Don't pull out your hair!!!
Stay calm & prepare!!!
How to Help Your Child Be Successful In Middle School: Tips for Parents
Things You Can Expect:
Things You Can Do:
About Peers:
About Emotions:
About Involvement:
- More homework.
- More long-term projects.
- Higher expectations regarding responsibility and independence.
- More movement – larger campus – tired students.
- Lots of phone calls/texts from new friends.
- Your child may start to exclude you from the school experience.
Things You Can Do:
- Establish a set study time each evening with no phone calls (i.e.: 7:00–9:00 PM).
- Require an assignment agenda.
- Look over completed assignments.
- Frequently check your child's grade online.
- Help your child establish a calendar for long-range assignments.
- Look for interim reports at mid-point of quarter.
- Grading practices will vary based on the subject. Find out how your student’s teachers will grade.
- Read the school handbook and parent handbook.
- Check the school website.
About Peers:
- Students will have new friends from other parts of the county. Become involved with these friendships in a positive way.
- Communicate with parents of new friends about any plans (such as sleep overs or parties) beforehand as to rules, chaperoning, etc.
- Know that it is normal for sixth graders to have “off and on” friendships. Your child(ren) are working on figuring out what types of friends they want to have and where they fit in with their peers.
- Expect some changes in behavior.
- Closely monitor communication with peers ( Facebook, emails, texts, etc…).
About Emotions:
- Help your child to see himself or herself as someone who can succeed.
- Try to maintain an atmosphere at home that is as relaxed and as free from pressure and tension as possible. Notify school staff if stressful situations arise within the home.
- Maintain open lines of communication with your child.
- Help your child lead a balanced life.
- Don't assume "no news is good news". Check in with your child(ren) often and ask them about various areas of their life (friends, teachers, grades, etc. . .)
About Involvement:
- Be positive about the transition and new school. Your child will follow your lead.
- Become involved at school in a general way. Join the PTSA and find ways to help that fit in with your interests and schedule.
- Conference with teachers/administrators when you have questions. Don’t wait until a problem arises.
- If you sense there are problems beyond the normal school adjustment, contact the school for help.