based on true events in 1994 and told through the eyes of a younger boy, this graphic
novel tells the story of Robert (Yummy) Sandifer as he tries to navigate the dangerous
world of a Chicago neighborhood. A short film about Robert Sandifer was released in
February 2015.

Percy Jackson Series

The Percy Jackson series follows the adventures of Percy, a young demigod (half mortal,
half Greek god) and his friends Annabeth and Grover. Great if you're into monsters,
heroes, and Greek myths! The first book was released as a movie in 2010 and the
second book in 2013. There is also a spin-off series named Heroes of Olympusto
continue your reading adventure!

Malcolm X: A Graphic Biography

Assassinated at age forty in 1965, Malcolm X battled for civil rights throughout his short
life. This graphic novel illustrates Malcolm's journey from troubled young boy to
influential, outspoken man. A movie chronicling Malcolm X's life was released in 1992.

Divergent Series
Before the last film in the series hits theaters March 2016, read this amazing series set in
a future Chicago. Tris, a teen who finds out she is what the government calls Divergent,
must navigate tough choices, war, and romance. If you enjoyed the Hunger Games this
series is definitely for you!