I asked Karen Novak, a parent of a former PB, to write a letter to parents whose oldest child is moving on to middle school. Here it is:  Well you've managed to get them through elementary school. Fifth grade graduation  is almost here. They're really growing up fast. Just think -- next year they'll be in middle school. Guess what? They're not prepared and neither are you.  Parent Involvement  Taking Charge  Effective Study  Back to School   There's a huge difference between elementary school and middle school and it's going to be a huge transition for both you and your child. You're going from one office to one office and three "houses." You're going from one classroom and one teacher to six classrooms and six teachers. You're going from two administrators to four. You're going from one classroom and one teacher to six classrooms and six teachers (plus lunch). Your child will be "dressing out" for PE now. They need bigger backpacks and lunch boxes, special clothes for PE, towels, locks for two lockers, trapper keepers and folders and supplies for 6 different teachers. They need to remember locker numbers, lock combinations, bus numbers and bus stops, room numbers and building numbers and of course all their new teachers names. And they all will eventually have to get over the initial shock of having to take a shower after PE. And probably just when everything seems like it's calming down and they're getting the hang of it they'll have their bus stop changed or they'll be put on a different bus route and you'll swear it's never going to straighten itself out. But it does.    There are two orientations that incoming 6th graders get. One is a class trip to the middle school and one is an evening orientation at the school for parents and students right before school starts. At both of these orientations they try to give you as much information as they can. It's hard to cram it all into a few hours, it's hard to digest it all at one time and they seem to kind of take it for granted that just because they know all of this stuff that you do too. After all they've been doing this for years.  Here's some advice that I have gathered from a group of "veteran"  6th grade moms that hopefully will make the transition easier for you and your child.  Buy towels over the summer whenever you see them on sale. (Your child will need them for PE). Don't buy anything expensive, they get lost and stolen and pretty beat up.  Buy a dozen or so two pocket three pronged folders (a folder that has a pocket on each side and 3 prongs to hold notebook paper in the middle). Buy more if you see them on sale. ALL middle school teachers use them and they don't hold up very well with constant use. If you wait until school starts the shelves are stripped bare and then they become impossible to find.Your child will need a good, sturdy backpack. They will be carrying a lot more stuff to and from school.  If your child doesn't eat school lunch they'll need a lunch box (the best kind to buy is something soft-sided that they can shove in their backpack).  A "Trapper-Keeper"  or something similar is also a good idea. It keeps them more organized, and gives them something to carry their 6 folders and class supplies around campus in. Backpacks are only allowed to be used to and from school and trips back and forth to lockers when classes change are not always possible.  You can purchase a PE uniform from the school. You don't have to. Dark shorts and white T-shirts are fine. You can purchase a PE uniform from the school. You don't have to. Dark shorts and white T-shirts are fine. Again, they take a beating all year so on sale items are great. When and if it gets cold - sweats are ok for PE. [By the way all 6th graders take PE for two semesters, if they aren't on "the wheel" (a kind of rotation schedule) for PE at the beginning of school they get health first and then PE.]  At the orientation they tell you your child will need a locker lock. Actually they need 2. One for their regular locker and one for their PE locker. The locks must be purchased from school, they cost about three dollar each. Each lock comes with a combination, make sure you know what the combinations are in case your child forgets them.  Don't stock up on too many other supplies before the first day of school. Different teachers will ask your child to bring in different things. Some like erasable pens, some like regular pens, some want blue ink some prefer black. Some teachers only allow pencils and others prefer mechanical pencils. Wait until your child brings home the supply list from the teacher before you buy all the wrong things.  If your child is taking a bus expect a big mess the first few weeks. Don't be surprised if bus stops are changed or moved, or bus numbers or routes are changed. They may get home later than usual the first week or so. Eventually it all works out.  Whenever you call the school to report your child's absence or to speak to a teacher you need to speak to the 6th grade house. Each grade level has their own house (office) and all matters concerning 6th graders go through the sixth grade house. Each grade level also has it's own administrator so while there is one principal there are 3 grade level administrators that handle matters pertaining to that grade. (6th, 7th, 8th)  Expect your child to be nervous and confused for the first week. Try to reassure them that they will find all their classes, they will remember their locker combinations and they won't die of embarrassment when they take a shower after PE. Contrary to their worst nightmare that they'll all be running around in a huge shower room together naked as jay birds -- all of the shower stalls have curtains and are private.  You are the one that has to be responsible for keeping the lines of communication open. And finally if you want your child to be successful in middle school you are the one that has to be responsible for keeping the lines of communication open between yourself and the school. Unlike elementary school where you were dealing with one teacher, in middle school one teacher may have 6 different classes and be responsible for as many as 200 children. Check your child's folders and homework, and if you think there's a problem call and ask to have the teacher call you back. Good luck and keep your sense of humor. Remember you'll be going through all of this all over again when your child starts high school. [Top]  [Parent Page]  [Home]  [About]