Family Connection
Family Connection is a web-based program that will allow current sixth, seventh, and eighth grade parents and students to complete the course selection process from home. The program has been in use at the secondary level for some time. This is the fourth year middle schools will be using Family Connection for the course selection process.
Family Connection and How It Works
Students will initially access Family Connection at school with their school counselor through their science class. At this time, they will receive (1) information about the 2013-2014 Middle School Program of Studies and the 2013-2014 Middle School Program of Studies in Spanish, (2) letter from their counselor, (3) directions for using Family Connection, (4) teacher recommendations, and (5) grade level course request print out. Students will select courses based on their teacher recommendations and choose elective for next years courses. They will save their course selection survey on Family Connection and one copy of their course selection survey, which will be included in the packet, will go home for review and discussion.
We recommend parents and students take into consideration several factors before submitting final course request surveys. The school counseling department suggests students and parents select classes based on teacher recommendation as well as a balanced life style. When making course selections, parents and students should consider factors such as academic rigor, course work load, after school extracurricular activities, family schedule, and home life.
Please note, if your child selects a world language in seventh or eighth grade, this is a high school course. Upon successful completion your child will receive high school credit. The world languages are electives. World languages, along with Algebra I and Geometry, go on your child's high school transcript. This is calculated into your child's high school GPA. This is the same GPA that will be reviewed as part of your child's college application for admission.
Due Dates
February 22, 2013 is the last day to finalize courses in Family Connection for sixth and seventh grade. A delay in submitting the course request survey may result in a loss of the courses your child selected.
Eighth graders will submit their course request in the computer labs with the high school counselors on February 11th and 12th, any changes to their selections must be in writing and is due to Mrs. McKean no later than Feb 24, 2013. February 13, 2013 is the last day a high school counselor will be at Simpson, if your child misses their scheduling time they should see Mrs. McKean to reschedule. Make up scheduling is February 13th, only during first block. Student and parents should view 2012-2013 High School Program of Studies or the 2012-2013 High School Program of Studies Spanish Version to help finalize their decisions.
Once forms are submitted to Family Connection, any requests to change courses must be submitted in writing to the appropriate grade level counselor. The last day to make changes county-wide is June 6, 2013.
To finalize the course selection process in Family Connection, sixth and seventh grades students will use their username and password to login. The username and password are the same number. They will access their grade appropriate course request survey, make changes if necessary, then save and send. Parents should assist their children in the course selection process or review the form before it is saved and submitted.
Once the form has been saved and submitted, students will no longer have access to Family Connection to make changes.
Other Considerations
If accessing Family Connection from home is not possible, parents should make any changes on the printed course request survey, sign it, and return to their child's counselor.
If your child has an IEP, final course selection will be made at your annual meeting. If your child has not had his or her final meeting, it is recommended you make the best choice for their course selection and discuss it during the meeting. If you do not see the classes your child needs on the course selection survey, choose the classes you feel would be most beneficial for him or her. Remember any changes can be made at the annual IEP meeting.
If your child forgets his or her screen name or password, it is their student id number. Should he or she have problems with family connection, they should contact their grade level counselor.
If you have any questions about recommendations, please contact your child's teacher.
A copy of your child's Course Request will be sent home in early May; please review it for accuracy.
Questions
Should you have further questions, please contact your child's school counselor. We look forward to helping you and your child through this process. It is important for you and your child to understand how Family Connection works because your child will be using this program in high school as well. It has several beneficial applications for middle school and secondary school beyond course selection, such as career search tools, resume writing, and personality tests for career exploration. The school counseling office looks forward to utilizing these applications with you and your child to help him or her select a balanced course load.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO FAMILY CONNECTION
