Parents Make a Difference*presented by EMMS School Counseling

DepartmentMrs. Rideout & Ms. Kline

The Middle School YearsMiddle school can be a challenging transition for

students. In Elementary school, students spend the majority of their day and receive their core instruction from a single teacher.

However, in middle school, students travel to their classes and receive instruction from 6 adults during the day. It can seem overwhelming.

A lot of parents feel that their children should be able to handle their school work and experiences on their own, but that is not the case.

The Middle School YearsYour children need you more than ever to be able to

make a successful transition.

During these years, students are looking to become more attached to their peers and less attached to their parents. It may be a challenging time for you. At one point, you were the most important person in their lives, but that begins to change during these years.

Your children are learning about relationships, decision making, reasoning, and responsibility.

How Can You Make a Difference?Take an interest in your children’s daily school

experience. Ask what they learned in their classes?Ask to see their notebooks, folders, and agenda book?Check the Home Access Site at least once per week!Check the Homework Website daily!Email or call the teachers regularly to monitor their

progress.Help them create a quiet place to study at home.Make sure they review their lessons daily.Limit their screen time.Make sure they have a set bedtime and eat breakfast.

How Can You Make a Difference? Ask the teachers about their policy for late/missing

assignments.Ask the teachers if they provide extra help.Make sure they attend school on time daily.Talk with your child about your expectations for

their education and daily school experience. Help them set goals and develop a plan to achieve

those goals.Encourage them to ask for help when they need it.Spend time with your children. Learn to say “NO.”

Major Skills Needed for SuccessOrganizationTime managementStudy skillsNote takingTest takingDecision makingProblem solving

Common MythsI don’t have the time/energy to be involved.I don’t want to bother the teacher.My opinion doesn’t matter.My child doesn’t need my help.I feel uncomfortable meeting with

teachers/counselors.I don’t want my child to be angry with me for

checking up on them.

Technology: Friend or Foe?Do your children have social media accounts?Do your children have cell phones (smart

phones)?Do your children have email accounts?How often do you randomly check all of the

above?

Home Access/School Websitehttp://hac.doe.k12.de.us/homeac

cess/www.meredithmiddle.orgRSS Feeds