GRADE 6
This researched based program focuses on five things: goal setting and progress monitoring, creating a caring, supportive and encouraging classroom, cognitive/memory skills, performance under pressure and building healthy optimism.
Assertiveness Training
Students learn how to respect themselves while still being respectful of others in hopes of win-win outcomes in their interactions. Aggressive, passive and assertiveness personality types are explained. Students learn to use “I” messages as opposed to accusatory “you” messages to allow them to take ownership and de-escalate conflict.
Respect
Students view movie clips and participate in group discussions about respect, tolerance, types of bullying, why people bully and how to help someone who is bullied. Students learn the definitions of many words including: bully, bystander, target, prejudice and empathy. The DSMS Mission Statement, respect vocabulary, a bullying incidence pie chart, ways to be an ally and ten steps to stop name-calling and bullying are included in a packet given to students.
GRADE 7
Signs of Suicide (SOS)
Through health classes, the counselors, along with the nurse and the health teacher, present a Signs of Suicide Prevention program: SOS-Get into the ACT. Following a brief introduction, students will view an educational video, participate in a discussion about adolescent depression and complete a student response card.
Career Seminar
Through the Career Cruising website, students link their favorite school subjects to careers that interest them. They learn about the education, job description and working conditions of numerous careers and gain knowledge of the wonderful opportunities available to them in the career field.
Harassment and Respect Seminar
Students are given a questionnaire that establishes how much they actually know and understand about sexual harassment. An informative movie is then shown to the class explaining what sexual harassment is showing clear examples of each type: physical, verbal and non-verbal. Differences between flirting and joking in regards to sexual harassment are illustrated. Counselors review the DSMS policy in the school handbook and a booklet is given to all students with more information to take home and discuss with their parents.
GRADE 8
Career Exploration
After completing a career interest inventory, results are tabulated by a computer program and a list of careers are generated that match the students' interests. Career packets that include a lengthy list of occupations that match their interests, worksheets to gather more information, and their completed interest inventory are given to each student. Students develop a better understanding of their interests, abilities, and aptitudes as well as understanding the importance of exploring careers and learning how to utilize informational career resources.
Tour of Vocational Schools
The
entire 8th grade visits their respective vocational schools. Sherborn
students visit Tri-County and Dover students visit Minuteman.
Getting Ready for High School
In February, during the school day, the high school guidance department hosts an informational assembly for all eighth graders. High school curriculum is introduced and schedules, courses and credits are explained. In the spring, in small groups, Dover Sherborn High School peer counselors provide a question and answer session and take all 8th grade students on a tour of the high school.