Q) Why does Plymouth do so many PEP talks?
A) We think that starting PEP talks at the high school level is too late for kids to start exploring their options. We also want to get students thinking about their strengths and how they can use these to be successful. It is also important so parents can see the progression of their child's development.
Q) How do you get 100% participation?
A) We start by sending out a letter asking parents to sign-up for a PEP talk. At the elementary level, the counselors then call families to set up appointments. At the middle school level, our counseling secretary calls families. She also does reminder calls and sends out thank yous after the PEP talk. At the high school level, families can sign-up online or call to set up an appointment. High school counselors make themselves available on Monday evenings to also accommodate these meetings. If parents or family members are not able to attend with a child, counselors set up a PEP talk with a staff member. At the 8th grade level, we try to do this with high school staff to help that child transition.
Q) What if a parent chooses not to come in?
A) First we ask the parents if a family member, such as a grandparent, is available and if not, we ask a staff member to sit in.
Q) Have you tried conferencing in ways other than individual PEP talks?
A) At the sixth grade level, we do conferencing in group sessions of 15 families or less. The counselor facilitates and educates the group on a topic and then the parent(s) and child discuss how things apply to him/her.
Q) Why did you choose Career Cruising verses WisCareers or another career based educational site?
A) When we started PEP talks, Career Cruising was the best option and incorporated aspects of the conferencing that we wanted to cover.
A) We think that starting PEP talks at the high school level is too late for kids to start exploring their options. We also want to get students thinking about their strengths and how they can use these to be successful. It is also important so parents can see the progression of their child's development.
Q) How do you get 100% participation?
A) We start by sending out a letter asking parents to sign-up for a PEP talk. At the elementary level, the counselors then call families to set up appointments. At the middle school level, our counseling secretary calls families. She also does reminder calls and sends out thank yous after the PEP talk. At the high school level, families can sign-up online or call to set up an appointment. High school counselors make themselves available on Monday evenings to also accommodate these meetings. If parents or family members are not able to attend with a child, counselors set up a PEP talk with a staff member. At the 8th grade level, we try to do this with high school staff to help that child transition.
Q) What if a parent chooses not to come in?
A) First we ask the parents if a family member, such as a grandparent, is available and if not, we ask a staff member to sit in.
Q) Have you tried conferencing in ways other than individual PEP talks?
A) At the sixth grade level, we do conferencing in group sessions of 15 families or less. The counselor facilitates and educates the group on a topic and then the parent(s) and child discuss how things apply to him/her.
Q) Why did you choose Career Cruising verses WisCareers or another career based educational site?
A) When we started PEP talks, Career Cruising was the best option and incorporated aspects of the conferencing that we wanted to cover.