Middle School

Principal's Message

I hope that your family had a chance to rest, rejuvenate and reconnect during the slower pace of the summer months. The summer passed quickly and we are now beginning a new school year. The start of September inevitably marks the passage into a new phase of our lives. The Middle School years involve dramatic changes in physical, social and emotional growth. These changes force a fundamental shift in the parent/child dynamic. The shift in the relationship is inevitable and marks the beginning of a journey to adulthood. Although a teenager's moody quest for independence may leave you yearning for the return of your sweet lower school child who thought that you knew everything. This is actually an amazing time as the child you have raised embarks upon the journey through adolescence, ultimately ending up an independent and autonomous adult. But for the Middle School years, your job as a parent is not done but rather revised. Become informed about the changes your child will experience is pivotal to your relationship. There is so much that parents can do to steady the tumultuous times and provide nurturing and support.

Sue Blaney, author of, Please Stop the Rollercoaster! How Parents of Teenagers Can Smooth Out the Ride provides parents with some straightforward and logical advice to navigate through the challenges of adolescence. This fall at the Grade Level Parent Nights we will provide parents with a copy of her booklet, Practical Tips for Parents of Young Teens

• Young teenagers are changing so fast they sometimes do not have time to adjust and re-orient. The more parents understand what is behind their teen's behavior the more parents are equipped to be supportive and understanding.
• Parents need to offer guidance in helping their adolescent express their feelings in appropriate ways, but the focus should remain on reassuring, reaffirming and validating their feelings.
• Parents should listen to their teenager without judgment. Adolescents are in the midst of developing identity, character, beliefs and values.
• Strive for connection even more than communication. Tune in, really listen and show your child how much you care.
• Adjust your parenting style over the course of the middle school years. Parents should continue to be very involved in decisions and providing boundaries. Yet over time the role should look more like mentoring- influencing, educating and facilitating development rather than managing

Sue Blaney, Practical Tips for Parents of Young Teens

During the course of the year I look forward to getting to know each student and family better. Please mark the upcoming Back to School Night and grade level parent nights on your calendars. I thank you for entrusting your children to our school and I look forward to working in partnership with you this year.

Sincerely,
Jeannine Clarke