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Step into Middle School

A Parent Survival Guide

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Meet Your Counselors

Summer Garcia

Bryn Mawr Elementary

Michelle Blomquist

Judson & Brown Elementary

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“Ongoing research shows that family engagement in schools improves student achievement, reduces absenteeism, and restores parents' confidence in their children's education. Students with involved parents or other caregivers earn higher grades and test scores, have better social skills, and show improved behavior.”

-The Enduring Importance of Parental Involvement, NEA.org

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Objectives

Identify some characteristics of a “middle schooler”
Identify some basic tools that will ensure success in your student’s academics
Learn about local resources to get your child involved
Learn how to recognize, refuse, and report bullying
Learn how to initiate a conversation about sensitive topics with your student
Identify some commonly used apps used by students and discuss what they are intended for
Learn one useful strategy that will help limit your student’s screen time

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Middle School 101: Characteristics

Feel insecure about their bodies
Act one way with you and the opposite with someone else
Believe what their friends think matters most
Exaggerate (and sometimes lie)
Want to have fun, but they want to be taken seriously
Push their parents away

“A Parent's Survival Guide to Middle School.” Parent Cue, 29 Jan. 2019, theparentcue.org/a-parents-survival-guide-to-middle-school/.

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Middle School 101: AERIES Communication

Current grades in all subjects
Daily Attendance
Link to assignments...teacher can upload pdf.
Test Scores
Teacher/ school website
Immunizations
Guidance/ Interventions
504’s

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Middle School 101: Organization is Key

Attend Back to School Night to get idea of how best to organize...not all teachers use binders and dividers
Wait until after school starts to get specifics...cheaper, anyway
Have a “bin” to store old assignments and throw out at the end of the semester
Help your child organize and go through backpack
Create folders in student’s “DRIVE” as well. (ENGLISH 6, MATH6, etc.)
Students will use agenda daily...school will provide this.

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Middle School 101: Teachers Respect Self-Advocacy

Student should practice making first contact with teacher regarding missing assignments, extra help, absent work, etc. (district policy)
Wait to contact counselors until after school begins
Sentence starters or role play conversations with teachers
Know your child’s Google Classroom LOGIN

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“Middle School Mania”

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Middle School 101: Know the Tutoring Resources

Jasper’s Corner (University of Redlands)
EXCELL Mentoring and Tutoring
Additional Resources HERE
Inquire at your site...

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Middle School 101: Get Your Child Involved...Here’s Why!

Getting your child involved gives them a friendship circle outside of school
Programs like “AssisTEENS” run by the Redlands Assistance League offer students unique opportunities to serve their community
Programs like RYB and AYSO promote exercise and a healthy lifestyle
Studies show that teens who are involved in extracurriculars were less likely to engage in at-risk behavior

Click HERE for RSCL Online Clearance Packet (make appointments over summer)

CLICK HERE FOR RESOURCES

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Middle School 101: Recognize, Refuse, and Report Bullying

Know what bullying IS and ISN’T… CLICK HERE
Know how to prevent bullying...CLICK HERE
What do I do if my child is being bullied? CLICK HERE

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Middle School 101: Ask Your Child...What Would You Do

...if you are offered a vape?
....if you saw someone being bullied (on campus or on social media)?
….if there was a fight on campus?
...if someone you don’t know online (instagram, snapchat, KIK, Musically, TIK TOK) asks you to friend them?
...if someone you like asks you to send a picture of yourself that makes you feel uncomfortable?
...if you are missing an assignment?
...if you are lonely at lunch?
...if your friendship group starts to exclude others?

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Important Apps

“Apps Your Child May Have on their Phone and What You Need to Know”
“18 Social Media Apps Kids are Using Right Now”
Rule of Thumb...do not give your child access to social media without “birds and bees”talk.
Set limits...if giving access...make them use in common space.

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Middle School 101: Chores for Screen time

CONCEPT:

Children earn their screen time by doing age appropriate chores.

According to the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) acceptable screen time is TWO (recreational) hours per day.
E xcessive time on social media= students who are more likely to report mental health issues.

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“The journey matters as much as the destination.” ~Michelle Dockery

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Middle School Websites/Orientation Webinars

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Questions and Comments

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We’d LOVE to Hear from You!

Please complete the following survey regarding today’s presentation. Please click on the link below.

https://forms.gle/JDzeUZ44adgbSZpCA

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Email: summer_garcia@redlands.k12.ca.us

Website: https://bit.ly/2JSsgSv

Call: (909) 478-5650 Ext. 51115

Email: michelle_blomquist@redlands.k12.ca.us

Website: https://bit.ly/jbcounselor

Call: (909)307-2430