To: ALL MESMS Parents/Guardians and Students
From: Mrs. Linda Grimm
Date: August, 2008
Welcome to the 2008-09 school year! We anticipate the excitement,
enthusiasm, and wonderful interactions between our
staff and our students at MESMS. We are looking forward to a great school
year!!
I have been searching the web for useful information and helpful resources
to add to my web site. On this page, I would like to provide member of our
school community with interesting articles (info gram) for parents/guardians
of middle school students. You can also check out the "FAQ" tab or the "
Web Links" tab on the home page of this web site for more resources. Prior
Infograms are also archived on this web page for your convenience.
Infogram # 3
Are Students Prepared for the Organizational Demands of Middle School?
By Susan Mulcaire
from "Middle Connections" A National Middle Schools Asso. Monthly E-
Newsletter
Middle school moves at a fast pace. Students have many different teachers,
each with his or her own homework, test schedules, and due dates. Add to the
mix the after-school clubs and sports that students participate in, and it
is
a challenge to get organized.
Good work management and organizational skills are essential for balancing
the load and minimizing the stress. For some students, organizational skills
come naturally, but for most, they must be learned. While there is little
classroom time to assess and train students in work management skills, here
are some ideas for how you can help your students be prepared.
Help students make the connection:
Getting students to value good organizational skills is the first step.
Teachers can help by connecting the benefits of good organizational skills
to
the things this age group values most—more independence, less stress, more
free time, better grades, and more self-confidence.
Organized binders are key:
A binder is like a compact file cabinet that a student carries around all
day
to file and retrieve papers, homework, and information. Students must be
able
to access materials quickly and keep papers neatly stored by subject. Be
sure
to give students time in class to file papers in the correct place in their
binders—no shoving loose papers into backpacks!
Planners are essential:
No matter how good a student's memory is, he or she must have a central
place
for recording activities. A student's planner should contain important dates
and events such as bell schedule changes, holiday breaks, exams, homework
assignments, and project due dates. It's a good idea for students to include
personal items scheduled during school days such as medical appointments,
vacations, and after-school activities.
Have a study bud:
Students should identify a classmate in each class who can be contacted in
the event of a forgotten homework assignment or lost worksheet. The study
bud
can also help when a fellow student is absent and needs a handout or class
notes. Study buds should exchange home contact information.
A homework space that rocks:
Encourage students to locate, design, and stock a work space at home. This
will help them do their best work in the least amount of time. The space
should be quiet and free from distractions such as people talking, TV, and
video games. They can deck it out with posters, pictures of friends, or team
photos to make it a place they won't mind hanging out. Make it a "Designer's
Challenge" classroom activity in which students design and photograph their
work spaces and vote on the work space "most likely to succeed."
Be proactive!
Most students, particularly those fresh out of elementary school, have no
idea that a typical middle school teacher works with 100 or more students
each day. Unaware of the many demands on a teacher's time, students continue
to believe that, as in elementary school, their teachers will track them
down
to provide a missing assignment. Encourage students to take personal
responsibility for following up. You can role-play various student dilemmas
in a "What Would You Do?" classroom activity to help students learn to
recognize and follow up on matters that affect their grades.
Without basic organizational skills, middle school students can become
overwhelmed. In some cases it begins a downward spiral of underachievement
that can last into the high school years and beyond. Take some time to help
students recognize and appreciate the benefits of good basic organizational
skills.
Susan Mulcaire is a teacher, lawyer, and mother of three in Corona del Mar,
California.
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Infogram #2
PLEASE NOTE: This article can be found in its entirety at
www.pta.org/parent_resources.html
(click on the "Student Achievement" Link of Parent Resources; click on
article "100 Ways to Help Your Child and School Succeed")
100 Ways to Help Your Child and School Succeed (National PTA Parent
Resource)
There are many ways to be involved with your child’s education. You’re
probably doing some of these things already. Maybe it’s calling the teacher
to say “thank you” or to ask a question, or attending a parent or school
board meeting.You’ll soon see the effects of your efforts—that’s because
when
parents get involved in their children’s education, everyone benefits.
Communicating
1. Give positive feedback and show appreciation for teachers and the
principal.
2. Approach interactions with school administration and staff with a
positive
attitude and an open mind.
3. Listen to others’ viewpoints when having a discussion.
4. Share your child’s strengths, talents, and interests with teachers.
5. Share expectations and set goals for your child with his or her teacher.
6. Make appointments as needed to discuss your child’s progress or concerns.
7. Attend parent-teacher conferences with specific questions you want to ask.
8. Decide with your child’s teacher the best way to stay in touch (phone, e-
mail, notes, etc.).
9. Understand and reinforce school rules and expectations at home.
10. Participate in informal opportunities to talk with and get to know
school
administrators, teachers, and other staff.
