th
8
Harris Road
Grade
2016 2017
Typical Changes to Expect
• Friendships will change: Identity vs. Role Confusion. Can include personality, sexuality,
future goals, career aspirations, etc…
• Drama can be minimized! You choose your involvement. If you come to me with drama
that you have created or are perpetuating, unless someone is being threatened or is in
danger, I will not address it. All cyberbullying will be addressed by Officer Burgess.
• Self-Advocacy: Now is a great time to start speaking up for yourself with teachers, parents,
friends, etc. Let your voice be known in a tactful & polite manner.
• Self – Sufficiency: How many of you plan on living with your parents forever??? This is the
year that your sense of responsibility sets the stage for your future success. It’s not about
pleasing adults or keeping them off your back. It is about holding yourself to your personal
degree of accountability.
October
ECHS, IB, STEM, & Academy Presentations
• You will attend a presentation October 13 from: Early College High
School(2) at Rowan County Community College, InterBacculaureate (IB)
program at Concord High School, the Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Math (STEM) Program at Central Cabarrus, and each of the Academies at
the different high schools.
• ECHS: you can earn a 2-year Associate’s degree in addition to HS diploma
• IB: very rigorous academically, opportunities to travel abroad
• STEM: group work, technology focused
Academies
(No transportation provided)
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Academy of Information Technology (AoIT) @ Cox Mill High
Academy of Global Hospitality & Finance @ Hickory Ridge High
Academy of Engineering and Automation @ JM Robinson High
Academy of Energy & Sustainability @ Mt. Pleasant High
Academy of Health Sciences & Biotechnology @ Northwest High
School Choice Open House
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Open House: October 18, 2016 from 5:30-7:30 at JM Robinson High
STEM & IB: Must have scored at least a 3 on EOGs last year. IB: Must have taken Math 1.
Applications open: November 14, 2016 (all online)
STEM, IB, & Academies: As long as you meet requirements, students will be chosen by
lottery.
• ECHS (both campuses): Online application with 1 teacher recommendation letter
(tentatively). They hold in-person interviews. Then let you know if you’ve been accepted.
• Application due date: December 21, 2016 at 12:00 PM
• For more information, visit each school’s website.
February/March
• Cox Mill High School representatives come to present to entire 8th grade
class. Will share information on classes, clubs, sports, credits, GPS, AoIT,
differences between middle & high school, honors & AP classes, etc.
• Classroom Guidance Lesson with Mr. Roach: High School Transition &
Entering your 9th grade class choices into Powerschool 
March
• Moving Up Day: We will visit Cox Mill High School for the morning. You
will have a tour of the school, a session with the freshman counselor (Mr.
Aaron Roach), and a club/sport fair.
• *****If you do not hand in your Moving Up Day permission slip, you cannot
go on the trip.*****
• Students who are attending a magnet program can attend their school’s
program, but must provide their own transportation.
CFNC
• Classroom Guidance Lesson: Careers
• CFNC (College Foundation of North Carolina). You will set up an account and take
several surveys. These surveys can help you determine which careers fit you best,
which colleges or trade schools you can go to get trained, and how much cash you
can rake in!
• While you don’t have to decide on a career right now, it doesn’t hurt to start
considering your options. You can lay a good foundation for your career starting
now with behaviors & qualities needed in the workforce: punctuality, organization,
time management, creative thinking, perseverance, etc.
May/June
• Everyone’s favorite: EOGs!!!
• While the EOGs are only one small part of your ability as a student and who you
are as a person, it is important to do your best. Your 8th grade EOG scores are
reported on your high school transcript. That means the colleges or jobs you apply
to will be able to see the scores. This is not meant to scare you, just a reminder to do
your best.
• A good foundation throughout the school year = higher EOG scores: Studying a
little each night, getting a HW done & turned in, taking good notes, asking
questions, doing research on your own.
• Driver’s Ed permission slips for students who are 15 before October 31, 2016.
June
• Goodbye 8th graders, hello 9th graders!!!