Next Fall I am Off to Middle School!

Before your 5th grader officially becomes a 6th grader in September, there are some great opportunities our Middle School has to offer so you and your student(s) have all the information you need for a smooth transition:
  • Parent Information Night for 5th graders ~ 
    • ​Parents are provided information related to the registration process and are given a copy of the registration guide along with a registration card.
  • Elementary Registration Visits ~ 
    • ​Delana Brinkman, the 6th Grade Dean, visits each of the 5th grade classrooms across all elementary schools to provide more information on what the Middle School has for class offerings. She also begins to answer questions as they come up.
  • Incoming 6th Grader Rally ~ 
    • ​All incoming families are invited to familiarize themselves with the Middle School by walking around, attending a Q&A and some students and teachers showing what their classes are all about! 
  • Middle School Transition Visits ~ 
    • Delana Brinkman, Dean, Theresa Weber, School Counselor & current MS Students come over to each 5th grade class at the elementary schools to co-facilitate an engaging, interactive lesson with Rachel Nelson, the Elementary School Counselor on different topics that are often brought up. The hope is that these station  lessons will arm each 5th grader with the answers to their questions so they can have a more enjoyable and less worry-filled summer!
    • The stations for these lessons are supplemented with material found at the Pathway 2 Success store 

Books:

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Too Old for This, Too Young for That! 
Your Survival Guide for the Middle-School Years, by Harriet S. Mosatche and Karen Unger, Free Spirit Publishing.

The transition to middle school can be difficult. Most tweens are excited about getting older, but they’re often not prepared for some of the challenges that come with growing up. Physical and emotional changes, evolving relationships, and increased expectations at school can all make for some major adjustments.
This update of a Free Spirit classic lets readers know they’re not alone and gives them practical tips, tools, and resources for all kinds of situations, including:
  • settling in and getting the most out of school
  • getting along with friends, teachers, and family adults
  • dealing with physical and emotional changes
  • making decisions
  • handling peer pressure
  • setting and reaching goals
  • preparing for the years ahead
Life during the middle school and adolescent development years can seem like one long roller coaster ride—with ups and downs, twists and turns, and sudden starts and stops. Too Old for This, Too Young for That! is a friendly and fun manual for surviving middle school that can help tweens enjoy the ride.

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The Free Spirit Middle School Confidential Series by Annie Fox, M. Ed.

​Meet Jack, Jen, Mateo, Abby, Chris, and Michelle—six kids in middle school just trying to figure it all out. The Middle School Confidential series follows these six characters as they negotiate a shifting social scene, forge strong friendships, and deal with changing family dynamics. Fun and engaging character narratives are complemented by quizzes, quotes from real kids, tips, tools, and resources.

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Middle School:  The Real Deal From Cafeteria Food to Combination Locks by Juliana Farrell

From cliques to class schedules, electives to extra credit, cafeteria food to combination locks, you'll find everything you need to know right here. And in this newly revised edition, you'll also get the most up-to-date information on everything from technology to test taking. This book has the latest scoop, the coolest quizzes, and the best advice around if you're about to take the middle school plunge._

Websites for Parents

Parent Toolkit
​Good Therapy
​Psych Central
Scholastic.com


Websites for Students

PBS Kids:  It's My Life - Middle School
Kids Health:  Middle School