11. Address concerns or questions honestly, openly, and early on.
12. Attend PTA or parent meetings regularly.
13. Read classroom and/or school newsletters.
14. Visit your school’s Web page.
....more
Parenting
21. Meet your child’s friends and get to know their parents.
22. Take advantage of family programs and resources offered at the school.
23. Work with others to establish a parent resource center at the school.
24. Help create a school toy/book lending library and visit it regularly.
25. Assist in developing parent support programs/groups.
....more
Student Learning
31. Discuss your child’s school day and homework daily.
32. Know your child’s academic strengths and weaknesses.
33. Provide a quiet,well-lighted place with basic school supplies for
studying/homework.
34. Help your child break down big homework projects into smaller,more
manageable steps.
35.Develop a consistent daily routine and time for studying and doing
homework.
36.Provide encouragement and praise for your child’s efforts.
37.Share your interests, hobbies, and talents with your child.
.....more
Volunteering
53. Respond to school surveys regarding your interests, talents, and skills.
54. Let school staff know your availability to volunteer (days, times, and
how often).
55. Coordinate and participate in evening and weekend volunteer activities
at
school.
56. Assist your child’s teacher in the classroom or on field trips when you
are able.
57. Work with school staff and teachers to develop volunteer activities you
can do from home.
58. Assist school staff and educators in creating a warm and welcoming
atmosphere for parents
....more
Partnering with the School
70. Learn about school and district policies and practices that affect
children.
71. Voice your support or concerns on any issue that will affect your
family.
72. Serve on school task forces that examine such things as school dress
codes or bully prevention policies.
73. Participate in meetings to determine special educational needs and
services.
74. Attend workshops on problem solving, conflict resolution, and public
speaking to develop your advocacy skills.
75. Serve on school advisory councils or committees on curriculum,
discipline, and so forth.
76. Become part of a school-based management team with teachers and the
principal.
77. Encourage and support children to serve in student leadership positions.
78. Help your school create a student’s rights and responsibilities guide
for
families.
79. Attend PTA, school board, and/or town meetings, and speak to issues of
concern.
......more
Collaborating with the Community
86. Find out about and use information on community resources and
organizations.
87. Help your school develop a directory of social and community services.
88. Make local agencies and businesses aware of what’s happening at your
school.
89. Help coordinate and participate in events that support community groups.
90. Talk with employers about holding parent meetings or parenting workshops
on-site.
91. Encourage employers to adopt flexible work schedules and time off so
that
employees might attend school functions.
92. Ask employers and local businesses to make donations and support school
programs.
......more
Reminder: This article can be found in its entirety at
www.pta.org/parent_resources.html
(click on the "Student Achievement" Link of Parent Resources; click on
article "100 Ways to Help Your Child and School Succeed")
*****************************************************************************
The Family Connection: A Resource Publication for Middle School
Administrators and Middle School Families presented by the National Middle
School Association.
2007 • Volume 11 • Number 3 Family Connection
Preparing for College—NOW!
Although the middle school years may seem a bit early to think about college
for a 10- or 11-year-old, there are patterns and habits that parents should
encourage to help ensure a college education. All of these practices and
routines come before high school. Here are 10 things parents can do this
school year:
1. Encourage reading! Help your child become a lifelong reader and open
unlimited opportunities to learn and gather knowledge.
2. Establish a daily homework schedule. The habit of being responsible
for assigned work will be important long past middle school and, once set in
place, will be an expectation when no parents are around.
3. Provide a place to study. Pay attention to your child's learning
styles—does she need white noise, absolute silence, a cozy place to curl up,
or a well-lit table?
4. Make sure your child has access to a dictionary—and knows how to use
it. Whether a hard copy or online dictionary, it is important for him to be
able to find the meaning of an unknown word to expand his vocabulary.
5. Provide access to newspapers and magazines and prompt curiosity
about
articles of opinion and fact and aid in discerning between the two. Take
advantage of opportunities to discuss these ideas.
6. Encourage and praise good effort. Research shows that children who
are praised for legitimate success and effort are more likely to succeed in
school and work.
7. Visit your youngster's school and speak with her teachers about her
progress and special needs. Teachers appreciate parent contact and your
desire to help your child succeed.
8. Start saving. Even $10 a week for the next five years will be almost
$3,000 with interest.
9. Encourage your child to save. Open a savings account and make a rule
that half of every monetary gift or money earned will be saved.
10. Emphasize the importance of school and learning. Explore ways to
enrich your child's education through local library programs, family games,
cooking or building things, or community service.
About the Editors: Edward Brazee is editor of professional publications for
National Middle School Association and professor of middle level education
at
the University of Maine. Constance Carter is director of Operation Breaking
Stereotypes, a nonprofit organization that facilitates exchanges between
rural and inner-city middle schools and high schools.
